1. Treasury: No U-turn on NI increase
A Treasury minister said there will be no U-turn on the increase to national insurance contributions for the self-employed, which were announced by the Chancellor in his Budget yesterday, despite the Tory general election manifesto promising no such increases this parliament. Several Conservative MPs have said the rise would stifle enterprise.
Fact Check: Did Philip Hammond's Budget breach a manifesto pledge?
2. Osborne earns £650,000 for working one day a week
Former chancellor George Osborne yesterday declared he is earning around £1.5m a year on top of his salary as an MP. The member for Tatton is being paid £650,000 annually to advise investment firm Blackrock for four days each month. The remaining £800,000 is from giving speeches and being a Kissinger fellow in the US.
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Where is George Osborne now?
3. Two die in Italy motorway bridge collapse
Two people have died after a motorway bridge collapsed near the north-east Italian city of Ancona. They were travelling on the A14 motorway when their car was crushed after a temporary structure supporting the bridge gave way. Two Romanian workers were also injured. The bridge was closed for repair work at the time.
4. 'Fake Justin Bieber' charged with 931 sex crimes
A man who pretended to be teen heart-throb Justin Bieber to trick children into sending him explicit images has been charged with 931 child sex crimes, including three rapes. The 42-year-old Australian, said to have had 157 victims across the globe, used "multiple platforms" including Skype and Facebook to impersonate the singer, police said.
'Justin Bieber impostor' charged with 931 child sex offences
5. US marines deployed to fight IS in Syria
US marines with heavy artillery have been deployed temporarily to Syria to help the fight against Islamic State, a move The Guardian says shows Donald Trump's administration is giving the Pentagon more flexibility in making combat decisions itself. The troops will join the battle to remove IS from its headquarters in Raqqa.
6. Sturgeon: Second independence referendum in 2018
Scotland might hold a second referendum on independence in the autumn of 2018, said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, although she added that no decision has been made by her ruling SNP party on whether to push for the vote. Sturgeon has previously said the Brexit vote made a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK "highly likely".
Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?
7. Harry Potter actor Jim Tavare in intensive care
Actor and comedian Jim Tavare, best known as Tom the innkeeper in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is in intensive care after a head-on car crash. He suffered a broken neck, punctured lung, 15 broken ribs and other injuries, but is conscious and undergoing surgery. It is not known where the crash took place.
8. Scarlett Johansson seeks custody of daughter Rose
Actor Scarlett Johansson has filed for divorce from her French journalist husband Romain Duriac and is seeking custody of their daughter Rose. Duriac's lawyer said his client was "shocked" by the request because he has been the "primary parent" to the two-year-old. The couple split last summer, after less than two years of marriage.
9. Malta's Azure Window destroyed by storms
One of Malta's best-known landmarks has been completely destroyed by storms. The Azure Window, a 164ft natural limestone arch on the island of Gozo, attracted thousands of tourists every year and was used as a filming location in fantasy series Game of Thrones. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat tweeted the news today, calling it "heartbreaking".
10. Briefing: The Pros and cons of creating new grammar schools
Today's Budget is set to pave the way for a new generation of grammar schools, as part of a £500m investment in education reforms. At least £320m has been earmarked to fund 140 new free schools with 70,000 new places, which look likely to include the first wave of state-funded selective secondary schools in years. The decision is likely to prove contentious.
Pros and cons of creating new grammar schools
