some of the stories in the headlines in the uk. millions of uk households will typically pay an extra £693 a year on their energy bills from april, putting a further squeeze on people already facing higher prices and rising taxes. the chancellor of the exchequer, rishi sunak, said the majority of families would receive a total of £350 to help them adjust to higher prices. but the scheme is being criticised for not targeting those most in need. interest rates in the uk have risen for the second time in three months to 0.5%, as the bank of england tries to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. the bank warned that price rises could speed up with inflation predicted to hit more than 7% in april — the highest rate for more than 30 years. northern ireland has been plunged into political turmoil with the resignation of its first minister in a brexit row. paul givan, of the strongly pro—british democratic unionist party, quit in protest at inspections of goods