News

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev offered assistance to North Macedonia following the Kočani fire tragedy, stating that the country is ready to transport additional victims for treatment and emphasizing the importance of mutual support in times of hardship. Parliament Speaker Natalia Kiselova also expressed condolences and shared the grief of the North Macedonian people.

Bulgaria declared March 18, 2025 a National Day of Mourning to honor the victims of the Kočani nightclub fire, expressing solidarity with North Macedonia and lowering national flags. A requiem prayer was held in Sofia, with the Patriarch offering condolences and prayers for the deceased and injured.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking action to address the car finance mis-selling scandal by introducing an industry-wide redress scheme. This scheme will automatically identify and compensate millions of motorists who were mis-sold car loans, eliminating the need for them to file individual claims.

The UK's economic growth forecast has been downgraded by the OECD due to global trade uncertainties and inflationary pressures, making it the second-fastest growing economy in the G7 behind the US. This downgrade presents a challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who faces mounting pressure to meet fiscal targets without resorting to significant spending cuts.

Former Liverpool footballer and Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has lost his IR35 appeal, resulting in a £300,000 tax bill after being deemed a "disguised employee" of Sky Sports. The ruling highlights the increasing scrutiny of freelancers and contractors by HMRC, particularly those in high-profile media roles.