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UK at ‘grave risk’ as Trump turns up heat on Iran, Bicester MP warns

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The Liberal Democrat spokesman for forreign affairs has written to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to block Donald Trump from using UK air bases.

The American president, at the time of publication, has set a deadline of 8pm EST (1am BST time) for Iran to open up the Strait of Hurmuz.

If not, Mr Trump has threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Age” and said the county will be “living in Hell”.

Mr Miller said in a letter signed by leader Sir Ed Davey that the USA’s threats if carried out would “be a clear breach of international law”.

Bicester and Woodstock’s new MP Calum Miller (Image: Calum Miller)

He said: “The war in the Middle East was launched by Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump on 28 February. Their actions were unilateral and illegal.

“Iran’s retaliation was swift and reckless, also illegally targeting countries that had not been party to the initial attack.”

“Liberal Democrats supported your decisions not to allow UK bases to be used by the US in the initial attacks and to limit UK involvement to that required to defend our citizens, interests and allies in the face of illegal actions against them by Iran.”

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He added “A failure to instil restraint in the actions of combatants and to aver that there are enemy combatants (or civilians) who “deserve no mercy” also contravenes the First and Third Geneva Conventions.

“President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth stand at the pinnace of the US Chain of Command. We must take their remarks seriously.

“They have given us warning that they intend to give instructions that will breach international law.”

Mr Miller called on Sir Keir to “withdraw the access granted to US planes to use UK bases and to make a statement on how we will continue to work with our other allies” going forward.

Downing Street again said the UK’s focus was on “de-escalation” and a “negotiated settlement” for the region, but Mr Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric and the US-Israeli bombing campaign continued.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA) (Image: PA)

With the countdown on 24 hours, Mr Trump said on social media: “A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again.

“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

The UK has granted permission for the US to use British military bases to carry out limited defensive operations, only targeting Iran’s missile sites and facilities being used to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil and gas route.





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ITV is closing down channel CITV for good after 42 years

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Children’s channel CITV is being turned off for good, having launched in 1980.

The channel was home to hit shows like Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV, and Fraggle Rock.

However, it has now been reported that CITV will be closed for good on April 10.

ITV is closing down CITV

CITV first began as Watch IT, then was rebranded as Children’s ITV and later shortened to CITV.

In 2006, its late-afternoon slot on ITV1 was axed as it got its own channel on Freeview but was still available on weekend mornings on ITV channels.

The CITV Freeview was later shut down and replaced by the streaming service ITVX Kids Hub on ITVX in 2023, with the weekend showings moving to ITV2.

It has now been claimed by a media account that the ITV2 showings will now be ending, marking the end to CITV after 42 years on air.

Reporting the claims, X account, Media Central UK, wrote: “In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that has been around for 42 years.

“Farewell CITV, this time for real.

“CBBC will have some of CITV’s programming, while the rest will be under ITVX Kids.”

Those who grew up with CITV have begun reminiscing on the TV channel and the shows it brought to audiences.

As one X user said, “Grizzly Tales for gruesome kids was awesome on CITV when I was a kid.”

Another former CITV watcher wrote: “End of an era …. I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel.”


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A third person said, “I feel bad for CITV’s closure as shows such as Horrid Henry, Rosie and Jim, Art Attack and Sooty (of course) put a smile on my face in my childhood and I had said goodbye to its TV channel too.”

ITV has been contacted for a comment.

What was your favourite show on CITV? Let us know in the comments below.





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Oxford Playhouse shows cancelled after issue at theatre

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The Oxford Playhouse in Beaumont Street, Oxford, was set to host two shows of The Little Red Riding Hood, a reimagined version of the ballet for children by production company Northern Ballet.

Coming to the Oxford stage for just two days this week, performers and audiences were disappointed today, Tuesday, April 7, when two of the shows were cancelled.

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Performances at both 2pm and 4pm were called off by the theatre due to a power cut, with the schedule change announced at about 11.30am on Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: “Unfortunately, due to a power cut, the performances of Little Red Riding Hood for today, Tuesday, April 7 at 2pm and 4pm, have been cancelled.

“Our Box Office team is reaching out to ticket holders of these performances, and we appreciate your patience at this time.

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“We know this news will be disappointing, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“At present, all other performances on Wednesday, April 8 are scheduled to go ahead as planned.”

The Little Red Riding Hood ballet, choreographed and directed by Mariana Rodrigues, s billed as a family-friendly performance featuring ‘colourful costumes, lively characters and playful storytelling’.





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Oxfordshire best celebrant named finalist for second year

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Suzi van der Mark of Celebrations by Suzi, based in Nettlebed near Henley-on-Thames, was named as the best celebrant at The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) regional final last year.

More recently, she secured a place in the final of the Guides for Brides Customer Service Awards for a second year, picking up her award at Oxford Town Hall on March 18.

The accolade celebrates those who have gone the extra mile to provide outstanding customer care to couples throughout the year.

Suzi van der Mark, an independent celebrant from Nettlebed, near Henley-on-Thames (Image: Mark Rock)

She said: “After being named best newcomer at the previous TWIA, it is a huge vote of confidence and I’m absolutely blown away. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my clients’ generous feedback and for trusting me on the most special of days.”

“It really is the icing on the cake”, she said, “Taking the time to get to know my couples to create a truly bespoke wedding ceremony that’s full of memorable moments and personal touches without any rules of restrictions is a total pleasure and a real privilege.”

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She says her 25 years in corporate communications as a professional writer and storyteller for brands and businesses has proven invaluable in her role to deliver memorable ceremonies from scratch.

She said: “The Statutory Ceremony at the Register Office is a great option and ensures that my couples can have a one-of-a-kind ceremony on their wedding day in front of all their guests with me without any rules or restrictions on music, readings, rituals, faith, vows or promises.

“This allows for a truly celebratory ceremony that reflects them and their wishes entirely because the legalities have already taken place.”

Couples described her story telling as “magical”. One said: “Her amazing story telling was just magical and she got us and the mood spot on”. Another said: “Suzi is a beautiful creative writer. How she transformed our love story into our ceremony was quite amazing – pure genius.”

She only books one wedding a day, allowing for limited time constraints on the couple. She said: “If a guest of bride is running late or we want to wait for the weather to pass, we can. Unlike a council registrar, I’ll have no time constraints or other weddings to rush off to, so I can help with alleviating stress levels and any other unforeseen circumstances.”

Bespoke barn ceremonies have proved a particular hit, including Stratton Court Ban in Bicester, Notley Tythe Barn near Aylesbury and Old Luxters Barn near Henley-on-Thames.





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