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Plan 2 student loan interest rates capped at 6% in England

Plan 2 student loan interest rates capped at 6% in England. 15 hours ago. Hazel ShearingEducation correspondent. Getty Images. Interest on some student loans in England will be capped at 6% in the next academic year.. The government said the cap on Plan 2 and postgraduate loans aimed to protect graduates from the risk of rising inflation due to the Iran war.. Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said it wanted to “defend against the consequences of far-away conflicts in an uncertain world”.. There have been calls to lower the interest rate on Plan 2 student loans as part of a wider overhaul of the system.. The cap will apply to Plan 2 student loans – which were issued in England between September 2012 and July 2023 and are still issued in Wales – for the 2026-27 academic year.. It will also apply to Plan 3, or postgraduate, loans.. The Plan 2 interest rate is the retail prices index (RPI) measure of inflation plus up to 3%, depending on earnings, where higher earners see their overall debt rise at a higher rate.. It is set every September, using the RPI in March that year. It is currently 3.2% (RPI in March 2025) plus up to 3%.. That means the debt of the highest-earning graduates has been rising by 6.2% this year.. RPI for March 2026 has not yet been published, but it was 3.6% in February.. Analysts believe the rate of inflation is on the rise as a result of the Iran war.. This is not the first time a cap has been introduced. The government imposes caps when it thinks inflation, and therefore the interest rate, will grow too high.. Caps were in place for Plan 2 loans between July 2021 and February 2022, then again from September 2022 to August 2024. The highest cap was 8%.. Baroness Smith said: “We know that the conflict in the Middle East is causing anxiety at home, and while the risk of global shocks is beyond our control, protecting people here is not.”. She said the caps would “provide immediate protection for borrowers, supporting those who are most exposed within this already unfair system” and that the government was “continuing to look at the broken Plan 2 system we inherited”.. “We’re acting now to defend against the consequences of far-away conflicts in an uncertain world,” she added.. Amira Campbell, president of the National Union of Students, called it a “huge win” but said further change was needed – including reversing freezes to the repayment threshold announced in November’s Budget.. “This government have woken up to the unfairness of student loans, and are taking action to prevent our debts from spiralling further out of control,” she said.. “But this change cannot come alone. We still need to see the chancellor stick by the terms we signed at 17 years old, and raise the threshold in line with our incomes.”. What are Plan 2 student loans and how does borrowing for uni work now?. Other campaigners have welcomed Tuesday’s announcement, but repeated their calls for wider reforms to the system.. Tom Allingham, from the Save the St

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How we became alone together #loneliness #generation

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Trump, Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire and more top headlines

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. Good morning and welcome to Fox News’ morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here’s what you need to know to start your day …. TOP 3. 1. Trump makes bold prediction after Iran ceasefire agreement. 2. NASA shifts playbook as Artemis II nears return. 3. Friend weighs in as American woman goes missing in the Bahamas. MAJOR HEADLINES. FREIGHT OF FEAR — Girl seen in FedEx truck in eerie final image before tragedy unfolded. Continue reading …. MELTDOWN MODE — Sexual misconduct allegations rock California race as Swalwell campaign dismisses claims.Continue reading …. TRUCKER TROUBLE — ICE nabs illegal immigrants after tips of ‘unusual’ flood of CDL customers at DMV. Continue reading …. FISTS FLY — Angels slugger fights former teammates in wild brawl following inside pitch.Continue reading …. POOL OF TROUBLE — Patriots coach responds after intimate photos with New York Times NFL reporter leak.Continue reading …. –. POLITICS. ‘THE BRINK’ — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez demands Trump’s removal even after Iran ceasefire deal.Continue reading …. RISING DISSENT — Trump’s Iran threat rattles GOP as some Republicans break ranks. Continue reading …. SEAT SECURED — Winner of special election projected for House seat vacated by MTG.Continue reading …. LEFT LOCKS IN — Conservatives lose another seat on battleground state’s highest court.Continue reading …. Click here for more cartoons…. MEDIA. UNHINGED RANT — Dems’ favorite streamer Hasan Piker caught berating refugee on video. Continue reading …. BATHHOUSE COMEBACK? — Liberal city mulls approval for adult sex venues in reversal of 38-year ban. Continue reading …. LOSERS’ LAMENT — James Carville delivers blunt reality check about Democratic Party’s poll numbers.Continue reading …. WOKE SHOWDOWN — Feds launch Title IX probe into K-12 school district over gender identity policy.Continue reading …. OPINION. STEVE FORBES — Iran’s nuclear insanity leaves America and allies no room to blink. Continue reading …. JONATHAN TURLEY — This blue state’s latest attack on free speech is awful and sneaky, too. Continue reading …. –. IN OTHER NEWS. ‘IN GOOD SPIRITS’ — Country star, 87, is on the mend after breaking his neck in serious fall. Continue reading …. FRIGID STOPOVER — Hundreds stranded for days on remote, freezing island after emergency flight diversion. Continue reading …. AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Tidal Basin traditions and baseball benchmarks. Take the quiz here …. GOT THE RING — Chiefs owner’s daughter Gracie Hunt engaged to son of team’s former quarterback. Continue reading …. THAT’S RISKY — Sleep expert warns about dangers of poor rest. See video …. WATCH. GOV. RON DESANTIS — Political and cultural bonds with parts of Europe have eroded. See video …. REP. CHIP ROY — Dems cozy up with live streamer who said US deserved 9/11. See video …. LISTEN. Tune in for

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Terror suspects indicted after allegedly throwing bombs at NYC protest outside mayor’s mansion

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. The two terror suspects accused of trying to bomb a protest outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence last month, in what authorities have described as an ISIS-inspired attack, were indicted on Tuesday, according to federal prosecutors.. Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, are accused of throwing live explosive devices into a protest outside Mamdani’s Gracie Mansion residence on March 7, after driving from Pennsylvania. The bombs failed to detonate and nobody was injured.. Both were charged with eight counts: conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, provision and attempted provision of material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, carrying of explosives during the commission of a federal felony, transportation of explosive materials, interstate transportation and receipt of explosives and unlawful possession of destructive devices.. “As alleged, just weeks ago, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi carried out a terrorist attack on the streets of New York,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said in a statement. “They sought to murder multiple innocent victims in the name of ISIS. The brave women and men of the NYPD responded immediately, and Balat and Kayumi were arrested on site.”. NEW VIDEO SHOWS TERROR SUSPECT TACKLED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THROWING BOMB AT NYC PROTEST OUTSIDE MAYOR’S RESIDENCE. “Since their attack, our partners at the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force have uncovered evidence revealing the alleged meticulous planning by the defendants in their attack, including a notebook with detailed attack plans and a storage unit containing explosive residue and bomb-making materials,” he added.. When speaking to law enforcement, Balat allegedly said he wanted the planned attack to be “bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.”. After Kayumi was arrested and waiting to be placed inside an NYPD vehicle, someone from the surrounding crowd yelled at him and asked why he carried out the attack.. “ISIS,” he allegedly responded.. PENNSYLVANIA MEN ACCUSED OF ISIS-INSPIRED BOMB ATTACK ON NYC PROTESTERS NEAR MAYOR’S MANSION: TIMELINE. The pair also made comments recorded on dashcam in which they discussed soon carrying out the attack as they traveled to New York, according to the indictment.. “What do you think? Are they going to remove the airplanes for us … over New York? Are they going to stop them? If we do the attack and the bombs go off and everything?” Balat asked.. “Just can’t wait for that bomb to go off and his freaking head, his body to get split in half bro, dead,” he added.. Kayumi said, “All I know is I want to start terror, bro” and “I want to petrify these people.”. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP. A forensic analysis of two unexploded devices — one that Balat tossed into the crowd

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Thunder score 123 to close in on top spot

Image source, Getty Images. ByElizabeth Hudson. BBC Sport Journalist. 35 minutes ago. The Oklahoma City Thunder are within reach of clinching the NBA’s Western Conference top spot for the third season running after thrashing the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time in six days.. A 123-87 victory on Tuesday means the Thunder are one win – or one San Antonio Spurs loss – from ensuring they finish top.. The Lakers had lost 139-96 to the defending NBA champions on Thursday – one of their heaviest defeats in their history.. This time, despite being without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, they stayed with the Thunder into the second quarter before their opponents scored 23 points – conceding just five – in the final seven minutes and 16 seconds of the half to take control.. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points in 28 minutes – extending to 139 his record for most consecutive games with 20 or more points – as his side secured their sixth consecutive win and their 18th in 19 games.. The defeat for the Lakers was their third in a row – they fall behind the Denver Nuggets in the chase for third spot in the Conference.. Rui Hachimura led the home side with 15 points with no other Lakers player scoring more than 11.. Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns missed out on an automatic play-off spot after losing 119-105 to the Houston Rockets.. Kevin Durant who was traded from Phoenix to Houston last year, scored 24 points against his former team with sections of the Suns home crowd subjecting him to boos throughout the game.. The defeat for the Suns means the Minnesota Timberwolves have secured the final play-off spot in the Conference after their comprehensive 124-104 success over the struggling Indiana Pacers.. The Boston Celtics closed in on securing second seed in the Eastern Conference after holding off the in-form Charlotte Hornets 113-102 while the Toronto Raptors kept their automatic play-off hopes on track with a 121-95 win over the Miami Heat, who will now be involved in next week’s play-in tournament, along with the Suns.. Related topics. Basketball

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Starmer to visit Middle East after US and Iran reach ceasefire deal

Starmer to visit Middle East after US and Iran reach ceasefire deal. 13 minutes ago. Anna Lamche. Reuters. Keir Starmer welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US as he travelled to meet with leaders of countries in the Gulf on Wednesday.. The prime minister is expected to “discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire”, according to No 10. He will return to the UK on Friday.. The ceasefire comes after Donald Trump threatened “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to end the war and unblock the Strait of Hormuz – comments that led Downing Street to call again for “de-escalation”.. “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world”, Starmer told reporters on Wednesday.. “Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz”, he added.. Iran and the US agreed to the conditional ceasefire on Tuesday, just over an hour before the expiry of the deadline Trump had set for Iran to make a deal.. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the ceasefire was “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz”.. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Iran would agree to a ceasefire “if attacks against Iran are halted”.. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible”, he added.. The war began in February, when the US and Israel launched co-ordinated attacks on Iran over concerns Tehran was accelerating efforts towards building a nuclear weapon.. In response, Iran has launched strikes on its neighbours across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.. It also placed a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that serves as a critical shipping route through which a fifth of the world’s energy shipments usually transits.. The conflict caused the price of crude oil to spike, with sharp increases in petrol and diesel costs, leading to concerns about the cost of living in countries across the world.. What we know about the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. UK will allow US to use bases to strike Iranian missile sites, PM says. UK will seek closer ties with EU in light of Iran war, Starmer says. Middle East. Keir Starmer. Donald Trump. Iran. Iran war. Iran-US relations. United States