In the headlines
Millions of households will see their council tax bill rise by 5% this April, as three-quarters of local authorities opt for the maximum possible increase. Households in mid-tier band D will face a £99 annual hike. Rishi Sunak has revealed that RAF Typhoon jets are at “24/7 readiness” to shoot down Chinese spy balloons, says the Daily Mail. In the US, White House officials say Beijing has been running a “high-altitude balloon programme” to spy on sensitive military sites. Lilt is being given a new name. Owner Coca-Cola says the 50-year-old soft drink, touted for its “totally tropical taste”, will now be known as Fanta Pineapple and Grapefruit. “I don’t think I want to live in a world without Lilt in it,” wrote one dismayed fan on Twitter. “What’s the point any more?”