One source said the heads of the army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and other top brass were due to meet this week to discuss the funding pressures. A second source said the squeeze is because the current budget is insufficient simply to deliver the programme of record - let alone ambitions set out in a major review of defence that was published last June to rebuild and rearm in response to escalating threats. A third source said that the Ministry of Defence - like all government departments - has to operate within the agreed budget set out by the Treasury. Defence officials had been holding out for the possibility of more money being made available faster as part of a major, 10-year plan to invest in new equipment and capabilities. However, the government has still not signed off on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) - even though it should have been published last autumn. It means that there is no let-up in the financial squeeze, leading to further demands on military officers and civil servants to look for new ways to cut costs. The revelations about the in-year cash crisis emerged as Lord George Robertson, the lead author of the prime minister's Strategic Defence Review and a former Labour defence secretary, prepares to issue a devastating critique of the government's record on defence. Read more from Sky News:Soham killer's cause of deathWater firm boss gives up bonus In a speech this evening, he will accuse the prime minister and his chancellor of "corrosive complacency" that has left the armed forces "underprepared" for the threats they face. Lord Robertson, also a former head of the NATO alliance, will take particular aim at Rachel Reeves, her apparent lack of interest in defence and the incompatibility of vast welfare spending with supercharging the defence budget. He will accuse "non-military experts in the Treasury" of "vandalism", adding: "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget." Asked about the claim that military chiefs have been urged to find £3.5bn in efficiencies and other savings in-year, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The defence budget is rising to record levels as this government delivers the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270bn this parliament alone. "Demands on defence are rising, with growing Russian aggression, the crisis in the Middle East and increasing operational requirements. "We are finalising our Defence Investment Plan that we will publish as soon as possible, putting the best kit and technology into the hands of our forces, rebuilding British industry to make defence an engine for growth and doubling down on our own commitment to NATO." A request to make efficiency savings is different to a budget cut. Military chiefs have repeatedly been requested over the years to find ways to do things cheaper or more efficiently. They will typically draw up lists of options - including extremely unpalatable ones that could not be accepted - in a back and forth with defence and Treasury officials to try to make the in-year finances work. In a defence review in 2015, however, much of the investment plans to buy more military kit were predicated on billions of pounds in unspecified efficiency savings that were never achieved, leaving the armed forces more hollow.

Announced during an episode of American Idol on Tuesday, six out of the eight latest honourees hail from the UK. Phil Collins, Sade, Billy Idol and Manchester icons Joy Division and New Order (who are being treated as one act) also made the cut. The two non-British honourees in the performer category were Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and hip-hop innovators Wu-Tang Clan. Liam Gallagher has previously spoken critically about the Hall of Fame, saying in 2024 he didn't want an award from "some geriatric in a cowboy hat," and saying on social media, "RNR hall of fame is for W******". On Tuesday, Gallagher seemed to have a change of heart, writing on X: "I wanna thank all the people who voted for us it's a real honour ever since I was a little kid and singing in the shower I'd dream about 1 day being in the RnR hall of fame it's true what they say anything is possible if you have a dream LG x" He later responded to a follower's question about what would be in his acceptance speech, saying, "Well I'll obv bring a box of chocolates and flowers and apologise to the organisers for my ignorance." Last year, Oasis played their biggest ever US tour, with two sell-out nights in California. Pioneers of a new wave of British heavy metal in the 1970s, Iron Maiden have released over 40 albums, including The Number Of The Beast. The band's lead singer Bruce Dickinson has also been less than complimentary about the Hall of Fame in the past, saying in 2018, "It's run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn't know rock'n'roll if it hit them in the face". Drummer, singer and songwriter Phil Collins, who was a giant of 1980s popular music, will become a double Hall of Fame member, after previously being honoured as a member of Genesis in 2010. Responding to his second nod, Collins wrote on Instagram: "Obviously I'm pleased and honored to be inducted. It wraps up what has been a wonderful life in music." Billy Idol, instantly recognisable for his bleach-blond hair and hits including White Wedding and Rebel Yell, bridged the gap between punk and rock in the 1970s and 1980s, and went on to become an MTV star in the 1990s. Idol appeared in person on American Idol, performing alongside judge Carrie Underwood before his nomination was announced. Soul-jazz star Sade Adu, who fronts the band Sade - famous for hits including Sweetest Taboo and Smooth Operator - makes history as the first British black woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Manchester bands Joy Division and New Order share a single induction, with the latter formed by the remaining members after the 1980 death of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes said: "Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music's highest honour. "We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year's ceremony - it's going to be an unforgettable night." Read more from Sky News:Trump deletes AI image of himself as Jesus Colombia to cull wild hippos from herd started by Escobar Artists are eligible for inclusion in the hall 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording, with more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals voting to decide the nominees each year. Nominees will be formally inducted in a ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles in November. As well as being a hall of fame, the Cleveland, Ohio-based organisation - which was founded in 1983 by chairman of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun - is also a museum that documents the history of rock music and the artists, producers, engineers, and other personnel who have influenced its development.

One source said the heads of the army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and other top brass were due to meet this week to discuss the funding pressures. A second source said the squeeze is because the current budget is insufficient simply to deliver the programme of record - let alone ambitions set out in a major review of defence that was published last June to rebuild and rearm in response to escalating threats. A third source said that the Ministry of Defence - like all government departments - has to operate within the agreed budget set out by the Treasury. Defence officials had been holding out for the possibility of more money being made available faster as part of a major, 10-year plan to invest in new equipment and capabilities. However, the government has still not signed off on the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) - even though it should have been published last autumn. It means that there is no let-up in the financial squeeze, leading to further demands on military officers and civil servants to look for new ways to cut costs. The revelations about the in-year cash crisis emerged as Lord George Robertson, the lead author of the prime minister's Strategic Defence Review and a former Labour defence secretary, prepares to issue a devastating critique of the government's record on defence. Read more from Sky News:Soham killer's cause of deathWater firm boss gives up bonus In a speech this evening, he will accuse the prime minister and his chancellor of "corrosive complacency" that has left the armed forces "underprepared" for the threats they face. Lord Robertson, also a former head of the NATO alliance, will take particular aim at Rachel Reeves, her apparent lack of interest in defence and the incompatibility of vast welfare spending with supercharging the defence budget. He will accuse "non-military experts in the Treasury" of "vandalism", adding: "We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget." Asked about the claim that military chiefs have been urged to find £3.5bn in efficiencies and other savings in-year, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The defence budget is rising to record levels as this government delivers the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270bn this parliament alone. "Demands on defence are rising, with growing Russian aggression, the crisis in the Middle East and increasing operational requirements. "We are finalising our Defence Investment Plan that we will publish as soon as possible, putting the best kit and technology into the hands of our forces, rebuilding British industry to make defence an engine for growth and doubling down on our own commitment to NATO." A request to make efficiency savings is different to a budget cut. Military chiefs have repeatedly been requested over the years to find ways to do things cheaper or more efficiently. They will typically draw up lists of options - including extremely unpalatable ones that could not be accepted - in a back and forth with defence and Treasury officials to try to make the in-year finances work. In a defence review in 2015, however, much of the investment plans to buy more military kit were predicated on billions of pounds in unspecified efficiency savings that were never achieved, leaving the armed forces more hollow.

Arsenal are attempting to reach back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club's history, with a potential Premier League title decider at Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, waiting in the wings on Sunday. But Arsenal go into this week on a run of three defeats in four matches, going from four possible trophies to two. And after a shock home defeat by Bournemouth, Arteta's ability to keep his team calm in the most important part of the season has been questioned. Analysis: How does Arteta stop Arsenal's 'bottle'?Neville: Arsenal need to balance their emotionsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 But Arteta was at it again in the press conference room by admitting he himself is on "fire" ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg with Sporting CP on Wednesday, with his team 1-0 up on aggregate. Asked what he wants from his team on Wednesday night, Arteta took his time for a few seconds and then replied: "No fear. Pure fire. That's it. "That's what I want to see from the players, the people and myself. Go for every opportunity. It's unbelievable. "We are in April, an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let's confront it and go for it. I am putting everything into it. "Fire! I'm on fire! That's it. Nothing else. I'm dreaming so much. "I've done so much to be in this position. Because I know how this club was. I've done so much against anything that I just see beauty, opportunity. I want to get it done who have been on this journey with us. They deserve it, it's unbelievable. "I have zero fear. I had fear when: if we don't get this done, I don't know what happens to the club. Now? It's just purpose, fire, direction." Asked if he is seeing it in his players, Arteta replied: "Yes. Big time." And asked if this is the biggest week of his Arsenal career, Arteta replied: "The biggest opportunity of six and a half years, yeah." Arteta reacts to Man City fan 'bottle' moment Arsenal have been accused of "bottling" the Premier League title race, as they missed the chance to go 12 points clear of Manchester City on Saturday, before Pep Guardiola's side - who have a game in hand - cut their lead to six by beating Chelsea on Sunday. One Manchester City fan drank from an Arsenal 'bottle' in the away end - a clip which ended up going viral - and Arteta responded to that moment. "One fan?" Arteta replied. "One fan that says something, over 60,000 fans that are incredible at the Emirates? I don't get moved by that. "I show [my players] all the people and players that love these players for what they're doing which is unprecedented in this club." "What we are trying to achieve, it's difficult, challenging, bumpy at times. It's supposed to be like this. You have to confront it." Arteta defended Arsenal's recent wobble in form - admitting that getting over the line to claim a first Premier League title in 22 years, and reaching the latter stages of the Champions League is meant to be difficult. "We are trying to do something, in this competition, that hasn't been done in the history of the club - in 140 years," said the Arsenal manager. "That tells you the difficulty of that. "We value a lot where we are. We want to be in the semi-finals. We are in a really strong position in the Premier League for 22 years without doing it. So we know the difficulty of that. The beauty of it, is that it's difficult. "We haven't been in this position in the Champions League ever in our history. We have overcome a lot of hurdles that were there for 140 years, they've never been done before. "If we want to go to the next step, for sure, we have to have more ambition than anyone else. We are doing it, and are very, very close. "What I love about where we are is that there is no satisfaction about it. You haven't asked me any questions about: congratulations, you're going to be in the Champions League next year. "Now we take it for granted. I assume the next 20 years this club is going to take it for granted that you're fighting for titles in April. C'est finit. That's great. I do value a lot what the players have done." Is Arteta doing the right thing by calling for fire? Sky Sports' Sam Blitz: After last week's stunning 'bring your lunch, bring your dinner' rallying cry to his supporters, only for his side to lose to Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta could have opted for a quieter approach this press conference. Many felt Arteta's antics last week added more to the noise, the expectation and the pressure of the team - and it led to a jittery display at the weekend. And anyway, his team are 1-0 up in the Champions League quarter-final tie, they are expected to progress to the European semi-finals - and Wednesday's encounter with Sporting CP is not even Arsenal's biggest game of the week. But the Arsenal manager has doubled down - producing yet another rallying cry. Instead of calling for calm, or producing the usual 'one game at a time line', he has stolen the headlines once again. At the start of the season, many observers of Arteta noticed a much calmer version of the Spaniard. That calm came from the confidence he had in his team: a bigger squad, better chances of success - and it exuded confidence in his players. Now this version of Arteta is very, very different. And it is a complete contrast to the Manchester City camp, which is cool, composed and controlled by Pep Guardiola. The Arsenal manager has drawn the line in the sand: his Arsenal team are showing a burning desire for success. But is this latest speech going to fire up his players - or send his season up in smoke? Eze: You can see the fire in Arteta's eyes Speaking before the quarter-final, Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze says Arteta has "fire" in his eyes - and that the squad are keen to ignore the noise about their season. "The boss speaks well, he is passionate, and you can see the fire he has in his eyes and mind, and that has been pushed around the whole training ground," he said. "We know the opportunity we have, we know what is at stake and what is possible, but we have an opportunity to make history as a club. "And regardless of what people are saying outside, it is about us here and what we do massively, we have so much confidence in what we are doing and that has been the main message - just focus on what we are doing and this feeling we have and letting go of all the noise outside." Eze could be crucial in overcoming Arsenal's recent attacking woes and is eyeing up a first start since getting injured in the Champions League last 16 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Asked if he has been tested at Arsenal, Eze said: "I would not say tested. I've experienced football for long enough to know how to carry myself and operate and be the best version of myself on the pitch. "And a lot of that is, to be honest, not caring what you guys talk about and just doing what I do. I am professional and the one who plays and everyone has an opinion and thinks they know what is right. "And I can see we now have the mentality just to let go and do what we do best."

Huntley, 52, died in hospital after being struck multiple times over the head with a metal bar, an inquest has heard. He was left with "significant head injuries" after being attacked inside the prison workshop in HMP Frankland, County Durham, in late February. The killer was reportedly found by prison guards in a pool of blood. He died days later on 7 March at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. His cause of death was determined as "blunt head injury". The former school caretaker was serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. The inquest, held in Crook, County Durham, on Tuesday, lasted less than five minutes. Coroner's officer Bradley King said: "I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Huntley was struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar. "The assault left Mr Huntley with significant head injuries." Huntley's body was formally identified on the day he died. Anthony Russell, 43, who has been charged with murdering Huntley, is due to have a pre-trial hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on 24 April. Huntley, a former school caretaker, killed best friends Holly and Jessica after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away. They were not found for 13 days, despite a search involving hundreds of police. Read more on Sky News:Huntley's 'minimalist' cremation At the time, Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica's primary school. He denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003. He was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years. Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She is now living under a new identity.

The 44-year-old pop star voluntarily checked herself into a substance abuse treatment facility, according to an email sent to The Associated Press on Sunday. Spears was arrested on 5 March, after California Highway Patrol officers received a report that a BMW was driving fast and "erratically" on US 101 in Ventura County near the Los Angeles County line. She was later arrested for "driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol" and taken to Ventura County Main Jail, north west of Los Angeles. Spears, who lives in the area, was released several hours later. She is due to appear in court on 4 May. At the time of Spears's arrest, her representative called her actions "completely inexcusable" and said it would ideally be "the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life". Spears has not released new music for several years, saying in 2024 that she would "never return to the music industry". She went on to sell part of her rights to her back catalogue to music publisher Primary Wave in February. In 2021, a 13-year conservatorship allowing her father to control her freedom and finances due to concerns over her mental health was dissolved by the court. Spears published a bestselling memoir two years later, titled The Woman In Me.

In a blow to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who heads out to the IMF for its latest meetings in Washington DC this week, the fund slashed its 2026 UK GDP growth forecast from 1.3% to 0.8%. The 0.5 percentage point cut is greater than for any of the other G7 group of seven leading industrialised nations, and comes hot on the heels of a similar downgrade from the OECD. Money blog: Stores 'taking mickey' out of shoppers on olive oil, says Filippo Berio boss The UK was hardly alone in seeing a downgrade in its projections for gross domestic product - the broadest measure of economic performance. In the face of the war in the Persian Gulf, the fund downgraded a swathe of other nations, as well as its overall global growth projection (which, it said, it would have raised were it not for the war). "The global economy has, to date, withstood a series of shocks," the fund said, "yet another one - this time a military conflict engulfing the Middle East since the end of February - is testing this resilience." However, what is striking about both this and the OECD economic updates from recent weeks is how badly the UK fares. This is thought in part to derive from Britain's dependence on energy imports, its sensitivity to import prices and its comparatively high levels of government debt, which leave it with less room than many other nations to cushion the economic blow for households. The fund said: "In the United Kingdom, the war and a slower pace of monetary easing mean that growth is projected to decline from 1.3% in 2025 to 0.8% in 2026, a downward revision of 0.5 percentage points relative to the October 2025 forecast. Growth is projected to recover to 1.3% in 2027, slower than expected before the war as the impact of higher energy prices linger." It also said that Britain would see higher inflation than most other developed economies this year, with the rate of annual price growth averaging 3.2% across 2026. The report said: "Inflation, which in 2025 increased partly because of one-off changes in regulated prices, is expected to pick up again temporarily toward 4% before returning to target by the end of 2027 as the effects of higher energy prices fade and a weakening labour market continues to exert downward pressure on wage growth." Read more on Sky News:Mark Kleinman blog: Destinus hires bankers for Amsterdam floatMarkets react to Trump blockade threat The fund said it expected global growth of 3.1% this year, down from its previous forecast of 3.3%, and below the 3.4% it would have anticipated were it not for the war. Although down sharply on the previous forecast, and below the 2.3% expected in the US, the UK growth of 0.8% is only slightly weaker than France's 0.9% and is identical to Germany's 0.8% forecast. Responding to the announcement, Ms Reeves said: "The war in Iran is not our war, but it will come at a cost to the UK. These are not costs I wanted, but they are costs we will have to respond to. "I have vowed that my economic approach to this crisis will be both responsive to a changing world and responsible in the national interest, keeping inflation and interest rates in check to protect households and businesses," she said. "We entered this conflict in a stronger position because of the choices this government took to build economic stability, but there is more to do."

Fury has already signed for the long-awaited all-British mega fight and issued a fresh challenge to Joshua after his points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Joshua did not commit to the Fury fight amid speculation he could take a warm-up bout in July after he was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria which resulted in the tragic deaths of his friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele in December. Fury to AJ: Forget Wilder, or anybody else, let's fight next!Explained: How Fury laid a big fight trap - but AJ saw it coming!Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW Promoter Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports: "I don't know if Fury has signed or not, that is his business. If he has then that is great. "We received the contract last week, we are going through that. "Obviously there has been a lot happening in AJ's life and we want to make sure that he is ready to return to the ring. "He is about to get the all clear in terms of the physical side to return to full training and that is great news. "We expect to see him back in the ring in July. The original plan was to fight in March, then to fight Tyson Fury in August. "Given everything that has happened, that has been delayed. July and November are the two dates that have been presented to us now and we expect to move forward." There has been speculation that Joshua's July bout could be against Deontay Wilder. Wilder welcomed a fight against the two-time world champion in the aftermath of his win over Derek Chisora and Hearn says they are exploring the possibility of AJ facing Wilder then Fury "back-to-back". "I think it is very likely [he will have a tune-up fight]. Given what happened, we were supposed to be doing that anyway," he added. "Fury has just had his tune-up fight with 12 really vital rounds to get him sharp for the next one and I expect us to do the same. "Wilder would be a separate deal. We have made it clear we are willing to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury back-to-back. "I am not being disrespectful that Wilder is a warm-up fight but AJ is very comfortable to go into that fight next. "That is not the basis of the deal we have been offered but it is one we would be very interested in if it were offered and we want to look at that route. "Some might perceive that to be the more dangerous option, especially when there is so much riding on Fury against Joshua, Netflix, everybody. "I think they will probably be looking for a slightly easier option for Joshua like Fury had, with all due respect, and then move straight into that fight. "100 per cent. [A warm-up fight in July then Fury in November] is the plan."