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Over 400 people die from cholera

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Over 400 people die from cholera

More than 430 people have died from cholera in the past month, Sudan’s health ministry says, as civil war continues to ravage the country.

The number of infections has risen to about 14,000, it said in a statement.

It said it was doing all it can to “combat cholera in the affected states, amid the rise in infections”.

Getting treatment to those affected areas is hugely complicated by the conflict which has killed up to 150,000 people since it began last year, according to the US special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.

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Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that they are “regularly obstructed by both warring parties, the humanitarian response remains far below what is needed”.

Cholera is a fast developing and highly contagious disease. It can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and death, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It is relatively easy to cure, but rapid treatment is essential.

Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim declared a cholera outbreak in mid-August.

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As well as the war, heavy rainfall and floods have also contributed to the cholera outbreak, compounded by crowding in displacement camps.

Esperanza Santos, MSF emergency coordinator for Sudan, said these elements had created a “perfect storm” for cholera to spread.

In some areas schools, markets and stores have been told to close to curb the spread of the disease.

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Storm Helene intensifies to hurricane as it heads to Mexico and Florida

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Storm Helene intensifies to hurricane as it heads to Mexico and Florida
Getty Images Storm clouds in Cancun, MexicoGetty Images

Tropical Storm Helene has intensified into a hurricane and is predicted to turn into a dangerous Category 3 storm before hitting the US Gulf Coast on Thursday.

Forecasters warn the major hurricane could bring “life-threatening” storm surge, damaging winds and flooding to a large portion of Florida and the south-eastern US.

The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Helene was expected to pass the north-eastern Mexican coast of Yucatán in the coming hours and hit Florida late on Thursday local time.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for almost all of the state’s counties.

Map of Tropical Storm Helene’s path

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Graphic showing the forecast path of Hurricane Helene. As of 04:00 local time Wednesday it was off the coast of Mexico and heading north towards the US. It is due to become a category three hurricane at 13:00 local time on Thursday before making landfall in northern Florida later that day.

Data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration indicates that maximum sustained winds from the storm have increased to near 80 mph (130 km/h).

At 12:00 GMT, Helene was moving north-west from its position east of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Mexico’s meteorological service said it could not rule out that the popular resorts of Cancún and Cozumel could be hit in the early hours of Wednesday local time.

Red flags warning swimmers not to venture into the sea were flying on the beaches of Cancún as early as Tuesday and fishermen rushed to get their small boats out of the water.

Reuters A tourist bathes at a beach while a red flag warns beachgoers of dangerous conditions as Hurricane Helene approaches the Yucatan Peninsula, in Cancun, Mexico September 24.Reuters

Some tourists ignored the warnings not to swim

Local businesses were boarding up their windows as torrential rain began to fall and high winds blew.

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Heavy rainfall from Helene is also expected to affect western Cuba and the Cayman Islands.

The NHC said that once Helene reaches the south-eastern United States, it is expected to “produce total rain accumulations of five to 10 inches” (12.7-25.4cm).

A flood watch has been issued from Florida to the southern Appalachians with the worst-affected area predicted to be the Big Bend region in Florida.

Big Bend is where Hurricane Idalia made landfall in 2023 and the area also was impacted by Hurricane Debby last month.

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The Florida Division of Emergency Management has posted a list of the counties in which voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders have been issued ahead of Helene.

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Picture a Day Like This album review — impeccable precision

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It seems that composer George Benjamin and his regular librettist, Martin Crimp, have an eye for a story. Each of the operas on which they have collaborated has a dramatic narrative that is at once original and layered with meaning.

The latest fruit of their work is Picture a Day Like This, lasting just over one hour and given its premiere at the Aix-en-Provence festival last year. This live recording was made during that first run of performances, though the technical quality is so good that nobody would know.

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A woman has lost her child just as it was old enough “to speak whole sentences”. On being told that her child can be brought back to life if she finds a happy person and cuts a button from their sleeve, she goes on a quest, engaging in a series of unsuccessful encounters. When she does finally meet a woman who seems to be a good match, the outcome is not what she expected.

Album cover of ‘Picture a Day Like This’ by George Benjamin

There is a once-upon-a-time quality to the work that is reflected in the music’s carefully judged refusal to offer easy, tangible answers. This is the most intimate of Benjamin’s stage works and the instrumental ensemble is a small one, though one might not realise that from the range of sounds he is able to create. As always, Benjamin is very specific about every instrumental timbre.

The performance, conducted by the composer, is impeccable in its precision. Marianne Crebassa sings the Woman and the roles of the people she meets are shared between Anna Prohaska, Beate Mordal, Cameron Shahbazi and John Brancy, all excellent.

★★★★☆

‘Benjamin: Picture a Day Like This’ is released by Nimbus Records

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Exact errors to spot on five little-known coin designs in your change that could be worth up to £3,000

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Exact errors to spot on five little-known coin designs in your change that could be worth up to £3,000

YOU could be quids in if you’re able to spot these little-known designs with rare errors in your spare change.

There’s a chance the small coins in your change might be worth a big fortune.

A coin with a minting error could be worth a small fortune because very few actually make it into circulation

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A coin with a minting error could be worth a small fortune because very few actually make it into circulation

Rare coins are known to pick up large sums of money.

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If you discover a sought-after coin in your change, you can make money on it by selling them at auction, either online or in person, or through a dealer.

There are some coins which are known to fetch large sums of cash, such as the Kew Gardens 50p and the commemorative 50p coins minted to mark the London 2012 games.

But there are also lesser-known designs that are worth keeping an eye out for – as well as error coins.

A coin with a minting error could be worth a small fortune because very few actually make it into circulation.

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The price of a coin varies based on things like demand at the time and how common it is.

It’s important to remember that you aren’t guaranteed to fetch huge amounts if you do choose to sell your change.

Anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish, but it’s only ever worth what someone is willing to pay.

By checking the recently sold items you will get a more accurate indication of what people are willing to pay for a specific coin.

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If you managed to sell all of the coins mentioned below for their top value, you could make up to £3,312.

Is Your 50p Worth More Than You Think

Undated 20p – £100

The undated 20p entered circulation in 2008

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The undated 20p entered circulation in 2008Credit: Alamy

The undated 20p is known as the “holy grail of change collecting”, ChangeChecker previously told The Sun.

Collectors have been known to search far and wide for the valuable coin ever since it entered circulation in 2008.

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Back then, The Royal Mint decided to change the positioning of the date on every 20p piece, moving it from the back to the front.

But in an accidental error, a batch of between 50,000 and 250,000 coins was released without any date at all.

Kimberley Day from RWB auctions said: “These British coins were the first in more than three hundred years to enter circulation with no date.

“Real examples should have no date on either side but otherwise look similar to standard 20ps. These coins sell online for up to £100.”

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We checked eBay and found that one of these error coins sold for £75 on September 25.

While another sold for £69.99 on September 20, and a third for £68 on September 15.

Olympic Aquatics 50p – £3,000

The aquatics 50p error coin can sell for as much as £3,000

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The aquatics 50p error coin can sell for as much as £3,000Credit: Britania Coin Company

This rare coin features an image of a swimmer slicing through the water on its reverse.

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But the coin we are familiar with today wasn’t actually the original design, Kimberley said.

“Rare early examples show lines across the swimmer’s face, whereas the more common type shows no lines,” she added.

“If you have collector’s edition of this coin with the 50p sealed in a purple and teal card it is worth checking if you have the rare variant.

What are the most rare and valuable coins?

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“Most examples are found in this type of packaging but loose examples have been found in people’s change.

“Genuine examples of this error have sold for £3,000 or more.”

The coin was minted in 2011, along with 28 other designs that each featured a sport played at the 2021 Olympics.

The games were hosted in London that year, so the coin collection came out to celebrate the piece of British sporting history.

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It isn’t known how many of the original design Olympic Aquatics 50ps are out there.

We spotted one of these coins which sold for a whopping £3,766 on eBay on August 4.

£2 Inverted Britannia effigy – £150

The Inverted Britannia effigy £2 coin can fetch a pretty penny

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The Inverted Britannia effigy £2 coin can fetch a pretty penny

A small number of 2015 Britannia £2 coins were minted with the Queen’s head upside down.

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They accidentally entered circulation and they could now be worth a small fortune.

The Queen’s head is offset by about 150 degrees compared to the Britannia design on the other side.

It’s thought that the error was caused by a loose die rotating during the striking process.

The coin has a mintage figure of just 650,000, making it one of the scarcest in circulation.

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It’s estimated that as few as one in 200 – or approximately 3,250 – of them feature the inverted effigy”, ChangeChecker previously told The Sun.

When The Sun checked eBay, we found one that sold for £150 on August 12.

Navy £2 with ‘flag’ error – £17

The Navy £2 with the "flag" error is worth keeping an eye out for

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The Navy £2 with the “flag” error is worth keeping an eye out for

There are two different design variations of the 2015 Navy £2 coin that were released into circulation.

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The original Navy £2 design show the coin without any markings on the top right of the mast, while the other appears to have a flag flying.

Collectors speculated that two different designs were struck, but it was later confirmed as a striking error caused by a cracked die.

It is unknown how many of these error coins are in circulation, but Kate says it is worth checking the ones in your collection.

The worth of these coins varies across eBay, with one going for a fiver on August 18 and another selling for £17 on July 22.

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Sir Isaac Newton 50p – £45

Some of the Sir Isaac Newton 50ps were minted with an error

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Some of the Sir Isaac Newton 50ps were minted with an errorCredit: PA:Press Association

The Sir Isaac Newton 50p was first issued in 2017 to mark the 375th anniversary of the famous scientist’s birth.

But eagle-eyed collectors soon noticed something a little different on some of their 50ps.

Several collectors reported finding an error on the obverse where several extra lines appeared across the Queen’s portrait.

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Again, it’s thought to be an error caused during the striking process during a ‘die clash’.

It’s not known how many of these error coins are in circulation.

One of these coins sold for £45 on September 8, while another went for £30 on August 30.

How do I check if my coin is rare?

Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.

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But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.

The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.

Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.

Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.

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Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.

Selling a coin at auction or through a dealer

There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.

If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.

It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.

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You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.

Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.

Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.

If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.

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This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.

You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.

Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.

We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.

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Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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Qatar Airways becomes the Official Airline Partner of the UEFA Champions League

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Qatar Airways becomes the Official Airline Partner of the UEFA Champions League

Qatar Airways has announced a partnership with the UEFA Champions League, in a deal that will run until 2030. Further solidifying its mission to unite people through the power of sport, the move builds on the success of sponsoring UEFA EURO 2020 and UEFA EURO 2024 in an agreement that includes sponsorship rights to the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League and UEFA Futsal Champions League

Continue reading Qatar Airways becomes the Official Airline Partner of the UEFA Champions League at Business Traveller.

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Michael Gove to be editor of The Spectator

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Michael Gove to be editor of The Spectator

Former government minister Michael Gove is to be the new editor of The Spectator, after the magazine was bought by hedge fund tycoon and GB News-backer Sir Paul Marshall.

He will take on the role at the start of October, according to Freddie Sayers, the magazine’s publisher.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Sayers, who is also the chief executive of new owner OQS, added Mr Gove was “perfectly suited to the role”.

Mr Gove, who stepped down from Parliament at the general election, was a journalist before he became a Conservative MP.

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He will start the job after final approval from Acoba, the advisory committee on business appointments which advises former ministers when they take jobs after leaving the government.

Mr Gove replaces Fraser Nelson, who is stepping down “after 15 incredibly successful years”, Mr Sayers said.

Mr Nelson will continue to write for The Spectator and will become associate editor.

In an article published on Wednesday, Mr Nelson called Mr Gove “the clear successor” to replace him.

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“He’s a first-class journalist who took a detour into politics and not (as so often happens) the other way around,” he wrote.

“There’s never a good time to leave a job like mine but, after 15 years and a new owner with big ambitions, there is an obvious time.”

Mr Nelson has overseen a highly successful period for the magazine, including the growth of its digital product.

His decision to step down follows Andrew Neil’s exit as the magazine’s chairman earlier this month.

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Mr Gove, first elected MP for Surrey Heath in 2005, served in the governments of David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

He announced he was stepping down in May, amid an exodus of Conservative MPs ahead of the 4 July election.

He takes on his new role as editor of the right-leaning magazine as the Conservative party prepares to elect its next leader.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Spectator had been sold for £100m to Sir Paul, through his Old Queen Street (OQS) media group.

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He beat around 20 other bidders to buy the magazine, once edited by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It went back on sale in April after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to buy it along with the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph collapsed.

This came after the government intervened in January. Legislation banning foreign states from owning UK newspapers soon followed.

That deal would have transferred the ownership to the Gulf-backed Redbird IMI consortium.

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The Spectator was established in 1828, making it one of the oldest politics and current affairs magazines in the world.

Mr Sayers also announced that the magazine’s non-executive Chairman would be Charles Moore, a former Spectator editor.

Mr Sayers said Lord Moore, who sits as a non-affiliated member of the House of Lords, would have “the specific brief of safeguarding editorial independence and the soul of the publication”.

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Michael Gove to become editor of The Spectator

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Former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove has been appointed editor of The Spectator, its publisher said on Wednesday, weeks after hedge fund boss Sir Paul Marshall bought the British conservative magazine for £100mn.

Gove will oversee the magazine, which has traditionally had strong links with the Conservative party, during a new chapter for the weekly title, which started its current run in 1828.

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The former education secretary and housing secretary, who stood down from parliament at the general election, previously worked at newspapers including The Times and the Daily Telegraph, as well as the BBC and Channel 4.

Gove was popular among many colleagues in the House of Commons for his witty performances at the despatch box. But he is held in suspicion by some Tories, who accuse him of stabbing his Oxford university friend Boris Johnson in the back when he unexpectedly ran for the Conservative leadership in 2016. 

Back in the cabinet, Gove then told Johnson, who was editor of The Spectator between 1999 and 2005, to resign in 2022, only to be fired by the scandal-hit former prime minister.

Gove joins former Tory chancellor George Osborne — a friend from the Notting Hill set led by former prime minister Lord David Cameron — in leaving politics for journalism.

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As editor of The Spectator he will replace Fraser Nelson, who has overseen the digital transformation of the title over the past 15 years. 

Freddie Sayers, the magazine’s publisher, said Nelson would become associate editor and continue to write for the title, while Lord Charles Moore, a former Spectator and Telegraph editor, would become non-executive chair. Moore will replace journalist Andrew Neil. 

Sayers said that “alongside his political and journalistic nous, Michael brings a love of books, philosophy, art, opera — and a mischievous sense of humour”.

Gove will start in the role next month, pending approval from the Whitehall appointments watchdog.

The Spectator has a growing digital operation as well as an events business, and was described by a former editor as “more of a cocktail party than a political party”. It hosts an annual summer party attended by many ministers and backbench MPs.

Nelson said Gove was “the obvious successor . . . he’s a first-class journalist who took a detour into politics, he was my news editor when I was a young reporter at The Times and he first declared his ambition to edit The Spectator in an Aberdeen classroom at the age of seven”. 

Marshall has laid out plans to invest in The Spectator, which he acquired this month with his Old Queen Street Media company after a protracted sales process. It began last summer after the Barclay family lost control of the title due to bad debts owed to Lloyds Banking Group. 

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The new owner wants to expand the magazine in North America, where it already has an edition, as well as building its digital subscriptions and adding to its video and podcasts operations.

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