Connect with us
DAPA Banner

NewsBeat

What went right this week: big cities breathed a little easier, plus more

Published

on

What went right this week: big cities breathed a little easier, plus more
Big cities breathed a little easier

Air quality has improved dramatically in some of the world’s biggest cities, a report has found, with Beijing (main picture), London and Paris among those leading the way. 

The research, conducted by campaign group Breathe Cities, identified 19 metropolises that have slashed air pollution by between 20% and 40% in just 15 years. Nearly half were in Asia, where improvements came despite rapid economic development. Nine were in China. 

An embrace of cycling, the introduction of clean air zones and a switch to electric vehicles were among the leading drivers of air quality improvements, the report found. However, there’s much work to be done. Separate research shows that only 14% of cities globally met the World Health Organization’s pollution guidelines in 2025.  

Advertisement

Air pollution is the world’s leading environmental health risk, driving respiratory and cardiovascular disease, asthma, and premature births, with lower-income communities most affected. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. 

“The pathway to cleaner air has been tested at scale – now it’s about enabling more cities to follow it,” said Cecilia Vaca Jones, Breathe Cities’ executive director.

The cities identified in the report are: Brussels (Belgium); Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Zhenjiang (China); Paris (France); Berlin and Heidelberg (Germany); Rome (Italy); Amsterdam and Rotterdam (Netherlands); Warsaw (Poland); London (England); and San Francisco (US).

Related: 10 ways that future urban living will be greener

Advertisement

Image: Kristi Blokhin

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

How much should you save per year based on your salary, according to an accountant?

Published

on

How much should you save per year based on your salary, according to an accountant?
It’s time to get smart with your savings (Picture: Getty Images)

In this day and age, saving a substantial amount of money each month can be a challenge.

Once you’ve paid your mortgage or rent, settled your bills, and done your weekly food shop, often there’s little left to squirrel away.

And for many, that’s before being able to spend your hard-earned cash on ‘little treats,’ from dinner and drinks with friends to relaxing holidays.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom in the world of personal finance.

Advertisement

Despite 61% of UK consumers finding it harder to save compared to this time last year — caused by the cost of living crisis, which continues to squeeze finances — there are ways you can save some money if you know how.

Metro spoke with chartered accountant Nicole Zalys, also known as The London Accountant on social media, to get her top saving tips. Plus, to find out how much you could realistically save per year based on your salary.

Nicole Zalys, aka the London Accountant, has shared her money knowledge (Picture: Supplied)

Disclaimer: We’re aware that, even though some people may be on the same salary, outgoings are likely to be different.

When factoring in variables like rent, mortgages, financing cars, and kids, very different amounts will leave people’s bank accounts. Therefore, saving goals might be different.

Nicole’s top saving tips

Drawing on extensive experience of her own and that of her clients, Nicole explains that saving money is something almost everyone says they want to do more of. Yet for many, it remains harder than expected.

Advertisement

According to the FCA’s Financial Lives Survey, the average UK household has just £1,000 in accessible savings. So why do so many people struggle?

Here, Nicole shares three things you can do money-wise that will consistently make a difference:

First, automate it. Nicole reveals that research across 94 studies found that specific ‘if then’ plans can double follow-through rates.

‘A rule such as “when my salary lands, I transfer £X” is far more effective than relying on willpower alone,’ she adds.

Advertisement

Second, Nicole recommends making the future feel tangible. ‘Our brains tend to treat our future selves like strangers, which helps explain why saving is so easy to put off.’

Her advice? Give your goals a name. Make them personal.

Don’t miss our Money tips! Add us as a Preferred Source

At Metro Money, we’re here to bring you all the latest news and advice on personal finance, cost of living, saving and investing. As part of our vibrant community of highly engaged readers, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Advertisement

Add us as a Preferred Source

Our Money experts are here to give you the latest tips and insider guides

Third, if saving feels like deprivation, Nicole advises reframing it as paying your future self.

‘You are not giving something up. You are spending on someone who happens to be you.’

Advertisement
Is it time to re-evaluate your savings strategy? (Picture: Getty Images)

Additionally, while many attempt to follow the popular 50/30/20 rule, which suggests spending 50% of your monthly salary on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings, Nicole says it was actually designed with the American middle class in mind.

Therefore, for individuals, couples, or households in expensive cities like London, housing alone can swallow a huge share of income.

So, what is actually realistic?

‘Before looking at the numbers, one point matters most,’ states Nicole. ‘If you are carrying high-interest debt, especially on credit cards, paying that down should come before building savings.’

Clearing a balance charging 20% interest is effectively the same as securing a 20% guaranteed return, something no ISA or savings account is likely to match.

Once that is dealt with, the expert explains that the targets below become far more meaningful.

Advertisement

Even if you don’t hit them every month, it’s important not to be disheartened: Living costs are high, but these figures are a useful benchmark.

Savings vs salary: how much should you save?

Below, Nicole has zoomed in on six salaries. From sharing the average monthly take-home amount to a savings target, hopefully, it helps make your money journey easier.

Again, don’t stress if you don’t relate to these figures — saving in whatever capacity you can is still good practice. No one’s financial experience is the same, so it’s important not to compare yourself to others and their situations.

Everyone is on their own financial journey (Picture: Getty Images)

£20,000 salary

Take-home: around £1,493 a month

Target: 3%

Advertisement

At this level, ‘most income will go straight on housing and essentials,’ states Nicole. Even saving £25 a month matters because consistency is what builds the habit.

‘It is also worth making full use of a workplace pension, as the employer contribution is effectively free money.’

£25,000 salary

Take-home: around £1,793 a month

Target: 5%

Advertisement

This is still a tight income, particularly in cities. However, ‘consistency matters more than the amount itself.

‘A Lifetime ISA offers a 25% government bonus on up to £4,000 a year, making it one of the strongest guaranteed returns available for first-time buyers or retirement savers.’

£30,000 salary

Take-home: around £2,090 a month

Target: 7%

Advertisement

‘Before anything else, this is the point at which aiming for an emergency fund becomes particularly important,’ says Nicole. Covering three months of essentials, roughly £3,000 to £4,500, can make a significant difference.

‘Research suggests people with this kind of buffer tend to make better financial decisions.’

Do you have a comfortable safety buffer? (Picture: Getty Images)

£40,000 salary

• Take-home: around £2,693 a month

Target: 10%

At this level, Nicole says it’s worth making the most of your Cash ISA allowance, currently £20,000 a year tax-free, while also reviewing whether your pension contributions are working hard enough.

Advertisement

£50,000 salary

Take-home: around £3,293 a month

Realistic target: 12%

You are approaching the 40% tax threshold, which means that where you save becomes almost as important as how much you save.

£60,000 salary

• Take-home: around £3,780 a month

Advertisement

Realistic target: 15%

‘This is the point at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge begins to bite, but pension contributions can reduce or even eliminate it entirely,’ the expert explains.

Maxing out your ISA, reviewing salary sacrifice and speaking to a financial planner may all be worth considering.

It might be time for that pay rise… (Picture: Getty Images)

Bottom line?

‘Sometimes, though, the answer is not saving more but earning more,’ educates Nicole.

In an inflationary environment, there is only so much to be gained from cutting back. Energy, rent and food are structural costs. For many people, the more powerful lever is income.

Advertisement

‘Asking for a pay rise remains one of the highest-return financial moves available, and while many employers do not offer increases proactively, they will often respond when asked.

‘Even a side income of £3,000 to £5,000 a year, if saved in full, can outperform years of budgeting on a lower salary.’

These figures are based on typical observations and should be treated as a guide rather than a rule. Always seek financial advice before making major decisions.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Search for missing man involved in Wisbech river crash enters 10th day

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

Five teenagers were in a car that crashed into the River Nene on March 17

Searches for a missing 18-year-old involved in a crash are continuing for a 10th day. Five teenagers were in the blue VW Polo that crashed into the River Nene along North Brink, Wisbech at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Three teenagers, including an 18-year-old boy and two 16-year-old girls, were able to escape and were taken to hospital. However, Eden Bunn, 16, and Declan Berry, 18, were missing.

Sadly, Eden’s body was recovered from the river on March 18. The car was also recovered on Sunday (March 22).

Advertisement

Declan, who is believed to have been the driver of the car, still hasn’t been found. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed searches for Declan are “ongoing”. Earlier this week, a helicopter was spotted over the search area.

Flowers and tributes were laid at the roadside of where the crash is believed to have happened. Eden’s family also paid tribute to her last week, describing her as the “kindest, most loving girl”.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Man charged with kidnap after ambulance stolen from hospital with patient inside

Published

on

Man charged with kidnap after ambulance stolen from hospital with patient inside

A man has been charged with kidnap after allegedly getting into an ambulance outside a hospital and driving off with a patient still inside.

Staffordshire Police said they were called to a report of a man taking the emergency vehicle from Royal Stoke University Hospital at about 8.15pm on Wednesday.

The force said three people, including a patient and a paramedic, were in the back of the vehicle at the time but none were injured in the incident.

Marshall Leese, 31, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, has been charged with kidnap, theft of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Advertisement

He has also been charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.

Leese is due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Friday.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Bank of England rate-setter issues verdict on whether interest rates will be hiked next month

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

‘I currently see a high bar to hiking’

The Bank of England’s policymaker has issued a firm warning against rushing into interest rate hikes as a reaction to the energy price shock brought about by the Iran war.

Speaking in New York this week, rate-setter Alan Taylor argued that the central bank must maintain a high bar for increasing borrowing costs despite the significant spike triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

The Monetary Policy Committee member emphasised that monetary policy is fundamentally ill-suited to address sudden, unpredictable surges in global oil and gas prices that remain entirely outside the control of domestic officials.

Advertisement

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

While the Bank’s nine-member committee recently voted unanimously to hold interest rates at 3.75%, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically since the conflict began on February 28.

This has forced a pivot from previous expectations of rate cuts to a market now pricing in multiple hikes by the end of the year.

This change comes as the bank warns that inflation is now projected to climb as high as 3.5% by the third quarter, a figure that significantly overshoots its 2% target.

Advertisement

Despite this inflationary pressure, Mr Taylor suggested that holding policy steady remains the preferable course of action until the full economic impact of the Middle East conflict becomes clearer. He noted that the UK currently faces a relatively low risk of inflation expectations becoming unanchored, pointing to a weakening labour market and slowing wage growth as factors that provide the MPC with some breathing room.

According to Mr Taylor, the primary role of the Bank in this “all hands on deck” moment is to navigate an increasingly acute trade-off between fighting high inflation and supporting weakening economic growth.

However, Mr Taylor’s cautious stance highlights a growing divide within the Bank of England’s leadership regarding how to handle the “growth-inflation trade-off” during wartime. His preference for patience stands in contrast to recent comments from Chief Economist Huw Pill, who signaled a readiness to vote for a rate hike sooner rather than later to curb rising price risks.

Pill has argued that the “fog of uncertainty” surrounding the war should not serve as an excuse for policy inaction, suggesting that the Bank must be proactive to ensure inflation does not become a permanent fixture of the UK economy.

Advertisement

With the next rate decision and a fresh set of economic forecasts scheduled for April 30, the committee remains tasked with applying deep analytical rigor to a crisis that Taylor admits will demand extreme policy flexibility and clear communication to the public.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Asylum seeker who abducted and raped 12-year-old girl jailed for 15 years

Published

on

Asylum seeker who abducted and raped 12-year-old girl jailed for 15 years

In a statement issued after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Collette O’Keefe, who led the investigation, said: “When Mulakhil carried out this horrific attack on a young girl, not only did he commit the most serious of crimes, he breached the fundamental values that hold our communities together.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

UN human rights chief calls on US to conclude probe into Iran school strike

Published

on

UN human rights chief calls on US to conclude probe into Iran school strike

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a video address to the UN meeting in Geneva that the bombing was a “deliberate and intentional” attack by the US. “This atrocity cannot be justified, cannot be concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference,” he said.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Madeleine McCann probe hit by major blow before anniversary of disappearance

Published

on

Daily Mirror

The Metropolitan Police investigation into Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has been allocated £86,000 for 2026/27, down from £108,000 the previous year

There has been a significant development in the search for Madeleine McCann – almost 19 years since she vanished – and not one likely to be welcomed by those directly involved.

Home Office ministers have given the green light to continued funding for Operation Grange, which began in 2011 following Madeleine’s disappearance from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.

The specialist Metropolitan Police team running the investigation has been granted £86,000 for 2026/27, a reduction from the previous year’s £108,000. The probe has cost approximately £13.3m since its inception. Madeleine was holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal, in 2007 when she disappeared aged just three. The 19th anniversary of her disappearance falls on 3 May.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Dad waved off daughter as she went parasailing on ‘best ever’ holiday – then rope snappedREAD MORE: Family of Joshua Kershaw found dead in Thailand hotel want to find mystery woman

Operation Grange now consists of three police officers and one staff member working part-time. DC Mark Draycott, part of the team, told the trial of convicted rapist Christian Brueckner that he had received a call from a man called Helge Busching who had identified Brueckner as a suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, reports the Mirror.

Brueckner was freed after completing a prison sentence in his native Germany last September for raping an American woman, then 72, in Portugal in 2005. He continues to be a prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, though he has never faced charges relating to it.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, in January Kate and Gerry McCann posted a poignant statement expressing their hope that the New Year would deliver “the breakthrough we long for”. Writing on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, the couple stated: “As 2025 draws to a close, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us, in whatever way, over the past year and for continuing to hope for positive news of Madeleine.”

The McCanns expressed gratitude to the public and police for their ongoing support during the investigation, concluding their message with: “With our best wishes for a peaceful and positive new year and may 2026 bring us the breakthrough we long for. Kate, Gerry and family.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Olivia Dean sweeps three major awards at Mobo Awards 30th anniversary in Manchester

Published

on

Olivia Dean sweeps three major awards at Mobo Awards 30th anniversary in Manchester

Olivia Dean emerged as the night’s biggest winner at the 30th anniversary Mobo Awards, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Thursday. The singer-songwriter swept three major accolades, marking a significant triumph just weeks after her success at the Brit Awards.

Dean was honoured with Song of the Year for her single “Man I Need”, Album of the Year for The Art of Loving, and Best Female Act. Her hat-trick follows a four-gong haul at last month’s Brit Awards, which also took place at the Manchester venue.

The acclaimed artist also performed at the ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and hip hop star Eve.

Speaking on the red carpet, Eve underscored the importance of the event, stating: “It feels amazing because the energy is crazy. I am definitely nervous but I’m excited. I think without having organisations like this or celebrations like this, I don’t think we would get to see the amount of black music, to celebrate the amount of black artists, it’s beyond important.”

Advertisement
Olivia Dean poses with the Best Female Act, Album of the Year and Song of the Year awards
Olivia Dean poses with the Best Female Act, Album of the Year and Song of the Year awards (Getty)

The prestigious Mobo lifetime achievement award was presented to British-American rapper and record producer Slick Rick.

He expressed his gratitude, telling the Press Association: “It’s a great honour. Appreciated me from where I come from, so thank you very much, Manchester. I appreciate the love.”

Slick Rick later took the stage alongside singer Estelle for a collaborative performance, showcasing his influential hip-hop journey.

Estelle, speaking ahead of the show, described it as “amazing” to be in Manchester for the first time in the ceremony’s history. She mused: “I’m like, what took it so long to get to Manchester? But everything at the right time…” She added: “We’re here, we’re celebrating us and that’s beautiful.”

Slick Rick poses with the award for the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award
Slick Rick poses with the award for the MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award (Getty)

American musician Pharrell Williams received the Global Songwriter Award.

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Advertisement

Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.

Advertisement

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Manchester-based singer-songwriter Daley, who collaborated with Williams on the 2014 track “Look Up”, told the Press Association that Williams was thoroughly deserving of the recognition. “It was very clear to me why he’s such a successful and such a good songwriter because he really taps into what the feeling of the song is, so he’s very deserving,” Daley commented.

Nineteen-year-old DC3 secured two awards, for Best Newcomer and Best Gospel, celebrating his wins with his family. He described the “meaningful” awards as a shock, adding: “There are so many legends in one room.”

Other notable winners included Ezra Collective, who were named Best Jazz Act. Drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso said: “I’m grateful on behalf of me and all my brothers. This is a wonderful thing. So, very, very proud and just grateful. Beyond the trophy itself, it’s a very special thing that a name like Ezra Collective can get mentioned and lots of people recognise it and that’s testament to so many people supporting us, from grassroots and championing us.”

Advertisement
Femi Koleoso from Ezra Collective backstage at the Mobo Awards
Femi Koleoso from Ezra Collective backstage at the Mobo Awards (PA)

Actor Stephen Graham also received an award for Best Performance in a TV Show or Film for his role in Adolescence.

On the red carpet, stars reiterated the enduring significance of the awards, three decades after their inception. Myles Smith, nominated for Song of the Year for “Nice To Meet You”, stated: “I think it’s always been important and will continue to be important. I think shining a light on music from the black community and the amazing way that we shape core culture and push boundaries is something that’s incredible to do and hopefully long continues.”

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, formerly of girl group Little Mix, added: “I just feel like this is our one show to really highlight black music, so I think it’s super important and 30 years – that’s crazy.”

Full list of winners:

Best Male Act

Advertisement

Central Cee

Elmiene

Jim Legxacy – WINNER

Nemzzz

Advertisement

Odeal

Skepta

Winner: Jim Legxacy

Best Female Act

Advertisement

Flo

Kwn

Little Simz

Olivia Dean – WINNER

Advertisement

PinkPantheress

Sasha Keable

Album of the Year

Central Cee – Can’t Rush Greatness

Advertisement

Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching

Flo – Access All Areas

Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down

Little Simz – Lotus

Advertisement

Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving – WINNER

Song of the Year

AJ Tracey Feat. Jorja Smith – “Crush”

Donaeo Feat. Omar, Lemar & House Gospel Choir – “Nights Like This”

Advertisement

Fred Again, Skepta & Plaqueboymax – “Victory Lap”

Jim Legxacy & Dave – “3x”

Kwn – “Do What I Say”

Myles Smith – “Nice To Meet You”

Advertisement

Olivia Dean – “Man I Need” – WINNER

PinkPantheress – “Illegal”

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”

Tim Duzit – “Kat Slater”

Advertisement

Best Newcomer

DC3 – WINNER

EsDeeKid

Finessekid

Advertisement

Jim Legxacy

Kwn

Namesbliss

Nia Smith

Advertisement

Sekou

Skye Newman

YT

Video of the Year

Advertisement

Pozer – “Shanghigh Noon”

FKA Twigs – “Eusexua”

Jim Legxacy – “Father”

Little Simz – “Flood”

Advertisement

Raye – “Where Is My Husband!” – WINNER

Skepta & Fred Again.. – “Back 2 Back”

Best R&B / Soul act

Elmiene

Advertisement

Flo – WINNER

Kwn

Odeal

Olivia Dean

Advertisement

Sasha Keable

Best Alternative Music Act

Alt Blk Era

Blood Orange

Advertisement

Hak Baker

Michael Kiwanuka

Nova Twins – WINNER

Rachel Chinouriri

Advertisement

Best Grime Act

Chip – WINNER

Jayahadadream

Kasst 8

Advertisement

Ruff Sqwad

Scorcher

Wiley

Best Hip-Hop Act

Advertisement

Aitch

Asco

Catch

Central Cee – WINNER

Advertisement

D-Block Europe

Kojey Radical

Little Simz

Loyle Carner

Advertisement

Wretch 32

Youngs Teflon

Best Drill Act

36

Advertisement

Booter Bee

Chy Cartier

Esdeekid

K-Trap

Advertisement

Leostaytrill

Nemzzz

Pozer

Twin S – WINNER

Advertisement

Wohdee

Best International Act

Ayra Starr – WINNER

Cardi B

Advertisement

Clipse

Gunna

Kehlani

Leon Thomas

Advertisement

Mariah The Scientist

Moliy

Tyla

Vybz Kartel

Advertisement

Best Media Personality

Bemi Orojuogun

DJ Ag

In My Opinion

Advertisement

Melissa Holdbrook-Akposoe

Nadia Jae

Niko Omilana – WINNER

Pk Humble

Advertisement

Remi Burgz

Uche Natori

Winners Talking

Best Performance in a TV Show / Film

Advertisement

Aaron Pierre – Mufasa: The Lion King

Ashley Thomas – Hostage

Ashley Walters – Adolescence

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked

Advertisement

Damson Idris – F1

Dayo Koleosho – EastEnders

Lennie James – Mr Loverman

Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths

Advertisement

Stephen Graham – Adolescence – WINNER

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Best African Music Act

Adekunle Gold

Advertisement

Ayra Starr

Davido

Joshua Baraka

Moliy

Advertisement

Rema

Shallipopi

Tiwa Savage

Tyla

Advertisement

Wizkid – WINNER

Best Caribbean Music Act

Ayetian

Lila Iké

Advertisement

Masicka

Shenseea

Vybz Kartel – WINNER

Yung Bredda

Advertisement

Best Jazz Act

Cktrl

Ego Ella May

Ezra Collective – WINNER

Advertisement

Kokoroko

Nubya Garcia

Yazmin Lacey

Best Electronic Act

Advertisement

FKA Twigs

Jazzy

Kilimanjaro

PinkPantheress

Advertisement

Salute

Sherelle – WINNER

Best Gospel Act

Annatoria

Advertisement

DC3 – WINNER

Faith Child

Imrhan

Sondae

Advertisement

Still Shadey

Best Producer

Inflo

Jae5

Advertisement

Miles Clinton James

P2J – WINNER

Sammy Soso

Zach Nahome

Advertisement

MOBO Lifetime Achievement

Slick Rick

MOBO Global Songwriter

Pharrell Williams

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

BBC Expert Predicts Trump Will ‘Escalate’ Iran War

Published

on

BBC Expert Predicts Trump Will 'Escalate' Iran War

The BBC’s international editor predicted that Donald Trump will end up “escalating” his war with Iran as the conflict hits an “inflection point”.

The US president has promised to postpone his plans to start destroying Iranian energy plants by another 10 days, claiming his negotiations with Tehran are going “very well”.

Iran is yet to publicly respond to Trump’s claims.

The US sent Iran a 15-point peace plan earlier this week, while Tehran has sent back its own proposals for a ceasefire.

Advertisement

But international expert Jeremy Bowen was not convinced either side would be able to reach a compromise.

He told Radio 4′s Today programme: “The Iranians are people who are interested in a deal, but it has to be a deal they would like.

“What we’ve heard so far about Trump’s 15-point plan is that, certainly the version that was leaked from Israeli sources, actually read more like a surrender document.

“It had everything in it that the US and Israel have always asked of Iran, demanded from Iran.”

Advertisement

He said Iran’s counter proposals then suggested ideas the other side couldn’t accept – which means it’ll be exceptionally hard to reach an agreement.

Pointing to the two detachments of US marines which are currently on their way to the Middle East, Bowen said: “Increasingly it is looking as if, if there isn’t a deal, Trump will escalate, maybe take one of the strategic islands in the Gulf.

“People talk a lot about inflection points, but it feels like that at the moment, because if they cannot do a deal, and Iran’s big card is the control of the Strait of Hormuz – which is [applying] great economic pressure – if they can’t do that, what can Donald Trump do?

“He will feel he has to escalate. And escalating will mean involving these troops.”

Advertisement

Bowen also warned that the US has made “a lot of mistakes in the way they look at Iran”, because it is an “institution”.

“The reason why the regime has proved to be so resilient is, unlike Libya under Gaddafi, it has these institutions, it is not based on individuals,” the expert said.

Former MI6 chief, Sir John Sawers, also claimed Trump was caught between a rock and a hard place right now.

He told the Today programme: “Trump could have declared a unilateral victory two weeks ago and walked away.

Advertisement

“But now with the Strait of Hormuz closed, it’s very difficult for him to claim credible victory without some movement on the Iranian side.”

He said he does not believe these negotiations will “prosper”, especially as the US has not proved to be a “very reliable interlocutor for the Iranians”.

He added that negotiations usually take weeks, but the president is clearly “in a bit of a hurry” to get any deal over the line because of the damage the war is doing to the US economy.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Bolton woman becomes UK’s latest Omaze millionaire

Published

on

Bolton woman becomes UK's latest Omaze millionaire

Steph Churchill, 36, originally from the borough but now living in Hampshire, is the latest winner of the Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw, scooping a life-changing £1 million prize, completely tax-free.

Stephanie and Rob Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winners

Omaze initially struggled to contact Steph after her win, as she had not provided a phone number and did not see multiple emails, as she had been offline while travelling back from a funeral.

When she did open her inbox, she eventually decided to reply to the Omaze emails when curiosity got the better of her.

Within moments of replying, her life had “changed forever”.

Advertisement

After discovering she’d become a millionaire, Steph kicked off celebrations by swigging fizz straight from the bottle, in the glamorous setting of a cricket club carpark!

Steph said: “I’d been travelling back from a funeral, so I was totally offline, and I missed all the emails.

“When I finally checked my inbox and saw emails from Omaze sat there, I just ignored them at first as I never imagined I’d actually won something.

“Then curiosity got the better of me and I opened one of the emails and replied.

Advertisement

“The Omaze team said I’d won something and they were coming to my house to reveal what it is, problem was I’ve recently moved and hadn’t updated my address, so they had to dash from my old house to tell me the good news.

“Fortunately I’d only moved half an hour away.

“Then the next thing I know, I’m being told I’m a millionaire – I just screamed and gave my husband a big kiss and massive hug.

“If I hadn’t grabbed hold of him, I honestly think I’d have collapsed with shock!

Advertisement

Stephanie and Rob Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winners

“They’d given us a bottle of fizz but no glasses, but that wasn’t going to stop me celebrating, so I just drank it straight from the bottle, I felt like a teenager on a park bench but couldn’t care less!

“Rob was driving so he stuck to fizzy water.

“We were trying to get our heads around what had just happened, so I was ringing mates as I thought telling people would make it more real.

“I was shouting down the phone, ‘I’ve just won a million pounds’ and they just thought I was playing an early April Fools on them.”

Advertisement

But despite her life-changing windfall, Steph was quickly brought back down to earth.

Steph and Rob share their home with her brother Mike and two rescue dogs – Stephen, a little white terrier mix Steph came across on the streets during a hen do in Greece and brought back home with her, and Twinkle Toes, an enormous Romanian Mioritic Shepherd rescued from a public pound – as well as their Maine Coon cat, Ruby.

Steph said: “Then it was straight back to reality.

“The dogs do not care that you are a millionaire, they still need feeding and a walk, so we ended up trudging round a muddy field, so not very jet-set!”

Advertisement

Steph with resuce dog

The couple are both sales managers in the motoring industry who first met six years ago on a work trip to Portugal.

While Steph spent the morning after the win calling friends and slowly coming to terms with their new financial reality, Rob simply got up and went to work as normal.

Steph said: “This win is obviously transformational, but it won’t change who we are as people.

“Rob still got up at 7am and headed to work the day after we found out!

Advertisement

“We’ll both keep working as we love our jobs, but all the pressure is off and we can just focus on enjoying life and helping our friends and family.

“I worked really hard when I was younger and didn’t really go out, so I could buy a home for myself.

“I was probably quite boring to be honest, but now it feels like it has all paid off.

“We can clear our mortgage, travel the world and do all the things we’ve always talked about.

Advertisement

“It feels like I can relive my 20s, but this time with an unbelievable budget.”

The couple have already booked a ski trip to France, with bigger adventures to Japan and Australia now firmly on the cards.

They also plan to rescue more dogs and are now able to explore starting a family, but top of the shopping list is a hot tub for the garden.

Steph added: “We have always talked about doing the garden up, and now we can do that comfortably and will definitely be adding a hot tub as we can afford the extravagance now!

Advertisement

“This win is not just going to change our lives, it is going to change the lives of the people around us too.

“We will be able to support our friends and family in a way we never could before, and that is one of the best feelings of all.”

Steph entered the draw via an Omaze subscription, having signed up earlier this year, five years since she last entered.

The Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw runs every month, guaranteeing one UK winner £1 million, tax-free, each time.

Advertisement

Omaze helps raise money for good causes across the UK through its prize draws, with more than £100 million raised to support UK charity partners since launching in 2020.

Stephanie Churchill – Omaze Monthly Millionaire winner

Matt Pohlson, CEO and Founder of Omaze, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Steph and Rob. Ski trips, dream holidays, rescuing more dogs and helping the people they love – it’s fantastic to see so many brilliant plans already taking shape, and everyone at Omaze is thrilled for their future.

“Omaze gives people the chance to win life-changing prizes, while also raising significant funds for incredible causes.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Omaze community, we’ve now raised over £100 million for good causes across the UK.”

Advertisement

To date, Omaze has awarded over £200 million in total prize value to its customers in the UK, creating more than 50 millionaires through a combination of spectacular Grand Prize house wins and tax-free cash prizes including the Monthly Millionaire Draw.

Single purchase entries cost just £10 per Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw, with Omaze Subscribers receiving automatic entries each month.

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds, are available now at omaze.co.uk.

The Grand Prize Draw closes on Sunday 26th April 2026 for online entries and Tuesday 28th April 2026 for postal entries.

Advertisement

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Lake District, are also available now at omaze.co.uk.

In addition to the Grand Prize, anyone entering online by Midnight on Sunday 12th April 2026 (Tuesday 14th April 2026 for postal entries) will also be in with the chance to win an incredible Early Bird Prize: a Range Rover Autobiography worth over £130,000 plus £100,000 in cash.

Entrants can also subscribe for best value bundles and automatic entry into every monthly House, Early Bird and Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw.

For full terms and conditions, see omaze.co.uk.

Advertisement

No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025