Expressed support

Prince William has sent a message of support to Blackpool Football Club player Jake Daniels who became only the second-ever active openly gay English professional soccer player this week after publicly revealing his sexuality. The number of LGBT professional sportsmen and women in Britain is expected to be higher than the number who have publicly addressed their sexuality, as part of a culture that has been described as "taboo." Speaking of soccer in particular to Sky Sports Daniels said: "The subject of being gay, or bi or queer in men's football is still a taboo. I think it comes down to how a lot of footballers want to be known for their masculinity. And people see being gay as being weak, something you can be picked on for on the football field." Since coming out, Daniels has been celebrated for his bravery and says he has received the full support of his club and teammates. In a statement on Blackpool FC's website the player wrote: "I've known my whole life that I'm gay, … [Read more...] about William’s tweet to gay U.K soccer player continues his vocal LGBT support

In the 1930s, thousands of scientists lost their jobs in Germany merely for being Jewish or opposing the Nazi regime. For Germany, however, this proved a spectacular own goal. Adolf Hitler declared that he would rid universities of Jews even if it meant “the annihilation of contemporary German science”. As it turned out, this was what it did mean. One measure of a scientist’s worth is how often he is cited by other scientists. The 15 per cent of physicists who got sacked were Germany’s best, accounting for 64 per cent of citations in the country. Germany’s loss was our gain. In 1933, William Beveridge set up the Academic Assistance Council, whose aim was to provide accomodation and work for refugee scientists. Among the 38 prominent German physicists who came to Britain thanks to the efforts of the Council were giants such as Hans Bethe and Max Born, who both went on to earn Nobel prizes. Now science is again under threat, not only in war-torn Ukraine, but also in Russia and its … [Read more...] about Let’s support Russian scientists – at the expense of Russian science

The Finnish government on Sunday formally announced that it will apply for NATO membership after the move received the backing of the country's ruling political party . The Finnish parliament is expected to greenlight the decision in the coming days. The decision, coming in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine , signals a stark U-turn for the country's long held neutral stance. President Sauli Niinisto said he agreed with the government and consulted with the parliament before announcing the decision. "This is a historic day. A new era is opening," Niinisto told a joint news conference with and Prime Minister Sanna Marin. "We have had wars with Russia, and we don't want that kind of future for ourselves, for our children, and this is why we're making these decisions today and in the upcoming weeks, so there will never again be a war," the Finnish premier said. Is Sweden next? Sweden's governing Social Democrats on Sunday were also expected to announce their … [Read more...] about Finland officially announces support for NATO membership

Andrew Bailey has raised ministers' eyebrows for warning of "apocalyptic" food shortages as record wage growth raises fears that a dangerous inflationary spiral is taking hold in the economy. Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland Secretary, expressed “surprise” at the Bank of England Governor's comments about rising costs caused by the war in Ukraine blocking exports of wheat and cooking oils. “I was surprised to see that particular turn of phrase, I have to say,” Mr Lewis told BBC Breakfast. “But the Bank of England is independent, they will have their view of their assessment, their economic view of where things are and where things are going.” It came as new data from the Office for National Statistics showed pay packets jumped almost 10pc in March, helping workers keep up with the cost of living, but also risking making inflation worse. In February, Mr Bailey urged workers not to ask for a big pay rise this year , warning that "moderation" of wage rises was needed to … [Read more...] about Record wage growth sparks inflation fears as minister expresses ‘surprise’ at Bailey food warning

A team of Swedish diplomats will head to Turkey for talks on "resolving" Ankara's objections to Sweden joining NATO , Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said Monday. Speaking to Swedish media ahead of a formal vote by lawmakers to hand in the membership application, Hultqvist said the diplomats would hold "discussions and dialogue" to see "what this is really about." Adding a new member to NATO requires approval by all 30 members of the alliance and their parliaments. Why is Turkish support in question? Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey did not have a "positive opinion" about Finland and Sweden's ambitions to join the military alliance. Erdogan accused both countries of harboring "terrorist organizations." On Monday, the Turkish strongman went further during a news conference, telling reporters that Sweden and Finland should "not bother sending delegations to Ankara" to win approval for their NATO bids. He went on to allege that the … [Read more...] about Sweden sends diplomats to Turkey for support on NATO bid

Martin Lewis on broadband deals for universal credit claimants Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Financial help like tax credits and Universal Credit often act as gateway benefits to additional support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) . But millions of Britons are missing out. Related articles 'I never thought I’d be so poor’ Pensioner shares money saving tips State pension alert as some may get ‘higher’ sum than full new amount As the cost of food, petrol and energy bills continues to take its toll on the nation’s finances, people are being encouraged to make sure they are receiving all the financial help … [Read more...] about Universal Credit claimants may be eligible for extra support – including free broadband

Matt Baker runs into trouble after parking his caravan This article contains affiliate links, we may receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sign up for FREE for car tips every driver needs to know SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Motorhome driver Marc Jon Ward received a fine after parking across two bays in the Milehouse Park and Ride car park in Plymouth. He said he was parked just over two bays - which details on the council website said would not result in a fine. Related articles Millions of drivers at risk of £1,000 fine for simple MOT mistake Angry Range Rover owner parks vehicles covered in signs outside dealer Despite this, Marc was fined £50 anyway … [Read more...] about Motorhome owner has parking fine cancelled after council gets rules wrong – ‘common sense’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Finland that joining NATO is a mistake. Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto was told ditching neutrality would be a mistake that could damage relations between their two countries, according to the Kremlin. The two countries said their presidents spoke by phone two days after Finland declared its intention to join the Western alliance. Moscow has described that as a security threat that will require it to respond, but has not specified how. Niinisto's office told Putin: "Russian demands in late 2021 aimed at preventing countries from joining NATO and Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 have altered the security environment of Finland". Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed support for NATO membership ( Image: Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) He said Finland wanted to handle relations with its nearby Russian neighbour in a "correct and professional manner". The … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin warns Finland joining NATO is a ‘mistake’ and will be ‘security threat’

Good evening. The Monday, May 16 edition of Today in Slovakia is ready with the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Čaputová to pack for Kyiv President Zuzana Čaputová. (Source: TASR) President Zuzana Čaputová was absent when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Slovak MPs via teleconference last week. She said she was preparing for a meeting with the Polish President the following day. Skryť Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryť Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Čaputová is now preparing to meet her Ukrainian counterpart in person. Zelensky invited her during a joint phone call last Thursday. They have had several calls. "The president gladly accepts the invitation to visit Kyiv, as it would mean another way of expressing support for Ukraine," said president spokesperson Martin Strižinec. Refugees: On Sunday, May 15, 2,833 Ukrainian … [Read more...] about News digest: Police detain controversial ex-Supreme Court judge

A meeting of the Moscow-led military alliance of post-Soviet countries "did not go well", according to one Russia analyst, amid internal squabbles and no public consensus expressing support for President Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine. The statement issued after the gathering of the six members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) made no mention of Ukraine nor what Russia calls its "special operation." The group with Putin as its geopolitical center of gravity is the post-Soviet world's answer to NATO and was hosted by the Russian leader at the Kremlin, marking the 30th anniversary of its founding. But only the Russian leader, and his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, spoke about the war in Ukraine. Russian news agencies reported how Putin repeated unfounded claims that Ukraine was developing biological weapons and revisited his justification for the war he is waging by describing the "rampant neo-Nazism" in his neighbor. Lukashenko … [Read more...] about Cracks are emerging in Putin’s alliance against the west