Giant bodybuilder

Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed energy price cap freeze could end up costing the same amount as the Government’s coronavirus furlough scheme, the boss of a leading think tank has said. The Labour leader unveiled a plan on Sunday to freeze the cap on electricity and gas prices at its current level of £1,971 for six months from October. It would shield households from the predicted rise to £3,600 this autumn and beyond that in the New Year. Sir Keir’s plan would last for six months, but on Monday morning he appeared to suggest that the freeze could remain in place for longer. Labour said it would cost £29 billion for six months and Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, pointed out that if it was in place for a year it would cost roughly the same as the furlough scheme. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which was in place from March 2020 to September 2021, cost the Government approximately £70 billion. Mr Johnson told the BBC Radio 4 … [Read more...] about Keir Starmer’s plan to freeze energy price cap ‘could cost as much as Covid furlough scheme’

F rench President Emmanuel Macron has accused Russia of using energy as a “weapon of war” as the chief executive of oil and gas giant Shell warned gas rationing in Europe this winter was possible. Mr Macron yesterday told citizens to "prepare for a scenario where we have to manage completely without Russian gas." "The summer, early autumn will be very hard," he said. "Russia is using energy, like it is using food, as a weapon of war." He said the government would prepare a "sobriety plan" to conserve energy, which would start with turning off public lights at night when they aren't useful. "We need a general mobilisation," Mr Macron said in a televised address for Bastille Day. Ben van Beurden, chief executive of Shell, echoed the French president’s remarks, saying Russia had shown it is “able and willing to weaponise energy supplies.” Mr van Beurden said Moscow had “surprised” the market and told governments to be prepared for the Kremlin to restrict gas further. “For a … [Read more...] about Macron says Putin using gas as ‘weapon of war’ amid rationing fears

A group of orcas that attacked and sunk a sailboat off the coast of Portugal targeted another boat within hours. On July 31, o rcas t argeted a sailboat with five people on board . The sailboat had been about six miles off the coast of Sines when the giant mammals attacked, according to a statement from the Portuguese Navy. The boat was so badly damaged it started to sink. The five crew members were then rescued by a nearby fishing vessel and were able to go aboard a lifeboat, before they were escorted back to shore. It has now emerged that another orca attack occurred on the same day. The second instance involved a small sailboat with two passengers aboard. The two passengers had been sleeping when the orcas charged at the boat, the Correio da Manhã reported. The orcas targeted the boats rudder, biting it until it broke. The boat had to be escorted by another back to the dock. These attacks have not been the only ones to occur in the area. Orcas often come to the … [Read more...] about Orca that sunk boat with family on board rammed another vessel within hours

ten Hag slams 'naive' Man Utd after defeat to Brentford 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 Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a potential swoop for Manchester United midfielder James Garner after the club's surprise decision to sell the Academy product this summer. Erik ten Hag has deemed Garner surplus to requirements, and several other Premier League suitors join Spurs in the hunt. Related articles Simon Jordan and Piers Morgan wade into Souness 'men's game' row Thiago Silva's wife sends angry message to Chelsea after snub The 21-year-old was destined for a breakthrough season at United after playing a major role in helping Nottingham Forest gain promotion back into the Premier League last season. … [Read more...] about Tottenham ‘eye surprise move’ for Man Utd’s James Garner as Red Devils name transfer price

Dave Baker describes constant attacks by seagulls 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 The situation was described by Mark Hall of Divert.co.uk as a “total birdemic” - and “like a scene out of a Hitchcock movie”. Mr Hall said barely a day goes by without one of the company’s operatives being attacked by the surprisingly large birds , armed with their fearsome beaks and claws. Related articles Millions of Britons warned as 'giant cleaver' slamming down on economy 'Made in Britain' labels fuel £7.6bn post-Brexit surge in exports He explained: “It’s like a scene out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The one with all the birds. “These new super-angry seagulls are becoming a total birdemic, with our … [Read more...] about Birdemic! ‘Super-angry’ seagulls target bin men in shock attack: ‘Like a horror movie’

GETTY There have been recent reports of seagulls attacking pets and humans 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 The horrific predicition from Simon Prentis of the Gull Awareness Group came following reports of seagulls killing several pets - including a dog and a tortoise - as well as attacking humans. Now Mr Prentis fears a baby could be next and has launched a petition for officials to fund research into tackling the feathered problem. The 61-year-old, from Montpellier, Gloucester, wants to see new methods brought in to reduce numbers in seaside towns. He said: "To a seagull, what's the difference between a dog playing on the lawn and a baby playing on the lawn? "If somebody were to leave a baby sleeping in a pram or a push chair and left … [Read more...] about Vicious seagulls ‘could kill BABIES’ if they are not brought under control

Newsteam Caroline Starmer claims the Primark security guard prevented her from breastfeeding 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 Caroline Starmer, 28, said she was assaulted by the security guard at the budget clothing store in Leicester city centre as she tried to feed her nine-and-a-half-month old baby on July 13. Police announced this morning she is to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on August 24 after she was charged with intent to pervert the course of justice. A Primark spokesman said: "Primark notes the announcement made today by Leicestershire Police that Caroline Starmer has been summoned to appear at court charged with perverting the course of public justice. "Primark has cooperated fully with police investigators, and will … [Read more...] about Mother who said Primark security guard snatched her breastfeeding baby charged with lying

Cornwall: Kayaker captures footage of close encounter with whale 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 Rupert Kirkwood, 62, from Devon, has a "passion for natural history". Recently, Rupert was fortunate enough to capture footage as he was circled by a Minke whale for around 20 minutes, as he paddled off the coast of Cornwall. Related articles Pensioners asked to leave London homes to make way for young familes Mass rescue operation prompts RNLI to red flag entire beach Speaking about the amazing moment, he said: "Whales are very difficult to spot because they just roll off the surface without a splash and then they go. The beauty of them – which always makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck – … [Read more...] about Kayaker captures incredible 30ft whale on camera while paddling in UK waters

GETTY Primark have written official rules on transgender people using changing rooms 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 High street giants Primark are leading the way when it comes to transgender rights, handing out guidance for their staff on changing room etiquette. Express.co.uk can confirm the Irish superstore have handed out written guidance about transgender us of changing rooms. In its handbook, the rules read: "One size fits all. Customers should be comfortable when they try anything on, so transgender people may use whichever fitting room they chose." It's unknown when this rule was written and when the handbook was first handed out, but with Caitlyn Jenner's amazing magazine cover unveiling last week - it's very topical. A Primark … [Read more...] about ‘One size fits all’ Primark write official guidance on transgender changing room use

Activists are planning to drop boulders into the sea off the Cornish coast to block industrial fishing vessels from trawling the seabed, which hosts catfish, cockles and corals. Fishing is still allowed in the South West Deeps (East), a vast area 190km southwest of Cornwall, even though it has been designated a marine protected area, because the status doesn't automatically ban it. The seabed is trawled by weighted nets, which tear up marine habitats, for an average of 5,000 hours a year, according to the Marine Conservation Society, and Greenpeace says it is one of the most heavily fished protected areas. Greenpeace wants to build its third "underwater boulder barrier" to protect the area of 4,655 kilometres squared - larger than Cornwall itself - by plunging enormous rocks into the water, making it "off limits" to bottom trawling. Explainer: Highly protected marine areas: 'Red herring' or will they catch on? The charity says celebrities including actor Simon … [Read more...] about Greenpeace plans ‘boulder barrier’ to disrupt fishing in Cornish marine protected area