THREE cyclists will embark on a fundraising bike ride from London to Paris this August, aiming to raise £30,000 for Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia UK (WMUK).
The event, titled "Wheels for Waldenstrom's," will cover over 60 miles per day for three days, and starts on August 24.
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia is a rare form of blood cancer, and the funds raised will support the WM community through the charity.
Donations can be made through their JustGiving fundraising page
To prevent a budget deficit, Reeves has announced cuts to disability welfare payments and reductions in government departmental budgets, citing global economic uncertainty.
THE UK government reduced its 2025 growth forecast by half on Wednesday and announced spending cuts to manage public finances amid economic challenges.
The Spring Statement update comes as the Labour government, which won a landslide election in July, faces slow economic growth and rising borrowing costs.
Britain’s economy is now expected to grow by one per cent this year, down from the two per cent forecast made in October when Labour presented its first budget.
However, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK’s spending watchdog, raised its growth forecast for the following three years.
“Our task is to secure Britain’s future in a world that is changing before our eyes,” Chancellor Rachel Reeves told parliament while presenting the update.
Concerns over US tariffs and the war in Ukraine have added pressure to the UK economy, affecting the government’s financial position.
“The threat facing our continent was transformed when (Russian president Vladimir) Putin invaded Ukraine,” Reeves said. She added, “The job of a responsible government is not simply to watch this change, this moment requires an active government.”
Prime minister Keir Starmer has recently pledged to increase defence spending, with the government confirming a £2.2 billion boost next year.
To prevent a budget deficit, Reeves has announced cuts to disability welfare payments and reductions in government departmental budgets, citing global economic uncertainty.
Public spending cuts
Reeves’ plans to stabilise public finances are limited by fiscal rules and a commitment not to increase taxes. The rules prevent borrowing for day-to-day spending and require debt to decline as a share of GDP by 2029-30.
Ahead of the statement, the government announced a 15 percent cut in civil service operational costs over five years, aiming to save around £2 billion annually.
It has also outlined reductions in disability welfare payments, aiming to save billions by the end of the decade.
While Labour has pointed to increased funding for housing, the NHS, and workers’ rights reforms, the spending cuts have drawn the most attention.
The measures follow criticism over the government’s decision last year to scrap a winter fuel benefit scheme for millions of pensioners.
A higher business tax will take effect in April, adding pressure on businesses also facing a minimum wage increase.
In economic data released Wednesday, the UK’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in February, down from 3.0 per cent in January. However, inflation remains above the Bank of England’s two per cent target.
The central bank kept interest rates unchanged last week, citing ongoing economic uncertainty.
(With inputs from AFP)
Two companies that owed the money had dissolved, while a third – which owed the largest amount – had gone into liquidation.
AN ‘eyewatering’ £382,000 in unpaid business rates has been written off by Slough Borough Council with the agreement of council leaders – with one branding the sum ‘frightening’.
Leading councillors voted to approve the write off last Monday (17), after all attempts to collect the debt – owed by just three companies – had been ‘exhausted’. Councillor Wal Chahal, responsible for finance, said: “It’s an eyewatering number to be writing off, it’s just frightening.
“The question really is why have we got to that point – is it because we were slow in collecting, is it because of poor processes, poor procedures?
“What was the actual crux of why the money wasn’t brought in to the coffers of Slough Borough Council and used to pay for services that we desperately need for our residents?”
Wal Chahal
Andy Jeffs, the council’s director of revenue, said two companies that owed the money had dissolved, while a third – which owed the largest amount – had gone into liquidation. However, he pointed out that the council collected almost 99 per cent of business rates owed to it last year.
Councillor Ishrat Shah asked why the companies’ owners couldn’t still be pursued for the money. She said: “The businesses are dissolved but the people are still there – so money should be recovered just like we recover council tax.”
But council leader Dexter Smith said the longstanding debts were only to be written off after ‘we’ve been through a process of trying to recover them’.
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Last year, Manchester City and Techno India Group launched the first Manchester City Football School in India, based in Kolkata. (Representational image: Getty)
MAMATA BANERJEE, chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal, has announced that Manchester City has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a sports school in the state.
The Premier League club, which has won the league title for four consecutive seasons, is expanding its football education initiatives in the region.
Banerjee said the move would strengthen Bengal’s sporting ecosystem and highlighted the state’s growing interest in sports.
Last year, Manchester City and Techno India Group launched the first Manchester City Football School in India, based in Kolkata.
The school offers a football education programme based on the coaching philosophy of the club.
The programme is designed to provide students with training led by official Manchester City coaches. These coaches will be relocating from Manchester to Kolkata to oversee the curriculum and deliver a structured football training experience.
Following the announcement last year, Jorgina Busquets, Managing Director – Football Education, Recreation and Partner Clubs for City Football Group, said, "We are delighted to be opening our first Manchester City Football School in Kolkata with Techno India Group, who are a leading education provider to children and young adults throughout West Bengal."
"We are looking forward to creating a first-class educational experience, through the presence of fully trained, full-time Manchester City coaches, based on the same approach and methodology that we use in our programmes in Manchester, tailored to the level of each player."
Debdut Roychowdury, Director – Techno India Group, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, "It is with immense pride and excitement that we join forces with Manchester City Football to bring their renowned football training expertise to the heart of Indian football, West Bengal."
(With inputs from ANI)
The IMF said in a statement on Tuesday that the 28-month agreement aims to support Pakistan’s efforts in tackling climate change. (Photo: Reuters)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached an agreement with Pakistan on a new £1 billion loan programme and reviewed an existing bailout, which could unlock an additional £770 million if approved.
The IMF said in a statement on Tuesday that the 28-month agreement aims to support Pakistan’s efforts in tackling climate change.
Both the new loan programme and the review of the existing bailout require approval from the IMF’s executive board, which is expected to give its final clearance.
Pakistan faced a risk of default in 2023 due to an economic downturn and political instability, leading to a significant debt burden.
A £5.4 bn bailout from the IMF helped stabilise the economy, with inflation easing and foreign exchange reserves improving.
However, the agreement—Pakistan’s 24th since 1958—came with conditions, including increasing income tax revenue and reducing power subsidies to address inefficiencies in the energy sector.
On Tuesday, the IMF stated that Pakistani authorities remained "committed to advancing a gradual fiscal consolidation to sustainably reduce public debt," alongside measures such as tight monetary policy, cost-cutting, and economic reforms.
The agreement in principle also covers the second review of the existing 37-month programme.
If approved by the IMF’s executive board, Pakistan will receive fresh funds worth approximately £770m. This would bring total disbursements under the current programme to around £1.54 bn, the Fund said.
"Over the past 18 months, Pakistan has made significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding confidence despite a challenging global environment," IMF mission chief Nathan Porter said in a statement.
(With inputs from AFP)
Rajab Butt released an apology video on Sunday
A prominent Pakistani YouTuber, Rajab, Butt, is facing serious legal action after being accused of blasphemy following the launch of a perfume, an issue that has sparked widespread public outrage. In Pakistan, even unverified allegations of blasphemy can quickly escalate, sometimes leading to violent responses.
The YouTuber, Butt, has been charged under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and faces two separate cases, with penalties that could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Blasphemy is a highly sensitive topic in the country, and accusations related to it often result in harsh consequences, even without solid evidence.
Youtube/ You TV
In response to the growing backlash, Butt released an apology video on Sunday, expressing regret for any offence caused during the perfume launch. In the video, he made it clear that his comments were not intended to challenge or oppose Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
“I sincerely apologise for the remarks I made at the perfume launch,” he said in the video. He further announced that the perfume in question would be discontinued immediately, seeking to reduce the tension surrounding the incident.
Butt has previously likened himself to a singer he referred to as his “mentor,” who had released a song titled “295.” The number is closely associated with Pakistan’s laws against religious incitement, adding fuel to the controversy and potentially worsening the accusations against him.
Lahore’s Deputy Inspector General of Police, Faisal Kamran, stated that the case against Butt also includes charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), as the remarks were made on social media. Butt is currently abroad performing Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca, but authorities have stated that he will be arrested upon his return.
Kamran further noted that the police plan to consult the Pakistan Ulema Council, an influential body of Islamic scholars, to seek their opinion on the case. This step is often taken in cases involving religious sensitivities, and their input could play a significant role in the legal process.
“Religion is an incredibly delicate matter, and it’s important to be cautious when discussing it publicly,” Kamran said, highlighting how emotions often play a stronger role than logic in religious discourse. He advised the public to be mindful of their words, especially when using social media, where comments can quickly provoke a strong public reaction.
In addition to the blasphemy charges, Butt has faced other legal challenges. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a wild animal after receiving a lion cub as a wedding gift. He avoided a prison sentence by agreeing to promote animal rights through his social media channels for one year, in line with a court order.
As Butt navigates these serious allegations, the public and legal systems will continue to monitor the situation closely. His public apology and decision to halt the perfume’s production may be a first step in addressing the fallout, but the broader implications of the blasphemy charges remain significant.
