Issued on: 07/12/2023 – 18:14

This is “not just a package of assistance for Ukraine”, but “an investment in American security”, former Ukrainian president Poroshenko said.

Delaying the vote on the Ukrainian package is “a very dangerous sign”, he added, warning that the lives of Ukrainians fighting for freedom and democracy were at stake.

AnalysisSenate Republicans seek stricter border policy against Ukraine aid support

However, Poroshenko insisted he was “still an optimist”, saying he was counting “on the American people” and “on the European people”. 

An EU summit next week is supposed to decide on some €50 billion in financial aid for Kyiv, as well as the formal opening of EU membership talks. But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is threatening to block both steps.

Asked if there was a stalemate on the front line in Ukraine, Poroshenko conceded that “we need [more] weapons now to stop Putin”, but insisted Ukraine “can win”.

A man has been arrested after a seven-year-old boy was killed by a hit-and-run driver in horror hit-and-run as he played with his friends in his beloved Cristiano Ronaldo kit.

Kent Police have confirmed a 49-year-old man from the Dymchurch area was arrested and taken into custody at 5.15pm – nearly a full day after the fatal collision at 5.35pm on Wednesday.

William Brown was collecting his ball and was knocked down by a car on Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone, Kent last night.

The force says that two vehicles were involved in the collision – with one leaving the tragic scene before emergency services could arrive.

By the time ambulance crews and police were there little William had died.

Speaking from her seafront home in Sandgate today William’s mother, Laura Brown, 41, revealed she brought him a toy octopus for Christmas, which she had already wrapped and will now put in his coffin.

After breaking down in tears she begged the driver of the vehicle to come forward so that she and William’s father, William Brown Senior, 34, could ‘be at peace and bury Will knowing we got justice for him’.

William Brown was playing with friends in his beloved Cristiano Ronaldo kit when he went to collect his ball and was knocked down by a car on Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone, Kent last night 

William was playing with friends while his mother made him his dinner when he was mowed down

Flowers and messages left at the scene in Sandgate, near Folkestone, where little William was killed

She said: ‘William was the sweetest, kindest and funniest boy. He was an amazing friend to his friends. He loved animals, history facts, nature and digging. He loved fossils and dinosaurs. Anything weird and wonderful.

‘He loved curiosities and oddities. He loved taxidermy. He had shark’s teeth and spiders, snake skins. He was a very unusual boy.

‘For Christmas he wanted an octopus, so I got him a taxidermy one. He didn’t get to see it, it’s still wrapped. I’m going to put it in his coffin.

‘He was just always in Will’s world. He was too kind for this world.

‘If there was a question to ask he had to ask it. He needed to know the answers to everything.

‘He loved football. He supported Manchester United like his dad. But his favourite player of all time was Ronaldo. He died in his Ronaldo kit.’

Recalling the moment her son was hit by the unidentified vehicle, beauty therapist Laura said: ‘Last night he was playing football out in the garden.

‘He started going upstairs to put on his kit, but it was short-sleeved top and bottom. I told him he had to put something underneath so he did.

Mr Brown held up his son’s green football shirt as he filmed the appeal in the young boy’s bedroom. Behind him were teddy bears and a neon sign bearing William’s name

The youngster was left ‘dying in the middle of the road’ in Folkestone, Kent

‘He was playing with two friends in the front garden. They’ve played in that garden for years since he was born. He’s never once gone over the wall.

‘And then last night I was making dinner downstairs. I’d made a bolognese sauce with some pasta.

‘They’d just come in because Will had tackled his friend. His friend came in and said “Will’s just tackled me”. We said “play nicely everyone, dinner will be ready in a minute.”

‘And then I went back to stir the pasta and his friend came in and said “Will’s been hit by a car”. He’d jumped over the wall. It’s so strange because he’d never done that before.

‘Maybe he was excited by the game and just got totally carried away – I don’t know. But he’s never done it before – none of those boys have.

‘We let them play in the garden because we thought it was safe. The garden should be safe. I literally ran down there and Will was laying in the middle of the road.

‘Whoever did this hit Will outside our house and left him in the middle of the road, and then another vehicle hit him. That second car, the red car, did stop.

‘The police are desperately looking for the person who did it. I’m just sad that they left him like that.

William’s father has urged the hit-and-run driver to contact police so the family ‘can work out what happened to our son’. The little boy is pictured in an appeal made by his loved ones

Emergency services at the scene of the hit-and-run on Sandgate Esplanade in Folkestone

‘I think he was still alive – the paramedics were working on him for ages. We waited 45 minutes before they pronounced him dead. I just hope it was quick.

‘They put a sheet around us and I just laid down on the floor with him.’

Speaking directly to the driver of the unidentified vehicle, Laura said: ‘To the person that did this, please please come forward so we can be at peace and bury Will knowing we got justice for him.

‘Somebody must know something. I’m begging people to come forward so we can lay Will to rest.

‘We’re just so broken. I’m just praying for a miracle.’

Laura said William’s younger sister Pearl, aged six, is struggling to come to terms with his death.

She added: ‘He’s got a little sister who’s six who just can’t understand it. We were just about to have dinner and her dad told her ‘Will’s dead’.

‘She said “I don’t understand it, he’s playing football in the garden.” She’s devastated.

‘They were like twins. They were only 13 months apart. Will adored Pearl from the day she was born.’

William Snr, 34, who is separated from Laura, added: ‘We just want closure. We’re not on a witch-hunt to find this man. We just want to know what happened to our son.

‘We want the person who did this to come forward on the basis that if he comes forward now it will be a lot more peaceful for all parties – rather than if he gets squeezed out.

‘Because he is going to get found out. You don’t get away with things like this.

‘Please just come forward.’

Paying tribute to William – who was in year 3 at nearby St Eanswythes Primary School – William Snr, who owns a construction company, said: ‘Will was a really forgiving boy. He was accepting and loving and patient and kind.

‘I honestly think if he was here today, he would probably say “I was just going to get the football dad, I just made a mistake.”

‘Will has left behind a huge network of friends, school friends, a huge family that loves him. All united because we love him.

‘I hope he’s up there reading about how much we all love him.’

Fighting back tears William Snr, also made a video appeal from his little boy’s bedroom, urging the driver to contact police so the family ‘can work out what happened to our son’.

‘If it was you that done it, William Jnr was a beautiful boy and he believed in forgiveness and love, and please, we already forgive you,’ he said. ‘If it’s you, you’re feeling guilty, but we really need to know so we can lay our son in peace and know what happened to him.’

William Snr held up his son’s green football shirt as he filmed the appeal in the young boy’s bedroom. Behind him were teddy bears and a neon sign bearing William’s name.

‘People of Folkestone and Hythe, could you please help us,’ he said. ‘At 5.35pm last night, Wednesday, November 6, we lost our son who was hit in a hit-and-run trying to collect his football.

‘Can you please help us? If you have any information at all, any inkling, or anything you saw when you drove past, or anything at all.’

The grieving father then directly addressed the driver. He said: ‘Please reach out to Kent Police so we can work out what happened to our son.’

Laura, step-mother Vicky Phillips, and Pearl, were ‘the best of friends’ to William.

Emergency services rushed to Sandgate Esplanade near the junction with Prospect Road after William was knocked down last night, but the boy died at the scene despite efforts to save him.

Police say the collision involved two vehicles – an unidentified car or van and a red Citroen car. The unidentified vehicle left the scene in the direction of Hythe, before the arrival of emergency services.

The high street was closed to allow police to carry out accident investigation work before reopening at around 7am today.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow. 

It has been more than ten years since Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew Egypt’s first democratically elected president, the Islamist Mohamed Morsi, and he is still ruling the country with an iron fist.

Sisi’s opponents and supporters alike are convinced that he will win this year’s presidential election, set to take place from December 10-12. His victories in 2014 and 2018 saw him win over 96% of the vote, a track record that leaves little room for doubt on what is likely to happen this time around.

Another victory would see the former army chief hold on to power until 2030. Running for a third term was made possible when Sisi himself amended the Egyptian constitution in 2019, extending the presidential term from four years to six.

Rising in the ranks – all the way to the presidency

Born in Cairo in November 1954, Sisi was one of fourteen children raised in a conservative household. Son of a shopkeeper, he decided to pursue a military career at an early age, climbing the social ladder in a country ruled by the army. Spending much of his life out of the public eye, Sisi achieved prominence by becoming chief of staff of the Egyptian army and minister of defence in 2012.

The surprise promotion was granted by President Morsi, the first Egyptian head of state to be democratically elected, just over a year after former Hosni Mubarak was ousted in the Arab Spring. At the time, Sisi was portrayed by the media as a pious Muslim compatible with the movement from which Morsi hailed, the Muslim Brotherhood. The reputation was largely built on Sisi’s family ties with Abbas Sisi, a disciple of Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Islamist group.

But Sisi’s rapid rise to power within the army would not have been possible if his close ties to the Brotherhood, under scrutiny by the Mubarak regime, gave rise to the slightest doubt.  

Partly trained in the UK and the US, Sisi became a commander of the northern Egyptian military zone before moving up the ranks to take over as director of military intelligence and quickly established himself as the country’s strongman. In the aftermath of the mass uprisings that saw millions of Egyptians demand the immediate resignation of Morsi in early July 2013, Sisi issued an ultimatum to the former president and his cabinet. Without explicitly calling for Morsi to step down, he called on Egypt’s politicians to “meet the demands of the people” within 48 hours.  

If Morsi refused, the armed forces (who were already in charge of the post-Mubarak transition) would be forced to “announce a roadmap for the future” and put an end to the revolution that had been boiling since 2011.

The Islamist president was deposed, arrested and imprisoned shortly after. But the bloody repression of protesters, many of whom supported the Muslim Brotherhood, would not be forgotten. Human Rights Watch described the widespread killing of demonstrators at the time a probable “crime against humanity”.  

Morsi died in 2019 after collapsing in a Cairo court where he was attending a session in his trial.

Regarded by his admirers as humble and skilful – by his detractors as distrustful and suspicious – Sisi left his military uniform behind for the suit and tie of de facto presidency.  

For Egyptians opposed to the political Islam embodied by the Muslim Brotherhood, Sisi had saved the country from its grips.

Repression left, right and centre

Since Sisi’s sweeping victory in the May 2014 presidential election, opponents as well as local and international NGOs have accused the leader of wanting to return to an autocratic regime. They say that since he came into power, “repression has been reaching unprecedented levels”.  

In a report published on October 2, six international and local human rights organisations called out the “widespread and systematic use of torture” by Egyptian authorities that amount to what they consider “a crime against humanity under customary international law”.

Running parallel to his repressive political stranglehold, Sisi also launched a series of gargantuan projects aimed at extolling the greatness of Egypt and flattering the nationalist sentiments of his compatriots.

Amid these ambitious undertakings was the modernisation of the country’s roads and electricity infrastructure, as well as the construction of a new administrative capital located in the desert about 50km from Cairo. Ironically nicknamed “Sisi City”, construction was due to be completed in 2020 but is still in its first phase.

In August 2015, the president unveiled a plan for a giant expansion of the Suez Canal – another flagship project intended to symbolise a “new Egypt”. Costing some €7.9 billion, the project was completed on time in less than a year.

The new Suez Canal brought in netted record revenues of around €8.6 billion between 2022 and 2023, leading Sisi to promise prosperity and security for all Egyptians.  

But in a country plagued by an unprecedented economic crisis and at risk of defaulting on its foreign debt, that is not an easy promise to keep.

Egypt relies heavily on revenues from Ukrainian and Russian tourists, so when the war broke out in February 2022, its economy was hit hard. The number of yearly tourists from both countries plummeted from 35 to 40 percent, according to local figures. Egypt is also the world’s leading importer of wheat. When prices soared as a result of the war, the country’s economy bore the brunt.

In the ten years Sisi has been in power, Egypt and its 105 million inhabitants – largely reliant on Saudi Arabian money – have been plagued by poverty.

A key ally for the West

Despite his shortcomings, Sisi is still seen as a guarantor of stability and security in the region by many international leaders. Turning a blind eye to his human rights abuses, the West sees him as a key ally in what they consider an otherwise chaotic Middle East.

This is even more the case since Hamas’s bloody attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s ensuing invasion of the Gaza Strip. During the week-long ceasefire in Gaza fom November 24-30, hostages held by Hamas were directed south of the enclave to Egypt. The Rafah crossing on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is also where humanitarian aid is transported into the Palestinian territory.

Read moreThe Gaza-Egypt Rafah crossing explained: ‘It is not a normal border’

Back in 2014, the pragmatic Sisi kept a low profile when the West protested his coup de force to seize power. The US and Europe didn’t congratulate him after his election victory, though they did stress the need to get back to respecting human rights as soon as possible.

In response, Sisi sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In November 2014, a month after the US froze military and financial aid to Egypt, the Kremlin announced it would deliver air defence systems to the country and said talks to deliver military aircraft were under way.

A shrewd strategist, Sisi knows that the West cannot turn its back on the most populated Arab country for too long. Egypt is both a strategic intermediary in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a key ally in the fight against terrorism.

The fight against Islamic militants has moved the cursor for how world leaders see Sisi, especially in the case of the US. After years of strained ties under the Obama administration, former US President Donald Trump congratulated the Egyptian leader in 2016. “I just want to let everybody know in case there was any doubt that we are very much behind President Sisi. He’s done a fantastic job in a very difficult situation. We are very much behind Egypt and the people of Egypt,” Trump said during Sisi’s first official visit to the US in April, 2017.

When Sisi visited France in October of 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron claimed he did not want to “lecture” his Egyptian counterpart on human rights. 

Between 2010 and 2019, Egypt imported French weapons worth €7.7 billion, according the parliament.

Securing the Sinai, another empty promise

Like his military predecessors, Sisi is obsessed with acquiring modern weaponry and securing his borders. This is increasingly the case as his neighbours – Libya, Sudan, Israel and the Gaza Strip – are all affected by ongoing conflict.

For years, Egypt has been battling a jihadist insurgency in its Sinai region, a peninsula located in the northeast of the country. According to the opposition, this ongoing threat to Egypt’s internal security is being instrumentalised by authorities to restrict civil liberties.

In 2018, Sisi launched a vast “anti-terrorist” operation in the areas where Islamist radicals are rife – some of whom have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, but so far in vain. The Sinai is still a security headache for Sisi, who stands behind yet another empty promise.

This article is a translated version of the original in French. 

Layoffs can strike anytime, but January is historically the busiest month for job cuts across all industries due to companies restructuring for the new year.

With the month just a few weeks away, a former Microsoft vice president of human resources (HR) shared six things people must do within 48 hours of being terminated.

Chris Williams, who worked at Microsoft from 1992 through 2000, now uses his more than 40 years of experience in building and leading teams is an advisor for people who were laid off or conducted layoffs.

He urges people to thoroughly read through their layoff packages before agreeing to sign anything and consult a lawyer if they’re considering taking legal action. 

Williams also suggests updating your resume and LinkedIn page immediately to put yourself in a better position to land your next job quickly. 

Layoffs affected roughly 15.2 million people in the U.S. last year, and Chris Williams suggests there are certain steps employees can take in the 48 hours after they’re laid off

Williams lists the important steps to take in the first 48 hours after a layoff in a Business Insider op-ed, even as companies take the wrong approach to mass layoffs.

‘In the last few years, even the last few weeks, we’ve seen a parade of companies handle layoffs with process and timing that verges on cruelty,’ Williams said in the op-ed.

‘Layoffs s*ck… pure and simple,’ Williams said in a YouTube video, adding, ‘But they don’t have to s*ck as badly as some companies make them.’

In the op-ed, Williams provided the following six steps to help people survive being laid off.

Really read through the layoff documents 

Immediately after a layoff, HR will send numerous documents with sometimes confusing legal jargon, including information about when your termination begins, if you will receive severance, how long your healthcare will continue after the layoff date, and more.

The documents will likely need to be signed and returned as soon as possible, which is to the company’s advantage because it enables them to move on quickly.

However, Williams has warned that signing the documents right away is the opposite of what laid-off employees should do.

‘It’s in the company’s interest to get this over instantly, get you out, close your file, and move on. That saves them time, money, and drama,’ he wrote.

Instead, laid-off employees should tell HR they ‘need time to understand this all’ and take it home to read thoroughly because once signed, it is binding.

Consider challenging the decision 

You should consider pushing back against management if you have any leverage, such as being part of a protected class like age, medical conditions, gender, or others, Williams advised.

By using this leverage, laid-off employees might get a better severance package than they were offered, from extended benefits to a more significant severance –  but employees should not expect this to reverse the company’s layoff decision, Williams shared.

‘Make the case not on sympathy, but on business terms… some case that speaks business and money, not heartstrings,’ he wrote.

Williams included examples like telling the company you need to organize and document your work, you have a medical need that requires extended health coverage, or you work in a specialized field that will take longer to find a new job. 

Look Into Your Legal Options

Consult with a lawyer to discuss if you have a case against the company for wrongful termination, if it’s something you’re considering

Having a lawyer review your severance documents and provide feedback on whether you can build a case against the company for wrongful termination is essential.

This could apply to those in a protected class, or if you believe the layoff is due to a complaint you raised, but when speaking with a lawyer, it’s important to make sure they don’t charge fees upfront.

Williams urges people to speak with someone who only charges a settlement fee in case they won’t take your case or say there isn’t a likelihood of success.

‘Talk to a lawyer if you’re even thinking about it,’ he wrote. ‘Here too, the worst they can say is ‘no.” 

Update your resume and LinkedIn page

Laid-off employees should update their resume and LinkedIn page as soon as possible to start looking for their next job opportunity

Once you’ve dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s, it’s time to look toward the future and update your resume and LinkedIn.

Your resume should spotlight your latest job and experience, highlighting what makes you the best candidate for future roles, Williams shared.

Include your last position, titles, and any major accomplishments – If you aren’t sure what this should entail, there are online sources to help you build a strong resume. 

Likewise, if you haven’t been keeping your LinkedIn page up-to-date, now is the time, but don’t pay for third parties to help, Williams wrote, instead conveying plenty of people offering this information for free.

‘Don’t spend hundreds of your precious dollars, no matter how desperate you feel,’ he wrote. 

‘Their advice will be from their well-worn playbook and probably won’t represent you as well as you can represent yourself.’

Keep it low key when mentioning your layoff online

Although the ink has barely dried on your layoff severance documents, it is time to decide if you want to share up front that you were laid off.

You can choose to keep it quiet and change when you leave your job, but if you decide to be transparent, Williams wrote the best option is to remain modest.

This option requires only a few sentences explaining you were part of the layoffs at the company, adding: ‘I enjoyed my time there and look forward to my next adventure.’

Williams warned you should never post something criticizing the company and share all the drama that led up to the layoffs, which is more appropriate for discussing with a friend over drinks.

‘I strongly recommend against this kind of post. You’re burning the bridges behind you,’ Williams wrote. 

The shrapnel will damage people you might use as connections or references.

‘Worse, you’re telling any potential future employers that you’re prone to drama.

‘You don’t handle adversity well and often do so publicly.’

The takeaway: Keep it simple. Keep it kind. 

Networking is key

Meet with someone you know over a cup of coffee to catch up and discuss possible job opportunities

Getting a new job can come from posting an Open to Work notice on your LinkedIn or applying directly for a position, but ‘the very best hires are made through connections,’ according to Williams.

You might be surprised how many people you know are ideally placed to open the door to you for an interview and can sing your praises to a hiring manager by doing so.

Williams advised to connect with as many people as you can, one-on-one, over a cup of coffee or a Zoom call, adding: ‘Connect with everyone you know who might have knowledge of an open position.’

Issued on: 07/12/2023 – 18:40

1 min

One of the southwestern town’s districts has been officially called “The Negress” since 1861, while a road has been called “Negress Street” since 1986.

Anti-racism association Memoires et Partages (Memory and Sharing) says Napoleonic soldiers gave the district the nickname after a former enslaved woman who worked in an inn there.

The group says the words “negro” and “negress” were used “to designate a black person deprived of their humanity, the only way for European societies to render their enslavement morally acceptable”.

“The terms thus carry the mark of a crime against humanity that saw millions of Africans deported so they could work as slaves in colonial plantations,” it said.

Instead the association called for the neighbourhood to retake its old name of Harausta, which means “dusty quarter” in the regional Basque language.

Memoires et Partages asked the mayor’s office to change the names in 2020, but that request was rejected.

It filed a case with the administrative court in the nearby city of Pau on Thursday, and is expecting a ruling within the next fortnight.

A magistrate who examined the claim on Thursday morning gave a non-binding opinion that the word had indeed become “derogatory” but that the mayor’s office was within its rights to reject the request.

William Bourdon, the lawyer for the association, deplored what he called the “normalisation of a racist stereotype”.

Pierre Cambot, a lawyer for the mayor’s office, said it was more of a “semantic slip”.

“It was never the intention to humiliate anyone, but rather to pay tribute to this woman,” he said.

If the court rules against the association, it has said it will take its complaint to France’s top administrative court.

French ships played a big role in the transatlantic slave trade, especially through its western port city of Nantes, until the abolition of slavery in 1848.

In 2001, France became the first country to recognise slavery and the slave trade as “crimes against humanity”.

(AFP)

Nationwide has reduced its mortgage rates once again, bringing the cheapest deal on the market down to 4.29 per cent. 

Britain’s biggest building society has today sent ripples across the mortgage market after it announced its eleventh consecutive round of rate cuts in four months.

It means the best rates available are now almost 1 per cent lower than the Bank of England base rate. 

Nationwide will be reducing rates by up to 0.31 percentage points across its two, three and five-year fixed rate product range from tomorrow.

Mortgage shake up: Britain’s biggest building society has today sent ripples across the mortgage market after it announced its eleventh consecutive round of rate cuts

Henry Jordan, a director at Nationwide, said: ‘In a continually moving market, we always aim to remain competitive across the board for first-time buyers, home movers and those looking to remortgage.’

From tomorrow, someone moving home with a 40 per cent deposit could be eligible for Nationwide’s 4.29 per cent five-year fix, which comes with a £999 fee.

A buyer securing this deal on a £200,000 mortgage being repaid over 25 years could expect to pay £1,088 a month. 

For those wishing to fix for two years when they move home, Nationwide is also offering a market leading 4.65 per cent rate, with a £999 fee.

First-time buyers also stand to benefit. Nationwide’s cheapest five-year fix aimed at them is now 4.34 per cent – but only if they have a minimum 40 per cent deposit.

However, even first-time buyers with at least a 25 per cent deposit can now get a rate of 4.85 per cent when fixing for two years with Nationwide. 

> Get the best rate for your circumstances with This is Money’s mortgage finder 

What about remortgage rates? 

The building society has also moved the dial for remortgage customers. Its cheapest five-year fix – as long as you have at least 40 per cent equity in your home – is now 4.68 per cent. 

Nicholas Mendes of mortgage broker, John Charcol, said: ‘Nationwide has released what could be the final best buy rate for the year. 

‘This firmly puts them ahead of the competition before the weekend in a strategic move to ensure they remain in pole position.

‘If people were betting on the cheapest mortgage rate rather than the Christmas number one single, I’d be betting on Nationwide.’

Chris Sykes, technical director at mortgage broker, Private Finance, added: ‘A new market leading rate creeping ever closer to 4 per cent is great news for those in the best circumstances, but with reductions across all its products, it will also be advantageous to those with smaller deposits or equity.’

Why are the cheapest mortgage rates below base rate?

Mortgage rates have been heading lower and lower despite the Bank of England opting to hold base rate at 5.25 per cent on its previous two meetings.

The cheapest mortgage rates are now almost 1 percentage point below base rate and many analysts are not forecasting base rate to fall until later next year.

 > When will interest rates fall? Forecasts on when base rate will go down 

Lender’s are instead pricing their mortgages based on future market expectations for interest rates whilst also trying to hit their own funding and lending targets.

Future falls? Capital Economics is forecasting the base rate will be cut to 3% by 2026

Market interest rate expectations are reflected in swap rates. These swap rates are influenced by long-term market projections for the Bank of England base rate, as well as the wider economy, internal bank targets and competitor pricing.

Sonia swaps are used by lenders to price mortgages. This week, five-year Sonia swap rates have dropped below 4 per cent for the first time in months to hit 3.96 per cent. Two-year swaps are now at 4.55 per cent.

In aggregate, swap rates create a benchmark that can be looked to as a measure of where the market thinks interest rates will go. 

Mortgage expert: Chris Sykes says Often at this time of year, lenders shut up shop and increase rates slightly – but the opposite is happening this year

Chris Sykes says: ‘This week we’ve seen five year Sonia swaps creep below 4 per cent for the first time for a fair while and this has meant that lenders are able to further reduce rates. 

‘In honesty, I don’t know the reason why they’ve continued to reduce, maybe there is just additional confidence that rates will not be as high for as long.

‘There is also a high level of competition going on, as some of the margins on swaps are pretty low currently. Many lenders have not met their targets for the year. 

‘Often at this time of year, lenders shut up shop and increase rates slightly in December as they’ve hit targets.

‘But this year, with fewer people moving home or buying, we’ve seen some really competitive offerings from lenders suggesting they are falling short of their annual lending targets and are looking to generate business.’

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: ‘Lender appetite to build a pipeline for 2024, alongside lower costs, is leading to an increasingly competitive rate environment.

‘The fall in Swap rates, which underpin the pricing of fixed-rate mortgages, has been driven by sentiment that base rate will start its downwards journey in 2024 but opinion as to when this will actually happen varies between economists.’

Issued on: 07/12/2023 – 17:10

1 min

“In collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force, the US Southern Command will conduct flight operations within Guyana on December 7,” the American embassy in Guyana said in a statement, noting the flights are part of “routine engagement” to enhance a security partnership between the two countries.

A border feud has recently spiralled over the oil-rich Essequibo region, controlled by Guyana for more than a century but which Venezuela also claims and has voiced intent to take over.

The long-running dispute over Essequibo, which comprises some two-thirds of Guyanese territory, has intensified since ExxonMobil discovered oil there in 2015.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has raised the pressure in recent days after gaining overwhelming support in a referendum on Essequibo’s fate that was held Sunday.

Essequibo is home to 125,000 of Guyana’s 800,000 citizens.

‘We do not need war’

Litigation is pending before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague over where the region’s borders should lie.

The United Nations Security Council will meet behind closed doors Friday to discuss rising border tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, following a request from Guyana, according to an official schedule.

In a letter seen by AFP, Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Todd asked the council’s president to “call urgently for a meeting” to discuss the dispute over Essequibo.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he was following developments between Guyana and Venezuela with ” growing concern”.

Lula suggested at a Mercosur summit that multilateral bodies such as ECLAC and UNASUR should contribute to a peaceful solution. “We do not want and we do not need war in South America,” the leftist leader said.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)

The city with the longest strip of independent shops in Europe has been declared by Time Out as the best place to visit in the UK in 2024.

Bristol’s Gloucester Road helped it snare the crown ahead of London and Newcastle upon Tyne. 

Time Out said: ‘The full list of 15 UK destinations features picturesque seaside towns, buzzing cities and other-worldly islands, demonstrating that Brits don’t need to travel far to experience some of the best food, drink, culture and attractions in the world.

‘The list was curated by Time Out’s network of editors and contributors, who ranked the places based on their current dining, drinking and arts scenes, as well as exciting new openings and big events in the year to come.’

Chiara Wilkinson, Features Editor at Time Out UK, said: ‘With its vibrant cultural scene set to get even bigger next year, Bristol was a deserving winner – but it was also great to see underrated destinations like Hull, Wrexham and Falmouth take their spots in the top 15. If you need an excuse to book a staycation, surely this is it.’ Scroll down to see the top 10 in reverse order, with the full list presented at the bottom.  

10. Manchester

L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes is opening his first solo restaurant, Skof, in Manchester in spring

‘Manchester never fails to serve up a cultural banquet,’ says Time Out, pointing to the ‘rescue of grassroots gig venue The Snug and the long-awaited reopening of Manchester Museum’ in 2023.

The guide says that 2024 is going to be ‘another big one’.

It explains: ‘The star of the show will be the huge, innovative Co-op Live, which is opening in April, [is] backed by Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles and already has the likes of Liam Gallagher and Oilvia Rodrigo lined up to perform.

‘And in much-anticipated news for its food scene, L’Enclume chef Tom Barnes is opening his first solo restaurant, Skof, in the Noma district in spring.’

9. Falmouth

Time Out reveals that Falmouth’s ‘late night credentials have shot up’ 

‘Falmouth has always been Cornwall’s cooler town,’ says Time Out. ‘Home to Exeter and Falmouth university campuses, student life here has brought a bit of vibrancy and edge to the quiet cobbled streets – but there’s always been a glaring gap when it comes to the question of nightlife. 

‘Recently, though – thanks to new music venue The Cornish Bank – its late-night credentials have shot up.’

A perfect day there? Time Out says: ‘Start with a paddle at Gyllyngvase Beach, then warm yourself up with a coffee at Gylly beach cafe. Then check out the independent boutiques and galleries on the high street.’

8. Newcastle

‘You might just want to pack up and move to Newcastle,’ says Time Out

Newcastle has plenty to shout about, says Time Out. ‘The city’s food scene already had a pretty good reputation,’ it says, ‘but new openings in 2023 have really seen it thrive, like natural wine and pizza spot Bawn and new brunch spot Cafeteria: a sort of posh style greasy spoon, which seem to be all the rage now.’

The guide adds: ‘Pair this with a load of great galleries and pubs, the legendary Wylam Brewery and Tyneside Cinema and seriously reasonable prices, and you’ve got a cracking weekend away. Or you might just want to pack up and move there. It happens.’

7. Lewes

 Lewes features ‘charming wonky streets’ and is home to ‘the most bonkers pub in the UK’

Lewes, notes Time Out, is home to ‘charming wonky streets’; a brand-new cultural space called Charleston; the former home of Anne of Cleves, Lewes Castle; a ‘hodgepodge of artisan stores and delicious foodie spots’ – and ‘the most bonkers pub in the UK, the Lewes Arms’.

A perfect day there, the guide says, would include ‘a veggie burger at Bun and Bean and a pastry dessert from Flint Owl Bakery’.

6. St Andrews

The ‘coastal gem’ of St Andrews is where Prince William met Kate Middleton

‘A coastal gem in the Kingdom of Fife, St Andrews is home to an ancient university, three stunning beaches, botanic gardens, multiple pubs, a famous golf course and not much else,’ says Time Out, ‘but it’s also beautiful, extremely walkable and very peaceful.’

The guide continues: ‘St Andrews has also been tipped to be a hit set-jetting destination for 2024, with the town featuring heavily in the final season of The Crown, thanks to it being where Prince William met Kate Middleton while at university. Fans, come this way.’

5. Belfast

A perfect day in Belfast ‘begins with a wholesome morning stroll’, says Time Out

Time Out declares that Belfast is ‘criminally underrated’, adding: ‘If you’re yet to discover its welcoming warmth and cultural vibrance, 2024 is the year to change that.’

A perfect day there, the guide suggests, ‘begins with a wholesome morning stroll through the Botanic Gardens, followed by a hefty brunch at Output’.

Afterwards, opt for a ‘wander through the parliament buildings at Stormont and the monumental Titanic Belfast museum’.

4. London

New restaurants and gorgeous hotels add to the allure of London for 2024

‘Ah, good old London. No matter how many times you’ve visited or how long you’ve lived there, you’ll always find new things to discover in the capital,’ says Time Out.

‘There are a tonne of new restaurants to feast at, all sorts of gorgeous hotel openings and plenty of fresh cultural things to do. Most notably, in 2024, you can dance at Drumsheds, the mammoth warehouse club housed in a former IKEA, catch a blockbuster exhibition – like Yoko Ono at the Tate Modern or The World of Tim Burton at the Design Museum – and see epic new West End performances.’

3. Isles of Scilly

‘A lot of people say the Isles of Scilly are the British version of the Caribbean,’ reveals Time Out

Justifying the bronze medal for the Isles of Scilly, Time Out points to the archipelago’s ‘white stretches of sandy beaches, turquoise waters and opportunities for dolphin spotting’ that lead ‘a lot of people to say that the Isles of Scilly are the British version of the Caribbean’.

A perfect day? That would involve ‘hiring bikes and exploring the coastal trails of St. Mary’s islands before taking a transfer boat to St. Agnes to visit the Turks Head for a hearty pub lunch’, says Time Out. 

2. Hull

Hull gets the silver medal thanks in part to a ‘thriving’ LGBTQ+ scene and an enormous aquarium

As well as its ‘thriving’ LGBTQ+ scene, Time Out remarks that this former city of culture has got ‘The Deep, an enormous aquarium with 3,000 species, a picturesque old town which survived the city’s relentless WWII bombings, and lots of up and coming indie art galleries like Ground and Artlink’.

The perfect day in Hull? The itinerary should include a caffeine fix at Two Gingers Coffee House, says Time Out, plus a pint at Ye Olde White Hart. 

1. Bristol

With a ‘cultural scene just as exciting as London’s’, Time Out awards Bristol the crown 

And it’s a drum roll for… Bristol. The city that Time Out notes ‘everyone is apparently moving to’.

So what’s so enticing about it?

Time Out says: ‘Its cultural scene is just as exciting as London’s… it has picture-perfect streets and bustling, diverse nightlife.’

Coming in 2024, says the guide, is Boxhall, ‘a street food, beer and events space by the people behind London’s Boxpark’; Undershed, a new immersive gallery, and a musical adaptation of the 2006 film ‘Starter for Ten’ is coming to the Old Vic theatre.

A perfect day in Bristol? Time Out recommends perusing the shops on Gloucester Road, ‘the largest strip of independent retailers in Europe’, and hopping on a Bristol Ferry water bus tour to see the city from the water.

For more visit www.timeout.com/uk/things-to-do/best-places-to-visit-in-the-uk-2024. 

Issued on: 07/12/2023 – 16:52

2 min

The bill, which prohibits “inappropriate treatment of writings with significant religious importance for a recognised religious community”, was passed with 94 votes in favour and 77 opposed in the 179-seat Folketing.

“We must protect the security of Denmark and the Danes. Therefore, it is important that we now have better protection against the systematic insults we have seen for a long time,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in a statement.

In practical terms, it will be forbidden to burn, tear or otherwise defile holy texts publicly or in videos intended to be disseminated widely. 

Those who break the law, which will be evaluated after three years, risk a fine or up to two years in prison.

Over the summer, Denmark and neighbouring Sweden became the focus of anger across several Muslim countries after a slew of protests involving burnings and desecrations of the Koran.

Watch moreSwedish embassy in Iraq stormed: Protesters angered over Koran burning in Sweden

Nearly a thousand protesters attempted to march to the Danish embassy in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone in late July following a call by firebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr.

In response to the worsened security situation, the Scandinavian country temporarily tightened border controls, but returned to normal on August 22.

Between July 21 and October 24 this year, 483 book burnings or flag burnings were recorded in Denmark, according to national police figures.

Criticism

Initially announced at the end of August, the bill was amended following criticism that its first draft limited freedom of expression and would be difficult to enforce.

It was originally planned to cover objects of significant religious importance.

The first draft was also criticised by some — including politicians, artists, media and freedom of speech experts — as a return to a blasphemy law that Denmark abolished in 2017.

During a lengthy debate in parliament ahead of the vote, opposition lawmakers railed against the government, accusing it of sacrificing freedom of expression. 

“It is a betrayal. A huge failure on the part of the government,” Inger Stojberg, leader of far-right Denmark Democrats, told parliament.

In 2006, a wave of anti-Danish anger and violence erupted in the Muslim world following the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

“Imagine that we are becoming the generation that curtailed freedom of speech. I hadn’t actually thought this would be — and certainly not after the Muhammad crisis. Back then, we stood firm,” Stojberg said.

In neighbouring Sweden, the government has condemned desecrations of the Koran at protests while upholding the country’s constitutionally protected freedom of speech and assembly laws.

It has vowed to explore legal means of stopping protests involving the burning of holy texts in certain circumstances.

Denmark is not the only European country to have banned burnings of the Koran. 

According to Denmark’s justice ministry, eight European countries — Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania — do so to varying degrees.

In Greece, for example, the burning of a sacred text can be banned if the act takes place in or near a religious site.

(AFP)

Obese people in white collar jobs earn significantly less than their slimmer counterparts, figures show.

An analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that men with a college degree and a BMI over 30 earned five percent less than their peers with a healthy weight.

The difference was even greater among women, with obese and higher educated women making 12 percent less than their slim colleagues.

The research accounted for race, age and marital status – which can all influence how much money someone makes – and the disparity 

The finding suggests that a ‘fat prejudice’ exists in corporate America, leading obese people to miss out on billions of dollars in earnings. 

But the analysis found the opposite was true for blue collar jobs, where obese employees were better paid than their slimmer colleagues.

When researchers compared men with bachelor’s degrees, they found those classified as obese made five percent less than their non-obese colleagues

In the analysis carried out by The Economist, researchers analyzed data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics of 23,000 men and women between the ages of 25 and 54 who work full time.

In addition to looking at men with bachelor’s degrees, they compared men who had more advanced degrees. 

When researchers compared men with graduate degrees, those who were obese earned 14 percent less.

Women face a similar fate, but the margins were larger. Obese women with bachelor’s degrees earned 12 percent less than counterparts and those with graduate degrees earned 19 percent less.  

The career a person has chosen makes a difference, with varying pay gaps between obese workers and those with normal BMIs in different industries. 

Obese workers in healthcare can expect to earn 11 percent less than slimmer colleagues and obese employees in management roles earn nine percent less.

However, the opposite is true for workers in construction and agriculture, which see obese workers making more than people with normal BMIs.  

Nearly 42 percent of adults in the US are considered obese — having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or the rough equivalent of someone who is 5’9” weighing 203 or more lbs. 

This means millions of Americans are potentially losing out on tens of thousands of dollars.

The Economist determined that, among discrimination of both women and men with obese BMIs, they could lose out on up to $70billion per year. 

Previous studies show similar results. 

A study from 2019 found BMI was associated with chronic job discrimination, with study subjects classified as obese and morbidly obese reporting higher job discrimination compared to subjects with normal BMIs. 

A separate 2018 meta analysis of 21 studies found a reverse causal relationship between obesity and income, revealing lower income is associated with subsequent obesity. 

Because of the growing body of evidence pointing to weight-based job discrimination, a number of state and local leaders are considering laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on weight, including Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont.

New York City’s mayor signed legislation in May barring discrimination against someone based on height or weight.

Additionally, San Francisco and Washington, DC ban discrimination based on appearance. 

However, as part of the study, researchers at The Economist analyzed the wage gap between obese and normal-BMI workers just in Michigan, where a similar ban has been in place for nearly half a century. 

Despite that legislation, they found the obesity wage penalty was no lower than for America as a whole.  

While these studies relied on a person’s BMI to determine obesity, the American Medical Association voted in June to move away from using the measurement to assess weight and overall health, saying it is ‘an imperfect way to measure fat in multiple groups given that it does not account for differences across race/ethnic groups, sexes, genders and age-span.’

The AMA instead proposed educating doctors on the issues with BMI and using alternative measures for diagnosing obesity.