The NHS says last week’s cyber-attack means blood cannot be sorted at the same frequency.
O-type blood donors needed after London cyber-attack
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This Is Why Preparing For Divorce Is The Most Romantic Thing You Can Do
You’ve said your vows, celebrated with your loved ones and now all that’s left to do after your wedding is, uh, prepare for divorce?
According to a barrister at 4PB, Rhiannon Lloyd, this is exactly what you should be doing and, in fact, it’s the most romantic thing you could do for one another as a married couple.
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Speaking exclusively with HuffPost UK, Lloyd said: “The reality of divorce, its brutality, cost and the damage it can inflict, if not handled correctly, on children and families is something any prospective spouses should seriously think about.
“The importance of planning for the eventuality of a split, and minimising it’s impact on you and any future children is underestimated.”
Lloyd wisely added: “What could be more romantic than trying to ensure that you have the best possible chance of remaining a positive presence in each other’s lives and the lives of your future children post any future divorce?”
Well, yes.
How to financially plan for a potential divorce
The barrister recommends that couple start a ‘divorce fund’ to financially see them through any divorce proceedings and ensure that neither party are left out of pocket.
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Lloyd explained: “Whereas prenups plan for management of asset division, they don’t ordinarily address contribution to a fund to manage the cost of any eventual divorce process.
“This is now changing and many couples are opting to make joint (or sole) contributions into a divorce fund as well. A fund is set aside, earmarked for the costs ( or even settlement) of any future divorce often in line with the prenup’s provisions.”
As for how much you should put in a divorce fund? Well, Lloyd says that a ‘sensible’ starting point is £100k. Quite unfathomable to most of us, especially during a cost of living crisis.
However, while this sum may make you gulp, Lloyd warned: “It’s important to point out though that even in modest asset cases costs can spiral into the hundreds of thousands when people litigate unreasonably.”
Eye-watering.
As for the how, Lloyd said: “Any fund would have to be an Escrow or joint mandate account where neither party could withdraw without the consent of the other.
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“It would also be sensible, either as part of a prenup, or by way of a separate written agreement, to set out the terms under which either party could utilise sums from the fund, how any excess was to be treated and the parties’ intentions in respect of the fund generally.”
Strictly Come Dancing Bosses Confirm Giovanni Pernice Will Not Be Back For New Series
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have confirmed that Giovanni Pernice will not be returning to the show for this year’s landmark 20th series.
Giovanni’s future on the show has been in doubt for a number of weeks now, with the BBC currently investigating complaints made about him by a number of his former celebrity partners.
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Prior to this, it was reported by The Sun that the Italian dancer had made the decision to bow out after 10 series, citing an undisclosed “source”, who claimed the former champion had chosen to leave Strictly as a result of the “scrutiny” he had found himself under.
On Monday afternoon, the BBC confirmed the line-up of this year’s Strictly professionals, with Giovanni’s name absent from the list.
Giovanni previously told his Instagram followers: “You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name.
“Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win – for me and my dance partners.”
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Meanwhile, the BBC has also issued a rare statement alluding to the matter, which said: “It is a longstanding position that the BBC does not comment on specific matters related to individuals,” a BBC representative said. “Nor ordinarily, would we comment on whether we are reviewing any individual complaints.
“Recently, we have seen a number of media reports about a high profile show. We would urge people not to indulge in speculation. Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process.
“If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take any necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer, and, if appropriate, what action should be taken.”
The statement – which did not mention Giovanni, any of his former partners or Strictly Come Dancing directly – continued: “This is all within the context of the BBC having duties of care to everyone linked to a complaint – that applies to those that have raised the complaint and to those that have been complained about.
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“Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned.”
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
The rest of last year’s Strictly dancers will all be back for the upcoming season, including reigning champion Vito Coppola and runner-up Nikita Kuzmin, whose future on the show was also previously in doubt following his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother back in March.
Also returning to the show will be Amy Dowden, who missed much of the 2023 run while she underwent cancer treatment.
Naomi Campbell Opens Up About The Birth Of Her 2 Children For The First Time
Naomi Campbell has spoken for the first time about using a surrogate to become a mother.
The legendary model surprised the world in 2021, when she announced she had welcomed a baby girl at the age of 50. Two years later, she revealed her family had grown further, and she was also now a mum to a newborn son.
Because of the surprising nature of Naomi’s baby news, it led some to speculate whether she may have adopted or used a surrogate.
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While she previously denied the former, she has now confirmed the latter to be the case in a new interview with The Times.
During her interview with the newspaper, Naomi admitted she thinks things in the UK are “slipping back” in terms of progress for minorities.
“I would put it this way: there are definitely groups who are against diversity in any form, whether they’re racist or homophobic, and they are not afraid to be open about it,” she said. “The world is in a culture war. It’s increasingly fragile.”
Naomi added that, as a mother, she feels “fear for the future”, noting: “My babies are everything to me.”
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Asked whether she used a surrogate, she responded: “I did. I hope for a better world for my children. They are 110 per cent my priority. I have to be there for them on their first day at school.”
“I have heard a lot of young girls saying that it is too expensive to have children and they may not want them, and I have said, ‘You will change your mind. You will want to be a mum’,” Naomi continued.
“I understand economically it is tough. But my mum had nothing and she made it work. It’s worth it. It is so amazing.”
Naomi previously introduced her daughter – whose name she has not disclosed publicly – to the world in a cover photo-shoot for British Vogue magazine.
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“She is the biggest blessing I could ever imagine. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she told the magazine at the time.
“I always knew that one day I would be a mother, but it’s the biggest joy I could ever imagine. I’m lucky to have her and I know that.”
Following the birth of her son last year, Naomi described him as a “gift from God” while telling her Instagram followers: “It’s never too late to become a mother.”
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‘Was He Just Not Bothered?’: Trevor Phillips Slams Sunak Over D-Day Snub In Angry Clash With Mel Stride
Mel Stride clashed with Trevor Phillips this morning after the Sky News presenter asked whether Rishi Sunak left last week’s D-Day commemoration early because he was “just not bothered” about those who died on the beaches at Normandy.
The prime minister’s election campaign has been turned upside down by his decision to return to London rather than attend an event alongside other world leaders on Thursday afternoon.
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Instead, foreign secretary David Cameron was left to represent the UK alongside US president Joe Biden, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron.
Phillips told Stride the controversy “just makes the country embarrassed”.
He said: “The reason this has become such a big deal is this – the prime minister is never slow to boast about his facility with numbers.
“In the battle of Normandy, the Americans lost 29,000 soldiers, the Canadians 5,000, the French 12,000. We won’t even talk about what happened to the Germans.
“Did the prime minister not know those numbers, or did he just not care? That’s the question.”
As Stride tried to avoid the question, Phillips asked: “Was he just not bothered?”
The minister replied: “No, absolutely not. Look at Rishi Sunak’s record …”
But Phillips interrupted: “No, look at what he did on Thursday.”
Stride hit back: “You’ve got to give me a chance to answer your question.”
But Phillips told him: “You’re not answering my question.”
The minister replied: “I haven’t had a chance to, actually. When it comes to what happened, he has made an unequivocal apology. I know he will be feeling this very deeply, and let me just talk about his record and how he stands up for this country.”
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LUDOVIC MARIN via Getty Images
Phillips then hit back: “You’ve said that twice already, and the question I’m asking you is look at that picture as 60 million Britons do, and ask yourself the question that they are asking. Did he understand the weight of this event or did he not care enough?”
Stride insisted “this man cares very deeply about our country and I know that because I know him well.”
Meanwhile, the minister also had to insist that Sunak will not resign before election day on July 4.
Phillips asked him: “Would it not be a courageous and moral act for him to announce that he knows he is leading his party to defeat, partly because of his own actions and his own shortcomings, and that he will not step aside to save seats which won’t be saved if he stays for the next four weeks?
“Is he going to lead you into this election?”
Stride replied: “Absolutely, and there should be no question of anything other than that because what matters now is there’s a clear choice for the British people.”
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Nigel Farage On The Rack Over Claim Rishi Sunak ‘Doesn’t Understand Our Culture’
Nigel Farage was left squirming this morning over his claim that Rishi Sunak “doesn’t understand our history and our culture”.
The Reform UK leader made the comment after the prime minister left the D-Day commemoration early.
But on BBC1 this morning, Laura Kuenssberg said viewers “might imagine that you are trying, not very subtly, to emphasise the prime minister’s immigrant heritage”.
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Farage insisted he was referring to the PM’s “class and privilege”.
But work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said Farage’s remarks were “deeply regrettable”.
In their interview, Kuenssberg told Farage: “I want to ask you about the prime minister’s early exit from the D-Day commemoration this week.
“After that, you said that he wasn’t patriotic and you said that Rishi Sunak didn’t understand our history and our culture’. What did you mean by that?”
Farage replied: “Absolutely right. He should have known in his heart that it was right to be there. I was there, I’ve been raising money for some weeks to send veterans back to Normandy.
“The vast majority of people in Britain felt this commemoration was important, and the last opportunity to honour those remnants that are still alive.
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“By the way, I know what your question is leading at. Forty per cent of our contribution in World War One and World War Two came from the Commonwelath. He is utterly disconnected by class, by privilege, from how the ordinary folk in this country feel.
“He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early.”
Laura: “But Mr Farage, when you say ‘our culture’, I think many of our viewers might imagine that you are trying, not very subtly, to emphasise the prime minister’s immigrant heritage.”
Farage replied: “I just made the point, 40% of our contribution in two wars came from the Commonwealth. Clearly, Mr Sunak doesn’t understand that.”
Asked what he thought about Farage’s comments, work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said: “I think they were deeply regrettable comments. I’m not entirely sure he addressed the question you put to him as to what he meant by that.”
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He added: “It just seems to be to be an ill-advised thing to have said. I feel very uncomfortable with that.”
Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “This is a classic Nigel Farage trick – lean in just enough to signal a bit of a dog whistle and then lean back and sound perfectly reasonable and say some thing good about the contribution Commonwealth soldiers and ethnic minorities made towards the war effort.
“We can all see exactly what Nigel Farage is doing, he’s got form, it’s completely unacceptable. This is a man who has a track record of seeking to divide communities.”
Tory Minister Forced To Deny That Rishi Sunak Will Quit Before July 4
A Tory minister has been forced to deny that Rishi Sunak will resign before the general election amid the row over his D-Day snub.
The prime minister is under mounting pressure following his decision to leave Normandy early during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of mainland Europe during World War 2.
Sunak cancelled media interviews yesterday – a virtually unprecedented move during an election campaign – as the row continued.
That led to speculation that the PM might even quit in order to try to prevent a Conservative wipeout on July 4.
Former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries last night posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Rumours around tonight that Sunak’s about to fall on his sword.”
On Sky News this morning, work and pensions secretary was sent out to defend Sunak, despite admitting he had not spoken to him since the D-day row broke.
Presenter Trevor Phillips asked him: “Would it not be a courageous and moral act for him to announce that he knows he is leading his party to defeat, partly because of his own actions and his own shortcomings, and that he will not step aside to save seats which won’t be saved if he stays for the next four weeks?
“Is he going to lead you into this election?”
Stride replied: “Absolutely, and there should be no question of anything other than that because what matters now is there’s a clear choice for the British people.”
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