News from November 25, 2025

Politics

Kids taken from Aus mum living in forest

Melbourne life coach Catherine Birmingham, 45, and her husband, British former professional chef Nathan Trevallion, 51, along with their eight-year-old daughter and six-year-old twin sons, have been living in a remote farmhouse, which reportedly operates without water or electricity, near Chieti, in Italy’s eastern Abruzzo region since 2021. But last week, a juvenile court in the nearby city of L’Aquila suspended the couple’s parental responsibility and ordered the transfer of their children to a protective home with Ms Birmingham, after prosecutors claimed the children were suffering from “serious harm” due to their off-grid lifestyle, according to The Telegraph. The court cited poor sanitary conditions at the home and the unauthorised homeschooling of the three children. “The family unit lives in housing hardship as the building has not been declared habitable,” the order states, as per CNN. The order added the family have “no social interaction, no fixed income, the home has no toilet facilities, and the children do not attend school”. “The order is based on the risk of violating the right to social life in consideration of the serious and harmful violations of the children’s rights to physical and mental integrity the parents should be suspended from parental responsibility.” Prosecutors had claimed in legal documents seen by The Telegraph that the children were being raised in “harmful” living conditions and should be “urgently” put into care. The court’s decision comes a year after all five family members were hospitalised for eating poisonous wild mushrooms from the forest in September 2024, according to CNN. Following the incident, law enforcement and social services visited the family but according to their lawyer, recommendations for the children to receive regular medical care and attend school were not met, the outlet reports. In a press release, the Italian Association of Magistrates for Minors and for the Family noted that the court’s decision last week to remove the children came after a year-long observation period “during which the court’s orders were systematically disregarded by the parents”. ‘This is insane’ Ms Birmingham has hit back at the court order, telling The Telegraph: “This is insane”. “There is no negligence, there is no abuse, the kids are not in danger of their lives,” she said. The family’s lawyer negotiated a deal for the 45-year-old to accompany her children to the shelter. However, Ms Birmingham told the newspaper she has been separated from her children inside the shelter and is “not allowed” to see her children. Mr Trevallion reportedly remains at the family’s property. “We’ve been imprisoned for a crime we never did. I have had my parental rights stripped from me,” Ms Birmingham said. Mr Trevallion told The Times the children’s removal to a care shelter was “very fast and unexpected”. “We got a call from a social worker saying she was at the Carabinieri police station and we needed to get over there. There were ten officers ready to go and kidnap the children, to put it bluntly,” he told the publication. “We spent 30 minutes negotiating and they agreed to allow Catherine to accompany the children to a centre. It was a compromise. Otherwise they would have just taken away the children without saying where.” The family’s lawyer, Giovanni Angelucci, said the couple will appeal the court’s decision. Defending their lifestyle as one “without stress” and in harmony with nature, Ms Birmingham and Mr Trevallion earlier told national broadcaster Rai this month that their children were “growing up better” in their home in the woods. A tour of the home given to Rai showed a wood-burning stove in a kitchen, colourful children’s beds covered with stuffed animals, and Christmas lights strewn about the home. Electricity is provided from solar panels, while the toilet is compostable and located in a shack outside, where a donkey, horse, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks roam a clearing among the trees. “The children are happy, healthy. We haven’t done anything wrong if we want to return to nature,” Mr Birmingham told Rai. But local media has reported that the children are not vaccinated and do not go to school, with the parents having failed to submit their request for homeschooling to local authorities. ‘Kidnapping’ Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – leader of a hard-right government that champions family values – and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini have both condemned the court’s decision. A spokesman for Ms Meloni called the move “alarming” and said she has contacted Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio over the case, as per CNN. Meanwhile, her deputy has labelled the judge’s actions “unworthy, worrying, dangerous and shameful”, describing it as a “kidnapping” of the minors. “Judges and social workers in Abruzzo, don’t be a nuisance,” he said, pointing to a need for judicial reform. An online petition supporting the family has amassed over 143,000 signatured as of Tuesday. Magistrates associations have defended the Aquila court’s decision to remove the children and slammed what they called exploitation of the case for political purposes. “We reject any form of exploitation expressed in recent days by some political factions and the media, which fail to consider the complexity and sensitivity of the rights in question,” said the Italian Association of Magistrates for Minors and for the Family. In a press release, it noted that the court’s decision came after a year-long observation period “during which the court’s orders were systematically disregarded by the parents”. On Monday, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which is tasked with judicial independence and disciplinary matters, opened a procedure to protect the magistrates in question.

Brielle Burns 7 hours ago

Business

Next move of teen accused of CEO murder

The new development in the child’s murder case follows his legal team going through a large volume of material contained in the brief of evidence back in October. Police found Mr Josephson, 58, dead in his Clayfield home in Brisbane’s south just after 8pm on June 26. The teen, 15, is accused of fatally stabbing the businessman during what police allege was an “altercation” at the home in the middle of a house party. He has been charged with a single count of murder. On Tuesday, Brisbane Children’s Court was told a psychiatrist had been retained but there were a number of “complex issues” still at play. Defence lawyer Kris Jahnke said he was in the process of providing the relevant material to allow an assessment to be conducted and a report prepared. “Realistically, we will not be in a position to update the court in relation to that until March next year,” Mr Jahnke said. “We’re providing more material to a psychiatrist … he will start that process in early December.” The psychiatrist would not be in a position to provide any opinion following the meeting until March 2026, Mr Jahnke explained The court was told DNA evidence had been sent to the US for analysis. The teen’s matter was adjourned to March 31, 2026 for a further mention. Mr Josephson co-founded the clothing chain Universal Store alongside his brother in 1999. The business was sold to private equity investors in 2018. Mr Josephson then amassed a significant property and retail portfolio in the following years – some of which have been gradually sold off since his death. At a touching funeral in July, Mr Josephson’s wife Tamra remembered her husband as the “team captain” of their family. “He was still my Gregory handsome. We had discussed how we looked forward to spending more time together just the two of us. We loved each other’s company,” she said. “He was the most gentle, soft, kind-hearted, generous, calm, positive, happy, intelligent man I have ever met. He was a pure gentleman. “I loved you so much and I will love you forever.”

Blake Antrobus 7 hours ago

World

Israel kills four Palestinians as attacks continue despite Gaza ceasefire  - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily St

At least four Palestinians have been killed and several more wounded across Gaza as Israeli forces continued to fire on neighbourhoods despite the ceasefire, according to hospital officials who spoke to Al Jazeera. One of the victims on Monday was a Palestinian man hit by an Israeli drone in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, in an area lying beyond the so-called “yellow line”, the boundary Israel uses to mark zones under its military control. Al Jazeera’s teams on the ground reported that Israeli attacks persisted throughout the day, with artillery, air raids and helicopter strikes recorded in both northern and southern Gaza. In Beit Lahiya, Israeli fire hit areas outside the yellow line. In the south, tanks and helicopters targeted territory northeast of Rafah and the outskirts of Khan Younis. Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said there were “extensive Israeli attacks beyond the yellow line that have led to the systematic destruction of Gaza’s eastern neighbourhoods”. Testimonies gathered by families, he added, point to a “systematic attempt to destroy Gaza’s neighbourhoods and create buffer zones, making these areas completely uninhabitable, which complicates a return for families”. In central Gaza, civil defence teams, operating with police and Red Cross support, recovered the bodies of eight members of a single family from the rubble of their home in the Maghazi camp, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported, which was struck in an earlier Israeli attack. The Gaza Government Media Office said the number of bodies retrieved since the ceasefire began has now reached 582, while more than 9,500 Palestinians remain missing beneath the ruins of bombed-out districts. Hamas’s armed wing, meanwhile, announced it had recovered the body of an Israeli captive in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. That leaves the bodies of two captives still to be recovered under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Hamas has said the widespread destruction has hampered efforts to locate the remaining bodies. Also on Monday, the GHF, a US-backed entity that operated parallel to United Nations aid structures, announced the end of its activities in Gaza. The organisation cited provisions in the October ceasefire as the reason for its withdrawal. UN experts say at least 859 Palestinians were killed around GHF distribution points since May 2025, with Israeli forces and foreign contractors regularly opening fire on crowds desperately seeking food. The scheme drew widespread condemnation for bypassing established humanitarian channels. Israeli attacks on the West Bank Across the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces stepped up raids overnight, arresting at least 16 Palestinians, according to Wafa. Arrests were reported in Iktaba near Tulkarem, in Tuqu southeast of Bethlehem, in Kobar near Ramallah, and in Silat al-Harithiya west of Jenin. Israeli troops also detained residents in Tubas and the surrounding areas. Violence escalated further on Sunday night when Israeli forces killed a 20-year-old law student, Baraa Khairi Ali Maali, in Deir Jarir, north of Ramallah. Wafa reported that clashes erupted after Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes on the village’s outskirts. Fathi Hamdan, head of the local council, said troops entered the village to protect the settlers, then opened fire on Palestinians confronting them. Maali suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and died shortly after arrival at hospital. His killing follows the fatal shooting of another young man by settlers in Deir Jarir last month. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers injured two Palestinian women and detained two brothers during a raid in Kafr Qaddum, east of Qalqilya. Settler attacks also continued. Fires were set on agricultural land between Atara and Birzeit, north of Ramallah, destroying farmland belonging to residents. In a separate incident in Atara, settlers from a newly established outpost torched olive trees and stole farming equipment. Israeli settler violence has surged over the past two years; since October 7, 2023, at least 1,081 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers, including 223 children, with more than 10,614 wounded and more than 20,500 arrested. Israeli ceasefire violations in Lebanon In Lebanon, Hezbollah held a funeral for senior commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai, assassinated by Israel on Sunday. Images from Beirut’s southern suburbs showed mourners carrying his coffin, wrapped in yellow and green, as Hezbollah flags lined the streets. The group has not yet announced how it will respond. Mahmoud Qmati, vice president of Hezbollah’s Political Council, called the killing “yet another ceasefire violation”, accusing Israel of escalating the conflict “with the green light given by the United States”. Security analyst Ali Rizk said Hezbollah is weighing its options carefully, warning that the group is unlikely to “give Netanyahu an excuse to launch an all-out war against Lebanon”, which he said could be more devastating than the current limited exchanges. Geopolitical analyst Joe Macaron said the US is “no longer restraining Israel” and is instead supporting Israeli operations in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon. Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said that Hezbollah, in turn, faces a strategic dilemma: retaliation could risk a massive Israeli assault, yet inaction could erode its deterrence. Imad Salamey of the Lebanese American University said any Hezbollah response could be met with a “severe” Israeli reaction. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he added that Israel’s right-wing government “is eager to escalate because escalation will serve that government staying in power”. Salamey argued that Hezbollah’s deterrence capacity has been “severely damaged” and that the group “no longer has the support it used to have or the logistical routes it used to utilise via Syria”.

Cb_usr 7 hours ago

Politics

Trump orders blacklisting Muslim Brotherhood branches as ‘terrorist’ groups  - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily

Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has ordered his aides to start a process to label the branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as “terrorist” organisations, citing their alleged support for the Palestinian group Hamas. Trump issued the decree on Monday as Washington intensified its crackdown on Israel’s foes in the region. The decree accused Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Jordan of providing “material support” to Hamas and the Lebanese branch of the group – known as al-Jamaa al-Islamiya – of siding with Hamas and Hezbollah in their war with Israel. It also claimed that an Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader “called for violent attacks against United States partners and interests” during Israel’s war on Gaza. But it was not clear what the White House was referring to. The Muslim Brotherhood has been banned in Egypt and mostly driven underground. “President Trump is confronting the Muslim Brotherhood’s transnational network, which fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns against US interests and allies in the Middle East,” the White House said. Trump’s order directs the secretary of state and the treasury secretary to consult with the US intelligence chief and produce a report on the designation within 30 days. A formal “foreign terrorist organisation” label would then officially apply to the Muslim Brotherhood branches within 45 days after the report. The process is usually a formality, and the designation may come sooner. The decree also opens the door to blacklisting other Muslim Brotherhood branches. The White House is also pushing to label the groups as “designated global terrorists”. The designations would make it illegal to provide material support to the group. It would also mostly ban their current and former members from entering the US, and enable economic sanctions to choke their revenue streams. Established in 1928 by Egyptian Muslim scholar Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has offshoots and branches across the Middle East in the shape of political parties and social organisations. Across the Middle East, Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated parties take part in elections and say they are committed to peaceful political participation. But the group has been outlawed by several countries across the region. Blacklisting the Muslim Brotherhood has been a longstanding demand for right-wing activists in the US. But critics say that the move could further enable authoritarianism and the crackdown on free political expression in the Middle East. The decree could also be used to target Muslim American activists on allegations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or contributions to charities affiliated with the group. Right-wing groups have long pushed to outlaw Muslim American groups with unfounded accusations of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said the designation should not have an impact on Muslim American advocacy groups and charities. “The American Muslim organisations are solid,” Awad told Al Jazeera. “They are based in the US. The relief organisations serve millions of people abroad. I hope that this will not impact their work.” But he noted that anti-Muslim activists have been trying to promote “the conspiracy theory that every Muslim organisation in the US is a front to the Muslim Brotherhood”. Recently, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as “foreign terrorist organisations and transnational criminal organisations”. CAIR has sued the governor’s office in response.

Cb_usr 7 hours ago

World

Reactions Pour In Following The Passing Of The Legendary Jimmy Cliff  - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily St

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 24, 2025: Tributes from around the world began flooding social media and news platforms this morning, Nov. 24, 2025, within minutes of the heartbreaking announcement that Jamaican musical icon Jimmy Cliff had passed away at age 81. The news came through an emotional Instagram statement from his wife, Latifa Chambers, who revealed that the reggae legend died following a seizure and pneumonia. “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over,” she wrote. “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”The message was signed by Chambers and their children, Lilty and Aken, who thanked the global community for embracing the man whose music reshaped reggae and carried Jamaica’s spirit around the world. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness was among the first to respond, calling Cliff “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world.” “Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul,” Holness stated. “His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.” International tributes poured in just as quickly. UB40’s Ali Campbell honored Cliff as “a true foundation, a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world.” Reggae group Inner Circle wrote: “We’re devastated. Today we say goodbye to our friend and reggae legend, Jimmy Cliff… Your legacy is eternal, brother. Rest in Power.” VP Records issued a statement saying “Rest in Power, Jimmy Cliff.” They added he will be sadly missed, fondly remembered, and forever honored for the legacy he leaves behind. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to his wife, children and family.” Born in St. James, Jamaica, in 1944, Jimmy Cliff’s rise began in Kingston under the guidance of producer Leslie Kong, who recognized the young singer’s raw talent. Cliff’s determination earned him early hits and led to his selection as one of Jamaica’s musical ambassadors to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. But it was his signing to Island Records later that decade that propelled him to international fame. His breakout hit, “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” soared to No. 6 on the UK charts in 1969, marrying upbeat ska with lyrics critiquing global injustice. That balance of joy, activism, and optimism became his trademark. His anti-war anthem “Vietnam” drew praise worldwide, including from Bob Dylan, who called it the “best protest song” he’d heard. Cliff’s legacy was cemented in 1972 when he starred in The Harder They Come, playing outlaw Ivanhoe “Rhyging” Martin. The film became a cornerstone of Jamaican cinema, while its soundtrack – which included “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “The Harder They Come”—ignited global reggae fever. In the U.S., the film’s 1973 release introduced millions to Jamaica’s music, language, and culture. Cliff continued shaping music for decades. He toured the world, scored hits like “I Can See Clearly Now” from Cool Runnings, and collaborated with the Rolling Stones, Sting and Wyclef Jean. Bruce Springsteen popularized Cliff’s “Trapped” during his 1980s world tours, making it a concert staple. Cliff won two Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received Jamaica’s Order of Merit, one of the nation’s highest honors. In 2018 he broke his hip and had to cancel a tour. His 2022 album Refugees, created with Wyclef Jean, was his final studio project – an echo of his lifelong devotion to themes of struggle, hope, and liberation. The grief expressed today spans continents and genres – musicians, political leaders, activists and fans all mourning a man whose work shaped reggae’s global identity. Jimmy Cliff leaves behind a towering legacy: over 30 albums, iconic film roles, and songs that defined an era and inspired millions. Yet perhaps his greatest contribution was the message woven through every track – a belief in resilience, unity, and the unstoppable power of the human spirit. Rest in power, Jimmy Cliff. The world will hear your music forever. Here is a flashback to some of his past performances.

Cb_usr 7 hours ago

Entertainment

Jordan L. Jones on Brotherhood, Identity, and the Creative Freedom He Found on ‘Bel-Air’ | VIDEO

Actor Jordan L. Jones didn’t just bring Jazz to life on Peacock’s reimagined drama “Bel-Air.” He evolved inside the role, discovering lessons about identity, confidence, and community that reshaped his sense of self on and off the screen. Jones, who moved from Texas to Los Angeles at around five years old, says one of the biggest takeaways from his journey is deceptively simple: stay grounded. “The biggest thing I carry is being in the moment,” he says. “Enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t lose yourself.” That idea took on deeper meaning as he stepped into Jazz—no longer a comedic sidekick, but a multidimensional character with humor, vulnerability, edge, and heart. “They wrote so many layers into Jazz,” he says. “The romantic side, the funny side, the serious side. All these emotions let me be a full human being.” For Jones, the cast became the heartbeat of that transformation. His bond with Jabari Banks, who portrays Will, is as real behind the camera as it appears on screen. “People ask us all the time if we really hang out, and we say, ‘Yes,’” Jones laughs. “We’ll be talking, and then they call action, and we go straight into the scene. That’s why it feels real.” The energy on set fostered unexpected connections. One of his closest friendships was formed with Simone Joy Jones, who plays Lisa, despite the ironic fact that their characters have never spoken to each other on the show. “That’s the crazy part,” he says. “We’ve been in the same scenes, but we’ve never had a line together. And yet we talk all the time.” When it comes to his scenes with Coco Jones, who plays Hilary, Jordan says their chemistry built itself. “When you’re on a show this long, nothing feels forced,” he says. “We joke around, we run our lines, and when they call action, everything just clicks. Jazz and Hilary already have a rhythm.” With the creative team’s trust, Jordan developed a confidence he hadn’t fully embraced before. He compares it to the athletes he admires—people who take big shots because they’ve put in the work. “I’d rather you shoot it over two people,” he says, “because you worked for that moment. Make or miss, I’m riding with you.” Then came the moments with executive producer Will Smith, whose presence on set was never announced in advance and was always unforgettable. Smith’s message to the cast—especially the young actors—was one that Jordan now carries with him. “He told us, ‘Don’t forget where you are,’” Jones says. “We’re always praying to get to the next thing, but we forget to acknowledge what we’ve already done.” The advice landed at exactly the right time. “You blink, and it’s over,” Jordan says. “That hit me. I needed to hear that.” Smith also shared the story of turning down “The Matrix,” a decision fans still debate. Jones remembers everyone’s reaction. “We were like, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘I just couldn’t understand it.’ But he told us everything happens for a reason. What’s meant for you will be for you.” As “Bel-Air” wrapped its fourth and final season, Jordan realized how deeply the experience had impacted him. “I cried probably 20 times,” he admits. “It felt like we just started yesterday. This cast… this experience… it changed me.” What he’s taking with him isn’t just a role—it’s a clearer sense of purpose, a deeper trust in himself, and a new understanding of artistic freedom. “‘Bel-Air’ showed me who I can be,” he says. “Not just as an actor—but as a person.” Wherever Jordan L. Jones goes next that clarity and confidence will go with him. From the column: Black in the Green Room By Keith L. Underwood – Follow: @mrkeithlunderwood (IG), @blackinthegreenroom (IG), YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook (If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!) MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Jasmine Sargent Brings Real Southern Heat to ‘G.R.I.T.S.’ on ALLBLK | Watch We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.

Keith Underwood 7 hours ago

Technology

‘It’s like the Post Office scandal’: victims of carer’s allowance crisis speak out

Claimants forced to pay back thousands of pounds tell of ‘horrendous’ court ordeals and of desire for official apology

Josh Halliday North of England editor 7 hours ago

Politics

DWP to reassess hundreds of thousands of cases in carer’s allowance scandal

Damning official review finds many unpaid carers left with huge debt because of government failure

Patrick Butler and Josh Halliday 7 hours ago

Politics

The carer’s allowance scandal – a timeline

Ten years of bureaucratic failure, whistleblowing, political neglect and groundhog day-style policy inertia

Josh Halliday and Patrick Butler 7 hours ago

Technology

AI could replace 3m low-skilled jobs in the UK by 2035, research finds

Trades, machine operations and administrative roles are most at-risk, says leading educational research charity

Aisha Down 7 hours ago

World

Women more likely than men to be in poverty due to public debt, research finds

New research showing that women in Scotland are more likely than men to be at risk of being driven into poverty by public debt collection must be a “wake-up call for decision-makers”, a charity has said. A report published on Tuesday by Glasgow University and commissioned by Aberlour Children’s Charity, One Parent Families Scotland, and Trussell, reveals women are more likely to face financial hardship because of how national agencies and local authorities recoup arrears. Detailed analysis of the anonymised records of 71,000 people seeking debt advice in Scotland revealed 57% were women. The report, titled The Gendered Impact Of Public Debt, also shows women owe the most in public debt, like council tax and rent. The research suggests caring responsibilities can often mean reduced income, less financial resilience and greater risk of poverty, while deductions from benefits to pay arrears often makes difficult household budgets impossible. Justina Murray, Aberlour chief executive, said public authorities should treat arrears as an “emergency flare”. She said: “We have known for some time how the pursuit and collection of public debt inflicts further financial harm on some of our poorest families. “This important research confirms that impact is felt most often by women and most often by those caring for children or other family members. “It is clearly embedded in the lives of low-income women, deepening the inequalities they already face. “Our public authorities should treat arrears as an emergency flare, a signal to intervene – not to make things worse. “There are far better, more humane, and less destructive ways to collect, or cancel, this kind of debt.” Aberlour said it fears deducting money from benefits to collect arrears is pushing many families into poverty. The research revealed £221 million is deducted from payments for just one benefit, universal credit, each year in Scotland. Professor Morag Treanor, of the University of Glasgow, said the work had been possible because of the depth and quality of the records kept by Citizens Advice Scotland and debt charity StepChange. She said: “Public debt does not come in isolation but most often arrives alongside other hardships and inequalities. “Our understanding of its impact must become far stronger and shape effective policies to ease those inequalities. Looking at public debt in isolation does not reflect the reality of how its collection impacts lives. “This research confirms public debt is part of our country’s poverty crisis and can only be addressed as part of that crisis.” In Scotland, enforced payment of council tax arrears is fast-tracked and debt can be collected for 20 years compared to six in England and Wales. Food insecurity charity Trussell said “nearly everyone” referred to one of its food banks is dealing with arrears. Cara Hilton, senior policy manager for Scotland at Trussell, said: “People across Scotland are being pushed deeper into hardship, left exhausted, isolated and without enough money for essentials. “Nearly everyone who is referred to a Trussell food bank in Scotland faces debt or arrears, with disabled families and single parent families at greatest risk. “Our new research reveals this burden of debt is falling disproportionately on women, undermining women’s mental health and family wellbeing. “Our joint research must be a wake-up call for decision-makers at both Scottish and UK level. We must see bold action to end the spiral of public debt that traps so many women and their children in hunger and hardship.” The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

Rachel Keenan 7 hours ago

Entertainment

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez choose wedding venue

Former Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo announced his engagement to Georgina Rodriguez earlier this year. The news was announced on the social media page of Rodriguez, who said “Yes I do. In this and in all my lives” on her Instagram post. Together for nine years, the pair are said to have met each other at the Gucci shop that she worked at whilst Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid. The Daily Mail have reported that Ronaldo and Rodriguez will tie the knot in Madeira next summer. Expected to be one of the showbiz events of the show, it will be a Christian ceremony in Ronaldo’s home town and also 1.5 miles from the hospital he was born in. The wedding will take place following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ronaldo will hope he will get married as a world champion. Since proposing, Ronaldo has spoken on how he proposed to Rodriguez during his recent interview with Piers Morgan. ”It was like 1am. My daughters were in bed sleeping. “One of my friends gave me the ring to offer Gio and as I was giving her the ring, my two kids come in and say Daddy, you’re going to give the ring to mum and you’re going to ask her to get married. “I said, “Wow, this is the right moment to say yes.” It was the time. I knew that I was going to do it one day but I hadn’t planned to do it then. “Because my daughters said that and my friends were filming, it was what I wanted and I offered (the ring). I didn’t (get on one knee) because I wasn’t prepared but it was a beautiful moment. I made a speech. “It was simple, I’m not a very romantic guy. Well, I am, but I’m not very romantic, not the kind of guy who brings flowers every week to the home. But I’m romantic in my way. It was beautiful and I knew that it’s the woman of my life so I did that and I hope that I did it well.”

Andy Davies,centredevils 7 hours ago