Latest from Radio Monastir
Daily Record
3 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stephanie Davis confirms split from boyfriend five months after giving birth and admits she's 'in shock'
The Hollyoaks star had fuelled speculation she split from five-month-old son Samuel's dad when she snubbed him on Father's Day Hollyoaks star Stephanie Davis has confirmed her separation from boyfriend Joe McKalroy after a week of speculation. The actress, 32, had been dating Joe since 2022 and they welcomed baby son Samuel five months ago. Last week it was reported that the romance had come to an end after a message Stephanie shared on Father's Day that didn't mention the father of her child. Rumours went into overdrive after further comments from the former Celebrity Big Brother star, and on Sunday she took to Instagram to share a huge life update with fans. She revealed they have gone their separate ways. Stephanie also told followers she's now raising Samuel as a single parent, but didn't give details about the reason for the split. She said: "Never in a million years did I think I'd be writing this. I've been left with no choice but to address the rumours." She continued: "This has come as a complete shock and has been an incredibly painful and unexpected time. Just four months after having a baby - one of the most vulnerable and emotional times in a woman's life - I've found myself facing this chapter on my own." The TV personality then hinted at her previous relationship with Jeremy McConnell, who she shares a seven-year-old son with. She added: "After everything I've been through in the past, I truly believed I'd finally found my happiness - something secure and lasting. But that, heartbreakingly, hasn't been the case. "I'm grateful for the years we had because, without us, I wouldn't have my Samuel. Who will always be my priority. "Right now, I'm focusing on healing, protecting my peace, and doing the best I can - being there for my two beautiful boys. Thank you to those who've reached out - your kindness has meant more than I can say." Earlier, Stephanie had shared a post marking five months since Samuel's birth, as reports the Mirror, and again she did not mention Joe. She said: "This Day 5 months ago you came into this world. Only 5 months old today ( I know he's still a tiny baby). It's crazy to think he's not been out in this world as long as he was in my tummy. "From nearly losing you in the beginning, the worst pregnancy, I couldn't walk with pelvic girdle trapped in the house for months and months, a terrible birth, then lifting doing every night feed lifting after a C-section, then your breathing episodes which was the scariest time of my life, it's been a long hard traumatic road. "But here you are thriving my miracle my rainbow... my world... everything I do is for you and your brother and I will always be here every single day for you, cheering you on." She added: "I'm so lucky getting to watch you grow every single day by your side into the most beautiful little boy. It So sad I don't have many photos of me and you bar selfies I've taken, but from now on I'll make sure we have many together. You will always be my priority. I love you baby." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
SBS Australia
4 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
MiniPod: Ep 6 Visiting a place for a first time English on Repeat (Easy)
This lesson is designed for easy-level learners. In this episode, we practise saying the following phrases: I haven't been here before. Do you need to buy a ticket? Can you help me? What time are you open 'til? Explore the entire series English on Repeat by clicking here to listen! This episode is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts . Credits: Host: Shannon Williams Written by: Sonia Saraullo Graphic Design: Yudai Urushima Sound Design: Mickey Grossman Music Composition: Adam Hulbert Produced by: Josipa Kosanovic Program Manager: Janine Googane
Glasgow Times
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Energy costs to be cut for industry as Starmer seeks economic ‘turning point'
The plan, which could cut bills by up to 25%, forms a key part of Sir Keir Starmer's 10-year industrial strategy which he hopes will address stuttering economic growth and transform the business landscape. The Prime Minister said the plan marks a 'turning point for Britain's economy' by supporting key industries where there is potential for growth. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the plan would offer long-term certainty for key industries (Andy Buchanan/PA) Manufacturers have warned 'crippling' power costs are far higher for UK businesses than competitors overseas. From 2027, a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 manufacturing firms by exempting them from levies on bills including the renewables obligation, feed-in tariffs and the capacity market. Around 500 of the most energy-intensive firms, including the steel industry, chemicals and glassmaking, will also see their network charges cut – they currently get a 60% discount through the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which will increase to 90% from 2026. The plan also promises measures to speed up the time it can take to connect new factories and projects to the energy grid. Sir Keir said: 'This industrial strategy marks a turning point for Britain's economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.' He said the decade-long plan would deliver 'the long-term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest' during an 'era of global uncertainty'. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband blamed 'our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets' for the high electricity costs for businesses. He said 'doubling down' on wind and nuclear power would 'bring down bills for households and businesses for good'. The industrial strategy focuses on eight areas where the UK is already strong and there is potential for further growth: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital, financial services, life sciences and professional and business services. Plans for five of the sectors will be published on Monday, but the defence, financial services and life sciences strategies will come later. Other measures include: – Increasing the British Business Bank's financial capacity to £25.6 billion, including £4 billion for sectors in the industrial strategy. – Raising research and development spending to £22.6 billion a year by 2029/30. – An extra £1.2 billion a year for skills by 2028-29 to train Britons to do jobs in growth industries and reduce reliance on foreign workers. – Attracting 'elite' overseas talent through visa and migration reforms. – Cutting the administrative cost of red tape by 25% and reducing the number of regulators. – Reducing the time it takes to get planning permission by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations. – Increasing the supply of locations for investment around the country with a £600 million strategic sites accelerator. Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said relying on gas from volatile markets had driven costs sky-high for businesses (Kin Cheung/PA) The strategy comes after the latest figures indicated the economy shrank by 0.3% in April, the biggest monthly contraction in gross domestic product for a year-and-a-half, as businesses felt the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs and domestic pressure as a result of hikes to firms' national insurance contributions. There are also concerns in industry about the impact of the Government's Employment Rights Bill, which could add to business costs. Confederation of British Industry chief executive Rain Newton-Smith said: 'More competitive energy prices, fast-tracked planning decisions and backing innovation will provide a bedrock for growth. 'But the global race to attract investment will require a laser-like and unwavering focus on the UK's overall competitiveness.' Manufacturers' organisation Make UK's chief Stephen Phipson said the three major challenges facing industry were 'a skills crisis, crippling energy costs and an inability to access capital for new British innovators', and the strategy 'sets out plans to address all three'. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'We welcome ministers taking action to reduce sky-high energy costs for manufacturers – something unions have been calling for as a matter of urgency. 'For too long, UK industry has been hamstrung by energy prices far above those in France and Germany. It's made it harder to compete, invest, and grow.' Acting shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said: 'It is astonishing that Labour are finally admitting that the costs of net zero are so high that they're having to spend billions of pounds of taxpayers' money subsidising businesses' energy bills to stop them going bust.' Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith has written an open letter to firms warning they are being 'sleepwalked into disaster' by the Employment Rights Bill. He said: 'When it comes to business, it's actions, not words, which count, but this Government is stepping on the accelerator and the brake at the same time.'
Washington Post
5 minutes ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Minjee Lee wins the KPMG Women's PGA Championship for her 3rd major title
FRISCO, Texas — Minjee Lee closed with a 2-over 74 but never gave up the lead Sunday in the final round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship to win her third major title. While Lee had three bogeys in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, she had started the day with a four-stroke lead over Jeeno Thitikul. And the world's No. 2-ranked player, also in that final group, bogeyed both par 5s that are among the first three holes on Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
Gulf Today
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
South Korea and Japan now face political uncertainty
Japan and South Korea marked the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations on Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbours, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. Relations with Japan, however, are one area where Lee, who describes himself as a pragmatist in foreign policy, may find himself cautiously building on Yoon's approach. Before his removal from office in April, the conservative former president tried to repair relations with Japan. Yoon wanted to also tighten the countries' three-way security cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In 2023, Yoon announced a South Korea-funded compensation plan for colonial-era forced laborers. That decision caused a strong backlash from victims and their supporters, who had demanded direct payments from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo. Yoon's outreach boosted tourism and business ties, but there's still lingering resentment in South Korea that Japan failed to reciprocate Seoul's diplomatic concession by addressing historical grievances more sincerely. While advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving in foreign policy, Lee has also long criticized Japan for allegedly clinging to its imperialist past and blamed that for hurting cooperation between the countries. Some experts say the stability of the countries' improved ties could soon be tested, possibly around the Aug. 15 anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, when Lee is expected to publicly address the nation's painful history with Japan. Some in Seoul want Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to mark the anniversary with a stronger statement of remorse over Japan's wartime past to put bilateral ties on firmer ground. While wartime history will always linger in the background of Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee and Ishiba may face a more immediate concern: US President Donald Trump's rising tariffs and other America-first trade policies. South Korea's Hankyoreh newspaper in an editorial this week called for South Korea and Japan to "collaborate immediately" on a joint response to Trump's policies, arguing that the proposed US tariffs on automobiles pose similar threats to both countries' trade-dependent economies. Ishiba, eager to improve ties with Seoul, has acknowledged Japan's wartime aggression and has shown more empathy to Asian victims than his recent predecessors. His first encounter with Lee seemed positive, despite worries in Japan about South Korea's stance under a liberal leader known for attacks on Japan's wartime past. Lee, in that meeting with Ishiba at the G7, likened the two countries to "neighbors sharing the same front yard" and called for building a future-oriented relationship that moves beyond their "small differences and disagreements." Ishiba and Lee agreed to closely communicate and to cooperate on a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Under a 1965 normalization treaty, Japan provided $500 million in economic assistance to South Korea, saying all wartime compensation issues were settled. However, historical issues including forced labor and sexual abuse of Korean women during the war have disrupted ties over the decades, while South Korea has become an Asian power and a rival to Japan, and while Tokyo, especially during the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's rule, has promoted revisionist views. Japan has since offered atonement money twice for the so-called "comfort women," an earlier semi-private fund and a second one unilaterally dissolved by former South Korean President Moon Jae-in's liberal government. Associated Press
