Stella Rimington: The spy who brought MI5 out of the shadows
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Economist
4 hours ago
- Economist
Stella Rimington battled communists, terrorists and literary critics
Watch her closely and—or so the upper echelons of British espionage felt—you could see the signs. There was the cut of her hair, for one thing: that close, spiked crop. Something, too, in the way she held herself. And she was a woman. There was, everyone agreed, little doubt. Dame Judi Dench's 'M' in the 1995 film 'GoldenEye' was based on Dame Stella Rimington, the first female head of MI5, Britain's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency. Dame Stella agreed: she 'holds her hands in the same way as me'.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
The 20 best places to retire abroad in 2025 with winner ranked as 'safe and welcoming'
A new study looked at 10 criteria to rank popular destinations including access to healthcare, safety and cost of living The 20 best places to retire to in 2025 have been ranked and in top spot is a country just a stone's throw from the UK. The survey looked at at number of factors in each destination to come up with the list. Taking the crown as the best place for UK retirees to relocate to was Ireland. The research, conducted by international financial advisory and wealth management firm Hoxton Wealth considered 10 criteria in each destination including cost of living, property ownership, lifestyle and healthcare as well as visa access, taxation and safety. Each destination was then scored from one to 100 which had been benchmarked against the UK, which scored 77 out of 100. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ireland scored an impressive 85 out of 100, the highest of all countries for visa access and residency pathways. And the report also noted that post-Brexit, UK citizens retain unique rights under the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement meaning that UK nationals can live, work, retire, and access public services in Ireland without restriction, offering seamless legal migration unlike any other EU country post-Brexit. Coming in at joint second place were Portugal and Cyprus with both being highly rated for lifestyle and safety. Another sunshine spot, Portugal, was recognised for the appeal of its mild winters and hot summers, especially in the south; its relaxed, friendly, outdoor-oriented lifestyle especially around popular expat hubs on the Algarve, the Lisbon coast, the Silver Coast, and on Madeira. The report noted that it was consistently ranked among the best places to live for retirees globally. Similarly, Cyprus was highly rated for its climate, for its relaxed, beach-oriented lifestyle, and for being expat-friendly, especially around expat hubs like Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca offering great outdoor living year-round. Top 20 places to retire to in 2025 *UK benchmark = 77 1 - Ireland = 87 2 - Cyprus = 85 3 - Portugal = 85 4 - Malta = 83 5 - Malaysia = 81 6 - Panama = 81 7 - Spain = 81 8 - Greece = 80 9 - Mauritius = 80 10 - Turkey = 80 11 - UAE = 80 12 - France = 78 13 - Italy = 76 14- Uruguay = 76 15 - Canada = 73 16 - Japan = 73 17 - Thailand = 72 18 - New Zealand = 70 19 - USA = 69 20 - Australia = 68 The report summarised that Ireland is "uniquely positioned for Britons post-Brexit, offering unrivalled access, legal simplicity, and cultural familiarity. It's especially appealing to those who want to remain close to the UK while living abroad". Common language would make integration straightforward. It also scored well economically, with the analysis describing it as 'fast-growing and modern, bolstered by tech, pharma, and finance sectors', and for safety, with it being rated as a 'very safe, welcoming environment'. The top five destinations on the list were made up by Malta and Spain. Malta, post-Brexit, offers structured, accessible residence schemes for British retirees, with extensive support available from local legal and relocation providers and, with English being an official language, all processes are accessible. Cost of living was rated as generally lower than the UK, with affordable healthcare, transport, and dining, and although property prices are rising in central areas like Sliema and Valletta, excellent value can still be found in smaller towns and Gozo. In Spain, Britons are now regarded as third-country nationals and need a visa for stays over 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen Zone. Options for retirees include the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which is popular for retirees, but requires proof of sufficient passive income (approx. €28,800/year for individuals). Lifestyle was rated as one of Spain's biggest draws, including the dry, sunny, Mediterranean climate, and the expat lifestyle facilitated by large, well-established British communities along the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, and in the Balearics. The countries rated best for cost of living were Malaysia, Turkey and Thailand, with Canada, Japan and Australia scoring the best for economic and political stability. The UAE was rated best for taxation with no income tax on individuals, no inheritance tax and no tax on pensions or investment income. Although retirees must maintain non-residency in the UK to avoid UK tax obligations, it was viewed as an ideal destination for those seeking a zero-tax retirement. Chris Ball, CEO of Hoxton Wealth said the research was undertaken to assess which destinations remain attractive and viable for UK retirees today. He said: 'We've taken a structured and comparative approach to evaluate the traditional favourites that have historically drawn the largest numbers of British retirees as well as a series of emerging destinations, alternative countries that are becoming increasingly viable for today's globally minded retiree. "In so doing, we can offer a realistic, data-informed, and planning-oriented view of the global retirement landscape, empowering Britons to make smart, secure decisions about where to base their future. 'For decades, British retirees have followed familiar paths when deciding where to spend their later years. 'Places like Spain, France, Australia, and the like have long been seen as safe, sunny, and straightforward. But the world has changed. "Rising living costs, shifting visa rules post-Brexit, evolving tax landscapes, and new global lifestyle trends mean the decision of where to retire or relocate now involves far more than sunshine and property prices. "UK residents considering retiring abroad need to look beyond purely the climate or cost of living.' And he concluded: "The right destination will depend entirely on your personal circumstances—whether you're looking for a vibrant expat community, lower healthcare costs, or simply a slower pace of life. "What suits one retiree may not suit another, which is why tailored financial advice is key to making an informed, confident decision."
Metro
17 hours ago
- Metro
Stop asking people this boring question — here's what to talk about instead
When you meet someone new, you can almost guarantee that within five minutes they'll ask what you do for work. But unless you tame lions or work for MI5, chatting about how you pay the bills is just not that interesting. No one needs a recap of a day in the life of a finance bro, or a detailed breakdown of which branch of the civil service you're in. And besides, once you clock off, you don't really want to think about the office anyway. Most people don't even like their jobs, let alone talking about them. According to a 2023 report, 90% of UK workers are unhappy at work. 'We ask it out of habit because it feels safe and familiar,' says Dr Elena Touroni, consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology. 'Work is something everyone can discuss, making it an easy way to start a conversation,' Dr Touroni tells Metro. 'The downside is that it can feel transactional, reducing someone to their job title rather than inviting them to share more about who they really are.' So, how else can you get to know someone? Dr Touroni shared some alternative suggestions — and while some of them might feel a bit cringe, at least they won't make you yawn. 'Asking about free time gives someone permission to talk about hobbies or interests that matter to them,' Dr Touroni says. 'It shifts focus away from work and towards what lights them up.' To bring it into conversation Dr Touroni advises asking: 'When you're not working, what do you like to do?' She explains: 'Framing it this way encourages a more in-depth response and keeps the tone friendly.' It may be a simple question, but Dr Touroni says 'people often light up when sharing a recommendation'. After all, who doesn't love launching into their favourite Traitor, or which Fisher brother Belly should pick in The Summer I Turned Pretty. 'To make it flow, you might say, 'I'm looking for something new. Have you read, watched or listened to anything great recently?'. The personal touch invits more than a one-word answer.' According to Dr Touroni, this question focuses on something positive and current, which people usually enjoy sharing. She says: 'It can naturally lead to a story or experience that tells you a lot about them.' 'This question taps into hope and excitement, giving the other person space to share upcoming plans or dreams,' Dr Touroni says. 'It also tells you a lot about what they value.' To bring it up naturally, she adds: 'You might ask, 'It's always nice to have things to look forward to. What's something on the horizon for you?' This makes the question warm and open.' If you're stuck for conversation ideas, Eloise suggested three more conversation starters: Leading with a compliment (outfit, style, something they said, name, etc.), and asking them more about it (for example, 'where did you get your coat?', or 'have you ever been given a nickname?') If the mood is awkward, you can ask a question that addresses it directly – for example: 'I sometimes feel awkward at these things! Do you enjoy networking?', or 'do you find it easy to meet new people in this city?'. 'Have you had a busy week?' – more closed-ended, encourages a specific response, even if the response is 'yes/no', you could follow up with 'what did you get up to?' According to author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner, asking someone what they do for work can create a strong link between the person and the job, which they might not feel reflects their true identity. 'Many jobs with stereotypes and immediate assumptions, and it might feel as though the individual is assigned a certain identity when they state their career, rather than allowing them to show different aspects of who they are,' she says. The question can be even more complex when the other person has an unusual work setup. For example, they could be unhappy at work, have recently been made redundant or are struggling to get on the career ladder. Not everybody is willing to talk about these situations. And, according to Eloise, it could lead to people feeling vulnerable and ashamed. More Trending This isn't to say work shouldn't be discussed at all. Eloise says that work-related conversations are at their best when they draw on bigger themes. 'Some people might find that work-related conversations introduce an opportunity to dive deeper into bigger human or existential questions, like passions, enjoyment, creativity and achievement.' She adds: 'For example, you could start off chatting about your team, and end up talking about collective creativity, generation of new ideas, how you solve your problems and what you're passionate about.' 'It's difficult to deny the topic of work altogether, since we spend so much time there, and it can help to chat about our experiences in the workplace, but bringing it back to more expensive, personal themes can result in a more fulfilling discussion.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Every office has a 'clock-botcher' — is it you? MORE: How one moment from a BLM protest changed my life MORE: I've stopped looking for work – there's just no point any more Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
