Latest news with #FaisalIslam
The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Malta's Eurovision star calls for free expression of artists after redoing song
The 24-year-old will take part in the semi-final on Thursday in Basel, Switzerland, with the Maltese word for singing, kant, absent from her performance on stage after being retitled as Serving and featuring similar lyrics. On Monday in Basel, she told the PA news agency that 'it was a bit shocking' to find out so late that she had to get rid of the word, and opted to just take it out and not replace it. 'I want to leave space for people to shout and serve whatever they want to shout or serve,' Conte said. When asked about the changes by the European Broadcasting Union to safeguard the welfare of artists after a series of controversies in Malmo last year, Conte said: 'If I agree or if I disagree, you have to adhere by the rules anyhow. 'So I do understand that there are rules, however, I do respect that artists have to express themselves however they want.' Speaking about the delegations only being allowed to promote their own country's flag during the contest, and not an LGBT+ one, she said: 'An artist should be willing and freely (allowed) to express themselves in whatever way.' Conte said despite the 'intense' pressure since she won her national contest to represent Malta at Eurovision, she is trying to enjoy the moment and has 'built friendships here which I think will last a lifetime'. She added: 'So that's beautiful, because I believe that music should unite, and I feel that this year in particular.' Conte added that she wants audiences to see beyond her 'diva' personality on stage and the 'glitz and the glamour of it all'. 'Even though I am a very strong human being, I also am sensitive and empathetic,' she said. 'So there's so much more to (me) really, so much more.' Her music video used the voice of BBC economics editor Faisal Islam – who had interviewed her on the corporation's current affairs programme Newsnight and suggested she replace the contentious word with something like 'serving brunch'. It also touched on the negative comments from social media, and her rising above them, as she sang in the street surrounded by drag queens. Conte has tried to compete for Malta previously and this time she believes she was successful because she was 'fully myself, the loud, the crazy, the full of ADHD girl I am'. She will find out on Thursday evening if she has made it through to Sunday's final.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Newscast The First American Pope: Pope Leo XIV
Today, Robert Prevost has become the first American Pope, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Adam is joined by the BBC's Religion editor Aleem Maqbool to talk through how the news broke from the Vatican, and what we know about Chicago-born Prevost who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there And, the UK and US have announced a tariff agreement. Tariffs have been removed from UK steel and aluminium, plus reduced on car exports. In exchange the UK has allowed the US more access to certain markets. Adam unpicks this afternoon's made-for-TV announcement with Faisal Islam, the BBC's economic editor. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast'. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
Pembrokeshire Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Interest rate cut divides Bank committee as UK growth revised upward
BoE lowers rates to 4.25% amid trade uncertainty and mixed economic signals THE BANK OF ENGLAND has cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%—the lowest level since May 2023—as it attempts to strike a delicate balance between supporting a fragile recovery and guarding against persistent inflationary risks. The decision, announced following the Monetary Policy Committee's latest meeting, was far from unanimous. Out of the nine members, five voted for the 0.25% cut, two favoured a steeper reduction to 4%, and two wanted to keep rates on hold. 'This is an important moment for the UK economy,' said the BBC's Economics Editor Faisal Islam, noting that rates are now down a full percentage point from their peak last summer. 'Further cuts are expected but they will likely be gradual and cautious.' Interest rates had climbed steadily from late 2021 in response to post-pandemic inflation, peaking at 5.25% in August 2023. Since then, falling inflation and a slowdown in consumer activity have prompted a shift toward easing. The rate cut aims to make borrowing cheaper, thereby encouraging spending and investment. Mortgage-holders on tracker deals will see immediate savings—around £29 per month on average—but savers are likely to see a dip in returns. In a fresh economic outlook, the Bank upgraded its growth forecast for 2025 to 1%—up from February's 0.75% prediction—driven by stronger-than-expected performance in the first quarter. However, the longer-term picture is less rosy: UK growth in 2026 has been revised down to 1.25%, with global growth also forecast to slow due to international trade tensions. The economic backdrop is being shaped in part by geopolitical uncertainty, including a fresh round of tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump. Bank governor Andrew Bailey acknowledged the unpredictable global landscape but insisted the UK remains on a 'gradual path' of rate easing. Bailey also welcomed news of a pending UK-US tariff deal, saying it could help reduce uncertainty. However, he confirmed that the Bank had not yet been fully briefed on the agreement's details. Mixed reactions Trade union Unite described the interest rate cut as 'long overdue' but called for broader measures to improve living standards. General secretary Sharon Graham said: 'This must include a joined-up industrial strategy to tackle energy profiteering, rebuild our industrial base and boost the economy.' Meanwhile, Nigel Green, CEO of the financial advisory group deVere, warned that the Bank was moving too cautiously. 'A half-point cut would have shown the Bank is ready to act decisively,' he said, arguing that the risks of hesitation outweigh the risks of bold action in the current climate. Chancellor Rachel Reeves struck a more optimistic tone, calling the rate cut 'welcome news' for homeowners and businesses, while Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride criticised Labour's handling of the economy, claiming 'interest rates remain high' because of government mismanagement. Housing market impact Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, said the rate cut would be a boost for the housing sector: 'With the busier spring and summer months now here, this base rate reduction should attract more buyers and sellers and improve affordability.' While today's rate cut is not a silver bullet, it marks a further step in what may become a sustained effort to ease financial pressure on UK households and stimulate economic activity amid a shifting global landscape.
