Latest news with #SundayMirror
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Sharon Osbourne 'won battle with insurers ahead of Ozzy's last gig'
Sharon Osbourne fought a behind-the-scenes battle with insurance companies ahead of Ozzy Osbourne's last-ever gig. The Black Sabbath frontman passed away on July 22, aged 76, but Sharon ensured that Ozzy - who was suffering from Parkinson's disease - was able to take to the stage for one final time at Villa Park in Birmingham, after she struck a deal with insurers. A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "It is heartbreaking to think about the stress that Ozzy and Sharon went through in those last few weeks. Ozzy had worked his a** off to get himself to a place where he could at least stand up and wave to fans. But for shows of that magnitude, if the artists do not meet the insurers' satisfaction of risk liability then the show doesn't go ahead. "With the Parkinson's and the walking issues, no insurance agent would agree to let Oz stand. So to overcome that, and not have a huge insurance premium on the charity show, they secured a deal to have him safely locked in his throne. It was a brilliant compromise. "It really speaks so much to Sharon's drive and focus to get it all pulled off, because of the liability issues. She was a miracle worker." Meanwhile, Ozzy's autobiography is set to be released in October. The upcoming autobiography will explore the ups and downs of Ozzy's life, including the cheating scandal that almost ended his marriage in 2016. A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "This book was basically Ozzy's last confessions and contains a lot of passages about how he is sorry for the affair. "As he was always brutally honest during his life, it's been decided not a word will be changed, even about painful times in his life and how his affair affected Sharon." The 72-year-old TV star - who married Ozzy in 1982 - is expected to write a foreword to the book, which is titled Last Rites. The source added: "Sharon is made of stern stuff and the publishers know she will want to leave her fingerprint on this book. Writing its foreword will also be cathartic for her and act as a way of laying Ozzy to rest."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer makes surprise appearance at Euros final with wife Victoria
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel Keir Starmer has made a surprise appearance at the Euros final in Switzerland to support the Lionesses The Prime Minister, who is due to meet Donald Trump in Scotland tomorrow, has been spotted with his wife Victoria in the stadium crowds in Basel. He was seen watching the pitch with intense eyes as England's women's team kicked off the match a against Spain. Writing in today's Sunday Mirror, the Prime Minister spoke about his joy of taking his daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros tournament in 2022. He said it was a "special moment" seeing his daughter stay long after the final whistle to watch the team celebrate their win. The Lionesses went on to win the last Euros tournament, beating Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. The PM this morning declared: "Let's bring it home again." Mr Starmer said: "Whatever happens tonight, this team have already written their names in the history books. They've shown the best of our national character. Not just their skill, grit and determination, but their calm-headedness. No matter the pressure they're under. "I will always remember taking my daughter to see the Lionesses in the semi-final of the last Euros, and I know she'll always remember it too. She stayed long after the final whistle, watching the team celebrate. It was a special moment for me – one that is repeated up and down the country every time they play. "Because football not just entertains but inspires. That's what this squad does. And it's why so many young women look up to them." The Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte have also been pictured in Switzerland ahead of the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, a picture of William and Charlotte was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption "let's go, Lionesses". Elsewhere, Mr Starmer is facing calls to grant an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros 2025 final on Sunday. The Prime Minister previously backed calls for a "proper day of celebration" for the nation when England women's football team reached the final in the last Euros tournament in 2022, which was hosted by England. The then-Opposition Leader told the Mirror: 'The whole country will be roaring on the Lionesses in the final... They have already done us proud, but if they win it will be a truly historic achievement - one that should be marked with a proper day of celebration, where clubs can open and promote access for women and girls.' England went on to win the match against Germany but the Tory government did not grant a bank holiday for the nation to celebrate the historic victory. In its latest update, before the Lionesses roared to victory last week, Downing Street said it was "not aware of any plans" for an extra bank holiday. The PM's official spokesman said he didn't want to jinx it before the team had reached the final. Asked about the prospect of one, the PM's spokesman said on Tuesday: "I'm not aware of any plans for that but when it comes to backing the Lionesses, the PM is sending his best wishes ahead of the semi finals. We cannot get ahead of ourselves."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TV star's desperate plea to rescue writers from murder by Taliban
Jimmy Mulville, producer of Have I Got News For You says around 104 "high risk" artists, writers and comedians are in hiding after speaking out against the Taliban Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been urged to meet with campaigners - including the producer of Have I Got News For You - hoping to rescue Afghan writers and comedians at risk of being murdered by the Taliban. Jimmy Mulville, the executive producer of the long-running satirical panel told the Sunday Mirror around 104 "high risk" artists, writers and comedians are in hiding with their families, fearing imprisonment or murder for speaking out against the Taliban. "They recently found a comedian in hiding, who had made jokes about the Taliban before they returned to power," Mr Mulville said. "They found him, made him tell the joke and killed him." He said he'd also been told an actor who had discovered the Taliban had found out where she lived, "threw herself out of a window." Mr Mulville, along with film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, are calling on the government to help around 294 creative professionals and their families to escape Afghanistan via Pakistan. After meeting with a number of politicians and giving evidence to a Parliamentary select committee last year, they feel the next step is to discuss the matter with Mr Lammy. Mr Mulville said: "I think it's a real opportunity for David Lammy, who is showing himself as quite a player on the international stage, to do the right thing and get these people out of Afghanistan as soon as possible." He went on: "This is 294 people who would be completely assimilated. They aren't going to take anyone's job, they have a job. 'As creative people, they just need not to be killed. It needs someone like Keir Starmer to step in and say it's not about immigration, it's a rescue. 'As we're speaking, there could be people being hunted down by the Taliban."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Pension rule shows how much money you're missing for happy retirement
Warren Shute is a multi award-winning Chartered Financial Planner, Certified Coach, author of The Money Plan, and Sunday Mirror columnist Not surprisingly, I'm a big believer in planning. That's especially true when it comes to the golden years of our retirement. But will those years really be golden, or more like copper?! It is during times like these that it is especially important we make time to think and plan our future finances. I am in the fortunate position to have shared the retirement plans of many over my 30 years as a financial planner. I know, I don't look that old! Meeting these people has shown me some patterns, things people have had in common to help them enjoy a successful, vibrant retirement. You can benefit from that experience, and plan ahead to help make your retirement the best years of your life. Know your number How much will you need to have saved to enjoy a comfortable retirement? I call this your number and it's unique to you because it depends entirely on your retirement plans. You can calculate your number by writing down all the things you expect to spend in your retirement years. That may seem difficult but if you break it down into a plan it will become clearer. Some costs you'll know, like utilities. Others you'll need to estimate. And this is where those patterns come in. Life's chapters In my book The Money Plan I refer to the three chapters of our retirement. In your first chapter of around 10 years, you'll likely be more active and want to travel more often and further afield – play out your bucket list – so you'll spend more. I enjoy receiving emails and postcards from my clients as they travel the world. I get to enjoy their retirement with them. The second chapter often begins around 75 and typically sees less travel, or at least less long-haul, which reduces costs. However many people take up new hobbies around this age. It may be caring for grandchildren, photography, learning a musical instrument or golf. During the third chapter, around 85 onwards, expenditure is more about getting around and help within the home. Do we keep a car or not? Do we need a cleaner or gardener? Medical spending is often the overriding cost. Once you've added up all your projected costs, you can plan your monthly budget. Use the free Cashflow App at or download a spreadsheet to help. Do you have enough? To cover these costs you will have a mixture of your state pension and any private pensions. Request updated statements to see where you are now. If you remember having a pension but can't find the details, try the free pension tracing service – If you have enough now, you could ask why do you continue to work? If you're short, calculate how long would it take to meet the shortfall using the rule of 300: multiply how much you're short each month by 300 to see how much more you need to save. So if you need an extra £200pm, you need to target an additional £60,000 in your pension (£200x300). For a more accurate picture, you can use my free cashflow app at Start planning your retirement now – not just by knowing your number and saving but by deciding how you will live the rest of your life. We only get one chance, so make it count. For more retirement planning ideas visit
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I am a surgeon in Gaza – food aid points are designed to be death traps'
Five Gaza experts including a senior British medic and community leaders leaders speak out after Israeli forces killed 116 aid seekers at food points in the deadliest day for civilian deaths Siobhan McNally is a Senior Features Writer for the Mirror and Sunday Mirror – in print and online. Previously she was a columnist and edited the Community Column at the Mirror. Now back in London after 25 years in Winchester – complete with travelling circus of two cats, one ancient pug and a grumpy teenager – Siobhan specialises in general interest national stories, nostalgia, history and music. Also has a passion for quirky, fun foodie ideas and a sudden age-related interest in gardening. Get in touch with ideas and stories to Professor Nick Maynard, consultant gastrointestinal surgeon at Oxford University Hospital I've been operating on trauma injuries in Nasser Hospital, Khan Younis, for the last four weeks. My health care colleagues from Gaza have described the aid points as death traps designed to create chaos and incite rioting. This is my third trip to Gaza since October 7 – and although many things are similar in terms of air strikes, what is different is the rise in the number of shootings at the food distribution points. We're several km away from the aid sites – we're the nearest hospital and all the people come to us. Food is kept in a compound which is locked, and they wait until hundreds of aid seekers have collected and then open up a very narrow gate, and then there's just complete chaos and everyone fighting for food. An anaesthetist colleague of mine from Gaza rushed down to the food site in between operations to get food for his family, came back covered in cuts and bruises because of the rioting. All of our surgeons have seen a pattern of injuries among predominantly – but not exclusively – young teenage males who are sent by their starving families to get food. They seem to be targeting different body parts on different days. Some days they come in with gunshot wounds to the head or the neck, the next day the chest, the next, the abdomen. Nine days ago we saw four small, four young teenagers who had all been shot in the testicles at the same time. I have seen all abdominal and chest injuries – that's what I operate on – and terrible injuries to the pancreas, duodenum, bowel, you name it. So the pattern is a very clear pattern of targeting and it's almost like they're playing a game. I'm getting identical descriptions from people of Israeli soldiers just shooting indiscriminately at people, I've been told they're using artificial intelligence, and remotely controlled hovering quadcopters with four rotors and cameras and guns attached. A friend of mine who's a theatre nurse at Nasser Hospital was shot last year when a quadcopter came into the operating theatre and shot him in the chest. As well as the teenage boys, I've seen women in tents near the food distribution centre and they describe quadcopters firing indiscriminately at all the tents. One woman was three months pregnant and another was breastfeeding her three-month-old baby at the time. It is inconceivable to me that these are collateral damage. This is deliberate targeting and what all of us have witnessed. This is not a famine. It is mass extermination Omar Abdel-Mannan, founder of Health Workers 4 Palestine As we speak, Gaza is being deliberately starved. Today, ambulances across the Strip turned on their sirens in unison – a collective cry for help from a population pushed to the brink. The majority of the territory is now classified as Category 5: the most severe level of food insecurity. Even if aid were allowed in today, many would still die. This is not a famine. It is mass extermination. What's happening in Gaza is not just enabled by Israel – it is facilitated by its allies. And the UK is complicit. It continues to supply Israel with components for F-35 fighter jets – the very aircraft used to flatten homes, hospitals, and refugee camps. British-made parts are helping to slaughter civilians. This is not neutrality; it's active participation. History will judge this moment. And those in power – including Keir Starmer – will not be absolved. They will be remembered as enablers of war crimes. Inside Gaza, doctors are being assassinated, detained, tortured – over 1,500 killed to date and over 400 detained illegally. This is a systematic erasure of a healthcare system – the murder of those who save lives. Meanwhile, in the UK, medics who speak out face career-threatening smear campaigns and regulatory complaints driven by pro-Israel lobby groups. NHS England has already confirmed that antisemitism is covered under the Equality Act, yet the Health Secretary is now interfering with the independence of the regulator to appease political allies. We must end this complicity. We must fight for a future where Palestinian health workers – those who have risked everything – are not only protected, but empowered to lead the rebuilding of their shattered health system. That means Palestinian-led healthcare. That means sovereignty, dignity, and justice. • Voices of Solidarity, which took place on Saturday 19 July, was the UK's largest cultural fundraiser for Palestine, raising money for the Health Workers 4 Palestine (HW4P) Solidarity Fund. Proceeds go towards life-saving healthcare on the ground and supporting health workers under siege – The waste of human lives is sickening Laura Janner-Klausner, former senior rabbi to Reform Judaism and rabbi of Bromley Reform Synagogue We need world leaders to step in and help us get out of this sickening situation. The Israeli government, Hamas, Islamic Jihad – who are also holding hostages – should be applying pressure to stop immediately what they are doing, to ensure there is safe and sufficient humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, getting directly to the Gazans who desperately need it. Release all the hostages, stop the attacks – on both sides. That's for the short term. In the medium term, we need an honourable, quick divorce so there is an end of war, not just a shaky ceasefire. And in the long term, we need to live together: two peoples. Separation has not helped us in the past, and we need responsible adults back in the room who can set aside their hatred for each other and work together to stop the senseless violence. The vast majority of British Jews are absolutely distraught about what is happening in Gaza. The waste of human lives is sickening. An Israeli child and a Palestinian child are the same. Sick and injured people need full medical care wherever they live. Food is food, and people are starving. Both sides are dehumanising each other, but they need to find a way to live together. International community has failed to deliver Tufail Hussain, director of Islamic Relief UK Today's latest atrocities in Gaza are beyond cruel. Desperate, starving people should never be targeted, yet the Israeli military continues to do so. It is heartbreaking to see people who want to feed themselves and their families being heartlessly murdered. This is a man-made catastrophe that the international community could have put a stop to by now. This latest barbarity will once again be condemned, but without political action to demand a ceasefire, lift the siege of Gaza and force Israel to let international aid in, then these condemnations are hollow. For almost two years, aid agencies and human rights groups have been demanding a ceasefire, which the international community has failed to deliver. They must now finally take action to prevent the future horrors that will be inflicted upon the Palestinian people. They are kettling desperate, starving people Brian Brivtai, CEO of the Britain Palestine Project The whole Israeli campaign in Gaza is entirely disproportionate to any kind of self defence. The purposeful targeting of civilians, and the starvation of a population, are crimes against humanity. Recent developments are incredibly disturbing. First, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid operation, which concentrates people in smaller and smaller areas, has basically created shooting galleries. They are kettling people who are desperate and starving, who see food and try and get it, and who then are being shot dead. But Israel's plan for a 'humanitarian city' is the most terrifying development of all. If you concentrate 2 million people in a single, tiny location, and deny them the means to life because you've destroyed their hospitals and reduced the amount of food you're giving them, then you are intentionally committing genocidal acts. Israel wants to reduce the Palestinian part of Gaza to an absolutely minimum geographical area, and they are going to flatten the rest of it, then annex it. We laughed at Trump's suggestion of the Gaza Riviera, but I think that's what we are going to see happen. All the British government needs to do is obey international law, not more than that. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has deemed it plausible that Israel is creating a plausible case for genocide, and it's our responsibility under that amendment to prevent it. Not to wait until Israel has killed 200,000, 300,000 Palestinians, but to act to prevent it now.
