Latest news with #YahooNewsUK
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
When and where Saharan dust storm and 'blood rain' could hit the UK this week
The UK's topsy-turvy weather is set to continue this week, with forecasters hinting at the possibility of 'blood rain' heading to UK shores. A brief blast of heat is expected for much of the country later in the coming days - only to quickly be replaced by torrential rain. And, what's more, it is predicted the downpours will bring with it some Saharan dust. Here, Yahoo News UK looks at exactly what Saharan dust is and what it could mean for the coming days. It's a mixture of sand, detritus and dust from the Sahara Desert that have been blown thousands of miles by strong winds in the upper part of the atmosphere as far north as British shores. However, for it to end up on the ground, it needs to be carried there by a meteorological vehicle, such as rain. According to the Met Office, Britain's official forecaster: "As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust." This is sometimes referred to as 'blood rain'. According to Met Office forecasters, there are currently "hints of a little bit of Saharan dust in the atmosphere on Thursday and perhaps Friday". Thunderstorms forecast for later in the week will "potentially wash any sand out of the atmosphere". Heavy rain is currently expected to start in Northern Ireland, western Wales and south west England on Wednesday night, before moving north and east over Thursday. This is then predicted to be followed by a second band of rain following the same pattern over Friday and Saturday. However, downpours are also expected to be preceded by high temperatures, reaching almost 30C in parts of southern and central England. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone, said: 'After largely benign weather early in the week, some intense, thundery showers will move in on Wednesday evening. "These thunderstorms are being triggered by some warm, humid air that is moving into the UK from the south. The intense rainfall could see 20-40mm accumulating over just a few hours, which could cause some disruption. "While there are no severe weather warnings issued at the moment, it is possible thunderstorm warnings may be issued this week.' The most obvious impact most will see from 'blood rain' is a reddish residue left on cars, pavements and garden furniture. In 2022, Saharan dust left a red tinge to snow at ski resorts in the French Pyrenees, while staff at Legoland in Germany had to deploy jet washers to hose down attractions before visitors arrived. BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood advised the public to keep an eye out for "impressive sunrise/sets" as a result of the phenomenon. However, it can also have more serious consequences, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD or bronchitis. 'If there's a lot of air pollution in the air [and] if you have a pre-existing lung condition, those fine particles can get into your airway and irritate airways that may already be inflamed," said Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK. "If you're out and about and you have a reliever inhaler, make sure you've got that reliever inhaler with you.' She added: 'If you do start to get symptoms — that might be coughing, wheezing, tightness across your chest, feeling a bit more breathless — you can take that reliever inhaler and that can hopefully help with your symptoms.' One of the last widespread instances of Saharan dust affecting Europe was in March 2022, when parts of Germany, Spain and France all found themselves blanketed with a layer of red debris. But it has also struck more recently, such as last month, when the phenomenon left a brown haze hanging over Athens, the Greek capital. And last year, dust clouds over Italy saw temperatures in June approach 40C. Closer to the dust's starting point, in Africa, a dust storm in Senegalese capital Dakar shortly before Christmas reduced visibility to less than 500 metres.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
When and where Saharan dust storm and 'blood rain' could hit the UK this week
The UK's topsy-turvy weather is set to continue this week, with forecasters hinting at the possibility of 'blood rain' heading to UK shores. A brief blast of heat is expected for much of the country later in the coming days - only to quickly be replaced by torrential rain. And, what's more, it is predicted the downpours will bring with it some Saharan dust. Here, Yahoo News UK looks at exactly what Saharan dust is and what it could mean for the coming days. It's a mixture of sand, detritus and dust from the Sahara Desert that have been blown thousands of miles by strong winds in the upper part of the atmosphere as far north as British shores. However, for it to end up on the ground, it needs to be carried there by a meteorological vehicle, such as rain. According to the Met Office, Britain's official forecaster: "As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down. Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust." This is sometimes referred to as 'blood rain'. According to Met Office forecasters, there are currently "hints of a little bit of Saharan dust in the atmosphere on Thursday and perhaps Friday". Thunderstorms forecast for later in the week will "potentially wash any sand out of the atmosphere". Heavy rain is currently expected to start in Northern Ireland, western Wales and south west England on Wednesday night, before moving north and east over Thursday. This is then predicted to be followed by a second band of rain following the same pattern over Friday and Saturday. However, downpours are also expected to be preceded by high temperatures, reaching almost 30C in parts of southern and central England. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone, said: 'After largely benign weather early in the week, some intense, thundery showers will move in on Wednesday evening. "These thunderstorms are being triggered by some warm, humid air that is moving into the UK from the south. The intense rainfall could see 20-40mm accumulating over just a few hours, which could cause some disruption. "While there are no severe weather warnings issued at the moment, it is possible thunderstorm warnings may be issued this week.' The most obvious impact most will see from 'blood rain' is a reddish residue left on cars, pavements and garden furniture. In 2022, Saharan dust left a red tinge to snow at ski resorts in the French Pyrenees, while staff at Legoland in Germany had to deploy jet washers to hose down attractions before visitors arrived. BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood advised the public to keep an eye out for "impressive sunrise/sets" as a result of the phenomenon. As the southerly flow develops this week, there will be some Saharan dust pushing widely across the UK from later on Wednesday to Friday. You may notice this on your car! And where there are clear skies there is also the chance of some impressive sunrise/sets.@BBCBreakfast xx — Carol Kirkwood (@carolkirkwood) June 9, 2025 However, it can also have more serious consequences, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD or bronchitis. 'If there's a lot of air pollution in the air [and] if you have a pre-existing lung condition, those fine particles can get into your airway and irritate airways that may already be inflamed," said Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK. "If you're out and about and you have a reliever inhaler, make sure you've got that reliever inhaler with you.' She added: 'If you do start to get symptoms — that might be coughing, wheezing, tightness across your chest, feeling a bit more breathless — you can take that reliever inhaler and that can hopefully help with your symptoms.' One of the last widespread instances of Saharan dust affecting Europe was in March 2022, when parts of Germany, Spain and France all found themselves blanketed with a layer of red debris. But it has also struck more recently, such as last month, when the phenomenon left a brown haze hanging over Athens, the Greek capital. And last year, dust clouds over Italy saw temperatures in June approach 40C. Closer to the dust's starting point, in Africa, a dust storm in Senegalese capital Dakar shortly before Christmas reduced visibility to less than 500 metres.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Map shows the countries affected by Trump's new travel ban
Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing new travel restrictions on more than a dozen countries, reviving a controversial policy from his first term. The executive action, which comes into effect at 12.01am on Monday, 9 June, targets 19 nations deemed to pose national security risks, citing issues like inadequate vetting, terrorism concerns, or high visa overstay rates. Announcing his decision to impose the ban, Trump said: 'We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm.' The ban categorises countries into tiers, with some facing full entry prohibitions and others partial visa restrictions. While the list includes nations from Africa including Somalia, as well as Asian countries including Myanmar, it expands beyond the Muslim-majority countries targeted in Trump's earlier bans. Yahoo News UK has created an interactive map detailing all 19 countries subject to Trump's new travel restrictions. Zoom in and click on each country to uncover the specific reasons for the ban given by Trump's administration: In 2017, during his first term, Trump introduced a travel ban targeting seven predominantly Muslim-majority countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The policy, labelled by critics as a 'Muslim ban', sparked widespread protests and legal challenges for discriminating based on nationality and religion, leading to multiple court blocks. A watered-down version that removed Iraq from the list and removed a permanent ban on Syrian refugees, was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 and remained in place until the end of Trump's first term in January 2021, when then-president Joe Biden revoked it after taking office, calling it a 'stain on our national conscience'. Trump's 2025 proclamation reinstates and expands these restrictions, now covering a broader range of countries. Critics have slammed Trump's new travel ban as a discriminatory overreach that risks isolating the US globally and harming its economy. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat congresswoman from Washington, wrote on X that it was an expansion of the 'Muslim ban,' adding that it 'will only further isolate us on the world stage'. Venezuela's interior minister Diosdado Cabello warned that 'being in the United States is a great risk for anyone, not just for Venezuelans'. Meanwhile, human rights group Amnesty International USA described the ban as 'discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel', while the US-based Human Rights First said it was 'yet another anti-immigrant and punitive action taken' by Trump. They added: 'Bans do nothing to make our country secure, but rather undermine our national security and arbitrarily target those most in need of protection.' 'Cruel, racist, and un-American': House Dems blast Trump's latest travel ban (HuffPost) Trump's new travel ban: The notable countries omitted (Sky News) How Trump's travel ban will (and won't) affect World Cup, sports (Yahoo Sports)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Who will be eligible for winter fuel payments after Rachel Reeves announcement?
The government has begun to set out plans to reverse the winter fuel payment cut for pensioners that has been a thorn in its side since it was introduced. Last month, prime minister Keir Starmer signalled a partial U-turn over the government's decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners. He said that 'as the economy improves' he wanted to look at widening eligibility for the payments, worth up to £300. However, officials have been unable to say how many more pensioners would be eligible, with both Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves refusing to put a figure on it yet. Here, Yahoo News UK sets out what we know on who might be eligible for the winter fuel payments. The winter fuel payment is a tax-free annual payment designed to help pensioners cover heating costs during colder months, traditionally ranging from £200 for households with someone aged 66-79 to £300 for those with someone over 80. Before 2024, it was automatically paid to all pensioners, benefiting around 11 million people. However, after Labour won the general election in July last year, it introduced means-testing, limiting eligibility to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits, reducing recipients to about 1.5 million to save an estimated £1.4-1.5 billion annually, amid a what the government claims is a £22 billion deficit. The chancellor initially defended the means-testing of winter fuel payments as a necessary measure to address the fiscal shortfall Labour said it inherited from the previous government. However, following a significant backlash, including concerns about pensioner hardship and a drop in Labour's poll numbers, Reeves and Starmer signalled a policy shift last month. On Wednesday, Reeves only told reporters that 'more people' will get winter fuel payment this winter adding that further details will be announced 'as soon as we possibly can'. At a speech in Rochdale, Reeves told reporters: 'We have listened to the concerns that people had about the level of the means test, and so we will be making changes to that; they will be in place so that pensioners are paid this coming winter. 'We'll announce the detail of that and the level of that as soon as we possibly can. But people should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get a winter fuel payment this winter.' Under the current rules, only pensioners born on or before 23 September 1958 receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit or Income Support, qualify for the winter fuel payment, targeting those with incomes below £11,800. For pensioner couples, this figures stands at £18,023. Pensioners must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The government plans to widen eligibility by adjusting the income threshold, although specific details are yet to be confirmed and will likely be clarified in the autumn budget, expected in October. The exact criteria is still under review, with speculation that up to three million more pensioners could benefit, depending on the final policy outlined in the budget. Financial expert Martin Lewis said he hopes the income threshold rises to £20,000 and urged the chancellor to ensure that pensioners who are entitled to the payment but aren't aware – which he estimates to be around 700,000 people – are also made aware and given the money. My instant response to Winter Fuel Payment news & key message to the Chancellor (I heard while walking to the office, so pls forgive the fact it was done there and then for speed) — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 4, 2025 Pensions minister Torsten Bell told MPs that, while more pensioners will be eligible, there is no prospect of returning to universal winter fuel payments. Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Bell said: 'Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment, the answer is no, the principle I think most people, 95% of people, agree, that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we're not going to be continuing with that. 'But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible.' Winter fuel payments are typically distributed between November and December each year to help pensioners manage heating costs during peak winter months. It remains uncertain whether changes will apply for the 2025-26 winter season, raising concerns about the lack of support in the coldest months. Critics, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have warned that delays could worsen the financial strain for vulnerable households. Pensioners already eligible under current rules should receive payments at the current times. Pensioners ineligible for winter fuel payments can access other support to ease energy costs. Pension credit, providing up to an average of £3,900 a year for low-income pensioners, also guarantees winter fuel payment eligibility and has seen a 64% surge in applications being awarded, with 117,800 approved by February. The warm home discount offers a £150 reduction on energy bills for qualifying low-income households, including those on pension credit. In Northern Ireland, a £100 fuel support payment helps offset the impact of means-testing. Additionally, local councils and charities may offer discretionary grants or energy-saving advice to support pensioners this winter.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What happened to Grand Designs' most expensive and infamous homes?
A Grand Designs house described as "the perfect home" has gone on the market for the first time. Five-bedroom Green Dragon Barn in Blackawton, Devon, is on sale for £1.5m. It first featured on the Channel 4 programme in 2001, and was revisited by the show in 2022 after 20 years of work from owners Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock. The 4,600 sq ft property was created from three linked barns and has an "eco-conscious design." It is now on sale after Charman died in 2023, with Whitlock saying: "Sue was passionate about environmental issues and we were determined to make the house as natural and sustainable as possible. It was a matter of principle but also very much in the spirit of the building." Here, Yahoo News UK looks at some of the most expensive, and infamous, homes to have also featured on the show. Pavello, a 5,533 sq ft five-bedroom mansion, was the largest ever home featured on Grand Designs. The property in Colgate, West Sussex, was on the programme in 2015 and built by Clinton Dall, a cleaning services business owner who bought the initial plot of land for £850,000 in 2013. Presenter Kevin McCloud said the project risked "financial ruin' but it was ultimately successful, with him saying it was "modernist architecture at the top of its game… an absolutely exquisite experience". Dall sold it for £3.45m in 2019 and it went on the market again five years later, selling for £3.95m in October last year. Chesil Cliff House in Saunton, Devon, is one of the most expensive and infamous properties to have featured on the show. The lighthouse, originally covered in 2019 and revisited in 2022, is considered one of the saddest stories to have been told on Grand Designs. It took 11 years to build, left its owner Edward Short in £7m of debt and cost him his marriage. "It was a nightmare from the moment the first spade hit the ground," Short reflected last year. "We were up against it from day one, with the really vulnerable cliff in front of the house." It was originally listed for £10m in 2022, but last year was on the market for nearly half that amount. It is not currently listed. A 2016 episode told the story of Simon and Jasmine Dale, who set out to build an eco home in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a budget of £500. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they failed... but still managed to complete the project spending just £27,000. However, it was destroyed by a fire in 2018, with the Dale family unhurt. Dai Swan, from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said at the time: 'It's utterly heartbreaking for the crews seeing how much workmanship has gone into these [house] frames. Each piece of this building is bespoke, it's done to a beautifully high standard and to see it damaged by fire is just heartbreaking.' A JustGiving page raised £35,271 for the couple. Another property which went over budget - but on a bigger scale - was the so-called "Hux Shard" in Huxham, Devon, which featured on Grand Designs in 2021. It was described as a home "that looks like a huge piece of art, with 34 enormous angled zinc shards". Joe and Claire Priday's project cost four times its £835,000 budget at £2.5m. And McCloud said they had 'more money than sense' when they spent £125,000 on the kitchen alone. The heat pump planning permission rule change that could affect millions, explained (Yahoo News UK) What I learnt on a grand tour of the least loved cities in the British Isles (The Telegraph) Kevin McCloud's guide to Akureyri and intrepid Iceland (The Standard)
