Latest News from Al Mjhar
Cambrian News
25 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- Cambrian News
Dad to take on a 100-mile ultra marathon as thank you to air ambulance medics
'We try to plan time for runs and walks together, but it is sometimes impossible with us both working different shift patterns. As I work in hospitality, I have adapted my training plan around work and family life. This often means waking up at 4am to run for a few hours or even running after I finish work.
Finextra
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Finextra
New data access bill paves the way for evolution of open banking to open finance
The UK Government has passed the Data (Use and Access) Bill through the House of Parliament, paving the way for expansion of open banking and smart data sharing across multiple business sectors. 0 The legislation is a key lever to support the expansion of open banking beyond payments to a more general open finance model, giving consumers the power to share their data more widely across new use cases in energy, telecoms, transport and retail sectors. This broader vision expands the open-data concept beyond banks to encompass insurance, investments, pensions, and other financial services. One example would be an insurance company offering an overview of existing pension products or the access to loans and deposits data from different banks in one application. The UK Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has already built two working prototypes of open finance applications for providing financial advice to vulnerable consumers and to speed up credit assessments for SME loan applications. Other use cases could include the sharing of mortgage data to grease the wheels of the property market and provide the best deals on utility bills. Open Banking Limited CEO Henk Van Hulle comments: 'This is a landmark moment for the sector, but it is just the beginning. Now is the time to turn these foundations into real-world outcomes which empower consumers, drive innovation, and unlock growth. 'Having set the legislative foundations for a smarter, more connected data economy, government, regulators and industry need to come together to make this a reality. The coming months will see important choices made that will frame the type of ecosystem and outcomes we deliver in the years to come.'
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Barabak: Trump could help feed hungry people. Instead he's throwing a vanity parade
On Saturday, on the streets of Washington, Donald Trump will throw himself a costly and ostentatious military parade, a gaudy display of waste and vainglory staged solely to inflate the president's dirigible-sized ego. The estimated price tag: As much as $45 million. That same day, the volunteers and staff of White Pony Express will do what they've done for nearly a dozen years, taking perfectly good food that would otherwise be tossed out and using it to feed hungry and needy people living in one of the most comfortable and affluent regions of California. Since its founding, White Pony has processed and passed along more than 26 million pounds of food — the equivalent of about 22 million meals — thanks to such Bay Area benefactors as Whole Foods, Starbucks and Trader Joe's. That's 13,000 tons of food that would have otherwise gone to landfills, rotting and emitting 31,000 tons of CO2 emissions into our overheated atmosphere. It's such a righteous thing, you can practically hear the angels sing. "Our mission is to connect abundance and need," said Eve Birge, White Pony's chief executive officer, who said the nonprofit's guiding principle is the notion "we are one human family and when one of us moves up, we all move up." Read more: Barabak: Putting the bully in bully pulpit, Trump escalates in L.A. rather than seeking calm That mission has become more difficult of late as the Trump administration takes a scythe to the nation's social safety net. White Pony receives most of its support from corporations, foundations, community organizations and individual donors. But a sizable chunk comes from the federal government; the nonprofit could lose up to a third of its $3-million annual budget due to cuts by the Trump administration. "We serve 130,000 people each year," Birge said. "That puts in jeopardy one-third of the people we're serving, because if I don't find another way to raise that money, then we'll have to scale back programs. I'll have to consider letting go staff." (White Pony has 17 employees and about 1,200 active volunteers.) "We're a seven-day-a-week operation, because people are hungry seven days a week," Birge said. "We've talked about having to pull back to five or six days." She had no comment on Trump's big, braggadocious celebration of self, a Soviet-style display of military hardware — tanks, horses, mules, parachute jumpers, thousands of marching troops — celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and, oh yes, the president's 79th birthday. Marivel Mendoza wasn't so reticent. "All of the programs that are being gutted and we're using taxpayer dollars to pay for a parade?" she asked after a White Pony delivery truck pulled up with several pallets of fruit, veggies and other groceries. Mendoza's organization, which operates from a small office center in Brentwood, serves more than 500 migrant farmworkers and their families in the far eastern reaches of the Bay Area. "We're going to see people starving at some point," Mendoza said. "It's unethical and immoral. I don't know how [Trump] sleeps at night." Certainly not lightheaded, or with his empty belly growling from hunger. Those who work at White Pony speak of it with a spiritual reverence. Paula Keeler, 74, took a break from her recent shift inspecting produce to discuss the organization's beneficence. (Every bit of food that comes through the door is checked for quality and freshness before being trucked from White Pony's Concord warehouse and headquarters to one of more than 100 community nonprofits.) Keeler retired about a decade ago from a number-crunching job with a Bay Area school district. She's volunteered at White Pony for the last nine years, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "It's become my church, my gym and my therapist," she said, as pulsing rhythm and blues played from a portable speaker inside the large sorting room. "Tuesdays, I deliver to two senior homes. They're mostly little women and they can go to bed at night knowing their refrigerator is full tomorrow, and that's what touches my heart." Keeler hadn't heard about Trump's parade. "I don't watch the news because it makes me want to throw up," she said. Told of the spectacle and its cost, she responded with equanimity. "It's kind of like the Serenity Prayer," Keeler said. "What can you do and what can't you do? I try to stick with what I can do." It's not much in vogue these days to quote Joe Biden, but the former president used to say something worth recollecting. "Don't tell me what you value," he often stated. "Show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value.' Trump's priorities — I, me, mine — are the same as they've ever been. But there's something particularly stomach-turning about squandering tens of millions of dollars on a vanity parade while slashing funds that could help feed those in need. Michael Bagby, 66, works part time at White Pony. He retired after a career piloting big rigs and started making deliveries and training White Pony drivers about three years ago. His passion is fishing — Bagby dreams of reeling in a deep-sea marlin — but no hobby can nourish his soul as much as helping others. He was aware of Trump's pretentious pageant and its heedless price tag. "Nothing I say is going to make a difference whether the parade goes on or not," Bagby said, settling into the cab of a 26-foot refrigerated box truck. "But it would be better to show an interest in the true needs of the country rather than a parade." Read more: Arellano: Trump wants L.A. to set itself on fire. Let's rebel smarter His route that day called for stops at a middle school and a church in working-class Antioch, then Mendoza's nonprofit in neighboring Brentwood. As Bagby pulled up to the church, the pastor and several volunteers were waiting outside. The modest white stucco building was fringed with dead grass. Traffic from nearby Highway 4 produced an insistent, thrumming soundtrack. "There are a lot of people in need. A lot," said Tania Hernandez, 45, who runs the church's food pantry. Eighty percent of the food it provides comes from White Pony, helping feed around 100 families a week. "If it wasn't for them," Hernandez said, "we wouldn't be able to do it." With help, Bagby dropped off several pallets. He raised the tailgate, battened down the latches and headed for the cab. A church member walked up and stuck out his hand. "God bless you," he said. Then it was off to the next stop. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- General
- BBC News
Children's home in residential Northampton cul-de-sac approved
A five-bedroom home in a cul-de-sac will be turned into a small children's home despite objections from Northamptonshire Council approved the proposal to transform a home in Blossac Court, Duston, Northampton, into a residence that would care for three vulnerable children aged five to conversion, put forward by applicant Neil Verlander, received 76 objections from members of the public and there were calls at the planning meeting for its planning papers, the applicant Mr Verlander said the new home would be a "nurturing, warm and welcoming" environment for vulnerable young people. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, many objections have arisen from the perceived threat to the noise levels, parking issues and disturbances to other homes' on behalf of the applicant, social worker Kelly McFayden said: "I do understand, having looked at all of the feedback, that people are frightened about who's going to live next door- if they're going to be young offenders, if they're going to bring antisocial behaviour."We get to choose the young people and children that we offer opportunity to."The council's highways team also did not raise any objections to the number of parking spaces provided, stating that the four driveway spaces would be able to accommodate all staff members and would not have a significant impact on the local highway committee unanimously voted to approve the application last week, in line with the officer's recommendation. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The incredible women fighting to change our lives for the better: The Mail receives hundreds of nominations for the Inspirational Women Awards. Now meet our winners...
From the young woman campaigning against domestic violence to the mother whose humanitarian work saving war-torn children spans more than 30 years, meet our Inspirational Women of the Year. Three months ago, we asked you to nominate the incredible women you know who go the extra mile for other people. And last Thursday our five winners were unveiled at the Inspirational Women Awards gala evening, in association with M&S, at London 's Royal Lancaster Hotel. Here are their inspiring stories... MAISHA SUMAH Bruised, beaten and in fear for her life, Maisha couldn't imagine she would ever be brave enough to leave her abusive boyfriend – let alone lead a nationwide campaign to eradicate violence against women. Through her platform, She Walks In Value, this remarkable young woman is a passionate advocate against domestic violence. 'If I can inspire just one other woman, through this award, to walk away from an abusive relationship, I will be so happy,' says Maisha, 26. Born in war-torn Sierra Leone, Maisha spent her childhood in a refugee camp in Holland with her parents and three siblings. When she was five, a family friend started sexually abusing her. 'I felt completely worthless,' she said. 'I thought no one valued me for anything but my body.' The abuse continued until Maisha moved to a different area in Holland before arriving in Britain when she was ten, where she once again found herself prey to bullies. Suffering low self-esteem, Maisha was flattered when a local boy started paying her attention. They were both 16. 'We talked for hours on the phone, pouring our hearts out,' she says. 'I thought I had found someone who really loved me.' They had been dating six months when her boyfriend pressured her for sex. Finally when Maisha refused, he raped her. 'I should have ended it,' she says, 'but by then I was under his control.' The violence rapidly escalated. As well as controlling her every move, ringing her more than 100 times a day and loitering outside her school gates, her boyfriend repeatedly beat her up. 'Once he punched me so hard in the chest, I bled,' says Maisha. 'We were on an escalator in a shopping centre, surrounded by people. No one did anything.' Maisha finally found the courage to end things when her boyfriend stripped her naked and attacked her so badly she thought she was going to die. The commotion alerted neighbours who called the police. But when he threatened to kill himself, Maisha declined to press charges. 'I desperately regret being manipulated,' she says. However, it was the catalyst she needed. Then 18 and finally free of him, she became determined to turn her life around. She finally opened up to her mother who has proved immensely supportive. Fired up, Maisha – who draws upon a strong Christian faith – began campaigning. 'I started by talking to other girls in the school playground, explaining what I'd been through. They felt they could talk too. We'd lived in shame for too long. 'There was so much interest, I hired an events hall and – in 2017 – told my story to more 100 people who'd all paid to come and listen.' Two years later, in 2019, between studying for a degree and working for a domestic abuse charity, Maisha launched her online platform. She Walks In Value hosts events, seminars, conferences and workshops designed to empower women who survive domestic abuse. Using her roles as chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Forum in two London boroughs and as the former youngest mental health expert representative for Black and Minority Ethnic communities within the NHS, Maisha advocates tirelessly for change. She has addressed MPs and spoken to the Queen. 'I want She Walks In Value to be a powerful global movement,' she says, 'transforming pain into purpose, silence into strength and trauma into triumph.' If you need to speak to someone, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818 or visit their website GULNAZ BRENNAN It was the realisation that many of her friends let their partners control their finances that lit the feminist fire in Gulnaz Brennan, a 54-year-old former teacher from Bolton. 'One couldn't afford to do the supermarket shop because her ex had run up debts on her credit card,' recalls Gulnaz. 'Another discovered after her relationship broke down that her ex had taken a loan out in her name. Saddled with his debt, she faced losing her home. It was heartbreaking.' That's when it hit Gulnaz: the key to female empowerment is financial independence. 'Too many women are ignorant about finances and uncomfortable talking about money. But it's vital to stay in charge of our finances and not let anyone – even a partner – take over.' Gulnaz started her campaign, Let's Talk Money, and now runs monthly seminars, podcasts, webinars and networking events, helping thousands of women. Last year, she launched a programme to set up financial workshops helping girls from nursery school upwards understand how to manage money. 'We need to target children as young as possible and ensure they grow up with a healthy attitude to money,' she says. 'A world where girls are financially empowered is a world where they have control over their futures. 'Being recognised with this award is a wonderful feeling. It's a pat on the back – and a real motivator to do even more.' JO CRUSE Giving birth for the first time left Jo Cruse deeply traumatised. During a 36-hour labour in which she wasn't listened to by midwives and denied pain relief, she sustained injuries that left her with bladder issues to this day, three years on. 'I was made to feel completely expendable,' she says. 'No one listened to me or seemed to care about the risk of injury or mental trauma.' Struggling with flashbacks some 18 months later when she was diagnosed with suspected PTSD, Jo felt deeply alone until she uncovered a truth which shocked her to the core. Reading a report into maternity care in the UK, she discovered that the single biggest killer of mothers between six weeks and 12 months post-partum is suicide. 'I could have been one of those women,' says Jo, 39, who lives in Winchester, Hampshire, and works in leadership development. 'At the most vulnerable moment of our lives, women were being failed in the most profound way. And it felt like no one was doing anything about it.' In May 2024, Jo launched Delivering Better, a campaign group calling for greater continuity of care throughout pregnancy and after birth. Jo – whose marriage sadly ended in the wake of her birth experience – now devotes herself to the campaign group along with being a full-time working mum. In December, the group – which works alongside Five X More, our 2024 winners who campaign for better care for black mothers – published a survey revealing that one in four mothers had a negative birthing experience. Overall, 54 per cent reported physical health problems while 44 per cent had mental health issues. 'Thousands of mothers broken by births are suffering in silence,' says Jo, who is closely involved with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for maternity services. 'If you think about one in four women having a negative birth experience and 600,000 in England and Wales giving birth every year, that's 150,000 women. It's a major public health issue.' She wants change to start with women being able to see the same midwife throughout pregnancy and birth – and for GPs to check in with new mums at three and six months post-partum. 'It's heartbreaking this is still a fight that has to be fought,' she says. 'I'm thrilled to have won because it sends a message of hope to women. You are not alone.' ROXY LONGWORTH Roxy was 13 when a 17-year-old boy in her school pressured her into sending him a nude photo. It was the start of a nightmare which left Roxy hospitalised and on suicide watch; a truly horrifying experience that led her to create the platform Behind Our Screens to help protect other children from harm online. 'I fancied him and he was saying that everyone was doing it so I pressed 'Send',' she recalls. 'Then he wanted more and more explicit images. From that moment, he controlled me. I couldn't tell my parents because I felt so ashamed and stupid. 'He shared the photos with a friend of his, who threatened to spread them around unless I sent more. I was terrified.' When Roxy blocked him, he sent the photos of her around the entire school. Shockingly, the school blamed her. The first her parents knew was when they were called in to be told Roxy was being punished for breaking school rules. Consumed with shame, Roxy – a straight-A student – started self-harming and, despite her parents' loving support, went into a mental health spiral. It culminated in a psychotic breakdown where she started hearing voices. 'I thought it was all my fault and I deserved to be punished,' says Roxy, 22, from London. 'I missed an entire year of school because I was either in hospital or at home on suicide watch. I survived but lost the rest of my adolescence feeling ashamed, alone and disgusted with myself. 'It was only when I started talking about what had happened that I realised I was far from alone.' As they emerged from the nightmare, Roxy and her 55-year-old mum Gay, a novelist, decided to write a book from both their perspectives. When You Lose It was published in 2022. 'I was inundated by messages of other people's experiences online,' says Roxy, who is about to start work as a strategy consultant after completing a degree in Maths and Statistics with Neuroscience at University College London. 'It saddened but emboldened me to speak out. I started campaigning for a safer online world and became an ambassador for the NSPCC, also working with the other survivors in the Brave Movement to end sexual violence against children. 'Going into schools, it quickly became apparent that no one was asking young people what it's actually like growing up online. More upsetting, things are getting worse.' So in April, Roxy launched Behind Our Screens, a platform to encourage young people to share their experiences. The reaction has been extraordinary. 'We need to bridge the gap between our generation and adults,' says Roxy. 'Winning this award is amazing for the campaign. It's proof that if something terrible happens, it doesn't have to ruin your life for ever.' For help or support, visit or call Samaritans for free on 116 123 SALLY BECKER Sally first started volunteering as an aid worker in war-torn Bosnia in 1993. Her exceptional bravery saw her save the lives of hundreds of children, winning her the affectionate name the Angel of Mostar. So, 30 years later, one might expect Sally, 63, to be quietly retired from war zones. Far from it. This extraordinary single mother is still battling to help children caught in the crossfire. 'These children are victims of a conflict not of their making and beyond their understanding. We have to do everything we can to help them,' she explains. When war erupted in Ukraine, Sally, who lives in Brighton and is mum to journalist Billie, 25, made a series of dangerous treks into the country to help evacuate 240 women and orphaned children. And during the last year she has helped to organise the evacuation of 40 sick and wounded children from Gaza. Back in 1993, Sally, then an artist, was in her early 30s when she felt compelled to volunteer in Bosnia. Intended only to be for a few weeks, that first mission changed the course of her life. Often coming under sniper fire, she returned repeatedly to Mostar, the heart of the conflict where as many as 60,000 people were trapped. She evacuated hundreds of injured children and their mothers as well as bringing a convoy of 57 ambulances and trucks from Brighton, packed with £1 million worth of medical aid. Her work is fraught with danger – she was shot in the leg during one evacuation from Kosovo – but she's adamant she won't stop. 'I can't turn my back on the children who need me,' explains Sally. 'Every time I cross a front line, I'm terrified. But, having done it before, it's hard to say no.' In 2021, Sally launched the groundbreaking Save A Child app, allowing her small team to connect medics treating children in remote or war-torn areas with more than 300 paediatric specialists across the globe. 'It means medics can get expert advice through the app within an hour or two, which can often make a difference between life and death,' says Sally, whose next mission is to set up a paediatric tele-health unit in Syria to enable more doctors to upload cases. Last month alone, Sally's neonatal specialists were able to help more than 1,000 Afghani children – including 200 newborns whose problems included everything from cancer to sepsis. 'I am truly grateful for this award which will help highlight our work,' says Sally.
