Latest News from Leader Live
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
He's going to be some player – Harry Brook hails ‘exceptional' Jacob Bethell
Speculation over whether Bethell will return to the Test side against India this summer will only increase after a buccaneering 82 from 53 balls from the 21-year-old in this Metro Bank series opener. Bethell paced his innings to perfection, going along at a run-a-ball from his first 38 deliveries before upping the ante to lift England to 400 for eight before the Windies folded to 162 all out. We've got a real star on our hands in Jacob Bethell ⭐ See every boundary from his incredible innings: | #EnglandCricket — England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2025 After beginning his tenure as England white-ball captain with a 238-run win which snapped a seven-match losing streak in this format, Brook said of Bethell: 'He batted beautifully there. 'When one of us gets going, most of the time it's hard to stop us and he showed that. He couldn't go on and get three figures but it was a match-winning innings and he's going to be some player. 'He's a confident lad, I don't think he needs too much more bigging up, he knows he's a good player and we all know he's an exceptional player. He's going to have a very long England career if he keeps on batting the way he does. He brings so much to a side (because) he can bowl and field as well.' Injury sidelined Barbados-born Bethell for England's shambolic Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year, while his Indian Premier League commitments meant he missed last week's Test win over Zimbabwe. That spared England's selectors a tricky decision over whether to stick with Bethell at number three after he excelled in New Zealand last December or restore vice-captain Ollie Pope back to first drop. Pope made a century at Trent Bridge to quieten his critics but Ben Stokes inadvertently fanned the flames on the issue by hinting Bethell would return to the XI for the marquee series against India. Stokes later clarified Bethell would only come back into the squad for the first of five Tests, starting on June 20 at Headingley, although the youngster revealed he is taking it all in his stride. Bethell told the BBC's Test Match Special: 'Not a lot has been said to me, to be honest. At the end of the day in Test cricket, those boys have their spots and whatever happens, happens. I'll just be happy with whatever.' Harry Brook was among the runs for England (Nick Potts/PA) Bethell put the finishing touches on England's innings following earlier half-centuries from Ben Duckett (60), Joe Root (57) and Brook (58), while every batter in their top seven passed 35. A decade on from posting a 400-plus total in ODIs for the first time in Birmingham to kick-start Eoin Morgan's revival of the limited-overs sides, England posted their highest total in three years and their best against a Test-playing nation since 2019. Brook said: 'It was a pretty exceptional start from the boys. Hopefully we can top that. The tempo we batted with throughout the innings was pretty much spot on. 'I got out with 20 overs to go and I felt like I was sat watching for about three hours. You can give yourself, 10, 15 or 20 balls to get in and then you can soon catch up.' Defeat to start the ODI series against England in Birmingham.🏏#ENGvWI | #MenInMaroon — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 29, 2025 Brook claimed a record-equalling five catches by an outfielder in an ODI as the Windies were skittled in 26.2 overs, with Saqib Mahmood taking three wickets and Jamie Overton doing likewise despite dislocating his finger in his first over. England can wrap up the three-match series in Cardiff but Windies head coach Darren Sammy has demanded an improvement from his side as he said: 'We were really outplayed – that was just not good enough.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Bank of England head welcomes UK efforts with EU
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, Andrew Bailey said in relation to Brexit 'that we should do all we can to minimise negative effects on trade'. With reference to the Windsor Framework, which he described as a 'welcome step forward', Mr Bailey said: 'So too are the initiatives of the current UK Government to rebuild trade between the UK and EU.' The Windsor Framework, agreed between the UK and the EU in 2023, amended the Northern Ireland Protocol and governs post-Brexit trading arrangements in the region. Last week, the Government announced a deal with the European bloc that gives UK tourists in Europe easier access to passport e-gates, and frees up trade with the continent for farmers and food producers because of alignment on veterinary and plant standards. It was also said that the UK and EU will work more closely together on defence and security, and will agree a 'youth experience scheme' allowing young British people to travel and work on the continent. Sir Keir Starmer said at the time the deal was announced that it is 'time to look forward, to move on from the stale old debates and political fights'. In an interview with the BBC earlier this month – before the deal was struck with the EU – Mr Bailey said that it would be 'beneficial' to reverse the post-Brexit reduction in UK-EU trade. He said: 'It is important we do everything we can to ensure that whatever decisions are taken on the Brexit front do not damage the long-term trade position. 'So I hope that we can use this to start to rebuild that relationship.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Wrexham man loses incredible seven stone in Slimming World journey
Nigel Hughes attends the Tuesday evening Slimming World group held at the Wrexham War Memorial Club and has been doing so since being told he was borderline diabetic and could face having to control it through insulin. In April 2024, the 64-year-old had a surgery which meant he was off work for four months, during this time he found he became more inactive and said he "piled the weight on". "We went on holiday and I gained more weight," he said. "Returning from holiday I knew I needed to do something. Nigel pictured before his weightloss journey. (Image: Amanda Malcolm) "Before taking the first step in my Slimming World group I really struggled with knee pain and breathing was difficult on hot days. I was what I would call myself a 'couch potato'. I work long hours and shifts and found when I got home from work I would eat watching TV and my energy levels were really low. "I joined my group and haven't looked back." Nigel said he now "can't" miss his weekly weight check in. "After my first week I returned to group to discover I had lost half a stone and this just gave me the drive to continue," he said. Amanda Malcolm, the class' consultant, said that male slimmers often say that while they were nervous at the idea of joining a group - once they joined they were surprised by the food they could enjoy and overwhelmed by the warm and friendly support from fellow members. "We know that being in group has a vital part to play in members success," she said. "It helps to be with like-minded people who are also on theirsSlimming journey. Getting ideas and support from group members is what helps with those mindset and behaviour changes that are needed for long term success.' Research shows that 90 per cent of men said that they wanted to lose weight to improve their health, and just 21 per cent rated their health as good or excellent before starting Slimming World. Nigel said: "In all honesty, I have never felt hungry once during my weight loss, I love the variety in all the foods I can eat and I must admit I have learned so much at group about different foods that it has helped me plan my meals a few days in advance. "This helps me to food optimise to the maximum benefit, I love to use the Slimming World barcode scanner to scan my foods as go around the supermarket, this is another layer of support that Slimming World offers. "This helps me to keep check on the foods that go in my trolley. I always say, failure to plan is planning to fail.' (Image: Amanda Malcolm) 'One of my favourite meals I make is what I call left over curry, basically it's any leftover vegetables, chicken if there is any about, but if not then a can of chickpeas, mayflower curry sauce and a good old Uncle Ben's rice. Sundays we love a roast dinner as a family.' Nigel has now been discharged from the diabetic nurse, he has lots more energy. He added: 'I walk for pleasure, rather than take the car, but the best thing is, I can play with the grandchildren rather just sitting and watching them and not having the energy to take part. I am also now the first on the dance floor and the last off it.' MORE NEWS: Police reveal why armed officers descended on Flintshire estate The class' consultant, Amanda Malcolm, said: "Nigel's determination is incredible, he is a fantastic support to fellow members too. I feel proud at being a part of his weight loss journey. "I love that being a consultant I get to witness first hand the changes that Slimming World makes to peoples lives, and Nigel has made a some simple changes and achieved amazing results. 'We are aiming to open more groups across the Wrexham area, so we can reach out to help as many people as we can our local communities." You can find Amanda's group on a Tuesday at the Wrexham War Memorial Club - held at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7pm.
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Wrexham man loses seven stone in Slimming World journey
Nigel Hughes attends the Tuesday evening Slimming World group held at the Wrexham War Memorial Club and has been doing so since being told he was borderline diabetic and could face having to control it through insulin. In April 2024, the 64-year-old had a surgery which meant he was off work for four months, during this time he found he became more inactive and said he "piled the weight on". "We went on holiday and I gained more weight," he said. "Returning from holiday I knew I needed to do something. Nigel pictured before his weightloss journey. (Image: Amanda Malcolm) "Before taking the first step in my Slimming World group I really struggled with knee pain and breathing was difficult on hot days. I was what I would call myself a 'couch potato'. I work long hours and shifts and found when I got home from work I would eat watching TV and my energy levels were really low. "I joined my group and haven't looked back." Nigel said he now "can't" miss his weekly weight check in. "After my first week I returned to group to discover I had lost half a stone and this just gave me the drive to continue," he said. Amanda Malcolm, the class' consultant, said that male slimmers often say that while they were nervous at the idea of joining a group - once they joined they were surprised by the food they could enjoy and overwhelmed by the warm and friendly support from fellow members. "We know that being in group has a vital part to play in members success," she said. "It helps to be with like-minded people who are also on theirsSlimming journey. Getting ideas and support from group members is what helps with those mindset and behaviour changes that are needed for long term success.' Research shows that 90 per cent of men said that they wanted to lose weight to improve their health, and just 21 per cent rated their health as good or excellent before starting Slimming World. Nigel said: "In all honesty, I have never felt hungry once during my weight loss, I love the variety in all the foods I can eat and I must admit I have learned so much at group about different foods that it has helped me plan my meals a few days in advance. "This helps me to food optimise to the maximum benefit, I love to use the Slimming World barcode scanner to scan my foods as go around the supermarket, this is another layer of support that Slimming World offers. "This helps me to keep check on the foods that go in my trolley. I always say, failure to plan is planning to fail.' (Image: Amanda Malcolm) 'One of my favourite meals I make is what I call left over curry, basically it's any leftover vegetables, chicken if there is any about, but if not then a can of chickpeas, mayflower curry sauce and a good old Uncle Ben's rice. Sundays we love a roast dinner as a family.' Nigel has now been discharged from the diabetic nurse, he has lots more energy. He added: 'I walk for pleasure, rather than take the car, but the best thing is, I can play with the grandchildren rather just sitting and watching them and not having the energy to take part. I am also now the first on the dance floor and the last off it.' MORE NEWS: The class' consultant, Amanda Malcolm, said: "Nigel's determination is incredible, he is a fantastic support to fellow members too. I feel proud at being a part of his weight loss journey. "I love that being a consultant I get to witness first hand the changes that Slimming World makes to peoples lives, and Nigel has made a some simple changes and achieved amazing results. 'We are aiming to open more groups across the Wrexham area, so we can reach out to help as many people as we can our local communities." You can find Amanda's group on a Tuesday at the Wrexham War Memorial Club - held at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7pm.
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
US and allies accuse North Korea and Russia of violating UN sanctions
They made the accusations in their first report since joining forces to monitor sanctions against North Korea after Russia vetoed a resolution in March 2024 to continue the monitoring by a UN Security Council panel of experts. It had been issuing reports of Pyongyang's sanctions violations since 2010. The 29-page report produced by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team — comprised of the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea and the United Kingdom — said the evidence it gathered demonstrates that North Korea and Russia have engaged in 'myriad unlawful activities' explicitly prohibited by UN sanctions resolutions. It said North Korea has transferred arms and related materiel by sea, air and rail, including artillery, ballistic missiles and combat vehicles, for Russia's use in the war in Ukraine. Russia has transferred air defence systems to North Korea, and its forces trained the North's troops deployed to support Russia's war, the team said. And Moscow also has supplied refined petroleum products to Pyongyang in far excess of the yearly cap under UN sanctions, and has maintained corresponding banking relations with the North in violation of sanctions. The 11 countries said this unlawful cooperation has 'contributed to Moscow's ability to increase its missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, including targeted strikes against critical civilian infrastructure.' The cooperation has also provided resources for North Korea to fund its military and banned ballistic missile programmes, and it has allowed the more than 11,000 troops Pyongyang has deployed to Russia since October 2024 to gain first-hand military experience, the team said. There was no immediate response from the Russian Mission to the United Nations to a request for comment on the report. The report covers the period between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, and points to evidence that Russia and North Korea intend to further deepen their military cooperation for at least the foreseeable future. It cites an unnamed country in the team reporting that Russian-flagged cargo vessels delivered as many as 9 million rounds of ammunition for artillery and multiple rocket launchers from North Korea to Russia in 2024. The report includes images of containers, which the team says were from North Korean and Russian ports and an ammunition dump in Russia. Citing an unnamed team member, the report says North Korea last year transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, which were launched into Ukraine 'to destroy civilian infrastructure and terrorise populated areas such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.' It also transferred 'elements of three brigade sets of heavy artillery,' the report said. It includes images of a North Korean 170mm self-propelled gun that it said was being transported through Russia, and North Korean multiple rocket launcher ammunition and an anti-tank missile, which it said were found in Ukraine. The team said in a joint statement that it will continue to monitor implementation of UN resolutions 'and raise awareness of ongoing attempts to violate and evade UN sanctions'. It urged North Korea 'to engage in meaningful diplomacy'. The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea's first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking, so far unsuccessfully, to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017. China and Russia vetoed a US-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches, and have blocked all other UN action against North Korea.
