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Channel 4 Partners with Paralympics GB to Promote Active Living for Disabled People

Channel 4 Partners with Paralympics GB to Promote Active Living for Disabled People

Campaign aims to increase sport participation among disabled people ahead of the Paris Games

Channel 4 has joined forces with Paralympics GB to launch a campaign encouraging disabled individuals to get active, coinciding with the run-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The campaign is designed to inspire disabled people to explore sporting opportunities in their local areas through the Every Body Moves initiative, an ongoing project by Paralympics GB.

Seven-time Paralympic champion, Hannah Cockroft, spoke about the significance of the campaign, sharing her personal experience of visiting schools where disabled children were discouraged from participating in sport. “Campaigns like Every Body Moves are so important,” she said. “I still visit schools where disabled children are being told they can’t do sport or PE, which is what I was told growing up. Look where I’ve gone with sport – it terrifies me that young people are still being told that.”

The campaign, which aims to combat such damaging narratives, seeks to provide inclusive opportunities for disabled people to engage in sports. Racing driver Billy Monger, who will present Channel 4’s breakfast show during the Paralympics, added, “Every Body Moves is all about inclusivity. I know how sport has changed my life and I hope it can do the same for others.”

As part of its coverage of the Paris Paralympics, Channel 4 will display a QR code at least four times a day across its channels. Scanning the code will lead viewers to the Every Body Moves website, where they can search for local inclusive sports and activities by entering their postcode.

The campaign, starting with the Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony on August 28, aims to increase visibility and participation in sport, making it more accessible for disabled people across the country.

Farming Leaders Urge for Stronger Measures to Secure UK’s Food Future

Farming Leaders Urge for Stronger Measures to Secure UK’s Food Future

National Farmers’ Union calls for action to bolster food security as ‘self-sufficiency day’ highlights risks

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is using today’s “self-sufficiency day” to issue a stark warning about the UK’s food security, urging that more must be done to prevent the country’s self-sufficiency from declining further. On this day, which marks when the nation’s food supplies would run out if only homegrown produce were available, the NFU is calling for a renewed focus on boosting domestic food production.

According to figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK is currently 62% self-sufficient in food, a level that has remained relatively stable over the past decade. However, the NFU has pointed out worrying declines in certain sectors, notably fresh vegetables, which are now at their lowest self-sufficiency level since records began in 1988, standing at just 53%. In addition, the country’s reliance on imports for fresh fruit is at an alarming 84%, and there has been a drop in potato self-sufficiency, from 74% in 2021 to 62% in 2023.

Farmers face growing challenges, including one of the wettest winters and springs on record, alongside the global effects of climate change, which have disrupted crop production in key exporting countries. Furthermore, UK farmers are contending with reductions in farm support payments as the country transitions from the EU’s subsidy system to one based on environmental goals. Rising production costs, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine, are also placing additional strain on the sector.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw emphasised the importance of a stable domestic food supply, saying: “Farmers are essential to the UK’s food and drink sector, which is worth £146 billion and supports over four million jobs. Investment in farming is critical to increase self-sufficiency where possible and ensure the UK can continue to feed its population.”

The NFU has welcomed statements from the Labour Government acknowledging food security as a national priority. Bradshaw has called for a multi-year agricultural budget and a statutory commitment to maintaining current levels of self-sufficiency. The organisation is also pushing for a food security impact assessment for all policies affecting agriculture and horticulture.

The union also calls for measures to ensure that food imports meet the same environmental and production standards as those required of British farmers. Furthermore, the NFU advocates for updates to national planning policies to support food production and encourages policies that would promote growth within the UK’s horticulture sector.

In response, a Government spokesperson stated: “This Government recognises that food security is national security. We are working to strengthen the sector through a new deal for farmers, ensuring fairer supply chains, and protecting farmers from being undercut in trade deals. We are also working to optimise farming schemes to improve food security and nature recovery.”

Petrol Bomb Thrown at Co Down Mosque in Racially Motivated Attack

Petrol Bomb Thrown at Co Down Mosque in Racially Motivated Attack

Police investigate overnight violence, including damage to property and vehicles in Belfast.

A petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Newtownards, Co Down, early on Saturday morning in what police are treating as a racially motivated attack. The incident occurred around 1am, when the bomb was hurled at the mosque on Greenwell Street. Fortunately, the device did not ignite. In addition to the bomb, graffiti was sprayed on the front door and walls of the building.

Chief Inspector Hutchinson stated that the attack would be treated as a hate crime and stressed that such actions would not be tolerated. He urged anyone with information or footage to come forward to help identify those responsible.

This incident follows a series of similar reports across Northern Ireland, including racially motivated crimes in Belfast. On Friday night, police investigated several incidents of damage to property and vehicles, including cars being set on fire in Tavanagh Street and Sandhurst Gardens. These events are also being treated as hate crimes.

Police have made several arrests, including a 22-year-old man charged with throwing a bottle at a police vehicle during protests in Belfast. Other arrests were made in relation to disorder, petrol bomb possession, and encouragement of riot. Authorities have pledged to continue their investigation and make further arrests if necessary.

The recent spate of violence has sparked community outcry, with many coming forward to show support for those targeted. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones reaffirmed the police commitment to ensuring public safety during the ongoing unrest.

Bodies Recovered from Wreckage of Brazil Plane Crash That Killed 62

Bodies Recovered from Wreckage of Brazil Plane Crash That Killed 62

Recovery teams have removed at least 21 bodies as investigation into the cause of the crash continues.

Recovery efforts are ongoing after a tragic plane crash in Brazil on Friday, which has claimed the lives of 62 people. The ATR-72 turboprop, operated by regional airline Voepass, was en route from Cascavel to Sao Paulo when it crashed in Vinhedo, a town located around 80 km (50 miles) from the city of Sao Paulo, at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

At least 21 bodies were recovered by Saturday morning, with two victims identified at the crash site. Brazilian civil defence teams have been working tirelessly through the night to remove the remains, with all bodies being transported to the police morgue in Sao Paulo for further examination.

Initially, Voepass reported 57 passengers and four crew members aboard, but later confirmed the presence of an additional passenger, bringing the total number of casualties to 62. The identification process is being assisted by physical characteristics, documents, and belongings such as cell phones, with relatives of the victims providing DNA samples to aid in the identification of body parts.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. ATR, the Franco-Italian manufacturer of the aircraft, has dispatched specialists to assist in determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Pep Guardiola Confident Young Man City Duo Can Break Into First-Team After Impressive Community Shield Displays

Pep Guardiola Confident Young Man City Duo Can Break Into First-Team After Impressive Community Shield Displays

Oscar Bobb and James McAtee’s performances against Man Utd could see them secure regular spots in the squad.

Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that young talents Oscar Bobb and James McAtee are ready to compete for first-team positions at Manchester City following their standout performances in the Community Shield win over Manchester United.

Bobb, who was part of Guardiola’s squad last season, and McAtee, who spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Sheffield United, both impressed in the 1-1 draw that followed with a dramatic penalty shootout win for City. McAtee, 21, scored five goals in 32 appearances for Sheffield United, while Bobb netted twice in 26 appearances for City last season.

Guardiola believes both wingers have the potential to earn regular game time this season, citing McAtee’s pre-season form and Bobb’s unique abilities. “They have the standards to be [with us],” Guardiola said, praising both players’ confidence and work ethic. “Especially McAtee. He’s the McAtee we want to see,” he added, while also acknowledging Bobb’s ongoing development.

Guardiola stressed the importance of McAtee’s time at Sheffield United, noting that it had been beneficial to his growth. “I don’t want to loan him or sell him, because I need him in particular situations,” said Guardiola.

When asked whether the Community Shield victory signalled a strong start to the new season, Guardiola was cautious but optimistic. “We are far from our best; that’s normal. But we already have one trophy. It’s nice. We played really well; in general, we controlled them,” he said, acknowledging the team’s potential while remaining aware of the need for improvement.

Police Search for Violent Man Who Escaped Ilford Care Facility, Described as a ‘Risk to Women’

Police Search for Violent Man Who Escaped Ilford Care Facility, Described as a ‘Risk to Women’

The 44-year-old man is considered dangerous and should not be approached, say authorities.

Police are urgently searching for Balasankar Narayanan, a 44-year-old man considered a serious risk to women, who escaped from a care facility in Ilford while on escorted leave. Narayanan was last seen at 6.40pm on Sunday, August 4, when he fled from staff at a park.

Authorities have warned that he can be violent and have issued a public appeal for information. They have released a photo of Narayanan and are urging anyone who sees him not to approach him but to contact the police immediately. A statement from the Metropolitan Police emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “While our investigation to locate Balasankar continues, we are appealing to the public to help locate him.”

Narayanan is known to have links to various areas across London, including Newham, Greenford, Hammersmith, Highgate, and Ilford. He has also been reported in the West Midlands, Grays, and Manchester. Police are continuing their efforts to locate him and are urging the public to remain vigilant.

Scottish Government Secures Additional Funding to Prevent Strike Action

Scottish Government Secures Additional Funding to Prevent Strike Action

The move comes as local government workers in 26 authorities threaten to strike over pay disputes, with a revised offer now possible.

The Scottish Government has secured additional funding which may prevent planned strike action by local government workers across 26 Scottish local authorities. Finance and Local Government Secretary Shona Robison confirmed that this “enhanced envelope” of funding will allow the local government body Cosla to make a new pay offer to unions, potentially averting the strikes.

The planned industrial action, which is set to start on Wednesday, August 14, and run through to Thursday, August 22, has raised concerns, particularly as waste and recycling workers are expected to walk out. This could lead to significant disruption in areas like Edinburgh, especially during the busy festival season. The unions involved – Unite, Unison, and GMB – have warned that the strike would result in rubbish piling up in streets across the affected areas.

Ahead of a crucial meeting with council leaders on Friday, Robison emphasised the significance of meaningful dialogue to resolve the dispute and avoid strikes. She stated, “We absolutely recognise the importance of supporting meaningful dialogue to reach a fair pay deal and avoid industrial action.”

Robison went on to explain that the additional funding identified by the Scottish Government will be used to support Cosla in presenting a revised and stronger pay offer. However, she cautioned that this extra funding represents the “absolute limit of affordability” for the public purse, and that the funding allocation had involved difficult decision-making.

Cosla had previously made an offer of a 3.2% pay increase, but this was rejected by the unions, resulting in the threat of strike action. Graham McNab, Unite’s lead officer for local government, confirmed that while negotiations were still ongoing, no formal offer had yet been made. He added that efforts to find a resolution before the strike dates were continuing.

The Scottish Government hopes that with the enhanced funding package, an agreement can be reached before the planned strikes begin.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson Leads Heptathlon After Strong Day One at Paris 2024 Olympics

Katarina Johnson-Thompson Leads Heptathlon After Strong Day One at Paris 2024 Olympics

The two-time world champion from Team GB impresses with personal bests, setting the stage for an exciting heptathlon battle.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has put herself firmly in contention for Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games after a brilliant opening day in the heptathlon. The British athlete delivered standout performances, including a personal best in the shot put and a remarkable high jump, to finish day one at the top of the standings.

With a score of 4055 points after four events, Johnson-Thompson is currently leading the competition, 48 points ahead of her long-time rival and defending Olympic champion Nafi Thiam. The 31-year-old’s performance on day one was especially impressive given the challenges she’s faced in the lead-up to the Games, including multiple injury setbacks.

Johnson-Thompson’s road to Paris has been fraught with struggles, including a calf injury that forced her out of the Tokyo 2020 competition. However, her resilience shone through last year as she regained her world title in Budapest, proving she was back to her best. Yet, despite this, she has been managing an Achilles issue throughout 2024, and has not completed a full heptathlon this year until now.

The day began with Johnson-Thompson running a season’s best 13.40 seconds in the 100m hurdles, improving on her time from winning the world title in 2023. In the high jump, she cleared 1.92m, her best mark in five years, and one she had not reached since her World Championship win in Doha in 2019.

The evening session then saw Johnson-Thompson deliver an unexpected breakthrough in the shot put, traditionally one of her weaker events. While Thiam had thrown a personal best of 15.54m, Johnson-Thompson had only managed 13.38m in the first two rounds. But with her third attempt, she exceeded her previous best with a throw of 14.44m, giving her a huge boost in the standings.

Although Thiam held a 50-point advantage going into the final event of the day, the 200m, Johnson-Thompson’s impressive 23.44 seconds in the race was a second faster than her opponent, effectively flipping the lead. With the long jump, javelin, and 800m still to come, the competition between the two heptathletes is set to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory.

Emma Willis Reflects on the Emotional Journey Behind Matt Willis’ Addiction Documentary

Emma Willis Reflects on the Emotional Journey Behind Matt Willis’ Addiction Documentary

The TV presenter opens up about the fear and positive response after her husband’s revealing documentary.

Emma Willis has spoken candidly about the intense emotions she experienced following the release of her husband Matt Willis’ addiction documentary, Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction. The 48-year-old TV presenter described the process of making the film as “terrifying,” as it required the couple to step outside their comfort zone and share deeply personal struggles.

In an exclusive interview with Women’s Health, Emma opened up about the anxiety they felt before the documentary aired. “The night before it was released, we were both thinking, ‘what’s going to happen tomorrow?’” she recalled. To cope with the stress, the couple decided to take a break and flew to Thailand. Emma explained, “We went for Matt’s birthday, but I made sure we had some time away so we could process everything and face the potential fallout in peace.”

Despite their initial fears, the response to the documentary was overwhelmingly positive. Emma shared how moved she was by the stories of viewers who shared their own experiences with addiction. “The support and the personal stories people shared with us were truly overwhelming,” Emma said, visibly emotional. “It really hit us how much it resonated with people. It’s something we’ll carry with us forever, and it’s reassuring to see how many people are finding hope.”

Matt, 41, who gained fame as a member of the popular band Busted, has been sober for five years. The documentary charted his battle with alcohol and drugs, offering a raw and honest look at his journey to recovery. Emma highlighted how important it was for them to raise awareness about addiction, and the positive feedback they received showed that their decision to share their story had a significant impact.

On a lighter note, Emma was also asked if she would have fallen for Matt if they had never met face-to-face, as seen on their Netflix show Love Is Blind: UK, which they co-host. Without hesitation, Emma responded, “Yes, I would have,” while Matt took a moment to reflect on her answer. Emma quickly added that Matt’s charm, warmth, and sense of humour would have been more than enough to win her over.

Ultimately, the documentary and the couple’s openness about their personal lives have deepened their connection with their audience. Emma praised Matt’s character, saying, “Matt is the most charismatic, funny, loving, and gorgeous person inside and out. His personality just radiates.”

Tick Population in Scotland Could Surge Due to Climate Change – Study Warns

Tick Population in Scotland Could Surge Due to Climate Change – Study Warns

Researchers predict nearly a twofold increase in tick numbers by 2080, posing greater risk of Lyme disease and other infections.

A new study has revealed that the population of ticks in Scotland could nearly double by 2080 due to climate change, with rising temperatures potentially triggering a significant increase in tick density. The research, conducted by mathematicians at the University of Stirling, warns that the increase in tick numbers will exacerbate the spread of tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, which has become a growing public health concern in the region.

Ticks, which are small arachnids found in grassy, woodland areas, are known to spread a range of diseases, including Lyme disease, which can cause severe symptoms such as facial paralysis, heart arrhythmias, and conditions similar to meningitis. The new model developed by the team predicts the future distribution and density of tick populations across Scotland, factoring in different climate change scenarios, including a 4°C rise in global temperatures.

According to the study, a 1°C increase in global temperatures by 2080 would result in a 26% rise in tick populations across Scotland. However, if global temperatures were to rise by 4°C, the number of ticks would almost double, with a predicted increase of 99% in tick density by the end of the century.

Lead researcher Professor Rachel Norman highlighted that the model predicts an increase in tick populations across all climate warming scenarios. The study revealed that woodland habitats are likely to experience the highest absolute increases in tick density, while montane habitats—typically cooler, higher areas of Scotland—will see the largest proportional increases, with areas that were once tick-free expected to become warm enough to support tick populations by 2080.

Professor Norman emphasized the potential for this research to be adapted to predict disease risks, not just in Scotland, but globally. She explained, “This methodology could be used more broadly to understand the dynamic response of populations over time to environmental changes and offers a new tool for researchers studying the impact of climate change on disease vectors.”

The study also found that only Scotland’s highest peaks will remain too cold to support tick populations, even under the most extreme warming scenarios.

With increasing concern over the rise in tick populations and Lyme disease cases, this research offers a vital tool for predicting the spread of tick-borne diseases. The study, titled “GIS-ODE: Linking Dynamic Population Models with GIS to Predict Pathogen Vector Abundance Across a Country Under Climate Change Scenarios”, was published in the journal Interface, a publication of the Royal Society.

The findings suggest that proactive measures will be needed to manage tick populations and mitigate the risk of tick-borne diseases as the climate continues to change.