Фото: Скріншот Bayraktar TB3 сів на палубу TCG Anadolu Цей безпілотник спроєктований для зльоту з різних поверхонь, зокрема морських платформ із короткою злітно-посадковою смугою. Ударний БПЛА Bayraktar TB3 турецького виробництва здійснив перший зліт та посадку на кораблі з короткою злітно-посадковою палубою. Про це напередодні повідомив голова правління та технічний директор компанії Baykar Сельчук Байрактар у […]
0 Порівняно з іншими хризантемами мультифлора вважається досить новою. З кожним сезоном її популярність збільшується в геометричній прогресії. Ця декоративна квітуча рослина розкішна, що робить її бажаним придбанням для декорування саду, тераси, клумби та різних квіткових композицій. Як зберігати мультифлору взимку Рослина потребує підготовки до зими. Багато чого залежить від кліматичних умов регіону. Якщо він […]
HARD-UP households can get £25 towards the cost of energy bills during long periods of freezing weather.
The free cash, known as the cold weather payment, is issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Cold weather payments are designed to help low-income households with their energy bills when temperatures plummet.
Eligible individuals receive £25 for each seven-day stretch of low temperatures, with these payments available until 31 March.
The cash is deposited directly into bank accounts within 14 days of a postcode being triggered.
The payments are made automatically, so there’s no need to apply.
You might be due multiple payouts if the cold weather continues beyond seven days, too.
For example, almost 500 postcodes got payments worth up to £75 last winter, while over 250 got the same amount the year before.
You can also check if you are due a cold weather payment in the future by visiting coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk.
Here’s a full list of the first 18 postcodes eligible for a single cold weather payment worth £25 this winter:
Households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are eligible for cold weather payments.
Households in Scotland aren’t but get a Winter Heating Payment instead. More information can be found at www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment.
You usually qualify for a cold weather payment once temperatures have dropped and if you’re on certain benefits. These are:
You can also get the payments if you receive support for mortgage interest.
However, depending on each benefit, there are other criteria you might have to fulfil to be eligible.
For example, if you’re on Universal Credit you will only qualify if you are unemployed or “gainfully self-employed”, or your partner is unemployed or “gainfully self-employed”.
You are considered gainfully self-employed if you work regularly and expect to make a profit.
One of the following must also apply:
You are also eligible if you have a disabled child amount included in your Universal Credit claim.
There are also other eligibility criteria attached if you claim Income Support and income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) or get support for mortgage interest (SMI).
If you have a baby or a child under five living with you, you will need to tell your local Jobcentre Plus.
You’ll also need to let them know if you get income support, JSA or ESA.
You won’t get cold weather payments automagically if you don’t.
Find out more by visiting gov.uk/cold-weather-payment.
Payments are typically made within 14 working days of your postcode being activated.
The cash is paid directly into the same bank or building society account where you receive your benefits.
Tell the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus if you don’t receive a payment and think you should have.
Call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 or find your nearest Jobcentre by visiting find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/.
If you’re on Universal Credit, you can log in to your account and add a note to your journal.
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
THE world of music is mourning the death of guitarist Vick Flick.
Known for his work on many James Bond theme songs, the musician leaves behind his beloved wife, Judith Mary.
Judith Mary was married to the world-renowned guitarist, Vick Flick.
The pair wed in 1960, and went onto to set up home in Las Vegas.
During their life they welcomed a son called Kevin, who lives in Santa Monica, California.
The couple also have a grandson called Tyler.
When Vic sadly passed away, he had been married to Judith for 64 years.
Judith’s beloved husband lived an incredible life.
Vic was a prolific session guitarist, and collaborated with the likes of Tom Jones, the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Cliff Richard.
His illustrious career even included working with The Beatles.
Speaking to Guitar Player in 2021, Vic recalled working with the fab four.
“When they were first recording, there were some unidentifiable sessions I was on with George Martin that were more like backing tracks than actual recordings,” he said.
“I can’t remember more than that, as it was the Beatles’ early days. The Musicians’ Union allowed musicians to record four tracks without a singer, and as many titles as 20 minutes would allow with a singer.
“At the end, you don’t really know what you’ve done.
“You follow instructions, make stuff up, and play solos. It’s like film work with just audio cues.
“You turn over another page, without the film’s name on the music.
“That was like a factory job, but very good.”
Vic is best known for his work on the James Bond movies.
The popular guitarist was reportedly paid £6 to record Monty Norman’s theme tune for the first 007 film, Dr No.
The iconic theme song was recorded in 1962 and went on to become a worldwide classic, synonymous with the James Bond franchise.
After that he worked on several more songs, which included Shirley’s Bassey‘s Goldfinger theme.
Speaking about working with the Welsh superstar, he told the outlet: “There was a funny moment when J.B. told her, ‘That last note isn’t long enough. You’ve got to keep going on it.’
“So Shirley slipped behind a studio partition, took her bra off and threw it over the top of the partition.
“She said, ‘Okay, let’s take this last note again.'”
Vic died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on November 14, 2024, at the age of 87.
Judith’s son Kevin announced the news on his mum’s behalf.
The statement read: “With great sadness my mother – Vic’s wife Judith, his grandchild Tyler and I must announce that my father Vic Flick passed away peacefully last Thursday and so ending his battle with Alzeihmers.
“In lieu of flowers, donations to the charities St Judes and Alzeihmers are welcomed.”
HEARTBROKEN Cheryl has been seen at Liam Payne’s funeral.
She was supported by Girls Aloud stars Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts at the service in the Home Counties this afternoon.
They were also joined by Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy outside the church where he will be laid to rest just over a month after he passed away aged just 31.
The pair were both wearing long black coats with dark sunglasses as they hugged other mourners.
One Direction singer Liam’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were also spotted arriving.
Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.
Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.
The private service is being attended by his family and closest friends, with celebrity pals also including Simon Cowell and James Cordon.
A wake will take place following the service.
It was snowing outside the 12th century church where the funeral is taking place.
A marquee was put up in preparation for guests’ arrival.
A floral tribute in the shape of bowling pins was also set up by the entrance.
Autumnal floral displays, made up of red and orange leaves, and white roses, were placed around the doorways of the church.
Florists were also seen unloading dozens of bunches of white flowers from a van shortly after 9am.
A source said: “Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.
“His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.
“Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy.
“It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.”
Cheryl, 41, shares son Bear, seven, with Liam and spoke of the grief she feels for her son following his dad’s death.
She was a judge on X Factor when Wolverhampton-born Liam found fame as a teenager – and the couple later began dating in 2016.
They welcomed Bear in 2017 and went their separate ways the following year.
By EMILY-JANE HEAP
ONE Direction fan Alice Chapman came down to pay her respects to Liam Payne ahead of his funeral today.
The full-time mum, 40, who lives in the area where the funeral is being held, said she wanted to show the late singer’s family how “loved” he was.
She told The Sun: “It was such a shock to hear Liam had died. I lost a friend in similar circumstances recently, so it touched my heart.
“Liam was just a normal boy from Wolverhampton who we all watched on the TV on a Saturday night with a Chinese.”
The former events planner added: “It’s a mark of respect to line the street for when his mum and dad drive through.
“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than an empty street if it was my son. We want to show them that people care.
“People don’t appreciate how respected and loved someone was until they are gone.”
Local singer Alice Henry, 47, said she felt compelled to pay tribute to Liam as she is a parishioner at the church where his funeral is being held.
She added: “It’s such a tragic situation. I go to the church and know the vicar who is conducting the service well, so I wanted to come down and pay my respects.”
In a short statement following his death, Liam’s family said: “We are heartbroken.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
Liam passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.
During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell out concert at the Movistar Arena.
After news broke of his son’s passing, Liam’s brave father Geoff travelled out to South America to help authorities bring his son back to the UK.
Liam shot to international fame in 2010 when he auditioned for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor as a solo artist.
He was then put into One Direction by the judges.
Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.
Throughout their five years together, they sold 70million records and landed four UK No1 singles and four UK No1 albums.
Speaking in 2022, Liam said he hoped to be remembered simply as being a “nice guy” rather than his musical accolades.
Liam said: “Honestly, just being a nice guy. I’d rather be known for being a nice guy than anything else.”
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
UKRAINE has fired British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time.
Fragments of a Storm Shadow missile were found in the village of Marine, Kursk, on Wednesday, it is reported.
It comes just days after Joe Biden gave his blessing for US-supplied rockets to be blasted onto Russian turf.
FOOD prices for basic items could rise next year due to a hike in the minimum wage, experts have warned.
Research shows that with salaries set to increase in January, it will have a ripple effect on overall wages, pushing most shops to increase pay by at least five per cent.
According to Excel Recruitment’s latest Grocery Retail Salary Guide 2025, minimum pay for workers has increased by 32 cent since 2020, putting pressure on beleaguered storekeepers.
Added to this, new rules on pensions and extended sick leave benefits have increased outgoings for retailers already struggling to absorb the costs.
Nikki Murran, Director of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment explained: “With last year’s costly rollout of Deposit Return Scheme equipment, and heightened spending on security due to increased retail crime, grocery stores are feeling the strain more than ever.
“These changes go far beyond entry-level pay, affecting wages across the board and driving retailers to find competitive hiring strategies.”
The report said many businesses are having to invest heavily in fresh food products in a bid to compete in a crowded market.
It found that a large number are enhancing their deli, bakery, and produce sections, with some even hiring skilled chefs, bakers, and butchers to attract customers.
Murran said that some food prices may rise but that smaller businesses could be forced to shut as a result of the cost increases.
She told the Irish Sun: “While an increase in food prices is a potential concern, the immediate impact appears to be the closure of smaller businesses unable to withstand pressures such as rising labour costs from NMW increases, extra sick pay and pension auto enrolment.
“Most retailers are doing their best to price competitively in order to stay attractive to consumers in this competitive market.”
She also said retailers felt under pressure to compete in terms of food offerings and that this was being seen across the sector.
Murran said: “Fresh food offerings, quality, and service are how most retailers differentiate themselves in today’s market.
“Many stores are investing in extra talent in their Fresh Food departments as well as revamps in their stores to expand their food-to-go ranges in a bid to grow their market share, attract and retain customers.”
This comes as a popular chocolate brand has made a major change to their festive offering – with a top-selling Christmas favourite now available in TWO sizes.
Tony’s Chocoloney has revealed they’re making their huge iconic Christmas countdown calendar also available in a smaller version for the first time ever.
And the two Christmas calendars are already selling out across Irish stores – with both not available from the exact same retailers.
Tony’s bosses revealed that their “returning big favourite” – the revamped mega countdown calendar – is “back and better than ever” with a brand new design.
The ethical choc maestros, on a mission to make all chocolate production totally slave-free, have kept their calendar slots unequally divided to highlight inequality in the chocolate industry.
The calendar is packed with 25 tasty Tiny Tony’s chocolates in ten fun flavours and is available in Dunnes Stores and Tesco, as well as speciality stores like Brown Thomas.
