Latest news with #Express
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV showing 'best ever' James Bond film starring Daniel Craig tonight
Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in the 2006 film Casino Royale which ITV will be showing tonight from 8pm Deciding on the next film or TV show to watch can often be a daunting and time-consuming task. In this digital age, countless hours are wasted scrolling through Netflix and Amazon Prime, given the overwhelming array of choices. Considering this, coupled with the escalating subscription costs, many opt to abandon these platforms and return to traditional terrestrial TV. Despite Netflix's reputation for showcasing major blockbusters, it's ITV that will be broadcasting one of the finest films of recent decades - and it's absolutely free to view. There's arguably no spy film series that surpasses James Bond in terms of action, charisma, and quintessential British humour. The franchise has become emblematic of British identity. Regardless of whether your preferred 007 is Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan, every fan was captivated by Daniel Craig's arrival as the films took on a more realistic, gritty, and darker tone compared to their light-hearted (and occasionally exaggerated) predecessors, reports the Express. Bond enthusiasts are in for another treat as his iconic debut, Casino Royale, widely regarded as one of the best Bond films ever made, will be available to watch on ITV tonight, free of charge. Scheduled to air from 8pm until 10.40pm, the film, based on Ian Fleming's inaugural Bond book, follows a newly-licensed 007 tasked with bankrupting a terrorist financier known as Le Chiffre during a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale. The ensuing narrative is a thrilling, action-filled plot culminating in a spectacular finale set in Venice and the Italian lakes. The film was a resounding success, earning an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and ranking fourth in the franchise, the highest rating for a Bond film not featuring Sean Connery. One satisfied viewer left a five-star Google Review, echoing the critic's sentiments: "A James Bond masterpiece... Casino Royale could hold the title of being the greatest James Bond film ever made!". "Like the 'Vesper Martini' it invents, the film is a rich, flavourful, and perfectly measured concoction that brings together every single right ingredient into a work of greatness!". Another viewer hailed it as the best film they had ever seen, commenting: "I've seen plenty of films of different types and genres, so this certainly isn't an 'apples-to-apples' comparison but nonetheless, Casino Royale is one of, if not, the greatest film I've seen in my life. "Daniel Craig begins his Bond franchise with a bang and as an incredible lead, obviously, but still, what truly makes this movie the most outstanding is all the other actors in combination."
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
State pension plan £580 a week and retirement age 60 in 'living wage' campaign
A petition to Parliament is demanding the state pension increase to the equivalent of 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage, which pays £12.21 an hour for workers Campaigners are rallying for a dramatic increase in the state pension to over £30,000 a year and a reduction in the age of eligibility to 60. A petition to Parliament is demanding that the state pension be equivalent to 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage, which currently stands at £12.21 an hour for workers aged over 21. The campaign also advocates for a significant reduction in the retirement age to 60 - the current state pension age is 66 for both men and women, and is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The petition implores: "We want the Government to make the state pension available from the age of 60 & increase this to equal 48hrs a week at the National Living Wage." Hence from April 2025 a universal state pension should be £586.08 per week or about £30,476.16 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above. "Such a hike would more than double the full new state pension rate, which currently stands at £230.25 a week, or £11,973 a year. The campaigners have also voiced concerns that the government intends to make the state pension system less petition states: "We think that government policy seems intent on the state pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. "We want reforms to the state pension, so that it is available to all including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security." If the petition garners 10,000 signatures, the government will be obliged to respond. If it reaches a whopping 100,000 supporters, the issue could be up for debate in Parliament, reports the Express. To qualify for the full new state pension, you generally need a record of 35 years of National Insurance contributions. The full basic state pension currently stands at £176.45 a week, and typically requires 30 years of contributions. Individuals can check their projected state pension using the state pension forecast tool on the government website. State pension payments see an annual increase each April, thanks to the triple lock policy, which determines the percentage increase for payment rates. The triple lock ensures a pay rise in line with the highest of either inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5 per cent. Based on recent figures, the earnings metric looks set to be the key determinant for next April's increase, standing at 5.3 per cent in the latest data. Inflation was recorded at 3.4 per cent for the year to May, a slight decrease from 3.5 per cent for the year to April.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Expert explains what to do in neighbour dispute over fence
Millions of Brits could be set for a summer of garden DIY - but one expert has warned that some of the most popular projects could land you with a hefty fine, or even a criminal record The scorching weather this week is bound to have millions of Brits flocking to their gardens. This might also involve sprucing up the space with additions like a new composite deck or patio, or paving over the front garden to make room for extra driveway space. However, one home improvement expert has sounded the alarm that some of these common garden upgrades could land you with a hefty fine, or, in severe cases, even a criminal record. Sean Bunyan, head of commercial operations at home improvement specialists Eurocell, explains how to beautify your garden while staying on the right side of the law and dodging fines of up to £20,000. Failing to erect your fencing at the correct height When putting up fencing, it's crucial to bear in mind the legal height limits. The maximum height for fencing is two metres, or 6ft 6ins. You can put up fencing taller than this limit, but you'll need to secure planning permission always, there are exceptions to the general rule, such as if you r proposed fence faces a road, path, or public bridleway. In this case, if the fence exceeds one metre in height, you'll also need planning permission. You'll also require planning permission if you reside in a conservation area or a listed building. Failure to obtain planning permission could set off a chain of events leading to a hefty fine of £20,000 or more. Sean Bunyan said: "While it might seem unreasonable to find yourself liable to pay a fine for improving your own garden space, rules around planning permission are in place for a reason. Nobody wants to be spoiling things for their neighbours, or undertaking risky projects that could cause longer-term issues down the road. "That being said, it is perfectly possible to undertake major gardening projects that don't require planning permission. Many garden rooms are built to conform to Permitted Development, and for many people, installing a composite deck below 30cm is no issue at all. Understanding permitted development. PD comes with several stringent requirements, such as height, area, proximity to your neighbours, and more. PD allows smaller-scale projects that meet specific criteria laid down by legislation. However, all projects must stick to the predefined rules, reports the Express. Factors like listed-building status, conservation areas, environmental impact or locations within an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) can override permitted development rights, necessitating planning permission. Height restrictions with decking. The same rule applies if you're planning to install decking that occupies 50% or more of your total garden area, be it in the front or back garden. There are also building regulations regarding the spacing of railings or balustrades, such as not allowing a sphere of 100mm to pass through the gaps between, or that the balustrade must be at least 900mm high if there is a drop of 600mm or more. Neglecting to obtain the necessary planning permission from the council could result in a hefty fine, or an enforcement notice demanding you to dismantle or downsize your new deck. Non-adherence to building regulations can lead to fines starting from £50 a day, though the severity of the fine can increase depending on whether you live in a protected area and the extent of work done. Raising or lowering your garden. However, it's not as simple as just bringing in the digger. Altering your garden's landscape could impact things like retaining walls, drainage, pipework or even your neighbour's property. It's always prudent to consult with your local planning authority before making any changes. They'll typically carry out checks to ensure that any work doesn't heighten the risk of flooding or negatively affect local ecology. Building a shed or garden room. In the majority of cases, around 90%, prefabricated garden rooms don't require planning permission. This is because they're crafted to meet building regulations and ensure the height adheres to Permitted Development rules. If your structure stands less than 2.4 metres tall and maintains a distance of one metre from any boundaries, you likely won't need planning permission. However, there are exceptions to this guideline, such as if you're erecting a garden room in front of the main face of a house, building within a conservation area or setting up a garden room on the premises of a listed building. It's always wise to verify whether you'll need planning permission prior to purchasing a garden room or shed. Should you go ahead without planning permission and later find out it was necessary, you can apply for retrospective approval. But be warned, the planning officer might ask you to alter your plans, even if construction is already finished. This could prove expensive. Furthermore, failing to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence, which could lead to potential prosecution. Creating extra driveway space. By law, you're only allowed to create a driveway where a dropped kerb already exists. If you lack a dropped kerb, you'll need to apply for one before commencing any additional work. The expense of dropping a kerb can also pose a challenge. Most individuals can anticipate spending between £1,500 and £3,000 just on lowering the kerb. The cost of obtaining a licence to drop the kerb hovers around £300, but if you enlist the services of a planning consultant, be prepared to shell out a few hundred quid more. Tack on extra labour costs and fees, and suddenly the expense of carving out a new parking spot can seem daunting. Allowing your hedge to grow too high Letting your hedge soar unchecked could lead to trouble, as could putting up fencing beyond the regulated height without permission. These are covered under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003? Part 8 of the act states it's the "homeowner's responsibility to keep their hedges maintained. If a neighbour takes issue, they can lodge a complaint with the local authority. If the local authority determines that the complainant's property has been adversely affected by the towering hedge, they can issue a formal notice and a fine of up to £1,000.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Martin Lewis issues urgent ATM alert to all Brits on holiday
The Money Saving Expert has warned holidaymakers to be wary of a certain charge if they are planning on withdrawing cash while abroad A finance guru has urged holidaying Brits to be vigilant of superfluous charges that could leave them out of pocket. MoneySavingExpert, Martin Lewis, has highlighted that withdrawing cash abroad might set you back as much as €7 per transaction. In an age where plastic and smartphone payments are soaring in popularity, many opt to travel light, sans cash. Yet, there remain situations abroad where hard currency proves essential. Accessing funds via foreign ATMs is usually straightforward, but here's the catch – hidden fees can accriliate on each withdrawal. On his highly acclaimed website Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis has shed light on these crafty extra costs. These fees are levied not for the currency exchange but merely for the service of obtaining your money. And these costs can fluctuate wildly between different machines. Martin cautioned: "Beware overseas ATM charges. Don't think they're all the same, and watch for scare tactics.", reports the Express. He notes the troubling trend of being charged by the machines themselves on foreign soil. "It's becoming more common for the actual cash machine to charge you when abroad. There's no way around this, but don't assume all ATMs charge the same." Martin recounted personal encounters with highly variable ATM fees from his travels. "A couple of years ago, I did a cash machine experiment when I was filming abroad, and as part of it, often found ATMs within 200m of each other with withdrawal fees ranging from €2 to €7," he declared. "While the €7 fee machines did sometimes offer better exchange rates, that's irrelevant, as you should SAY NO to the foreign bank doing the conversion - you want your UK card to do it (especially if you've a specialist card)." Do not heed the ATM's attempts to persuade you otherwise. Martin explained: "Foreign ATMs don't like that. They'll push and try to scare you to let them convert for you, with an 'are you sure?', or 'are you really sure?' if you select the option they don't want (as they make less money). "Yet still say no to currency conversion. Do that and the only thing that matters is the fee, so go for the cheapest one of those." However, his overall advice is to procure any necessary foreign currency before your trip. "In general, it's a safer bet to get cash beforehand, as you can research the very cheapest rates, but you're blind to what's out there, and especially in tourist resorts, you may find poor rates and limited competition," he concluded. "I'm not saying overseas bureaux can't undercut UK ones, but they'd need be very cheap to beat the UK's cheapest, and it'd be rare to randomly stumble on that. The exception is if you know of a specific super-cheap bureau, for example, you go to the same place every year. Then absolutely, if you know what you're doing, wait."
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I'm still reeling after watching the horror film everyone's talking about
28 Years Later is a sequel to the popular 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later films, and has left viewers terrified, shocked and confused - all in equal measure. When 28 Days Later first hit the screens in 2002, I was just six years old - far too young to appreciate the intense, psychological pseudo-zombie horror filled with sprinting infected spewing blood and driven by the Rage Virus. However, as a teenager, I developed a fascination for the film and its less acclaimed sequel, 28 Weeks Later - which, in my view, boasts the best opening scene of any zombie film ever. So, you can imagine my thrill when I learnt that director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland were returning in 2025 with the third chapter of the franchise, 28 Years Later. This sequel deviates significantly from the previous films, and personally, I think this is a positive move. In the film, 28 years have elapsed since the Rage virus ravaged the UK. Mainland Britain has been quarantined, leaving those outside the island to grapple with the hordes of infected who range from the typical sprinting zombies made famous in the initial films to the swollen bloated infected who drag themselves across the forest floor surviving on worms. The introduction of these infected is utterly terrifying - the foley sound effect of these corpse-like creatures slurping down worms will echo in my mind for weeks. There's also another new type of infected - an Alpha. This monstrous zombie appears capable of critical thinking, making him a formidable foe for the main protagonists - father and son duo Jamie and Spike, portrayed by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Alfie Williams respectively, reports the Express. When Jamie guides Spike from their fortified village on Lindisfarne, across the tidal causeway to the mainland, Spike gets a rapid initiation into zombie hunting and scavenging. Echoing its predecessors, 28 Years Later is as much about family and society as it is about zombies. The plot thickens when Spike learns of a mysterious doctor on the mainland, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, setting off an unparalleled hero's journey. In a desperate bid to find a cure for his mother Isla, brought to life by a brilliantly unhinged Jodie Comer, Spike leaves the safety of the village and his father's influence. He embarks on a perilous journey through the treacherous forest with his hallucinating mother, relentlessly chased by all three types of infected. The emotional bond between Spike and Isla was hidden in the film's promotional material, making its revelation a surprise that adds another layer of terror to the movie. Spike's commitment to finding a cure for his mother forms a central part of the storyline, ratcheting up the tension as the plot unfolds. In her lucid moments, Isla embodies the perfect mother - but she can also succumb to fits of rage and uncontrollable bleeding, eerily similar to the infected they are desperately trying to evade. The entire film is a thrilling ride, with the suspense barely easing off for a moment, culminating in the most unexpected and outlandish ending I've ever witnessed. Boyle and Gardener have already shot the next chapter of the series. 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple is slated for release in January next year, and I'll be there in the cinema on opening day. In conclusion, 28 Years Later is a brilliant extension of the franchise, and it's one of those films that has you insisting all your mates see it too, just so you can collectively ask 'what on earth was that?'.
