Guernsey’s Lee Merrien is in the form of this life as he prepares to try and qualify for the Olympics in Sunday’s London Marathon.
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Merrien in top form for Marathon
Any delay in reaching net zero will influence climate for centuries
Ice collapsing into the water at Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
R.M. Nunes/Alamy
Even a few years’ delay in reaching net-zero emissions will have repercussions for hundreds or even thousands of years, leading to warmer oceans, more extensive ice loss in Antarctica and higher temperatures around the world.
Nations around the world have collectively promised to prevent more than 2°C of global warming, a goal that can only be achieved by reaching net-zero emissions – effectively ending almost all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions – before the end of the century. But once that hugely challenging goal…
Russia denies Trump call urging restraint in Ukraine
The Kremlin has denied media reports that US President-elect Donald Trump held a call with Vladimir Putin, in which he is said to have warned the Russian president against escalating the war in Ukraine.
The call, which was first reported by the Washington Post on Sunday, is said to have happened on Thursday.
Trump is also reported to have mentioned America’s extensive military presence in Europe to Putin.
A Kremlin spokesperson said the reports were “pure fiction”, while Trump’s team told the BBC that it would not comment on the president-elect’s “private calls”.
Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung told the BBC: “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.”
But he said leaders had begun the process of contacting the president-elect.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied a conversation had taken place.
“This is completely untrue, it is pure fiction. That is, this is simply false information. There was no conversation,” Peskov said.
Trump has promised to end the nearly three-year long war in Ukraine, but has yet to outline how he intends to do so.
A former adviser to the Trump campaign, Bryan Lanza, on Saturday told the BBC the incoming administration would focus on achieving peace in Ukraine rather than enabling the country to gain back occupied territory.
A spokesperson for Trump distanced the incoming president from the remarks, saying Mr Lanza “does not speak for him”.
Zelensky has previously warned against conceding land to Russia and has said that without US aid, Ukraine would lose the war.
While Peskov on Sunday spoke to Russian state media of “positive” signals from the incoming US administration, others say they trust the future president will not abandon Ukraine.
They include John Healey, the British defence secretary, who said he expected the US “to remain alongside allies like the UK, standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes to prevail over Putin’s invasion”.
On Sunday, during a visit to Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that any end to the war needed to be sustainable.
“This is a warning for the ones who say, this war has to end, so let’s finish it as soon as possible no matter how. How matters,” he said.
In Washington, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said outgoing president Joe Biden would make the case to Trump that walking away from Ukraine would mean greater instability in Europe.
On Monday, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, warned that Putin could take advantage of the US post-election transition period to press Moscow’s advantage in Ukraine.
Urging Berlin and fellow European Union member states to increase aid to Kyiv, she said: “We don’t have time to wait until spring. Now is the transition phase that Putin has been waiting for and aiming for.”
Last week, Russia and Ukraine launched their largest drone attacks since the start of the war.
Russia’s defence ministry said it intercepted 84 Ukrainian drones over six regions, including some approaching Moscow, which forced flights to be diverted from three of the capital’s major airports.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 145 drones towards every part of the country on Saturday night, with most shot down.
On Monday, at least six people were killed and 21 others injured in Ukraine following the latest series of air strikes by Russia.
Russia, meanwhile, said it had destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones near the western regions of Kursk and Belgorod. It reported no deaths.
“Every day, every night, Russia unleashes the same terror,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter following Monday’s strike.
“More and more civilian sites are being targeted. Russia only wants to continue the war, and each of its strikes negates any claims of diplomacy from Russia.”
Zelensky asked for “stronger global support” and more weapons to stop Russian aggression.
Meanwhile, reports of Russian advances in Ukraine continue. Moscow’s defence ministry said on Monday that its forces had captured the village of Kolisnykivka in the Kharkiv region.
Russian territorial gains in October were the largest since March 2022, according to analysis of Institute for the Study of War data by the AFP news agency.
Hospitality workers’ jobs threatened by Budget, bosses warn
Getty ImagesTop pub and restaurant bosses have warned the chancellor that tax rises in last month’s Budget will “unquestionably” cause closures and job losses.
In a letter, more than 200 signatories have said the hospitality industry is disproportionately impacted by an “unsustainable” hike in the amount employers pay in National Insurance contributions (NICs).
It adds that businesses have “no capacity to pass the costs onto customers”, which would instead lead to job cuts and closures of smaller firms.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that her National Insurance changes for businesses will generate £25bn, which would aid funding of public services, such as the NHS.
From April, the rate employers pay in National Insurance will rise from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold at which they start paying the tax on each employee’s salary will be reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000.
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the changes had been designed in a way “that tried to limit the extra cost on small business”.
Signatories of the letter include Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, the bosses of pub firms Fuller’s and Stonegate Group, and Premier Inn’s owner, Whitbread.
They are supported by a further 209 businesses, together employing tens of thousands of people across the UK.
According to the letter, the cost increases will cause jobs to be “drastically” cut and hours to be reduced for workers.
Ms Nicholls told the BBC that firms in the industry facing these “tough decisions” may also reconsider investing.
“We understand that the government has a tough job to do,” she said, but urged politicians to “have a rethink”.
Jones said that the government would not reassess the plan, and that many employers would pay the same in NI contributions as they do now, or less.
“I think the public would recognise that bigger businesses are able to burden some of the contributions that we need to make to the state.
“Getting the NHS back on its feet so workers who are off sick can get back to work is probably something that we’d say we’d all benefit from,” he added.
Impact on lower earners
The letter from industry bosses suggests that changes in the NICs threshold are “regressive in their impact on lower earners and will impact flexible working practices which many older workers and parents rely upon”.
The signatories are calling for the government to consider one of two measures to “protect businesses who employ low earners” to mitigate the impact.
Suggested measures are a new employer NICs band which would apply between £5,000 and £9,100 at a lower rate of 5%, or implementing an exemption for taxpayers working fewer than 20 hours per week.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has calculated that three quarters of the impact of the NI changes will be felt by employees as bosses hold back on pay rises and hiring in the face of higher wage bills.
During a select committee hearing on Tuesday, the OBR’s Prof David Miles said it was “very plausible” this would disproportionately affect lower-paid workers.
The changes set out in the Budget are, however, predicted to raise some £25bn a year, making it one of the biggest single tax-raising measures in history.
The chancellor has previously said that she was not immune to “criticism” over the move, but has argued that it will put public finances on a “firm footing”.
The hospitality industry’s letter follows on from big British supermarkets such as M&S and Sainsbury’s hinting that they may put up prices in a bid to offset higher wage bills.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said on Thursday that the NI changes would cost the business around £140m – a sum which does not include the increases to minimum wage.
The boss of Wetherspoons also said earlier this week that following the Budget, taxes and business costs were “expected to increase by approximately £60m”.
Its chairman said that he believed many food and drink businesses planned to pass costs on to customers.
Amid criticism from the hospitality sector, Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil pension reforms this week which are intended to channel money into private businesses and infrastructure.
At her first Mansion House speech in the City of London, Reeves will pitch “growth brought by unlocking private sector investment, including in our financial services industry, and growth brought about by reform – both of our economy and of our public services”.
Eight bits of gossip from MTV Europe awards
ReutersThe MTV Awards came to Manchester for the first time in their 30-year history on Sunday night, but somehow didn’t feel very Mancunian.
There was no sign of Take That or Aitch, or Liam Gallagher – even though he won best rock star.
Organisers made a few subtle nods to the city: The stage was framed in the black and yellow stripes of Factory Records, and New Order’s Blue Monday pumped through the speakers every time nominees were announced.
But the show took a more global perspective, highlighting acts from Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and America – including a predictable victory for Taylor Swift in the night’s two biggest categories, best artist and video of the year.
She only appeared by video, choosing instead to spend the night watching her boyfriend, American Football player Travis Kelce, lead the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the Denver Broncos.
But there were plenty of other stars at the show and on the red carpet. Here’s some of the gossip we picked up along the way.
1) Raye gave an update on her missing song books
PA MediaTwo weeks ago, Raye told fans her second album had been delayed by thieves who stole her car and, with it, several notebooks full of lyrics and song ideas.
On the red carpet, she confirmed the police hadn’t been able to track them down, saying: “I’ve just had to let it go.”
The singer said she couldn’t recreate a lot of the ideas, because the act of writing them down freed her mind to work on other things.
“You let it go, because you think you can come back to it – and now there are so many ideas that are just gone. It’s so sad.”
But the singer, who won best UK artist, maintained a positive outlook.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’ll have to start again and maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.”
2) Busta Rhymes revealed his unlikely comedy hero
ReutersThe decision to bring rap legend Busta Rhymes to Manchester to receive a global icon award wasn’t as random as it sounded.
Before he developed his rapid-fire rap delivery, an 11-year-old Rhymes spent two summers living with his Aunt Velma in Morecambe.
“I went to karate school, and we illegally went into nightclubs, to make a little money break-dancing,” he told us.
“I remember Boy George was cool, Wham was cool,” he continued.
“But our favourite was Benny Hill. Benny Hill is still our favourite to this day. I don’t think anybody has as ever been as funny or as charismatic as Benny Hill.”
So, during those halcyon days of watching smutty comedy in Morecambe, did he ever think he’d be back, winning a lifetime achievement prize?
“You can never foresee something like that,” he said. “When we first got involved with hip-hop, we didn’t do it for none of the accolades. We just did it because we loved it.
“But with that being said, tonight is a dream come true.”
To honour that moment, he gave a nine-minute acceptance speech thanking everyone from his mother to an art teacher he’d met backstage.
“I’ve never got an award from MTV before. Thirty four years of professionally recording [and] this is the first time I’m getting an award from MTV. It feels incredible.”
3) Olly Alexander had advice for next year’s Eurovision contestant
ReutersOlly Alexander played a pre-show party on Saturday night, and couldn’t quite believe the reception for Dizzy – the song which earned him 18th place at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
“That went down a lot better than it did in Eurovision,” he laughed, shortly before Jedward invaded the stage and caused utter chaos.
At the main ceremony, Alexander was there to award song of the year to Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso. But he also had a few words for anyone considering representing the UK at next year’s contest.
“I would say to them, whoever it is, ‘Call me, and we will have a serious conversation about it’,” he said with the haunted look of a man who has seen some things.
4) Benson Boone has a new fan: Bez
ReutersIn addition to winning best new artist, US singer Benson Boone opened the ceremony with a spectacular performance that saw him suspended mid-air on a grand piano, before pulling off a spectacular front flip from a platform at the side of the stage.
“The insurance is always crazy,” he laughed, “but I love to perform.”
One person who couldn’t believe his eyes was Happy Mondays star Bez, who accosted Boone during an interview with Rita Ora.
“I was so blown away by that performance, mate,” he told the singer.
“When you came down on that shiny piano, I thought, ‘Elton John is going to be so gutted.'”
5) Le Sserafim escaped to Manchester’s Christmas market
Yunjin / InstagramManchester is home to the UK’s biggest K-Pop shop and, on Sunday morning, the staff couldn’t quite believe one of the genre’s biggest girl bands had landed in their city.
“Le Sserafim were posting pictures from the Christmas market,” one of them told me. “That’s only five minutes from here!”
The five-piece, who’ve been setting chart records over in the US, jetted in for their first-ever UK performance, a mash-up of Chasing Lightning and the 90s house banger Crazy.
But they were more excited to be out on the town without being mobbed.
“It was so good, we had baklava!” enthused singer Huh Yun-Jin; while her bandmate Sakura tucked into a portion of fish and chips.
“It was my first time,” she said. “I loved it.”
On stage at the EMAs, the band got one of the biggest screams of the night, despite being relatively unknown in the UK… for now.
“Coming to Europe is something that we’ve always dreamt of, so this is absolutely surreal,” said Yun-Jin. “We just want to make a good impression.”
Mission accomplished.
6) Jedward spent two hours on the red carpet
ReutersFor absolutely no reason at all, Jedward went on a massive charm offensive for the international press.
“Oasis are back and Jedward are back!” they declared, before racing over to baffled German and French journalists, while singing Stop Crying Your Heart Out.
This went on for two deliriously brilliant hours, as the twins, who found fame on The X Factor 15 years ago, insisted that “a lot of artists have been inspired by Jedward”.
And, to be fair, they have proof. Mercury Prize nominee CMAT recently said the brothers had encouraged her to finish her second album, with a motivational voice message.
“You have to think about it, in life,” explained John.
“Don’t always think you’re the main character. Reach out to other people. Serve that tennis ball and see what they do.”
“It’s always about keeping that spark alive,” added Edward. “We’re like a support animal for all the artists.”
They were, to be honest, an absolute blast.
7) The Liam Payne tribute was perfectly judged
Liam Payne won 12 MTV EMAs during his time in One Direction, and later used the ceremony to launch his solo career, performing his global smash hit Strip That Down at the 2017 ceremony.
It was only fitting that the event marked his death – but striking the right tone in the middle of a huge showbiz event is never easy.
In the end, his friend and collaborator Rita Ora just spoke from the heart.
“There were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him,” she said. “But sometimes simply speaking is enough.”
Addressing the camera directly, she shared her memories of the 31-year-old, as her voice cracked.
“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew,” she said. “He brought so much joy to every room he walked into. And he left such a mark on this world.”
It was sombre and restrained, yet powerfully emotional. Ora wasn’t the only one crying.
8) Tyla paid tribute to Aaliyah
PA / Getty ImagesSouth African star Tyla, best known for her viral hit Water, clinched both the best R&B and best Afrobeats awards.
The awards marked her continued ascent, after being named one of the BBC’s Sounds of 2024 – but she made sure to honour her inspirations.
On the red carpet, she rocked a vintage Roberto Cavalli dress with a turquoise blue zebra print.
The exact same dress had previously been worn by US rapper Eve at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.
And R&B legend Aaliyah wore a canary yellow version at the 2000 MTV Awards, where she won best female video for Try Again.
The ceremony took place in September 2000, less than a year before Aaliyah’s tragic death in an plane accident.
The singer was just 22 at the time – the same age that Tyla is now.