7 days agoNew York StateComments Off on Zelensky jetting into Saudi Arabia ahead of crunch US-Ukraine war talks as Trump says it’s going to be ‘very big week’
epa11944182 Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky walks in a EU headquarters corridor after his meeting with France’s president, on the sidelines of the Special European Council to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defence, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 06 March 2025. European Union leaders held emergency talks in Brussels, gathering as the Trump administration upends traditional alliances and retracts wartime backing of Ukraine. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL
UKRAINE’S hero war leader Volodymyr Zelensky is jetting into Saudi Arabia today ahead of crunch talks with the US.
Zelensky will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Kyiv’s team prepares for a showdown with US officials on Tuesday.
Neither Zelensky nor Trump are expected to attend the talks as the US tries to play peacemaker between Ukraine and Russia.
Talks between the two sides have been stormy – with the US President saying he finds Russia easier to deal with.
SBK are celebrating the Cheltenham Festival in style with a fantastic welcome offer for brand new customers.
New SBK punters who sign-up and stake a tenner on horse racing will receive a bumper £40 in free bets to spend on the four-day festival, which kick-starts on Tuesday, March 11th.
Simply register an account with SBK and stake a tenner on anything at odds of Evens or greater.
Once that initial bet has settled – win or lose – you’ll receive the full £40 welcome bonus!
A £10 Free Bet will be credited to your account. A further £10 Free Bet, a £5 Horse Racing Free Bet and a £5 Football Bet Builder Free Bet will be credited after 24 hours
A further £10 Free bet will be credited 48 hours after the qualifying bet has been settled.
*New UK customers only. Min £10 first deposit using Debit Card or Bank Transfer. Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 2.0 and get a £10 Multiple token upon settlement. A £10 Multiple token, a £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 24 hours. A further £10 Multiple token will be credited 48 hours after the qualifying bet has been settled. Full T&Cs apply, 18+. BeGambleAware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
*Offer valid for new Betgoodwin customers 18+. 50% of first day losses refunded as free bet. Max free bet per customer £25. Min. 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. Free bets non withdrawable. Free bets to be credited within 24 hours. Betgoodwin Terms and Conditions apply.
7 days agoNew York StateComments Off on Major supermarkets slash prices of sweet treats to as little as 30p
SUPERMARKETS have slashed the price on a range of sweet treats to help households celebrate a major event,
Major supermarkets are rolling out unbeatable offers on chocolates and sweet treats, that families can mark the occasion of Ramadan without breaking the bank.
Shoppers can land huge savings as major supermarkets lower prices for Ramadan
Ramadan is an important month in the muslim calendar.
This year, it began on February 28 and is expected to last 29 to 30 days.
During the month, muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.
At the end of the daily fast – when the sun has gone down – families and friends will get together to break their fast, often starting with water and dates.
It is common for families to host dinners in the evening and spend time with loved ones.
As millions across the UK mark Ramadan 2025, supermarkets have rolled out incredible deals on sweet treats, dates and chocolates to help families celebrate on a budget.
From indulgent chocolate boxes to discounted dates, we’ve scoured the aisles of big supermarkets including Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda to bring you the best bargains.
Here’s what’s on offer…
ASDA
Asda is a favourite for budget-conscious shoppers, with rollback deals and multi-buy offers on chocolates and sweet treats.
Here are some highlights:
Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bar (360g) – £2.50 (was £3.50)
Galaxy Smooth Milk Chocolate Bar (360g) – £2.50 (was £3.50)
The supermarket is offering some of the cheapest dates around. As well as the 1kg pack, you can also get a 450g pack for £2.23 down from £2.50.
It is also offering great savings on cooking essentials this month.
An Asda spokesperson said: “As many families continue to feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, we recognise the importance of making savings before key events such as Ramadan and Eid.
“We’re also incredibly proud of the variety and quality of the products available for customers looking to stock up ahead of Ramadan, and our dedicated aisles and front-of-store zones make it convenient and stress-free for shoppers to pick up everything they need.”
Offers on Ramadan groceries are now live in stores and online. These deals run until March 30, so stock up while you can.
SAINSBURY’S
Sainsbury’s is offering exclusive discounts for its Nectar cardholders, making it a top pick for Ramadan shoppers.
Morrisons has slashed prices by up to 60% on some Ramadan favourites. For example:
Tunisian Dates (200g) – 2 for £1 (was £2.50)
Tunisian Dates (2kg) – £4.75 (was £7.50, limited availability
Rubicon Mango (24x330ml) – £8 (was £9.50)
Rubicon Mango 1L (4x1L) – £4.50 (was £6)
Irn Bru – buy any two cases for £7
KitKat multipack £1.40 (was £2.20).
It is also offering a great price on dates with up to 60% off.
There is also 25% off Rubicon products.
How to save big on your grocery shop
While supermarkets are rolling out hot deals for Ramadan, there are even more ways to slash your grocery bill and make your money go further.
From food waste apps to yellow sticker bargains, there are a number of ways to cut costs.
Many retailers sell slightly misshapen or surplus produce at a fraction of the price, helping you save while reducing food waste.
Lidl’s Waste Not Scheme offers 5kg of fruit and veg for just £1.50, while Aldi’s Too Good to Go bags let you grab £10 worth of groceries for £3.30.
Sainsbury’s also has “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” boxes for £2, packed with surplus food perfect for Iftar meals.
These deals are ideal for stocking up on ingredients without breaking the bank.
Yellow sticker discounts are a tried-and-tested way to save big. Supermarkets reduce prices on items nearing their sell-by date throughout the day, with the steepest discounts usually in the evening.
It’s worth checking your local store’s reduction times – some start as early as 5pm, while others wait until closer to closing.
Whether it’s bread, meat, or ready meals, yellow sticker bargains are perfect for Iftar meals that can be frozen or cooked straight away.
Bargain hunter communities on Facebook are another goldmine for savvy shoppers. Groups like Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK are packed with members sharing the latest deals, discounts, and tips.
From flash sales to clearance items, these groups are like having a team of personal shoppers working to save you money.
Members often share insider info on when and where to find the best deals, so it’s worth joining a few to stay in the loop.
Switching to own-brand products is another simple way to save hundreds of pounds a year.
Known as “downshifting,” this strategy is championed by money-saving expert Martin Lewis.
Many own-brand products are just as good as big-name brands but cost significantly less.
For example, swapping branded rice, oil, and tinned goods for supermarket alternatives can make a huge difference to your grocery bill without compromising on quality.
Ramadan is a good time to stock up on essentials like rice, oil, and dates.
Buying in bulk often works out cheaper per unit, and many supermarkets offer extra discounts for larger packs.
Stores like Asda, Morrisons, and Tesco frequently have bulk-buy savings on Ramadan staples, so it’s worth planning ahead and stocking up.
Finally, don’t forget to sign up for supermarket loyalty schemes like Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury’s Nectar.
These schemes offer exclusive discounts and points that can be redeemed for cash off your shop. Using your points during Ramadan can help you save even more on Iftar essentials and Eid treats.
With these tips, you can slash your grocery bill and make your Ramadan budget stretch further.
From food waste apps to yellow sticker bargains, there are plenty of ways to save without sacrificing quality.
So, get shopping, save big, and enjoy a happy Ramadan with your loved ones.
How to save money on chocolate
We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
7 days agoNew York StateComments Off on Urgent warning for anyone married or with kids to make vital check this month
PARENTS and married couples are being urged to make a vital check this month.
A host of charities are encouraging anyone who hasn’t written a will yet to get one set up as part of Free Wills Month.
GettyA will dictates what will happen to your estate when you die[/caption]
Wills lay out what you want to happen to your property, money and belongings after you die.
Pass away without one and it could leave your next of kin wrangling with bundles of paperwork and lead to other major complications.
However, recent research from Legal and General has revealed over half of UK adults haven’t written a will and 30% of those aged over 55 don’t have one.
Through Free Wills Month, those aged 55 and over can have a simple will written up or an existing one updated at no cost.
You just have to find a solicitor near you who is part of the campaign and they will carry out the next steps.
There’s a form you need to fill in via www.freewillsmonth.org.uk and then request an appointment.
Any appointments are face to face, but you may be offered a remote meeting depending on the solicitor.
If you are in a couple and looking to have a “mirror” will written up, you can get a free appointment if one of you is 55 or older.
What is a will and why is it important?
A will is a legal document that states how you want your assets and possessions distributed after you die.
You have to choose an executor when writing a will – this is the person that will carry out its wishes.
There are a number of reasons writing a will is important, the main one being that it means you can decide how your estate will be divided to your exact wishes.
You can also specify within a will who becomes legal guardian for any children you have under 18 if you die.
If you die without a will, you are classed as having died “intestate” and your estate is subject to preexisting intestacy laws.
If you have no surviving relatives who can inherit your estate, it is passed to the Crown who decides what to do with it.
How to make a will
These are the five steps you should follow when deciding how to distribute your estate, according to Legal and General:
Get your estate valued – work out your total assets, such as your property, savings and investments, as well as your debts like outstanding mortgages, credit card loans and bank overdrafts.
Divide your estate – you then need to figure out who will get a share of your estate, and how much.
Choose your executors – this is the person that has to carry out the wishes of your will.
Write your will – at this stage, you’re ready to finalise the will in writing.
Sign and store your will – in England and Wales, a valid will must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses. You will then need to store the will, either at home or safely with the Probate Service, solicitors or bank.
If you die with surviving relatives but no will, it can lead to your children or grandchildren receiving nothing.
Unmarried couples or those not in a civil partnership can suffer if there is no will in place too.
For example, if your partner dies and you don’t have one written up, you won’t be automatically entitled to anything.
The same applies if your relationship to the deceased was that of a friend, carer or relative by marriage.
How to write a will
You can get help writing a will through campaigns like Free Wills Month, which runs in March and October each year.
Or, if you’re younger than 55 and want to get started now, you can pay to have one written up.
What you have to pay depends on the complexity of your will, but prices range between £150 and £500.
For a will to be legally valid you must be 18 or over, make it in writing, be of “sound mind” and sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who are both over 18). These two witnesses also have to sign the will.
You can pay a solicitor to help you write up a will.
You can find one near you by visiting the following link: www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/find-a-local-will-probate-solicitor.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
