18 hours agoNew York StateComments Off on Will ministers EVER understand the harm being caused by them taking the public for fools?
Truth and lies
WILL those ministers and officials running our public bodies ever understand the harm which is being caused by them taking the public for fools?
Left-wing ideology has infected the civil service so much that anyone questioning the wisdom of allowing millions to arrive from overseas is automatically considered a “far right” threat by the Prevent programme.
GettySome 70 per cent of those illegally arriving here by dinghy are men, many of them economic migrants[/caption]
Yet — far from correcting the record — Downing Street tried to shut up shop.
The reality?
Some 70 per cent of those illegally arriving here by dinghy are men, many of them economic migrants.
The overwhelming majority of Brits are decent, tolerant and warmly welcoming people.
Those in charge would do well to treat them as such.
Not seek to suppress debate or massage away uncomfortable truths.
A just mission
ISRAEL was entirely justified in launching its surgical strikes on rogue terror-state Iran.
The mad mullahs in Tehran are hell-bent on developing nukes and then wiping out Israel.
Iran — bank-rolling both Hamas and Hezbollah — has repeatedly failed to comply with the UN on its uranium enrichment programme. And ignored Donald Trump’s ultimatums to stop.
How else was Israel supposed to react to this intolerable situation?
18 hours agoNew York StateComments Off on Incredible rise of Luke Littler from £2m winnings, record world title and MBE – one of eight darts stars to get honour
FROM Alexandra Palace to the Royal Palaces, what an extraordinary ride it has been for Luke Littler.
Two years ago, he was just a normal, kebab-eating kid from Warrington who dreamt of one day making money from darts.
GettyLuke Littler has risen to the top of darts in a rapid rise[/caption]
PAHe became world champion in January[/caption]
What has happened since is one of the most sensational stories in British sport.
It is not often Littler swaps his darts shirts for a suit but, at 18 years old, he is one of the youngest people to be bestowed a gong by the Royal Family.
Sixteen-time world champ Phil Taylor had been set to receive an MBE in 2001.
But his nomination was annulled after a controversial court case saw him found guilty of assaulting two female fans in the back of his camper van and fined £2,000.
BooHooLuke has a deal with boohooMAN[/caption]
He is also a multiple world-record holderHe will appear on Gogglebox alongside AngryGinge
Barry Hearn, the promotion mastermind behind darts’ global rise, got an MBE in December 2021 and pins it to his cricket bat when he plays for Essex over-70s.
And Deta Hedman is set to receive an OBE, having won world ranking titles in each of the five previous decades.
Honours committees have tended to be snobbish towards working-class sports like darts and snooker.
But with Littler’s five major titles, added to eight for Humphries — and two PDC world crowns between them — there is no denying their incredible impact.
Particularly Littler. Grown men wear his shirts, emblazoned with his nickname The Nuke, while magnetic dartboards with his face on them sold out.
As an amateur, he reached the Ally Pally world final — aged 16 — losing to world No .1 Humphries.
Littler has been a credit to the sport, constantly polite and co-operative with the press, the PDC and their sponsors.
This kid from humble stock — his dad was a taxi driver, his mum worked in a Yankee Candle shop — now joins the establishment.
Who knows, maybe one day he will work his way all the way up to a knighthood?
Sir Luke Littler? That really does hit the bullseye.
What the Lukes said on their MBEs
Here are the reactions of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries on being awarded MBEs...
Luke Littler said: “This is an amazing and unexpected honour but one which I am very grateful for.
“To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible, and it is a proud moment.
“It’s unbelievable what I’ve done for my sport; I’m happy, my family is happy and I can’t wait to receive it.
“Congratulations to Luke Humphries on receiving an MBE too – he’s a fantastic ambassador for darts, and although he’s a rival, I can’t wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend.”
Humphries said: “I’m extremely honoured and delighted to be receiving an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to darts.
“To be recognised by the King for what I have achieved, and also for my contribution to playing in and promoting the sport that I love, is something that I never thought possible, but I’m very grateful that it has become a reality.
“I have enjoyed the highest of highs in darts in becoming world number one and winning the biggest tournaments that the game has to offer, but to be awarded the MBE will rank alongside any of those achievements.
“I have to give a massive thanks to my fiancée Kayley, and my family, particularly my mum and dad, who have been a constant source of support over the years and helped make me the person that I am today.
“To say that I’m looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace is an understatement. To receive the MBE there with my family with me is something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
“I’ll continue to be a good ambassador for darts, and help pave the way for future generations to be involved and succeed in a sport that has given so much to me.”
18 hours agoNew York StateComments Off on Darts ace Luke Littler bags huge gong in King’s Birthday Honours alongside Strictly pair, Hollywood icon & ex-Towie star
DARTS world champion Luke “The Nuke” Littler has been made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
AlamyDarts world champion Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has been made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours at just 17 years of age[/caption]
He has raised the sport’s profile with millions of youngsters.
Slow Horses star Gary Oldman, 67, is given a knighthood recognising his incredible career in TV and films.
Here’s how the awards were divided up among the wider spectrum of British life, from sport to showbiz and business…
SPORT
Darts champs given MBEs
GettyLuke became the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days in January[/caption]
ReutersFellow darts champ Luke Humphries, 30, has also bagged an MBE[/caption]
DARTS is celebrating a double top in the King’s Birthday Honours after world champion Luke Littler and Humphries become MBEs.
The arrows aces — more used to Ally Pally than Buckingham Palace — have massively boosted the sport’s profile.
Kebab fan Luke “The Nuke” Littler, 18, became the youngest world champion at 17 years and 347 days in January.
Humphries, 30, pipped him in the 2024 PDC final.
Deta Hedman, the first black woman to play at the worlds in 2020 and who has won titles in each of the past five decades, is an OBE.
BBCStrictly hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman — favourites of Queen Camilla — get MBEs[/caption]
APSlow Horses star Gary Oldman, who plays sharp-minded spymaster Jackson Lamb, is knighted[/caption]
PALove Island’s Georgia Harrison is made an MBE for her fight against violence to women — after ex Stephen Bear was jailed for revenge porn[/caption]
ACTOR Gary Oldman who plays the shambling but razor-sharp spy boss in Slow Horses is knighted.
The Londoner, 67, was the only major-category Oscar winner yet to be honoured.
Angel of the North sculptor Sir Antony Gormley is a Companion of Honour.
Three family members receive British Empire Medals for Calum’s Cabin, a charity which provides holiday homes for children facing cancer.
Actress Samantha Morton gets an OBEGettyEastEnders icon Anita Dobson also receives an OBEPAThe Who rocker Roger Daltrey is knighted for his work with the Teenage Cancer TrustPAAngel of the North sculptor Sir Antony Gormley is a Companion of HonourGetty
Duncan Caroline and Jenna Speirs, from Bute, Scotland, said the idea was started by Calum, Jenna’s twin, who had an inoperable brain tumour at 12 and died in 2006.
Jenna said: “Calum spoke to children who’d never seen the sea, or been on a ferry.
“It’s special for us to be honoured together.”
Alison Magdin and daughter Carly Barrett who have fought to end knife crime in the North East, following the death of their daughter and sister Samantha, get MBEs.
The youngest Honours recipient is 11-year-old Carmela Chillery-Watson MBE, who fundraises despite a life-limiting muscle-wasting condition.
Arthur Edwards / The SunWar hero Geoff Roberts, 99, who survived the ill-fated Battle of Arnhem in 1944, is made an MBE after decades of returning to honour fallen comrades[/caption]
Every time, he has visited the graves of his two best pals who took part in the nine-day airborne invasion immortalised in the film A Bridge Too Far.
He was the only survivor last year from the 3,500 who took part who was fit enough to return.
Geoff, a Private in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, said: “We failed, and the people of Arnhem paid a heavy price for us trying to liberate them — but they’re still thanking us after all this time.”
Geoff, of Peterborough, received his gong for services to the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem and to charity.
Director general Philip Douglas becomes a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), given to the military and civil service figures.
The honours also include a damehood for former MP and Leader of the House of CommonsPenny Mordaunt, who had a key role in the King’s coronation when she presented the Sword of State to the monarch.
The former Defence Secretary said it was “lovely to be appreciated in this way”.
One of the most famous and successful footballers of all-time, the former England captain is honoured for his services to sport and charity.
Among the other sporting names honoured this year are Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade and Darts superstar Luke Littler.
‘Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour,’ Beckham, 50, said.
‘To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.
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‘Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation.
‘I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.
Beckham, right, began his career as part of Manchester United’s Class of 92 (Photo: Getty)
‘It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.’
David Beckham’s football career and charity work
A member of the famous Class of 92, Beckham lifted 12 trophies with Manchester United, playing a key role as they won the Champions League in 1999 to complete the treble.
‘All of us at Manchester United offer our warm congratulations to David Beckham on this richly-deserved honour,’ the club said in a statement.
David Beckham major trophies
Man Utd – Premier League x6, FA Cup x2, Champions League, Charity Shield x2, Intercontinental Cup
Real Madrid – La Liga, Spanish Super Cup
LA Galaxy – MLS Cup x2, Supporters’ Shield x2
PSG – Ligue 1
‘In the three and a half decades since he joined our academy as a 14-year-old, David has established himself as not only an indelible legend of this football club, but as a wonderful ambassador for the English game as a whole.
‘David, we salute your achievements and thank you for your tremendous contribution to Manchester United.’
The attacking midfielder made his England debut in 1996 but became public enemy No.1 at the World Cup two years later after getting sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone as the Three Lions exited on penalties in the last 16.
He bounced back and was made captain by Sven-Goran Eriksson, but while he could not help his country win silverware, he produced many magic moments including a sensational free-kick against Greece that booked England’s place at the 2002 World Cup.
After further success at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham retired in 2013 and has since become the founder and co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami, whose signing of Lionel Messi has made them one of the world’s most internationally recognised clubs.
Thanks in part to his marriage to Spice Girl Victoria, Beckham’s fame transcended football, while away from the pitch he has been a global ambassador for UNICEF since 2005, and last year became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.
Beckham has been a global ambassador for UNICEF since 2005 (Photo: Getty)
Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK chief executive, said the charity was ‘thrilled’ by Beckham’s knighthood: ‘David has done an incredible amount to advocate for children’s rights over the last 20 years.
‘He’s travelled extensively to see UNICEF’s work and used his profile to raise awareness, as well as support our flagship fundraising campaign Soccer Aid for UNICEF and launch global fundraising appeals.
‘We are grateful for all of his support that has done a huge amount to amplify the voices of children around the world.’
Other sports stars recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have both been made an MBE (Photo: Getty)
Among the other sporting names listed in the King’s Birthday Honours is Virginia Wade, who won three major tennis singles championships, including Wimbledon in 1977, who becomes a CBE.
World No.1 Luke Humphries and world champion Luke Littler, who are currently representing England at the World Cup of Darts, have both been made an MBE.
Two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee has been made an OBE, as has Monica Vaughan, a 10-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist, and former England pace bowler Devon Malcolm.
Oldham secured their return to the English Football League earlier this month and its owner Frank Rothwell has become an OBE for services to dementia research.
Former Lioness and Euro 2022 champion Rachel Daly and 17-time wheelchair tennis grand slam champion Andy Lapthorne become MBEs.
Notable sports stars recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Knighthood
David Beckham, Football
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
United have also been in advanced talks to sign Mbeumo but so far they have been unable to reach an agreement with Brentford over a fee for the Cameroon international.
It’s understood that United’s initial offer for Mbeumo worth £55m after add-ons was rejected by Brentford last week.
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The Mirror are now reporting that Spurs have entered the running to sign Mbeumo following Thomas Frank’s arrival at the north London club this week and a £70m bid worth £65m plus £5m in add-ons has been submitted to Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo scored 20 goals in the Premier League this season (Getty)
Spurs could also have an advantage with Frank having worked extensively alongside Mbeumo at Brentford for the past six seasons.
But Sky Sports report that Mbeumo would still prefer a move to United having already given an indication at the start of this month that Old Trafford is his first-choice destination.
The report adds that Tottenham are not completely out of the running with Mbeumo ‘more intrigued’ by a move to Spurs after their decision to replace Ange Postecoglou with Frank.
It’s understood that Brentford have been holding out for at least £60m for the 25-year-old, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League this season.
Spurs, meanwhile, are considering a move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo as an alternative option to Mbeumo.
