New Delhi, Feb 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has announced that Terminal 2 (T2) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be temporarily closed for four to five months starting from...
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Mik Thongraya, also known as Mik Hansen, is a Thai-Danish actor and model affiliated with Channel 7 in Thailand. He…
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The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will scrap an “unfair” benefit scheme that left thousands of renters short of cash.
Ministers have confirmed a computer programme that automatically approves landlords requests to deduct hundreds of pounds from their lodgers benefits will be stopped.
Last month, a judge ruled the process, which is used by the DWP to process requests from landlords, was unlawful.
The case was brought by Nathan Roberts, a law graduate, who found £500 missing from his Universal Credit after his landlord requested the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deduct rent and alleged arrears.
Money can be deducted from a person’s Universal Credit to help them meet any rent or debt repayments.
The amounts are taken from a claimant’s standard allowance each month until the debt is fully paid back.
However, Roberts was already in a dispute with his landlord over repairs, and had an agreed a date he would move out of the property.
He argued that the DWP should have consulted him before taking his money.
At the time Mr Justice Fordham, presiding over the case, deemed this process unfair and unlawful.
He said that DWP’s automated system allowed landlords to deduct up to 20% of a tenant’s standard allowance without any checks with the tenant.
For example, if a claimant’s standard allowance is £364.74 (as was the case with Nathan Roberts), the maximum deduction for rent arrears would be £72.95 per month.
This meant the DWP only heard the landlord’s side of the story, the judge said, and could potentially leave tenants at a disadvantage.
This could especially be the case if someone is withholding rent due to disrepair issues.
At the time, the judge stressed that even if a tenant successfully appealed the deduction, they could face months on reduced benefits before getting their money back.
Now, the DWP has said it will not appeal the judges ruling and look for ways to replace the automated system.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, said she was “determined to right the wrongs that have persisted in the benefits system for too long.”
She said: “The automatic approval of landlords’ requests for tenants’ benefits to be deducted is one of these.
“As well as urgently reviewing this system, I am bringing forward major changes to the health and disability benefits system so that it works for everyone, underpinned by the biggest employment reforms in a generation.”
She added: We will continue to listen to people’s concerns, and transform our benefits system to one of fairness, not punishment.”
Roberts case echoes a previous successful legal challenge against the DWP’s practice of automatically deducting money from benefits to pay utility bills without consent.
A separate legal challenge which took effect in April 2022 also upheld that those on Universal Credit must be asked to agree to any new deductions for ongoing energy costs through the Fuel Direct scheme.
However, it fell short in forcing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to ask for a claimant’s consent if they are in debt with their utility firm.
There are a number of reasons why the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will deduct money from your Universal Credit allowance to help pay off any debts.
Conor Lawlor, benefits expert at Turn2us, says: “These debts can accrue in several ways, including for Universal Credit and other benefit overpayments (even if the overpayment was made in error by DWP), benefit advances and recovering hardship payments.
“The DWP can also deduct on behalf of third parties if a claimant is in debt to them, including for rent and service charge arrears, council tax arrears, court fines, child maintenance, and for utilities like electricity, gas and water.”
However, it’s important to note that not every deduction is compulsory, and some are voluntary.
If you claim benefits you are entitled to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at any time to stop any deductions.
Rachel Reeves is set to lower the cap on the maximum level of deductions that can be taken from a claimant’s benefit payments from April.
Currently, the DWP and third parties can typically deduct up to 25% of a claimant’s standard allowance to manage their debt repayments.
However, the government will reduce this cap to 15%.
The measure, dubbed the Fair Repayment Rate, is expected to come into force in April.
The change is projected to benefit 1.2 million households, including 700,000 families with children, boosting their incomes by up to £420 a year.
However, some Universal Credit claimants still have more than 25% of their standard allowance taken off if they pay what’s known as a “last resort deduction”.
Whether the new cap will apply to those with such deductions remains unclear.
There are several groups which can help you with your problem debts for free.
You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting MoneyHelper.org.uk or Gov.UK.
Speak to one of these organisations – don’t be tempted to use a claims management firm.
They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee.
But there are other options where you don’t need to pay.
A POPULAR car brand is set to release a new EV to rival the Volvo EC40.
The vehicle with a “hammerhead” design will be unveiled on March 12, joining the larger bZ4X and recently launched Urban Cruiser.
The new Toyota vehicle is expected to cost around £38,000 – sitting in between the larger bZ4X and the smaller hybrid-powered Toyota C-HR.
Whilst the car’s name remains a mystery, when the initial concept was revealed in 2022, the production model was tipped to be called bZ3X.
Yesterday, Toyota released a teaser video of the car, which showed the model had kept many elements from the Sport Crossover concept, such as its size, raked roofline and extended bonnet.
The video also suggests the new EV will share some features with the Chinese-market bZ3C fastback, which was introduced at the Beijing motor show last year.
Such features will likely put the vehicle in competition with the likes of the Volvo EC40 and Smart 1, according to Autocar.
And like the Urban Cruiser, it will be available to buy with a range of battery sizes and motors.
Although no hints have been dropped about the EV‘s interior, Autocar suggests it will look more similar to the new C-HR rather than the Suzuki-twinned Urban Cruiser.
If this is true, motor-heads should expect a 12.3inch infotainment, a raised centre console, and a digital driver’s display.
Top of the range models will also likely include a panoramic sunroof, a JBL sound system and front sport seats.
This comes as the car brand revealed it is set to release three new sports cars with the revival of the Celica and MR2 models, as well as the return of the swashbuckling Lexus LFA.
The cult favourite trio, all of which will be internal combustion engine-powered, will form the future of the Japanese mega-brand’s sports car offerings.
The return of the cult favourite MR2 alongside the once rally-going Celica comes as Toyota finds itself with two rather large gaps to fill in its billing.
The mighty GR Supra is tiptoeing towards the end of its production run after six years back in the limelight, with petrolheads recently treated to one final version called the A90 Final Edition.
However, a new Supra has been pencilled in for 2027 release, according to Japanese magazine Best Car.
Meanwhile, the GR86 has already reached the end of the road, at least in Europe, where it was cut from sale thanks to EU safety regulations.
According to Autocar, the revival of the Celica and MR2 names fulfils the ambition of the company’s chairman Akio Toyoda, who envisioned the return of their “three brothers” along with the aforementioned Supra.
Both cars are to be powered by a new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine called G20E, recently revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon – with reports suggesting it boasts more than 400bhp in road-going form and tops 600bhp in motorsports.
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IT’S the end of the road for two of Tesla’s most influential electric cars – the Model S and Model X.
The US company, owned by Elon Musk, is set to pull both models from their range – but only in the UK.
The Model S, launched some 11 years ago, not only helped establish Tesla as a main player in the car industry, but was also one of the first mass-market, high-performance electric vehicles available to buy.
Upon its debut, it wowed experts and consumers alike with its impressive range, acceleration, sleek design, and advanced tech – and has since set the standard for high class EVs.
It also paved the way for the likes of the Porsche Taycan, Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i5.
The seven-seater Model X has been equally pivotal after it was first unveiled in 2016 – long before the electric SUV became the industry norm.
Of course, we’ve since had the BMW iX, Kia EV6, Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and the Mercedes-Benz EQS, as well as numerous others, all of which were shaped, one way or the other, by the Model X.
Overseas fans of Tesla can be rest assured though, because the Model S and Model X are only to be pulled from sale in the UK.
According to a report by Autocar, less than 10 Model S examples are currently left on Tesla’s website, with the majority of those being the tri-motor Model S Plaid – priced over £100,000.
What’s more, there are only 24 new or ex-demo Model Xs available.
The Model S and Model X are not only remaining available to buy outside of the UK, but are also both set for serious updates.
Speaking on the Ride the Lightning podcast recently, Tesla’s vice president of engineering, Lars Moravy, said: “I think the upgrade the Model S and X got a couple of years ago was bigger than most people thought, in terms of architecture and structure, and the cars got a lot better too.
“But we’ll give them some love later this year and make sure they receive some of the stuff we’ve been putting in the Model 3 and Model Y.”
The consensus, though, appears to be that British drivers have largely turned their backs on the brand, with the number of second-hand sales of the all-electric car doubling in the last year.
Recent data from Gumtree reveals a 128% rise in listings for the brand in the last year, second only to MG.
Some industry experts believe Musk’s new role in the White House may be impacting car sales.
This comes as a rival car brand is set to release their answer to the Cybertruck.
The highly divisive Tesla pickup is one of the world’s most recognisable vehicles right now, but the three-tonne, bulletproof machine is not road-legal in the UK as it does not hold a certificate of conformity.
But drivers keen on an all-electric pickup with a quirky style might be tempted by the next best thing – the new KGM Musso EV.
According to Autoexpress, the Musso EV represents a Cybertruck alternative that will be available to buy and drive legally on our shores by late 2025.
The Musso is already highly popular with pickup fans, so it’s only natural that KGM – which was previously known as SsangYong – opted to produce an all-electric version.
What’s more, this new iteration won’t just be a simple, zero-emissions equivalent of the existing, diesel-powered Musso, as it’s based on the recently launched Torres EVX electric SUV.
FURIOUS MAFS star Sacha Jones has reignited her bitter feud with rival Erica Roberts.
The Birmingham-born aesthetics practitioner is firing shots to Erica for ‘laughing’ at her religion on a podcast.
Things had come to a head after Sacha was accused on leaking information about an alleged fling between Ross McCarthy and Erica Roberts.
Sacha explained on her story that she got accused of “leaking” a story about her ex Ross messaging Erica – which she denied.
Now their feud has reignited after Sacha posted a clip of Erica from her You & Me podcast which she hosts alongside former traitors contestant Meryl Williams.
In the short clip, Erica can be heard stating “obviously she’s found God and stuff”, Meryl can be heard laughing at the comment to which she repeats.
Erica then replies “she has!”.
In a post on her Instagram stories Sacha reposted the podcast clip, penning the caption: “Laughing at my religion?
“Why would they leave this in the edit?! Doesn’t make the poddy (podcast) look very cute. Had loads of messages about this, way to offend a whole community.
“Wow really gunning for me, all over an unfollow!”
Many fans have followed Sacha’s religious journey both on and off the show, the TV personality caused quite the stir when she revealed her abstinence before entering the experiment.
She told ex-husband Ross she wasn’t planning to be intimate with him until their relationship was well established.
She shocked fans again last month when she revealed that she got married in a shocking video.
But, this time instead of walking down the aisle she actually “married our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ“.
“Now guys this is a purity ring and I just wanted to explain that to you,” she continued.
“A purity ring just represents your commitment to God and vowing to stay abstinent until marriage.
“They’re on your hand as a reminder of your vow to God if you ever get tempted.”
Just the day before Sacha had posted a lengthy essay on her story, as she strongly denied that she was behind the story, nor she “fell to the floor” on Married At First Sight.
“Apparently I leaked the story on Ross messaging Erica, when we was together, calling her beautiful.
“I didn’t deny it, that’s true, but I wouldn’t leak it. I don’t care that much.
“Plus, I FELL TO THE FLOOR CRYING???. We were sat on a sofa. How’s that one work?
We previously revealed that Erica Roberts has been speaking to two of the grooms on the show.
She had enjoyed a kiss with Kieran Chapman but was in contact with Ross McCarthy, who was coupled up with Sacha on the social experiment.
Sacha also went on to set the record straight on how she really feels about Erica after the explosive event.
On her story she continued: “I unfollowed Erica because she wasn’t very nice at the reunion.
“Shouting things about how our season didn’t know how to dress, pulling faces over to Ella and whispering things about people.
“She seemed a really mean girl. Had nothing to do with Ross.”
NASA has repeatedly changed its estimate on if a devastating asteroid would crash into Earth over the last few weeks – now an expert has revealed the reason why.
The world breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday after the agency announced the chances of the YR4 hitting us decreased dramatically.
Nasa said the asteroid has just a 1-in-26,000 chance of striking Earth – meaning there is a 99.9961 per cent chance the rock will sail on past.
The rock was previously estimated to have an alarming 1-in-32 chance of smashing into us.
Richard Binzel, a Professor of Planetary Science at MIT, revealed to The Sun how the odds dramatically flipped to a “Level 0” threat.
He said: “When we first discover an asteroid, we see only a tiny piece of its orbital path.
“Astronomers always check immediately to make sure that orbital path isn’t intersecting with Earth any time soon.
“The scientific challenge comes when that initial orbit check doesn’t immediately rule out an impact course.”
This is what happened with YR4 and as astronomers began gathering and updating the data, the cycle of ” initial and ever-changing probabilities” began.
“It is not unusual for the probability numbers to bounce around a bit, simply because the amount of data in the first few weeks and months is usually quite limited,” Binzel said.
Eventually, more data revealed came in about the asteroid’s orbital path which flipped predictions on impact with Earth.
“Those probability numbers became vanishingly small,” Binzel said, as scientists saw that the asteroid would most likely entirely miss our planet.
“Once we fall below 1-in-1000 probability, we categorize the object as Level O on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale,” he added.
Binzel invented the Torino scale – the system used since 1999 to categorize potential Earth impact events and he explained that Level 0 means there is “No Hazard”.
“[It] is effectively the “All Clear Signal” for paying detailed attention to the object,” he said.
“In other words, we now have enough data to be completely secure that this particular asteroid doesn’t pose any future threat to us.”
Astronomers first noticed that the asteroid was hurtling towards Earth in December – and it shot straight to the top of the risk list.
YR4 had previously been graded as level three on the Torino scale.
This emergency level means: “A close encounter, meriting attention buy astronomers. Current calculations give a one per cent or greater chance of collision capable of localised destruction.”
The odds for YR4 striking Earth began at a 1-in-83 chance, before reducing to 1-in-67, 1-in-53, 1-in-43, 1-in-38, 1-in-32 and then to 0.
If YR4 – estimated between 40m and 90m wide – did strike Earth, it would pack a punch equivalent to eight billion kilos of TNT, scientists calculated.
It would blow a 1.2mile-across crater into the Earth’s crust, and a terrifying simulation showed what the impact might look like.
Physicists drew up a potential impact zone, cutting across some of the world’s most populated areas, including Bogotá, Abidjan, Lagos, Khartoum, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Dhaka.
But now scientists say there will be 167,000 miles of clear sky between the rock and our planet – and no Christmas collision.
The space rock will appear near Earth again in 2028 – around 5 million miles away – giving scientists another chance to gather data on it.
It will then reappear on December, 22, 2032 which was the approach causing such alarm.
Boffins are now excitedly looking into how technological advancements can help them study asteroids and their orbital paths.
New images of YR4 taken on February 7 by the Gemini South Telescope in Chile showed the rock in the clearest detail yet.
They showed 2024 YR4 as a bright smudge in space —captured while it was 37 million miles away.
Bryce Bolin, a Nasa astronomer involved in capturing them said: “Only a few asteroids have been studied like this.”
Binzel said: “These objects are there, and have always been there.
“Now we’re advancing the technology to reveal them into plain sight out of the darkness.
“So rather than it being worrisome when we find them, it is actually a triumph for technology that we can find and check them off as being one less object that could ever take us by surprise.”
Destiny 2 has seen a lot of changes in the seven years that it’s been out, but it comes at a cost. If you’ve played the game for a while, you’ll no doubt know how Bungie deletes old content by “vaulting” it from the game. The vaulting system has erased entire chapters of the game’s […]
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