In so many senses, Labour has found itself in an unexpectedly positive position. From leading by 20-plus points in the polls since 2022 to looking likely to overtake the SNP in Scotland.
A less spoken about fact is Labour looks better placed in the ‘Blue Wall’ than many would have thought possible. Last week, Rushmoor council in Hampshire went red for the first time in its history.
As I wrote back in October, following the Mid Beds by-election, this shows that the Blue Wall is less sturdy than many think. After the political realignment of the late 2010s, there will be future opportunities for council gains, and maybe parliamentary seats.
Yet a new region of England coming into play poses a question: what should Labour say to the South East? As a southerner (who was born in Sussex and grew up in Surrey), and who has spent a lot of time discussing the political realignment, I wanted to offer a view:
1. Labour cares about the South East
To start with the obvious, we need to demonstrate an interest in the South East, show a willingness to listen to its concerns and a belief we can win there. That is not something that residents are used to hearing, but with such dissatisfaction with the Tories, it is something they are more open to than is often thought.
It’s encouraging Starmer has chosen to make his speech today in the South East, where he’s highlighting Labour’s plan to tackle small boat crossings. His approach of diverting funds away from the divisive Rwanda scheme is the right one to seize the one nation baton.
Many friends down south now say to me “anyone but the Tories” when they used to say “never Labour”. So it is good to see local campaigners, like John Gaskell, start to send this message. It may not be unhelpful also to point out that the Labour Party leader is from Oxted in Surrey.
I would like to see us go further. A party that seeks to govern should have a strong presence across the country. We should be talking up the political realignment and telling voters in the South East that there are no longer only safe seats and that we are determined to give them a real choice.
2. Labour has changed
There remains, in my view, a ‘small c’ conservatism in the South East, one that is wary of grand plans and overt ideology. What is needed is a message of reassurance that the party is serious and pragmatic.
This is perhaps the area where Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves’ leadership has been strongest. The reassurance they have provided the country is key to the political opportunity in the region. That should be a key part of the message.
While economic reassurance is perhaps the most important aspect, comfort with the values and symbols of Britain is important in the Blue Wall just as it is in the ‘Red Wall’.
My experience growing up in the South East was of understated patriotism. Subtly demonstrating these values, as Starmer has done, will provide further reassurance to voters who are giving Labour a look for the first time.
3. The Conservatives have left you behind
This is a more awkward message, but I think a vital one. The small ‘c’ conservatism of Rory Stewart or David Gauke is the kind that in my experience appeals in the South East. It is not the alt-right populism of Boris Johnson, Suella Braverman or Nigel Farage. The former Conservative MP for Dover Natalie Elphicke defecting to Labour this week and talking about how her party has “abandoned” the centre ground provides the perfect illustration of this opportunity.
I think a Labour Party that has the confidence to acknowledge why voters once voted Tory but to point out that now it is the Labour Party that offers a moderate, ‘One Nation’ appeal would do well where I am from.
There is, of course, much more that could be said on this topic, on what expectations are realistic, on whether progressive parties should collaborate or on how topics like Brexit, austerity and climate might play.
However, as a start, I think these three messages would give a good platform for building on what campaigners like those in Rushmoor have just achieved.
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GOP Governor Biden has openly threatened to terminate aid to Israel, marking a significant departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy. The announcement comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and raises questions about the future of America’s relationship with one of its closest allies.
Governor Biden’s decision has been met with both praise and condemnation, highlighting the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the broader American public. Supporters argue that it represents a bold stance in support of Palestinian rights and a necessary step towards achieving a lasting peace in the region. They point to Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the occupied territories and its treatment of Palestinian civilians as evidence of the need for a more assertive approach.
However, critics have been quick to denounce Governor Biden’s stance as reckless and misguided, warning of the potential consequences for Israel’s security and stability in the region. They argue that cutting off aid would only serve to embolden Israel’s enemies and undermine efforts to broker a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Moreover, they point out that Israel has long been a crucial strategic ally for the United States, providing invaluable intelligence and military cooperation in a volatile and strategically important part of the world.
The decision has also reignited debates over the role of the United States in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader issue of American foreign aid. For decades, the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in military and economic assistance to Israel, viewing it as a vital bulwark against regional instability and a key ally in the fight against terrorism. However, critics argue that this support has often come at the expense of Palestinian rights and has enabled Israel to maintain its occupation of Palestinian territories with impunity.
Governor Biden’s announcement is likely to have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond. It could signal a broader shift towards a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that prioritizes human rights and international law over strategic interests. Alternatively, it could deepen divisions within the Republican Party and further strain relations between the U.S. and Israel, potentially opening the door for other countries to fill the void left by American disengagement.
In the face of mounting pressure from both domestic and international actors, Governor Biden has remained defiant, vowing to stand firm in his commitment to justice and equality for all peoples. However, the ultimate fate of U.S. aid to Israel remains uncertain, as lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle weigh the potential consequences of such a drastic policy shift. Regardless of the outcome, Governor Biden’s decision is sure to be remembered as a watershed moment in the ongoing struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East.
gop governor biden threatens to attack:
clashes between federal and state governments are as old as the nation itself. However, the discord between the Biden administration and some Republican governors has recently escalated, with threats of retaliation echoing through the political arena. One such governor, emblematic of the tension, has raised the stakes by openly challenging the federal government’s authority.
Amidst the backdrop of a deeply polarized nation, the clash between federal and state powers has been exacerbated by the Biden administration’s ambitious policy proposals. From infrastructure reform to healthcare initiatives and climate action plans, President Biden’s agenda represents a departure from the policies of his predecessor, drawing both praise and criticism along partisan lines.
At the heart of this conflict lies the issue of states’ rights versus federal authority. While proponents of a strong federal government argue for uniformity and national standards, advocates for states’ rights emphasize local autonomy and individual sovereignty. This ideological tug-of-war has come to a head in recent months, with GOP governors such as [insert governor’s name] openly defying federal mandates and threatening retaliatory measures.
The crux of the dispute revolves around several key policy areas. One contentious issue is the Biden administration’s push for stricter environmental regulations, including emissions targets and renewable energy mandates. While some states have embraced these initiatives as necessary steps to combat climate change, others view them as federal overreach infringing upon state sovereignty and economic freedom.
Additionally, the Biden administration’s approach to immigration policy has sparked intense debate and resistance from Republican-led states. Executive orders aimed at reversing Trump-era immigration policies, such as the construction of a border wall and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, have faced pushback from GOP governors who argue that such measures incentivize illegal immigration and undermine national security.
Furthermore, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a flashpoint for conflict between the federal government and certain states. Disputes over mask mandates, business closures, and vaccine distribution have underscored deep divisions in approaches to public health and governance. Republican governors, in particular, have been vocal in their opposition to what they perceive as federal overreach in managing the pandemic response.
In response to these perceived encroachments on state authority, [insert governor’s name] has taken a combative stance, vowing to resist federal mandates and pursue legal action if necessary. Threats of withholding federal funds, implementing countermeasures, and even secession have been floated as potential strategies to assert state sovereignty and push back against the Biden administration’s policies.
The implications of this standoff extend far beyond the realm of partisan politics. At its core, it raises fundamental questions about the balance of power in American governance and the relationship between the federal government and the states. While the Constitution delineates the respective powers of each, interpreting and applying these principles in a rapidly evolving political landscape is an ongoing challenge.
u.s. aid to israel 2024:
the relationship between the United States and Israel stands as a cornerstone of diplomatic and strategic alliances. Central to this relationship is the provision of aid from the U.S. to Israel, a topic that often stirs debate and controversy both domestically and internationally. As we delve into the dynamics of U.S. aid to Israel in 2024, it’s essential to understand the historical context, the current state of affairs, and the implications of this assistance.
Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been a significant recipient of U.S. aid, primarily in the form of military assistance and economic support. This assistance is rooted in shared democratic values, strategic interests, and historical ties between the two nations. Over the decades, the U.S. has consistently affirmed its commitment to Israel’s security and well-being through various aid packages, reflecting a robust bilateral relationship.
In 2024, U.S. aid to Israel remains a vital component of foreign policy and national security strategies. The assistance serves multiple purposes, including bolstering Israel’s defense capabilities, promoting regional stability, and advancing mutual interests in areas such as technology, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism efforts. Moreover, U.S. aid contributes to Israel’s economic development, supporting initiatives in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
However, the issue of U.S. aid to Israel is not without its complexities and controversies. Critics argue that the significant amount of aid provided to Israel—currently amounting to billions of dollars annually—enables controversial policies and practices, such as the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories and the blockade of Gaza. Some voices within the U.S. question the allocation of taxpayer dollars to a foreign government, especially when domestic needs remain pressing.
Furthermore, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict adds another layer of complexity to the discussion. While U.S. aid to Israel is ostensibly aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region, it is also perceived by some as perpetuating the status quo or even exacerbating tensions. Critics argue that unconditional support for Israel hinders efforts to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the conflict, undermining the prospects for peace and Palestinian self-determination.
In response to these concerns, calls for reevaluating U.S. aid to Israel have emerged from various quarters. Some advocate for conditioning aid on specific criteria, such as adherence to international law, respect for human rights, or progress in peace negotiations. Others propose redirecting a portion of the aid to initiatives aimed at promoting reconciliation, economic development, and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.
However, proponents of continued aid to Israel emphasize its strategic importance and the shared interests that underpin the U.S.-Israel alliance. They argue that maintaining robust support for Israel strengthens America’s position in the Middle East, deters common adversaries, and fosters stability in a volatile region. Moreover, they contend that U.S. aid helps Israel defend itself against security threats and maintain its qualitative military edge, which serves U.S. interests as well.
In conclusion, U.S. aid to Israel in 2024 remains a subject of intense scrutiny, debate, and strategic calculation. While the assistance reflects a deep and longstanding partnership between the two nations, it also raises questions about priorities, accountability, and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. As policymakers navigate these complexities, the challenge lies in balancing strategic imperatives with ethical considerations and the quest for a just and sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Welcome to How I Do It, the series in which we give you a seven-day sneak peek into the sex life of a stranger.
This week we hear from Autumn*, a 33-year-old writer and single mother, who lives in Yorkshire.
After having a child in her early 20s, single parenting meant that she went without sex for five years – but now, she says her sex life is ‘blossoming’.
‘With a small baby and no help, dating was impossible, and there followed a torturous five year drought where I all but gave up on ever having a sex life again,’ Autumn says.
After her dry spell ended, the mum-of-one started exploring her sexuality, and came out as bisexual three years ago.
‘I suspect I’ve always known I was bisexual but it’s taken me almost 30 years to really admit it. And even then, it’s only a select few in my life who know my true feelings,’ she adds.
She has slept with one woman, who she knew from university, and it was a one-night stand.
‘I spent my adolescence assuming that every girl fantasised about other women and that it didn’t mean anything at all,’ Autumn explains.
‘We were magnetically drawn to each other. It was intoxicating, terrifying and the most turned on I’d ever been from the mere presence of another person.
‘That night is still the only time I’ve slept with a woman, and I was sure for so many years that it was nothing but alcohol and youthful experimentation.’
Now that her daughter, 10, is at school, Autumn has ventured on to different dating apps, and has even started experimenting with polyamory.
‘Dipping my toe in the world of dating apps allowed me to try out new versions of myself without needing to leave the house. It’s given me a chance to connect with people as a woman and not as a mother, and it’s helped me to figure out what I find attractive in a person.
‘Because now I understand that whatever label you want to give me, ultimately I’m drawn to people. Men, women, straight, bi, poly, ethical non-monogamy… for me it’s about fire and connection, and I can’t wait to find out where that will take me next.’
Without further ado, here’s how Autumn got on this week…
The following sex diary is, as you might imagine, not safe for work.
Monday
It’s far from an average day for me, as I spontaneously book a ticket to a speed-dating event tonight.
I head to a hotel room I’ve booked, something I’ve never done alone, so the parent guilt is quick to join the party, but I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity.
I spend an hour hyping myself up in the hotel room, relishing the chance to wear beautiful underwear and get dressed up for a change. The room has a huge ornate mirror next to the bed so I take the opportunity to take some photos before heading to the bar.
As I arrive it’s clear this is not going to be the night I hoped. The venue hardly sold any tickets and instead of a night of endless possibility, I’m cornered for an hour by a guy who’s absolutely not my type, down my drink and leave.
Frustrated and looking for a little satisfaction I start texting my oldest friend (and the one that got away).
He’s a reliably filthy sexter, and it hits every spot I need it to…
Tuesday
I wake up in the hotel and treat myself to a slow breakfast, a simple pleasure that’s a rarity in my everyday parenting life.
My phone lights up with messages from a recent connection on a dating app. Swiping, repetitive conversations and short-lived moments that fade to nothing have become a familiar routine, but it’s worth it for the moments when you find people like this…
The chat is easy, flirty and fun. His profile says he’s polyamourous and we’re soon talking about his partner, what they like and what they’re looking for.
I’ve always considered myself a one-person-at-a-time kind of woman and assumed ethical non-monogamy would be too much for me, but after just a few messages with him I’m hooked.
He sends me a photo of them together and suddenly the idea of being a play thing in their relationship feels thrilling and irresistible. Like me, she’s bisexual and both of them prefer to have a connection with the person they’re dating rather than a one night stand.
I’m getting that delicious feeling that I’m falling down the rabbit hole into all sorts of trouble.
Wednesday
I’m back in my house, and it’s the usual relentless round of packing school bags, school runs, too many hours at a laptop, making dinner, bath, bed, repeat.
As much as I hate to admit it, I turn to dating apps in the more tedious moments. They are a door to a world beyond the domestic bubble that I inhabit and provide a much-needed flutter of endorphins when I hit it off with the right person at the right time.
The major flaw in this plan is that I’m a single parent who lives in the middle of the countryside. Spontaneity is near-impossible, and it’s a regular barrier to making any progress with people I’m actually interested in meeting.
To fight the boredom today I want something more reliable, someone I know will give me what I want without having to leave my house. My ex and I have never been able to conduct a conversation without it ending in flirting and reminiscing about a hot weekend together.
We start chatting and within the hour we’re having phone sex and it’s just as fiery as it ever was, even if this time it means standing in the kitchen to keep from waking my daughter.
Thursday
I wake up after a night of dreams about my ex, feeling equal parts frustrated and satisfied. Once we finished last night we talked about me staying with him soon when I’m away for work.
My day is lost in thoughts of what it will feel like to make our late night conversations a reality. There’s something liberating about revisiting a relationship and rinsing it for all the things that were incredible between you, without feeling the strings.
I’m tired of feeling guilt for wanting a sex life – whether that’s because I’m a ‘nice’ girl, because I’m a single mum, or because I’ve had partners that weren’t interested in being physical – there’s been so much judgement levelled on what I desire.
As another routine parenting day rolls on, I think about how much of me has been hidden as a result, from clandestine phone sex, to sneaking out during school hours just to avoid stripping the fun out of any encounter by having to organise childcare.
Friday
I’m meeting the couple who want to date me and honestly I don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t sit still, my concentration is long gone and I’m more nervous than I can ever remember being before a date.
Then I get a text from him to say she won’t be able to make it but she’s happy for him to come alone if I don’t mind. I feel a wave of relief as I’m on firmer ground with the dynamics of dating a man, but I can’t shake the nerves entirely.
I get through my day and wave my daughter off for the weekend with her dad, and finally have time to focus on getting ready.
He’s waiting for me outside the bar when I arrive and leans in to hug me. I’d expected it to feel different because of the three-sided relationship at play but I’m at ease with him straight away.
We talk and laugh, and slowly our legs entangle under the table. And then he kisses me, and the fireworks start. It’s easy to forget how intoxicating this feeling is.
We’re the last ones in the bar, sending updates to his partner between intense kisses and wandering hands. He walks me to my car and two hours later we’re still there, trying desperately to keep from crossing the line that they agreed on.
Saturday
I couldn’t sleep last night. I haven’t felt like that after a date in so long. It’s addictive, that thrill of not knowing what the other person will do next, how they kiss, how they want to be touched.
My daydreaming is interrupted by a message from him, confirming plans to meet tomorrow with his partner, and the nerves hit like a sledgehammer all over again.
I’m so attracted to them both, and the playful flirting that goes on in our group chat all day is adding fuel to the fire, but I can’t shake the worry that I’m going to get too attached.
I tend to feel and experience everything so intensely that I lose myself. Only this time there’s another relationship to consider, and I don’t know how to navigate this road, it’s new territory and it scares me.
I spend the evening trying to relax, and figuring out how to dress for a date with a man and a woman.
Sunday
I meet the couple in town.
Walking towards them through the crowd, I feel my stomach flip when he smiles at me. She hugs me and we walk through the busy streets to find coffee, chatting as easily as if we’d known each other for years.
I thought I’d feel jealous seeing him with another woman but I find myself totally charmed by the way they are together. Tender and playful, they have that sense of floating together that some couples are lucky to enjoy.
As we sit in a crowded café, his leg brushing mine again under the table, I’m surprised to find I don’t feel like a third wheel. In fact, there’s a giddy satisfaction in knowing that everyone around us is oblivious to what might happen here.
I’m distracted by the smell of his aftershave, and the way he touches my back as he passes, but I’m also falling under her spell. She’s beautiful, funny, and feisty – a truly dangerous combination.
We say goodbye a few hours later and I spend another sleepless night letting my hands wander while I imagine what they have in store for me.
A JUDGE has signed off on a conservatorship for Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson just months after being diagnosed with dementia.
Wilson, 81, consented to the agreement and had no objections.
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A judge agreed to place Brian Wilson under a conservatorshipCredit: Getty
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A petition for the conservatorship was filed shortly after the death of Wilson’s wife, Melinda Ledbetter WilsonCredit: AP
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Wilson was a co-founder of the Beach BoysCredit: Getty
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Wilson’s children asked to be notified on any updates regarding his carCredit: Getty
A petition to oversee Wilson’s affairs was filed in January after the death of his wife, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gus T. May there was “clear and convincing evidence that a conservatorship of the person is necessary,” reported Variety.
Wilson’s doctor said the musician suffered from a “major neurocognitive disorder” and needed help making major healthcare decisions.
The judge also agreed to a stipulation requested by an attorney for Wilson’s eldest daughters, Carnie and Wendy Wilson.
Wilson’s daughters asked that all of his children be added to a text chain from his nurses to receive updates on their father if they choose.
The addition was added to the petition before it was signed by Judge May.
Wilson has seven children, two of whom live with him.
Carnie and Wendy requested a stay on the decision but when the stipulation was granted, they didn’t ask for any further delay.
In his decision, May wrote that “the conservatee lacks the capacity to make his own healthcare decisions.”
His new conservators, manager-publicist Jean Sievers and business manager LeeAnn Hard, were ordered to “consult with the conservatee’s children regarding all material related healthcare decisions.”
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There is something ‘rushed’ about King Charles’ announcement this week that Prince William will lead Prince Harry’s old regiment< taking up a role the younger son would have expected to be granted – and a move timed to send a harsh signal, a royal expert claims
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Two climbers reported missing this week on California‘s towering Mount Whitney have been found dead, officials said Thursday.
A friend who had been with the climbers called authorities Tuesday night after they failed to arrive as planned at their campsite, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The friend said the pair had planned to ski or snowboard from the “notch,” a flat area where climbers often stop to rest, down to their camp at Upper Boy Scout Lake.
A helicopter crew and teams on the slopes launched a search.
“Tragically, both hikers were later discovered deceased,” the sheriff’s statement said. Their identities were not immediately released.
Because the bodies were within neighboring Tulare County, the case is being handled by that county’s sheriff-coroner’s office.
Located in the central Sierra Nevada with a summit reaching 14,500 feet (4,420 meters), Mount Whitney is the highest point in the U.S. outside Alaska.
Elizabeth Hurley said that starring in intimate scenes during her son Damian’s new film Strictly Confidential was ‘comfortable’, quipping that she had been filmed by him ever since she gave him his first camera.
The actress, 58, said that she was first filmed by her son when he was ten and had been ‘filming her ever since’.
She told the One show: ‘He wrote sketches and initially little baby films and gradually go up to making bigger films.
‘I always said I’d be in his first film, and because he filmed me so much, and because I often force him to take photo ops of me all the time, it just seemed like nothing.
‘It was a very low budget film. It was just like do it and knock it out and get going.’
Liz Hurley told the One Show that shooting steamy scenes in her son’s new film was ‘comfortable’
She said her son Damian had filmed her since he was ten, when she got him his first camera
Damian and his mother attended the film’s screening in London on Wednesday night along with Liz’s ex Hugh Grant
Damian added: ‘This has been such a whirlwind. It was so amazing. It was really amazing we had tons of family and friends.’
Talking about shooting the film’s steamy scenes, which includes Lesbian sex, Liz said: ‘Everyone knows it’s not actually sexy to shoot any kind of intimate scene. It’s just technical. And we’d rehearsed it. Damian made it so comfortable. It was nothing.’
Damian has defended his decision to direct his mother in the film’s racier moments, and revealed they didn’t even have an intimacy co-ordinator on set.
‘What was really nice was that in the audience for, for my all friends and family, was that every single person has known him since the day he was born’, said Liz.
‘So to see him do this..it felt really nice.’
She added: ‘I think it was the most nervous I’ve ever seen you [Damian].’
The production wasn’t without its hiccups though, with the mother and son revealing that they had trouble shipping in the costumes to the film’s shooting location in St Kitts and Nevis.
Damian defended his decision to direct his mother in the film’s steamier moments and revealed they didn’t have an intimacy co-ordinator on set
The mother and son also revealed that several of the film’s costumes got stuck at customs in St Kitt’s and Nevis, leaving Damian’s ‘male godfather’ to smuggle them in, including 80 bikinis
Damian revealed that his ‘male godfather’ was forced to smuggle in 80 bikinis after they were stopped by customs.
Damian said: ‘This was about a week before we were meant to be shooting. I think about 80% of our costumes got denied entry at the border and were shipped back to the US.
‘There aren’t really any costume shops. There’s no infrastructure there for a movie.
‘So I persuaded my male godfather to fly about hundred costumes in, smuggled them in the suitcase and everybody wanted their bikinis.
‘So my godfather was standing there and was like ‘of course these 80 bikinis are mine. What are you talking about? So they made it.’
Asked whether that was Grant, he replied: ‘He’s not the bikini smuggler, but he is a godfather.’
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Liz Hurley laughs off son Damian shooting her in intimate scene in his new film, telling The One Show: ‘I gave him his first camera when he was about ten, and he’s been filming me ever since’
We’ve been accustomed to hearing that men are simple creatures, with bare minimum needs. Give them good food, a sense of purpose, and the right type of company, and they will never complain. But in present times, we need to buck this narrative.
In today’s uber competitive world, men need to be on their toes all the time. They have to perform at work, take care of their kin, and look the part to make an impression on their partner and at work.
Today, the need for men’s grooming is just as important as is for the opposite sex. In this article, we will explore a key component of men’s grooming ritual – pedicure and manicure.
Male & Female Pedicures/Manicures Explained
Does a male pedicure differ from a female’s? Fundamentally speaking, no. The same goes for a manicure procedure. It’s proven scientifically that beyond your face, your hands and feet draw the most attention. A good grooming session at a men’s salon will make your hands and nails look their best. Although there are many variations on men’s manicures, most of them include hand massages, cleaning and buffing of the nails, cuticle care, and moisturizing of the hands and nails.
Similarly, a pedicure session will yield transformative results in how you look with a gentle foot soak, relaxing exfoliation, nail clipping, and buffing. Now that we know a bit about the two procedures, let’s dive deeper into understanding their application and benefits.
What Happens During a Manicure and Pedicure Session?
Starts off with the Feet
Usually, the expert will start from your feet. You’ll be sitting on a reclining chair, and your feet will be soaked in warm water. The beautician will ask you to close your eyes, and probably put on some soothing music. This will mark the beginning of your blissful journey of 40–45 minutes. Soon after, he or she will use a specialized stone to remove calluses, clip and file your nails.
Time for the Hands now
Your technician will inquire about the shape and how long you’d like to have your desired nail design last. It’s important to remember to talk about your options, which often include “rounded,” “square,” or “square with rounded edges.” But there are also other, more daring choices, like “lipstick” and “stiletto.” styles
After cutting and clipping your nails, the technician soaks your hands in warm water. Your hands and forearms are then massaged and hydrated.
You also have the choice to select add-ons for a more comprehensive pampering session. For example, you can add a hydra facial, a spa service or even a luxurious Moroccan bath. Any premier spa in Dubai offers these services; at an additional cost, of course. Our picks are Jazz Lounge Spa – they offer the best Moroccan bath in Dubai hands down, Ritual Luxe Spa – their Swedish massage is ethereal, and lastly, SnB Aesthetic Clinic – their Hydra facial is unrivaled.
Benefits of Manicure and Pedicure
A More Refined Presence
Your trusty nail clippers are wonderful, but they cannot match a manicurist or nail technician who has been trained to do everything precisely. Consider this: smooth, accurately formed nails of uniform length, with no rough edges visible, are simply superior to what you’d do on your own. It’s a minor transformation, but it will make you feel sleeker in the office, at a job interview, and on your next date night.
A Healthier Overall Appearance
A regular manicure with normal polish and a pedicure will help sustain the health and strength of your nails. Clipping can help prevent ingrown nails or hangnails, while the moisturizing and exfoliating hydrates your skin and removes dead skin cells, resulting in softer, brighter hands and feet. The expert also gently rubs your hands and feet, which results in improved blood circulation. Besides, men who get pedicures frequently like having their calluses removed, have an easier time with physical activity for longer periods of time.
Conclusion
It’s about time we acknowledge that personal grooming and self-love are central tenets to elevating a man’s personality. Besides shaving and hair cutting, males should swing by a salon at least twice a month to take up aesthetic treatments that include manicure and pedicure, a hydrating facial, and possibly, a spa service. Remember, folks, the way you look shapes other people’s opinion of you.
Aston Villa’s European dream is finally over and not even the serial trophy winner Unai Emery could rescue their hopes of silverware on this occasion.
Villa were the last Premier League team standing but ambitions of reaching a first showpiece final since 1982 were shattered in the port city of Piraeus.
Their European excursions have proved an uplifting experience, yet this was their 54th game of the season and it always felt like a hurdle too significant for Emery’s injury-ravaged squad to overcome.
Lethargic and devoid of spark, the damage from last week’s first leg was ultimately irreparable. Though inspirational goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returned from injury, Villa were underwhelming and never looked capable of securing a magical comeback.
Olympiacos, meanwhile, have reached their first ever European final and will face Fiorentina in Athens later this month.
Despite the disappointment of Villa’s exit at such a late stage in the competition, there is so much room for optimism. Last season Villa were in danger of dropping into the Championship under Steven Gerrard. Now they are in contention for a place in next season’s Champions League under Emery, their brilliant Basque coach. Victory over Liverpool at Villa Park on Monday night will be enough to secure a place in the competition.
Emery said: “Unfortunately we lost the opportunity in the first leg, we have to accept this and how we can improve.
“This is a difficult day but we have to react quickly. It is a process and the first objective was to compete in Europe.
“These are great experiences for us and it is difficult to win in these competitions, whether it is the Champions League or Conference League.
“We have two games left to get the fourth position, which is amazing motivation.”
Emery will also reflect on an alarming injury list that has decimated his squad.
With Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Rogers, Nicolo Zaniolo and Alex Moreno all absent, Villa’s bench was almost an advertisement for the club’s academy.
Clement Lenglet, the loan signing from Barcelona, was the only outfield player among the substitutes over the age of 21.
While other managers use injuries as a reason for underachievement, Emery operates with a “no excuses” culture. So many key players missing proved insurmountable, however.
John McGinn, the captain, said: “You want everyone available, you want your best players there.
“When you are in the trenches, someone you can turn to in order to change the game or do something different.
“Of course we wanted to do better this year and get to a European final but we will do everything we can to get ourselves back into this position and get to a final.”
It has been quite a journey. Villa’s European adventure began way back on August 23 in the city of Edinburgh with a qualifier against Hibernian.
This second leg always felt like an uphill task after the 4-2 defeat at Villa Park last week, which also included a missed penalty late in the match from Douglas Luiz.
Villa’s social media account adopted the hashtag #Believe ahead of the rematch, but it always appeared a forlorn task.
Not even Martinez could salvage this tie. The Argentina World Cup winner was inspired in Villa’s win over Lille in the quarter-final second leg, saving two penalties in the shoot-out, and it was inevitable that the pantomime villain would return here after a recent thigh injury.
Yet the issues were in the final third for Villa, who never looked capable of scoring.
While Villa were targeting a repeat of their 1982 European Cup win, this was also a huge occasion for Olympiacos.
Fans were congregating outside the Karaiskakis Stadium three hours before kick-off and club officials described it as the biggest game in their long history.
The first goal was always going to be crucial and came after 11 minutes. Villa had appeared in control but the poor defending from the first leg was in evidence again. Ayoub El Kaabi was the Olympiacos danger man after his hat-trick in the first leg and was completely unmarked to convert from close range after Quini’s low cross caught out Pau Torres.
Keir Starmer will launch the Labour Party’s plans to tackle illegal migration on Friday, including a commitment to create a new Border Security Command.
In a major speech on the Kent cost, Starmer will vow to move on from the government’s “talk tough, do nothing culture” with the new body — led by a Border Security Commander — tasked with overseeing new specialist investigators, officers and prosecutors.
Announcing his new plans, Starmer is expected to accuse the government of showing “rank incompetence” in its bid to stop the small boats
The Labour leader will say: “Rebuilding our asylum system has become a test of political strength, a trial of leadership to resist the voices who fundamentally do not want to rebuild a functioning asylum system.
“It’s become a question of whether you can prioritise, at all times, the politics of practical solutions, and reject the politics of performative symbols — the gimmicks and gestures. This is the story of what has happened to the government, that finds itself with a record of failure as total and stark as this.”
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The speech comes after Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Labour Party on Wednesday.
Elphicke, having previously criticised Labour’s plan to tackle illegal migration, cited the government’s “failure” to keep the UK’s borders secure in her defection statement.
She accused the government of “failing to keep our borders safe and secure”, adding: “Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels.
“It’s clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted”.
Speaking from the constituency of his newest MP on Friday, Starmer will repeat his party’s commitment to scrapping the government’s flagship Rwanda deportation scheme. The new Border Security Command, Starmer will say, would be funded by diverting a portion (£75 million allocated for year 1) of the money being spent on the plan.
The body, which aims to bring together the resources of the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, the Crown Prosecution Service and MI5, is set to be modelled on the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, founded by the last Labour government.
It would be led by a new Border Security Commander, reporting directly to the home secretary.
Starmer will say on Friday: “It’s not hard to see why the prime minister might want a path to deterrence without the hard graft, the boring graft maybe, of fixing the wider system. But I’m afraid, like so much of what he says these days, it’s sticking plasters. Gimmicks not serious government.
“Let me spell it out again. A scheme that will only remove 1 per cent of small boat crossings a year can not, and never will be, an effective deterrent. It’s an insult to anyone’s intelligence, and the gangs that run this sick trade are not easily fooled”.
“In fact – by allowing vast numbers of people into the country via this route, running up a perma-backlog of nearly 100,000 people, refusing to process the claims – so that even if they have absolutely no right to be here they cannot be removed, billing the taxpayer for expensive hotel accommodation… the government has achieved the complete opposite of what they claim.”
The Labour leader will add: “We haveto restore integrity and rules to our asylum system. We have to clear the backlog. That is the path — the only path — to real deterrence.
“So we will hire hundreds of new caseworkers for the Home Office — and we’ll do it immediately — we will create a new fast-track Returns and Enforcement Unit. We will ensure our courts can process claims quickly, and we will save the taxpayer billions”.
Looking ahead to Starmer’s speech, home secretary James Cleverly said: “Rather than starting the flights and stopping the boats, Sir Keir Starmer‘s big new idea is an amnesty for all illegal immigrants, scrapping our Rwanda plan even if it’s working.
“Nobody believes Keir Starmer wants to control our borders when he previously said immigration controls are ‘racist’ and blocked the deportation of violent sexual offenders. Actions speak louder than words, Keir Starmer will never be on the side of the British people”.
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