A new law increasing the legal age of marriage to 18 has come into force in England and Wales.

Previously people could get married at 16 or 17 if they had parental consent and there was no law against ceremonies for younger children which were not registered with local councils.

The new legislation also covers non-legally binding ceremonies.

The government said the changes would help protect vulnerable children from being forced into marriage.

Previously forced marriage was only an offence if coercion, such as threats, was used.

But under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, it is now illegal to arrange for children to marry under any circumstances, whether or not force is used.

Those found guilty of the offence face up to seven years in prison.

Going into March and KentSpur still has not tweeted this month.

The first female Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd has died aged 93.

She served as Speaker from 1992 to 2000, before going on to become a baroness in the House of Lords from 2001.

The current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described her as "an inspirational woman" who was known for her "no-nonsense style".

She was the Labour MP for West Bromwich West from 1973 to 2000.

"To be the first woman Speaker was truly groundbreaking and Betty certainly broke that glass ceiling with panache," Sir Lindsay said.

"Betty was one of a kind. A sharp, witty and formidable woman - and I will miss her."

There will be a one minute silence held in Parliament on today, and MPs will get the chance to pay formal tributes on Tuesday.

Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair said she managed the role of Speaker with "with great authority, warmth and wit".

"It was a privilege to be in Parliament during her tenure and to know her as the big-hearted and kind person she was."

Clare Short - a Labour minister from 1997 to 2003 - told BBC 5 Live that Baroness Boothroyd "suited being Speaker perfectly, her personality shone through, she had a natural authority.

"She was the one who dropped the wig because she had her own lovely thick grey curling hair."

Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson simply tweeted: "Betty Boothroyd was magnificent."

She was born on 8 October 1929 in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, the only daughter of mill workers.

Growing up in a political environment - her father was a trade unionist - she described herself as coming "out of the womb into the Labour movement".

However, she didn't immediately go into politics, becoming a dancer with the Tiller Girl troupe.

She then took a number of office jobs before getting involved in politics, working for the Labour MP Barbara Castle and on the campaign to elect John F. Kennedy as US President.

In May 1973, after several attempts, she entered Parliament, securing the seat of West Bromwich, later renamed West Bromwich West.

After nearly two decades in Parliament she was elected by her fellow MPs to the position of Speaker of the House of Commons - a job which involves presiding over proceedings in the chamber.

She stepped down from the position in 2000, but continued to be active in politics - calling for a statue in central London to commemorate the part women played in World War Two.

She was also passionately involved in the campaign to keep the UK in the EU.

Alastair Campbell, who was also involved in the campaign, said she was a "total one off".

"One of the kindest, wisest, most loving and loveable women you could ever wish to know."

Former Conservative minister David Davis said: "Although I had my differences with her, she was a formidable Speaker and had a historic place as the first female Speaker of the House of Commons."

Senior Labour MP Margaret Hodge described Baroness Boothroyd as "a trailblazer".

Obituary: Betty Boothroyd

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12384724

Women's T20 World Cup: Australia's 'formality' victory sends warning to international game

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/64783459

Lidl is the latest supermarket to introduce limits on sales of certain fruit and vegetables due to shortages of fresh produce.

Blue Monday is a soft, creamy blue cheese with strong blue veining develops a wonderfully soft, mellow, creamy texture. Intensely savoury, spicy and rich with a thin natural rind. Taste amazing with dark bitter ale or Guinness.

Water softens stools

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially took control of Disney's Reedy Creek on Monday. DeSantis signed the bill that gives him power over the formerly self-governing, special tax district encompassing the entire Walt Disney World Resort. It comes as the governor and Florida's first lady Casey DeSantis admitted the 'irony' that they got married at Disney in 2009 and now are in a battle with the 'woke' corporation.

Ron Perlman Wants to Sell You Black Market Kaiju Organs

Erling Haaland is reportedly close to agreeing a new deal with Nike but is still seeking a lucrative offer to stay with the manufacturing giants.

The Norwegian striker has gone from strength to strength since signing for Man City in the summer and has had a prolific season in front of goal, notching 33 goals in all competitions.

The former Borussia Dortmund star will be doing all he can to ensure that his form doesn't falter for his side and, as a result, has opted to stay with Nike as his boot sponsors.

According to the Athletic, Haaland has been weighing up his potential options and is now expected to sign a contract renewal with manufacturing giants Nike.

However, the outlet also claim that Haaland's team expect a package worth about £20million ($24m) per year in order to stay with the American company.

“If you look at my body, if you look at my legs, you will see that I have changed a lot. I am completely different. I have become a real man,” he told AS in May 2021.

“I have become faster. That is one of the most important things. I have gone from 86 kilos to 94, but it is not a beer belly, it is about gross muscle mass. I take great care of what I eat.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmvFxTZYzgQ

Revealed: BBC star Gabby Logan and her husband Kenny were paid more than £500,000 to promote major tax avoidance scheme to their celebrity friends

https://www.titanicbelfast.com/contact/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QArPJoCBjS0

Ceyda

Bola Tinubu from Nigeria's ruling party has taken a strong lead as results are declared from Saturday's presidential election, amid opposition protests.

With results announced from about three-quarters of the states, he has a lead of about 1.5 million votes.

Mr Tinubu, 70, a wealthy businessman and former governor of Lagos state, has 39% of votes counted so far.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has 31%, while third-party candidate Peter Obi has 20%.

The parties of both Mr Abubakar and Mr Obi have called for the election to be cancelled and rerun, alleging that the inability of the electoral commission to upload results to its website showed that the results had been manipulated.

Many voters reported problems with uploading results through the new electronic voting system, which was intended to speed up the process.

There were also widespread delays, with many polling stations opening several hours late, and some attacked by armed men. Voting was held overnight, and on Sunday in some areas.

The electoral commission says the opposition parties should take their complaints to court and is pressing ahead with the release of results.

Terry Hennessey

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has accepted breaking Football Association betting rules ahead of his appearance before a disciplinary panel.

It means the 26-year-old is potentially facing a lengthy ban.

Toney was charged with 232 breaches in November and a further 30 in December.

It is understood he has admitted many of the offences but is contesting others. FA rule E8 bans players from betting on games, or sharing information for betting purposes.

The alleged breaches took place between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021, during which time Toney represented Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Brentford.

The forward has scored 14 goals in 21 Premier League games this season, helping Brentford to ninth in the table and leaving them in contention for European qualification.

However, any ban for Toney could dent their chances of playing European football next season.

It would also affect the forward's chances of an England call-up with European Championship qualification games against Ukraine and Italy coming up in March.

Toney made Gareth Southgate's squad last autumn, though he was not in the 26-man party which travelled to the World Cup in Qatar.

England defender Kieran Trippier was banned for 10 weeks by the FA in December 2020 for giving out information for others to bet on his transfer from Tottenham to Atletico Madrid.

In 2017, Joey Barton - then a Burnley player - was banned for 18 months, reduced to 13 on appeal, after admitting placing 1,260 football-related bets over a 10-year period.