Benefits

Aug. 23 (UPI) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Canada of wanting the “benefits of being a state, without being one” as trade tensions between the U.S. and its northern neighbor escalate.

“Canada wants the benefits of being a State, without being one!!!,” Trump posted on social media overnight. “They have also charged our great farmers, for many years, massive amounts of Tariffs. No more!!!”

Trump’s remarks came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa next month would impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after the Trump administration’s 50% tariffs on Canada took effect.

Carney told a press conference that his government would “match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families and businesses.”

He said further details on the retaliatory tariffs would be released in the “coming days,” with the levies targeting steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.

Carney said Ottawa is “reluctantly” taking this step.

Trump has previously discussed making Canada the 51st state, which Canadian leaders have rejected.

MIAMI — The Trump administration is reviving a rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits that could include food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers and others.

The policy, known as “public charge,” appeared on Thursday in the Federal Register and will be formally published on Monday.

The policy was first implemented in February 2020 as one of President Trump’s moves to limit legal immigration during his first administration, but it was reversed after Democratic President Biden came to power.

Its return comes when the Republican administration is implementing a hard-line policy to curb both illegal and legal immigration, and when the cost of healthcare and food is rising.

The federal government “is reaffirming the requirement of self-reliance, protecting public resources and ending policies that encouraged dependency on the backs of hard-working American taxpayers,” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a post published on its X account.

“Under President Trump, USCIS is restoring the basic principle that immigrants must be able to support themselves,” the post said.

Under the policy, applicants for green cards have to show they wouldn’t be burdens to the country or “public charges.”

A review of a disability benefit is not expected to make “crude proposals” on changes to claimants’ payments, the minister leading the report has said.

Sir Stephen Timms told the BBC his interim review of personal independence payments (Pip) found the benefit was not “fit for purpose” and promised “fundamental change” in recommendations due in the autumn.

The disability minister said the “sustainability” of spending on the benefit, which is forecast to rise to more than £41bn by 2030, was “going to be a concern as we reach these decisions”.

Last year, the UK government asked Sir Stephen to review whether Pip was “fair and fit for the future”. His initial report will be published on Thursday.

The interim report concludes Pip is not working for millions of disabled people or the government, and suggests a sweeping overhaul of the assessment system is needed.

In evidence submitted to the review, Pip claimants described the assessment process as “dehumanising” for disabled people and a barrier to work.

The report also highlights the steep increase in the number of Pip recipients in recent years and the forecasted rise in spending on the benefit.

Pip is a benefit people with long-term illnesses and disabilities can claim if they need help with extra costs associated with living, work and care.

Eligibility for Pip is determined through an assessment.

Under the current assessment system, claimants are scored on a zero to 12 scale by a health professional on everyday tasks such as washing, getting dressed and preparing food.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Stephen said Pip “does a very important job in helping people meet the additional costs of disability”.

But the minister said disabled people had told the review the assessment can be “demeaning” and “deter you from participating in society”.

“We’ve also found that it hasn’t kept pace with changing understanding of health and disability over the last 13 years since the benefit was introduced, so we do think quite fundamental change is needed,” Sir Stephen.

As of April this year, there were about four million claimants entitled to Pip in England and Wales.

The number of Pip recipients has risen considerably since the benefit was introduced in 2013, with the increase fuelled by claimants citing mental health conditions in recent years.

Farage served as Reform’s honorary president between March 2021 and June 2024. On 3 June 2024, he confirmed he was returning as party leader and standing in the general election. He became Clacton MP in July 2024.

Under parliamentary rules, new MPs must declare financial interests and “registrable benefits” received in the 12 months before their election.

The guidelines say purely personal gifts or benefits do not need to be registered.

When he became an MP, Farage registered a £9,253 trip to Belgium in April 2024 donated by Cottrell, and later added a £15,276 donation from Cottrell for a US domestic flight he provided in December 2024.

No other support from Cottrell is listed in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests., external

A spokesman for Farage said: “It comes as no surprise that the Sunday Times has chosen to publish this baseless and contrived story, covering a period of time when Nigel Farage was not even an active politician let alone an elected one, given that the newspaper backed the Labour Party at the last general election.

“Contrary to the story’s tone, no parliamentary rules have been broken.”

A source said Reform paid for Farage’s security and staff after his return to politics.

The source also denied Farage received accommodation from Cottrell – saying the MP did not stay at the London property.

The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is currently investigating whether Farage broke the rules over the £5m gift from British cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in early 2024.

Farage has said Harborne gave him the money to pay for his personal security, adding the gift was “purely private” and “wasn’t political in any sense at all”.

Lib Dem MP Josh Babarinde has asked Greenberg to “get to the bottom” of the latest allegations linked to Farage’s support from Cottrell.

Babarinde has also asked Greenberg to confirm whether he will investigate the claims as part of the existing inquiry or as a separate matter.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage and Reform are engulfed in a huge and growing scandal.

“These new allegations of secret payments from a wealthy convicted criminal are on top of the ongoing scandal of his secret £5m gift from a crypto billionaire.

“How much money has he been given, what did his donors get in return, and why has he tried to cover them up and avoid legitimate questions?”

Responding to Jenrick’s interview, Labour said Reform “can’t shrug this scandal off and hope it goes away”.

A TikTok video has showcased the stunning lake, with the bubblegum pink hue leaving viewers desperate to visit the spot

When you picture Spain, you imagine stunning beaches, delicious cuisine and breathtaking scenery. And this specific corner of Spain has now got tourists buzzing about its natural beauty.

The must-visit bubblegum pink lake sits just an hour’s drive from popular British hotspot Benidorm. Holiday provider Travel Republic has shared everything you need to know about the must-see travel spot, including its health benefits and the reason behind its striking pink hue.

One TikTokker, who goes by the username @carielizabethh, has posted a video of “one of the coolest” experiences you can have just outside of Alicante, Spain.

The video has amassed over 6.5 million views and it’s easy to see why. She goes on to explain that while visiting her boyfriend’s parents, who live nearby, they took the couple to experience the spectacular Laguna Salada de Torrevieja.

The captivating lake is described as “one of the most unique experiences” thanks to its salt content which allows you to float with zero effort.

What’s more, legend has it that covering yourself from head to toe in mud before swimming offers numerous therapeutic benefits.

Users of the platform are intrigued and keen to visit, taking to the comments to say: “It’s giving rose quartz lake vibes”, “omg so cool” and “We have to go “.

The video does caution, however, that visitors should be “super respectful” and not “swim outside of the designated area which is protected by wooden planks”.

So what exactly gives it that striking colour?

The lake’s distinctive strawberry hue is down to the activity of various microorganisms living within the water.

The two key ingredients are salt bacteria and micro-algae. Both flourish in highly saline conditions and produce natural pigments responsible for the water’s stunning pink appearance.

What are the ‘therapeutic’ benefits of the Laguna Salada de Torrevieja?

This remarkable salt lake and its mud are said to offer a wealth of health benefits. Immersing yourself in this natural spa has been credited with helping to prevent skin and lung conditions, while also deeply exfoliating and nourishing the skin.

It’s reportedly beneficial for those suffering from eczema and may also assist with reducing inflammation and easing pain. Those with sensitive skin are advised to take care, however, as the high salt content can cause irritation or a mild stinging sensation.

The water’s elevated salt levels also provide the ideal habitat for brine shrimp, making it a prime feeding ground for flamingos. It is, in fact, these very shrimp that are responsible for giving flamingos their iconic pink plumage.