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United Kingdom : Thousands of homes without power

Some areas experienced a month-and-a-half's worth of rainfall on Sunday and gusts of 97mph.
On Monday, UK Power Networks said more than 18,500 properties across east and south-east England had no power.
Western Power Distribution, which serves the Midlands and the South West, said more than 2,800 homes were affected.
Flights, ferries and trains all saw cancellations and delays on Sunday, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other debris closing roads.
Across the whole of the UK about 539,000 households experienced a power cut at some point on Sunday , according to Energy Networks.
Most have been reconnected but in the East 14,100 properties remain without power, mostly in Norfolk and Suffolk.
About 1,000 homes in Hertfordshire are also affected.
In the South East, 4,480 homes are without power, with half of those in East Sussex.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said 1,800 customers in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset were still without power but it was expected to be restored by 13:00 GMT.
The Yorkshire Dales and the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire were badly hit by flooding over the weekend.
There are numerous reports of rail disruption, and at Gatwick at least 190 flights were cancelled on Sunday.
British Airways said in a statement there would be a "minor knock-on effect" to Monday's schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick, adding anyone flying short-haul to either airport could choose to travel another time.
Southern services between Ashford International and Ore are running at a reduced speed due to a tree blocking the line and trains are also at a standstill between Horsham and Dorking due to fallen tree on the line at Holmwood.
In Bedfordshire, part of Luton station's roof blew off on Sunday and although the station has reopened, the car park remains shut.
The gable end of a house in Leicester collapsed on to the road early on Monday, crushing a car underneath.
The owner of a house on Hamilton Circle, on the corner of Pickhill Road, said the family was woken just after 04:30 GMT and thought the crashing sound was an "earthquake".
"Our neighbours woke up and told us our whole roof had fallen down," he said.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of the fire-damaged Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne as extreme winds may cause parts of the building to collapse.
In the east, part of the M11 remains closed as the roof of a Duxford aircraft hangar is at risk of blowing on to the road.
The motorway is shut in both directions between junction nine for the A11 and junction 11 for the A10 and Cambridge while emergency services work to secure a section of the roof at the Imperial War Museum.
The A505 is also closed from Whittlesford to Fowlmere.
Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire said it would stay shut on Monday for a second day.
"Our staff have been working tirelessly to make sure our animals are safe and warm, and we're very grateful to them for all their hard work," a statement said.
Further strong winds, heavy showers, snow and ice were expected on Monday.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in force for North West England throughout Monday and Tuesday and a yellow warning for wind in the south is in place between 10:00 and 17:00 GMT on Monday.
source : BBC NEWS
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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