In yet another sentence we never thought we’d write, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised for wearing Adidas Sambas in a recent interview, after which plenty of owners promptly put them in the cupboard never to be worn again.
We shouldn’t be this petty but we can never look at the classic Adidas trainer the same ever again.
Now, we’re not particularly political here at The Manc but we don’t think it needs too much as to why seeing your nation’s leader (and a pretty unpopular one at that) wearing the same shoes as you doesn’t exactly make you feel like a style icon.
Sunak was snapped wearing the trainers along with his usual suit shirt and trousers (already a bad start) in a recent interview at Downing Street, which led to a flood of deeply frustrated and undeniably funny memes in its wake.
While we’ve definitely enjoyed it as a social media moment, we are truly saddened that one wear from Rishi Sunak and it seems the appeal of Sambas, shoes which GQ labelled an “eternally cool sneaker”, is now in the toilet all for what they called a “bid to present himself as young and hip”.
However, after his PR team clearly let him on to the social media uproar, the Prime Minister has since spoken out with a stereotypical politician response you could imagine.
Addressing the situation on an LBC radio show this week, the 43-year-old said: “I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas – and others, in fact – for many, many years.
“The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago – my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven’t looked back since. So I’ve been a longtime devotee.” Spoken like a man who has never worn or maybe even seen a pair of these in his life.
It still hasn’t done him much good though as all seems to be too little too late for the iconic pair of kicks as even the reactions to his obviously somewhat tongue-in-cheek apology have been ones of fury, disappointment and everything in between.
The Guardian recognised this common pair of white, suede and gum Adidas Sambas as “this year’s coolest shoes – until Rishi Sunak got a pair”, while another remarked: “Seeing Rishi in Adidas Sambas has killed any last desire to buy them”.
Even those who were never big fans of the shoe that has often been accused of being part of the ‘hipster uniform’ over the year or so have now been left torn as to how it may have been killed off. We’re lovers of the brand and the style around the world will try and keep it alive but for the UK, it might be curtains.
Fashion trends come and go, that’s the nature of the beast, but no trainer as classic as this should have to go out in such a cruel way. We might be laughing on the outside but believe us, we’re crying on the inside. Hope you’re happy with yourself, Rishi.
In all seriousness, please just go back to the usual sh*t-flickers – it’s somehow less unsettling than you in a pair of Sambas.
Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued across Greater Manchester for this week, with some disruption expected.
Nothing says the start of the ‘ber months’ quite like a heavy downpour and some thunderstorms, right? September is here and the summer seems to be long gone, as the Met Office has now issued a series of yellow weather warnings across the UK – including a thunderstorms warning for Greater Manchester and much of the north west.
The Met Office‘s website states that an area of ‘heavy showers and thunderstorms’ is expected, and that this may even cause some localised flooding.
“We’re expecting a band of heavy rain and strong winds to move northeast, followed by heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms,” commented Rebekah Hicks, who is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
She explained that as showers progress north-eastward, they will become ‘temporarily slow-moving’, which will lead to an increased chance of surface water flooding.
A thunderstorm warning is in force this morning for parts of England and Wales ⚠️
While the vast majority of places will have ‘non-impactful’ rain, a few places within the North West could see 30-60mm in an hour.
Hail and lightning will also be additional, as will possibly-locally impactful hazards.
Northern residents are being told to expect difficult driving conditions and some road closures, and where any flooding or lightning strikes should occur, there is also a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
There’s also a slight chance that power cuts could occur, and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Greater Manchester / Credit: Johannes Plenio (via Unsplash)
On top of all that, the Met Office says there is a ‘small chance’ that some homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail, or strong winds – although this is expected to be unlikely.
As Friday, southern areas will begin to see more settled conditions, but unfortunately, it’s a different story for the north.
Here in the North West, it will remain wet and windy for much of the day and weekend.
More information and the latest weather forecasts for Greater Manchester and the North West can be found on the Met Office website here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Government to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to consult on banning the sale of ‘high-caffeine’ energy drinks to children under the age of 16.
Currently, it’s thought that around 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day, and there is said to be ‘growing evidence’ that links these drinks to harmful effects on children – including things like disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration, and reduced educational outcomes.
So, in a bid to ‘boost kids’ health’, both physical and mental, plans set out today will stop retailers from selling the drinks to those under 16.
The Government believes this move could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.
The proposal would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers – including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.
The proposals would not affect lower-caffeine soft drinks nor tea and coffee.
Government to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 / Credit: NeedPic
Many major retailers already voluntarily restrict sales, but research suggests that some smaller convenience stores continue selling to children.
Leaders and ministers say early intervention is ‘crucial’ if they are to deliver on their pledge to create the healthiest generation of children ever.
The move to ban energy drinks for under 16s is backed by parents, teachers, and also teaching unions who report on pupils being unable to concentrate and focus because of them, and even so far as to negatively affecting grades and academic performance.
Acting now to improve children’s wellbeing will not only help give them the best start in life and prevent them from a lifetime of poor health, the Government claims, but also deliver tens of millions of pounds of health benefits, as well as future savings for the NHS and increased economic productivity.
The proposal aims to boost kids’ health, both physically and mentally / Credit: Pexels
“How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of four cans of cola in their system on a daily basis?” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.
“Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration, and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity
“As part of our Plan for Change and shift from treatment to prevention, we’re acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the root causes of poor health and educational attainment head on.
Danny Jones -
10th April 2024 
