MEGAN Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are said to be ‘in a good place’ after welcoming their first child together.

The stunning actress, 38, welcomed her baby with ex Machine Gun Kelly, 34, on March 27.

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The former couple, who split mere months ago, are “so happy to be parents together” despite not being an item.

“No matter how they’ve felt about each other, they have always wanted to have a child together,” a source told Us Weekly.

“They have both been communicating and are in a good place.”

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed whether or not Megan and Machine Gun Kelly will rekindle their romance.

“It feels magical to her that she now has a baby girl too.

“She’s doing great and over the moon about her baby girl,” a source told People about Megan.

They added that the last few months “have been difficult for her” amid her split from MGK.

Revealing how the former couple will navigate being parents, the source shared that they are planning on “co-parenting” together.

“She won’t be getting back together with him,” the source bluntly affirmed, dashing any hopes of a romantic reunion for their fans.

BABY DAUGHTER BORN

MGK, whose real name is Colson Baker, announced the exciting news of the couple’s baby’s arrival on social media.

He made the announcement to his Instagram followers as he shared a black-and-white video holding his little one’s tiny hand.

“She’s finally here!! our little celestial seed,” MGK captioned the sweet post.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, MGK added that he “composed the score of the birth” with best pal Travis Barker.

Megan is still yet to post about her baby girl after wiping her Instagram account.

There is only one post on Megan’s page, which was shared 19 weeks ago.

MEGAN AND MGK SPLIT

Megan and MGK were reported to have split in December 2024 – just months before their first baby was due.

Megan called things off with her baby daddy after finding “upsetting” material on his phone, as per TMZ.

After their split made headlines, it was claimed that MGK wanted to reconcile, but Megan did not.

Speaking to Us Weekly at the time, a source said: “MGK would like to reconcile, but Megan is firm in her decision to move on.

“She does not see a future with him anymore. She doesn’t want to put herself in the same position again with him anymore.

“She wants to break the cycle.”

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THIS is the moment a couple who complained about their daughter’s school’s recruitment process was arrested for “harassment” and led away by SIX police officers.

Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine were detained on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications after what they describe as a “trivial” dispute.

Facebook @Maxie Allen

They had sent multiple emails to Cowley Primary School in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire and made “disparaging” comments on a WhatsApp group for parents.

CCTV footage shows the uniformed cops walking up to the front door of the couple’s home, also in Borehamwood, in January.

They are then seen being led by away in front of their crying daughter and spent six hours in a cell.

Hertfordshire Police conducted a five-week investigation before deciding there was no case to answer.

Times Radio producer Maxie, 50, said the action was “dystopian” and a “massive overreach”.

He accused Cowley Hill of trying to “silence awkward parents”.

He told The Times: “I was just in complete disbelief. It was just unfathomable to me that things had escalated to this degree.

“It was absolutely nightmarish. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that a public authority could use the police to close down a legitimate inquiry.

“We’d never used abusive or threatening language, even in private, and always followed due process. Yet we have never even been told what these communications were that were supposedly criminal, which is completely Kafkaesque.”

Maxie and Rosalind, 46, were also accused of causing a nuisance on school property.

However, they maintain they haven’t been to school since last July – and the allegations have never been explained.

Former governor Maxie had questioned why an open recruitment process hadn’t begun after the school’s headteacher announced he was retiring in May last year.

He had hoped a meeting would be held to explain the process.

Chair of governors Jackie Spriggs then reportedly told parents “inflammatory and defamatory” comments had been made on social media.

She also warned action would be taken against anyone causing “disharmony”.

Maxie and Rosalind were subsequently banned from the school’s premises after being accused of “casting aspersions” on Ms Spriggs.

The couple claim they were then barred from attending a parents’ evening for nine-year-old daughter Sascha, and were not allowed to go to her Christmas performance.

The schoolgirl has epilepsy, as well as being neurodivergent and registered disabled.

Maxie and Rosalind say they sent emails to the school to address their daughter’s needs.

On January 29, Rosalind was looking after youngest daughter Francesa, three, when half a dozen officers arrived at the door.

She said she feared “Sascha was dead” and said her toddler was “cowering in the corner, she was terrified”.

Maxie added he believes the school used the cops “to close down legitimate inquiries” but doesn’t understand why the force “played along”.

The school says it sought advice from the police following a “high volume” of correspondence, including social media posts, which had upset staff and parents.

A spokesman added: “We’re always happy for parents to raise concerns, but we do ask that they do this in a suitable way, and in line with the school’s published complaints procedure.”

Hertfordshire County Council said Louise Thomas was appointed interim head of the school for one term before a full recruitment process was carried out.

The force said the officers dispatched to the address were needed to secure electronic devices and care for the children there.

A spokesman said: “The arrests were necessary to fully investigate the allegations as is routine in these types of matters.

“Following further investigations, officers deemed that no further action should be taken due to insufficient evidence.”

The Sun has approached the police, school and council for further comment.

BRITS are being paid over GBP80,000 to move to a picturesque mountain region – but there’s a 10-year catch.

The northern Italian region of Trentino, where the Dolomites meet the Alps, has suffered a decline in its population over the last few years.

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In an attempt to repopulate the area, the government is offering a whopping sum of GBP80,000 to Italians – and others interested in the scheme – to relocate.

The project has received more than GBP8million in funding and is projected to revitalise the area, which is currently overrun with abandoned and run-down houses.

Not only will participants be offered a lump sum of cash to move but they will also be handed over GBP16,000 to help with the purchase and renovation of a property.

But there is one very big catch.

Residents must commit to living in Trentino for 10 years – or agree to rent the house out for the same amount of time.

Those who fail to comply with the rules may be forced to return their funding.

This comes just days after Penne, Italy announced it will be selling homes for under a GBP1.

Buyers could enjoy both the sea and mountains if they pick up a beautiful house in the stunning location.

Penne started selling its abandoned homes for the rock bottom price in 2022.

The town, which lies between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso mountain range, began this amazing deal in an attempt to stop its plummeting population numbers.

Six homes have been sold since 2022, mostly to Italians.

Buyers also would not have to pay a huge deposit on the €1 price tag.

The only guarantee required to secure one of these homes is that the buyer must renovate the property within three years.

These deposits are returned to the buyers after the works on the home are done.

But Brits looking to move abroad for more sunshine and a quiet life could pick up a bargain soon.

The next “handful” of homes will become available “in the next couple of weeks”, the mayor of the small town revealed to CNN.

Some of the homes that will become available unbelievably date back to medieval times.

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SHOPPERS are going wild and are racing to get their hands on ‘nostalgic’ homeware from M&S.

So if you want to upgrade your dinner set that you’ve had for the last decade, or fancy nabbing yourself a new mug, then you’ve come to the right place.

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MarksandSpencer/Instagram

MarksandSpencer/Instagram

Bargain hunters are raving about the new M&S collection of ‘ nostalgic’ goods, reminiscent of pricier alternatives by high-end brands but with a much more affordable price tag.

Not only have people claimed that the affordable buys look ‘designer’, but others have claimed they are like being ‘transported back in time’.

It comes after M&S, an established British retail giant since 1884, took to social media to show off the gorgeous interior range.

Posting on the official M&S account, the chain shared a short video featuring an array of serving bowls and plates designed to mimic cabbage leaves.

The accompanying caption joked: “We heard it counts as one of your five a day“.

Thanks to this nostalgic homeware range, shoppers will be able to stock up on an assortment of food-shaped items that echo designs many remember from their grandparents’ homes.

The collection includes a GBP15 Cabbage Serving Bowl, which is available in shades of forest green and pink, as well as a Medium Serving Bowl, priced at only GBP12.50.

Not only is the M&S range purse-friendly, but if you’ve got designer taste but a small budget, you’ll be pleased to know that this cheaper alternative is strikingly similar to Liberty’s Cabbage Leaf Bowl, which costs GBP61.

In addition to this, there’s Cabbage Plates, for just GBP10 – and they’re available in forest green and white.

Shoppers can also find a vibrant Red Cabbage Patch Platter, which retails for GBP15.

Not only this, but there’s even a cute Cabbage Cup and Saucer, which is sure to leave your guests impressed, for only GBP10.

But that’s not all, as shoppers will also find the Cabbage Jug for only GBP18 – and there’s no doubt it will look fabulous centre stage on your dining table.

Shoppers beam

This Instagram clip has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly captured over 144,000 views and 1,478 likes.

M&S fans were gobsmacked and confessed to being ‘in love’ with the new tableware.

Why Everyone Is Loving M&S

Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale revealed to Fabulous why M&S is the shop of the moment. She explained:

“M&S has really pulled it out of the bag this season, there is so much good product to be excited about.

“A brand once known for its ‘frumpy fashion’ that notion is long gone with it now being one of the leading high street stores for womenswear.

“Its handbag range in particular is super strong with them selling 170% vs plan, with lots more designer dupes for just a fraction of the price.

“The brand is now also the #1 for style perceptions, compared to the #3 spot it had last year, this comes from a really strong design team focused on modernising the brand, not only taking into consideration how the pieces look, but how easy they are to wear also.

“Price is also a big factor with you being able to get many good quality pieces all for under GBP30.

“After having a sneak peak of the upcoming collection there are so many more amazing pieces that are dropping over the next few months to keep your eyes on.

“Think leopard print dresses, colourful co-ords, embroidered boho jackets, plus lots of swimwear and amazing accessories, as well as great wardrobe staples that will last year on year.”

Not only did shoppers eagerly flock to the comments to share their thoughts on the M&S buys, but the conversation quickly turned to many sharing memories, with numerous users noting the resemblance to items their grandparents once owned.

One person said: “Love this collection”, while another shared: “Saw these in store yesterday, absolutely LOVE them”.

I bought this collection, it just felt so nostalgic like I’d been transported back in time to my nans

Instagram user

Another enthusiastic shopper simply stated: “Obsessed!” while others couldn’t resist exclaiming: “Omg NEED.”

Recognising the clear sense of nostalgia, one customer commented: “Just like Carltonware! I’ve got some of my mum’s!”

While someone else chimed in with similar fond reflections and beamed: “I love this type of crockery, it reminds of plates and bowls my Mum and Gran had when I was young”.

Not only this, but another recognised: “I bought this collection, it just felt so nostalgic like I’d been transported back in time to my nans.”

Whilst one eagle-eyed user wrote: “Oooh very Liberty.”

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MarksandSpencer/Instagram

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FANATIC shoppers swarmed Lidl stores to nab the viral Dubai chocolate bar for under a fiver.

Having sold a whopping 6000 J.D. Gross Dubai bars in just 72 minutes on their TikTok shop, the choccies hit the shelves of the bargain chain this morning.

Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com

Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com

Anticipation has been building on social media, with hundreds inquiring about the specific time they will be released.

Users warned the supermarket to be “ready for a rampage” and that there may be “tears” if they sold out too quickly.

A queue snaked outside the Gosport, Hampshire outlet at 8am with punters eagerly waiting for the sliding doors to open.

Most headed straight for the middle aisle, home to the specialist food section, where they picked up their bars.

Poppy and Archie Nelson, 11 and seven, respectively, were so excited that they got up at 5.30am to make sure they got there before the luxurious bars sold out.

She said: “I’ve been seeing it all over the internet, and it looks really yummy.

“I’ve been to Dubai before and seen it made, and I think it would be cool to eat Dubai chocolate.

“They are restricting it to two a person, and they’ve sold a box already.”

Waitrose also had to impose a two-bar limit due to the popularity of the product despite their version costing a tenner.

Comparatively, the Lindt version costs just GBP3.99 with a Lidl plus card and GBP4.99 without.

Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com

Paul Jacobs/pictureexclusive.com

Ind

Indisputably the most affordable bar on the market, it is nearly three times cheaper than some big-name alternatives.

The bar features a creamy pistachio centre inspired by Knafeh, an Arabic dessert made from fine pastry and nuts.

It is then cased in unctuous milk chocolate, creating the ultimate balance of smooth and crunchy.

Tik-tokkers rushed to rate Lidl’s budget offering, raving about the quality, especially given the price.

One remarked: “Silky baby, silky, it’s got even more filling than the Lindt version.”

Another said: “It’s got the crunch; this is really good for 3.99, such a luxurious bargain!”

A food influencer, Angelina, said: “The chocolate itself is very hazlenutty, with more crispiness in the knafeh.

“Definitely a hit- not quite as amazing as the Lindt version at half the price, hey ho!.

“It’s a solid 9 out of 10.”

Lidl replied: “Well that thanks!”

NEWCASTLE fans gather at St James Park after the side won their first trophy in 70 YEARS!

Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to claim their first silverware in over half a century.

The side will be celebrating the famous victory, as they take to the streets of Newcastle in an open-top bus parade.

Fans will be treated to a full replay of the game, before the side tour the city with the trophy.

• Timings:
  • Full match replay – 2pm GMT
  • Main stage entertainment starts – 4pm GMT
  • Bus parade starts – 4:30pm GMT
  • Players take to the stage – 6:35pm GMT
  • Event ends – 7:30pm GMT
• Live stream: SunSport YouTube

Follow our live blog below…

BRIGHTON host fellow Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest in a huge FA Cup quarter-final clash this afternoon.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side thrashed the Seagulls 7-0 when the two sides last met in February.

But Brighton are unbeaten since their drumming at the City Ground, and the Seagulls will be out for revenge as they look to stay on course to claim the first major trophy in their history.

Forest are in a strong position to finish in the Premier League’s top four, but the Tricky Trees will want some silverware to remember such an outstanding season.

• Kick off time: 5.15pm GMT
• TV channel: BBC One
• FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
• Brighton team: To follow…
• Nottingham Forest team: To follow…

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM GBP10 DEPOSITS

Follow our live blog below…

LILY Allen’s best friend Miquita Oliver has revealed she had a secret abortion, but didn’t feel like she could ask for time off her TV job.

The presenter, 40, confessed she underwent the termination when she was 24 just one day before presenting the high profile Fashion Rocks event on T4 on Channel 4.

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BBC

She said: “I remember I worked at Fashion Rocks, at the Royal Albert Hall, for T4, Lily was there performing.

“All these popstars would come and sing with a brand, but I’d had an abortion the day before.

“It was really quite serious, and I was only 24.”

Speaking to her childhood pal Lily on their Miss Me? podcast Miquita told how she was in pain, but tried to hide it as she was worried her ex would dump her.

She said: “I didn’t say, ‘I know, why don’t I call in and say ‘I’ve had an abortion and I can’t move from pain,’

“And I thought ‘you can’t do that to Fashion Rocks, who is going to host the T4 coverage?’

“That was some next level type of cramps walking around the Royal Albert Hall.

“It was a very weird day. I was really quite heavily pregnant with my ex and I was just so embarrassed and so scared he wouldn’t want to go out with me anymore. So I kept it to myself until now.”

Popstar Lily, who has two children, has previously said women should not have to “justify” having abortions as she reflected on her own experience of terminating a pregnancy.

The singer, who recently split from her second husband actor David Harbour, hit out on social media at recent examples of “exceptional reasons” for having the procedure.

Not known, clear with picture desk

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THE Sun is still shining as the number one news brand in the UK despite a challenging market.

Fresh accounts show that The Sun’s news content still reaches 23.4 million Brits despite recent changes by US tech giants including Facebook which no longer prioritise journalism on their websites.

Darren Fletcher - The Sun

The shake-up by social media companies, which affects how they display news stories, has hit the entire media industry.

However, The Sun’s long history of scoops has continued to be the reason for boosts in newspaper circulation, with exclusives on Huw Edwards and ongoing coverage of the Royal family proving popular with readers.

And in the most recent release by industry body, PAMCo The Sun remains the UK’s number one news brand in terms of monthly, daily and weekly reach. The analysis applies to the first half of FY25.

The Sun’s YouTube channel has become the biggest publisher channel in the UK and now counts more than six million subscribers. Since launch, the channel has driven 5.3 billion views with over 135 million hours of content consumed.

Defence editor Jerome Stakey’s War in Ukraine videos have also been viewed over 30 million times, while Political Editor Harry Cole’s election debate footage was viewed 15 million times across all channels.

Accounts for News Group Newspapers show that The Sun has considerably narrowed its adjusted operating losses by 85 per cent from GBP62.6million to GBP9.2million in the year to the end of June 2024.

On a statutory basis, which also includes all legal costs and one-off charges, NGN’s losses have also shrunk by almost three quarters from GBP65.9million to GBP18million.

This is partly linked to a lower level of costs related to the closure of News of the World, which was part of the same company.

The costs are covered by an indemnity from Fox Corp.

Last year the publisher faced one-off charges of GBP51.6million but this dropped to GBP14.1million in 2024, partly helped by GBP13.6million of credit. The credit recognises the generous provision put aside to cover potential claims ahead of a deadline in 2022.

Stripping out legal costs, NGN operating losses narrowed to GBP4.2million compared to GBP14.3 million on the same basis.

Revenues for NGN slipped by 2 per cent to GBP296.3million, largely due to a reduction in advertising revenues due to the volatility of online social media firms.

During the year the business was helped by easing inflationary pressures, such as lower energy and print costs, resulting in NGN restructuring costs of GBP4.3million.

CADBURY has launched a new chocolate bar based on a popular flavour – but it has divided fans who have snapped it up.

Shoppers rushed to try their Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Biscoff bar, which is being sold for as little as 99p in Iceland.

Michael Leckie/PinPep

However, despite the popularity of Biscoff, the Dairy Milk bar hasn’t gone down well with customers.

One chocoholic shared how they had spotted it for GBP1.50 in Heron’s Food, which led to many people giving their opinion on the bar on Facebook.

One said: “Just tasted like dairy milk, don’t rate it one bit,such let down.”

Another added: “Can’t even taste Biscoff it’s just like cadburys with a biscuit crunch texture.”

A third commented: “We tried it yesterday and genuinely can’t taste the biscoff.”

However, one said they liked it and got it from Iceland for just 99p.

The bar features Cadbury Dairy Milk with pieces of caramelized shortbread Biscoff pieces.

Fans had been eagerly waiting for a release date since last summer, and it hit shelves on March 15.

Sainsbury’s was the first supermarket to stock the chocolate.

Morrisons began filling their shelves with the snack from Wednesday March 19 and Tesco shoppers could get their hands on it from March 25.

Finally, Asda shoppers could try the chocolate from March 27.

Prices start from GBP1.69 for a 95g bar and a larger 105g bar will cost GBP2.

It’s worth noting that retailers are free to set their own prices, so they may vary from shop to shop.

Connor Gould, Brand Manager at Cadbury said: “This might be the hardest secret we have had to keep.

Facebook

Cadbury

“We know people love the irresistible smoothness of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and the satisfying crunch of Biscoff, so this collaboration was something that we were excited to announce to both chocolate and biscuit lovers alike.

“It’s a match made in chocolatey-biscuit heaven, proving to be a truly unique and delectable experience for all! We can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.”

A previous image of the chocolate bar shared on social media caused a stir, with one user joking they would “step over a corpse to have a bite”.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don't have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

ROYAL experts have defended Vanity Fair former editor Graydon Carter criticising Meghan Markle’s complaints after he put her on the cover in 2017.

The publishing boss admitted he “had no idea” who Meghan was at the time, however, someone said “she’s going to marry Prince Harry“, which saw her land the front page.

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Conde Nast

Getty - Contributor

Getty

According to the former editor, the then-Suits actress wanted the October Vanity Fair spread to focus on her charity efforts and philanthropy rather than Harry.

Carter, who created the iconic Vanity Fair Oscars party and edited the magazine for 25 years, added: “This woman is slightly adrift on the facts and reality”.

Now experts have said Meghan had “nothing to moan about” with the shoot and she was “lucky” to get the publicity.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, legendary Sun photographer Arthur Edwards said: “She had nothing to moan about.

“She got great publicity, and she was unknown.

“I never heard of her when I first heard she was linked with Harry. No one I knew had heard of her.

“No one in my family had heard of her. She was a complete unknown.

“I think she was lucky to get that publicity. I mean, and that’s what she always sought—publicity.

“She wanted to say what a great actress she was.”

During her cover interview, Meghan reportedly said: “Excuse me, is this going to all be about Prince Harry?

“Because I thought we were going to be talking about my charities and my philanthropy”.

News.com.au’s Royal Reporter Bronte Coy agreed with Arthur, saying: “The reporter was obviously asking about the fact she was dating Prince Harry.

“That had come out less than a year earlier.

“They went on to get engaged a couple of months later. It’s the reason she was in the magazine. Let’s be real.

“Suits was popular, but she’s an ensemble cast member, and so she was a little put out.

Louis Wood - The Sun

AFP

AFP

“They weren’t talking about her charity work instead.

“And so for him to then say she was a bit adrift from reality, I think, is a fair assessment.”

The October 2017 issue was eventually finalised and called She’s just wild about Harry.

A few months later the Duke’s engagement was announced, and the pair tied the knot in May 2018.

Just two years later the couple had quit the UK and settled in California.

Mr Carter, who had known Harry’s late mother Princess Diana, said: “Anytime someone comes between siblings that’s a disaster – horrible for a family.”

“I would think she [Diana] would feel great sorrow for her son to have been pulled away from his family like this, especially his brother but also his father”.

Mr Carter was the co-host of the 1994 Serpentine Gallery event where Princess Diana stepped out in her iconic ‘revenge dress’.

The revelations come as Mr Carter releases his new memoir this week, When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines.

Rex

News Group Newspapers Ltd

A TOWN in Spain has been compared a city in Brazil because of it’s huge sandy beach – and famous rockface.

Calpe, in Alicante, is a beach resort on the northern part of Costa Blanca.

Alamy

Alamy

The long stretch of sand is overlooked by the Penon de Ifach rock, 332 metres above sea level.

However, the huge rock overlooking the coastline has drawn comparisons to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio.

They are even similar heights, with Sugarloaf being slightly taller at 391 metres.

Sadly tourists will have to climb Penon de Ifach rock by foot, while Sugarloaf has a cable car to get to the top.

And the temperatures are unlikely to match with Rio, which is hitting highs of 29C this week compared to Alicante’s 20C.

Visit in summer, however, and Alicante hits 31C highs, compared to Rio’s 26C.

And for Brits, the Spanish resort is a much cheaper option with GBP17 flights thanks to easyJet.

Rio is a slightly more expensive option with flights to the Brazilian city from GBP474 each way.

Also in Calpe is an unusual apartment block which people say looks like something from Squid Games

La Muralla Roja is a bright pink apartment complex, and was said to be the inspiration.

Along with 50 apartments, the winding staircases look like something from Tetris.

And Calpe isn’t the only place in Europe that has been compared to Brazil.

San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily also looks similar to the Rio beach, with the huge rock towering over the town.

Some have even said its like “being in the Maldives” because of the blue water.

We’ve found a spot in Eastern Europe that people say is a miniature Thailand.

If you’re staying in the UK, here are some seaside towns that could be abroad.

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LUKE LITTLER has backed Stephen Bunting to reverse his awful Premier League form – as the Bullet faces unwanted darting history.

Bunting, 39, has lost EIGHT games in a row in this year’s event and he is rock bottom of the eight-man table with ZERO points.

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PA

In total, he is on a 12-game Prem winless streak – he has not won in the competition since beating Gary Anderson 7-1 in Cardiff on April 23, 2015!

In the 2020 Covid-hit tournament, he drew 6-6 with Rob Cross on his home stage of Liverpool in a one-off appearance as a contender.

The worst Prem streak is held by Peter Wright, who went 13 games across the 2019 and 2020 editions without celebrating a win.

Should the St Helens thrower lose to Nathan Aspinall next Thursday in Berlin – which is week nine – then he will equal Snakebite’s terrible tally.

The world No.6 might be a crowd favourite with his David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’ walk-on tune, but his game is shot and he cannot get to six legs before his opponent does.

Littler, 18, whitewashed him 6-0 en route to winning night eight in Newcastle last week, but he said: “Obviously, Steve’s struggling at the minute.

“Once he gets that first win, I’m sure he’ll win quite a few in the Premier League. I think we’re halfway through now.

“I think last week he said he’s putting too much pressure on himself. Obviously, without a win in eight weeks.

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“If I was Stephen now, I’d say you’ve just got to relax. You’ve just got to say, come on, just win that first game.

“And I’m sure once he gets that first win and gets that winning feeling, then he’ll go on. Hopefully, I think he could win a night.”

Littler, the defending Premier League champion, tops the table with 26 points thanks to four wins – Glasgow, Brighton, Cardiff and Newcastle.

Nobody has ever won five nights before, but he is likely to get there given he has eight weeks before the Playoffs at London’s O2 Arena on May 29.

The chance to break the 40-point barrier – both he and Jonny Clayton (2022) hold that record – is well within his grasp.

Michael van Gerwen is a seven-time Premier League champion but Littler has time and age on his side to do better, perhaps.

The Warrington teen, the world No.2, said: “How many has Michael got? Seven. If I’m still around, I’ll have a go at breaking it.

“I said it last week, but I want to finish top again. Go back-to-back.

“Obviously now I’m fighting for top and trying to break the nightly win record.”

3pm – DE-STRESS

STRESS is a major contributor to all health problems.

“It can truly be a silent killer,” Dr Enayat says.

“The mind and body are intricately connected. How we feel, the stress we are under, our mental health – they can all affect physical health problems, and vice versa.”

Scientists at Laval University found people dealing with job strain who weren’t getting much enjoyment out of their work were 97 per cent more likely to develop atrial fibrillation – a type of irregular heartbeat linked to strokes and heart failure – compared to non-stressed workers.

Separate research, published in the journal Circulation, found high work stress and low reward doubled the chances of men developing heart disease, which can cause heart attacks and other serious complications.

Aim for seven to nine hours of restful sleep per night to support bodily functions and cognitive health, focusing particularly on getting to bed before 10pm if possible

Leslie Kennedy

Links have also been found between stress and poor mental health, and stress and infertility.

Cambridge University researchers found high-stress jobs make younger workers twice as likely to suffer from major depression.

And in a study published in the journal Human Reproduction, women who reported feeling “very stressed” had a 29 per cent lower chance of becoming pregnant compared to those who were less stressed.

Thankfully there are some simple ways to slash stress levels. Dr Enayat recommends meditation, box breathing and spending time in nature.

5pm – GET SOCIAL BUT DITCH BAD HABITS

AFTER a long day at work, it can be hard to muster the energy to do something social.

But seeing friends for dinner or even a quick drink with your colleagues could actually extend your life.

“Social connections are important and linked to better health and longevity,” Dr Enayat says.

A study by the University of Queensland found having a busy social life in your late 40s could slash your risk of 11 conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer.

Separate research in China suggested the more people socialised, the longer they lived.

Time to death was delayed by 42 per cent in those who socialised occasionally, 48 per cent in those who did at least monthly, 110 per cent in those who did so at least weekly, and 87 per cent in those who did so nearly every day, compared with those who said they never socialised.

But if you are in the pub, avoid any harmful habits like smoking and alcohol, Dr Enayat adds.

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6pm – SWAP THE HOT TUB FOR THE SAUNA

YOU might have started your day with an icy shower, but you don’t have to be cold all the time (thank goodness).

Some level of heat therapy can be beneficial for relaxation, pain relief, and blood circulation, according to Healthline.

“Next time you’re at the gym, swap the hot tub for the sauna and get lots of health benefits,” Leslie says.

“Saunas are great. I use one daily and love it – especially welcome in dreary, cold weather.

“It’s a great way to detox after hangovers and blow away the blues.

“ One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association actually found that regular sauna use was associated with a reduced risk of premature death from all causes, and those who did it twice a week lived longer than those who did it once.

“Saunas are also thought to help collagen production, which can give your skin that much sought-after youthful, healthy glow.”

7pm – EVENING STRETCHES

“CONSIDER gentle yoga and stretches before bedtime,” Dr Enayat says.

“This helps to relax your muscles, relieve tension, and promote a peaceful state of mind that is conducive to restful sleep.”

It will also make you more flexible over time, which has its own longevity benefits.

People with greater flexibility tended to live longer than those with lower ranges in a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.

Among men, those with low flexibility scores were almost twice as likely to die during the 13-year study period compared to those with higher scores.

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8pm – NO BLUE LIGHT

MOST people know not to go on their phones in bed or risk tossing and turning in the night.

But it’s important to avoid all screens two hours before you hit the hay, according to Dr Enayat.

“Blue light interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep,” he says.

“Using electronic devices before bed can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce sleep quality.

“You can combat this by avoiding screenings at least two hours before bedtime, or wearing blue light-blocking glasses or apps to minimise disruption.

“If you must use devices at night, lower the brightness and consider ‘night mode’ settings to reduce the impact on your circadian rhythm.”

But it’s not just your sleep that will be impacted. Scientists say daily exposure to blue light may actually accelerate ageing by damaging cells in the brain.

Professor Jaga Giebultowicz, who led the research, says: “It was very clear cut that although light without blue slightly shortened their lifespan, just blue light alone shortened their lifespan very dramatically.”

9pm – JOURNAL

SO what do you do when you’ve ditched your phone and your TV screen is black? Pick up a pen and journal!

“Writing down your concerns before you go to bed can be a powerful way to release any pent-up thoughts, anxieties or to-do lists that might keep you awake,” Dr Enayat says.

“By jotting down your thoughts, you can mentally ‘close the book’ on the day, which may help reduce rumination and facilitate better sleep.

“Additionally, journalling can help process emotions, fostering a sense of calm and wellbeing before sleep. It’s a great way to clear your mind and set aside any worries for tomorrow.”

There is no direct evidence to suggest journaling alone can make you look younger and live longer, but it could have a huge positive impact on your mental health, which can.

10 things to do every day to live longer

By Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter

WHEN it comes to ageing well, making big changes like overhauling your diet and quitting smoking might seem like the only way to achieve that.

But small tweaks that only take a matter of minutes each day can be very effective too, according to experts at Curves. These include:

1. Taking a power nap
2. Doing a quick bodyweight exercise circuit
3. Having a digital detox
4. Preparing healthy snacks
5. Journaling away your stress
6. Calling a friend
7. Taking a brisk walk
8. Staying hydrated
9. Meditating your mood
10. Stretching

You can read more about each one here.

10pm – NO DISTRACTIONS

BY now, you’ve been up for 16 hours. Hopefully with all that movement, socialising and journaling, you’re feeling tired because it’s time for bed.

Dr Enayat says: “Your sleep environment plays a vital role in the quality of your rest so make sure yours is free from light and sound, and keep the temperature cool.

“A dark, quiet, cool room signals to the brain that it’s time to sleep.

“Consider blackout curtains to block out any external light, and use earplugs or a white noise machine to mask disruptive sounds.

“A cool room temperature has been shown to promote deeper sleep by helping lower your body temperature.”

Leslie adds: “Aim for seven to nine hours of restful sleep per night to support bodily functions and cognitive health, focusing particularly on getting to bed before 10pm if possible.

“Our deep sleep window is between 10pm and 2am and is the only time that the brain’s glymphatic system jumps into action, flushing away toxins.

“This is especially key for women who have twice the risk of getting Alzheimer’s than men.”

And the 10pm bedtime isn’t just for week nights.

“Try to sleep at regular hours – so the same time every night,” Dr Enayat says.

“Going to bed and waking up at consistent times each day reinforces your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

“Having a wind-down routine signals to your body that it’s time to relax, improving sleep onset and depth and reducing insomnia.”

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s Seann Walsh has revealed he’s recently become a father for the second time.

The comedian shared a message about his “newborn” – after seemingly keeping his partner Grace Adderley’s pregnancy secret.

Instagram @seanwalsh

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The notoriously private couple welcomed a baby girl in February 2023.

However, Seann appeared to announce they were now parents of two children when he shared a picture on Instagram.

He wrote alongside a snap of Seann’s daughter covered in food over her head: “My first five minutes of being left alone with Wylda and our new born Casper.

“S*** just got real.”

Seann shocked fans when he admitted fainting during his girlfriend’s first labour.

The comedian announced his happy news on Instagram today in a video from hospital after his girlfriend Grace gave birth.

He praised the “great” hospital staff for taking care of them both and shared their hilarious reaction to his blackout.

He wrote: “I passed out during the birth. Of course I did.

“The nurse’s response? ‘Men’.

“Fair.”

The comic, 38, has been dating dance teacher Grace, 32, since 2018 – shortly after his controversial stint on Strictly Come Dancing when he kissed his married professional dancer, Katya Jones.

They revealed they were expecting during an Instagram Live on tour.

He became a dad for the first time months after finishing 5th on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2022.

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SHOPPERS have spotted an air fryer selling for just GBP13.75 at a major supermarket, making it potentially the cheapest deal around.

A bargain hunter on Facebook shared a photo of the Salter 3.7L air fryer on Asda shelves which was advertised as a “special price”.

Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK

The similar Ninja version is selling for GBP78 – so shoppers would be paying around GBP64 less for the Salter air fryer in Asda.

Shoppers on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group shared their disbelief at the deal, with one saying: “No way is it that price.”

Another commented: “Brilliant price.”

Others tagged their friends to check their local stores for the mega deal.

One person said they had bought the same air fryer from Aldi previously and it was “as powerful as Ninja”.

However another person who owns the air fryer said its drawers weren’t “that big” so it would likely suit a smaller family.

Similar sized air fryers are usually advertised as being suitable for two to three people.

The product doesn’t appear to be available on Asda’s website so you should check your local store for the deal.

You can find out where your nearest Asda is here: https://storelocator.asda.com/.

It’s not clear whether the deal is nationwide.

Remember, you should always shop around to make sure you’re getting the best price – although this is the lowest price we can currently see for an air fryer of this size.

To give an idea of the saving here, Salter’s 2L Compact Air Fryer is GBP34.99 on its official website.

Meanwhile the 3.2L Personal Hot Air Fryer is GBP41.99.

The Ninja version, which is slightly bigger at 3.8L, is on offer for GBP78 down from GBP99.99 on the company’s official website.

It has four cooking functions, which are Air Fry, Roast, Dehydrate and Reheat.

The description says its basket can fit a 1.35kg chicken or 900g of French fries.

It’s got overwhelmingly positive reviews online, with one person saying: “It’s amazing wish I had got one sooner . Very easy to use delighted with it Save using my big oven.”

Another says: “Crispy chips and chicken, such a worthy investment, would always recommend to any family and friends, saved on gas as well.”

What do other air fryers cost?

If you can’t find the deal in your local Asda, you can get similar sized air fryers elsewhere.

The Dunelm Manual 4 Litre Air Fryer is slightly bigger and costs GBP30.

It has an impressive 4.7 stars out of 5 online and shoppers say it’s a “must have”.

One reviewer wrote: “Amazing value, very simple to use, cooks brilliantly, a great energy saver and compact.”

There’s also the Russell Hobbs Satisfry Air Fryer 4.3L, which is a little pricier at GBP54.99.

However this is down from an RRP of GBP94.99, so you would be making a decent saving.

It’s got glowing reviews, averaging at five stars out of five.

One person said: “I’ve tried a couple of different brands of air fryers and this one is probably one of my favourites.”

Another wrote: “This airfryer is amazing ! The capacity is great and i’ve cooked some very nice meals in it!”

ALISON Hammond fans have today come up with a theory about what they think is the “real reason” why she turned down Celebrity Big Brother.

Yesterday, the presenter, 50, shut down any chance of returning to the Big Brother house – despite the show launching her career.

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Rex

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Alison was just 27 in 2002, when she auditioned to be on Big Brother.

She described herself in her audition video as being “addicted to Vaseline”, and a “huge Harry Potter fan”.

Her application was a success, and she burst onto our screens in the third series of Big Brother.

This season is considered one of the most iconic BB series’ ever.

Season three launched stars like Radio 1 presenter Adele Roberts, TV personality Kate Lawler, and the late Jade Goody.

However, she only managed 15 days in the house before becoming the third housemate to be evicted.

But despite all fame and fortune the show brought her, Alison has refused to go back in the famous house for this year’s Celebrity Big Brother – and fans have a theory why she has made this decision.

Taking to social media, one fan said: “As much as I think she’d be amazing in it again, I appreciate her saying no, and I think it’s the right answer.

“Her career is on a high right now and there’s so many variables to BB, and the way viewers would pick her apart for not saying the right thing etc. wise decision.”

While another added: “She’s at her peak let’s not forget what happened to the last person who reached their peak & went back on the show I feel likes it’s a bad omen.”

This one said: “When someone does both BB and CBB it doesn’t go well. So I don’t blame Alison for saying no.”

The fan theory comes following an interview Alison did yesterday.

Speaking to Gaby Roslin on her Magic Radio show, the This Morning host Alison Hammond said ‘she was so grateful’ to the show.

Asked if she would do it again, she answered: “I’ve just got asked and I said no. They asked me and I said no I wouldn’t do it again. I just think I’ve done it, haven’t I?”

Rex

She recalled: “It was 23 ish years ago. It was 2002. I was the second person to be evicted.

“It’s unbelievable, when you look back, that chain of events was so correct for me.

“If I’d have won it, I don’t think my life would have gone in the same direction. I’m so grateful for Big Brother.”

Fans commented on social media: “Glad she said no. The television industry has changed so much since then. You can lose everything on shows like Big Brother.”

“Never do it again when you’ve got nothing to gain and everything to lose,” a second user agreed.

“Don’t ever do it again Alison, leave the magic how it was,” a third noted.

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ALISON’S BIG BREAK

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house, she landed the job of This Morning’s entertainment reporter in 2003.

This then lead to her hosting the show’s Friday gig along with Dermot O’Leary in 2020.

As the queen of reality TV, she has also starred in programmes included I’m A Celebrity, Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes, Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, Celebrity Coach Trip and Celebrity MasterChef.

Alison made a huge impression on Channel 4 bosses when she appeared on Celebrity Bake Off in 2020, alongside Joe Sugg, Alex Jones and James Blunt.

In fact, she made such an impact on the show’s producers they offered her the job of co-host in 2023.

LIVERPOOL owners Fenway Sports Group [FSG] are going head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain for a takeover of Spanish side Malaga.

The former Champions League side have slipped down the leagues following mismanagement in the last decade.

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They recently went into administration and are attracting attention from potential buyers.

Now Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are weighing up a bid to buy a majority stake in Malaga from Qatari businessman Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani.

FSG representatives are said to have visited Malaga last month to inspect facilities and assess what form any investment should take as they bid to create their own multi-club empire.

Malaga spent last season in the third tier for the first time since 1998.

They were promoted and are now sitting 15th in LaLiga 2.

Spanish hotel and real estate group Blue Bay owns the remaining 49 per cent.

It follows an attempt made by FSG to buy French club Bordeaux following their relegation to the third tier.

That move broke down “following extensive and constructive discussions with all stakeholders”.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

FSG are understood to be interested in developing a multi-club model akin to that of the City Group.

They bought Liverpool in 2010, adding to their portfolio which includes the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A WOMAN has revealed that she splashed the cash on a full set of Turkey teeth, despite numerous people warning her against it.

Lola Montanna, a content creator from Australia, ignored advice from others and jetted abroad to Istanbul, a city in Turkey, for super white veneers.

Lola.montanna/Tiktok

Lola.montanna/Tiktok

Posting on social media, Lola, who has 25,500 followers on TikTok, gave viewers a before and after look at her dental transformation, leaving many totally stunned.

At the start of the short clip, we saw the beauty fan sitting in a dentist’s chair.

As she opened her mouth, Lola revealed her teeth, which had been shaved down, into what people describe as ‘shark teeth’.

Seconds later, Lola opened her mouth again, after her dental procedure, to proudly show off her new pearly whites.

Clearly impressed with her fresh smile, Lola posed for the camera and confidently ran her tongue over her teeth.

Not only this, but she also then zoomed in, giving viewers a closer look at her new smile.

Despite being overjoyed with her new teeth, Lola claimed that prior to flying to Turkey, people warned her: “Don’t go to Turkey and get veneers.”

Clearly unbothered, Lola clapped back and beamed: “Ya only live once.”

Lola didn’t confirm how much she forked out for her new smile, but while a full set of veneers in Turkey costs significantly less than in the UK, prices range from GBP4,400 to GBP16,000 for full mouth reconstruction, compared to GBP16,000 or more in the UK.

Meanwhile, in Australia, where Lola is from, a full set of veneers can cost from GBP4,9000 to GBP9,7000.

Revealing all on her new smile, Lola penned: “I chose them to get all one shape.

“They had different shapes you can choose from.

“I just wanted the perfect square fake look.”

Social media users react

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ lola.montanna, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up a whopping 9.4 million likes.

Not only this, but the video has also amassed a jaw-dropping 629,400 likes, 7,742 comments and 23,800 shares.

But social media users were left gasping at Lola’s smile – and not only did many think she would ‘regret’ getting veneers’, others described her new gnashers as resembling ‘piano keys’.

Veneers have never looked good to me, they look like blocks

TikTok user

One person said: “You’re gonna regret it in 10 years.”

Another added: “They look like Lego pieces.”

A third commented: “Veneers have never looked good to me, they look like blocks.”

Meanwhile, alongside crying emojis, someone else asked: “Can you undo it?”

Not only this, but another slammed: “Your veneers are very poorly made, no shape, no translucency. You can get better, more realistic crowns in South Africa. But each to their own.”

And at the same time, someone else wrote: “These look like piano keys.”

I just wanted the perfect square fake look

Lola

But despite the negativity, there were some users that were impressed with Lola’s gnashers.

One woman beamed: “These comments are filled with jealousy. Your teeth look amazing.”

And a second claimed: “Girl it’s the people without money hating. You had money to go to Turkey and get veneers, girl you look amazing.”

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SEAN Kingston has sobbed in court as he and his mom were found guilty in a $1million fraud case that could land them behind bars for decades.

The “Beautiful Girls” singer broke down with clasped hands as a jury in Fort Lauderdale federal court convicted him and his mother Janice Turner of all five charges related to a massive wire fraud scam.

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WPLG

Broward County Sheriff's Office

The Mega Agency

According to local outlets, the rapper begged officials as US Marshals took Turner into custody, crying: “Protect my mother.”

The duo were found guilty of swindling more than $1million from car dealerships, banks, jewellers, and even a mattress company using fake documents to score luxury goods, including a bulletproof Escalade and a colossal TV.

Turner, 62, was dubbed the “fixer and nerve center” of the scheme by the judge.

She was ordered to be held in Broward County Jail after being deemed a flight risk.

The court heard Turner had previous form, serving 18 months behind bars after stealing more than $160,000 in a 2006 bank fraud case.

Meanwhile, Kingston, 35, was placed under house arrest with strict bond conditions, including a $200,000 surety in cash and putting up a relative’s $500,000 home.

He also has to be fitted with an electronic monitor until the sentencing.

The rapper, real name Kisean Anderson, did not take the stand in his own defense.

His lawyers painted him as a “child” who recklessly spent money without understanding how it worked, the New York Post reports.

Prosecutors slammed the pair for “unjustly enriching themselves”, tricking victims into handing over high-end items with fake wire transfer promises.

Victims testified they were duped out of nearly half a million in jewellery, a $232-inch Colossal TV, and tens of thousands more from multiple banks and dealerships between October 2023 and March 2024.

Florida-based jeweller Mosche Edery told the court how he lost his reputation after being “scammed” when Kingston said he transferred $368,000 and it failed to go through.

He said the singer and his mother faked the transfer for a high-end watch and lied to him about helping him grow his business by introducing him to other celebrities, per a report by TMZ.

The trial lasted just four days and the jury deliberated for three and a half hours before agreeing on the guilty verdict.

On the first day of the trial, Turner was seen exiting the courthouse clutching a Bible.

The scam was exposed following a civil lawsuit filed in February by Ver Ver Entertainment, who claimed Kingston promised to promote a $111,000 sound system – a deal that never happened.

Dennis Card, the attorney representing Ver Ver Entertainment, called Kingston a scammer.

“He basically has a sales pitch that he goes through to defraud people,” Card told ABC affiliate WPLG.

“He induces them into giving him really expensive things.”

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Card accused Kingston of running an ongoing pattern of deception.

Kingston and Turner were previously forced to pay out over $300,000 in two separate lawsuits.

One was in 2015 for failing to pay a custom watch seller, and another three years later in 2018 for scamming a New York jeweller out of nine pieces.

Federal agents raided Kingston’s South Florida mansion on May 23 last year, where all items were seized and his mother was arrested on the spot.

The rapper was later cuffed in California after a gig at Fort Irwin for the US Army.

Hours after the raide, cops said: “This evening, police in Fort Irwin, CA, arrested Kisean Anderson, aka Sean Kingston without incident on a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest warrant for numerous fraud and theft charges”.

He was already on probation for trafficking stolen property at the time, the NY Post reports.

The guilty pair now each face up to 20 years behind bars for each of the five counts they have been found guilty of.

Sentencing is set for around 11 am on July 11.

Each of their sentences will be impacted based on previous criminal behaviour and cooperation with law enforcement.

Kingston and his lawyers made no comment as they left the courthouse.

The Jamaican-born rapper has collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber, Soulja Boy, Nicki Minaj, T-Pain, Flo Rida, and Akon.

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WSVN 7News

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TOMMY Fury was beaming in new snaps while reuniting with his ex Molly-Mae Hague and baby daughter Bambi after their recent family holiday.

The former Love Island stars headed on a romantic getaway to Dubai with daughter Bambi earlier this month, with them arriving back in Manchester last weekend, and now seen in public together yet again.

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The couple split up last summer due to Tommy’s “problem with drinking”.

But for months now, the pair have been embroiled in rumours that they could be rekindling their romance.

After sharing a New Year’s Eve kiss, the pair then headed off on a loved-up trip for Valentine’s Day last month.

Following their recent family holiday to Dubai, the pair have reunited again.

The pair were seen meeting up on Saturday as they handed over their daughter Bambi.

Tommy had a big smile on his face, and could be seen beaming from ear to ear.

Molly was joined by her mum ahead of Mother’s Day.

For a brief moment, Tommy and Molly stopped and chatted.

Molly stood with her back to the camera as Tommy’s face could be seen over her shoulder.

Tommy was smiling widely as he chatted with Molly.

Molly could be seen wearing a khaki green bomber jacket with black trousers and some black and white sneakers.

The blonde beauty ditched makeup for the occasion and wore her locks in an up-do with a claw clip holding everything in place.

Meanwhile, Tommy could be seen wearing some grey shorts and a black sweatshirt.

He also rocked some white Nike socks and a pair of trainers.

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury - Reunion Clues

MOLLY-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury are on holiday in Dubai after splitting in August. Yet have they dropped clues about their reunion before?

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury appear to have confirmed their romance is back on with a joint holiday to Dubai.

Yet in January, the rumour mill had already started turning on their reunion after pics of Molly-Mae’s NYE snog with the boxer resurfaced

In February, Tommy, 25, then gushed how “life has been looking up” after the pair’s romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day.

The Sun exclusively revealed how the pair were spotted “canoodling” on their cute getaway.

During the same month, Tommy was also spotted leaving Molly-Mae’s Molly Maison home in his G Wagon in the early hours.

Fans then spotted clues the pair had spent another romantic weekend together earlier this spring.

Molly-Mae was also heard discussing having a second baby on her vlog, in yet another potential sign they are giving their romance another go.

Molly and Tommy will be making a joint announcement about their reunion on their social media following the penultimate episodes of Molly’s Amazon Prime documentary.

The announcement is poised to be unveiled in the spring, which “leads nicely” into news the couple are giving it another go.

A source told The Sun: “Molly-Mae and Tommy are planning on making an announcement about them being back together pretty soon.

“It’s a social media post they have planned for after the documentary comes out – and the ending of the documentary leads nicely into the post.

“It will be a joint Instagram post – and unlike the last one where Molly announced the breakup, it will very much be a united front.”

An insider confirmed that the pair have “filmed together” for the upcoming episodes of her documentary, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, which will land on the streaming service in a couple of weeks.

The source added how they have been “spending a lot of time together” lately.

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WE’RE just a few months into 2025 and the year has already seen an avalanche of celebrity marriages crumble.

And not just ‘situationships’ or short-term relationships, but marriages, with a hefty amount of years attached to them.

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On New Year’s Day, starting the year off as it seemingly would go on, the first split hit – Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson, after a five year relationship.

Sam and Zara, who appeared on Made In Chelsea together, struggled to paper over the insecurities and cracks in their five-year relationship, following a cheating scandal and family feuds.

And just a day into the New Year, and it was confirmed that their relationship was no more.

The year also began with the news that Lily Allen and Stranger Things actor David Harbour had called time on their marriage, after a whirlwind Las Vegas ceremony.

And if the shock of that wasn’t enough for fans, a dating app scandal then hit the couple, after Lily was left “in agony” after learning the American Netflix star had an active profile on celebrity dating app Raya.

Just a couple of weeks later and another marriage that fans thought would stand the test of time, fell apart.

Jessica Simpson split from her husband Eric Johnson after more than 10 years of marriage.

The singer and businesswoman, 44, and the retired NFL star, 45, had been living separate lives for months.

Jessica and Eric had tied the knot in 2014 in a fairytale ceremony in Montecito, California, with A-list guests including Jessica Alba.

And on the topic of Jessica Alba, she too started the year with a split from her husband, after 16 years of marriage.

Jessica confirmed her split from Cash back in January after reports swirled that they were headed for divorce.

The actress wrote to fans about her “journey of self realization and transformation for years-both as an individual and in partnership with Cash.”

With notable names announcing that their marriages or relationships were no more, just a mere few weeks into the new year, it posed the question: “What the hell is going on with celeb marriages?”

Louella Alderson, relationship expert and co-founder of So Syncd has spoken exclusively with The Sun to weigh in on why 2025 is proving to be a headline-making year for celeb splits.

She said one of the reasons was down to the ‘domino effect.’

“High-profile divorces can have a ripple effect—when one celebrity couple announces their split, it can subconsciously validate similar decisions for others,” Lou explained.

She continued: “Seeing peers choose separation over staying in an unhappy marriage may give others the confidence to do the same.

“This is especially true in Hollywood, where public image and career considerations play a significant role.”

Another shock split was announced as 2024 ended – that of Fearne Cotton and Jesse Wood – with more details about their split coming to the light in the new year.

For a while, Fearne’s love life mostly dwindled out of public interest after she tied-the-knot with musician Jesse, son of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, back in 2014.

But just after celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, the couple announced that they’d called it quits via an Instagram announcement, and, shortly after, Fearne was pictured kissing TV boss Elliot.

The Sun understands that Elliot ended his marriage to his wife Laura, mum of his three children, on Boxing Day.

As the year gained momentum, another split was bubbling behind the surface.

The Sun was first to report how Mis-Teeq hitmaker Alesha Dixon had split from her long-time partner, dancer Azuka Ononye, 44, in March.

The couple had been married for eights years, and met in 2006, with a source saying: “Alesha confirmed she’s split from Azuka and is navigating that as best she can.

“They are still living together for the sake of their family and are co-parenting.”

And at the same time, reports emerged that Jacqueline Jossa of EastEnders fame and her husband Dan Osbourne had called time on their eight-year marriage.

The Sun reported that Jacqueline was hopeful of a reconciliation with Dan, and not “rushing into divorce,” instead hoping he may change his mind.

But friends close to Dan said he was resolute, adding: “For Dan, it’s over.”

A source said: “Dan has fallen out of love with Jacqueline and there’s no way back for him.

“Jacqueline is absolutely devastated and will do anything to make it work.”

Lou goes on to speak about the “seven-year itch.”

She says: “Many relationships hit a natural breaking point around the seven-to-ten-year mark.

“This is the stage where the initial passion and novelty of a relationship have faded and couples are left to confront the deeper reality of their compatibility.

“While some navigate this transition successfully, others find that they have grown apart, leading to a decision to separate.

“What once worked seamlessly may start to feel misaligned and partners may realise they have different visions for the future.”

And then of course, while all of this has been going on, Kanye West and Bianca Censori have kept fans guessing with ‘will they, won’t they.’

Kanye and Bianca reportedly split just days after his vile antisemitic outbursts on social media in February.

He had been staying at the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles, while Bianca, 30, was living in their new $35 million Beverly Hills estate, a source told The U.S. Sun of the tumultuous pair.

“Bianca has always stood by him, but things have not been good after his rants, and she’s still at the house,” a source claimed.

A separate source said the couple has been “up and down” from the very beginning of their romance.

It may have been a split that a lot of fans “saw coming,” but it’s another split for 2025 just the same.

And Lou explains that there has been something of a cultural shift in how we view marriage.

She says: “More than ever, people are prioritising personal fulfilment, self-growth and emotional well-being over staying in a relationship simply because it’s expected.

“With the rise of therapy, self-help movements and discussions around attachment styles and mental health, individuals are becoming more self-aware and attuned to their emotional needs.

“They’re more likely to recognise when a relationship no longer aligns with their values, desires or long-term happiness.

“For celebrities, this shift is particularly relevant. Many of them have access to top-tier therapists, coaches and wellness experts who encourage self-reflection and personal growth.

“As they grow and change under the public eye, they may feel an even stronger need to ensure their relationships align with their evolving sense of self.”

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A BRITISH man has died after collapsing just moments after his first-ever Muay Thai kickboxing match in Thailand.

The 30-year-old passed away on Friday night following a bout at the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium on the popular tourist island of Koh Samui.

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The fight, which kicked off at 9.30pm local time, was stopped by the referee in the third round after the Brit was reportedly kicked in the right side of his rib cage, local outlet Khaosod English reports.

He managed to leave the ring and took off his gloves, but suddenly became unwell while unwrapping his hand bandages.

Witnesses said he began experiencing muscle tension, struggled to breathe, and his eyes began rolling.

Though still conscious, he collapsed shortly afterwards, with his heart said to have stopped.

The Brit’s trainer desperately performed CPR until emergency services rushed him to Thai International Hospital, less than two miles from the venue.

But despite medics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11pm local time.

An autopsy has been carried out at Koh Samui Hospital, and local Thai police have launched an investigation.

Muay Thai, dubbed ‘the art of eight limbs’, uses the fists, feet, shins and elbows in combat.

The ancient martial art has deep roots in Thai culture, dating back to 1560 when it was adopted for military training under King Naresuan.

Traditional rope-bound knuckles were once used in place of gloves – until multiple deaths forced a change to padded gloves in the 1990s.

Despite being a huge spectator sport across Thailand, Muay Thai remains notoriously dangerous and has previously led to fatalities.

The Sun has contacted the Foreign Office for more information.

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CRYSTAL PALACE produced a stunning FA Cup splash-and-grab to book a semi-final date at Wembley.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – donning his water polo-inspired protective headguard – barely made a ripple on his Eagles return.

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Instead, Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr stepped up to grab two goals in four first-half minutes, blowing a stunned Fulham out the water at Craven Cottage.

A third goal against the run of play in the 75th minute sealed it thanks to second-half sub Eddie Nketiah.

Marco Silva – enjoying his 500th game in management – will be scratching his head for weeks at this scoreline, shocked by how his Fulham boys failed to see this one out after such a dominant but toothless showing.

The Portuguese coach will also be wondering what might have been had Adam Wharton received a second yellow for a 22nd-minute kick-out at Rodrigo Muniz.

For now, Fulham’s 50-year wait to reach a domestic cup final goes on. Meanwhile, Austrian boss Oliver Glasner’s hero status in South London has hit new heights.

The Selhurst faithful will genuinely be believing this is finally their time in the most open FA Cup for years – even if they were outplayed for large parts on the banks of the Thames.

Mateta’s comeback was another positive for Palace and Glasner – the Frenchman making his first appearance since requiring 25 stitches in his left ear after being hit with a horrific kung-fu kick by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts in the fifth round on March 1.

A bizarre-looking headband covering the ear made its debut. Glasner joked in the build-up he looked like a water polo star, while his team-mates compared Mateta to a WWE wrestler.

Unsurprisingly, he looked rusty and leggy, unable to add to his 15 goals in all competitions so far this term in this 69-minute outing, with chances few and far between for the visitors.

Silva also made a big decision, bringing in Muniz to lead the line after his impressive goal-scoring display to down Tottenham in the Premier League before the international break, dropping Raul Jimenez to the bench.

The early signs were promising. Inside the opening two minutes, Muniz outmuscled Marc Guehi, nipped past Maxence Lacroix and curled just wide of Dean Henderson’s far post.

The Cottage was rocking. The noise was sensational. White and black flags had draped the stands before kick-off while red and blue balloons bounced around the away end.

Early kick-offs in the cup are often recipes for tame, muted affairs, but this one – smothered in sunshine – had the feel of a final. Both sides recognised what a chance this was.

Fulham continued to pile on the pressure, suffocating Palace. Sander Berge’s long-range shot was deflected wide by the hand of a lunging Jefferson Lerma. VAR weren’t fussed.

Muniz then sent a header from a corner straight into the arms of Henderson. The visitors were struggling for a solution. Mateta cut an isolated, frustrated figure.

He almost got his chance as Sarr skipped in front of Calvin Bassey on the edge of his box – only for his cut-back to be comfortably dealt with.

It seemed inevitable Fulham would score. Bassey, this time rampaging forward, made the most of a mistimed Guehi clearance but his tee-up for Andreas Pereira was wasted.

Soon after, Wharton kicked out at Muniz off the ball in the middle of the pitch, having already picked up a yellow for wiping out Willian in the 14th minute.

Ref Darren England, surrounded by furious Fulham players, opted to give Wharton the benefit of the doubt. In hindsight, it was a huge let-off for Palace, one they would take advantage of.

Lerma had just smacked the bar with an audacious volley, and in the 34th minute, Eze was given too much space to cut in off the left and curl a beauty in off the post from 25 yards, shushing the home fans with a smile.

Palace’s cup king, four of Eze’s last five goals have come away from the Prem.

Shell-shocked and downbeat, Fulham’s reaction could not have been worse, backing off Eze yet again, this time the England international going on the outside and getting a cross in.

Sarr had wriggled free of Bassey’s grasp for the simplest of flicked headed finishes.

In truth, Fulham never looked like getting back into it from there. Palace were beginning to enjoy themselves, especially Wharton, suptuously pirouetting on the ball around two players just before the break.

The Cottage demanded an almighty response, a memorable comeback. They received neither. The air had been let out of Fulham’s FA Cup balloon.

Their second-half highlight included a deflected Willian effort off Wharton that was palmed away by Henderson and a subsequent goalmouth scramble from a corner that Bassey somehow failed to convert.

Sticking to the script of the day, Palace then struck against the run of play once more, Nketiah – who had replaced Mateta – slipped in down the left and poking a cute finish through the legs of his old Arsenal pal Bernd Leno.

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Alamy

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ANTHONY JOSHUA has been stopping some of the hardest-hitting heavyweights on the planet for the best part of a decade.

But now, the former two-time unified heavyweight champion is stopping London buses.

INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA

INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA

INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA

The Watford warrior, who has been on the sidelines since last September, recently stopped the number 32 bus while it was on its way to Kilburn Park Station.

And the golden boy of British boxing sent passengers into a frenzy by boarding the bus.

They couldn’t quite believe their eyes as the Olympic gold medallist hopped on board.

Scores of the travellers got up from their seats to take photos with the 35-year-old, who was all too happy to make their day.

Before taking a photo with one of the passengers, he said: “Nice to meet you. How are you?”

AJ shared footage of the wholesome moment on his Instagram story for his 16.7million followers to see.

Prior to uploading the clips, he posted a selfie with the accompanying caption: “Back on top soon.”

Fan favourite Joshua hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his crushing fifth-round KO defeat to Daniel Dubois last September.

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A long-overdue domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury was seemingly on the cards following his fellow Brit’s back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.

But Fury seemingly put the final nail in the coffin of the Battle of Britain in January by announcing his fifth retirement from boxing.

But AJ isn’t giving up hope of sharing the ring with the Gypsy King, telling iFL TV: “I feel like it’s the best fight [for me].

“People might say [Joseph] Parker, people might say – I don’t know.

“But I think Fury, commercially, is a great fight and it’s a great man’s fight as well. So I think it makes sense.

“You could say it’s been years in the making. “But listen, the heavyweight division has been thriving.

“And why I say it’s probably still a great fight is as I said Parker is, for me, a great story of someone that never gives up.

“And the thing is, there is going to be one winner and one loser.

“And there’s going to be bloodshed. And it ain’t gonna be mine.”

INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA

ONE of the UK’s busiest motorways is shutting in both directions tonight with drivers warned to divert.

National Highways announced the closure on Wednesday which which will affect thousands.

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The M25 has been closed in both directions between junctions 9 and 10 overnight over two days this weekend.

On Friday 28 March the popular road was shut from 9am to 6am Saturday 29 March.

For a short period vehicles were allowed on the roads again but at 9pm tonight until 6am Sunday 30 March the motorway will be closed again.

Those travelling in this section of the road, just a few miles north of Guildford in Surrey, have been given a set of routes to follow.

Drivers heading Eastbound will be diverted off the M25 at junction 10 to the northbound A3.

They will then follow the A245, A307, A309, and A243 to rejoin the M25 at junction 9.

If you’re travelling Westbound you’ll be diverted off the M25 at junction 8 to join the A217.

Then you’ll be diverted by the A240, A24 and A240 to Tolworth to join the southbound A3.

After following these instructions cars can rejoin the M25 at junction 10.

Over-height vehicles have a different set of diversions to follow.

They will be diverted off the M25 at junction 9 to travel north on the A243 to A3 Hook junction.

These motors will join the A309, A307, A245, then the A245 to A3 Painshill junction to join the southbound A3.

After this, over-height vehicles will rejoin the M25 at junction 10.

Drivers have been warned that there also won’t be any access to the Cobham services – except for employees and hotel guests.

National Highways introduced the big M25 junction 10 project in a bid to reduce congestion, create a smoother flow of traffic and provide safer journeys.

A range of roadworks have been laid out to build two new bridges for traffic and revealed plans restore greenery.

Over the weekend of 17 to 20 January, Cockrow Bridge was installed which will be the world’s first heathland bridge, giving people and wildlife a safe route across the A3.

These improvements mean this weekend won’t be the only time period the M25 is shut as the project is set to be complete in Spring 2026.

National Highways has warned drivers to keep an eye on announcements to keep up to date with upcoming closures.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC will look to strengthen his claim to be the tennis GOAT – after a ticking off from the son of a football GOAT.

The Serbian superstar, 37, will try to win a 100th ATP Tour title when he faces unseeded and untested Czech teen Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final.

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Only Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) have been male centurions in terms of tournament wins in the Open Era.

Djokovic’s ruthless 6-2 6-3 demolition of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals was watched by Lionel Messi, considered by many to be the best footballer of this era, if not of all time.

Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, 37, met Djokovic backstage – with retired tennis star Juan Martin del Potro – and they exchanged shirts and posed for photos.

And one of Messi’s sons told Djokovic he must up his level as he tries to surpass Federer as the oldest Masters champion in history.

Djokovic – boosted by an easy draw in Florida – gushed: “It was the first time I’ve played in front of him.

“I’ve watched him play a few times. The final of the 2022 World Cup when he won with Argentina. I think I watched him last year, too.

“Obviously I’m thrilled to have his whole family here. I did see him after the match. He came by the locker room. We spent some time talking and exchanged gifts.

“It’s a huge honour. He’s such a great athlete, not just a football player.

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“His impact on the world of sport in the last 20 years has been immense.

“To have him watch me live obviously brings me great, great joy and excitement, and also a bit of pressure.

“I was rated by one of his sons as eight out of 10, which is pretty good. With a serious face, he told me I have to make it 10 out of 10 for the next match.

“So I have quite a bit of pressure from Messi’s son there!

“It was a very touching moment for me because it’s one thing that he comes, but then he brings his whole family, his kids, his wife.

“As a young father myself, I know what that means. It’s different when you bring the whole family.

“I was very touched by that and his willingness to spend some time together.”

Djokovic – a 24-time Grand Slam champion – is aiming for his first success since receiving Olympic singles gold last year in Paris and this would be his first major result with Andy Murray in his corner.

The Belgrade battler said: “Ever since I won my 99th, which was the Olympic Games in Paris, I’ve been playing with the prospect of winning the special hundredth title.

“I played in the final in Shanghai. I was close there. The semi-finals of the Australian Open.

“I have been trying to find that necessary and much-needed level of tennis that will put me in a position to fight for a trophy, a big trophy.

“That’s what I’ve been doing this week. I’ve been very happy with the way I prepared for the tournament, the way I’ve been playing. I haven’t dropped a set.

“It’s a great opportunity. Let’s see what happens.”

SUNNIER weather is back and next month is the perfect time to turn your attention to your flowers, according to an expert.

Sean Lade, founder of Easy Garden Irrigation, revealed the exact time of day to water your plants so that they thrive in time for summer.

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He advised: “Spring is a critical time for watering as temperatures rise and plants come out of dormancy.

“The best time to water is early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and give plants enough time to absorb moisture.”

The gardening expert revealed how to achieve the perfect green lawn in your garden.

He advised: “Lawns should be watered deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth – around 1 inch per week is ideal, depending on rainfall.

Signs of overwatering include “yellowing leaves, wilting despite wet soil and mould growth”, whereas underwatering leads to “dry, crispy leaves, slow growth, and soil pulling away from the edges of pots or beds”.

Sean recommends checking the soil moisture by “pushing a finger into the soil or using a moisture meter can help maintain the right balance”.

Sean collaborated with Protectivity – providers of insurance for small businesses – and shared the gardening tasks to action in April.

He revealed that “April is a fantastic time to start sowing hardy annuals like poppies, marigolds, and cornflowers for vibrant summer displays.”

The gardening whizz said: “In the vegetable patch, sow carrots, beetroot, spinach, and lettuce directly outdoors, while tender crops like tomatoes and chillies should remain under cover until the risk of frost has passed.”

Before planting, Sean advises preparing your soil by mulching with compost or well-rotted manure, which “locks in moisture and improves plant health”.

He added that feeding hungry plants like roses and fruit bushes with a balanced fertiliser will “give them the nutrients they need to thrive”.

According to one gardening expert, there’s a common mistake you could be making that’s ruining your garden – and it’s easily avoidable.

Elise Harlock, brand manager at Prestige Flowers, revealed that overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes she sees time and time again.

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It’s easy to think your garden needs more water than it actually does, especially during the spring and summer months.

But the truth is overwatering is just as bad as forgetting to water your blooms altogether.

“Overwatering suffocates the roots, leading to rot, disease and weak plants that struggle to survive,” the pro told Express.co.uk.

THE disgraced teacher who allegedly asked three underage boys to “gangbang” her while wearing Scream masks faces a slew of new charges that could have her behind bars for life.

Brittany Fortinberry, 31, is already facing a barrage of charges after multiple alleged victims accused her of rape, sexual exploitation, and plying them with drugs and alcohol.

Morgan County Sheriff

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Married mother of four is now facing more charges from prosecutors relating to five more alleged victims bringing the number of accusers up to six.

Prosecutors told TMZ that they are preparing to file 24 more felony charges against the teacher including five counts of Level 1 child molestation.

This would bring the 31-year-old’s felony charges up to 29.

As well as child molestation, she will face charges of sexual misconduct with a minor, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

County Prosecutor Steven P. Sonnega told the outlet that Fortinberry will be told of the new charges and possible punishments at a court hearing on April 3.

If convicted just of the Level 1 molestation charges against her, Fortinberry could face between 20 and 40 years behind bars for each count.

This could lead to a life sentence if the judge ruled that the sentences would be served consecutively, the prosecutor said.

In addition to these, she faces 24 other charges spanning Level 4, 5, and 6 offences.

Level four crimes have sentences between two and 12 years, Level five is punished with one to six years, and Level six is up to two and a half years behind bars.

If found guilty of all counts, depending on her sentencing it is likely she will die behind bars, Sonnega said.

Court documents claim that the former Eminence High School teacher groomed at least 10 boys – some as young as 13-through gifts, manipulation, and disturbing sexual advances.

The math teacher from Indiana has been accused of sexual abuse of children as young as 13 with claims that she made them wear “Scream” masks and an orgy and “dreamed” about having sex with them.

One of the children told police that Fortinberry spent $600 on him and other boys at the mall and then had them wear the masks from the iconic horror movie masks while she sexually abused them.

“Brittany had one condition for them to have the gangbang with her and that was that they had to wear a Scream mask to f**k her,” the affidavit states.

The same boy also alleged that Fortinberry masturbated over his school photos and once sent a video of herself performing a sexual act with his boxers, the Daily Mail reports.

She met her alleged victims at two different Morgan County schools in 2024.

The teacher allegedly told the victims she would kill herself if they reported the abuse, charging documents claim.

They further accused Fortinberry of offering the boys up to $800 for photographs of their genitalia and would regularly send them nude photos.

One accuser harrowingly told cops that if they did not want to have sex with her, she would allegedly rape them and say, “Just let it happen” while also forcing them to watch as she abused the others.

nicholasmatthewfortinberry/Instagram

nicholasmatthewfortinberry/Instagram

To lure the children in and manipulate them, the Indiana educator allegedly showered the boys with expensive football gifts and plied them with drugs put into their food, according to local outlet Fox 59.

Even the sick teacher’s home was allegedly set up for her depraved activities with cops finding a stripper pole and sex toys.

The affidavit states that the findings from the warrant “is consistent” with allegations made by at least one of her alleged victims.

One 18-year-old student who allegedly received explicit messages and photos from Fortinberry told cops that she boasted about being a stripper and shared details of her “exclusive content” on adult sites.

HUSBAND’S ‘THREATS’

Her husband Nicholas Fortinberry is also facing charges of intimidation and failure to report a crime for allegedly knowing about the abuse and threatening the boys to keep quiet.

The 31-year-old’s husband allegedly threatened to “slaughter” one of the victims in front of his family if he spoke out.

“Brittany’s husband talked to them about not telling anybody and if they did, he would kill them in front of their family,” one victim told police.

One of the boys also claimed Nicholas told them to wait until they were 16 before saying anything about what happened.

SICK RESPONSE

When Fortinberry was confronted with the accusations made against her, she allegedly told police she did not regret her depraved actions, instead blaming her recent weight loss.

She bizarrely claimed that she regretted losing weight – telling officers she didn’t believe she would have done any of this if she was still 150 pounds heavier.

Detectives believe that at least 10 victims may have been targeted by Fortinberry over the years.

Authorities began investigating her in August 2024 after a 15-year-old’s grandmother reported that she had molested him, sent nude photos, and drugged him.

Since then, several more alleged victims have spoken out, with one saying he came forward because he didn’t want Fortinberry to “molest more kids.”

The teacher resigned from Eminence High School the day after the first allegations surfaced.

Fortinberry had been hired as a substitute teacher for Martinsville Schools on October 24, 2023.

Her next court hearing is scheduled for April 3 and it is unclear if she has already entered a plea.

She is being held without bond with a jury trial set for June 25 in Morgan Superior Court.

HELEN Flanagan today gave fans an update on having PMDD and revealed that she has “four personalities each month”.

Sharing a video, Helen, 34, used humour to share her ongoing health battle.

Instagram

Instagram

Instagram

PMDD – premenstrual dysphoric disorder – is an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that can have a dramatic effect on someone’s physical and mental health.

Helen shared a comical video of herself explaining how she feels during the different stages of her period.

Taking to Instagram, she said: “I always feel like I have four personalities in one month and any boyfriend I’ve ever had knows how bad my PMDD can be.”

The Coronation Street legend went on to explain that she always suffered from “intense symptoms for roughly 10 days including severe depression, sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety, and OCD.”

She added: “The Luteal phase for me can be the very worst. I used to have very bad intense symptoms for about 10 days, severe depression- sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety/ ocd- ocd so crippling I thought I was going mad, exhaustion, brain fog.

“Now I get about 4 days before my period where I don’t feel myself mentally. I also get severe bloating before my period where I can pass off at being pregnant.

“I also am always so desperate to come on my period as I know how much happier I will feel when I bleed and I will just feel more able to cope with anything life throws at me and feel I have my sanity back.

“I had this from being about 16 but never really knew what it was.”

She continued: “I’ve been prescribed sertraline before for my PMDD but it didn’t work for me x (just sharing my personal experience here, we are all different and great if sertraline works for you) It just made me feel angry which isn’t me at all.

“I then tried Yasmin the contraceptive pill to help control my pmdd and that really didn’t work for me (again great if it works for you I think we all react differently to things).

“It made me feel really sick ( I had hyperemesis gravidum in all pregnancies so very sensitive to hormones) and I just felt low on it and not myself.

“I also took medication for ADHD for years, that I ended up being really poorly on so I was really put off medication so wanted to go though a more natural route as I didn’t feel I had much choice x (also again if medication works for you, for some people it really does that’s great, just sharing personal experience).

“I did Cycle Syncing with my friend Grace which I absolutely loved I felt like I got such a better understanding of myself and my cycle and understanding the different stages helped me take more control back and worked out strategies.”

ON GOING BATTLE

Helen first opened up about her health battle last year, when she shared a very candid post.

The star is known for her glamourous looks, but in this post she was seen in her pyjamas, looking in pain while holding a tampon, with her head in her hands.

At the time she wrote: “My PMDD has been a nightmare this week, worst it’s been since the beginning of the year.

“It’s horrible with hormones as you can’t control what the hormones do to your brain.

“I was so happy on holiday my hormones were stable and then as soon as I came back I was the week due before my period and the hormones just made me feel so depressed.”

Instagram

Helen revealed it had become so bad that she was “crying all the time”, didn’t want to leave the house, and felt exhausted – which was particularly hard as she looked after her three children.

“Any other women that struggle with this I feel you ,” she wrote. “Then as soon as you bleed you just feel such a relief as you know mentally you’re going to feel ok again and normal.”

“I read PMDD is more common in women with ADHD which is me I think I’ve have everything actually, bit of OCD too, might as well throw myself in the bin x”

Instagram

COPING WITH PMDD

Helen previously revealed how she had attempted going on the pill to curb the symptoms, but they did little to help.

Thankfully she’s largely managed to get it under control with ‘cycle-syncing’ in order to understand her menstrual cycle more and prepare herself for harder days, with exercise, monitoring her alcohol intake and diet helping as well.

“I used to never let myself cry or really feel my emotions and fight them which I think made it all worse,” she said. “I got myself in this kind of mentality when me and the father of my kids separated to cope really and was almost constantly in a not natural masculine energy.

“Now I don’t, I be totally in my feminine energy. I cry when I need to cry. I get angry when I’m angry and I let myself feel sad ( only for a certain amount of time though.”

“Anyway I just wanted you to know share this picture of me on the loo this morning ,” she wrote. “Just before the school run as all my kids shout MUM MUM a million times.

“It was a relief to come on my period this morning and for all the women that struggle with the same thing.”

JAMES WADE has doubled down on his belief that Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey aren’t deserving of their spots in the Premier League.

Aspinall, who had an injury-riddled 2024, was included in the line-up courtesy of one of the four wildcards.

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And Dobey also returned to the competition following his debut in 2023 debut.

The pair’s inclusions perplexed Wade, who suggested Aspinall had only been included because of his crowd-livening entrances to The Killers’ ‘Mr Brightside’.

The 41-year-old said: “I think two players that got in were probably because they are part of something that’s bigger than darts.”

And the former world No.2 is refusing to soften his stance, telling talkSPORT: “It wasn’t a criticism. “It was an opinion.

“There’s a couple of reasons why one of them got in and that would be Nathan (Aspinall).

“Nathan’s never, ever had a bad Premier League. He’s always produced good darts.

“He’s always been there or thereabouts. I think there’s only one time where he’s not finished inside the top four.

“Do I think he should have been in this year? No, I don’t. But I know why they put him in. He’s reliable and he’s good at what he does. The crowd do like him.

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“I think probably there’s another player that should have gone in his place and the same again for Chris Dobey. I think there could have been other players.

“There were other options apart from those two.”

Wade is a firm believer that the PDC’s Order of Merit should “really count” when it comes to deciding the Premier League line-up.

He said: “I think there’s a reason why someone’s ranked inside the top eight or the top ten.

“I think rankings should be looked at a little bit more than they are.

“It does get looked at as a business because it is. You’ve got other players that aren’t as popular. Let’s put it that way.

“Johnny Clayton should have been in it, in my opinion. Is he as popular as Nathan? Probably not. But he’s up there in the rankings.

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“It’s not criticism, it’s an opinion. We saw it with other players over the years that have been constantly re-invited back to the event.

“They haven’t even done the business when they’ve been in it and they’re also not doing the business in the other tournaments. Is that right or is that wrong?

“I guess from a business point of view, it’s the right decision because they’re there to sell tickets and they’re there to make the PDC money.

“But is it on fair merit all the time?”

The Darts Premier League will resume action on April 3, with leader Luke Littler taking on Dobey. Aspinall, meanwhile, will face rock-bottom Stephen Bunting.

THIS is the heart-stopping moment a swimmer was almost swept-off a rooftop in Bangkok after a monster earthquake in Myanmar rocked the city.

CCTV footage shows a couple lounging on a floatie in a pool perched at the edge of a high-rise building in the Thai capital, with another man relaxing on a sun lounger nearby.

But their afternoon dip soon turned into a terrifying ordeal as the building began to shake, sending huge waves crashing across the pool deck.

At the first tremor, the couple lurch out of the floatie, looking visibly confused.

Seconds later, the shaking intensifies, and the luxury pool suddenly becomes tidal waves.

The pair scramble to escape as gallons of water slosh violently across the rooftop, with one swimmer nearly swept off the edge.

They’re seen clinging on and struggling to stay upright as the tower shakes beneath them.

The terrifying clip was filmed as a catastrophic 7.7 magnitude earthquake tore through Myanmar on Friday, killing over 1,000 and injuring more than 2,000.

Tremors were felt across the region, with Thailand’s capital Bangkok jolted into chaos.

A major high-rise also collapsed in the city, leaving survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt declared the capital a “disaster area” and said rescue efforts were underway at three construction sites, including the fallen skyscraper.

As of Saturday morning, eight people were killed in Thailand, another eight injured, and 79 reported missing.

The quake’s epicentre hit the city of Mandalay, Myanmar, at around 12.50pm on Friday, followed by five powerful aftershocks.

One, measuring 6.4, struck just 12 minutes later, according to the US Geological survey.

The USGS labelled the shaking as “violent” and warned up to 100,000 people could be killed, calling the disaster “likely widespread”.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said the initial quake was 10km deep, with aftershocks felt as far as India and China.

Officials have dubbed it the “quake of the century” – the worst to hit Myanmar in nearly 100 years.

Airports, train stations and the metro in both Bangkok and Myanmar have also been severely disrupted.

China, Russia, Malaysia and other countries have sent aid and rescue teams.

The US and the UN are also assessing humanitarian needs.

X

Reuters

AFP

Myanmar’s military government said hospitals are in desperate need of blood donations, as rescue teams dig through rubble in hopes of finding more survivors.

The disaster struck as the country remains locked in a brutal civil war, adding to the chaos now unfolding across the region.

It comes after people fleeing the deadly Myanmar earthquake are drenched in gushing water from a rooftop infinity pool.

Footage captured terrified locals in Bangkok being swept away by a huge wave after water from a pool spilled onto the street.

Gallons of water were seen coming crashing down from the top of a skyscraper in the Thai capital.

A number of people, mainly women, can be seen running through the streets as the first tremors are felt in the city.

Those who were rushing to safety past the high-rise were suddenly caught up in floods of water after a rooftop infinity pool was left sloshing over.

ONE of the UK’s biggest networks is preparing to start closing down a major long-running service next week.

And Brits are warned that if they don’t have the right device now they could be left with no data access very soon.

Getty

Getty

O2 is the last of the big four networks to make the change, as part of an objective agreed with the Government in 2021.

After more than 20 years, the company is ditching its 3G network.

The change will also affect Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile, which rely on O2’s network technology.

It means O2 can focus its energy on improving 4G and rolling out even faster 5G to more places across the country.

The end of 3G won’t make much difference to the vast majority of Britons.

But some older handsets aren’t 4G or 5G capable, meaning the 3G shutdown will leave owners with no means of going online when out and about.

This will result in no internet and no access to popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook.

The only way you’ll be able to get online is when you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

You’ll still be able to make voice calls and texts for now.

2G is sticking around a little longer for carrying emergency calls in remote areas.

The 3G switch off is happening in stages rather than all at once.

So, the City of Durham is the first place O2 is ending 3G on Wednesday (April 2).

The firm says it has reached out directly to the “small proportion of customers” in the area who don’t currently own a 4G or 5G device.

Known vulnerable users have been offered a free upgrade to a 4G-capable handset, while all others affected by the move can claim a new phone at a reduced price.

Is my phone affected?

Most phones released in the last 10 years or so are likely to be 4G and 5G capable.

But if you’re unsure whether you’re affected by the move or not, there is a simple trick to check.

Go into your phone’s settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network.

If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear.

Getty / The Sun

Is the 3G switch off that big of a deal?

Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun

It’s the end of an era.

3G brought significantly faster mobile internet speeds enabling millions to do things like watching YouTube videos without needing a Wi-Fi connection.

But nothing lasts forever, and 3G has been overtaken by 4G and 5G too.

There will be concerns that vulnerable people could be left behind by the move.

Fortunately, the mobile networks have led schemes to upgrade people.

So definitely get in contact with O2 (or GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile) if you need support.

A MOTHER has revealed that her family-of-seven live in a two-bedroom council house.

As a result, Lauren and her fiance Chris, who both have two children from previous relationships, and one child they share, have been accused of being ‘ jobless’.

Laurenamyt/Tiktok

Laurenamyt/Tiktok

Not only this, but Lauren and Chris, who sleep in the living room in their home, have even been criticised as ‘living off benefits’.

But Lauren, the content creator who has 21,400 followers on TikTok, was eager to silence the nasty haters, as she set the record straight on her situation.

Posting on social media, the mother questioned: “Do people not realise that council house does not always equal jobless and living off benefits?”

Lauren expressed that people will say “wild” things to her, just because she lives in a council property.

Despite her living situation, Lauren shared: “Me and my partner are working extremely hard to get ourselves out of this situation.

“We’re saving up for a deposit to buy a bigger house and people still think that we can’t afford the kids we’ve got.

“I know this situation isn’t ideal, but just because we live in a council house, that doesn’t mean you know our financial situation.”

Lauren revealed that she and her family have lived in their council house for the past 10 years.

She recognised that at “any point in that time” they could have moved out into a privately rented house.

But she recognised that if they did so, they would be paying “three times” more than what they are paying now.

Not only this, but if they did rent privately, it would mean they would “never be able to save up to buy a house” and potentially may have to deal “with rubbish landlords and the risk of being evicted.”

Keen to silence the keyboard warriors, Lauren shared: “Also, we are a blended family, so I didn’t pop five kids out knowing we didn’t have space for them – our kids are not suffering, we’ve made this space work in the meantime and they are going to see how hard their parents can work and hopefully be proud of us one day.”

Social media users react

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ laurenamyt, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 98,800 views, 5,203 likes and 166 comments.

Social media users were eager to support the busy mother and many eagerly flocked to the comments to share the love.

Don’t worry about what others say. Everyone’s just doing what they can

TikTok user

One person said: “I started out in a council flat and I saved and bought a house. It’s hard but not impossible. You got this girl.”

Another added: “I live in a council house. Both myself and my partner work full time. We are so lucky to have this house. Some people have no idea.”

A third commented: “The council is such better stability than private rented when you have kids as-well. I don’t understand people hating.”

Why people keep churning kids out when they don’t have enough room I’ll never know

TikTok user

Meanwhile, someone else penned: “Don’t worry about what others say. Everyone’s just doing what they can. I have 7 kids in a 2 bedroom council house…. I don’t want to move as 2 of my children were born here.”

But despite the support, not everyone was as kind, as one mean troll slammed: “No one is judging you for having a council house, they’re judging you for having 5 kids in a 2 bed house.”

At the same time, another nasty hater rudely wrote: “Why people keep churning kids out when they don’t have enough room I’ll never know.”

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SHOPPERS have shared their devastation after an “amazing” shop announced it would be closing its doors for the final time.

Jessica clothing store in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, will be closing down today after being on the high street for almost 46 years.

Jessica/Facebook

The small shop had been selling women’s fashion items and was run by Valerie Read.

While locals are saddened by the closure, it’s for a positive reason – because Valerie is retiring.

In a post on Facebook earlier this month, the shop said: “After nearly 46 years on the High Street of Fordingbridge it’s time for us at Jessica’s to hang up our coat hangers for the very last time and take a well earned retirement.”

The shop said it had “the most fabulous years” while it was open and staff had “met the most loveliest of customers who have become such good friends”.

It is now having a “ sale like no other” before the shutters go down for good.

Jessica added: “This message is sent with love and a big thank you to all our customers over the past years, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

More than 60 people commented on the post, with many of them sharing their love for the shop.

“What an amazing shop you’ve been and for having me in a part of your story… Enjoy that well earned retirement Val,” one person wrote.

Another commented: “Your shop has been a part of my life since I moved to the area 42 years ago. I have spent many happy hours browsing and purchasing over the years and will miss you very much. Have a wonderful retirement xx.”

A third person said: “Well you definitely deserve retirement. I,ve always loved coming in to find ‘the dress‘ for special occasion. The staff were lovely and always went thst extra mile to find me ‘the one’. I,ve still got those dresses and still wear them for special occasions.”

The store was first opened by Valerie’s mum Pamela “Betty” Price in 1979.

Now 91 years old, Betty has remained a regular visitor to the shop.

Valerie told The Bournemouth Echo she had not sold the business because it’s “not all about the money” and she didn’t want her mum to see someone else running the store.

She added: “The fashion industry now – it’s all fast fashion and all on the internet.

“I used to be going to shows, feeling clothes and choosing fabrics back in the day. It’s tough out there for the high street.

“But the Fordingbridge high street is not dying, it’s changing, and there are some beautiful other clothes shops in town.”

What’s happening to the high street?

While Jessica is closing due to Valerie’s retirement, other high street shops have been shutting for much sadder reasons.

The equivalent of about 37 shops a day shut in 2024, according to analysis by the Centre for Retail Research.

Some of the reasons for this include shoppers turning more towards online stores and increased costs for businesses.

Shops are paying more for energy and rent, while business rates are also high.

Plus, they have been dealing with decreased footfall and shoppers spending less because of soaring inflation.

The Nest gift shop in Broughshane announced this week it would be closing after a decade in the village in County Antrim.

Meanwhile the family-owned Adam Carpets in Kidderminster has closed after 100 years in business after it came under “immense” economic pressure.

JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA wore a water polo-style helmet on his return from a horror head injury.

The Crystal Palace striker was taken to hospital after being on the receiving end of a sickening tackle in the last round of the FA Cup against Millwall.

Getty

PA

Getty

The Eagles won the clash 2-1 to set up Saturday’s quarter-final clash with Fulham, but Mateta had not played since.

He required 25 stitches in his ear and was spotted wearing a big bandage in a recent interview.

On his return to action Mateta wore a water polo-style helmet to protect his ear and helped Palace to a 3-0 win at Craven Cottage.

There was serious planning to put into the helmet’s design, with three versions considered.

Mateta, 27, wore the helmet in a behind-closed-doors friendly, with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner joking afterwards that the helmet was better suited to water polo.

He said: “It’s like a water polo helmet. In water polo it’s so they don’t get water into their ears, he has it just on one side. It sounds crazy, but we are used to it.

“I said to him maybe you should try [water polo] because he’s tall enough.

“It looks a bit strange but he says he feels comfortable so let’s see.

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“When he scores a header, then it was the right mask and the right protection.

“Our doctor and the team did a great job finding the right protection. Everything is approved by the FA.

“There were three different ones. He tried one like you use to ride a motorbike but he couldn’t train with this because it was too heavy.

“I said to the doctor I remember Petr Cech wearing a helmet but the ear was free so we needed the full helmet. Then we found the right one.

“He tried in training which one fits him best and doesn’t influence him in the wrong way.

“If I believed it was a problem, I wouldn’t play him but it looks like it isn’t a problem.

“The last 10 days he’s had this protection and he did well in training so I didn’t find a reason to talk about this.”

A DRIVER killed during a “road rage” fight at a roundabout has been pictured – with a man charged with his murder.

The family of Paul Bowles have described him as a “true gentleman” after he died following an incident in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday.

GMP Police

MEN Media

Paul Robson, 32, has been charged with murder and is due to appear in Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Cops initially responded to reports of a fight between two drivers close to the Elk Mill roundabout at 6.40pm.

It is believed that the drivers of two vehicles had an altercation close to the roundabout, before one of the drivers got back into his vehicle and struck the other man with it, police say.

The victim sadly died at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency services.

Referring to Mr Bowles, cops said: “His family have described him as a kind, loving, family man and true gentleman who always put others before himself.

“He was intelligent and quick-witted, had a brilliant mind and generous heart. Paul will be missed greatly by all his family and friends.

“We are continuing to support the family, who have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”

The investigation is now being run by our Major Incident Team and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers are appealing for information and anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

This includes anyone with any dashcam, CCTV, or mobile phone footage from the area at the time of the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector David Moores, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said prior to the charges being brought: “While an arrest has now been secured and an investigation is well underway, I would urge anyone with any information regarding last night’s incident to please get in touch with us.

“A man tragically lost his life and we are supporting his family as we continue our work.

“Ultimately, we want to get them the answers that they deserve as we fully establish all the circumstances which led to their loved one losing his life.

“I would urge anyone with information regarding last night’s incident to get in touch with us, as even the smallest amount of information could prove extremely beneficial to our work.”

Officers can be contacted via 101 or our Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 2812 of 26/03/25.

The Major Incident Team can also be contacted directly on 0161 856 0110.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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MEN Media

PREGNANT Anne-Marie has shown off her huge baby bump ahead of welcoming her second baby.

Anne Marie, 33, has taken to social media to share a glowing snap of herself and her baby bump.

Instagram @annemarie

Instagram @annemarie

Posing up a storm in a mirror, Anne Marie displayed her massive bump as she lifted up her top.

Wearing a white t-shirt underneath a baseball shirt, Anne Marie looked amazing as she smiled for the camera while showing off her growing bump.

The singer announced her second pregnancy in February, with fans now saying she looks like she’s ready to pop.

“You’re so beautiful. you look like your gonna pop any minute,” penned one fan in the comments.

A second added: “Got that pregnancy glowwww.”

“Looking great & a beautiful bump,” penned a third.

A fourth said: “You’re glowing.”

While a fifth added: “Seriously you and Thai are glowing!!!!!!”

And a sixth said: “Omg you’re so cute.”

Other snaps shared in the photo dump included a loved up snap with her husband Slowthai.

This comes after the singer announced her second pregnancy by sharing a video and writing alongside it: “Call me mummy and slap my bum.”

When the singer revealed she was pregnant for a second time, she did so by sharing video of herself singing along to her song Don’t Panic before revealing her bump.

She sang: “Baby, please don’t panic. Nothing’s gonna happen.

“Please don’t panic. You’ll only cause more damage. You give yourself a heart attack.

“Oh, every time you think like that.”

Anne Marie captioned the video “surprise”, with her dancing around in the video and showing off her huge bump.

The former Voice UK judge only welcomed her daughter with Slowthai in February last year, with their second child on the way a year later.

The couple only recently celebrated their daughter – Seven’s – first birthday.

Anne-Marie and Slowthai – real name Tyron Kaymone – secretly married in Las Vegas in the summer of 2022.

Last year, a source exclusively told The Sun: “Anne-Marie and Slowthai got married in secret two years ago.

“She had an eight-week break from her tour and they went to Las Vegas and got married.”

Instagram

Instagram

JUDGING by the moss and weeds covering the deserted children’s playground and the chunky padlock attached to the entrance gates, it is a long time since anyone visited.

Except, that is, for the drug dealers and addicts who go about their business here under the cover of darkness every night.

Nigel Iskander

Nigel Iskander

Nigel Iskander

By day, the peace of this deserted oasis in the heart of Cardiff’s Butetown in south Wales is broken only by the occasional shriek of seagulls overhead and the distant rumble of a train rolling towards the city centre half a mile away.

Also more famously known as Tiger Bay, the area has long been a multicultural melting pot – but with a seedy underbelly of crime and prostitution thanks to its proximity to Cardiff docks.

It’s also the hometown of the legendary Welsh songstress Shirley Bassey and rugby star Billy Boston.

But despite its long history, the neighbourhood now finds itself plagued by dodgy dealers on the prowl and gangs of yobs.

Empty beer and spirits bottles, many of them smashed, are scattered around nearby, adding to the impression that this playground is no longer for the very young.

Locals say the playground, which once teemed with children enjoying themselves, is now a “no go” area for most of Butetown.

Instead, they stay indoors, too afraid to go out when it gets dark.
One, Carly, a new mum in her early 20s, said: “After dark, there’s no way I leave my home. The streets around here are just not safe at night.

“The place is full of drug dealers and their junkie customers and it becomes pretty much a no-go area for most of us.

“I can’t remember the last time I went out after dark. Definitely not since I had my daughter, who just turned two.

“Out of my bedroom window, I often see drug deals being done in the streets around the kids’ playground, usually early evening.

Nigel Iskander

Supplied

“It sickens me to think that it probably won’t be open for my daughter to play in this summer, but the druggies get a free rein.”

Carly said she has counted as many as a dozen used syringes and needles thrown onto the ground by heroin users in recent weeks.

Broken bottles could also be seen by the padlocked gates sealing off the play park in the centre of Butetown last week.

Just last week, Cardiff drug dealer Ibrahim Mustafa was sent to prison for two years and 10 months after police caught him mid-deal in the backseat of a car.

The 32-year-old was spotted stuffing something down his trousers, while an X-ray confirmed the presence of a foreign object, believed to be drugs, in his body.

Nigel Iskander

Supplied

He was eventually charged with supplying cocaine.

In March of last year, seven men were arrested after a man was stabbed in the area, leading to the police imposing a dispersal order to keep the community safe.

Last April, four members of an Organised Crime Group based in Cardiff were found guilty of sourcing and supplying class A drugs in South Wales.

Kyle Johnson, Lee Bridgeman, Samira Kearle and Ali Ahmed between them moved more than 50 kilograms of cocaine in just three months.

Officers uncovered the group’s activities after cracking their messages on the EncroChat communication platform.

Back in Butetown, threatening characters gathered together by the side of the road.

We watched as a group of four scruffy young men, two of whom wore face coverings, dressed in jeans and hoodies, prowled the streets furtively.

We’ll always find another street so we avoid them. They’re trouble

Fernando

It is not known if they were drug dealers but when we approached them, they shot off without speaking.

Students Fernando, 20, and Jamie, 19, said they regularly see the men when they walk through Butetown on their way to and from their college closer to the city centre.

“If we see them up ahead, we’ll always find another street so we avoid them,” said Fernando. “They’re trouble.”

He added: “There’s a lot of drugs being sold around here and they aren’t the kind of people we want to get to know.

“Just last week I saw two different drug deals happening on these street corners. Money and packets changed hands in the blink of an eye and they were gone.

“It’s such a shame Butetown has been blighted by this kind of activity and the police don’t seem to be doing anything about it. We never see cops here. They just leave Butetown to it.”

Certainly, during the many hours we spent in Butetown last week, we saw no police officers patrolling the area.

Supplied

Supplied

Another local, Nadia, 52, said: “I’ve loved here on and off all my life and the drugs problem seems to be getting worse and worse.

“We launched a community initiative to make Butetown a safer, cleaner place to live and for a year or so, with the help of the police and councillors, it seemed to be working.

“It felt safer walking around here at night and drug dealers got to know it was no longer business as normal here.

“But over time, the police patrols became less frequent because their attention was needed elsewhere in the city and they don’t have the resources to be everywhere, I guess, and of course the dealers and pushers started coming back here.

“Now there are drug dealers and junkies everywhere at night and no one feels safe walking around here after dark. It’s such a shame.”

Locals also complain about the menace of drug dealers tearing through the labyrinth of Butetown streets on electric bikes capable of moving at almost 50mph.

One said: “They use these e-bikes because they’re manoeuvrable and anonymous. They wear face masks to conceal their identities and the drug drops are over in a flash.

“Then they ride off and often mount kerbs and ride on the pavements to take short cuts down their rat runs. But if you’re in the way, they’ll ride straight at you. It’s just so dangerous.”

Afzal Mohammad, who was on his way to Friday Prayer at a local mosque, said he still has faith in his community.

He said: “Sure, there are some in the area who are causing problems but on the whole this is a peaceful and close community.
“We always try to work together to get along.

“It’s a wonderful part of Cardiff and I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
“Every community has its problems and Butetown is no different.”

Nigel Iskander

Nigel Iskander

Nigel Iskander

A MAJOR new airport is set to transform the a nation often dubbed the happiest country in the world.

Bhutan, a landlocked country between India and China, has revealed plans for a huge new airport.

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

Images of the new airport show a jagged design that replicates a mountain range, with diamond structures interlocking.

Inside will be huge gardens and plant life as well as an open-air forest in the middle.

Called the Forest Spine, it will split the terminal between domestic and international flights.

Across the four zones will be yoga spaces, outdoor lounges and even meditation and sound bath areas.

Yet to be confirmed, the cost of the airport could be as much as BTN20 billion (GBP178million).

It hopes to open by 2029.

Gelephu is already home to a domestic airport, although the new plans how to welcome long-haul flights.

Gelephu International Airport hopes to welcome 123 flights a day, working out to 1.3million passengers a year.

While this is a fraction of other international airports – London Heathrow welcomed a record 83.9million last year – it is still nearly four times the number of tourists who visit a year.

With a population of 795,186, around 316,000 tourists visit a year.

And it hopes to make long-haul flights easier, with the majority currently flying via Paro International Airport in the city of Thimpu, the capital.

However, its location near the mountains mean only a few flights can land a day, the majority being short-haul, smaller aircraft.

While Brits can’t currently fly directly to Bhutan, the new airport could pave the way for new flights.

Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director of BIG, said “An airport is the first and last impression of a place you visit.

“For the Gelephu International Airport, we have tried to embody the nature and culture of the country and the Mindfulness City.

“The forests that cover the highlands are allowed to flow from the arrival plaza through the airport to the tarmac.”

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

Despite its difficult location, a number of famous people have visited Bhutan over the years.

King Charles visited in 1998, then visiting as Prince Charles, along with the Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2016.

Ed Sheeran visited earlier this year as part of a concert tour, while celebrities including Demi Moore, Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves have all visited.

It is also often named the Land of Happiness, after creating its own “Gross National Happiness Index” to focus on a number of factors.

This includes psychological well-being, health, education, good governance, ecology, time use, community vitality, culture and living standards.

Start saving to visit though – tourists have to pay a daily fee of $100 (GBP77) for adults or $50 (GBP38) for kids.

Called the Sustainable Development Fee, it is put towards conservation of the nation, which is one of the only carbon-negative ones in the world (meaning it takes out more carbon than it produces).

While it may seem steep, the reduced fee is in place until 2027 – with the original tax costing double this at $200 (GBP154) for adults.

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

EVERY time Liz Holmes looks at Nero the dog, she’s reminded of her best friend and daughter.

For laughter-loving yoga teacher Louise Adams adopted him from a rescue centre after getting the all-clear for ovarian cancer.

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

But in a cruel twist of fate, the cancer not only returned but spread.

Just nine months after her initial diagnosis, Liz’s daughter passed away peacefully at their home in Bonnybridge, near Falkirk, in Scotland. She was just 43.

Liz, a retired horse riding school owner, tells Sun Health: “I remember holding her hand.

“I said, ‘Au revoir and safe journey’ and told her we were going to meet again because I didn’t want it to be so final, but it was definitely the wrong order of things.

“You’re thinking, ‘It should have been me.’ You feel guilty. It’s cruel and unfair.

“In less than a year I lost my only child and absolute best friend.”

Five years on, Nero and Louise’s beloved horse, Woody, who lives in Liz’s neighbouring stable block, are constant reminders of the joy Louise spread.

For Liz, 71, Louise’s memory is alive in everyday conversations with friends.

But she also wants Louise’s story to encourage others not to let unusual symptoms go unchecked, whatever their age.

Two years before Louise’s diagnosis Liz remembers she had such chronic stomach cramps, she stopped the car for Louise to be sick.

Back then, in 2017, the most likely explanation was a bad period or the onset of perimenopause because she was also suffering from bloating and ongoing painful but regular periods.

Two years later, in July 2019, Louise called Liz sounding even more distressed.

Liz says: “I remember she said, ‘Mum, I’m in a lot of pain.’

“It came on suddenly during the relaxation part at the end of her yoga class.”

When Louise showed up at her GP bent double, it was assumed she had irritable bowel syndrome.

She was given a pethidine injection and sent home with Buscopan, an over-the-counter IBS medication.

Later that night the pain came back even more intensely.

Liz, who lived just 10 minutes up the road, drove over. Much to her horror, she could see that Louise was bringing up black vomit.

She was taken by ambulance to Forth Valley Royal Hospital in nearby Larbert. Liz was thinking it could be appendicitis.

The news they were given after Louise, then 42, had numerous blood tests and scans couldn’t have hit harder.

It was like a horror movie. She was screaming and crying because it was so distressing

Liz HolmesMum

“They had found a mass on her right ovary. One of the doctors came out and said, ‘It could be ovarian cancer’,” says Liz.

“Hearing that was like somebody giving you an electric shock. That was exactly how it went through my body because I just didn’t expect that. That was the last thing I thought it could be.”

Confusingly, a week later, the diagnosis was contradicted by another consultant who told Louise: ‘You’ve got the all-clear. It’s not cancer.’

“We really didn’t know what to think but there seemed to be a lot of uncertainty about whether she did or didn’t have it,” Liz says.

It wasn’t until four months later, in October 2019, that Louise finally got a formal diagnosis after having surgery to remove the mass.

She had stage 1C2 mixed clear cell, endometrioid, ovarian cancer.

Liz recalls: “Louise was much calmer than I expected, and almost like she was resigned to the fact that’s what it was. Maybe she had an inkling.”

‘Stimpy the stoma’

The extent of the tumour had been really hard to see before that operation because there was an apron of fluid-filled sacs – some kind of infection caused by the cancer – sitting in front of it and hiding it.

She had been given a full hysterectomy to remove her womb, but surgeons were also unexpectedly forced to remove part of her bowel – meaning Louise suddenly needed a temporary stoma which could be reversed after she’d healed.

Liz says: “She was told the prognosis was good but the stoma was absolutely traumatic because she wasn’t prepared for that.

“She didn’t know it was going to make noises and leak. It was like a horror movie.

“She was screaming and crying because it was so distressing at first. It really affected her mental health too.

“It was only when we got lots of support from a friend who’s a nurse that she calmed down a bit.”

As Louise – who had also gone through an amicable divorce that year – came to terms with her new life, her humour kept them all going.

“She even called her stoma ‘Stimpy’ from the Ren and Stimpy cartoons,” laughs Liz.

The future began to look up.

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

“It wasn’t a case of being in remission because they got everything out,” she adds.

“They’d got all the cancer removed. So when she went for the checkup, she was told, cancer free, Go live your life. And that was it. It was a huge relief.

“For Louise, it was the beginning of a new era, a new chapter, and she was dying to get back to her yoga, because she’d been training even in the hospital, sitting in the hospital chair, you know, getting fitter.”

The following month, in November 2019, she adopted a rescue dog called Nero – a Bullmastiff X Rhodesian Ridgeback – from an Edinburgh-based charity.

“Nero was basically her recovery. He was there to help get her fitness back,” Liz says.

Together, they’d go for endless walks through nearby woodlands. To Liz, Louise was looking well.

Tragically, her recovery didn’t last long. Within months, there were warning signs that the cancer may be back.

Louise began falling over in the neighbour’s field while walking Nero.

At home in her flat, she lost her balance and fell while going to pick up an Amazon delivery, blurting out to the confused driver, ‘I’ve got cancer!’

A small, pea-sized bruise also appeared on the small of her back. Within days it was starting to protrude and the size of a 10 pence piece.

More MRIs confirmed her and Louise’s worst fears.

Liz says: “I remember looking at the scan images and thinking, ‘My god, I’m seeing all these white, bright specks everywhere.’

“The cancer had spread, very quickly, to her bowel, liver, breast and brain and pelvic cavity.

“She was given months to live at that point, which later came down to weeks and days. That was quite traumatic.

“There was a part of me in denial. For Louise, it made her value her body all the more. I remember her saying, ‘I’ll never complain about my weight again if I get through this’.

“She had a great sense of humour too. She asked my partner to buy her a gold BMW when she was clear of cancer to celebrate.”

Never take the minutes you’ve got with somebody for granted either. There’s this gaping hole in my soul that can never be filled

Liz Holmes

On March 13, 2020 – shortly before lockdown – she had her first dose of chemotherapy.

Less than two days later she was writhing in agony.

Readmitted to hospital she was told she had bowel adhesions – bands of scar tissue causing organs and tissues in the abdomen to clump together.

She was due for radiotherapy treatment too – but missed her first appointment because she was still in hospital managing her pain.

Within a week, she was a shell of the smart, poetry-writing, chatterbox that Liz had raised.

“After one chemo session she had lost the use of the right hand side of her body and was fully dependent on us,” Liz says.

“We had a bed for her in our living room and got help from ‘hospice at home’ and care in the community.”

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

In her final weeks, before she lost her ability to speak, Louise started organising the perfect send-off.

She had tattoos of some dragonflies on her back that she had wanted.

“She planned her own funeral, with her favourite Whitney Houston song, Higher Love, and I chose a hit from when she was born – Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder,” Liz says.

“On April 1, she took a call from a consultant who told her she only had days to live.

“She still kept her humour. She was so disappointed that she wouldn’t live to see the Red Dwarf special airing on TV, which she loved!”

Even after her passing – on April 7, 2020 – Louise had the last laugh.

“She went peacefully,” Liz says. “In the weeks before she told me, ‘Put me on a beach, any beach’, so we took her ashes to West Sands Beach St Andrews – the town she was born in.

“But just as I was scattering the ashes out near the tide the winds changed and I ended up with ash all over my clothes.

“We laughed at that because Louise would have seen the funny side!”

LIZ’S URGENT PLEA

Today, Liz’s message to others is: “Get checked and checked again if you need to.”

While ovarian cancer is more common in women over 50, it doesn’t preclude younger people, or ones who don’t tick every symptom.

“She never complained of being tired and she got back pain but not until much later on,” says Liz.

“You have to go with your gut feeling and if something doesn’t feel normal you must get seen to.

“If you’re not happy you have to go back again and pester and fight your corner – especially if you’re young and look well, because then you’re probably even more likely to get sent away.

“The whole time scale – from Louise being diagnosed to dying – was just nine months. So never take the minutes you’ve got with somebody for granted either.

“There’s this gaping hole in my soul that can never be filled.

“My partner Will and myself will always be left wondering, ‘Why?’ and not a day goes by when I don’t think of her.”

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

Liz holmes

THERE are few feelings better than putting on your out of office and bidding your desk farewell for a lengthy break.

But, are you making the most of your annual leave?

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If you strategically plan your breaks around bank holidays you can maximise your time away from the office without exhausting your annual leave.

In fact, if you used every break to its full potential you could take off 52 days in four breaks using just 24 days of annual leave (with one day borrowed from your 2026 entitlement).

These easy hacks wont grant you extra annual leave, but they’ll mean you have far more longer breaks days from your desk in 2025 – which can be vital for switching off and improving your wellbeing and work/life balance.

Here’s how to maximise your holiday in 2025:

Easter and May bank holidays

Easter is the first opportunity to use your leave to the fullest.

It’s possible to take 18 straight days off work, using just nine days of leave.

This is because the end of April and beginning of May will see three bank holidays fall in quick succession.

Good Friday falls on April 18, Easter Monday on April 21 and the Early May bank holiday on May 5.

So if you use nine days of annual leave, to book off the entire period you can turn on your out of office on April 17 and not log back in until May 6.

The result is a massive 18 days away from work.

If using nine days of annual leave in one go feels too much, you can still extend the potential of your annual leave by taking off five days from Friday April 11 to Thursday April 17.

This will see you turn on your out of office on April 10 and not return until Tuesday April 22, giving you a break of 11 consecutive days.

You can also use just four days of holiday to take off April 14 to 17 and have 10 days off.

Early May bank holiday

The early May bank holiday falls on Monday May 5 this year.

Booking off the following week means you can get longer off from work with your leave.

Taking off Tuesday May 6 to Friday May 9 will give you a nine-day break, using just four days of annual leave.

Spring bank holiday

This year the spring bank holiday, or late May bank holiday, will fall on Monday May 26.

Booking off the following week means you can maximise your leave.

Taking off Tuesday May 27 to Friday May 30 will give you a nine-day break, using just four days of annual leave.

Summer bank holiday

The summer bank holiday will fall on Monday August 25.

Booking off the following week means you can maximise your leave.

Taking off Tuesday August 26 to Friday August 29 will give you a nine-day break, using just four days of annual leave.

Christmas 2025

Over Christmas there is a flurry of bank holidays with Christmas and Boxing Day followed by New Year’s Day six days later.

If you’re smart (and use a day of your 2026 leave) you can gift yourself 16 days away from the office, using just seven days of leave.

To take full advantage of the bank holidays you’ll need to book off Monday December 22, Tuesday December 23 and Wednesday December 24 as well as the days between Christmas and New Year and Friday January 2.

This would see you put on your out of office on Friday December 19 and not turn it off until Monday January 5.

Will there be an extra bank holidays in 2025?

Extra bank holidays will frequently be granted to mark major national events or periods of celebration.

In recent years these have included Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

However, Brits have not been granted any extra days of holiday in 2025.

There had been a groundswell of support for a four-day bank holiday blowout to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

But, the Government has decided not to grant the request.

The soaring cost of granting extra bank holidays appears to be a decisive factor.

When Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee delivered a four-day celebration in 2022, it reportedly carried a staggering GBP2.4billion economic impact.

What are my rights to days off?

Employees do not have a legal right to time off on bank holidays.

So, whether you get the days off depends on your contract or company policy.

Some business’ will give bank holidays off as standard with annual leave then assigned on top of this.

Others will set out that annual leave allocations do not bank holidays as standard, in which case you will need to book them off if you don’t wish to work.

Other employers may require employees to work bank holidays but grant a lieu day or other benefit in return.

Before splashing out and booking flights and hotels, first you need to make sure you get your time off is agreed by your employer.

It’s often the case that the first to book holiday at a certain time is granted the leave.

This is another reason why it can be better to plan your holiday in advance and book it off from work well ahead of time.

To avoid wasting money, always get your time off approved before you spend on holidays.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

EMMERDALE star Anthony Quinlan has a ‘normal job’ five years after quitting the soap.

Anthony, 40, starred as Pete Barton from 2013 until leaving the show in 2020.

Rex Features

ITV

Instagram

Off-screen, the star has moved into the world of fitness and personal training.

He is the owner of BoxedOff, a company that provides plant-based supplements and nutrition to help customers achieve their fitness goals.

Anthony spent two years working on the project and previously told The Sun: “Setting the company up started as a way of giving myself some security while working in an industry that doesn’t have any.

“Forgive the pun, but it was done to supplement my acting career. I decided to leave Emmerdale to throw myself into the company.

“It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but I’m so glad I did. It’s really paid off. It has done far better than I could have ever imagined and it’s something I’m really proud of.

“There’s a famous saying, isn’t there, that if you enjoy your work then it’ll never feel like a day’s work in your life.

“I’m really fortunate I’ve got a few industries where I feel most passionate. Acting is my ultimate passion and what I want to do above all else.

“Now I’ve got the option to pick and choose acting jobs when they come around. I’m definitely not finished with acting.”

Meanwhile, Anthony spent years learning his craft as a personal trainer.

He now coaches a small client list to offer online support, alongside his business.

His fitness page’s Instagram bio reads: “Helping people lose weight, tone up or get lean whilst eating the foods they love.”

Recently, Emmerdale fans got a worrying update about Anthony’s beloved character Pete.

His brother Ross (Michael Parr) – newly appointed bodyguard at Home Farm – became increasingly suspicious of Joe Tate (Ned Porteous).

He later followed Joe to a secret meeting with Dr. Crowley (James Hillier), in a lay-by.

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However, the interruption spooked Crowley, who says he won’t proceed with covertly getting Joe a kidney – until Ross is gone.

Shortly after, Ross is stunned to receive a phone call saying Pete has been assaulted.

With his brother in hospital, Ross’ departure meant Joe and Crowley were free to move forward with their scheme.

Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

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ITV

Guilhem Baker - The Times

? Licensed to the Times. 07/08/2019 London, UK. 12 year old Evan Huntley-Robertson orders an ice-cream from Massimo, successful founder of Badiani, a gelateria. Andrea Rasca (not pictured), is the founder of Mercato Metropolitano, a food market in Elephant and Castle at 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR. Photo credit Guilhem Baker for the Times[/caption]

A TREASURED food hall in the centre of London is set to be razed to the ground to build 900 new homes.

The Mercato Metropolitano food court, which has been central to the local community for nearly a decade, will be bulldozed after a controversial redevelopment scheme was greenlit on Wednesday.

Guilhem Baker - The Times

Borough Triangle/Southwark Council

Southwark Council disregarded fierce local opposition, citing the urgency of building new homes in the borough.

At least forty businesses will have to relocate, with only twelve set to be rehoused in temporary spaces.

Developer Berkley Homes is stumping up GBP200,000 in support of the 423 workers predicted to be affected by the move.

Several historic buildings will be demolished, including the locally listed 100-year-old Institute of Optometry and a former papermaking factory.

A local resident described how the market had become the “heart of our community.”

Nina Wessel told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It now attracts over 600,000 yearly visitors, provides safe and inclusive spaces and offers activities for children and adults alike.

“The traders provide jobs, support families and sustain the local economy.

“This isn’t just a market.

“It’s a key reason people want to live here.”

Andrea Ferrario, who runs German Kraft Brewery, a beer stall within the food court, said: “People have between six to 12 months [leases at Mercato Metropolitano].

“That’s not enough to establish your business and to give it the security to continue.

Guilhem Baker - The Times

Guilhem Baker - The Times

“Having a longer lease it will help you to establish your business, build your clientele.”

Developer Berkely has been the go-ahead for its contentious scheme despite virulent local opposition.

Placards at a protest outside Southwark town hall during the vote branded the council’s decision to demolish the Latin-themed market as racist and profiteering.

One read: “Stand up to racism in south London.”

Another read: “Homes for people, not for profit, stop overdevelopment.”

Nas Costomano accused councillor Richard Livingstone of “dividing Southwark like his personal fiefdom.”

The project is expected to take nine years, with building running from 2026 to 2034, costing over GBP600m.

Designed by architect Maccreanor Lavington, two of the four blocks will rise to 38 and 44 stories, respectively.

Over a third of the new homes, 35%, will be affordable housing with 230 homes either for social rental or shared ownership tenures.

A replacement food hall is part of the design, but until it’s finished, only 12 traders will be rehoused nearby.

An office block, flexible cafe and new community centre for a Latin American group are also included in the designs.

Councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, defended the decision.

She said: “We urgently need more affordable homes for local people, and despite the many complexities around this site, I am pleased we have secured a policy-compliant affordable housing offer – at 35% affordable, including 25% social rent homes.

“That will deliver 153 homes for Southwark families on the housing waiting lists, which are desperately needed.

“The development will also deliver a 5,000 sq ft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for Mercato Metropolitano.”

She also claimed that the council had earmarked GBP1 million to mitigate the impact on the residents of the nearby Scovell Estate.

A GLAMOROUS mum has revealed her plans to leave her son at home and spend GBP5,000 on herself this Mother’s Day – because ‘it’s the least’ she deserves.

Jodie Weston, a reality TV star who has appeared on Channel 5’s Rich Holiday Poor Holiday and Rich Kids Go Skint, claimed that to celebrate being ‘such a great mum‘, she is treating herself to a solo trip and lavish goodies.

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

The 30-year-old DJ is known for splashing the cash on extravagant trips for herself and her three-year-old son, Koa-Zayde.

She once spent GBP30,000 on a holiday for her toddler to enjoy the ‘high life’ and in the past has admitted to splashing GBP1,000 a month on his clothes.

This Mother’s Day, Jodie is treating herself to a solo trip, as she told What’s The Jam: “It’s the least I deserve.”

The model, who is from London, added: “It’s my turn to be pampered for once, especially as it’s Mother’s Day.

“I’ll be having a masseuse come to my apartment.

“Then I have a trip to the Ivy for dinner booked, along with a present of a cocktail-making class.

“And then, I’ll be whisked away to Mexico as a gift to myself for being such a great mum.”

As well as splashing the cash on herself, Jodie, who previously confessed to spending GBP20,000 on cosmetic treatments, also likes to treat her own mum, having recently spent GBP350 to hire out a spa for the pair.

And this year she has continued to fork out money for gifts, as she claimed: “I hired out a private spa just for us.

“We had champagne on tap, the jacuzzi all to ourselves, along with our own sauna and steam room.

“I ordered us afternoon tea, with chocolates and strawberries, too.

“There’s no price you can put on treating those you love.”

The people who judge me, more often than not, are just jealous of me

Jodie Weston

Jodie, who has been slammed in the past for her eye-watering splurges, claimed those who have anything negative to say about it are just jealous.

She boasted: “I’m just living a life of luxury, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“If you’ve got it, then flaunt it.

“I think we’re enjoying living it large for now.

“Everyone who knows me, knows I don’t like to live a ‘normal’ life.

“The people who judge me, more often than not, are just jealous of me.

“And that’s their problem, not mine.”

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Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

Jam Press/@missjodieweston

A HOLLYWOOD star has sparked fury among his new neighbours by bulldozing a 200-year-old cottage to make way for a Grand Designs-style super home.

Cheers actor Kelsey Grammer has been given permission to demolish the historic home overlooking the Bristol Channel near Portishead, Somerset, despite objections.

Supplied

Getty

Supplied

He plans to turn the property into a modern home complete with a games room and gym.

Last year North Somerset Council denied him permission to build an extension on the side of the house, with outraged locals and planning committee members agreeing it was not in keeping with the local area.

But in January an application was submitted by the 70-year-old’s company The Fossil UK Trust, to determine if permission is in fact required for him to demolish the whole house and garage – and planners have now said it isn’t.

A notice taped to a gatepost of the cottage says demolition of the buildings will start this month, “to clear, level and make good the site”.

One close neighbour wrote in their objection: “The possibility of this cottage which is at least 185 years old, being razed to the ground, is not acceptable.”

A second wrote: “The overt and callous submission to demolish, having been refused planning permission to expand, only serves to publicise the arrogant forces at play and their disregard for NSC decision making.

“I urge the decision makers to take a stand against these behaviours, in a time where bullying and bluster is commonplace on the world stage.”

Kelsey, whose wife Kayte Walsh,41, is from Portishead, is worth GBP61 million.

After buying the cottage two years ago he said: “I love the people of Portishead and the time we spend there.

“We’ve actually bought a place there.

“A little place we are going to be working on.

“We probably won’t be taking up residence for a while, but we’re pretty excited about it.”

The couple tied the knot in 2011 and share three children together, making Kelsey a dad-of- seven.

Kelsey owns a former dairy farm in the Catskills mountains of UpState New York which he turned into a brewery.

He recently announced a third series of the newly rebooted sitcom revived Frasier, starring Only Fools and Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Supplied

Supplied

Getty

Alamy

ERLING HAALAND looked sheepish as he arrived at Manchester City training after it was revealed he left the club mascot with suspected whiplash and concussion.

SunSport exclusively told how the Norwegian striker twice struck the woman dressed up as furry alien Moonbeam across the head before a game with Southampton.

Zenpix

BackGrid

mancity

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The lady vomited and struggled with neck pain as she went to hospital, believing she had been hit by a stray football before being told it was Haaland.

Her CT scan revealed no damage but she accused “arrogant” City of sweeping her complaint under the carpet as a “cover-up” to protect Haaland.

City’s probe concluded Haaland did not cause the uni graduate’s injuries.

But on Saturday morning, the two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner kept a low profile on his way into the training ground as he was spotted for the first time since SunSport’s shock revelations.

Haaland drove his outlandish lime green Aston Martin DBX 707 in through the gates of the Etihad Campus.

But he turned his head away from the camera inside the GBP350,000 motor to avoid having his face snapped.

City face Bournemouth away in their FA Cup quarter-final tomorrow afternoon, hoping to book their place at Wembley.

And Haaland will be keen to get back to scoring goals – and away from the drama surrounding the mascot.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM GBP10 DEPOSITS

The woman, who does not want to be named, was posing for photos on October 26 when she felt the two blows to the back of her head, leaving her in shock as she left the pitch.

She said: “I was pretty upset and I was crying and my head was thudding and I think I was in shock.

“I later realised he’d come behind me and hit me on the head and then leaned on my head.”

She told City’s safeguarding boss who allegedly laughed it off, saying: “At least you can say Erling Haaland hit you.”

Following the incident the woman was offered the chance to go home but continued to work the shift.

City’s health and safety head Paul Kenyon launched the internal investigation and told the woman they wanted to look at CCTV.

But the report stated: “Erling Haaland always does a gentle touch on the back or head of Moonbeam as recognition.”

It also described his contact with Moonbeam’s head as “grazing”.

The lady also lodged an assault complaint with police.

She returned to her role in the ticket office but was told she would have to reapply to get her contract renewed.

Following a half-day interview, she was informed last December she had not been successful.

She said: “I have never had any complaints from any of the managers about my work before.

Getty

Zenpix

Zenpix

“They said they didn’t feel like I’d performed in the interviews to the 100 per cent I usually do.”

Greater Manchester Police also told her Haaland had not acted with malice.

Last night she hit out at City, saying: “I’m sure Erling would have apologised to me if they had given him the chance.

“But they just wanted to sweep it under the carpet.”

A City spokesperson said “Manchester City refute the complaint that was made in this regard.

“The Club fully investigated and found that none of the evidence, including video footage backed up the claim that an injury was sustained in the manner alleged.

“We’re also aware a complaint was made to Greater Manchester Police and no further action was taken by them either.”

COPS and schools have issued a warning to parents about seemingly-innocent emojis that actually convey secret incel messages.

Following the success of Netflix‘s show Adolescence, police have handed parents a “periodic table of sinister emojis” which are said to hide violent messages.

Facebook @Forworkingparents

AP

AP

Some 60 symbols – from a snowflake meaning cocaine to kidney beans referring to an incel, an involuntary celibate – were included in the chart.

The “emoji code” was produced by the education charity For Working Parents and references self-harm, extremism, far-right ideology and sex.

A doughnut, for example, is meant to mean anal sex, whilst a horse is code for ketamine.

Other symbols include a pair scissors, which denote self-harm, and a ghost which refers to being anti-woman.

The founder of the education charity Amit Kalley has implored parents to stay in the loop with their childrens’ “digital lives” as this could prevent them from falling into dangerous situations – like being groomed online.

He added that it was important for parents to normalise conversations about the “online world” to avoid kids getting involved in precarious sexual behaviours and hiding it from their family.

He told the Telegraph: “The table I created is far from an exhaustive list, but I wanted to include emojis beyond incel and misogyny because lots of young people are groomed online into drugs and violence […]”

Schools across the country are making use of the table to show parents that seemingly innocent emojis may have a deeper meaning.

Hailsham Community College in East Sussex told parents how the hit-series Adolescence had brought to the fore contemporary challenges in schools.

A spokesperson said: “[It has] shone a light on how emojis can, in some instances, be used as a coded language with a more sinister meaning.”

Despite its uptick in support over the last few weeks, this isn’t the first time an emoji table has been put together.

In 2022, Surrey Police said a “secret world of emojis” was being used by teenagers to communicate about drugs and violence, whilst earlier in March Nottinghamshire Police issued its own list of 52 codewords.

Adolescense, the show which brought these issues into the limelight, has been praised Sir Keir Starmer who said he wants it shown in schools across the UK.

He said on Monday: “There’s a reason why the debate has suddenly sparked into life.

“A lot of people who work with young people at school or elsewhere recognise that we may have a problem with boys and young men that we need to address.”

Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, the show launched on March 13.

Figures by ratings body Barb show Adolescence has made history by becoming the first ever streaming show to top weekly ratings in the UK.

Latest stats reveal Adolescence has been watched by 6.45 million people in its first seven days.

By comparison, Fool Me Once was watched by 6.3 million people in its first week upon being released in January.

5.94 million people tuned in for episode two, while 4.65 million watched the third instalment.

As well as Fool Me Once, Adolescence also beat the likes of Death in Paradise and The Apprentice.

Each of the programme’s four episodes were shot in one continuous take.

The gripping crime drama follows Jamie (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old accused of murdering Katie, a girl at his school.

Viewers watch as the crime’s aftermath unfolds, as well as the wider effect it has on Jamie, his family and the community.

AP

AP

AP

DARTS star Dirk van Duijvenbode has admitted he has had to tone down his behaviour at raves to avoid going viral on TikTOK.

The Dutchman is a big fan of festivals and is a regular at Intents Festival in Belgium.

Instagram @djpartyraiser

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But in recent years he has adopted a disguise of sorts, wearing sunglasses and and avoiding dancing to make sure he goes under the radar.

Van Duijvenbode fears being filmed and going viral on TikTok.

He said on the Darts Draait Door podcast: “It comes with the territory, but it has its downsides too. Because of my fame, I get invitations to exclusive parties and end up in places I wouldn’t normally go – that’s a plus.

“But at the same time, I’ve noticed I don’t let loose as much as I used to. I used to go hard all day.

“That makes me adjust my behaviour. I don’t want to suddenly go viral on TikTok, so sometimes I think maybe I shouldn’t go all out. If it’s dark, I feel more comfortable. I stand out less.

“I don’t dance, I hold up the bar. Anyone can film that; it’s not exactly spectacular.

“I walked around with sunglasses on the whole evening. But you won’t find me on the dance floor.”

When he is not raving or playing darts, Van Duijvenbode is often busy working on an aubergine farm.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM GBP10 DEPOSITS

Van Duijvenbode has been working on the farm since he was 15-years-old and he has an arrangement that allows him to juggle his work with his arrow throwing.

He said: “I just have an agreement with my employers that my work has to be finished. How I do that I have to figure out for myself.

“Sometimes that results in 16-hour days when you’re behind and have deadlines. But generally not.

“Often once a year is very busy when the certification (kind of audit) comes along with it. Then I have my normal work, and then darts and that certification come on top of it. You don’t really have time for that. I do try to take more and more work off my hands.

“Normally I come to start at half past seven. And then I practice at half past nine, half past twelve and half past three. I actually always do that alone.

“Only sometimes towards the World Championship, I sometimes practice with other people, but that’s more as a favour to them than that I like it myself.”

Most people come off Love Island and do everything they can to cash in on their new found fame and social media followers.

But 2016 Liana Isadora ended up taking a rather different approach following a difficult stint on the show and ended up coming offline completely.

The Sun

Four years after disappearing without a trace, the 29-year-old popped back up on TikTok – revealing she is now a mum.

Liana has now revealed why she chose to take a step back and in her first chat in years, told us how much her life has now changed.

Gone are her long blonde hair extensions, fake lashes and lip filler – and instead there is a young mum who has embraced, who is finally happy in her own skin.

She told us: “After the show, it didn’t really impact my life that much because I didn’t really have the most fortunate time on there.”

Liana was coupled up with Adam Maxted on the show but they were separated when they were voted, by the rest of the contestants, as one of the weakest couples.

She was then coupled with Tom Powell before they got the boot.

She continued: “I went back to my normal life and then had a toxic relationship and I got quite wrapped up in the life of partying and drinking for a few years.

“It was very superficial. It was kind of overnight, I think it was in covid that something just clicked.

“I think it was the start of 2021 I just completely came off social media and it’s been just over four years since I have been on.

“It just kind of clicked and I thought, what am I doing with my life, I need to have a reset. I felt a bit lost, obviously covid hit and everyone was having a bit of an existential crisis so i just came off socials – deleted everything.”

Liana revealed she had no plans to go off radar for four years, but really enjoyed the break.

During that time she started dating her now boyfriend and they had a baby together last July.

She says she felt ‘destined to be mother’ and dreamt of it even before she applied for the dating show.

“In those fours years, there was a lot of self improvement, a lot of healing and a lot of personal growth and reflection,” she explained.

“I don’t really drink anymore, maybe the odd glass of wine. I am very much a stay at home mum now, focused on my child. We have a quiet life, we go travelling every now and then to different countries. I am much more happy and content now that I have taken a step back from the person I was.”

The Sun

The Sun

Noticeably her appearance has also dramatically changed and she’s a far cry from the blonde bombshell who entered the villa all those years ago.

She told us: “I have calmed down on my looks, obviously when I went on the show i was young and thought it was quite cool the surgeries, the crazy tan, the bleach blonde hair, the huge lip filler, the big lashes, all those things I’ve lost along the way of going ghost and coming back as a more refined, natural version of myself.

“I never thought there would be a day where I would just be so happy in my own skin and content just walking away make-up free with my natural skin tone, which I used to absolutely hate. I feel my best without all that unnecessary b**llshit.”

Liana is turning 30 this year and is reflective about her younger self, saying: “When I look back I just wish I could give her a hug, that girl who went on the show, I was a bit out there, i was a bit crazy but i also think i was very naive. I have a lot of compassion for my younger self, especially now I have a daughter.

“I was on a TV show at a time where mental health wasn’t really a big thing, now with Love Island, it’s probably crazy the checks and all the stuff they do surrounding it.

“I feel like I was thrown to the wolves, I have come a long way in the past nine years and in the past four years especially with taking time out completely from social media.”

She concluded about her welcome return: “I have come back a better person.”

The Sun

FURIOUS Megan McKenna today launched a scathing attack on trolls after they compared her to a Scooby Doo character.

The former Towie legend went on a huge rant after some fans said she looked like a famous character from the iconic 80s cartoon.

Instagram

Instagram

Alamy

The former Towie star – who shares a baby with her footballer fiance Oliver Burke – didn’t hold back after she was likened to a cartoon character.

Megan was annoyed with some fans who said she looked like Velda from Scooby Doo.

The legendary character is known for her bobbed haircut and thick rimmed glasses.

However, Megan didn’t take too kindly to the comparison and went on an almighty rant.

In an Instagram video she fumed: “People keep calling me Velma from Scooby Doo with these glasses on.

“I genuinely cannot see it now, so thank you for that.

“But also, I don’t care. So if people are, like, sending me nasty comments and memes about me looking like Velma.

“Thinking you’re so funny and you’re really offending me, you’re not.

“Because I actually think she looks f***ing cool. And I am aware I look like Velma, OK?

“Secondly, if you want to get deep with this whole situation, which I will get deep, actually, because I’ve actually had enough of you f***ing trolls.

“Sometimes I’ve actually had enough.

“Because why do people feel like they can just jump online and be nasty to people about their appearance? Why?

“Especially… I won’t go into it, but especially when the person that he’s actually trolling isn’t that pretty on the eye.”

Megan also captioned the video with a lengthy post, which read: “Trolls need to be called out don’t you agree?

Instagram

“In my opinion being called Velma isn’t being trolled but it hit a nerve with being judged online. I’ve had a fair share of trolling over my time in the limelight.

“I’m Sick and tired of you gremlins commenting on people’s appearances. I’m lucky I have thick skin.

“But some people don’t. Especially young people. People at school. It makes me feel sick to think teenagers especially get trolled or mocked online.

“Come on guys! The worst ones are parents on here. We live in a very sad world atm.

“Remember the days when we used to play out with our friends and wear what we wanted and not be judged???? What happened!?”

Rex

MEGAN’S NEW LIFE

Meanwhile, Megan recently opened up about her new life away from reality TV.

The star swapped Essex for Germany six months ago when her footballer fiance Oliver signed to Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Megan said: “Honestly, I feel like all my stuff before – the reality TV and everything – was just like getting me ready for this sort of life,” she admits.

“I do feel like a completely different person now.

“And sometimes I look back on footage of myself and think, ‘Was I OK?’

Megan McKenna/Instagram

“I had this reputation that I was very mouthy.”

Opening up about her reality TV past, she said: “I was just so young. I was 22 and going on reality TV shows. TV is very different now.

“When I was on some of the MTV shows, there was a lot of alcohol, too.

“I don’t think they would allow that nowadays.

“We would have had a whole jug of tequila to ourselves if we had wanted.

“Back then, I was naive, I was young, and unfortunately some of my lowest moments were played out on camera.”

FLOORS are among the most used parts of a home, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the things that homeowners want to look after the most.

But experts have revealed that most people don’t actually know how to maintain them properly.

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Getty

Getty

In fact, they said that there are common, everyday habits that most people do that are secretly ruining their floors.

And it could even be causing irreparable damage, not to mention costly repairs.

Flooring expert Richard McKay, Managing Director at Sprung, said there are five habits we need to drop before it’s too late.

From not cleaning them properly to not choosing the right type for a room, it all impacts its longevity and quality over time.

Mopping with too much water

It’s tempting to completely soak the mop and cover as much surface area as possible to get our floors sparkling clean.

However, the experts say that this can actually damage the floors and we should be writing the mop out as much as possible.

Richard explains: “You might think that a bucket of water and mop seems like the easiest way to clean your floors but you could be doing more harm than good.

“Laminate, hardwood and vinyl flooring can all be damaged with too much water, which can cause swelling, warping and even mould growth.

“Foam and rubber flooring commonly used in home gyms are also at risk as the material can break down when exposed to water.

“Instead, use a damp mop with a suitable cleaner for your specific flooring.”

Using harsh cleaning products

Using the right cleaning products when scrubbing your floor is key to looking after it, says Richard.

He advises: “Many of the cleaning products on the market contain bleach or ammonia.

“While this might leave your floors clean, it also strips away any protective coatings, making your floor even more vulnerable.

“Strong cleaners can also degrade rubber and foam gym flooring, reducing its effectiveness and lifespan.

“Instead, you should opt for gentle and non-abrasive cleaners that are designed for your specific floor.”

Wearing the wrong shoes inside

Most are made to withstand outdoor conditions and should not be worn inside the house – no matter how comfy they are.

Richard suggests that homeowners should only wear shoes like slippers inside the home because they are designed not to damage floors.

He says: “High heels might be an obvious hazard to floors but your everyday shoes aren’t any better.

“This is because dirt can be brought inside which then scratches and scuffs the floor as people walk over it.

“Gym shoes with specialist treads can also wear down flooring, especially in areas where you work out.

“This is why you should keep outdoor shoes outside and choose soft-soled footwear inside, or even slippers.”

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Choosing the wrong flooring

The biggest mistake that homeowners make is not choosing a specific floor that is suitable for the room, according to Richard.

The expert explains: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing the wrong flooring for their space.

“For example, thin laminate flooring in high-traffic areas will quickly wear out.

“And standard home gym mats in weightlifting or HIIT workout areas won’t provide enough support or impact absorption.

“This is why it’s essential to get in touch with an expert who can help you find the right flooring for your home.”

MORE HARM THAN GOOD

THERE are also other cleaning mistakes you could be making when scrubbing your floors.

As well as these everyday habits, there are four other things you could be doing wrong when cleaning the floors, according to Liam Cleverdon from Flooring King.

These are:

1. Forgetting to vacuum before mopping – “While this may not seem like a big deal, it can quickly exacerbate dirty floors, causing dirt and dust to be smudged across the floor, impacting the room’s aesthetic and posing a health risk.”
2. Disregarding spillages – “Depending on the liquid, leaving a spillage for too long can prove incredibly problematic, risking compromising the look of the floor”.
3. Air-Drying Floors – “While it’s definitely the easiest method for drying mopped floors, it’s better to set time aside to dry surfaces with microfibre cloths”.
4. Scrubbing too hard – “Scrubbing floors too hard can remove protective coatings while leaving visible scratch marks, adding to the visual mess.”

Dragging heavy furniture around

While this one may seem obvious, many homeowners don’t realise just how much damage dragging heavy furniture around can do to your floor.

Richard says: “Moving heavy items around a room can cause significant damage to your floor as well as scratches, dents and scuffs.

“What’s more, these can sometimes be impossible to repair.

“Similarly, high-impact exercise on unprotected floors can also cause long-term damage.

“For best results, you should use floor protectors under furniture and gym equipment, and always lift instead of pushing or dragging items.”

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UKRAINE’S deputy foreign minister has warned “liar” Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted and does not want a ceasefire.

Mariana Betsa told The Sun the tyrant has no real interest in brokering lasting peace in the region.

Simon Jones

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But she warned Ukraine will not accept any territorial compromises in a deal, insisting Kyiv does not want “peace at any price”.

Daria Zarivna, an adviser to the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, also told The Sun that the thousands of children abducted by Russia must be returned as a condition of any agreement.

Donald Trump said he “trusted” that Putin wants to end the war – but Kyiv and its Western allies have accused the Kremlin of stonewalling negotiations.

Washington has been trying to hash out terms of a deal between Ukraine and Russia in a bid to end Putin‘s three-year invasion.

But the Kremlin has been insisting on a list of conditions and demands – delaying the process.

Kyiv quickly agreed on an initial proposal for a full 30-ceasefire earlier this month – but this was quickly rejected by Putin.

Ukrainian official Mariana rubbished suggestions Putin wants the war to end and said “no one should be fooled by Russia”.

She lambasted Moscow as she warned: “We cannot trust Russia. Russia lies and they know how to lie.”

Mariana told The Sun: “No one should believe Russia’s words or Russia’s statements in the media actions, we should look into actions.

“We had really intense discussions with our US colleagues at the beginning of March regarding the ceasefire.

“Ukraine engaged in good faith.

“We agreed for the ceasefire for the truce in the sky for the truce in the sea.

“We agreed for the ceasefire in the front. It was 11th of March and Russia they just put conditions.

“Well Ukraine again showed its commitment to peace commitment to comprehensive just and lasting peace.

“What did Russia? They started bombing us even with big intensity and so many people getting killed throughout this month.

“I think the answer is that Russia doesn’t really want peace in Ukraine and shows no remorse, no actions towards achieving this goal.”

On Thursday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met with key allies at the so-called “coalition of the willing” summit in Paris.

He called on the US to be stronger against Russia as leaders including Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron agreed now is not the time to lift sanctions against Moscow.

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AFP

Sir Keir insisted Putin must be given a deadline to make progress on a Ukraine ceasefire, and accused him of “playing games”.

He said Putin was attempting to drag the Trump-initiated process out to allow his forces time to continue assaults on Ukraine.

But Mariana warned Ukraine would not compromise on any eventual peace deal, vowing to return all abducted children and not concede any land.

She said: “It is important to know that Ukraine will never accept territorial compromises unjust peace.

“It will never accept the situation where our prisoners of war, illegally detained persons and children are not returned.

“They should return all of them and children should return unconditionally.

The level of sinisterity behind this is horrible.

Daria Zarivna

“I would like to highlight that we will not rest if Ukrainian people do not have justice served to them.

“This is extremely important that it’s not just peace at any price.

“It should be comprehensive just and lasting peace for Ukraine with accountability for Russia and Russian criminals.”

Presidential advisor Daria warned the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children is imperative not only for their safety – but as it could become a “threat to global security”.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been forcibly moved into areas under Moscow‘s control since the war began.

They have been assigned Russian citizenship and “adopted” by Russian families.

Many are forced into sinister camps where they are starved, tortured and “brainwashed” into becoming Russian citizens.

Simon Jones

Simon Jones

Simon Jones

Meanwhile, some 1.6 million Ukrainian children are living in territory controlled by Putin’s fighters.

Daria said: “They are trying to change their names, their personal data, their whereabouts.

“The famous case of Margarita, this was a 10-month-old girl from Kherson Children’s Home, which was brought under the medical prescription to Moscow.

“Then she was adopted by Sergey Mironov, one of the top allies of Putin.

“Her name was changed to Marina. Her place of birth was changed from Kherson to Podolsk.

“When I had an opportunity to address this issue in the Security Council, I showed the birth certificate, the Ukrainian birth certificate of this girl, and the Russian birth certificate.

“It was good to use evidence like this, because the whole scale of crime becomes very obvious.

“This girl was only 10 months old when all this happened, so she didn’t even realise who she was, what kind of origin she had, and her whole life was just destroyed and changed.

“The level of sinisterity behind this is horrible.”

Kyiv has repeatedly vowed to bring every child home – calling the abductions a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide.

VICKY Pattison has admitted she doesn’t sleep in the same bed as her new husband Ercan Ramadan.

The reality star, 37, got married in August 2024 but has opened up about it being a difficult first year.

Instagram

Instagram

However opened up about her hopes to have children after freezing her eggs.

But as she revealed delaying plans to start IVF for another year or two, Vicky shared her unusual sleeping arrangements.

She told OK! Magazine: “Everyone thought we’d try for kids quite quickly – so did we! But we’re going to enjoy being married, for at least a year.

I’d love a honeymoon first! A little week in the Caribbean would be lovely.

“We’re just desperate to sleep in the same bed together.

“I sleep with the dogs and he sleeps in the spare room!”

Vicky recently told about the tough time she went through at the beginning of her marriage to Ercan, 31.

Speaking to the BBC’s Woman’s Hour, she said: “I don’t think it’s how anyone anticipates, their first six months of marriage, you know, it’s a very alien experience.

“I mean it has been difficult, I have been frustrated, I have been upset and I have been overwhelmed quite a lot.

“So even without thinking about, the deepfake itself, I haven’t been a joy to live with quite frankly and I do feel for my husband but he’s very supportive.”

Vicky is referring to her husband supporting her as she faced backlash over her deepfake porn documentary called My Deepfake Sex Tape, which some victims criticised as a “PR stunt” and “deeply disrespectful”.

The documentary involved her directing actors to simulate a sex scene, then allowing AI to add her face to the footage.

Alamy

SIX of the Turpin siblings – who were abused by a foster family who took them in after they were rescued from their parent’s house of horrors – are close to winning a huge settlement sum.

The children, 13 in total, were pulled out of a life of captivity in 2018 after a decade of abuse by their biological family at their home in Perris, California.

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KABC-TV

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Riverside County and a private foster care agency, ChildNet Youth and Family Services, Inc., were tasked with finding the Turpin kids a home.

Tragically, six of them ended up being abused again by new foster parents who were supposed to care for them.

Marcelino Olguin, his wife Rosa, and their daughter, Lennys, pleaded guilty to several counts of child abuse after their arrest in 2021.

Rosa and Lennys had their sentences suspended and were given four years of probation.

Marcelino also pleaded guilty to charges of sexual abuse and was sentenced to seven years in state prison.

In July 2022, the siblings filed two lawsuits against Riverside County and ChildNet.

In the initial lawsuits, the Olguins were accused of telling the children to kill themselves because they were “unlovable.”

They also forced the siblings to gorge themselves on food until they were sick and then made them eat their vomit as punishment, according to the complaints.

The U.S. Sun has obtained new court documents that confirm all parties for both suits have finally reached a settlement deal, although it is yet to be approved.

One lawsuit lists two of the siblings, who are not named, as plaintiffs, while the second was brought by the other four.

BRAVE ESCAPE

Court filings show there is still one “minor’s compromise” to be done before the next hearing, ensuring the settlement is in the child’s best interest and the funds are protected.

This is expected to be finalized before the next hearing, according to docs.

The papers also state that if the Board of Supervisors rejects the settlement, the case will go back on the calendar before a court date on August 8, 2025.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Riverside County, ChildNet, and the Turpin siblings’ attorneys for further comment.

Attorney Elan Zektser, who is representing some of the siblings in one suit, previously told The U.S. Sun, “Some of the kids will tell you that what they experienced in the foster home was even worse than what they experienced at the hands of their parents.

“The thing that kills me most is that when they were in the Turpin home, they were told they didn’t deserve to be like everyone else, that they were bad kids, bad people – that’s what their parents put on them.

“And then the foster family used that against them and compounded those feelings, telling them, ‘No one wants you, look at what your parents did, they were right: you are nothing.’

“So when you have enough people in your life telling you that you are nobody and nothing and don’t deserve what everyone else has in life, it has a profound effect on your psyche.”

Zektser added, “If you ask me how they’re doing now, from being in those situations, they’re doing fantastic with all things considered. Because if you’re living after those two situations by default you’re doing fantastic.

“Some of them are productive members of their community, but some of them are still struggling greatly.”

KABC-TV

AP:Associated Press

Zektser also claimed ChildNet knew the Olguins were unfit to be foster parents because of an alleged prior history of abusing and neglecting children placed in their care – but those facts were allegedly ignored.

In a cross-complaint filed by Riverside County, the authority denied any wrongdoing and shifted the blame solely on the foster parents.

“This abuse and neglect inflicted on Plaintiffs by the Olguins, if true, and the Olgiuns’ failure to cooperate and disclose information to the County’s social workers, if true, caused Plaintiffs to sustain injuries and damages,” docs read.

The Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) no longer places children in homes through the agency formerly known as ChildNet, according to reports.

A Riverside County spokesperson also previously said in a statement, “The trauma this family endured is heartbreaking. We remain committed to their well-being and their lifelong journey of healing.

“We appreciate our County and community partners, who collaborate with us to support this family, and every family, with services and resources.”

ChildNet also replied to the complaint in 2022, claiming in court docs: “Defendant alleges this answering defendant had no advance knowledge of the unfitness, if any, of Marcelino and Rosa Olguin.”

They also claimed, “The actions of Marcelino and Rosa Olguin against Plaintiffs were committed, if at all, while Plaintiffs were no longer in a ChildNet Foster Care Program.”

ABC

Good Morning America

ABC

ABC

ABC

BRAVE ESCAPE

The sibling’s biological parents, David and Louise Turpin, were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after they pleaded guilty to holding captive and torturing their children for years.

One of their daughters, Jordan, was 17 years old when she fled her family home via a window in January 2018.

She dialed 911 to report that her parents had been violently abusing and starving her and her 12 siblings for years.

Frightened Jordan told the operator, “My two little sisters right now are chained up.”

Officers arrived at the dirty home to find two kids shackled to a bed, according to official reports.

It later emerged the children were regularly beaten until they bled, and forbidden from interacting with anyone outside of the home.

They were also severely malnourished and were only allowed one shower a year, authorities revealed.

At the time, the siblings ranged in age from 2 to 29, with seven of them over the age of 18.

However, they were all so thin that police initially thought they were all juveniles.

FACEBOOK

AFP or licensors

EPA

We shone a light on the terrifying world of the British hitman, including an unassuming bar worker and a shadowy “master” lurking in the darkest corner of Britain’s criminal underbelly.

The professor interviewed a real hitman while conducting his research and found their reality was “far seedier and shabbier” than how the media portrays it.

He told The Sun: “British hitmen, and I uncovered only one hitwoman – a Maori working in a bar in London called Te Rangimaria Ngarimu – did not occupy a life of international travel, intrigue or espionage but something far seedier and shabby.

“These men were often driven to offering lethal violence as a commodity because they were down on their luck, had recently been divorced, made redundant, had debts, or were facing bankruptcy.

“A casual remark down the pub about being willing to ‘do anything for a few quid’ could take someone on a journey that they were usually ill-equipped to accept, and so they often ended up dead themselves, having abjectly failed to end their target’s life.”

Mr Wilson concluded the research pointed to four different types of UK hitmen – Dilletantes, Novices, Journeymen and Masters.

AFP

Getty Images

Splash

Rex Features

A POPULAR European night train has axed its services, as commuters and holiday-goers race to find travel alternatives.

A sleeper train service between Berlin and Brussels stopped its operations yesterday after running for just over a year.

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The Nightjet, which connects the two capitals in 14 hours, was launched in December 2023 and ran three times a week.

Operated by OBB Austria’s national railway company, the service formed part of a large network of night trains linking Germany and Belgium’s big cities.

But following an announcement earlier this week, the operation will be axed indefinitely due to a “combination of difficult-to-bypass late-notice track work” in Germany.

Mark Smith, founder of a popular rail travel magazine, said: “A combination of difficult-to-bypass late-notice track work in Germany and (no doubt) the fact that it now runs on the same three days of the week as the European Sleeper mean they seem to have given up”.

Passengers will still be able to travel through the night between the two cities, however, thanks to the European Sleeper service.

Similarly to the Nightjet, the European Sleeper runs three times a week and leaves from Berlin’s Ostbanhof station.

Tickets start at around GBP66 per person for a six-berth couchette, a padded bunk bed with a blanket and pillow.

This increases to about GBP82 for a spot in a five-berth couchette and GBP91 for a proper bed in a three-bed sleeper carriage.

This comes just days after a brand new train operator announced it would be launching services between the UK and Europe, offering ‘competitive fares’ for passengers.

Currently, Eurostar is the only rail operator that connects the UK to destinations across Europe, including cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

This could all change as a new train operating company, Gemini,has announced its plans to launch services between the UK and Europe.

The new train operator, which is currently being established, hopes to begin its rail journey by launching services from London to Paris and Brussels.

Once services between London and Paris/Brussels have launched, Gemini hopes to further its list of European destinations.

The new rail operator plans to introduce ‘ new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing’ on services between the UK and Europe.

It hopes to run ‘Open Access’ services to compete on the cross-channel route between the UK and Europe.

An open access rail service is a rail service operated by a private company, outside of any government contract.

Gemini has applied to the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot.

The company is also in discussion with key stakeholders around
other train maintenance facilities – although further details have yet to be revealed.

FULHAM go head-to-head with London rivals Crystal Palace for a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals TODAY.

Both sides have aspirations of going all the way in football‘s oldest competition, with many of the big boys already out of the conversation.

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Getty

Neither Fulham nor Crystal Palace have won the FA Cup in their history, but they do have three final appearances between them.

The Cottagers’ only final came in 1975, when they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham, while the Eagles have made two appearances (1990 and 2016) but they were beaten by Manchester United on both occasions.

Palace are set to be boosted by the return of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was on the receiving end of a horror challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the last round, which left the Frenchman needing 25 stitches to his left ear.

Fulham have some firepower of their own with both strikers Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz in fine goalscoring form of late.

This afternoon’s FA Cup tie promises to be a thriller as the two London rivals battle for a spot at Wembley.

SunSport brings you all the information you need so you don’t miss a minute of action at Craven Cottage.

How to watch Fulham vs Crystal Palace for FREE

Fulham’s huge FA Cup quarter-final tie with Crystal Palace will be broadcast live on ITV1.

You can live stream all the action for FREE via the ITVX app/website.

The match will kick off at 12.15pm GMT on Saturday, March 29, with coverage beginning at 11.30am.

Mark Pougatch will be on presenting duties, while Karen Carney and Ian Wright will provide analysis.

Seb Hutchinson and Ally McCoist are on commentary for the London derby at Craven Cottage.

LIDL shoppers are being told not to eat one of its savoury snacks over fears it could contain salmonella.

The discount supermarket has urgently recalled its Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings after the problem was found.

Lidl

The recall affects 100g packets of the pork scratchings with best before dates ranging from August 5, 2025 through to August 12, 2025.

Anyone who has bought the product has been told not to eat it and to return it to their nearest store for a full refund.

You won’t need to bring a receipt.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which raised the alarm, said the product was being recalled “due to potential presence of salmonella which may cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms”.

Food products are usually recalled when there is a risk to customers.

Lidl has put up notices in its stores explaining why the product is being recalled and what customers should do if they have bought the product.

If you want more information, you can contact the supermarket‘s customer care team on customer.care@lidl.co.uk or 0203 966 5566.

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning.

It is usually found in foods such as eggs, chicken, pork or dairy products but other items can become contaminated if they have been in contact with livestock, manure or untreated water.

The bacteria can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, according to the Government website.

These usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after a person becomes infected.

Although most people usually get better within a week, people who are more vulnerable such as the elderly or young children can be more severely affected.

If you have severe or your symptoms last more than a week, you should consult a doctor.

What other food items have been recalled recently?

Supermarkets have also been forced to recall other potentially dangerous items recently.

Tesco pulled its Free From Meal Kits from shelves due to undeclared soya in the products.

At the time, the presence of soya was not included on the meal kits’ ingredient list and the FSA warned this was potentially dangerous for those with a soya allergy.

Meanwhile Dunnes stores had to recall its Hogan’s Farm Turkey Burgers because they contained undeclared sulphur dioxide.

Anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide or sulphites could have been at risk.

Plus, stores had to recall Rude Health’s Chocolate Crunch Granola over fears it could be “infested with insects”.

The FSA said the product, sold at Waitrose and Tesco, could be “unsafe to eat”.

A DIY enthusiast has found the best budget and renter-friendly hack to transform your home.

So if the cost of living crisis has made your purse feel tighter than ever, but you’re desperate to give your pad a glow up without breaking the bank, then you’ve come to the right place.

Loushomelife/Tiktok

Loushomelife/Tiktok

Lou, a DIY fan from the UK, explained that she used self-adhesive vinyl to give her home a mega makeover.

Not only does it look great and add colour and style to a space, but it also gives homeowners increased privacy too.

Thrilled with her ‘quick and easy’ overhaul, Lou took to social media to share a before and after look at the DIY job.

Posting online, the content creator uploaded her clip with the caption ‘Such a quick and easy change, I’ve used this before on a couple of other windows that I’m now going to change as I love this design.’

Lou then confirmed that she used the D-C-Fix window film in the shade Minster Blue, which she bought from The Range.

Detailing her impressive makeover, Lou said: “I’ve used some D-C-Fix window film on my porch window and I’m in love with the results.

“This is budget friendly and renter friendly, because it comes off so easily, and this roll only cost me GBP4.50, which I think is an absolute bargain.

“After trying to line the pattern up, taking it off and on and off and on, I think I got it where it needed to be and I don’t think I did a bad job either.”

As well as looking great, Lou was impressed with the added privacy her hack gave her, as she continued: “It’s nice because it’ll hide the rubbish in the porch and we have a lovely postman, but he does come in the porch as well, and although he is lovely, I don’t want him to see me in my pink doughnut pyjamas.

“I love the pattern, and I love the way it looks.”

DIY fans beam

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ loushomelife, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 561,000 views.

Not only this, but it’s also amassed 12,800 likes, 426 comments, 1,416 saves and 849 shares.

Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks

The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters:

• DIY expert’s lazy painting hack will make decorating your home much easier
• Save time and money with this easy DIY tiling hack to transform a room in under an hour
• Avoid these five mistakes in your next DIY project
• Transform your kitchen with this renter-friendly DIY hack
• Noisy neighbours? Here’s how to soundproof a room
• DIY expert shared her favourite strategy for painting around glass without tape
• If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, here’s how to paint your kitchen cabinets
• Five tricks to spruce up every room in your home for less than GBP5

Social media users were impressed with Lou’s home transformation and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.

One person said: “Lovely pattern, may do the same for mine.”

Another added: “Wow you did an amazing job.”

You did a great job, love it for privacy

TikTok user

A third commented: “That looks brilliant.”

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “Absolutely gorgeous.”

Not only this, but another DIY fan expressed: “You did a great job, love it for privacy.”

At the same time, one user asked: “What’s it like from the other side?”

In response, Lou confirmed: “Looks exactly the same from the other side.”

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MILLIONS of savers have just DAYS left to boost their future state pension payments.

A crucial deadline to fill in gaps in National Insurance (NI) payments is looming on April 5.

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The date will end a temporary extension that allowed people to fill in missing NI years dating back to 2006/2007.

Pensioners require 35 years of qualifying NI contributions to claim the full new state pension, which is worth GBP221.20 a week.

A minimum of 10 years’ payments are required for savers to receive anything at all.

Life events such as career breaks, time spent abroad, or periods of self-employment with low earnings can result in gaps in NI payments.

This means that making payments to fill in gaps can significantly impact your future income.

Buying one additional year costs GBP907 and boosts your state pension by GBP342 every year of retirement.

Or If you fill gaps between 2006/07 and 2015/16, you’ll pay the 2022/23 rates for contributions working out at GBP824.20 to buy one year of contributions.

This means you can make back the investment cost within three years, and potentially boost pension income by thousands of pounds over the course of your retirement

Overall, you have the potential to enhance future state pension payments by up to GBP113.76 a week, equating to an annual increase of GBP5,915.92.

But those with gaps only have a limited time to act as from April 6 retrospective contributions will be restricted to the past six tax years.

Brian Byrnes, head of personal finance at Moneybox, said: “According to findings from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), over half of UK savers will fall short of retirement income targets set by the 2005 Pensions Commission.

“With so many people at risk of not saving enough for a comfortable retirement, it’s important that savers are accessing everything they have or are eligible for, whether that’s by finding missing pension pots or filling the gaps in their NI contributions.

“This is why, with just two more weeks left to fill any gaps in NI contributions to top up your state pension, it’s vital for everyone to check what money they have on the table when it comes to their retirement.”

Savers can check how many NI credits they’ve accrued in just minutes on the government’s online ‘Check Your State Pension’ forecasting tool at gov.uk/check-state-pension.

It outlines the options to make voluntary NI contributions to fill them.

Mr Byrnes added: “It’s worthwhile checking ahead of the deadline, as from April 6 you will only be able to make voluntary contributions for the past six qualifying tax years.”

However, buying backdated voluntary contributions won’t be right for everyone.

Mike Ambery, retirement savings director at Standard Life, said: “It’s very important to consider your own situation, as there could be many reasons why voluntary NI contributions wouldn’t suit your circumstances, for example if you have sufficient time to make up the years without making voluntary contributions.

“There’s not a lot of time left, and this is a big decision to make. Checking your record and contacting the relevant people before 5th April could potentially mean you’re thousands of pounds better off in future.

“While the deadline remains in place, there has been some welcome flexibility – those who secure a callback from HMRC before the deadline may still be able to make payments after April 5. That said, acting as soon as possible remains crucial to avoid missing out.”

Check what you’re owed

If you think you’re missing NI years, the first thing to do is check your State Pension forecast.

You can check this through the government’s ‘Check your State Pension’ tool online at www.gov.uk/check-state-pension.

The tool is also available through the HMRC app, which you can download free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

You’ll need to log in using your Personal Tax Account login details. If you don’t already have an online HMRC account, you can register at gov.uk.

It shows you how much your state pension could increase by and what NI years you’ll need to buy to achieve this.

You’ll then be able to pay for these missing years securely online.

You will need to pay for these in full as you can’t set up a plan to pay in instalments.

Be aware that you can’t use the online service if you’re already receiving your State Pension.

Instead, you’ll need to call the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.

However, before you commit to buying new NI years it’s vital you check whether you were entitled to free credits at any point.

Check for credits

Before making a voluntary contribution, check if the gaps in your contributions can be filled with free NI credits.

Thousands are thought to be missing out on these NI Credits, leaving them worse off in retirement.

For example, those on certain benefits could qualify for Class 1 credits.

This includes parents with active claims for child benefit.

You can check the full list of people eligible to claim credits by visiting gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility.

It explains the circumstances where you’ll need to claim and when you’ll get it automatically.

Topping up your missing years

In some cases, buying back missing years can be really valuable.

But earning back the years isn’t free, so your voluntary contributions come at a price.

If you fill gaps between 2006/07 and 2015/16, you’ll pay the 2022/23 rates for contributions.

It is worth GBP15.85 a week, which means it costs GBP824.20 to buy one year of contributions.

As the state pension was GBP185.15 per week in 2022/23, this boost would add GBP5.29 per week or around GBP275 per year.

Although you’d have to pay GBP8,242 (10 lots of GBP824.20), the annual state pension boost would be around GBP2,750.

Someone who was retired for 20 years would get back around GBP55,000 in total (before tax).

Anyone under 73 can make voluntary pension contributions, as it’s assumed everyone under this age will claim the new state pension.

If you’re below the state pension age, you can check your state pension forecast by visiting gov.uk/check-state-pension to determine if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions.

You can also contact the Future Pension Centre by calling 0800 731 0175.

If you’ve reached state pension age, contact the Pension Service to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.

You can contact this service in several different ways by visiting gov.uk/contact-pension-service.

A CHANNEL 4 show’s set was placed on lockdown over a ‘terrifying’ dog that left everyone scared.

Nick Grimshaw has officially taken over as host of The Bad Dog Academy as it returns for a brand new series.

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Alamy

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It aims to help Britain’s most troubled dogs and their desperate owners.

The new series will see a team of top dog trainers work their magic once again.

But radio presenter Nick, 40, has revealed one dog threw filming into chaos – and left crew scared.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun’s TV Mag: “There was a great big dog called Ghost. You know, that was quite a terrifying.

“It was in the morning we’d all get together with the trainers and talk about who was coming in that day. And I’d never met a Cane Corso and I’d never even seen one in real life.

“I was like, is it going to come to the show? And one of the trainers said ‘oh you better get ready today’.

I thought they were joking but it was really serious. And we had signs up all around the set that were saying ‘don’t come in this area’.

It was literally warning that this dog was on the set. I was like, s***. Then they were like go and let him in, the dog that everyone’s scared of.

“But yeah, he was a big guy.”

Viewers of The Bad Dog Academy will see owners will get trained in dog management skills and psychology, while their misbehaving pooches will be put through their paces with expert-led sessions.

• The Sun’s TV Mag is free each week inside Saturday’s newspaper

Channel 4's best competition shows

Channel 4 boasts a number impressive competition shows, but which ones are really the best?

Four in a Bed

• Reality competition show Four in a Bed has been airing on Channel 4 since 2010. It follows four couples as they take turns to stay at each others B&Bs and hotels, rating their stays along the way. The couple with the establishment voted best value for money are the winners.

Come Dine With Me

• Come Dine With Me has been staple British viewing since 2005, providing some outrageous telly moments over the years. Like Four in a Bed, the series moves around to different properties as it follows four contestants as they each host a (supposedly) gourmet dinner party for each other. After each dinner the guests score the host out of 10, will the winner being revealed on the final evening.

The Great British Bake Off

• Another national treasure, The Great British Bake Off welcomes a group of 12 amateur bakers to put their culinary skills to the test with Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith judging their efforts. One contestant is eliminated each week until the final three face off in the last week.

Bake Off: The Professionals

• Bake Off: The Professionals puts a twist on GBBO, pitting two teams of professional pastry chefs against each other in every episode. It’s up to judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden to determine who has what it takes to make it through to the final.

DUA Lipa has flashed her thong in a very see-through lace jumpsuit on her world tour.

The hitmaker, 29, is in Australia for her Radical Optimism tour, with her sharing some red hot snaps from backstage at her Sydney show on Friday.

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Posing up a storm in a see-through lace jumpsuit, Dua looked amazing as she pouted and smiled for the photographs.

Standing in front of a black backdrop, Dua rocked the black lace garment which was see-through and showed off her thong and bra.

With a white feather boa draped over her shoulder, Dua could be seen posing, squatting and beaming for the camera.

Sharing the sizzling snaps, and some clips from her concert, Dua penned a caption that read: “NIGHT 2 SYDNEY. it just keeeeps getting better!!!!

“Last night I was joined on stage by my mega talented aussie mate and songwriting partnaaaa @tameimpala who has inspired me for forever to sing The Less I Know The Better ~~~ gaaaah what a night!!!!“

“Dua Lipa is gorgeous,” penned one fan in the comments section.

Another added: “Dua Lipa is the most Beautiful on this planet!”

A third penned: “dua lipa the goddess.”

While a fourth swooned: “THE BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.”

“Incredible night,” echoed a fifth.

“You were eveything,” added a sixth.

Currently in Australia for her tour, Dua was spotted departing a popular grocery store in Sydney earlier this week.

Seen leaving IGA, Dua was spotted after purchasing some goodies from the Independent Grocers of Australia.

A video of Dua leaving the supermarket was shared by a Sydney gossip page.

“Girl’s got to get her TimTam fix,” they penned in the caption.

In the video, Dua could be seen with a group of girl pals as she left the store with a huge bag on her shoulder.

Reacting to Dua’s supermarket run, one person said: “Yup… would’ve walked right passed her.. love her music though.”

“Just looks like a regular person,” said a second.

A third person added: “Who cares… to tell you the truth I would have no idea what she looks like.”

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NICE’S manager hit back at Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal criticism by claiming the club’s owner he has “not watched a match all season”.

Ratcliffe bought Nice in 2019 before purchasing a minority stake in Manchester United midway through last season.

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Willie Vass

The British billionaire has certainly upset many at Old Trafford including fans and staff with his various extreme cost-cutting measures.

But frustrations towards Ratcliffe are not limited to United.

That is because the Ineos chief sparked fury at Nice by revealing he does not like watching them play.

Ratcliffe controversially stated: “I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players.

“But the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.”

However, the comments prompted a reaction from the man he appointed as manager in the summer.

Franck Haise insisted Ratcliffe does not have a leg to stand on – because he has not even been to a game since the new manager took over.

Haise said: “The article that [the comments] appeared in was a lot more complete than that. But he hasn’t seen a Nice match this season.

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“He’s speaking a bit more about what he saw at another time.

“With the people who are here at the club, we are here to make the club progress in order to be even better.”

But mindful not to cause a rift with his employer, Haise insisted there was no bad blood between the pair.

He added: “It’s not that serious. We can be annoyed, that’s obvious.

“But is it really worth staying annoyed for a long time?

“We have got to keep working, enjoying ourselves and we have got to be doing the best possible.

“We have to move on and continue on our path.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…

December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest GBP245m into Old Trafford

January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington

January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO

February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s GBP1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed

February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added

March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move

March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football

March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford

March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December

April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled

April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director

April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton

May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness

May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof

May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish

May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy

May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket

May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed

May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result

June 2024 – Man Utd announce GBP50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground

June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office

June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team

July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received GBP3m in compensation

July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026

July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.

July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment

July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board

July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125

July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie

August 2024 – Man Utd splash out GBP199m in the summer transfer window

August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet

October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying GBP2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson

October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled

October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches

October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club GBP15m

November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up GBP10m release clause

November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim

November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings

November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half GBP40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association

December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”

December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to GBP66

December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director

December 2024 – GBP100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for GBP40 M&S voucher

December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth

December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars

December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts GBP40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity

Haise will be desperate to prove Ratcliffe wrong come the end of the season.

His Nice side sit fourth in Ligue 1 in a crazy six-team battle for a Champions League place.

PSG are the runaway leaders but Nice are two points adrift of Marseille in second.

The top three are guaranteed a league phase place, with fourth going into qualifying.

Nice have not played in the top European competition since 2017-18 – but have a far stronger chance than United of qualifying through their league finish.

United are slumped down in 13th in the Premier League table – but could get into the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim’s men face Lyon in the quarter-finals in April with the winners to face Rangers or Athletic Bilbao in the semis – and potentially a blockbuster final against Tottenham on May 21 in Bilbao.

Reuters

WOMEN’S safety will be at risk if ministers push ahead with plans for a taxi tax, charities warned today.

The Survivor’s Trust, Britain’s leading organisation for victims of sexual violence, urged Rachel Reeves not to slap a 20 per cent VAT levy on the cost of minicabs.

The move would force up fares on the likes of Uber and Bolt rides.

Treasury say they are taking the issue “seriously” outlining they have kept costs down for drivers since getting to power.

Campaigners want the government to protect passengers from the hike saying those travelling on trains, buses and planes are subject to zero per cent.

It would make the cost of getting home from a night out, when public transport often isn’t an option for revellers, skyrocket.

Fay Maxsted OBE, CEO of The Survivors Trust, said: “Many people rely on taxis to get home safely after an evening out, especially during night-time when women in particular can feel unsafe and at risk of sexual assault.

“Our frontline workers, who provide essential services, also rely on taxis for safe transportation during night shifts.

“We urge policymakers to prioritise safety and ensure transportation is accessible to those who need it.”

A spokesperson for the Stop the TaxiTax campaign, said: “This would essentially be a new tax on working people.

“We urge the Government to publish its response to the consultation and act urgently to protect vulnerable passengers, jobs and the UK economy.

“An off the shelf-solution that works for the whole industry, already applied to other types of transport and used by similar countries, is readily available to the Treasury.

“Rather than letting it sit in the Whitehall black box, the Government needs to grasp this issue and act in the interests of the public.”

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We support our drivers, which is why we froze fuel duty – saving each driver GBP59 a year on average.

“We take this issue very seriously and recognises its complexity. We are reviewing the feedback from our recent consultation and will publish our detailed response shortly.”

A MYSTERY island has seemingly vanished without a trace – sparking theories ranging from rising sea levels to government cover ups.

Bermeja Island, once marked on maps as a small landmass in the Gulf of Mexico, has baffled researchers and historians for decades.

AFP

Library of Congress/Gov

Library of Congress/Gov

It appeared on nautical charts for centuries – but it’s now nowhere found.

So, did it sink, was it never there to begin with, or was it deliberately erased?

Bermeja first appeared in Spanish maps as early as the 16th century.

The name itself – derived from “bermejo”, meaning “reddish” in Spanish – suggested it had distinct features.

It was plotted in the Yucatan Channel, about 100 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

For centuries, explorers and mapmakers included it in official records.

But by the late 20th century, Bermeja started to fade from maps.

Jesus Israel Baxin Martinez, a geographer from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), told The Sun that even in the 19th century, Bermeja appeared in official Mexican atlases.

He said: “Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Bermeja Island was recorded on maps from various sources.

“In the 1858 Mexican Atlas, Bermeja Island clearly appears north of Cayo Arenas… but a year later, in the 1886 General Map of the United Mexican States, the island no longer appears.

“It is likely that the cartographer made some revision… but these [islands] had not been corroborated.”

When the Mexican government sent a research team in 1977 to find it, they returned empty-handed.

In 2009, another expedition using modern satellite and sonar technology confirmed the same – Bermeja was simply gone.

There are several theories about Bermeja’s disappearance – some scientific, others bordering on conspiracy.

A cartographic error

Some researchers suggest Bermeja Island may have never existed, attributing its appearance on maps to cartographic errors.

“It’s quite possible,” Martinez said.

“Cartographers between the 16th and 19th centuries frequently copied geographical features from different maps without field verification.”

Bermeja may have simply been the product of repeated cartographic copying, possibly confused with other Gulf islands like “El Negrillo” or “Zarca” that also vanished from maps over time, the expert added.

A 2009 study by UNAM found no evidence of the island’s existence, leading to the conclusion that it was likely a perpetuated mapping mistake, NBC reported.

Sunken island

Another theory is that if Bermeja did exist, it might have been a low-lying atoll or sandbank that was eroded by ocean currents over centuries.

But Martinez calls that unlikely, saying: “These causes are implausible; it seems impossible that sudden events could have gone unrecorded and left no trace over the past five centuries.”

Even though some historical sailing records suggest Bermeja had groves – indicating it was more than just a sandbank – no detailed cartography of the island was ever made.

“It only appears on maps of national scale or those of the Yucatan region,” Martinez added.

“If major erosion or a rise in sea level submerged any of the islands, traces would remain.”

Erased on purpose

A more controversial theory claims Bermeja was destroyed — or even erased from records — due to its strategic location.

The island would have extended Mexico’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), giving the country rights to valuable oil reserves in the Gulf.

Some believe it was secretly bombed, sunk, or removed from maps to shift maritime boundaries – possibly benefiting the US.

But Martinez was quick to argue against that theory.

He previously told Mexico News Daily: “It’s a conspiracy theory, of course.

“Isla Bermeja was a controversy because it was a key area of the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

“There were official searches around this time to see if there was some remnant of this island because the expansion of this zone for Mexico would mean an abundance of oil.”

Despite extensive searches, no trace of Bermeja has ever been found, and its mystery remains unsolved.

Martinez concluded: “In short, the most plausible theory… is that it is a cartographic error replicated and unverified over more than 400 years.”

But he also warns that Mexico’s focus on lost islands like Bermeja overshadows a bigger issue: the neglect of the country’s real, inhabited islands.

“Mexico has neglected its island territory and has focused efforts on investigating lost or apparently fictitious cases… rather than defending the real islands over which the country has sovereignty.”

Whether it was a mistake, a victim of climate change, or something more sinister, one thing is certain — the island has left a ghostly imprint on history.

TOM ASPINALL has seen just about everything inside the octagon.

But he also saw his fair share of violence outside the cage during his days as a bouncer, a job he had to supplement his training.

CAGE WARRIORS

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YOUTUBE@BELIEVE YOU ME

One incident, in particular, lives long in the memory for the Wigan warrior.

During an appearance on Michael Bisping‘s Believe You Me podcast, he said: “I used to work the door at a really nice bar.

“[It was] kicking off, people are fighting in there. So, we ran in, and as we ran in, a guy was biting another guy’s nose off.”

Aspinall, understandably, was left gobsmacked by the sickening act of violence.

But what happened seconds after the lout chomped off his fellow bargoer’s nose off left the interim UFC heavyweight champion in disbelief.

Aspinall continued: “He went to spit it out and as he was going to spit it out, his friend said, ‘Don’t spit it out, because he’ll be able to sew it back on.’

“So the guy then swallowed his nose.”

Thankfully for Aspinall, he doesn’t have to contend with biting inside the octagon as it was one of the very few rules implemented at UFC’s inaugural event back in November 1993.

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Aspinall, 31, is currently gearing up for the biggest fight of his career – a heavyweight title unification bout with MMA legend Jon Jones.

A date for the mammoth melee has yet to be finalised, although UFC CEO and President Dana White recently claimed the fight is “done”.

He told TNT Sports: “It’s going to happen. “It’s done, but it’s not done.

“Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date.

“But the fight’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.

“If we pull this off and actually make the fight, announce it and start leading up to it.

“This will be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history.”

Aspinall teased an imminent fight announcement last week following a meeting with the UFC’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell.

He posted a snap of himself along with dad Andy and Campbell to his Instagram and X pages with the accompanying caption: “Stay tuned.”

YOUTUBE@TOMASPSINALL

A MOTHER has revealed that she lost over eight stone after using fat jabs for two years.

Bridget claimed that everyone said she would regret using the weight loss injections, but now, her only guilt is not starting sooner.

SimplyBridget12/Tiktok

SimplyBridget12/Tiktok

Getty

The mother, who is from the US, took to social media to show off her jaw-dropping weight loss, but experts and NHS medics warn about the dangers of taking such medications without a prescription.

Posting online, Bridget explained that she started her weight loss journey back in 2022.

Standing at five-foot-three-inches, her starting weight was 17 stone 8 lbs.

But now, after taking Tirzepatide, which is sold under the name Mounjaro, Semaglutide and Ozempic, she is now down to just 9 stone 5 lbs.

There’s no surprise that Bridget is thrilled after having dropped 8 stone 3 lbs, but her shocking slim down has resulted in her being on the receiving end of a barrage of nasty abuse.

Not only have people called her ‘too thin’, but others claimed she now ‘looks older’ as a result of losing weight.

Mounjaro, regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs, could soon be rolled out on the NHS.

Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams claimed it can save the lives of people with “life-threatening levels of obesity”.

But despite this, the NHS website warns: “Never take an anti-obesity medicine if it has not been prescribed to you. These types of medicines may not be safe for you and can cause serious side effects.”

About half a million Brits use weight loss drugs – and the number is expected to double in the next year.

Mounjaro works by suppressing ­your appetite, making people feel fuller for longer.

The injections are licensed for patients with type 2 diabetes and to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over).

One jab is administered each week but the duration is dependent on someone’s weight.

The drugs can be lawfully supplied when prescribed by a practitioner – such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber.

But increasingly, people have been buying them through online pharmacies with insufficient checks.

Only recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK.

And the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, are now calling for a probe into the jab’s “potential to kill”.

Despite the dangers, this content creator eagerly praised the effects of the fat jabs on her body, leaving many totally stunned.

In the short clip, Bridget gave her 90,700 followers a close-up look at her glow up, as she shared a before and after look at her transformation.

At the start of the video, we saw Bridget wearing a black top and jeans, with her belly on show.

Bridget stood to the side to show off her body, prior to taking any weight loss medication.

Two years later, still no regrets. Only regret is not taking it sooner

Bridget

Seconds later, Bridget confidently posed in a skin-tight black lace dress and mimed along to the Chris Brown and Lil Wayne song ‘Look At Me Now’.

Alongside the clip, Bridget wrote: “Them: You’re going to regret taking Ozempic.”

The slimmed down woman then said: “Two years later, still no regrets.

“Only regret is not taking it sooner.”

The content creator explained that she was on fat jabs for two years and it took her a year and three months of use before she saw results.

She revealed that she now feels as though she has “regained” her life back, but stressed that as well as using the fat jabs, she also focused on exercise and dieting too.

The mum confessed: “I was able to minimise my loose skin through strength training, a high-protein diet, slow and steady weight loss, taking collagen daily, and staying hydrated.”

Not only did she not suffer any side effects and have “zero problems” whilst using the injections, but she claimed that doing so was the “best decision” she has ever made.

She also shared an unbothered attitude towards haters, as she wrote: “I don’t care, I love it”.

Big divide

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ simplybridget12, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 175,200 views, 5,984 likes and 273 comments.

But social media users were massively divided by Bridget’s weight loss – and many eagerly flocked to the comments to share their honest thoughts.

One person said: “You look amazing!!”

So you need meds to lose weight? I feel sorry for you, you don’t have the discipline to do it yourself

TikTok user

Another added: “You are gorgeous.”

A third commented: “You look fabulous!!”

However, at the same time, someone else snapped: “This is sad.. leave those to the people who are diabetic. Just go to the gym like everyone else to lose weight.”

A second chimed in: “You look older.”

Someone else wrote: “Too thin.”

Whilst another questioned: “So you need meds to lose weight? I feel sorry for you, you don’t have the discipline to do it yourself.”

But clapping back at the comment, Bridget simply replied: “No need to feel sorry for me, Andrea – no shame in my game.

“I would do this all over again.”

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MARCUS RASHFORD’S Lamborghini is so difficult to drive it can give users a headache.

The England star is understood to have splashed out GBP450,000 on the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

Youtube / Warford Cars

Youtube / Warford Cars

Youtube / Warford Cars

Youtube / Warford Cars

Getty

He has since sold the vehicle after notching 4,000 miles on the clock, and he got back what he paid for it.

The man he sold it to, a rally driver named James, believes the car could be worth GBP1million in a few years, claiming it is the last proper Lamborghini ever made.

The car can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds and shoots flames out of the exhaust.

Rashford customised the vehicle with his signature – at an approximate cost of GBP30,000.

The back seat bears his initials as well as his name.

It also packs a punch with the engine causing a deafening noise.

After testing it out, car dealership owner Will Kennedy said: “That is ridiculous.

“I had to run away because it was going to burst my ear drum. I’ve got a headache, I need some Nurofen.”

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He later drove the car and then got a headache for a different reason.

He added: “It gave me a headache driving it – not because of the sound just because it’s a handful.”

Audi

Rashford had endured a difficult season as he was forced to leave Manchester United in January.

But his move to Aston Villa is paying off as he returned a recall to the England squad and started both of Thomas Tuchel’s first two matches in charge.

THREE people have died after a fire ripped through a home, with cops also injured.

Police, fire and ambulance crews responded to reports of the blaze in Rushton, near Kettering, in Northamptonshire, at 10.30pm on Friday night.

PA

PA

However, despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene on Beswick Close, three people were confirmed to have died.

Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Three police officers also required hospital assessment due to smoke inhalation.

A neighbour told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: “It’s absolutely shocking. My lad said it was on fire. There was a man who had tried to get in who was outside. It was just an inferno.

“There were ambulance, police and fire. I don’t know the people who live there but all we can do is hope and pray.”

The home previously served as Rushton Station and housed the station master, with a train line running behind the building.

In 2009 a group was formed named Friends of Glendon and Rushton station to restore the station – which had been granted Grade II listed status in 1981.

It was later converted for residential use.

Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 25000180391.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk

AFTER stepping back from the spotlight in 2023, Lewis Capaldi has thrilled fans by making a rare public appearance.

The 28-year-old Scottish singer was seen flashing a peace sign as he attended SmackDown at The O2 Arena on Friday night.

Getty

Getty

Getty

Two years after going on hiatus over health concerns amid his Tourette’s battle, Lewis was seen smiling on Friday night.

Fans were quick to react to Lewis’ rare public appearance on social media when snaps emerged online.

“Not seen him for a while, good to see he is looking great tbh,” penned one person on X.

Another added: “I missed him I’m so happy to see him.”

“As if he’s been away from the limelight for about 2 years and pops up on Smackdown,” said a third.

“Bro pops up in random places. Good to see him though,” penned a fourth.

A fifth then said: “Nice to see that smile again @LewisCapaldi! Looking good!”

While a sixth person added: “This has made me smile miss Lewis music glad he’s looking well and healing.”

And a seventh penned: “OMG IVE MISSED HIM SO MUCH!! WELCOME BACK LEGEND!!!”

Lewis announced he would be taking a break away from the spotlight for his mental health two years ago.

His announcement cam after performing at Glastonbury in June 2023 where he struggled with his Tourette’s symptoms.

Almost two years ago at Glastonbury, Lewis returned to the stage despite being “sh*t scared” to perform.

Ahead of his Glasto performance, Lewis had taken three weeks out to “rest and recover” for a mental health hiatus.

But despite his short break, in the middle of his set, Lewis confessed that he was struggling with his Tourette’s.

Heard coughing throughout the show, Lewis was struggling as his supportive fans sang his hit Someone You Love for him.

After his performance, Lewis decided to take a longer break from performing.

Writing a statement on social media, Lewis said: “The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write.

“I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out.

“But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.

“I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve.

“Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of, so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can.”

Two years down the line, it seems that Lewis might finally be ready to step back into the spotlight.

Yungblud, who is close pals with Lewis, has spoken out about how he is getting his mental health back on track.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he said: “I have heard his new music and it sounds great. He is getting his mental health right.

“I love him, as me and him have been on this ride together.

“We experienced it at the same time and he is perhaps the only friend who knows what I am going through, in the same way I know what he’s going through.”

Getty

Getty

EASTENDERS fans were devastated when Natalie Cassidy, aka trumpet-playing Albert Square legend Sonia Fowler, announced she was quitting the soap after more than three decades.

A brand expert recently told The Sun she could make millions by cashing in on her social-media following, podcast popularity and by appearing on I’m A Celebrity – but Natalie has got other plans in mind.

BBC

BBC

PA

Speaking exclusively to The Sun’s TV Mag, Natalie said: “I hope that expert is right!

“I always think about I’m A Celebrity and I just don’t know if I can do it as I’m such a scaredy-cat.

“I don’t like heights, I don’t like insects. I mean, I just think I’d be up every night, walking up to Ant and Dec, crossing that bridge for another trial.

“I don’t know if I could cope. And actually, I want to concentrate on some bigger projects.

“I’ve done Strictly which I loved, but your I’m A Celebs, your Dancing On Ices, if they’re still on telly, they’re kind of always there. I feel that now’s the time to do a few different things.

“I’ve always been honest – if I’ve got a very large tax bill and get offered an extreme amount of money, then you might see me in the jungle.

“But as it stands, I’m hoping to pick and choose a little bit more and just do a few projects for me.

“I’ve created other means with the podcasts, they’re doing very well, and I feel that I can now step out of EastEnders confidently.”

Continuing, Natalie admitted leaving EastEnders and Sonia behind wasn’t an easy decision.

She agonised over it with her family; cameraman fiance Marc Humphreys and her two daughters, 14-year-old Eliza and eight-year-old Joanie.

The star shared: “It’s not a job to me, EastEnders. I’ve been there on and off for 32 years, and I’m only 42 this year.

“I was 10 when I started, so it really is my home. It’s a hard place to leave.

“There was a lot of thought over it, but it’s the right time and the right decision, I’m sure of it.

“I need to have a break and pursue all the other things that are going on. And if I didn’t make the decision now, I don’t know if I’d ever have made it.

“With EastEnders, every week you’re waiting for a Thursday to know what you’re doing for the next week.

“You can’t book a theatre show, you can’t say to your children: ‘I’ll be there on sports day.’

“Now I can look at a diary and say: ‘I’m not working that day.’ I do feel that you have more freedom. I can plan!”

To begin her post-Albert Square journey, Natalie is throwing herself into the world of presenting.

Alive and kicking

Natalie took part in February’s live episode of EastEnders to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

This week on screen, we see Sonia bid an emotional goodbye to Martin before his funeral, but did Natalie ever think it would be her character killed off in the episode?

“It did cross my mind because of the timing,” she admits. “But I always say if you make the choice to leave, you can’t have the choice of how you go.

“You have to make peace with the fact that you could be going for good.

“We had a really brilliant two weeks doing the live. Usually we don’t work like that, we’re churning it out, we work at top speed.

“So to be able to actually concentrate on the one episode, rehearse it, it felt like a real ensemble piece. We had a really good time.”

First up is What’s The Big Deal, a new consumer show in which Natalie and a group of families test out all those products we’ve seen plastered over social media, to find out whether we really should be buying them or not.

Natalie said: “I’m not doing any acting at the moment.

“People need a rest from the acting because I’ve been on their screens doing that for so long.

“That’s why I’m choosing to be myself for a while. There are a lot of actors who really don’t like being themselves and aren’t comfortable – they want to be behind the character.

“They don’t like quiz shows or interviews or sitting on This Morning.

“But I really like being myself and I think over the last few years with Instagram and the podcasts, people really enjoy me being myself.

“So it seems to just be a nice way to go out and for this show to be coming on as I leave EastEnders.

“With the families, you’ve got that kind of Gogglebox feel, and I’m looking at the science – but not in a stuffy way. You just want it to be an easy watch.

“You want to get your cup of tea, have finished dinner, chuck on Channel 4 and have something nice to sit down to.”

This week, Natalie looks into ‘invigorating’ ice baths, ‘brain-boosting’ Lion’s Mane mushroom supplements and ‘space-saving’ packing cubes – and she even gets a tutorial on how to fold underpants correctly.

“I want to get to a stage where nothing else needs doing in the house but to fold Marc’s pants into squares,” laughed Natalie.

She added: “I do love the look of it all being so organised and clean. I’m not there yet!”

Natalie admitted that, as a left-handed person, her life has been changed dramatically by one of the gadgets featured – an automatic veg chopper.

The star also said how she has also fallen foul of late-night Instagram shopping.

She said: “I bought a pair of slippers and they’ve got badges – one says ‘f***’ and the other says ‘off.

“When I got them, I thought: ‘I’ve got the children, I’m never going to wear them!’ I’ve also bought lots of hay fever products – wrist bands for pressure points, nose shovers, you know the things.

“Things just pop up now on all these channels. I think it’s quite hard not to give in.”

Asked whether she feels like she has a new confidence, Natalie replied: “A hundred per cent, it’s so exciting, I feel really happy in myself at this age.

“You know your friends, you say no to things if you don’t want to do them. You’re just comfortable, aren’t you?

“I feel very confident in what I want to do, where I’m going.

“I do get nervous, but it’s more about not letting myself down. But they are barriers that need to be broken.

“It was a very warm Bush!”

Natalie took part in the sixth series of The Masked Singer earlier this year, dressed as none other than… Bush.

“I was shown lots of different outfits and costumes and when Bush came up, I just thought I have to go for it,” laughs Natalie.

“I have a lot of gay fans you see, a lot of drag friends, and I just thought I love the fact that it’s like: ‘Trim your bush, here comes Bush, where is Bush?’

It was so camp and fun. It was really brilliant singing in that massive costume, but very warm. It was really a very warm Bush!”

“That’s why I did The Masked Singer. I was so nervous every time I went out, but by the end of it, I enjoyed it.

“The EastEnders live episode was terrifying, but I did it. So you kind of start going: ‘I know you’re scared, but you can do it.’ I like to set myself those challenges. I think it’s important.”

And if another major soap came knocking, what would Natalie do?

She said: “I’d say: ‘No thank you.’ I’ve only got one soap in my heart. If I ever go back to any of them, it’ll be EastEnders.”

BBC

A MAP has revealed the locations of 39 stores that a major charity chop chain is set to close for good.

Disability charity Scope has singled out the stores for closure over the next few days.

The charity, which has shops in England and Wales, announced in January it would likely close 138 of its stores in a major blow to the high street.

Bosses said the chain had struggled with declining footfall and spiralling costs, including higher rents, energy bills and staff costs.

Chief executive Mark Hodgkinson said at the time: “As a result, and to ensure our funds are best focused upon our charitable purpose, we have let our teams know that we will be putting forward proposals to close some of our shops, in stages, over the next 18 months.”

It’s been confirmed that a total of 39 stores will close by Monday, March 31.

These are:

• Amersham
• Bangor
• Barking
• Beckenham
• Bexhill
• Bishop Auckland
• Bridgwater
• Castleford
• Christchurch
• Cambourne
• Devizes
• Dewsbury
• Eastbourne
• Ely
• Gillingham HS
• Halstead
• Haywards Heath
• Hertford
• Hinckley
• Kendal
• Lewisham
• Llandudno
• March
• Mitcham
• Morley
• New Milton
• Nuneaton
• Oadby
• Orpington
• Parkstone
• Petersfield
• Rochdale
• Scarborough
• Scunthorpe
• Shirley (Southampton)
• Skipton
• Stourbridge
• Wednesbury
• Welling