In an unexpected turn of events, PEGI (Pan European Game Information) has recently made a significant change to the rating of the popular game: Balatro, which was initially rated for 18+. However, after the appeal from the publisher, the rating has been reclassified to 12. The reclassification is largely based on a re-evaluation of the […]
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Agartala, Feb 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Around 100 surrendered militants of different outfits on Tuesday blocked National Highway-8, the surface lifeline of Tripura, demanding the fulfillment of their long-standing demands, including the withdrawal of all court cases...
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Chennai, Feb 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, on Tuesday called for an all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss the issue of delimitation, which threatens to reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament....
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IRISH shoppers were left raging after New Look refused to honour vouchers – as Irish watchdog seeks clarification after ‘horrific’ closing down sales.
The fashion giant announced last week that it will exit the country, leaving hundreds facing redundancy.
As hundreds of shoppers flocked to the closing down sales on Sunday, many shoppers returned home empty handed.
Videos emerged on TikTok of New Look shops “destroyed” as people scrambled to grab a bargain.
While other shoppers blasted the retailer “disgraceful” for not honouring vouchers.
New Look shopper Jane Manning told The Irish Sun: “I’m actually fuming to be honest.
“My boyfriend got me a voucher for my birthday in January. It was only a few weeks ago as well. I was saving it.
“I said I’d wait for summer for their new stuff.”
A worker at the door of the shop informed her no vouchers were being accepted.
Jane said: “He said you can sign a form, there’s a form here, a claim form to claim it back.
“And you have to put your vouchers in with the claim form.”
Jane said that she was worried if she would ever get her money back and didn’t feel like the store wanted to hear from customers with vouchers like her.
The Cork woman told how staff were abused by customers during the sale over the voucher scandal.
A former New Look worker told us: “We found out in the middle of the day through email.
“About half an hour later a member from KPMG entered our store and we had to ask everyone to leave and shut the shutters.
“The next two days were spent turning the stores into sale shops with no help.
“The next morning we had queues going all around the shopping centre, and that goes for every new look in Ireland as well.”
She explained that “too many people” were let in at once, even though they told 10-15 people at a time.
The worker said the vouchers caused a “lot of problems with staff getting the back hand of it”.
She continued: “When I went out to tell people we weren’t letting anyone in and shutting the shop an hour early I had a woman scream in my face over how long she was waiting and how she’s supporting us by queuing up to get in.
“Another woman was screaming in my face over the fact she couldn’t use her vouchers no matter how many times I explained it wasn’t our staff’s fault it was New Look.
“Another manager told me their staff was shouted and spat at over the fact we can’t accept vouchers.”
The Irish consumer watchdog, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, are looking for clarification on their gift vouchers.
A spokesperson for the CCPC said: “The Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019 covers the use of gift vouchers in Ireland.
“This legislation contains no exemption for sales of any kind, including closing-down sales.
“Officers from the CCPC contacted the liquidators in this case late last week regarding a number of consumer protection concerns.
“In our correspondence, we sought clarification on arrangements for the use of gift vouchers by consumers. Engagement with the liquidators is ongoing.”
A spokesperson for New Look said: “Per last week’s statement the Provisional Liquidators have taken over the management of the New look ROI business including stock and voucher matters.”
The High Court approved that Shane McCarthy and Cormac O’Connor of KPMG Ireland be appointed as Provisional Liquidators over the business and its assets.
With 26 stores across the Republic of Ireland, some 347 staff members have been let go.
Irish shops closing include Northside Shopping Centre, Liffey Valley, Tallaght, Omni Park, Blanchardstown and Jervis Street in Dublin.
In Cork, the stores in Wilton, Ballincollig, Blackpool and Opera Lane will close.
Other stores impacted include locations at Carlow, Clonmel, Galway, Navan, Limerick, Dundalk, Newbridge, Killarney, Dungarvan, Wicklow, Wexford, Mullingar, Letterkenny and Castlebar.
The retailer said: “During the liquidation period, any unspent gift vouchers cannot be used.
“However, you may submit a claim for any amounts owed to you in relation to your gift voucher.
“To do this, you must obtain a claims form from in store, whilst our stores are open.
“You will need to email a copy of the gift voucher, along with the claim form, to the address listed on the form itself. Any claim submitted will rank as unsecured in the liquidation.”
In a statement, the company shared the closure news to fans.
They said: “Regrettably, a collective redundancy process impacting all colleagues in the Republic of Ireland is also envisaged.
“The decision to seek the appointment of liquidators was not taken lightly.
“New Look’s Irish operation has struggled for some years, impacted by a range of factors including supply-chain and in-market costs, and squeezed consumer spending”.
They added that the New Look Group decided it was no longer viable to trade in Ireland.
They added: “The group will refocus investment on its UK business and its digital offering.”
A DOGWALKER was forced to his knees in a park and kicked to death by a teen as a 13-year-old girl filmed the attack laughing, a court heard.
Bhim Kohli, 80, was just 30 seconds from home when he was violently beaten in Franklin Park near Leicester in September last year.
A 13-year-old girl has gone on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of manslaughter, while a 15-year-old boy denies murder.
Jurors heard how Bhim was walking his dog on September 1 at around 6.18pm when the horror unfolded.
Opening the case, prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC said: “On September 1, however, Mr Kohli would not get the opportunity to walk his dog for long and never would he return home.
“That is because in Franklin Park, Mr Kohli had the misfortune to encounter these two defendants.
“(The boy and girl) used racist taunts against Mr Kohli, (the boy) used violence against Mr Kohli, (the girl) encouraged (the boy) to use violence against Mr Kohli.
“The prosecution say that as a result of causing those injuries, (the boy) is guilty of murdering Bhim Kohli and that (the girl) who encouraged the causing of those injuries is guilty of manslaughter.”
The girl, who was aged 12 at the time, and the boy had entered the park shortly him after Bhim with other youngsters.
When the group saw Bhim, the girl claimed he had tried to hit their friend “with a stick”.
The court heard three of the group ran away, with one later revealing this was because they “know how [the boy] is….he’s either gonna start on him or be mean to him or something”.
Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC said the girl remained with the boy as he put a balaclava on to “support him in what was about to happen” and “encourage” the violence.
Jurors heard Bhim was forced to his knees by the male defendant while his co-accused filmed the attack.
One video played to the court showed the grandad being slapped with a slider shoe by the boy as the girl laughed and moved closer to film.
Mr Sandhu said: “What we saw on that clip was just pure violence.”
Bhim tragically tried to call one of his grandsons during the alleged attack but he did not picked up.
The court heard he also attempted to leave the park but the pair followed him as Bhim desperately tried to defend himself.
The last clip, which was filmed at 6.27pm, showed the dad lying on his side and not moving.
Just 48 seconds later, he had suffered fatal injuries after being subjected to more violence, it was said.
Jurors heard his son Virinder found his dad on the ground in “obvious pain” with injuries to his left side and his neck.
Bhim later told a paramedic he had been attacked by a boy, who punched and kicked him as he was called a racial slur.
As medics battled to save his life, the teen defendants fled towards their friends, who had left the park.
Allotment-loving Bhim was rushed to hospital but sadly couldn’t be saved and died the following evening.
The girl has denied manslaughter, while the boy denies murder and manslaughter.
The trial continues.
ALDI bosses have teased crossbody bags that make the perfect Uniqlo dupe – and there’s four colours to choose from.
The crossbody bag will be available in stores across the country from next week.
Uniqlo’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag has been flying off the shelves since it was first released.
But Irish shoppers can now save with the supermarket dupes hitting the middle aisle.
Aldi chiefs said: “This crossbody bag is stylish and practical, perfect for carrying around your essentials.”
The dupe bags are a bargain €5.99 and come in three different styles.
Shoppers can grab the half-moon in black or cream.
The PU style is available in black or brown.
While the drawstring version is available in black or grey.
The must-have bags were set to land in stores March 2 but the retailer warned of a delay.
Bosses expect the shoulder bags to be in stores from March 4 instead.
The retailer said: “We are doing all we can to provide clarity on expected availability dates, but these are subject to change. Dates may vary by store and by region.”
This bag costs €14.90 on the Uniqlo website, meaning shoppers can save almost €9 by shopping in Aldi.
The Uniqlo bag comes in a wider variety of colours including yellow, black, red, natural, beige, olive and purple.
Meanwhile, a trolley backpack has landed in Penneys – and it comes in two colours.
The wheel backpack has storage compartments, adjustable shoulder strap and an extendable handle.
It’s the perfect choice for city breaks and shopping getaways.
Penneys chiefs said the trolley backpack comes with multiple storage compartments, plus an extendable handle and wheels.
They said: “This neutral-toned trolley travel backpack combines style with functionality. Its colour is complemented by tonal zippers, creating a sophisticated look.
“The quilted front pocket adds texture, while multiple compartments help keep your belongings tidy.
“An extendable handle and wheels offer easy manoeuvrability, and padded shoulder straps provide carrying comfort.
“This backpack is designed to transition seamlessly from airport terminals to city explorations.
“It’s an ideal choice for weekend getaways or as a carry-on, aiming to make your travels smoother and more organised.”
The handy bag is a bargain €28 and its set to fly off the shelves.
Shoppers can chose from a neutral camel colour or a classic black.
The German discount supermarket chain came to Ireland in 1999.
Aldi’s first few shops opened in November 1999, with locations in Sandyford, Dublin, and Ballincollig, Cork.
By the mid-2000s, Aldi bosses had opened numerous stores, focusing on providing high-quality products at low prices.
As the recession hit 2008-2012, Aldi’s popularity grew as consumers became more price-conscious.
The supermarket giant continued it’s expansion in Ireland between 2013-2018, while refurbishing existing stores.
By 2018, Aldi had over 130 shops throughout the country.
The chain began to focus on expanding its range of Irish-made products and supporting local producers.
In 2023, Aldi had over 140 stores in Ireland.
The store invested in sustainability initiatives, such as reducing plastic packaging and increasing the availability of organic and eco-friendly products.
Aldi chiefs said: “At Aldi we are committed to supporting Irish suppliers. Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi is designed to help the very best Irish suppliers develop their brand.
“To date, we’ve invested €10 million in our Grow with Aldi development programme in a bid to find the very best Irish suppliers.
“As a result, for a limited time only there are over 47 new products, from 27 Irish suppliers available in store.”
Aldi have introduced technological advancements with self-checkout systems and contactless payment options.
A COUPLE’S £157,000 BMW was allegedly wrecked by a reckless airport parking firm which took it on a joyride while they were abroad.
The pair claimed they landed back at Manchester Airport from a holiday only to find their “meet and greet” parking provider had crashed their luxury motor.
After alerting police, they found their badly damaged brand new 2024-plate BMW XM crashed into a hedge near the airport.
The couple had landed on a flight from the Czech Republic on Saturday afternoon before discovering their smashed motor.
They alleged to Manchester Evening News that the parking firm crashed the hybrid petrol-electric car after they called to summon the vehicle.
The couple also said it didn’t apologise for crashing it and refused to reveal its location.
Their daughter was not with them at the time but told how they called to say they were ready for their car after landing at the busy airport.
However, 45 minutes passed and there was no sign of the motor so they called again.
When the company picked up, the couple claimed they said another car had crashed into theirs and that they would have to take a taxi home.
Their daughter also claims the parking provider refused to give the location of the accident, so her parents called the police who then revealed where the car was.
The couple, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, got into cab and later found their damaged car on Mill Lane near the junction with Castle Mill Lane in the Cheshire village of Ashley, close to the airport.
Their daughter explained how heart-broken the family were when they saw the destroyed motor and how frustrating it was that they only found out its location from the police.
She also said how the couple’s grandchildren would even take their shoes off when getting into the car.
The daughter added: “They were really upset. They really loved that car.
“The company just didn’t care and they didn’t even say sorry or that they would drive them home.”
Her father said: “That car means everything to me.”
Manchester Evening News says it called the company, which appeared to be called Secure Parking Manchester, using a mobile number the couple had provided to them.
Once revealed that it was reporting an incident where someone from the firm had appeared to have crashed the car, a man said that the message would be passed onto the office.
The man added that they deal with the complaints side and would give them a call back.
However, no return call was ever received, and an email the news site sent to the firm’s address that had been provided to the couple was also not responded to.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary told The Sun: “At 1.53pm on Saturday 22 February Cheshire Police were contacted by GMP in relation to a collision involving a BMW which had collided with a hedge on Mill Lane, Castle Hill Farm.
“There were no reports of any injuries, and the vehicle was recovered from the scene.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed this, saying it responded to a car being in a ditch on Saturday afternoon on Mill Lane.
They added that the driver provided a negative breath test and no arrests were made, while neither force mentioned a second car being involved in the incident.
A representative for Manchester Airport said Secure Parking Manchester was a private company unaffiliated with the airport, adding that it does not use any of the airport’s facilities.
Secure Parking Manchester was approached for comment by The Sun.
FAN favourite darts icon Adrian Lewis has joked that he almost put off his highly-anticipated return to the oche after finding out Phil Taylor could be involved in the punditry.
Lewis, 40, recently announced he would be coming back to darts after an “indefinite break” due to personal reasons.
The two-time world champion lost his PDC Tour Card last year due to inactivity following his decision to sit out the PDPA World Championship qualifiers.
Jackpot, who has been caring for his ill wife since his career break, is now eyeing a return at the Modus Super Series in May.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Jason [Thame] asked me going back last year I think it was and I wasn’t quite ready.
“Now I’m getting there, hopefully setting a date. I think it’s around May time, so looking forward to it.
“I’m enjoying throwing again in patches, only when I’m playing well.
“I think they only want me on there for a bit of friction. Hopefully I’ll ruffle a few feathers and have a laugh.
“I think I might wear one of those Peter Wright wigs when I’m playing.”
But Lewis joked that he almost considered taking a few more years off after learning old friend and opponent Phil Taylor will be doing the punditry on the Modus Super Series.
BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
Most World Titles
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He added: “When I heard he was doing the punditry, I thought put me off for a couple more years until he retires fully.
“I’m used to him slagging me off anyway when I’m playing darts so you know nothing will change there.”
The Power previously acted as a mentor to Lewis when he was breaking on to the scene.
And the pair went on to have a number of memorable face-offs over the years, including Grand Slam, World Matchplay and Masters finals.
While they also played alongside each other in the PDC World Cup of Darts, winning for England in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
MAFS UK’s Amy Kenyon has revealed a behind-the-scenes secret from the reunion – confessing she’s “not proud”.
Last night saw the Married At First Sight UK stars back together for an explosive reunion episode.
And Amy later took to Instagram to share some behind-the-scenes gossip.
She revealed that, after a boozy session on camera, she and Adam Nightingale had to go back the next morning to film their confessionals.
Amy wrote: “I can’t even explain how unwell (hungover) I felt the next morning when we were told we had to go back and film our little interview section.
“Last night’s hair and make up and we couldn’t even be bothered to dress our bottom halves.
“I had a full jumpsuit hanging off me at the back! Not a very proud moment. Not sure how @adam,nightingale.1990 still looks so good. My look is giving dragged through an actual hedge.”
Amy and Adam have faced romance rumours since they stopped shooting last year.
And last night he left her stunned as he made a very cheeky joke about their potential relationship.
Speaking in a confessional with Adam, Amy said: “I’m not sure what the future holds for me and Adam. I don’t think the book is fully closed.”
But her jaw dropped when Adam replied: “Maybe some little mini Adams could be on the cards… or maybe we could just practice.”
Adam originally tied the knot with Polly Sellman, while Amy’s show groom was Luke Debono.
And Adam recently insisted he isn’t ruling out a relationship with Amy in the future.
He told The Sun: “I feel like there is chemistry between me and Amy. We do flirt a lot, there’s a lot of flirt banter.
“Whether something progresses, who knows.”