4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on I cleared the shelf at my local ASDA and have all birthdays sorted for the year for £34.50 – the deals were so good
IF you’ve got kids, you’ll know the countless birthdays of classmates can get expensive quickly.
That’s why savvy mums keep their eye out for discounted gifts they can stock up on to save money throughout the year.
The proud parent had swept the shelfFacebook / Extreme Couponing and Bargains UKShe’d picked up the mega popular burger van set for a knockdown priceASDA
One smart parent hit the jackpot at her local ASDA, and shared her impressive haul online.
She posted her bargain finds to the 2.6 milion members of Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, where users share deals, offers and money-saving tips with eachother.
The proud bargain hunter wrote: “Loads of reduced Lego in ASDA Fulwood (Preston). Small sets £2.25, medium £3.50 and big £6.25.
“ETA: I was there around 3pm. I left plenty on shelves. Only set I emptied shelf of was the two doggy sets at back! I even pointed the Lego out to another mama and kids down the toy aisle.
“I’m not a reseller. My girls have taken a set each and the others will be used for the inevitable birthdays throughout year or as pure bribery to buy myself 5 mins peace!”
She’d proudly snapped a pic of her steals, which included popular sets from the LEGO City range, like the burger van food truck set and the muscle car chase set.
Both sets were previously £14, and she’d managed to purchase them for £3.50.
She’d also managed to nab the adorable LEGO Creator 3 in 1 dogs toy, which comes with “a selection of cute breeds” to play with.
The 3 in 1 dog set is perfect for animal-loving childrenASDA
The beagle, labrador and poodle toy set was previously £25 and she’d managed to scan it through for just £6.25.
The cool toys make the perfect gift for children, and the ASDA website says they are great for “fun role play and storytelling.”
The money-saving mum even quipped that she plans to use some as incentive for her kids to give her a bit of peace and quiet every so often!
Although she’d felt the need to clarify she had no intention of selling the discounted items on for profit.
One person wrote: “That is good, I paid over £30 for one of the burger ones.”
Another tagged a friend and told them to: “put away for Xmas.”
Somebody else exclaimed: “Wow!”
While another humphed: “Our nearest ASDA never have any good deals like this.”
And another person said glumly: “Congrats to all the people getting deals in Asda, I have been going for days and different branches but never meet deals in Gateshead.”
She said: “Asda often has an alcohol offer on: buy six bottles and save 25%.
“The offer includes selected bottles with red, white and rose options, as well as prosecco. There are usually lots of popular bottles included, for example, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot and Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C.
“Obviously, the more expensive the bottles you choose, the more you save.”
Join Facebook groups
The savvy saver also recommends that fans of Asda join Facebook groups to keep in the know about the latest bargains in-store.
Eilish said: “I recommend joining the Latest Deals Facebook Group to find out about the latest deals and new launches in store.
“Every day, more than 250,000 deal hunters share their latest bargain finds and new releases.
“For example, recently a member shared a picture of Asda’s new Barbie range spotted in store.
“Another member shared the bargain outdoor plants she picked up, including roses for 47p, blackcurrant bushes for 14p and topiary trees for 14p.”
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Stacey Solomon leaves fans stunned with shocking family confession & tells tired mums to ‘suck it up’ & ‘power through’
STACEY Solomon has left fans gobsmacked with a shocking family confession.
Not only this, but she also praised her loved ones and claimed that it ‘takes a full village’ to raise five children.
Tiktok/@high_performancStacey Solomon has left fans stunned after sharing a confession about the size of her family[/caption]
Tiktok/@high_performancNot only this, but the Sort Your Life Out host also told tired mums to ‘suck it up’ and ‘power through’[/caption]
Stacey Solomon - InstagramStacey revealed that she is one of seven siblings[/caption]
Instagram/staceysolomonShe also claimed that it takes a ‘village’ to raise her five kids[/caption]
As well as this, the Sort Your Life Out host, 35, advised tired mothers to ‘suck it up’ and ‘power through’.
Speaking on The High Performance Podcast, hosted by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, Stacey, who lives at her huge £1.2 million home, Pickle Cottage, which has its own library and 2.5 acres of land, opened up on the support she and husband Joe Swash, 43, receive from her large family.
She said: “I couldn’t sit here and say I’m do it all on my own, cause I don’t.
“I have a huge family, I’m one of seven siblings, my mum and dad are incredible.”
Whilst many will know Stacey’s step-sister Jemma, fans were stunned to know that the star also has a half-brother, two step-brothers, and a brother and sister.
Not only this, but Stacey, who shares six children between her and Joe – Harry, 17, Zachary, 16, Leighton, 12, Rex, five, Rose, three, and Belle, two – as well as multiple jobs, four ducks and two dogs, continued: “Joe comes from a family where they’re really helpful as well and without the village, and I’m not joking, it’s a full village, without the village we couldn’t do what we do.
“I couldn’t take the opportunities that I’ve taken because I wouldn’t have anyone to take care of the kids and me and Joe always wanted it to be, you know, within our family as much as we possibly could.
“So if I’m working, he’s at home. If he’s working, I’m at home.
“My older boys go to their dad’s houses every other weekend and my dad is an amazing grandad, so sometimes he’ll say, ‘can I take all the kids out?’ and he will take the kids out.
“I can reset and build up some energy stores.”
Not only this, but the Loose Women presenter, who last year launched a kids’ range at Primark, then advised mothers: “This is the time of life where you power through every single second of each waking day if you wanna make the most of it and if you wanna get everything that you can out of it.
“And you just gotta suck it up – it’s gonna be hard and you’re gonna be tired.”
Without the village, and I’m not joking, it’s a full village, without the village we couldn’t do what we do
“We are working as hard as we can to try and make sure we fulfill our goals and our children’s futures.”
Stacey Solomon's career so far
Stacey Solomon has been a familiar face on viewers' screens for over a decade. Let's take a look back at her career.
The X Factor (2009): Stacey competed in series six of long-running ITV singing competition The X Factor. During her time in the show, she was mentored by Danni Minogue in the ‘Girls’ category. The star finished in third place, behind Joe McElderry and Olly Murs.
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here (2010); In late 2010, Stacey headed to the infamous I’m A Celeb Aussie jungle. After 21 days, she triumphed to win the tenth series. It was through I’m A Celeb that she met future husband Joe Swash – who’d won two years earlier and was hosting the ITV2 spinoff.
Celebrity Juice (2011―2013, 2016―2019): The star appeared as a panellist on 21 episodes of the comedy panel game show hosted by Keith Lemon. Stacey was a regular in the 21st series, broadcast in 2019.
Loose Women (2016 – present): Stacey has been a permanent panel member of the daytime show since 2016. She previously made guest appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Sort Your Life Out (2022 -present): This BBC show sees Stacey, with the help of an expert team, transform participants’ living spaces after removing clutter.
As well as this, the blonde beauty stressed: “It’s that point in life where you just have to go, go, go.
“And I think anyone who’s looking, thinking, ‘how does he do it?’, ‘how does she do it?’, should never think that.
I thought it was only her and Jemma! Never knew she was 1 of 7!
TikTok user
“Just worry about how you’re gonna do it. Everyone’s circumstances are different. Everyone’s life is different.”
Stacey, who first came on the scene thanks to The X Factor in 2009, then added: “We have the privilege of family and help and people who will step in. So I think acceptance is key.”
Stacey’s fans react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @high_performance, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 699,000 views in just 22 hours.
Stacey’s fans were stunned by Stacey’s family confession – that she is actually one of seven – and many raced to the comments to share this.
Inside Stacey Solomon's Pickle Cottage
STACEY Solomon splashed out a massive £1.2million on Pickle Cottage - and Joe Swash didn't put in a penny.
She solely stumped up the cash for their Tudor-style Essex property, which is set in 2.5 acres and boasts an outdoor swimming pool.
It’s not known why Stacey went alone, as ex-EastEnders actor Joe is reportedly worth over £1million, but has also been made bankrupt twice in 2009 and 2013.
Shrewd Stacey has shown she’s a dab hand at running a wide range of successful businesses including TV, books, clothing and homeware ranges.
Her main firm Key Map Entertainments is worth just shy of £3million – and she’s also branched out into cosmetics.
The former X Factor contestant registered the company Belle & Rose Ltd, named after her youngest two daughters.
One person said: “I thought it was only her and Jemma! Never knew she was 1 of 7!”
Another added: “1 of 7… I thought there was only her and her sister!”
At the same time, Stacey’s fans were also eager to praise her ‘honesty’.
I wish my kids had a village. They will always have me but it is so hard with no family
TikTok user
One woman beamed: “Love the honesty.”
Whilst a second chimed in: “I love her, she’s so real.”
And as well as this, other parents were keen to open up on their family situations.
One mum explained: “I wish my kids had a village. They will always have me but it is so hard with no family.”
Meanwhile, someone else admitted: “Not me sat here after losing both parents feeling a little jealous, I am not gonna lie.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
Instagram / Stacey SolomonSocial media users had no clue that Stacey had six siblings, and thought it was just her and Jemma[/caption]
InstagramMany praised her ‘honesty’[/caption]
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on ‘I wake up every day with a smile’ – Antony swipes at Man Utd and admits it is ‘easier’ to play with new Betis team-mate
ANTONY aimed a dig at Manchester United as he spoke of his joy playing for Real Betis.
The winger joined the LaLiga side on loan last month and has hit the ground running.
RexAntony is loving life at Real Betis[/caption]
Antony has scored three goals in his first four games, producing one assist, showing why United were so desperate to sign him for £85million in 2022.
He has looked revitalised and he puts it down to being happy, suggesting he feels more calm and at ease at Betis.
Antony told AS: “I’ve had a great time in Manchester too, I won two titles and I’m very grateful.
“But when I say that I’ve found myself here, I’m happy, the people are like us in Brazil. The sun helps a lot.
“I’m very happy here. I wake up every day with a smile and that’s very important.
“I have a lot of friends who played here and they left me very calm so that I could sign here. I was sure in my heart that coming here was the best decision for me. I hope to continue like this.”
Antony has adjusted quickly to his new team and he puts it down to the skill of his team-mates.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Trump says he and Putin ready to meet in just DAYS – but US spies warn Russia aren’t preparing to stop war in Ukraine
PRESIDENT Donald Trump is ready to meet with mad Russian leader Vladimir Putin within days – but US spies have warned that Russia aren’t preparing to stop the bloodbath war in Ukraine.
The Republican remains optimistic that he has “the power to end this war” following crunch talks – and also blames Ukrainian President Zelensky for “starting” it.
APPresident Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Tuesday[/caption]
APRussian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Turkish Grand National Assembly last September[/caption]
ReutersA serviceman of 24th Mechanized brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces[/caption]
Speaking for the first time after top US and Russian diplomats held historic peace talks on Tuesday, Trump revealed that he will “probably” meet with his pal mad Vlad before the end of the month.
He also slammed concerns from Ukraine of having no seat in the talks – and boldly blamed Zelensky for starting the devastating war.
Trump argued that Kyiv could have made a deal with Putin three years prior to avert the invasion by Moscow.
He said: “Today I heard, ‘oh, we weren’t invited’.
“Well you’ve been there for three years, you should have ended it.
“You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”
He added: “I like [Zelensky] personally. He’s fine. But I don’t care about personally.
“I care about getting the job done. You have leadership now that’s allowed a war to go on.”
Meanwhile US intelligence and its closest allies warn that Putin doesn’t plan on abandoning his goal and believes he can outlast Ukraine and Europe to seize full control of the country.
One congressional source told NBC that the US has “zero intelligence that Putin is interested in a real peace deal right now”.
All we know from day one of the peace talks
No new details on when Putin and Trump will meet
Full embassy staffing agreed
Both sides agree to create “high-level teams”
Vlad will speak to Zelensky “if necessary”
Proposal to hold fresh election before final peace deal
Russia won’t allow Ukraine to join Nato
No foreign troops would be sent to Ukraine
Kremlin wants to end Western sanctions
Zelensky postpones Saudi trip as he blasts unfair meeting
And a Western intelligence source said that the dictator “thinks he’s winning,” despite the gargantuan figure of Russian casualties.
Another added that while Putin may agree to a “ceasefire” in Ukraine, it would be for a chilling ulterior motive to rebuild his armed forces.
The sources believe that Putin’s willingness for peace talks could also be to gain potentially concessions and attempt to reenter the international arena.
They added that mad Vlad has no plans to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine or reposition any forces or equipment away from Russia’s west.
In Estonia, reports have emerged that Russia is expanding its armed forces to continue supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine – and prepare for a chilling future confrontation with Nato.
Despite heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia looks to increase the size of its army to 1.5 million by 2026, and near Estonia, Putin’s puppets have formed multiple units, Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service reports.
Amidst Ukraine being notably excluded from the peace talks in Riyadh, one of Putin’s closest allies has called Zelensky a “cornered rat”.
And after Trump turned against the Kyiv president, he could set off a nuclear dirty bomb, claimed ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
AFPUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference with NATO[/caption]
EPAUS, Russian and Saudi representatives speaking at Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace over peace talks earlier today[/caption]
APA local woman rides a bicycle in front of a building destroyed by a Russian airstrike in the frontline town of Orikhiv, Ukraine[/caption]
ReutersServicemen of the 24th Mechanized brigade, named after King Danylo, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket[/caption]
His rant came as Russian propaganda spiralled on what has been seen as warm ties forming between Trump and Putin by demanding a “military coalition” of Washington and Moscow to “divide Europe to hell”.
Gloating Medvedev’s onslaught on Zelensky further suggests that Putin thinks he is close to winning the war – and that the Ukrainian leader is floundering.
He said: “The rat is cornered – its behaviour can be completely unpredictable.
“It scurries around, squeaks frantically and, as a rule, in such cases, eventually rushes into a counterattack.
“Therefore, any provocation can be expected from a shaking rodent with running eyes in order to disrupt the settlement and to continue the war to the last Ukrainian.”
He chillingly added that Russia should “up the strikes on their cities, on their civilian population or even use weapons of mass destruction like ‘dirty bomb’.”
Present at the negotiating table on Tuesday was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz all sat down in Riyadh’s Diriyah Palace.
They were joined by outspoken Putin cronies Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushako.
After some five hours of crunch talks, both parties agreed that elections should be held in Ukraine before a final peace deal is achieved.
The proposal has now sparked speculations that Zelensky could be ousted and a pro-Russian leadership could be installed in Kyiv.
Trump, however, emphasised that the proposal for a fresh election in Ukraine did not come from the Russian side – but from him.
He said: “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law, essentially martial law in Ukraine, where the leader in Ukraine, I mean, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4 per cent approval rating, and where a country has been blown to smithereens.
AFPUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shake hands[/caption]
AFPRussia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends the peace talks meeting[/caption]
GettyUkrainian servicemen of Khartya brigade operate a D-30 howitzer in the direction of Lyptsi[/caption]
“If Ukraine wants a seat at the table, wouldn’t the people have to say it has been a long time since they had an election?
“That’s not a Russian thing, that’s something coming from me and coming from many other countries also.”
Despite Trump’s claims that Zelensky has 4 per cent approval ratings, an opinion poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in February found that 57 per cent of Ukrainians trusted their president – up from 52 per cent in December.
During the crunch talks, The US delegation led by Rubio also agreed not to send any foreign troops to Ukraine.
This opposes Starmer’s call, backed by other European leaders, to put peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of any peace deal brokered by the US President.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a rallying cry to Europe urging leaders to “step up” and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
The PM vowed the UK will “do our bit” to try and enforce a peace deal.
Speaking in Paris, he said: “Europe must play its role, and I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement.
“But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”
The bold move put pressure on Britain’s allies to also publicly back the idea of a European peacekeeping force in war-torn Ukraine.
France and Sweden spoke out in favour of the plan at a crisis summit in Paris on Monday but didn’t go as far as Starmer who said he is willing to deploy British troops.
But the idea was dramatically rejected by a number of other fellow leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Starmer’s pleas as “premature” and “highly inappropriate”.
He then stormed out of the meeting adding that the sheer thought of making decisions seemingly on behalf of Ukraine was “irritating”.
The US president is looking to pull American forces out of parts of Europe.
It is not clear whether that withdrawal would be part of a wider peace deal with Putin or something Trump wants to do independently of that.
Just days ago, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that the US is no longer “primarily focused” on Europe’s security.
British boots in Ukraine has been met with Ukrainian joy
BY Noa Hoffman in Lviv and Kyiv
SIR Keir Starmer’s pledge to deploy “British boots in Ukraine” has been met with jubilance in Kyiv.
But in Britain it’s raised more questions than answers as to how Europe must respond to the war.
In eerie Kyiv men between 20 – 50 are few and far between on the frozen streets.
Most of them are stationed across the frontline, have been injured or died fighting what they see as not just a battle for Ukraine – but for the West and Europe and democracy.
From the UK they need certainty. Not empty words.
The PM knows he desperately needs to set out a path to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.
How is it feasible for thousands of troops to come and help desperate Ukrainians when Sir Keir hasn’t even explained how he will fund them?
In an empty restaurant in quiet Lviv, I watched as five Ukrainian security chiefs guzzled a shot of vodka.
It was around their fourth toast of night – easy work for these hard as nails military men.
Having drunk to the health of their country and army, this next drink was for Britain.
The chiefs had heard Sir Keir Starmer pledge the possibility of peacekeeping British boots on Ukrainian soil. And for that they were elated.
The promise from the PM came in the wake of US President Donald Trump side-lining Kyiv to kickstart discussions on a deal to end the war with Vladimir Putin.
“Even hearing the words British boots, before anything has happened, is a huge morale boost for my people”, one military top brass told me as he slurped bright red Borscht.
The human tank added: “Many steps in the war are being made first by Britain and then others followed.
“It’s good leadership and this is how it should be. Someone needs to take the lead.”
What he and his top brass colleagues around the table weren’t seeing was the chaos the PM’s announced had sparked.
At home, former British Army chief Lord Dannatt warned the UK military is “so run down” it couldn’t lead any future peacekeeping mission to Kyiv.
Other military sources told The Sun’s defence man Jerome Starkey the army will be stretched to breaking point if thousands of troops go to hold the line in Ukraine.
In Paris last night, at an emergency meeting of leaders to strategize Europe’s response to Trump, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slated Sir Keir’s proposal.
He told reporters: “It is completely premature and the completely wrong time to be having this discussion now.”
While the response went down more like a cup of cold sick than vodka with military leaders I met in Kyiv, Mr Scholz has somewhat of a point.
There are questions Sir Keir must answer – and fast.
Security chiefs tell me that more than anything, including British boots, they need weapons.
The future of the war is in the air, they say.
Drones, missiles, and air defence capabilities are in short supply but are key to stopping “idiot” Putin’s killing spree.
The war will be far more focused on tech than people in the not distant future.
Responding to Scholz’s backlash against British peacekeepers, a former Ukrainian SAS man told me: “Germany doesn’t have to be afraid of the Russians. There’s no point in being scared.
“If we have well trained British military here on the second or third line it can be very helpful so we can send our people to the frontline.”
He added: “What I’m hearing from Germany is disappointing. Historically, Germany they are scared of Nazi flashbacks.
“There are people saying Germans can’t be on sovereign Ukrainian soil.
“This is bull**** said by people who support Russian propaganda.”
In Lviv I received a warning.
“We will fight until the death,” a security chief told me.
“We have nothing to lose. We are not going anywhere.
“But the war is not about Ukraine and it won’t stop in Ukraine.
“Putin is coming to Europe and we can’t stop him forever.”
Sir Keir’s words are welcomed – but it will be his plan of execution that really has any bearing on the devastating war.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on ‘It could go horribly wrong or so right’, says Katja Mia as she reveals wedding plans & ‘most stressful’ part of big day
VIRGIN Media star Katja Mia has revealed her sweet plans ahead of her wedding.
The Six O’Clock Showhost gotengagedto her long-term love Daragh Curran back in August 2024, after he got down on one knee during their romantic Italian holiday.
Katja Mia has opened up on her wedding plansBrian McEvoyKatja and Daragh are jetting over to Burundi for their engagement party soonSocial Media CollectInstagramKatja said Daragh is a ‘great’ planner[/caption]
The happy couple, who have been together for over seven years, have set a date for their big day.
Katja told The Irish Sun: “We do have a date, we are planning to get married in 2026.”
But the Dublin beauty and her fiance will be jetting over to Burundi before saying their ‘I do’s’.
Katja explained: “I have my traditional engagement. We’re going to Burundi, which is where my parents are from.
“I’m going there for three weeks. And it’s such a big deal over there to have a traditional engagement where Daragh has to pay a dowry. There are speeches and there’s Burundian dancers and drummers.
“He has never been to that part of Africa before. It’s in the east part of Africa. He’s so excited.”
Katja spoke about how excited Daragh is for their holiday saying: “I think he’s actually going to throw himself in there.
“And he literally said to me, ‘I’m excited to be the only white person in the room’. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s a slice of my life. I’m always the only black person in the room, welcome to my world’.
“It’s going to be so much fun. And also, it’s the blending of cultures and the blending of families, which I think is just going to be really sweet.
“It could either go horribly wrong or it could go so right. So I’ll just have to report back.”
And Katja revealed that her pals will be coming along for the ride saying: “I’m bringing a bunch of people from Ashbourne over.
“It’s going to be hilarious. That’s the first hurdle and then we’ll worry about the wedding next year.”
The former DWTS contestant let it slip that she’ll be going abroad for her special day.
AISLE SAY!
Katja also spoke about the most “stressful” part of the wedding.
She said: “Now, planning a wedding, no one told me the amount of things you have to think about, the hats you have to wear, the amount of planning that’s involved.
“I’d say for me, that’s probably the most stressful part of it because all I’m thinking about is I want to get a great picture.
“I want to have a moment. Good hair, good makeup, the dress. But then everything else, the logistics of it all. So we’re just trying to figure it out together.”
Katja gushed over her husband-to-be saying: “Daragh’s great. He’s great for planning. He’s really leaning into this now.”
PAAlly McCoist took in a game last night[/caption]
GettyHe was NOT watching Celtic’s clash with Bayern[/caption]
INSTAGRAM/@ALLYMCCOIST9There were certainly plenty of fireworks where McCoist was![/caption]
The Hoops came mightily close to a remarkable Champions League result after pushing the six-time European champions all the way.
Trailing 2-1 after the first leg, Brendan Rodgers‘ men took a stunning lead in the Allianz Arena thanks to Nicolas Kuhn’s 63rd minute strike.
But just as it looked like Celtic would push Bayern all the way to extra time, Alphonso Davies broke Hoops fans’ hearts by levelling the the on 94 minutes to send the Germans through on aggregate.
One man who unusually didn’t seem to be keeping across the action last night is Ally McCoist.
The Rangers legend is a regular fixture on TNT Sports‘ Champions League and Europa League coverage.
He provides commentary and punditry for the Gers’ matches, while he’s been in the studio for recent coverage that’s involved Celtic’s games.
However, last night’s match was instead shown on Amazon Prime, meaning McCoist wasn’t part of the broadcast team.
With no English teams in action either, it meant he had a night off from his commentary duties.
He’s often been heard providing analysis on matches involving the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City over the course of the season.
However, instead of satisfying his football craving by watching the Celtic game, McCoist seems to have decided to take in a game elsewhere!
The Rangers legend took to social media last night to reveal exactly where he was.
He said: “Good games tonight, looks like Drumchapel v Clydebank could be interesting.”
McCoist appeared to have headed down to the Donald Dewar Centre to take in the West of Scotland League Premier Division clash.
But there is a very good reason for McCoist deciding to take in the Drumchapel game – especially while he has a somewhat rare work-free chance to do so!
The former Scotland striker’s son Argyll plays for the side.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on The 4 key factors that determine how long you’ll live – as scientists develop new ‘ageing clock’
WHAT’S the secret to living longer?
While genetics have a part to play, a range of environmental and lifestyle conditions can have a greater impact on our risk of premature death, according to the findings of a new study.
GettyEnvironmental factors may have greater influence than genes when it comes to life expectancy[/caption]
Researchers from Oxford Population Health used data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants to assess the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing, age-related diseases, and premature death.
They used a unique measure of ageing (a new “ageing clock”) to monitor how rapidly people are ageing using blood protein levels.
This enabled them to link environmental factors (or exposures, as they refer to them) that predict early mortality with biological ageing.
This measure was previously shown to detect age-related changes, not only in the UK Biobank but also in two other large cohort studies from China and Finland.
They identified 25 environmental factors that infuence the ageing clock.
Of these 25, they identified four that had the most impact on mortality and biological ageing, more so than genes:
Smoking– smoking is a major cause of death and increases the risk of many serious diseases
Socioeconomic status – people with lower income and education levels tend to have a shorter life expectancy due to factors like limited access to healthcare, and poorer health behaviours
Lack of physical activity – this was linked to increased mortality by significantly raising the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and dementia
Living conditions – which significantly impact mortality rates by influencing access to healthcare, exposure to environmental hazards, lifestyle choices, and overall stress levels
They found environmental factors to be almost 10 times more important than genetic factors.
Environmental factors explained 17 per cent of the variation in risk of death, compared to less than two per cent explained by genetic predisposition.
They also found early life exposures, including body weight at 10 years old, influenced ageing and risk of premature death 30 to 80 years later.
Whether a person’s mum smoked around the time of birth was also an early exposure risk.
“The early life exposures are particularly important as they show that environmental factors accelerate ageing early in life but leave ample opportunity to prevent long-lasting diseases and early death,” says Professor Cornelia van Duijn, St Cross Professor of Epidemiology at Oxford Population Heath and senior author of the paper.
Environmental exposures had a greater effect on diseases of the lung, heart, and liver, while genetic risk dominated for dementias and breast cancer.
Professor Cornelia said: “Our research demonstrates the profound health impact of exposures that can be changed either by individuals or through policies to improve socioeconomic conditions, reduce smoking, or promote physical activity.
“While genes play a key role in brain conditions and some cancers, our findings highlight opportunities to mitigate the risks of chronic diseases of the lung, heart and liver which are leading causes of disability and death globally.”
The 25 lifestyle and environmental exposures
Those with an asterisk are plausibly modifiable:
Pack years of smoking*
Smoking status (current or previous vs. never)*
Maternal smoking around the time of your birth*
Being employed or self-employed (vs. part-time work, unemployed, unpaid/volunteer work, retired, stay at home, or unable to work due to disability)*
Total physical activity*
Going to the gym once a week or more*
Household income*
Renting a home from a local council vs. owning outright*
Years of education*
Townsend deprivation index (material deprivation of the area in which you live according to postcode)*
Living in a flat vs. a house or bungalow*
Experiencing financial difficulty in the past 2 years*
Being unemployed (vs. part-time work, being employed, unpaid/volunteer work, retired, stay at home, or unable to work due to disability)*
Having adequate heating (from an open fire vs. none, gas fire, or gas hob)*
Living at home with a partner (vs. versus living alone or with the other non-partners [siblings, parents, children, etc])*
Hours of sleep per night*
Frequency of taking naps during the day*
Frequency of feeling tired*
Frequency of feeling unenthusiastic*
Feeling ‘fed-up’ often*
How easily one’s skin gets tanned*
Frequency of eating cheese*
Being plumper at 10 years old compared to average*
Being shorter at 10 years old compared to average
Self-reported ethnicity
Dr Austin Argentieri, lead author of the study at Oxford Population Health and Research Fellow at MassachusettsGeneral Hospital, stressed studying the environment and exposome should be a key priority for any researchers studying how we age and why we develop age-related chronic diseases.
He said: “Investments in understanding and modifying our environments will likely have a profound impact on improving health for all of us.”
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday 18 February, Dr Argentieri added: “I don’t think it was a surprise to us to learn that the environment matters more than genetics for mortality and ageing, but I think it was perhaps reassuring to see that the magnitude of that was so high.
“If we were surprised at anything we were surprised at just how stark the difference was how much more the environment matters than genetics.”
GettyBody weight at 10 years influenced ageing and risk of premature death 30 to 80 years later[/caption]
How to live longer
Live happier and healthier for longer with the NHS’s top 10 tips:
Watch what you eat and drink
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for good health, energy and preventing illness.
Look after your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can be linked to diabetes, stroke, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
It’s a good idea to get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels tested by your doctor. High readings can increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Get a vitamin boost
Lots of people have vitamin D deficiency but don’t know it. The condition has been linked to cognitive impairment, bone problems, and cardiovascular disease. Make sure to get outdoors during the spring and summer months, and during autumn and winter you might want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
Take care of your feet
Look after your feet by applying moisturiser, cutting your toenails straight across, and making sure you wear footwear that fits properly and supports your feet. Contact your GP if your feet become painful.
Sort out your sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for staying healthy. Avoid insomnia by cutting down on daytime naps, establishing a bedtime routine and going to bed at the same time each night.
Take the tests
As we age our hearing and eyesight can be affected, so it’s important to get them checked regularly.
Stay in touch
Spending time with other people can prevent you from feeling lonely or anxious.
Give up smoking
Smoking is linked to a range of different health problems, including heart disease and lung cancer. If you stop, regardless of your age, your circulation, lung capacity, and energy levels will improve.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on Love Island feud explodes as two stars snub Olivia Hawkins over leaked messages row – and Ron Hall slams ‘fake’ messages
LOVE Island feud has exploded between Olivia Hawkins and a number of her co-stars over the leaked messages row.
Olivia caused a stir when she claimed she had seen text messages from Grace Jackson saying she’d “do anything to win” All Stars.
RexLove Island feud has exploded between Olivia Hawkins and a number of her co-stars[/caption]
RexRon Hall has branded the messages exposing Grace as a ‘gameplayer’ as ‘fake’[/caption]
Grace and Luca have since unfollowed OliviaRex
Grace immediately denied it and insisted that she wanted to see the “receipts”.
Now Grace and Luca Bish have unfollowed Olivia on social media in a snub after fans say she tried to “sabotage” their relationship.
Grace’s best friend and former series 11 co-star Matilda Draper has also unfollowed former pal Olivia.
While All Stars’ Ron Hall has hit out at Olivia for getting involved and branded the messages “fake”.
One fan asked the star on Snapchat: “What do you think about Liv trying to sabotage Grace and Luca by being messy with those texts?”
Ron replied: “Shouldn’t have happened, messages are all fake and doesn’t help when you’ve got half of TikTok making new fake ones.”
Earlier this week, the axed Islanders returned to the villa for a brutal twist as they held the power to vote one couple off.
The original photo was a snap of Ronnie and Harriett walking hand-in-hand on a date night.
Olivia had photoshopped her face onto Harriett’s body, in what was most likely a bit of harmless flirty banter.
Way back at the start of this series of All Stars – before Harriett arrived as a bombshell – Liv claimed Ronnie sent her messages while he was still in a relationship with her.
Olivia returned to the villa earlier this week and said Ronnie and Harriett’s relationship wouldn’t last on the outside.
Olivia revealed: “I feel like there’s one particular couple I probably would have swapped from things I’ve seen on the outside…”
She then casted a vote for Harriett and Ronnie and explained: “I do think that if things don’t work out first time, going back to it is always a risk.”
Harriett fired back: “The girl literally photoshopped her head onto mine and sent it to Ronnie and he still didn’t want you on the outside or in the Villa…”
Olivia responded: “I didn’t want to go on a date with Ronnie.”
Harriett was in a relationship with Ronnie Vint last series and left the show with him, but the pair split just three months later.
Ronnie insisted he wasn’t in an exclusive relationship with Harriett, who he left the show with last summer.
Elsewhere, Olivia told the Islanders that she had seen text messages from Grace saying she would “do anything to win” All Stars.
But a furious Grace was quick to deny it, despite Olivia insisting she had “receipts”.
Not holding back, Olivia said: “Erm, so I’ve seen text messages of Grace just saying to someone that she would do whatever it takes to win the show this time.”
Grace, who coupled up with Luca, looked horrified at Olivia’s comment, before she yelled: “Wait, what? From who?”
Olivia continued: “So I was just a bit confused,” as Grace screamed: “From who?”
The rest of the Islanders were left stunned by Olivia’s information, as Grace’s best friend Harriett exclaimed: “What?!”
But Grace continued to deny it and said it was “not in her personality” to send messages like that.
RexGrace’s best friend Matilda Draper have also unfollowed Olivia[/caption]
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on I live for free in central London in my campervan – it’s freezing but I sleep easy knowing I’ve avoided paying £1k rent
A YOUNG man has revealed why he ditched paying £1,000 to a landlord for a crowded houseshare in London and decided to live in a van instead.
Lewis, from the UK, is now able to live in Central London without spending a penny on pricey rent or council tax.
TikTok/@lewis.ldn.vanlifeLewis now lives in central London without paying the extortionate rent prices[/caption]
TikTok/@lewis.ldn.vanlifeWhile he admits van life can be freezing – he says it’s worth it to not pay a landlord[/caption]
Taking to social media, he showed his followers a typical day in his home on wheels while working full-time.
The first thing he did after waking up was to check there were no parking wardens around.
Once he got the all-clear, he whipped himself up a bowl of breakfast before heading out on his morning walk.
Lewis admitted that living in a tiny space in a busy city can be difficult, but much preferred it to paying rent.
“People often ask me if it’s difficult living in a van in a city,” he said.
“It is, but not as difficult as paying a grand a month to a property conglomerate based in Dubai for the pleasure of sharing a flat in Catford.”
According to recent reports, the average renting price in London is an eye-watering £2,100, so we can see why Lewis would want to avoid it.
The nomad added that one of the pros of living in a van is that he can make anywhere he parks his van a garden.
But unfortunately in London, the views aren’t all that great as he made his way past piles of bin bags and a thrown-out mattress.
“I don’t pay council tax, but if I did I’d be fuming,” he joked after observing the scenery.
Once he made his way back, he noticed someone had smashed his wing mirror but Lewis had predicted this would be a problem in London and had a replacement to hand.
Lewis then continued to work for the rest of the day before settling down with a bowl of spaghetti bolognese for dinner.
While Lewis loves the freedom of van life, he did note that it can get unbearably cold.
“It’s the middle of February, and it’s freezing in the van tonight,” he said.
But Lewis revealed in the comments that he keeps layered up and using an electric blanket and electric cushion from Stoov to keep toasty.
“I can sleep easy knowing I’ve gone the whole day without making any landlords richer,” he added
Is it legal to live in a van?
IF you are looking to live in a van to save money or travel, you'll be pleased to know that there are no UK laws stopping you.
However, you must ensure your vehicle has passed its MOT and is fully road legal.
There could also be restrictions on where you can park up to sleep in your van.
For example, local authorities place restrictions on certain streets or lay-bys, and you could be fined if you spend the night there.
It could also be unsafe to stop in certain locations, particularly at night-time.
4 days agoworld NewsComments Off on I’m one sentence away from ending my career at all times – it’s car crash TV and I’m terrified, admits F1 legend
FORMULA 1 legend Martin Brundle has branded his famous grid-walk interviews “car crash TV” and admits he’s walking a career tightrope.
The racing driver-turned-broadcaster, 65, prowls the racing grids in the moments before each race looking for superstar VIPs to interview.
GettyMartin Brundle pictured at F1 75 Live in London[/caption]
Sky Sports F1Martin had a tough time getting answers from Cara Delevingne at Silverstone[/caption]
Over the years, many have gone viral – from Ozzy Osbourne rambling at him incoherently to a very awkward exchange with Machine Gun Kelly about his music career.
Sometimes celebs refuse to engage altogether like when Cara Delevingne controversially shunned him at the 2023 British GP, and he’s even been bundled from the race track by security.
The chaotic, unscripted nature of his interviews has left him terrified it could all come crashing down on him live on air.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun at F1 75 Live at London‘s O2 Arena, he said: “I’m one sentence away from the end of my career at all times, or being cancelled.
“I’m terrified of the whole thing, because it’s live and it’s just pure car crash television.
“Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Thee Stallion, I don’t know, getting knocked about by security guards. They’re the ones that people like.
“And then I meet some really lovely, fascinating, world-class people, politicians and royalty and movie stars, and I’m very privileged with people like me on the grid.”
Often celebrity guests admit to knowing nothing about the sport, something that drives die-hard fans who could only dream of being amongst the drivers on race day up the wall.
“I understand that,” said Brundle. “Because we watch Formula 1 year in, year out, racing ourselves, and they’re on the grid and they actually don’t know anything about it, and quite clearly don’t really want to be there.
“They’re just selling a movie or something. I get that, but for Formula 1, they are A-listers.”
The racing veteran, who spent 12 years as a driver from 1984 to 1996, said that there are occasions when many lucky enough to be on the guest list don’t even turn up, with the new Las Vegas track a particular victim of no shows.
He said: “I get a list through on it, race morning, with 70 people on it. Half of them don’t turn up, but you get through and you’re like, ‘I’ve not heard of many of those’. Oh, 65 million followers on Instagram. Oh, 140 million followers on Instagram.
“How did I not hear of these people? Clearly somebody has. I think it’s all part of the incoming tide, all the boats float higher. That’s part of why something like this works today, and it hasn’t happened in the past.”
Last night’s celebration of the sport’s 75th anniversary saw all 10 F1 teams unveil their 2025 liveries ahead of the new season.
A spectacular production gave each team their moment in the spotlight to show off their driver partnerships and new lookcars.
Host Jack Whitehall brought the laughs, while the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, Kane Brown and Take That provided music.
Sky SportHe met his match when he tried interviewing Megan Thee Stallion[/caption]
ITVOzzy Osbourne made little sense when Martin interview him in 2003[/caption]
The most anticipated moment of the night was the chance to see Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari red for the first time.
He certainly looked the part and Martin believes the move from Mercedes will reinvigorate the seven-time world champion.
He said: “I think Lewis will be energised completely. He’s faster. Think back to Silverstone last year, think back to Las Vegas last year.
“Lewis was fast as, and I think he’ll want to show everybody he’s made yet another good decision.
“He’s got his hands full because Charles Leclerc is very fast. All the youngsters there, they’re barely half his age, some of them, and they’re fast and they’re fearless.
“I think he’s got a lot of hard work ahead, but I would never write Lewis out of my mind.”
PAFerrari driver Lewis Hamilton will be re-energised this year, according to Martin[/caption]
