world News

A POPULAR popstar has been forced to cancel a gig after falling ill.

Fans were expecting to see the 40-year-old perform his biggest hits from Troublemaker to Dance with Me Tonight in Dubai.

However, singer Olly Murs said he was “so gutted” to have to pull out.

He wrote on Instagram last night: “To everyone here in Dubai, unfortunately due to doctor’s orders I am having to cancel tonight’s show at Bla-Bla because of a throat infection.

“I’m so gutted. I look forward to coming back ASAP and will share new date information as soon as I can! Olly x.”

He looked unwell in a picture he posted of himself on Saturday morning.

Olly captioned it: “A man with a broken voice.

“Gutted Dubai, I’ll be back.”

Olly had been set to perform at the poolside venue, Bla Bla, in Dubai on February 21.

THE latest Peppa Pig theme park is set to open next week with five new rides and nine play areas for kids.

It will be open every day from 9am to 5pm and parking is free.

Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments

The Dallas-Fort Worth theme park will open Saturday, March 1.

It is located  in North Richland Hills at 8851 26 Blvd, USA.

The site will mirror another Peppa Pig theme park in Winter Haven, Florida which opened in 2022.

The theme park will feature play areas, daily live shows, dining, shops, games and music.

Admission starts at $27.99 per person and tickets are available now.

Fans can also add wearable Peppa Pig ears for $4.99.

Superfans can even consider buying an annual pass at $99 per person.

It works at both the theme park and Peppa Pig’s World of Play in Grapevine which is just 20 minutes away.

The park is open to all ages and kids under two-years-old don’t need a ticket to enter.

Its five rides include Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride, Mr. Bull’s High Striker and Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride.

All riders must be accompanied by someone over 14-years-old and some rides have height requirements.

Two of the nine different play areas include Peppa Pig’s Treehouse and Rebecca Rabbit’s playground. 

Guests should bring swimming costumes if they want to enjoy the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad.

They can also bring bottled water and small snacks and meals that do not require heating.

Soft-sided insulated bags are allowed but should be no larger than 8.4 inches wide, 6 inches high and 6 inches deep.

Visitors in need of a break from the outdoor fun can attend The Cinema which shows “Peppa Pig” episodes.

Plus, Peppa Pig and her family perform live every day with songs and games at Mr Potato’s Showtime arena.

There’s also onsite dining at Miss Rabbit’s Diner and fans can grab a souvenir from Mr Fox’s Shop which sells toys, apparel and exclusive merchandise.

All staff have received autism sensitivity and awareness training and the park is a Certified Autism Center.

It also features an accessibility guide which shows reviews of every attraction based on how someone with sensory processing issues may be affected.

The theme park is also cashless and visitors are advised not to bring coolers and bags with wheels, alcohol and glass containers or hard-sided coolers.

Bags and personal items may be searched upon arrival.

Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments

A COUPLE who found fame on Chateau DIY have put their incredible French home up for sale for an eyewatering £2.5 MILLION.

The Channel 4 show celebrates the trials and incredible transformations of British families restoring ancient properties from all areas of France.

Chateau DIY

This stunning property from Channel 4’s Chateau DIY is up for sale[/caption]

Chateau DIY

Owners George and Sarah have put the property up for sale after renovating it themselves[/caption]

Instagram/@chateaudebrives

This impressive pile has been restored to its original beauty[/caption]

Chateau DIY

The French home looks like a hotel inside[/caption]

Chateau DIY

This chateau certainly has the wow factor[/caption]

Chateau DIY made stars of Sarah and George when they opened their magnificent home up to the show in season 4.

The couple have renovated the property themselves, and spared no expense when it came to attention to detail.

Sarah and George bought the chateau almost 15 years ago, and have split their time between the UK and their French home ever since.

When they first purchased the property, major renovations were needed in the first few months just to make the place habitable. 

At the same time as renovating the chateau they were also raising their two children.

The pair already had plenty of experience in restoring period properties before they bought the chateau.

Fans watched in awe as Sarah and George took viewers on a tour of their home on Chateau DIY, and now it’s up for sale.

For a cool £2.5M this French dream home could be yours.

Built in 1823, this chateau includes seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

If that wasn’t enough there is a wine cellar, basement, office and laundry room.

The property also includes a guest house, which includes a kitchen, dining room, living room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

There is also a swimming pool and pool house, plus plush gardens, woods and meadows.

SUCCESSFUL SHOW

Chateau DIY is so popular with viewers that it was recently revealed how Channel 4 have commissioned more episodes of the hit programme.

Historically the show has been commissioned as 30 hour-long episodes, but the new order has been expanded to 45 episodes each series, for the next two years.

Instagram/@chateaudebrives

The chateau has a showstopping staircase which was handcrafted[/caption]

Instagram/@chateaudebrives

The attention to detail is spectacular[/caption]

Streaming figures for Chateau DIY have increased every season.

When the show airs on Channel 4, it is always given the prime 5pm slot, securing a peak audience share.

The last series averaged a 622,000 audience, comfortably above the 480,000 channel benchmark.

Joff Hatfield-Powell, who has helmed Chateau DIY since its launch said: “Chateau DIY is a well-loved franchise which continues to deliver on linear and streaming so I am delighted with Channel 4’s increased commitment for more”

The Chateau DIY brand also includes the More 4 spin-off series Chateau DIY: Living the Dream which takes a look back at the British families buying and renovating beautiful chateaux in France.

Chateau DIY is available to stream on Channel 4.

Chateau DIY

George and Sarah have lived at the property for 15 years[/caption]

RONAN O’Gara reflected on how real tragedies like Michael O’Sullivan’s death put typical sporting difficulties into perspective.

The Munster great opened his Irish Examiner column with ‘I’ve lost four games in a row, but who really gives a f**k?’

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His La Rochelle side are languishing in seventh in the French Top 14 – with eights wins and losses apiece[/caption]

PA

The 24-year-old was buried at a massive funeral on Wednesday[/caption]

That about sums up his whole line of thinking throughout the piece as he notes how his mind keeps going back to the Cork jockey’s life being so cruelly cut short.

O’Gara continues: “That’s crude, but it’s probably where most of us went to this week.

“A lot of us might have set out on Sunday bugged by smaller questions. About fixing a lineout or whatever it is.

“Then news dropped about Mikey O’Sullivan and instead we ask ourselves why do we do this?

“Why does it mean so much? Why is sport so powerful when it can end this brutally?

“A fella gets up on a horse and never comes home. No warning. No fairness.

“It’s under the same definition as what we do. Sport. I keep thinking about Mikey.

“I know he enjoyed his rugby. Loved Munster. And poor John Cooney, chasing his dreams in the ring.

“I keep thinking about Jack de Bromhead in that beach race.”

He later touches on horse racing being what made O’Sullivan’s life what it was – despite it ultimately being what caused his premature death.

From there he weaves between the sporting challenges he faces over the rest of the season as well as the greater significance sport can play in the lives of so many people.

O’Gara eventually touches on his match prediction for Ireland’s visit to Cardiff in the Six Nations.

But it’s apt that that is left til the very last few sentences since it pales into insignificance compared to what he opens with.

The horse racing world is still coming to terms with the shock of losing one of its brightest young jockeys.

FURTHER TRIBUTES

That was evident in O’Sullivan’s longtime trainer Barry Connell’s interview after securing a winner at Punchestown on Thursday – the day after the funeral.

Additionally, Irish legend Davy Russell stated that a shadow will now hang over the weigh room ‘for months if not years’ while speaking to Off the Ball.

Furthering that point, Patrick Mullins reflected on the widespread devastation felt across everyone connected with the racing industry nationwide.

Aside from his obvious racing credentials, Mullins is a brilliant writer and dedicated his weekly Racing Post column to honouring the memory of one of Ireland’s rising stars.

He noted: “We weren’t best friends or family.

“But we were friends and I’m proud to say that, and he made an impression on me that made me feel I had to write this, to pay some kind of tribute, for whatever it’s worth.

“He had a real genuine smile, a smile I won’t forget. He was one of us.

“He is one of us. And he always will be.”

DANNY WILSON has Premiership, Championship AND Scottish Cup medals to his name.

But, for the defender, adding to them with Livingston at this stage of his career would feel every bit as good.

SNS

Danny Wilson joined Championship side Livingston in October[/caption]

Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow

Wilson won this league with Hearts in 2015[/caption]

The 33-year-old grew up expecting to compete for trophies as a kid at Rangers.

He moved to Liverpool where the demand for success is as intense as it gets.

And he then came back north to lead a rebuilt Hearts back to the top flight at the first attempt.

Though that was a decade ago, Wilson’s desire for success hasn’t dimmed any.

He’s now part of a Livi side chasing success on three fronts.

Davie Martindale’s men face title rivals Ayr United at Somerset Park today.

They have St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup quarters and Queen’s Park in the SPFL Trust Trophy final.

And Wilson admits it’s fun to be in the mix once more at the business end of the season.

He said: “I was lucky enough to play in cup finals and go for titles when I was young.

“When that happens you think it’s going to be like that all the way throughout your career. You realise quite quickly that it isn’t!

“Coming here as I did earlier in the season I could see Livingston were doing well.

“But now we’re in a cup final, a quarter-final and right in the thick of it in the league.

“It’s everything that you want as a player, to come in and have games so meaningful.

“It’s great to be a part of and I’m really enjoying it.

“I’m not the boring old guy telling the younger ones to savour it, but they should.

“I think there’s a part of your career where you’ve got to realise it for yourself.

“As we get closer to it we’ll talk about the cup competitions, but our priority right now is the league.

“It’s boring to say it’s game by game but that’s what it’s going to have to be because it is so tight up there.”

Boss Martindale faced a huge rebuild following the club’s relegation last summer.

He got the majority of his side in place quickly as he looked to get off to a fast start.

Then, when Wilson became available in October, he found the funds to get him on a short-term deal.

The defender struggled with injury at first but signed another deal to the end of the season last month.

And, with the likes of Ryan McGowan and Stevie May around as well, Wilson likes the blend of youth and experience the Lions have.

Action Images - Reuters

Wilson, left, of Rangers with the CIS Insurance Cup trophy in 2010[/caption]

He said: “I think in football nowadays there’s a real push for getting youth into the team.

“We’ve got a good blend of that here. I think he values the experienced ones in the squad.

“The experienced ones are there for everybody who needs them but the young ones have got to find their own way as well.

“They’re in a good environment here where they are in a place that’s challenging on the pitch, off the pitch.

“I think it’s important that they find their own way and us as the older heads can help them through that.”

Wilson feels the club’s treble trophy hunt has kept them fresh during a hectic schedule.

He said: “When you’re at some places you can value one tournament or trophy over another.

“I don’t think we’ve done that here. I think we’ve given respect to everything that we’ve been in.

“That’s why we find ourselves in a final, a quarter-final and in the thick of it in the league.

PA:Press Association

Wilson in action for Liverpool[/caption]

“There’s going to be an edge in all these games if we keep applying ourselves, keep putting points on the board and keep progressing in the cups.”

With the title race between Falkirk, Ayr and Livi so tight, Wilson knows a clash like today’s will have a huge bearing on who goes up.

He said: “Over the next 12 games there’s going to be twists and turns.

“It’s good to be part of it. There’s a good feel about the place just now.

“It’s important we put points on the board, because I don’t really see the other two teams slipping up much.

“And when you get to the head to heads like this one they are going to be really important.

“Every point is going to be important.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

IF YOU’RE heading out to do your weekly food shop this weekend you can expect to pay a pretty penny.

Rising food prices mean a typical family of 4 now spends a shocking £628 a month on food, equivalent to £157 a week. 

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A pro shopper has revealed what items you should swap out of your trolley immediately[/caption]

But it needn’t be the case according to one savvy shopper.

Richard Price, professional shopper of Britsuperstore, says you can save over £1,500 a year (or £120 a month), just by making a few simple swaps on your food shop.

Swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs or drumsticks (save £431 – £575/year)

One of the easiest ways to cut costs without compromising on quality is swapping chicken breasts for thighs or drumsticks. 

For example, Tesco British Chicken Breast Fillets cost £6.84 per kilo, but chicken thighs are just £2.85 per kilo, and drumsticks are even cheaper at £2.35 per kilo. 

Thighs and drumsticks are not only more affordable, but they also have a richer flavour, offer more iron and zinc, and stay juicer when cooked.

Swap fresh fruit for frozen fruit (save £262/year)

Sainsbury’s fresh raspberries cost an eye-watering £13.33 per kilo, while the frozen version is only £7.86 per kilo. 

You’re getting the same nutrients, but they last much longer, reducing waste. Another tip is to consider the ‘wonky’ version of fruits, sold in supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi – there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just less perfect in appearance and much cheaper.

Swap beef mince for turkey or pork mince (save £115 – £134/year)

Ground beef is one of the most expensive meats, and I suggest switching to turkey or pork.

While Aldi’s 10% fat British Beef Mince is £6.58 per kilo, their British Turkey Mince is 7% fat at £5.38 per kilo and their British Lean Pork Mince is only £5.18 per kilo with a tiny 5% fat. 

With their lower saturated fat content, turkey or pork are a healthier choice for heart health, while still being a good source of protein and B vitamins.

To stretch mince even further, I suggest substituting some of the mince for beans or lentils. Try using just 500g of mince and adding a 400g tin of mixed beans for 69p; not only will you save money, but it’ll also add fibre and reduce fat content.

Swap block butter for spreadable butter (save £43/year)

The BBC reported just this week that Butter has seen the second-highest inflation rate of all groceries over the past year – increasing by a huge 18%. But there’s an easy way to save. 

Tesco British Salted Block Butter is currently £7.96 per kilo, but Tesco Butterpak Salted Spreadable is just £4.38 per kilo. The only real difference is a little added oil to make it easier to spread, but the taste and quality remain the same.

Swap ‘protein’ yoghurts for Greek yoghurt (save £163/year)

It’s easy to be sucked in by big ‘high protein’ labels on items, but they can be misleading. Take Aldi’s 0% Fat Authentic Greek Yogurt, for example, priced at £0.38 per 100g, it has a solid 10g of protein per 100g. 

In contrast, the Brooklea Protein Raspberry Yogurt Pouch costs £0.45 per 100g but only provides an extra 2.5g of protein per 100g.

Swap jar seasonings for packet seasonings in the world food aisle (save £60 a year)

Spices in regular jars are expensive, but the same seasonings in the world food aisle cost far less. Tesco Ground Cumin in the spice section is 19p per 10g, while East End Ground Cumin Powder is just 12p per 10g. 

The same goes for garlic powder, turmeric, and other essentials. Even better, multipurpose seasonings contain several common spices and cost as little as 11p per 10g.

Swap out pre-grated cheese and pre-cut veg (save £152 a year)

Pre-cut and grated items are a hidden expense, where you pay a huge amount more, just for the convenience. 

For example, Tesco’s British Mature Grated Cheddar Cheese costs £11 per kilo, but buying a block of Tesco British Mature Cheddar Cheese is only £8 per kilo. Similarly, Tesco Carrot Batons are £3.12 per kilo, but loose carrots cost just 69p per kilo.

Swap out pre-made burgers (save £33 a year)

A four-pack of Sainsbury’s Quarter Pounder British Beef Burgers costs £7.16 per kilo, while a 500g pack of Sainsbury’s British 20% Fat Beef Mince costs just £5.80 per kilo. 

Making your own burgers takes minutes; simply shape the mince into patties, season, and cook for 5 minutes on each side. You’ll get better quality and save money.

Swap out hummus and make it yourself (save £54 a year)

Homemade hummus is a simple and cheaper alternative to store-bought. A 200g tub of hummus costs £1.40 at Sainsbury’s, increasing to £2.50 for the popular Sabra dip. But, a 400g tin of chickpeas is just 49p. 

Blend it with garlic, cumin, olive oil, and lemon juice (ingredients you likely already have at home) and you’ll make double the amount for half the price.

Swap out oven pizza for a homemade pizza (save £57 a year)

Instead of buying a frozen pizza, try making your own using a pack of four Village Bakery Greek Style Flame Baked Flatbreads (£1.49) or Village Bakery Soft White Pittas (8p each!), Cucina Tomato Purée (£0.59), and Everyday Essentials Grated Cheddar Cheese (£2.99 for 500g). 

You’ll have enough ingredients to make at least four pizzas, and you’ll avoid the preservatives.

MACER Gifford’s mission was simple: clear Ukraine’s No Man’s Land of mines and find out everything he could about the Russians without getting killed.

The Brit fighter crawled into the enemy’s trench in the dead of night and swiped the radio and crucial documents – his heart racing as he inched back towards the treeline, thinking he’d got away with it.

Chris Eades

Macer Gifford, a former banker from the UK, joined the fight against Putin’s invaders[/caption]

Chris Eades

Macer pictured with his unit near Kherson, Ukraine[/caption]

Supplied

Macer switched from collecting intelligence to fighting for the key city of Kherson[/caption]

But his heart stopped as he heard the sickening sound of a Russian soldier screaming: “The Ukrainians are here!” following the crack of machine gunfire.

Within seconds, a hail of bullets was raining down on Macer and his Ukrainian comrades as they lay stock still – praying they wouldn’t be hit.

First came the grenades and then the machine gun fire – and Macer’s only hope of survival was that the Russians couldn’t know exactly where they were in the darkness.

The former London banker told The Sun: “The machine gunfire came in sweeps because they weren’t exactly sure I was there.

“They would light up a position, the tree line, and the bullets would smack into the trees that would hit the ground.

“I was just lying there enduring it, just thinking to myself that there’s no cover, I’m not under the ground here.

“If I take one of these bullets, if it just slips under my armour and strikes me in the head, then I’m dead and my body will be here for months because we were a kilometre away from the nearest Ukrainian position.”

After a hellish few minutes, there was a break in the fire before the Russians began shooting 100 metres behind where they were laying in the darkness.

Macer and his team knew this was their only chance to escape with their lives.

The Brit said: “I got up and then started running forward. We just got out of that through the skin of our teeth.

“To be honest, it was just pure luck that we survived that one.”

He’d been sent on what should have been a suicide mission by a Ukrainian general who could hear Russian voices in the darkness pushing towards their position – but having no idea where they were.

Macer, whose commander had the call sign ‘Sneaky’, was used to skirting No Man’s Land, gathering intelligence, looking for minefields and preparing the way for Ukrainian assaults in Kherson.

The machine gunfire came in sweeps because they weren’t exactly sure I was there. They would light up a position, the tree line, and the bullets would smack into the trees that would hit the ground

Macer Gifford

But this mission was different – they were tasked with going into the Russian trench and retrieving vital intelligence.

Macer said: “I knew it was going to go down. I knew we were going to fight.

“There’s always a calm before the storm, it was surreal in that moment because I knew things were going to get bad.

“But I still had a moment to breathe and feel my chest against my body armour.

“I could feel the weight of my bag on my back and the weight of my rifle, and I could think to myself – I’m alive now but in a few minutes I could be dead.”

Luckily for Macer, he escaped.

The only way to survive was to dig into the ground and to hide

Macer Gifford

Months earlier, Macer had watched with horror the columns of Russian tanks massing on the Belarusian border and Vladimir Putin insisting he wasn’t about to invade Ukraine.

He knew he had to do something and – knowing that a full-scale invasion was on the cards – he travelled the 2,000 miles to Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance.

Macer spent the first two months of the war teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to treat medical emergencies while distributing life-saving kits.

But it was during his treks across Ukraine to share the knowledge he’d gained fighting ISIS terrorists in Syria that he learned of the horrors committed by Russian soldiers in Bucha and Irpin.

He was told by Ukrainians he was training about their friends who were massacred and shot in the street, tied and left unburied.

Chris Eades

Macer, from the UK, during shelling near Kherson[/caption]

Chris Eades

Macer spent the first two months of the war teaching soldiers how to treat medical emergencies[/caption]

Chris Eades

Macer, pictured receiving a medal for his contribution in Ukraine, quit his job as a banker to fight against ISIS and Putin’s invaders[/caption]

Macer had been met with the same horrors in Syria – watching innocent civilians waving white flags shot dead by ISIS snipers and his comrades and children blown up in car bombs.

The Brit had quit his job as a banker in London to fight against ISIS after watching Jihadi John behead kneeling hostages and others being burned alive in cages.

And now, he was being met with the same horrific crimes against humanity – but this time committed by Vladimir Putin’s soldiers.

The Brit told The Sun: “I was confronted with the same dilemma as I was in Syria.

“I could have stuck with my humanitarian work and helped that way, or I could directly confront the people who are destroying the country.

“So I decided to pick up a gun, just as I had in Syria.”

The amount of times that we had patrolled the zero line – or No Man’s Land – and found the body parts of soldiers who had been hit in their positions

Macer Gifford

He joined the 131st Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, where he fought in the fields between Mykolaiv and Kherson, the islands of Dnipro and the forests of Lyman.

It was during the Christmas of 2023 that Macer and his unit switched from collecting intelligence to fighting for the key city of Kherson.

He quickly saw the difference between ISIS’ fanatical battles with their suicide missions in Syria to the sheer scale of artillery at the feet of Russian soldiers in the fields of Ukraine near Kherson.

Macer said: “The first thing that struck me was the huge amount of artillery and mortars that struck us and hit us, and it was truly terrifying to be under such sustained bombardments.

“The only way to survive was to dig into the ground and to hide.

“The amount of times that we had patrolled the zero line – or No Man’s Land – and found the body parts of soldiers who had been hit in their positions.”

He likened the burnt tree stumps, the churned up ground, the twisted wires and the bodies laying with their limbs blown off like that of the Second World War.

But after weeks of fighting, the Ukrainians were quickly making ground by Kherson and the Russians were pulling their troops back across the Dnipro river.

And for the first time in the war, Macer’s unit had pushed forward and chased Putin’s men back.

I could have stuck with my humanitarian work and helped that way, or I could directly confront the people who are destroying the country. So I decided to pick up a gun

Macer Gifford

Macer said: “It was amazing, because civilians were coming out of their homes and it genuinely felt like I was a British solider in the Second World War, liberating French villages.

“It was the same reaction, the same tears, the same human emotion.”

The next phase for Macer was the fight on the islands of the Dnipro river – and it was like nothing he’d experienced before.

The former public schoolboy, who grew up in rural Cambridgeshire, said: “It was so different because it was just small teams of about five people infiltrating these islands on speedboats under the cover of darkness.

“We would be taking ground, engaging with Russian reconnaissance teams and looking again for mines, securing positions, and utilising drones.

“And that went on for months.”

Macer said when they battled for those strategic islands, they were fighting against elite Russian units, who were “very aggressive” and worked in small-man teams.

He said: “It was very much a battle of equals, whereas in other parts of the front line there was a lot more human mean waves being used by Russia.”

AFP

A Ukrainian soldier of the Azov Brigade in a trench during a military training exercise in eastern Donetsk region[/caption]

Getty

A Ukrainian soldier on the frontline in Kreminna, Ukraine’s Luhansk region[/caption]

Getty

A Ukrainian soldier fires towards the Russian position in the direction of Avdiivka[/caption]

The Brit banker-turned-fighter said every time their small boats would land on an island, Russians would try and hunt them down with drones.

“They would hit us in the boats and we were just losing too many good people – in fact, several of my own team were wounded by shrapnel from falling grenades and falling mortars from drones,” Macer said.

It was that ruthless, brutal drone warfare that made Macer turn his attention to creating an elite UAV unit in the 131st battalion.

His team began striking Russian targets with their homemade drones, watching in awe as Russian tanks blew up in front of them.

But suddenly, the pace shifted again – and a few days of rest turned into months of brutal battles in the forests of Lyman, a now ruined railway town near the frontlines of the Donbas region.

Several of my own team were wounded by shrapnel from falling grenades and falling mortars from drones

Macer Gifford

The Brit said: “We were moved from the South to the Far East where some of the worst fighting was taking place in the Forests of Lyman and we fought there for several more months.”

And after months of coming under relentless Russian bombardment and years fighting for Ukraine, Macer decided it was time to come home.

“I decided, after the creation of this drone team, that this was my last mission – basically for Ukraine – because it had been so successful and destroyed millions of dollars worth of vehicles, I could hold my head up high.

“I rushed home to be back with my dad and I’m so glad I did because within a month of me coming back to the UK he sadly passed away.”

For Macer, his time in Ukraine began as a humanitarian mission, hoping to make a difference that way – but he knew that picking up a gun was the only way he knew he could.

“What it’s done is it’s shown me how much injustice there is in war, and that Vladimir Putin has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, including his own, and ripped a country apart,” Macer said.

He added that the world now faces an unprecedented level of danger – one of a looming Third World War between major powers.

Unless we win this war, it will drag on for many more years

Macer Gifford

Macer explained: “Putin has set the world on a very dangerous path, one of genuine confrontation between nuclear states.

“I hope to see the West take this more seriously and start to give more sophisticated weapons to the Ukrainians and the permissions to use them, because unless we win this war, it will drag on for many more years.

“And it will grow, and it will spread to other parts of the world. There is an axis of evil on this planet, and it includes Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

“And unless we wake up to that reality and confront it, we are going towards a very dark place.”

Chris Eades

Macer received a Ukrainian medal for his contribution to the fight against the Russians[/caption]

COPS are “increasingly concerned” as a major search ramps up for the missing woman whose car was found abandoned in a remote moor.

Jenny Hall, 23, was last seen leaving her home in Tow Law, County Durham, just after 3pm on Tuesday.

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) said it searched an area of moorland between Eggleston and Stanhope on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, cops said they are scouring running trails in between Eggleston and Hamsterley, Durham, which Jenny frequently used.

More than 100 miles of track have already been covered in the Teesdale area alone to find the missing woman.

Sniffer dogs have also been deployed to the area around where Jenny parked her car.

Mountain rescue teams and police are working with air support in challenging weather conditions in a bid to find the young woman.

Dashcam footage from a passing motorist shows Jenny’s red Ford Focus can parked in a remote lay-by surrounded by empty moorland.

The driver who captured the footage said: “It is an incredibly remote area. My fears for the missing woman are growing.

“I really hope she is found safe and well.”

The car, a red Ford Focus, was found parked on the B6278, between Eggleston and Stanhope the following day.

Durham Constabulary say Jenny, who is 6ft with long dark hair, was last seen wearing a blue hoodie with a John Deere logo and dark jogging bottoms.

Her family have now confirmed she may have also been carrying a green jacket and had her hair up in a ponytail.

Police believe Jenny, may have been heading to the Barnard Castle area when she left home in her red Ford Focus.

Cops said they are carrying out a wider sweep of the Teesdale area.

The force is appealing for any information that could help locate Jenny.

But individuals were advised not to try and assist as it could “hamper the systematic search”.

A police spokesperson said digital intelligence officers have conducted enquiries into Jenny’s digital devices.

Behind the scenes, they have looked at her mobile phone, smart watch and running apps but none have provided any results.

Chief Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, of Durham Constabulary, added: “We have become increasingly concerned for Jenny since she was reported missing on Tuesday and have been exploring all lines of enquiry, including dozens from members of the public.

“We are focusing our search on areas we know Jenny likes to run through and we are determined to do everything we can to find her.

“I would like to thank everyone who is working around-the-clock in our search and efforts to reunite Jenny with her family.”

A spokesperson for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team added: “Many thanks to the local farmers and gamekeepers who have provided invaluable assistance over the last two days and also to Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team,

“Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.”

SEVERAL top stars are at risk of missing out on automatic seeding at this year’s World Snooker Championship.

The top 16 players in the rankings, calculated by prize money earned across two years, will secure seedings at the Crucible, thus avoiding qualifying.

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Reigning champion Kyren Wilson is set to launch his title defence[/caption]

Those who miss out, however, will have to get through the notorious qualifying event at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport.

The cut-off point to secure a top 16 spot comes after the Tour Championship.

As defending champion, Kyren Wilson has already secured the top seed despite being behind runaway leader Judd Trump in the rankings.

Next up are Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Mark Williams and Luca Brecel, with the quartet very strongly placed.

Mark Allen is seventh as it stands, just ahead of Chinese duo Ding Junhui and Zhang Anda.

Barry Hawkins is 10th and Si Jiahui 11th, with John Higgins 12th and Xiao Guodong 13th.

Sweating on their places will be Jak Jones and Gary Wilson in 14th and 15th respectively.

Currently occupying the 16th and final seeded spot is Neil Robertson.

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At £332,050, the 2010 world champion is just £3,650 ahead of Chris Wakelin in 17th.

Masters champion Shaun Murphy is down in 20th and would currently be forced into qualifying, due to his big triumph coming in an invitational event.

Championship League winner Ali Carter, meanwhile, is 19th and would also miss out on seeding as it stands.

As would 18th-placed Snooker Shoot Out champion Tom Ford.

Last year’s semi-finalists David Gilbert and Stuart Bingham are down in 22nd and 24th respectively.

While Wu Yize is 21st and 23rd is Hossein Vafaei – who claimed the Crucible “stinks” during last year’s tournament.

Four ranking events remain before the cut-off.

The World Open is set to get underway tomorrow, with the World Grand Prix and Players Championship scheduled for next month.

Several players may still be sweating on their places as the Tour Championship gets underway on March 31.

The World Snooker Championship will take place between April 19 and May 5.

A LUCKY player is waking up €500,000 richer after matching all five numbers in last night’s EuroMillions Plus draw.

The punter purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw, from SuperValu New Ross, The Quays, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

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The winning numbers in the EuroMillions Plus draw (Friday, 21st February) were: 15, 23, 26, 29 and 48.

And a Corkonian is also in high spirits this morning after bagging a life-enhancing prize of €213,502 in the EuroMillions main draw.

The player successfully matched 5 numbers and one lucky star on their Quick Pick ticket, purchased on Thursday from Texaco Service Station, Model Farm Road, Co. Cork.

The winning numbers in the main EuroMillions draw (Friday, 21st February) were: 1, 3, 11, 20, 43 and the two Lucky Stars were 2 and 11.

The National Lottery is urging all players in Wexford and Cork areas to check their tickets carefully and if you’re holding the winning ticket, be sure to contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie to arrange the collection of your prize.

Spokesperson for the National Lottery, Emma Monaghan said: “We’re over the moon to see two big wins from Wexford and Cork emerge from last night’s EuroMillions draw.

“It’s moments like these that remind us all of the excitement and possibility the games bring.

“So, to all our players, check your tickets very carefully – who knows, it could be you!”

Earlier this week, a lucky punter told how she is “lost for words” after winning her second big Lotto prize in eight years.

Ann Foley just turned 60, and it turned out to be a hugely memorable day.

While surrounded by family and friends at a surprise party, she was handed a small envelope.

Inside was a birthday card, along with a scratch card.

As she sat down to scratch it, she found that she had won €10, which she described as “not bad”.

She then set about exchanging it for a Bingo Multiplier scratch card in Walshe’s Shop and Main Street in Stoneyford.

As she scratched her second card, she was shocked to learn she bagged €50,000.

Eight years ago when she turned 52, she was given another scratch card as a present from her mother.

Back then, she also won €50,000 – creating a new sense of Deja vu for her.

But even weirder were the similarities between both times – it was the same time of day, her son was in the shower and her husband David had called her on his was home from work.

Ann explained: “I was lost for words – I couldn’t believe that it had happened again!

“The fact that it all unfolded just like it did 8 years ago, almost spooked me out, but I wasn’t complaining!

“The last time I won, we were able to clear the remainder of our mortgage and tackle some home improvements that I had on the list, it really made such a difference to our lives.”