2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on HSBC to shut down payments app in blow to customers
HSBC is set to shut down a payments app after its launch just a year a go in a blow for customers.
The Zing platform, which lets users make global payments and comes with a fee-free international prepaid debit card, will be wound down.
ReutersHSBC is closing down its Zing platform[/caption]
HSBC said the platform, which first launched in early 2024, will remain operational for now.
The Sun has asked when it will be closed and will update this story when we have heard back.
The closure of the app will reportedly lead to around 400 job losses.
A spokesperson for HSBC said the bank had decided to close Zing following a strategic review.
They said: “We have made the decision to close Zing and integrate its underlying technology platform into HSBC.
“Zing customers will be informed of an alternative option to become bank customers of HSBC UK and use the Global Money proposition.”
The Global Money Account lets customers transfer cash to other HSBC accounts in over 50 currencies.
The latest announcement from HSBC comes after the bank announced a major overhaul of its structure following new boss Georges Elhedery taking the helm.
In October, the bank said it would merge its commercial and institutional banking operations and create a new international wealth and premier banking division.
It also said it wanted to simplify it’s geographic structure based on its operations in the East and West of the world.
Mr Elhedery said: “The new structure will result in a simpler, more dynamic, and agile organisation as we focus on executing against our strategic priorities, which remain unchanged.
“By making these changes, we can better focus on increasing leadership and market share in those businesses which have clear competitive advantage and the greatest opportunities to grow.”
Rates are being slashed by up to 0.25% on balances up to £10,000.
However, those with an Everyday Saver account with a balance over £10,000 are actually seeing rates rise from 1.16% to 1.26%.
Chase Bank is also dropping the rate on its Chase Saver account.
The savings account’s interest rate tracks the BoE’s base rate, and currently sits 1.25% below it.
However, from February 19, the interest rate will track 1.5% below the base rate instead – a 0.25 percentage point change.
It means savers will see their interest rate go down from 3.5% to 3.25%, as it stands.
Meanwhile, Vanguard is launching a monthly account fee on January 31, Starling is ending interest payments on current accounts next month and from April First Direct is axing access to self-service machines at HSBC branches.
How to save money while abroad
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can cut costs on holiday spending.
Make sure you exchange any sterling at a bureau de change before you get to the airport where you’ll be offered measly rates.
It might be worth getting a prepaid travel card as well – you can load these up with money in your chosen currency at a fixed exchange rate.
If you have to withdraw cash abroad, make sure you try and use an ATM from a major bank as these tend to offer lower fees and better exchange rates.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
SuppliedSiim Land tells Sun Health how he keeps a biological clock 13 years younger than his actual age (30)[/caption]
SuppliedHe grew up in Estonia and says he was interested in preventive health from an early age, after his grandfather died of cancer at the age of 36[/caption]
SuppliedSiim 10 years ago, when he was 20 years old[/caption]
Time will tell if these methods are really worth it, but the hype around longevity has certainly boomed.
But Siim Land, a 30-year-old from Estonia with a biological age of just 17 years, has revealed you don’t need to go to extreme lengths to reverse the clock.
He’s closing in on Bryan Johnson who is 3rd place on the Rejuvenation Olympics league table.
Siim isn’t your average young man – he hasn’t spent his 20s drinking (having only had a glass of wine on his honeymoon two years ago).
And it has paid off – his liver is just nine years old.
Siim is already the best-selling author of nine books including his most recent, The Longevity Leap, and has 600K followers on Instagram and YouTube, desperate to know his secrets.
He tells Sun Health: “My age is 30 and my biological age is 17.
“The age of my organs is also 17 on average.
“I haven’t done any severe ‘biohacks’, like gene editing of peptides or anything like that. There is such a wide group of people that call themselves biohackers so the term means different things to different people.”
Siim is currently placed 4th on the Rejuvenation Olympics, meaning he ‘has the 4th slowest speed of ageing in the world’ based on its test that looks at DNA.
While we can’t change our actual age (how many years we have been alive), we can change our biological age, which is how old our body and its organs may seem based on health markers.
It’s a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning compared to your actual age and may be a greater indicator of mortality risk.
Like many super ‘longevists’, there’s often a reason behind their interest.
Siim, who lives with his wife, Inka, 31, said: “I realised the importance of preventive health quite early.
“My grandfather died of cancer when he was 36 years old, in the 80s, so I didn’t want to follow something similar.
“It’s much easier to prevent diseases than it is to fix them afterwards.”
Siim had a humble upbringing with “regular parents”, eating meals cooked from scratch such as meatballs, and rarely having sweets, fizzy drinks or crisps.
He says: “We didn’t have snacks laying around because we weren’t super wealthy. We had crisps and chocolate once or twice a week.”
Even if I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, I wouldn’t change my current daily routine
Siim Land
He says: “[I eat] mostly fish, vegetables, olive oil, some beef, eggs, fruits, berries, potatoes, maybe some grains every once in a while. I’ll have dark chocolate.
“The healthier your diet is, the less exercise you kind of need as well for just the health benefits.”
Though he says “exercise is the most powerful thing right now for longevity in humans”, he does not spend hours in the gym.
He says: “I’m doing both cardio and resistance training in almost equal amounts. I do three days a week of each with one rest day.
“I’m aiming for a solid base in both muscle strength and muscle mass and respiratory fitness.
“So I am not trying to maximise muscle strength or endurance. I’m trying to be above average in both. I think for longevity purposes, it’s a more suitable approach.”
Siim’s daily routine
6AM: Wake up, walk the dog, get sunlight exposure
7AM: Make tea or coffee, play with the dog, talk to his wife, start working (researching, writing, emails)
10-11AM: Have a protein shake (whey protein powder, berries, cacao)
Midday: Continue working
Afternoon: Workout (gym, run, park callisthenics, hike)
Evening: Sauna (a few times a week)
5PM: Have dinner
Evening: Relax, stop working
10PM: Go to bed
SuppliedSiim is an eight-time best-selling author[/caption]
What is most striking about Siim is that, regardless of his endless research on the science of ageing, his approach is very simple and effective.
He enjoys the process of staying fit and healthy, saying: “I enjoy my life and I’m happy. I am also a bit of a person who doesn’t get stressed out that easily.
“I’ll eat birthday cake every once in a while. I’ll have whatever snacks every once in a while, but because I’m healthy and because I’m physically active, I can get away with a lot more, and I suffer less consequences by doing that as well.
“If I do eat, like a pizza, I’m not going to get brain fog or feel tired the next day.
“Even if I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, I wouldn’t change my current daily routine that much (other than of course spending more time with my wife and family!).
“I’m doing what I love already, feeling great and happy.”
STRESS LESS
Siim may go above and beyond most of us by tracking his markers regularly – but he doesn’t let them dominate his life.
He is remarkably stress-free and credits this to his health in general.
Siim says: “I don’t feel like I experience stress or mental health problems.
“I guess that is my personality but also I put my body through a lot of physical stress (exercise), and there is research that that increases stress resilience from a mental perspective.
“So exercise can reduce stress but it is also a good buffer against future stressors as well.
“Your perception of stress can also dictate your response; so people who perceive it as inherently harmful might experience it worse. Whereas if you have a growth mindset about stress, you can mitigate some of the harm.
“It’s important to take care of your mental health and I am a big believer in downtime, so every night I take time to relax and I don’t work too hard.”
DAILY ROUTINE
Siim starts his day at 6AM, just like many of us, but what he does next is where the magic happens.
He says: “I’ll go outside, walk the dog and get some sunlight exposure.”
Getting daylight exposure first thing is hugely beneficial to keep the body clock running smoothly, running systems that help with sleep, mood and appetite.
At 7am, Siim has tea or coffee and plays with his dog before starting work, which is computer-based.
Mid-morning, Siim says: “I’ll have a protein shake with whey protein powder, berries, and maybe some cacao or something else for flavour.
“After that, I’ll continue working for a few hours before a workout. I’ll either go to the gym, go for a run, or me, my dog and wife go to the park and do some callisthenics, or for a hike in the forest.”
The popular Finnish pastime has previously been shown to potentially be beneficial for people with risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and diabetes.
Siim eats dinner around 5pm before heading to bed at 10pm after a relaxing evening.
He adds: “I don’t have any real restrictions to my diet. I’m not afraid of gluten or dairy or whatever else people are afraid of. But I manage my portion sizes, I think that’s important.
“I focus on healthy proteins, vegetables, olive oil and fish as the main source of fats, maybe some nuts and seeds.
“Every once in a while I’ll have some ice cream.
“I haven’t drunk for the last nine years. I did have a glass of wine on our honeymoon two years ago.
“One drink per day is probably enough and most people can get away with it… It might even be linked to lower mortality.
“But I’m not a drinking guy, I just decided it’s not something I enjoy.”
Siim knows that looking after health takes time and money – two things not everyone has much of.
He says: “I think if people are limited in time the most powerful thing they could do is just adjust their diet.
“Even if you just eat a lower calorie, whole foods diet, then it’s going to be relatively easy to lose weight, even without exercise.”
The biggest thing people get wrong, he says, is being inactive all day.
He says: “Movement is really powerful and improves all organ function, all the hallmarks of ageing and can protect against all chronic diseases.
“A lot of people drive everywhere and at home or their office sitting all the time.
“Just going from 2,000 to 8,000 steps per day has been found to reduce all-cause mortality by 60 per cent. And 8,000 steps is about an hour and a half of walking over a day.
“Everyone can squeeze in some exercise, even just 20 minutes of focused exercise. And if you have children, try and find ways to implement activities like going to the park, rather than just sitting on the sofa with them.”
What about supplements?
Siim says people are often keen to know what supplements can extend lifespan.
He says: “NAD is a popular, hyped one, but it doesn’t appear to extend life in even animal studies, so we will see what the research says in humans in a few years.
“Rapamycin is probably the only candidate worth considering. There is interesting research in animals. It’s the longest life extension seen from a pharmaceutical.
“In humans, there is research that it can help with immune function in old people and muscle function. So it’s thought to slow down ageing and its related decline, but there is still not many clinical studies on it yet.
“That will probably be the first recognised longevity drug in the world and in the next few years will be accepted as such.”
But there are some already available over-the-counter supplements that Siim says could improve health outcomes and healthspan.
These are:
Creatine monohydrate: “This has been found to improve muscle strength and muscle mass, as well as cognition and brain function,” says Siim.
Omega-3s: “These appear to reduce the risk of heart disease events and help with brain function, inflammation and blood sugar levels,” says Siim.
Magnesium: “Magnesium deficiency is one of the biggest negative consequences to health. It increases heart disease and diabetes risk, and sleep problems. So just taking a supplement can fix that deficiency,” Siim says.
Vitamin D: “It can help to improve your vitamin D levels, and is relatively safe. It’s probably not going to extend your lifespan though,” says Siim.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Scotland’s cheating capital revealed as dating expert reveals why the TEMPERATURE makes affairs more likely
WINTER is frequently dubbed as ‘cuffing season’ – a period when many singles start seeking relationships.
However, for those already loved up, it can also become a prime opportunity for infidelity.
Getty - ContributorFind out if your city was named in the top 20[/caption]
Experts suggest that people are more inclined to cheat on their partners during the colder months, and certain cities in Scotland are notably more prone than others.
Research indicates that January is the second most popular month for seeking affairs, with September taking the lead.
And the reasoning behind this trend seems quite straightforward.
Lucy Beresford, a psychotherapist and relationship expert, said: “As the nights grow longer and the weather turns cold, our desire to snuggle up with a discreet cuddle partner intensifies, making us feel connected and appreciated.
“When the thrill of summer feels distant, our need for emotional nourishment becomes even greater.”
While Salford in the south has been named the UK’s infidelity capital, three Scottish cities have also made it into the top 20.
Following Salford, Manchester holds the second spot, with Newcastle Upon Tyne close behind in third.
In Scotland, Glasgow has earned the title of the cheating capital, placing 12th in the UK.
Edinburgh follows closely at 13th, while Aberdeen, the Granite City, comes in at 15th.
The trend of higher infidelity rates in northern UK cities may be tied to nightlife.
Lucy added: “It’s the season for warmth and enjoyment, and it’s notable that vibrant cities like Salford, Manchester, and Newcastle consistently land in the top three spots in this survey.
“This trend suggests that people are drawn to locations with a lively social scene, featuring bars, cinemas, comedy clubs, a variety of hotels, and numerous restaurants and cafes.
“This variety provides ample opportunities for couples to meet discreetly with their affair partners.
“Interestingly, two coastal towns, Brighton and Bournemouth, also score highly, indicating that even in wintery weather, couples having affairs might be tempted to stroll along the piers or walk hand-in-hand on the beach.”
Below you can find out if your city made the cut, and just where they rank in terms of people seeking out affairs.
For those who live in these cities and are curious to see if their partners might be up to no good, sexpert Amy Williams, CEO of Peachy, a leading adult toy store shares the signs to look out for.
Less sex
Amy said: “If they constantly avoid sex with excuses about being tired or stressed, it could be a red flag.”
Or… more sex
Amy explained: “People know that having less sex can lead their partners to suspect they’re having an affair, so they might force more intimacy than usual to try and cover their tracks.”
New moves
Amy says: “Their other partner might have taught them something new, or they might have simply felt freer to practice something with them.
“Either way, if they’re flawlessly executing something you’ve never seen before, ask yourself when they had the opportunity to practice that.”
“Either way, if they’re flawlessly executing something you’ve never seen before, ask yourself when they had the opportunity to practice that.”
Four red flags your partner is cheating
Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.
They start to take their phone everywhere with them
In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.
Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”
“You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”
They start telling you less about their day
When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.
“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”
“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.
Their libido changes
Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.
Aaron says: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”
They become negative towards you
Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.
“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating,” warns Aaron.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Amazon Kindle Unlimited deals 2025: Claim one month free and get access to millions of books, magazines and audiobooks
BOOK lovers looking to upgrade their library for less are signing up for one of Amazon’s popular subscription services.
Kindle Unlimited is the perfect way for users to reach their reading goals as it gives them access to millions of titles, and they’re all free for the first month.
GettyLiterature lovers shouldn’t miss this promo offer from Amazon[/caption]
If you’re not already familiar with Kindle Unlimited, it’s a digital reading subscription service that grants users access to millions of online books.
While Amazon offers thousands upon thousands of e-books to buy on its site, Kindle Unlimited is more like an e-library.
How does Kindle Unlimited work?
Once signed up for the service, subscribers can dive into a world of e-books, audiobooks, and magazine subscriptions.
You’ll also be able to borrow titles as often as you like without the worry of due dates, and you can keep up to 20 on the go at any time.
Kindle Unlimited can be accessed on all Kindle devices.
The Amazon subscription service will also work on your phone, computer, or tablet via the free Kindle app.
Once you activate your subscription, you can immediately start downloading titles.
What books are included with Kindle Unlimited?
If you’re planning on spending the new year enjoying plenty of new reads, then you’re in luck, as Kindle Unlimited is packed with best-sellers and titles from beloved authors.
To help book lovers unlock a new library of reading materials, in January 2025, Amazon unveiled its top 10 new titles to enjoy with Kindle Unlimited.
Included on that list was Victor Methos’ The Silent Watcher, which is a great choice if you’re a fan of thrillers, and for those who prefer a more romantic read, Mine for a Moment by Catharina Maura is also available.
Once you’ve secured your membership, it’s easy to find your next novel.
Simply visit the Kindle Unlimited library and explore a wide selection of genres such as crime and mystery, self-help and counselling, children’s books, and more.
How much is Amazon Kindle Unlimited?
The subscription service usually costs £9.49 per month.
The subscription renews at £9.49 the month afterward.
All you have to do is click the link above to take advantage of the offer.
You’ll need to add some card details but Amazon will only charge the £9.49 monthly amount after the promotional period ends.
If you decide Kindle Unlimited just isn’t worth it for you, then you can cancel at any time – read on to find out more.
Do you get Kindle Unlimited with Amazon Prime?
Unfortunately, Kindle Unlimited is not included with an Amazon Prime membership as it runs as a separate subscription, such as Amazon Music or Audible.
Those who have signed up for an Amazon Prime membership can instead benefit from Prime Reading – a service that gives members access to a digital library.
Prime Reading is a sub-set of Kindle Unlimited and offers a smaller collection of titles that is regularly updated.
Kindle Unlimited provides users with access to over a million titles, while Prime Reading only gives you access to around one thousand.
While Prime Reading features several recent fiction and nonfiction titles, those seeking the latest popular releases may find a Kindle Unlimited subscription more suitable.
How to cancel Amazon Kindle Unlimited?
If you’ve found that you’re not using Kindle Unlimited as much as you originally thought you would, you can go ahead and cancel your subscription.
Clicking here will take you to a help page which explains all.
You simply go to your membership and subscription page in your Amazon account, click through to ‘Cancel Kindle Unlimited Membership’, and select the option to cancel.
It’s also worth noting that users can choose to pause their monthly subscription for a month instead of canceling.
If you’ve paused your subscription, you can resume it at any time via Kindle Unlimited Central.
However, pausing your subscription is not available if you are on a free trial or promotion.
Do you still have to pay for books if you have Kindle Unlimited?
Once you’ve activated your membership, you don’t need to pay for books, as long as you’re reading titles that are included in your subscription.
However, if you come across a particular book that you want to read and it’s not included in the Kindle Unlimited selection, you will have to pay an additional fee.
Where to buy a Kindle
*If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.
Whichever model you’re in the market for, the good news is, there are plenty of places to pick up a Kindle.
Kindles are available to buy directly from the Amazon website.
There are also several other UK stores to shop from including:
Unfortunately, not all books are available with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, but it does offer access to millions of available titles.
You’ll also have to opportunity to explore a wide selection of popular audiobooks and magazines.
Kindle Unlimited subscribers can sit back and relax as they listen to thousands of professionally narrated titles.
And for those who prefer to sit down with a magazine, you can dive into the latest issues from Closer, Good Housekeeping UK, Hello! Magazine, and more.
Listen to Onyx Storm for free with a membership trial
Onyx Storm is one title that has got book lovers talking.
If you’re not already familiar with the book, Onyx Storm is a follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.
Shoppers planning on purchasing the popular book can expect to pay around £20 for the paperback version, however, Amazon is offering Kindle Unlimited members a way to enjoy it for free.
With a Kindle Unlimited membership, you don’t even have to turn a page.
Instead, you can download the audiobook version, which is available with your subscription, and listen as the story unfolds.
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on F1 list of punishments revealed as drivers face huge fines and BANS for breaking rule Max Verstappen was guilty of
FORMULA ONE drivers risk a season full of heavy fines and even suspensions following the release of the 2025 FIA Sporting Code.
Ahead of the new F1 season the motorsport’s governing body, FIA, has released its latest International Sporting Code (ISC).
GettyMax Verstappen and co could face a £101,000 fine for swearing[/caption]
GettyIt comes as part of new rules in the FIA’s 2025 International Sporting Code[/caption]
GettyThe Grand Prix Drivers Association called out overzealous officiating last year[/caption]
Max Verstappen led driver protests against an overzealous decision to fine him for swearing in a press conference, while previous incidents have seen them frown upon the wearing of jewellery.
The GDPA also called on FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem to be transparent about where the money generated from fines are allocated.
However, the latest ISC appears to have doubled down on that stance and will now grant the FIA the power to fine, suspend and take championship points from drivers.
The penalties outlined in Appendix B, previously the “code for good conduct”, outline five areas which would lead to driver sanctions.
The first of these in ‘subsection f’ outlines “causing moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or executive officers”, including “any words deeds or swearing”.
Strike one for this will land the offending driver a €10,000 (£8.5k) fine, followed by a €20,000 (£16.9k) fine and suspended one-month ban for strike two, with strike three then being a €30,000 (£25.4k) fine, one-month suspension and deduction of Championship points.
However, it is noted this can be increased depending on the level of competition, with a specific tier reserved for F1 where the fines are increased by four times the standard amount.
That means a three-time swearing offender will be hit with a €120,000 (£101.5k) fine, a one-month ban and an unspecified number of their championship points.
Subsections i and n follow the same punishments for “any misconduct” under Article 20 and public incitement of hate.
In section i “misconduct” is defined as “to be understood in particular but not limited to: the general use of language (written or verbal), gesture and/or sign that is offensive, insulting, coarse, rude or abusive and might reasonably be expected or be perceived to be coarse or rude or to cause offence, humiliation or to be inappropriate.”
This also covers, “assaulting (elbowing, kicking, punching, hitting, etc.); and incitement to do any of the above”.
But subsection o covers the making of personal and religious statements “in violation of the neutrality promoted by the FIA”.
The same monetary punishment is once again handed out for offences one through three, but this time with an added need for a public apology and repudiation of their comments.
These new rules are not likely to go down well with drivers who were already disgruntled about the issue at the back end of last season.
The list of new rules in the FIA’s new Sporting Code
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Masked Singer fans ‘work out’ that Kingfisher is Strictly star – saying ‘the clues all point to him’
THE Masked Singer fans are convinced a Strictly Come Dancing star is behind the Kingfisher costume.
ITV viewers have called out a contestant from the 2024 BBC One series line-up as the face concealed by the big beak, after a series of telling clues.
The Masked Singer fans are convinced a Strictly Come dancing star is concealed by the Kingfisher costumeErotemeBBCNick Knowles’ 2024 Strictly stint was sadly hampered by injury[/caption]
InstagramThe Masked Singer fans think Kingfisher’s riddle pointed to Nick’s DIY SOS role[/caption]
So far, the striking blue bird has belted out a rendition of The Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie as well as Goo Goo Dolls hit Iris.
As well as their impressive vocals, Kingfisher previously shared a riddle which read: ”Fishing and planting, digging and mowing, to reap the rewards, you’d better get sowing.”
Now The Masked Singer fans reckon DIY SOS anchor Nick Knowles, 62 – who has a music career as well as fronting the handyman show – is the famous star behind Kingfisher.
They called out his back catalogue and mused on Reddit: “I have a weird feeling Kingfisher is Nick Knowles.
“I’m definitely wrong because I’m never right with this show but if you look up his albums I feel like it’s similar but I think I’ve probably convinced myself to think it does.”
Another agreed and put: “I thought the same thing on Saturday! I’m sure I’m not right but would be awesome if we were.”
One then remarked: “My dad said this and he hardly watches the masked singer lol.”
Another suggested: “The DIY clues definitely lead me to think of DIY SOS, but my mind went to Billy Byrne.
“However, I don’t know if he’s well enough known / easily recognisable for them to have him on the show???”
One then simply put: “Hold on, Nick Knowles has albums?!”
Nick starred on Strictly last year yet was axed from the show after a series of injuries blighted his training.
It came after fans accused him of getting thesympathy votein the live programmes.
Nick injured himself after falling when he did a jump during a dress rehearsal – leaving him on crutches.
It was the second injury to blight Nick on Strictly after he injured his shoulder and arm while changing a car tyre.
Who has left The Masked Singer 2025 so far?
Much to the delight of telly fans, The Masked Singer is back in 2025.
Twelve celebrities have been hidden behind intricate costumes, with their identities concealed.
Sadly, not all of this year’s whacky and wonderful characters can make it to the end of the show, as there can only be one winner.
During a recent episode of the Lorraine show, hostLorraine Kelly, 65, took The Fast Show actor Paul to task, grilling him about the Saturday night reality TV series as soon as he sat on the sofa with wife Dr Mine Conkbayir.
Lorraine promptly asked Paul, 66: “Is that you?
“Look me in the eyes and tell me.”
He replied: “Well if I say yes you wont believe me, and if I say no you won’t believe me,” which prompted Lorraine to add: “So we don’t know.”
She added: “It would make sense with kingfishers, because they are there when you’re fishing.”
He then teased: “I see that – whoever has done it,” before coughing, and adding: “Harry Hill.”
Paul then said: “They are very cleverly throwing the focus towards me.”
Som fans of the show are equally convinced that children’s TV star Simon Farnaby is the voice of Kingfisher.
The quirky character has impressed with its vocal talentErotemePAFans have called out Nick’s vocal talent – and previous album releases – as a key sign[/caption]
ITVIt remains to be seen if Kingfisher will be unmasked on Saturday’s episode[/caption]
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on Southport terrorist told cops ‘I’m glad they’re dead’ after murdering three girls in massacre at dance class
SOUTHPORT terrorist Axel Rudakubana chillingly told police “I’m glad they’re dead” after murdering three girls in a rampage at a Taylor Swift dance class.
The 18-year-old stabbed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, to death on July 29.
ReutersAxel Rudakubana admitted murdering three girls in a rampage[/caption]
PAElsie Dot was stabbed to death at a dance class[/caption]
PABebe King, 6, was among the youngsters stabbed to death[/caption]
PAAlice Dasilva Aguiar was also left dead in the rampage[/caption]
The shameless triple killer has so far caused further anguish for the victims’ families with his courtroom stunts.
Rudakubana, who had refused to speak during his previous hearings, was removed from dock shortly after the sentencing began shouting that he was “ill” and needed a paramedic.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the warped teen told police “I’m glad they’re dead” as he was held in a custody suite following the rampage.
Prosecutors today told how the injuries suffered by his victims are “difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature”.
This includes stabbing multiple people in the back as they tried to escape.
The court earlier heard Rudakubana had a “sickening interest in death” and had made chilling searches for school massacres before carrying out the rampage.
As a result, the killer was free to storm the Hart Space community centre and begin senselessly knifing terrified children and adults.
Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and ten of attempted murder.
The teen, who had been due to stand trial before the dramatic U-turn, also admitted two terror offences after police found ricin and an Al-Qaeda manual at his home.
Despite this, police are still not treating the July attack as terror-related.
The horror unfolded last summer as 26 excited children gathered for the dance class to kick off the summerholidays.
The two-hour event had been organised by instructors Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle at The Hart Space.
Just three miles away, Rudakubana had armed himself with a 20cm knife as he prepared to put his murderous plan into action.
Chilling footage showed the killer pacing outside his home before being picked up in a taxi.
Just 30 minutes later, Rudakubana arrived at the community centre as the children sang Taylor Swift songs and made friendship bracelets.
Leanne opened a window due to the summer heat and saw the masked teen outside but thought nothing of it.
But seconds later, the door opened and Rudakubana stormed into the class and began attacking children and adults at random.
Screams rang out as the killer teen systematically made his way through the room stabbing his victims with the black-handled Cerbera kitchen knife.
As the desperate children tried to flee, Rudakubana chased after them and slashed them from behind.
Hero dance teacher Leanne was stabbed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield young girls from the knifeman.
Her colleague Heidi Liddle escaped uninjured after bravely locking some of the children inside a toilet.
Businessman Jonathan Hayes, who was working in the officenext door, was attacked after he ran inside and bravely tried to stop the carnage.
Rudakubana could be seen pacing 30 minutes before he murdered three children
At 11.57am – 12 minutes after the rampage began – police stormed the scene.
Officers found Rudakubana holding the large, bloodied kitchen knife and he was arrested.
After the horror attack, the teen said “I’m glad they’re dead” as he was held in a custody suite.
Police searching the killer’s home found a shocking cache of weapons – including knives bought on Amazon and crossbow bolts.
His purchase on the online shop when he was 17 came despite his history of violence.
Rudakubana was also able to buy equipment to make deadly poison ricin, which was also found at his home.
The Sun told how he exploited limited checks allowing blades to be sent without ID, with Amazon now launching an urgent probe.
Chillingly, just one week before the attack, Rudakubana is feared to have plotted a similar attack on his old school.
He booked a taxi – the same way he travelled to the Taylor Swift-themed dance class – under a fake name from his home to take him to the Range High School.
It is believed he’d been planning to target pupils on the last day of term as they broke up for the summer holidays.
But he was stopped from making his journey when his dad ran out and intervened.
Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and has an older brother.
He moved to Banks, a village in Lancashire located a few miles from Southport, in 2013.
As a child, Rudakubana displayed vicious behaviour in school as his obsession with violence grew.
Timeline of events related to the Southport stabbings
AXEL Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and 10 counts of attempted murder.
Here is a timeline of events relating to the case:
2002: Rudakubana’s father Alphonse moves to the UK from Rwanda, according to an interview he gave to his local newspaper in Southport in 2015.
August 7, 2006: Rudakubana is born in Cardiff, Wales.
2013: The family – including Rudakubana’s father, mother and older brother – move from Wales to Banks in Lancashire, a few miles from Southport.
July 29, 2024: Shortly before midday, a knifeman enters a dance class at The Hart Space in Hart Street in Southport.
Bebe, Elsie and Alice are fatally wounded. Eight other children are injured, as are instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
Police say they have detained a male and seized a knife.
Within hours, claims spread online that the suspect is an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023.
Some claims include an alleged identity.
July 30, 2024: In the evening, a peaceful vigil is held outside Southport’s Atkinson arts venue, where flowers are laid in memory of those who died.
Shortly after the vigil, a separate protest begins outside the town’s mosque in St Luke’s Road.
People throw items towards the mosque, property is damaged and police vehicles are set on fire.
July 31, 2024: Demonstrators gather in Whitehall, London, for an “Enough Is Enough” protest.
Flares and cans are thrown at police and more than 100 people are arrested.
Disorder also breaks out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Aldershot, Hampshire.
August 1, 2024: Police announce that Rudakubana has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
He is not named by police because of his age.
He appears in court in Liverpool and Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC rules he can be named, as he is due to turn 18 in a week.
He initially smiled on entering the courtroom – then kept his face covered by his sweatshirt for the remainder of the proceedings before the case was adjourned.
Later that evening, demonstrators gather outside a hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester.
August 2, 2024: Three police officers are taken to hospital after disorder in Sunderland.
August 3, 2024: There are scenes of violence during planned protests across the UK, including in Liverpool, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast.
August 4, 2024: Disorder continues, including outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where masked demonstrators launch lengths of wood and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers.
August 5, 2024: The Government holds an emergency Cobra meeting in the wake of the disorder and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vows to “ramp up criminal justice”.
That evening, a peaceful vigil is held in Southport, a week on from the killings. Police deal with disorder in Plymouth, Devon and Darlington, County Durham.
August 7, 2024: Prison sentences for those involved in the unrest begin to be handed out. Derek Drummond, 58, is the first person to be jailed for violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is sentenced to three years.
More than 100 protests are planned for across the country, with counter-demonstrations taking place, but the majority of police forces report very little trouble.
October 29, 2024: Merseyside Police announces Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink the next day charged with production of a biological toxin, Ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
October 30, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh to face the two new charges.
He holds his sweater over the bottom half of his face and does not respond when asked to confirm his name.
November 13, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink. He covers his face with his grey sweatshirt and does not speak throughout the hearing.
About 20 family members of victims sit in the public gallery. The case is adjourned until December 12, when a preparatory hearing will take place.
January 20, 2025: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of his trial where he pleads guilty to all 16 charges, including the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
The teen, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, left Range High School in Formby in around 2019 over claims he brought a blade into class and made threats to attack another pupil.
Police were called in and the Year 9 student – then aged just 13 – was sent home and later expelled.
But he returned to his former school armed with a hockey stick and a “hit list” of students he wanted to attack.
Rudakubana was then sent to a specialist school but teachers became concerned over his behaviour.
His first referral to Prevent came in 2019 when he was aged 13 after he used computers at his own school to search for material on a school massacre.
Two years later, he was flagged again after viewing material on previous terror attacks – including those in London in 2017.
TERROR FEARS
Although there were no concerns over a particular ideology or religious hatred, his obsession with violence had caused fears.
But he was not found to have posed a terrorism risk and therefore did not reach the threshold for intervention by Prevent.
After one of the referrals, it was recommended that Rudakubana be referred to other services but is not known if this happened.
Lancashire Child Safeguarding Partnership said police responded to five calls from his home address – between October 2019 and May 2022 – relating to concerns about his behaviour.
The attack in Southport sparked riots across the country – despite the local community and families of the victims calling for calm.
It came after false claims were spread online that the alleged killer was an asylum seeker.
Speaking in Downing Street after the government announced a public inquiry, the PM said failings by the state “leap off the page”.
But he continued to deny there had been a “cover up” in the case – although admitted it was “clearly wrong” Rudakubana was deemed not to meet the threshold for intervention from Prevent.
While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the inquiry would also “consider the wider challenge of rising youth violence and extremism”.
Rudakubana, pictured starring in a BBC advert for Children in Need, attacked children at randomGettyTributes left to the victims in Southport[/caption]
2 weeks agoLatest NewsComments Off on UK teen interrupts sentencing in murders of three girls
A court has been told that an 18-year-old said "I'm glad they're dead" after being arrested for the killing of three girls at a dance class in northern England.
