The Luxembourg entry for the Eurovision Song Contest is under investigation after their song held similarities to the singer Birdy’s song Keeping Your Head Up

Luxembourg has been thrown into chaos regarding its participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after its entry’s song is facing a copyright investigation.

Mother Nature by Eva Marija has been accused of being almost identical to the 2016 hit song “Keeping Your Head Up” by singer Birdy. It emerged that the chorus of the song is similar to Birdy’s, prompting her team to launch an investigation.

Now, a spokesperson for the singer has said that they are aware of the situation. In a statement, they said: “The Birdy camp is now aware, and they are reviewing. And the Luxembourg broadcaster RTL confirmed that it was exploring the suggestion of copyright infringement.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Luxembourg broadcaster RTL told The Sun: “We, the Eurovision team, take the discussions about possible copyright infringements seriously and want to deal with them transparently.”

But this is not the first time the legendary song contest has had its fair share of disruption. Back in 2024, the final aired from Malmö in Sweden. However, the run-up to the show was blighted by boycotts and even arrests.’

The Dutch actor Joost Klein was told that were not allowed to perform after an alleged heated argument, which reportedly turned physical.

But it wasn’t just that; the contest was thrown into further chaos as people gathered to protest against Israel’s inclusion despite the country’s war with Palestine. Activist Greta Thunberg was also seen supporting the pro-Palestine protesters. The protests occurred outside the Swedish arena.

In the wave of Joost Klein’s disqualification, the Dutch radio Avrotos found the punishment “disproportionate” and “very heavy.” A petition was even generated in support of the act to perform in the final.

And this year is now facing its own drama after would-be UK host Scott Mills was sacked by the BBC over issues with his personal conduct. The Mirror also understands that the allegation concerns a relationship from three decades ago. The BBC’s decision to axe Scott relates to a 2016 police investigation into “serious sexual offences” against a boy in his teenage years.

At the time, Scott was questioned by police under caution, but the case was not pursued due to insufficient evidence. But the Mirror believes that the sacking relates to the individual.

At the time, Director General Tony Hall was not aware of the “full picture”, including the accuser’s age, although it’s unclear if other managers did. However, after learning about the age in the last week, the newer management took swift action.

The TV and radio presenter had been a regular face when it came to the international competition, but now speculation over who is to replace him has hit fever pitch.

This year, the event is set to be hosted in Austria with LookMumNoComputer representing the United Kingdom. According to The Sun, Sara Cox and Rylan Clark, who have been regulars at the broadcaster for many years, are likely candidates to replace Scott Mills.

Last year, the sacked presenter was open about his eagerness to return to hosting the contest. He said at the time: “Eurovision is like a melting pot and we’re all there for the same reason and everyone can chat and talk about what songs they like and what they don’t like.”

He added: “We absolutely adore it, it’s our World Cup. I look forward to it so much, and that’s what’s magical about it. Everyone’s there for the same reason.”

The Mirror has contacted a rep for the Luxembourg Eurovision entry.

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Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has hinted midfielder Bernardo Silva’s nine-year spell at the club will end this summer, saying “every good story comes to an end”.

The 31-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season. He has not yet signed an extension and has been linked with La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A side Juventus and clubs in America.

Lijnders was on media duty after Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool with manager Pep Guardiola serving a touchline ban, and reflected on the importance of the Portuguese international to City.

“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist,” he said.

“Bernardo Silva is unique. The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.

“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing you will see how he is missed – and that’s one game. Imagine a season.

“But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell.

“He deserves all that attention as well.”

April 5 (UPI) — Medical rescue teams airlifted a hiker from an Arizona mountain over the weekend after he sustained more than 100 bee stings and was unable to descend.

The Phoenix Fire Department said in a statement that rescue teams responded at about 10 a.m. Saturday to reports of a hiker being stung multiple times near the summit of Lookout Mountain in northern Phoenix.

The hiker, only identified as an adult man, was located by rescue crews. A Firebird 10 helicopter hoisted the man from the mountain, authorities said.

The patient was transferred to an ambulance waiting at the trailhead and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, according to the fire department.

The man’s condition on Sunday was unknown.

Lookout Mountain is smaller and less frequented by hikers than the more popular and taller North Mountain, but it provides views of the region without crowds, according to its website.

The medical emergency occurred amid recent concern in the area over swarms of bees and potential stinging incidents.

Late last month, at least five people were stung, including one person who was hospitalized, during a lacrosse game at Arizona State University.

The City of Tempe, located just east of Phoenix, issued a warning to residents early last month about bees following what it called “a small number of bee-related emergency calls.”

Following the rescue on Saturday, the Phoenix Fire Department warned the public about the stinging insects.

“Avoid disturbing hives, skip scented products when outdoors, wear light-colored clothing and if you encounter a swarm — run away quickly and protect your head and face,” it said in a statement.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – After a long day of ferrying passengers to and fro recently, e-hailing driver Nguyen was dejected to find he had spent half of his earnings on fuel.

“I drove for around seven or eight hours, making around 240,000 Vietnamese dong [$9.11] and then I paid 120,000 Vietnamese dong [$4.56] on petrol,” Nguyen, a motorcyclist who connects with passengers via the locally developed super-app Be, told Al Jazeera, asking not to be identified by his real name.

“I can’t survive with this amount of money in the city.”

In Vietnam, the ripples of the US-Israel war on Iran are hitting many gig workers hard.

The Southeast Asian country normally sources about 80 percent of its crude oil from Kuwait, but shipments have dried up amid Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fuel prices.

Diesel prices have more than doubled, while petrol prices have risen almost 30 percent, making getting from point A to point B an increasingly expensive proposition in cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, home to more than 7 million motorcycles.

“Because the petrol price is so high, so many drivers are turning off the app, going home and just not working,” Nguyen said.

“After today, I will turn off the app and stop working for a few days to see if the price goes down or if the government is helping in any way.”

Vietnam’s government has rolled out a series of emergency measures to cushion the blow for citizens.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last month announced that an environmental tax on diesel, petrol, and aviation fuel would be suspended until April 15 to help stabilise prices.

Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnamese-born visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said authorities had been forced to act to stave off rising disgruntlement among citizens.

“There are a lot of complaints and frustrations about rising living costs, because gas prices are everything in Vietnam,” Giang told Al Jazeera.

“It’s not only necessary in terms of making the population feel relief about the rise of gas prices, but at the same time, it will keep the macroeconomic stability intact, given the turbulence outside Vietnam.”

Despite the government sacrificing an estimated $273m in revenue via the tax cut, signs of strain are mounting across the economy.

Public transportation is stretched to capacity in major cities, while domestic carriers such as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air have slashed flights.

“As a very, very open economy, Vietnam is super vulnerable to international shocks,” Giang said.

Gig workers have been particularly exposed due to the double whammy of heavy fuel consumption and minimal labour protections.

“Their income is changeable due to factors beyond their control,” Do Hai Ha, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne who has studied Vietnam’s gig platforms, told Al Jazeera.

“They have no chance to negotiate with the platforms.”

Many drivers have had no choice but to work longer hours as they are “excluded from labour protection, so there’s no guarantee in terms of minimum wages or overtime pay”, Do said.

Companies, too, are feeling the crunch.

Anh Dao, who collects fares on Ho Chi Minh City’s bus route 13, said the bus operator has been losing money due to the surge in diesel prices, despite raising ticket prices by 3,000 Vietnamese dong ($0.11).

“As we already signed the contract, we cannot just stop running the buses,” Ahn told Al Jazeera.

For one fisherman in the coastal region of Binh Thuan, about 200km (124 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City, rising fuel costs have prompted a frantic search for cheaper options to power his basket boat.

“Now that fuel prices are rising, it’s having a big impact,” the fisherman told Al Jazeera, asking not to be identified by name. The middlemen he does business with have been citing weak demand to justify offering lower prices for his catch, he said.

“What I was usually able to sell for 800,000 Vietnamese dong [$30] is now only selling for 650,000 Vietnamese dong [$24],” he said.

Families kept apart

For some low-income families, the rising costs are reshaping daily life in other ways.

After a weeklong trip to the Mekong Delta region, Uyen Pham, a communications manager for the Saigon Children’s Charity, said she has seen the strain firsthand.

“Several parents noted that the cost of bottled cooking gas has nearly doubled,” Pham told Al Jazeera.

“Most of our beneficiary families have always relied on wood-fired stoves or a hybrid of wood and gas to save money. With the recent price hike, they are now strictly limiting their gas usage even further, relying almost entirely on wood to cut every possible expense.”

For many parents, the rising fuel costs have also meant less time with family.

“Many parents in remote areas must leave their children with grandparents to work in cities,” Pham said.

“Rising fuel prices directly increase their commuting costs, while manual labour wages remain stagnant. This pinches their take-home pay and, in some cases, reduces how often they can afford to travel home to see their children.”

For the government in Hanoi, the price volatility has intensified the focus on greater energy independence, Giang, the visiting fellow, said.

“The longer-term question this crisis has enacted is a very important question about the strategic autonomy of Vietnam in terms of energy dependencies, especially when we are a net importer of oil,” he said.

Policymakers will need to “more aggressively accelerate Vietnam’s energy independence by building more refineries,” Giang said, “because now we only have two refineries, which is not enough for the Vietnamese market.”

With long-term solutions likely to take years to come to fruition, authorities are scrambling for short-term fixes.

Late last month, Vietnam’s prime minister and a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade visited on the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, the country’s largest refinery, in Thanh Hoa, a coastal city about 1,500km (932 miles) north of Ho Chi Minh City.

During their visit, officials said the refinery, which supplies about 40 percent of Vietnam’s petrol needs, would urgently need to find alternative sources of crude, as current supplies were expected to run out by the end of May.

The war on Iran also appears to be reshaping at least some domestic investment.

Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, last month informed authorities that it wanted to halt plans to build the country’s largest liquefied gas-fired power plant and put the funds towards a renewable energy project instead, according to a letter reported by the Bloomberg and Reuters news agencies.

In the letter, the company cited “the significant risk of high fuel prices for LNG power projects” due to the war.

In the meantime, Duy, who works at a cafe tucked behind a Ho Chi Minh City petrol station, is feeling some relief after the government’s fuel tax cut, which authorities projected would reduce petrol prices by about one-quarter and diesel prices by about 5 percent.

“I usually pay 100,000 Vietnamese dong [$3.80] a week on gas, but at the peak of the high prices a few days ago, it was almost double that,” she told Al Jazeera.

“It affected my income.”

Additional reporting by Nguyen Hao Thanh Thao

SOPHIE Kasaei was feeling emotional as she got to spend Easter Sunday at home with boyfriend Jordan Brook after he has spent the last three weeks in hospital.

The Geordie Shore star, 36, was delighted to have her other half back home after his terrifying meningitis battle, which saw him unable to walk.

After a scary few weeks, pregnant Sophie finally got to enjoy Easter with Jordan, 31, as the couple enjoyed a Sunday roast at home.

Sharing a slew of pictures from the day, Sophie could be seen planting a kiss on Jordan as they cradled her growing baby bump.

She captioned the post: “Watching you walk out of those hospital doors felt like getting my whole world back.

“These past weeks have been the hardest I’ve ever known. But you never stopped fighting, not just for yourself, but for us for your family, for our little boy growing inside me.

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“The goal was to be home for Easter, and you did it!”

Thankful that things are finally getting back to normal, she continued: “Having JB home, hand on my bump, smiling again means more than words will ever be able to say.

“We are blessed, grateful, and whole again.

“Happy Easter from us. Enjoy it with loved ones, sit back soak it up. Life is a precious gift.”

Also taking to her Instagram Stories, Sophie admitted she had been “praying” Jordan would return home in time for Easter.

Jordan was discharged from hospital this week after a 22-day stay, which saw him diagnosed with meningitis.

The harrowing ordeal left Jordan unable to walk, with the Towie star using a wheelchair, and with “acute memory loss” amid a host of other symptoms.

As he revealed he was finally getting to return home earlier this week, Jordan also revealed just how awful his health battle has been.

He told fans: “The top 1% percent of the worst case of viral meningitis and encephilitis that my Dr has ever seen.

“Brain swelling, inflammation. Acute memory loss, the only memories I have are ones I would like to forget forever.”

Jordan went on to thank his family for their unwavering support throughout the illness, and the NHS workers for “saving my life”.

Sophie is set to give birth to hers and Jordan’s baby boy around mid June and the pair are hoping Jordan will make a full recovery before then.

They are welcoming their first child following an emotional two-year fertility battle.

Jordan and Sophie have been together since 2022 and have documented their quest to become parents on Towie and Geordie Shore.

World championship boxing returned to the historic Kensington venue for the first time in decades. The Olympia had previously staged headline fights involving stars such as Chris Eubank Jr and Prince Naseem Hamed.

Harper strode towards the centre of the 19th-Century grand hall, buoyed by her travelling Yorkshire faithful.

Dubois, who once pretended to be a boy named Colin so she could be allowed to box, also received a warm reception as she entered to “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston.

The fight had been a long time coming, and the rivalry had grown increasingly tense in the build-up. Dubois repeatedly questioned Harper’s achievements and credentials, while Harper shoved Dubois during a fiery media face-off earlier in the week.

By the halfway stage, however, the contest had not quite lived up to the hype, with Dubois edging the rounds through steady work to the body.

Then, suddenly, the fight came alive. Dubois set up a knockdown with a sharp double jab followed by a left hook, sending Harper to the canvas.

Harper rose to her feet as Dubois leapt in celebration, prompting the referee to warn her for failing to return to her corner.

Dubois increased the pressure. She landed thudding southpaw left hands in the seventh and eighth as blood began to drip from a cut on the inside of ‘Belter’ Harper’s left eye.

Watching from ringside was pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields, shouting encouragement for Dubois.

A strong combination from Dubois in the ninth suggested a stoppage might be imminent, but Harper rallied to land shots to Dubois’ head in the 10th and final round.

“Terri is very tricky; she navigated herself very well and it was up to me to push the pace,” Dubois told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“She is a champion and she doesn’t like to lose, but neither do I.

“The better woman won tonight and I hope she can give me my respect.”

April 5 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s intelligence agency faced renewed scrutiny over political neutrality after its former and current chiefs made conflicting appearances the same day, highlighting long-standing concerns about the agency’s role across administrations.

Former National Intelligence Service chief Cho Tae-yong was recommended for a seven-year prison sentence during a court hearing on charges including illegal political involvement and dereliction of duty, according to prosecutors.

Cho is accused of failing to report plans related to a Dec. 3 martial law declaration and attempting to conceal the situation to prevent the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

In his final statement, Cho denied wrongdoing, saying the agency “did nothing shameful” in relation to the situation. Prosecutors, however, argued the case represented a serious breach of constitutional order, accusing the intelligence service of being used to protect the leadership.

On the same day, current NIS Director Lee Jong-seok appeared before a National Assembly inquiry and raised allegations about the previous administration’s handling of a case involving alleged financial transfers to North Korea.

Lee said an internal review found signs that the agency may have tried to influence a prosecution investigation. He alleged that only selected documents were shared with prosecutors, potentially excluding materials that could have offered a broader perspective.

The developments marked a rare moment in which a former intelligence chief faced criminal charges while the sitting director publicly criticized actions taken under a previous administration.

Observers say the episode underscores a recurring pattern in South Korea, where intelligence leadership becomes entangled in political disputes during transitions of power.

Experts called for stronger institutional safeguards to ensure the agency’s independence from political influence, warning that repeated controversies risk undermining trust and encouraging risk-averse behavior among officials.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260405010001309

Series 2 of I’m A Celeb All Stars launches tonight and a sneak peek into the first episode shows TV comic Seann Walsh face his fear of heights in a grueling trial with Sinitta

Seann Walsh’s face is a petrified picture as he takes on the first challenge of the 2026 I’m A Celeb All Stars

The TV comic, who was a campmate on the 2023 show, has returned to the jungle for an All Stars stint – and made an unlikely pairing with 80s pop sensation Sinitta in a terrifying new trial. In a clip Sean can be seen screaming as he was forced to race the So Macho hitmaker across a bridge – but in true I’m a Celeb style it was 150ft in the air.

The two have to jump across a series of wooden platforms to cross a ravine. At one point, Seann is seen strapped into a wooden barrel as he takes on the trial. Butbefore his height-defying bridge cross with Sinitta, Seann is seen in a helicopter looking a little on the green side. Speaking about the trial Seann told The Sun: “It was terrifying. But the first time I went in with Matt Hancock, so it wasn’t as scary as that.”

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The full cast-list

The 2026 edition of I’m A Celeb All Stars was filmed in September 2025 at Kruger National Park in South Africa. The cast features:

• David Haye
• Gemma Collins
• Seann Walsh
• Harry Redknapp:
• Scarlett Moffatt
• Adam Thomas
• Sir Mo Farah
• Ashley Roberts
• Sinitta
• Craig Charles
• Jimmy Bullard
• Beverley Callard

ITV has said that viewers can expect a “fresh group” of returning campmates from previous series of I’m A Celebrity and “spectacular” locations in South Africa. The broadcaster has also teased that it will include “some of the most epic and extreme trials” in the franchise’s history.

The new series will also see a change to the format of I’m A Celebrity … South Africa. It’s been revealed that, after the first series didn’t feature a public vote, viewers will have the power to decide who wins the second series.

ITV has shared that the public will get to vote in a live final broadcast from the UK. It said: “After weeks of shocks, showdown and survival, viewers will be able to have their say and cast the final vote in a live grand final broadcast direct from London.”

The show’s hosts have expressed excitement over its return. Ant said: “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape.”Whilst co-host Dec described the format change as “exciting”. He said: “Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!”

Series 2 of I’m A Celeb All Stars launches tonight, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It will air every weeknight for three weeks, with the live grand final falling on Friday, April 24.

Like this s tory? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Is it possible to have a luxury staycation with the kids in tow? This hotel offers a range of features to make family holidays more fun, including complimentary childcare for kid-free time

If you’re looking for a family staycation that’s close to the coast, yet also has plenty for the kids to do, and even gives you the chance for some child-free time, then read on.

A hotel in Dorset is offering luxury family-friendly accommodation overlooking spectacular Chesil Beach, with lots of thoughtful touches to make your time away easier. Moonfleet Manor is set in a beautiful Georgian property and is an excellent place to explore the Jurassic Coast.

While we all love spending time with our kids on holiday, one of the main services that’s bound to appeal to worn-out parents is the hotel’s Four Bears Den Kids Club.

This Ofsted-registered onsite club takes care of kids from three months to eight years, and all guests get a complimentary two-hour session per night’s stay, starting at either 9.30am or 2.30pm. This gives you kid-free time to enjoy a romantic stroll, have a spa treatment, or just read a book in peace.

In the evenings, you can also hire a video monitor for free, so while the kids nap in the room, you can enjoy a nightcap. The hotel also offers a babysitting service for an additional fee if you want to explore the local area.

During the school holidays and weekends, the kids club offers a program of activities designed for family fun, from toasting marshmallows to scavenger hunts, so all ages can enjoy quality time together.

Just a short walk from the hotel is an indoor pool available for guests to enjoy throughout their stay, plus there’s a sauna and the option to book spa treatments for the grown-ups, including facials and ocean-inspired rituals.

Kids can enjoy the colourful play barn, where you’ll find an under-5s play area, table tennis, arcade games, and even a hands-on Science Room for young Einsteins to play in.

The problem with some family hotels is that they tend to focus just on practicalities, and they can be quite dull for adults. But Moonfleet Manor has a luxury, design-led style, so rooms are inviting whether you are staying as a couple or with kids.

There are also two-bedroom family rooms available that offer a separate sleeping area for the kids. This means you can tuck them away in bed and enjoy your evening without worrying about keeping them awake.

The hotel overlooks the unspoiled shingle shores of Chesil Beach, an 18-mile stretch of seafront that’s full of incredible fossils and spectacular scenery. Between the beach and the hotel is the Fleet Lagoon, a marine-protected area full of wildlife and seabirds, so you can’t walk directly onto the shingle from Moonfleet. However, you can drive a short distance to Abbotsbury or Portland for a beach walk or fossil hunt.

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Less than 20 minutes away is the seaside town of Weymouth, a family favorite for many generations. Here you’ll find a SEALIFE Center, Sandworld – an impressive collection of sand sculptures and castles, and the sandy Weymouth Beach, which is set in a cove, so kids can paddle and swim on sunny days.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Nolan Schanuel drove in automatic runner Adam Frazier with a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to lift the Angels to an 8-7 walk-off win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Mariners left-hander Gabe Speier (0-2) walked Zach Neto intentionally to open the bottom of the 11th, and both runners advanced on Oswald Peraza’s sacrifice bunt.

Schanuel, who grounded into a double play with runners on first and third to end the eighth, lofted a fly ball to left fielder Randy Arozarena, whose throw home was off line.

Shaun Anderson (1-0) struck out Cal Raleigh with the bases loaded to end the top of the 11th. Anderson gave up a run in two innings.

Mike Trout, who doubled and scored in the third, exited in the eighth after being hit on the left hand by Casey Legumina’s 94-mph fastball. X-rays were negative, and Trout is listed as day-to-day.

The teams exchanged runs in the 10th, Seattle scoring on Randy Arozarena’s single and the Angels (5-5) on Logan O’Hoppe’s sacrifice fly.

The Angels were one out away from victory in the top of the ninth when Raleigh blooped a two-out double and Julio Rodríguez poked Sam Bachman’s 91-mph slider to left for a single and a 6-6 tie. Mariners closer Andres Munoz threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.

Cole Young hit a three-run homer to give the Mariners (4-6) a 5-4 lead in the fifth, but Jo Adell and Frazier drove in runs with singles in the home half.

Seattle’s Leo Rivas hit a two-run single in the second.

Jorge Soler hit RBI singles in the first and third before the Angels took a 4-2 lead in the fourth when Josh Lowe scored on Rivas’ fielding error at third and Schanuel hit a two-out RBI single.

Up next for Angels: José Soriano (2-0, 0.00 ERA) will oppose Atlanta’s Chris Sale (2-0, 0.75 ERA) at home Monday to kick off a three-game set.

The team at Money Saving Expert shared simple steps to take to get the best price for a new passport

Brits have been urged to follow some simple steps to ensure they get the best price for an essential travel document. According to experts, “millions” of people could have overpaid for their passports.

A passport is required for travel abroad. In the UK they are valid for 10 years for an adult, or five years for those under 16.

When your passport is due to expire, it is important you apply for a new one ahead of time, to ensure you don’t risk having to cancel a holiday. However, you may not realise that the way in which you apply for a new passport can affect the price.

Addressing this issue, the team at Money Saving Expert (MSE) said on its website : “Millions of Brits applying for a passport last year may have been able to save money by taking their own photo or applying online, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. If your passport’s due for renewal, here’s how to get it for less.”

The three main steps to remember are:

• Apply online rather than via post
• Take your own photo
• Renew before fees rise on April 8

Applying online

MSE said: “Currently, it’s £12.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online through GOV.UK instead of using a paper form. Of course, this isn’t an option for those excluded from, or who struggle to use, digital services – though if this is the case, you may want to consider the Post Office’s ‘Check & Send’ service.”

Check & Send is an optional extra that costs £16 on top of the standard passport fee.

Take your own photo

MSE continued: “If it’s been a while since you last applied for a passport, you may be surprised to learn that you can now take your passport photo yourself at home and upload it directly into your online application. This means you don’t need to shell out for photos taken at high-street shops or photo booths, which can typically cost between £5 and £13ish.”

Here are some pointers to help you get your photo right first time:

• You can use your smartphone – just make sure the photo is clear, in focus and in colour
• Take it against a plain, light background. The photo should include your head, shoulders and upper body, with no other people or objects in the frame
• Avoid editing or altering it. It will be cropped for you during the application process, so there’s no need to do that yourself

Renew before fees rise

Passport fees will rise on Wednesday, April 8. This is how much they will rise by:

• Adult: takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £94.50, online cost from April 8 – £102, postal cost now – £107, postal cost from April 8 – £115.50
• Adult fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £178, online cost after April 8 – £178
• Adult ‘Premium’ – given at the appointment – online cost now – £222, online cost after April 8 – £239.50
• Child – takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £61.50, online cost after April 8 – £66.50, postal cost now – £74, postal cost after April 8 – £80
• Child fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £145, online cost after April 8 – £145

For full details and to renew online visit GOV.UK here.

April 5 (Asia Today) — The number of financially vulnerable companies in South Korea has surged to a record high, with many firms struggling to cover even interest payments as high borrowing costs and weak domestic demand persist.

According to data from five major commercial banks, 3,364 companies were classified as at high risk of becoming distressed in 2025 credit assessments, up 828 from a year earlier. The figure marks the highest level since records began in 2005 and exceeds levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase reflects prolonged high interest rates and a slow recovery in domestic consumption, which have made it difficult for many firms to repay both principal and interest on loans.

More companies are also slipping into actual distress. Firms categorized as showing clear signs of financial trouble rose to 45, while those deemed unlikely to recover climbed to 98.

The strain is evident in broader financial indicators. The Bank of Korea said 46.4% of companies had an interest coverage ratio below 1 as of the third quarter of last year, meaning nearly half were unable to generate enough operating profit to cover interest expenses.

The rise in vulnerable firms is adding pressure on banks, which are already tightening lending standards. Non-performing corporate loans at the five major banks reached about 4.2 trillion won ($3.1 billion), even as overall corporate lending growth slowed.

Banks have responded by applying stricter credit risk assessments, but the rapid increase in troubled borrowers is raising concerns about asset quality in the financial sector.

Analysts warn that risks could grow further if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to push up oil prices, fueling inflation and weakening corporate profitability.

A central bank official said prolonged external shocks could erode companies’ ability to service debt, potentially undermining financial stability.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260406010001361

Iranian officials dismiss Trump’s ultimatum, condemn latest threats as ‘incitement to war crimes’.

EXCLUSIVE: Midsomer Murders star Neil Dudgeon has nothing but praise for his co-stars

Midsomer Murders star Neil Dudgeon has paid tribute to his “absolute treasure” co-star while discussing his return as DCI Barnaby in the popular ITV series.

Production for the forthcoming series of Midsomer Murders is presently underway, with Neil reprising his role as DCI Barnaby alongside his sidekick Sergeant Jamie Winter (portrayed by Nick Hendrix) and Dr. Fleur Perkins (Annette Badland).

However, in an exclusive chat with Reach PLC, Neil revealed what it was like collaborating with his cherished co-stars.

When questioned about working with Nick and Annette “so closely”, Neil responded, “It is great. Annette has played Fleur for years and years and is still there.

“Whenever we meet her, she’s saying, ‘Oh, you know, I’ve just come back from such and such, where I’ve been filming this, and I’m going to Manchester next week,” reports the Express.

“She’s in three or four days, and episodes in between, she’s going off doing all sorts of things, but she’s in great demand, because she’s such an absolute treasure.”

He added, “And Nick is fantastic, and I feel very blessed. I’ve always felt very blessed because when I started, I had Jason Hughes, who was the Sergeant.

“And then when Jason left, I thought ‘Oh, it won’t be the same’, and then Gwilym Lee came along, and it changed him because Barnaby and Jason’s characters were more similar in age, they had a different kind of relationship, and me and Jason had a different kind of relationship, which was hilarious.” Recalling an amusing behind-the-scenes incident, the DCI Barnaby star added, “And we behaved terribly.

“I remember one day we were both so overcome with the hysterics that the director said to us, ‘You can’t carry on until you calm down…alright, both of you out’.

“And he sent us out of the location, and to the car park to calm down, which just made us worse.”

Heaping further praise on his co-stars, the actor continued, “And then Gwilym came along, who was just wonderful and lovely and fantastic.

“And then when he left, I thought, ‘Oh no, I can’t be lucky a third time’. And then Nick came along, and he’s just fantastic. He’s great to work with, and I think we get along pretty well, and it’s so important, because for the five months or so that we’re filming, you meet up at seven o’clock in the morning, and you’re standing next to each other, working with each other until seven o’clock at night.”

Emphasising the significance of their working relationship, he explained, “You know, it’s like 12 hours a day, five days a week for five months. During that period, I’m seeing much more of him than I am of my own family. I think if you’re doing that with somebody you didn’t get on with, that would be really, really hard.”

Midsomer Murders is available to stream on ITVX.

It was dominating. It was overwhelming. It was powder-blue pummeling, eight-clap crushing, Westwood wonderful.

It was the UCLA women’s basketball team needing barely two hours to complete the struggles of 45 years, a stunningly swarming triumph unmatched in even the finest of Bruin athletic traditions.

Break out a new banner. Make room in the Pauley rafters. A new collection of heroes is coming home, and they started the party early.

For the first time since 1978, and the first time in the NCAA era, the UCLA women are national basketball champions after a 79-51 finals blowout victory Sunday over favored powerhouse South Carolina.

“Oh my gosh,” said weeping star Lauren Betts after the final buzzer.

Oh my, Lauren. This was a heartfelt triumph for the towering tournament Most Outstanding Player who overcame mental health issues to become the toughest figure on the floor.

“I do it for my teammates,” she said during the celebration. “I don’t do it for me.”

Oh my, Gabby. This was a legendary triumph for Gabriela Jaquez, who scored 21 points with 10 rebounds in the finals while her brother, former Bruin star Jaime Jaquez Jr., watched from the stands one day after he scored 32 points for the Miami Heat.

UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez hugs coach Cori Close during the second half of the Bruins’ win over South Carolina in the NCAA women’s national championship Sunday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

“I imagined this moment, I imagined it so many times,” she said. “Oh my gosh, I’m so happy.”

Oh my, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker, this being a victory for the rarest of teams in college basketball — a group led by six seniors and graduate students who scored more than 90% of the points during the tournament and were openly fueled by a desire to play one more game together.

Oh my, Cori, this being a legacy triumph for Coach Cori Close, a John Wooden disciple who led through thoughtful motivation instead of mindless screaming. This was her 15th season as the Bruins’ boss, which previously made her the longest tenured coach without a national title.

“It’s truly indescribable,” she said from the celebration stage afterward. “The loyalty, the steadfast spirit, the character that they’ve chosen day in and day out. … I am just so humbled that they’ve chosen to commit to our mission.”

One of Close’ mantras is, “Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us.”

In Sunday’s finale, it was always all of them, a scrambling, scrapping bunch that stunned the three-time champion Gamecocks into submission in the third biggest blowout in women’s final history.

This was UCLA’s first finals appearance in the NCAA era, and they were trying to win their first title since Anne Meyers-Drysdale led the Bruins to an AIAW championship in 1978.

Yet they never blinked.

“This was a business trip for us,” said Dugalic. “We had the mentality that the job’s not finished. Now the job is finished.”

Jaquez set the tone in the first quarter by following a Dugalic miss with a flying layup as she was sent sprawling to the floor. She was fouled, converted a three-point play, and the Bruins were quickly sending a message.

They would not be intimidated. They would not be pushed around. And they would play every second, as evidenced by the first-quarter, buzzer-beating trey by Rice as she tumbled backward to give them a 21-10 lead.

The Bruins didn’t even panic when their leader seemed to panic, as Betts spent nearly half of the first quarter on the bench complaining that, “I’ve got something stuck in my throat.”

UCLA coach Cori Close, center, celebrates with her players after guiding the Bruins to the NCAA women’s basketball national championship on Sunday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Trainers checked her throat, gave her an inhaler and eventually nursed her back on to the court, where she told an ESPN interviewer that her throat was just dry from the desert air.

The Bruins kept the heat on during a second quarter in which they made mistakes, seemed to lose momentum, then collected themselves to maintain their huge edge. At one point UCLA committed four consecutive turnovers and the Gamecocks closed the gap to 11, but then UCLA’s defense got tough again and layups by Rice and Kneepkens helped them regain their advantage.

At halftime UCLA led 36-23 and the game was essentially over.

Jaquez put the bow on it when she hit a late three-pointer that made it 79-45, her shot followed by a smile and a scream to the heavens.

Highlights from UCLA’s win over South Carolina in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game.

“Gabs is incredible,” said Leger-Walker. “She is that person that you never doubt is going to give her all. She impacts the game in so many ways.”

Leger-Walker ended the afternoon dancing with her teammates just as they have danced all season.

“I’m still processing the fact that we are national champions,” she said.

Believe it. These Bruins will be dancing forever.

UCLA players celebrate after defeating South Carolina for the NCAA women’s basketball championship.

April 5 (UPI) — Explosives were found in a border area between Hungary and Serbia near a pipeline that carries Russian gas, and which both depend heavily on.

Serbian president Aleksander Vucic said Sunday that the explosives were found in backpacks “a few hundred miles from the gas pipeline,” and that he’d alerted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that an investigation was being mounted, CNN and The BBC reported.

“Our units found an explosive of devastating power,” Vucic said on Instagram. “I told PM Orban that we would keep him updated on the investigation.

Experts have suggested that a false flag, or staged, operation could be conducted in one of the two countries to help Orban in his re-election campaign, which has seen support for his 16-year rule in Hungary sagging.

Vucic said that although there were “certain traces” of the origin of the explosives and the backpacks that contained them, he could not offer details as Serbia’s military and police authorities are conducting their investigation.

The purchase and use of Russian oil by Hungary and Serbia, both of whose leaders are allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been controversial in Europe amid Putin’s now four-year-long war to take Ukraine.

Orban, who has previously accused Urkaine of blocking its ability to get the fuels it needs, said Sunday in a post on X that an investigation into the “powerful explosive device” is ongoing and that he had convened an emergency meeting of his defense council this afternoon.

Orban allies have suggested that Ukraine could be behind the attempted explosion based on previous allegations that the country is interfering with Russian-linked gas and fuel facilities amid the ongoing war.

These allegations included Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said it would be “illogical” for it to blow up its own gas pipelines, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

“In recent weeks, dozens of drones have been constantly attacking the TurkStream pipeline, which supplies gas to Hungary, on Russian territory, and now the terrorist attack foiled by Serbia appears to be part of these attacks,” Szijjarto said.

Sunday, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said that “Ukraine has nothing to do with this,” Ukriniform reported.

“We categorically reject attempts to falsely link Ukraine to the incident with explosives found near the Turkstream pipeline in Serbia,” Tykhyi said, noting that the incident could be a Russian effort to affect the upcoming election in Hungary.

A driver in the US state of Louisiana was charged with impaired driving after plowing into a crowd and injuring at least 15 people celebrating Lao New Year on Saturday. Footage from the scene showed injured people on the ground and at least one trapped under a vehicle.

The Great British Bake Off left fans in a state of panic as the show suffered technical issues which disrupted the viewing of fans across the UK who vented their fury on social media

Viewers of The Great British Bake Off were left unimpressed during Sunday night’s episode for Stand Up To Cancer, as the show was interrupted by technical issues.

As fans of the Channel 4 show sat down to settle in to watching the baking show, they were met with flickering screens. The stars on this year’s show include Sam Thompson, Vicky Pattison and Molly Mae Hague.

And to make matters worse, the show was interrupted multiple time, leaving viewers taking to X to vent their frustration. One person said: “What’s going on? @Channel4 how can we watch #Bakeoff with it breaking up all the time.”

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Another person asked: “Anyone else have signal issues while watching Bake Off this evening? We’ve had several shaky screeners tonight. #bakeoff.” Meanwhile, a third person questioned: “Anyone else getting a stuttering broadcast and the occasional pixel madness of an 80s top of the pops episode??”

In response to the tweets coming through, a fourth person agreed with the general sentiment: “Me on Sky. I’ve recorded it and only just started watching it.” They added: “I’ve stopped and started it again, thinking it might have been weather-related, so I’m glad it’s not just me ! #GBBO”.

And this sparked a flurry of people coming forward complaining of the same issue. The technical glitch appears to have affected viewers to the point where they had “given up” watching the show.

Other celebrities who took part in that episode also included Alex Brooker, Ambika Mod and Rose Ayling-Ellis, who were all competing against one another to be awarded the Star Baker apron.

They were given three challenges. One of which was to make mini rolls, another was to bake a syrup sponge pudding and a choux pastry.

And it was EastEnders star Rose who impressed the judges the most, and she was crowned winner of their round. Last week, Molly-Mae won her episode.

Judge Paul Hollywood was most impressed with Molly-Mae. One hearing that she had won her segment, she screamed with joy and said: “That has made my life, you don’t understand! Thank you so much!”

And after leaving the show, the mum of one, who is pregnant with her second child with fiancé Tommy Fury, took to her Instagram.

She wrote: “Still trying to process that this even happened! Taking part in Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer was honestly one of the most insane experiences of my life.”

She added: “Just so grateful to have been part of something so special for such an incredible cause… I’ll truly never get over it @su2cuk @britishbakeoff.”

For the remaining episodes, the stars taking part include JLS singer Aston Merrygold, Rag’N’Bone and Celebrity Traitors’ Joe Wilkinson.

Celebrity Bake Off judge Celebrity Bake Off judge Cherish Finden made her debut on the Channel 4 show. And when asked by Noel Fielding how she found her time on the show, she replied: ” ‘I’ve had a great time. He is a master-baker.”

This comes after it was announced that Prue Leith was stepping down from her judging role after nine series. Replacing her, will be TV chef Nigella Lawson.

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PHOENIX — The greatest team in UCLA women’s basketball history has earned its crown.

With a 30-point lead by the end of the third quarter, much of the end of Sunday’s NCAA championship victory was a celebration of what UCLA had built en route to its 79-51 victory over South Carolina.

By the final buzzer, it was a full-blown party.

It was one of the largest margins of victory in Final Four history.

UCLA won an AIAW title in 1978 against Maryland before women’s basketball was an NCAA sport.

UCLA’s Kiki Rice, right, drives around South Carolina’s Raven Johnson during the first half of the NCAA national title game on Sunday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Last season, UCLA’s 34-point loss to Connecticut in the semifinal became the worst loss in tournament history.

This season, there was no doubt UCLA was ready for the moment and it ensured it could reverse the history books.

It was perhaps the most UCLA performance the Bruins could have had. In their final collegiate games, Lauren Betts (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Gabriela Jaquez (21 points, 10 rebounds) earned double-doubles and all five starters scored in double digits. They dominated the boards (49-36), played stellar defense and most important, didn’t turn the ball over often.

After the Bruins held Texas to a season-low 44 points in Friday’s semifinal, they held the Gamecocks to 51, also their lowest total all season.

UCLA’s Lauren Betts shoots over South Carolina’s Maryam Dauda in the first half of the NCAA national championship game Sunday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

The Bruins jumped out early while South Carolina struggled with the Bruins’ size and went three for 18 from the floor. Kiki Rice (10 points, six rebounds, five assists) hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to end the opening quarter with the Bruins holding on to a 21-10 lead.

Near the end of the first, Betts came back to the bench coughing and sputtering, seemingly unable to clear her throat. At the start of the second quarter, she was at the end of the UCLA bench and used an inhaler before returning to the game.

UCLA’s suffocating defense held the Gamecocks to 25.7% shooting in the first half. Unlike Friday’s win over Texas, the Bruins’ offense recovered from a one-for-10 stretch far earlier.

South Carolina made a mid-second quarter adjustment into a zone defense and a half-court press that forced one 10-second violation and another turnover that led to a fast-break layup and and free throw from Ta’Niya Latson.

UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez celebrates after scoring while being fouled during the first quarter Sunday against South Carolina.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA led 36-23 at the half.

One of the Gamecocks’ only interior presences, center Madina Okot, had three fouls early in the third quarter. With her off the floor, UCLA extended its lead to 18 off a three-pointer from Charlisse Leger-Walker.

Midway through the quarter, a sequence of a Betts layup over the South Carolina defense, a Betts block of a Latson shot and a Jaquez fast-break layup gave the Bruins a resounding 22-point lead.

The Bruins outscored the Gamecocks 25-9 during the third quarter to earn a 61-32 lead off a 13-0 run. It was the largest lead ever for a team going into the fourth quarter of an NCAA championship game.

South Carolina shot a season-worst 18 for 62 from the floor and two for 15 from three-point range.

UCLA players, including Kiki Rice, left, and Gabriela Jaquez celebrate after winning the NCAA women’s basketball national championship on Sunday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

The Bruins held Latson to four points and Raven Johnson to three on one-for-seven shooting.

South Carolina had taken down then-undefeated UConn in the semifinal on Friday.

UCLA will need to rebuild with few returners, but now that her players have won a national title, coach Cori Close should have her pick of the transfer portal.

Now, Close and the Bruins have championship pedigree.

Highlights from UCLA’s win over South Carolina in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship game.