bizarre

THERE are plenty of quirky places in the US, but did you know that one state has its very own miniature England?

It even has its own piece of the capital there as the original London Bridge was bought and reconstructed over the Bridgewater Channel Canal in Arizona.

You’ll find all this in Lake Havasu City three hours outside of Phoenix, where there’s a miniature England, and it’s literally called ‘The English Village’.

The resort was built when the actual London Bridge was brought over from the UK.

Back in the 1830s, London Bridge was constructed in the UK. But years later in the 1960s, it was deemed unsuitable for modern traffic.

In 1968, London Bridge was bought by American entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch.

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He had the exterior granite blocks from the original bridge cut and transported to the United States to construct a new bridge in Lake Havasu.

Robert was actually the founder or Lake Havasu City, and its English village tourist attraction was built in 1971 – to coincide with the instillation of London Bridge.

It wasn’t just the original bridge that made it across the water. Vintage lamps on the bridge are made from the melted-down cannons of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army.

The bridge has been used for movies too like Bridge Across Time also known as Terror at London Bridge, and Day of the Wolves.

The English Village was built like a Hollywood set with pretty shop fronts, all made to look quintessentially English.

The village even has a vintage gate from an English castle, and there are red telephone boxes scattered about.

In the middle is a fountain which is surrounded by four lion statues which strikes a resemblance to the one you’ll find in Trafalgar Square.

It was anchored by Hog in Armour Pub and City of London Arms Restaurant and a cinema was later added – but sadly these have since changed.

One restaurant there today is The Chair which looks out at London Bridge and the village’s fountain which serves the British classic, fish and chips.

There’s also a pizza restaurant called Papa Leone’s Pizza as well as an ice cream parlour and fish and chip shop under London Bridge.

With average summer highs of 33C in Arizona, there’s plenty of outdoor seating and lots of boat tours along the canal.

On Tripadvisor, one visitor wrote: “It’s iconic, it’s London Bridge. A great job has been done in integrating a piece of England into the desert 5000 miles away, in it is almost seamless.”

Another commented “Authentic fish and chips offered at a nearby restaurant and a bit of English kitsch”.

At Christmas, the area around London Bridge, including The English Village, is decorated for Christmas.

The area is lit up for the yearly Festival of Lights with one of the main events being the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights which takes place on the water under the bridge.

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 Read more on America adventures from one Travel Reporter who visited upstate New York and found hundreds of vineyards, NASCAR racing experiences & world famous waterfalls.

Plus, hear from another writer who lived in the US for 3 months – she discovered 12 bizarre from drive-through weddings to VIP service.

ROOFMAN 

(15) 126mins

★★★☆☆

A NICE guy doing bad things isn’t an original premise for a comedy drama. 

But base it on the true story of an escaped felon hiding out in a toy shop and things get more interesting. 

Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, the charismatic convict from North Carolina with the “you couldn’t make it up” life story. 

An ex-military man, Manchester has been struggling financially since being decommissioned. 

So to support his family he turns to a professional life of crime. 

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His first attempt at dropping through the ceiling of a McDonald’s and emptying their tills is such a success he repeats this style of heist 45 more times. 

As a non-violent robber who offers people his coat while holding them up at gunpoint, he soon earns himself the local moniker of “Roofman”. 

As police put it, he’s a genius, but also an idiot. 

When eventually caught and sentenced to four decades behind bars, Manchester swiftly escapes jail and goes on the run. 

Looking for a place to take cover he lands on a Toys R Us store and sets up home in a crate under the eaves. 

For six months he sleeps undetected, surviving on stolen M&M’s, while watching jobsworth boss Mitch (Peter Dinklage) on CCTV for entertainment and ultimately falling for employee Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mum. 

The tale of how their romance blossoms — as Manchester increasingly risks his chances outside the store’s four walls — would seem utterly far-fetched, if it wasn’t for the fact that in 2004 it all actually happened. The chemistry between the leads is convincing. 

Dunst as Leigh, the church-going single mum falling in love while being unknowingly duped, reminds you that no matter how outwardly likeable Manchester seems, he continually hurt people with his odd mix of arrogance, immaturity and intelligence.

He wants it all to be real, while knowing that it can’t be. 

Director Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) periodically lightens things up with various meme-worthy set pieces involving Tatum barely clad in feather boas, or wearing roller blades or completely starkers with only a fan to protect his modesty. 

But it is the pondering over how decent a person, or not, Manchester really was that will keep you gripped. 

GOOD FORTUNE 

(15) 97mins       

★★★☆☆

KEANU Reeves is at his Bill and Ted-esque best in this silly, but very funny, light-hearted bromance about a guardian angel who can’t quite get a grip on his ­heavenly duties. 

Written by Aziz Ansari (Master Of None) Reeves is Gabriel, a rookie winged protector limited to saving people from “texting while driving” catastrophes. 

He’d like to rescue lost souls too but his boss Martha (Sandra Oh) thinks he’s not ready to be promoted. 

One of his celestial charges is Arj (Ansari) who despite being well qualified, can’t catch a break and is sleeping in his car while doing gig economy work in LA for an odd-jobs app. 

A stint as assistant for billionaire Jeff (Seth Rogen) – who spends his days shopping for Rolexes and sitting in his sauna – only makes him feel more of a failure. So Gabriel steps in to help by facilitating a life swap between the two, which he hopes will make Arj appreciates what he already has. 

The script lacks the ­substance it was probably aiming for, and there’s far too much chatting about chicken nuggets, but this comedy does deliver lots of laughs. 

AFTER THE HUNT 

(15) 139mins  

★★☆☆☆

SET in the academic enclaves of a rarefied American Ivy League University, this affected campus tale from director Luca Guadagnino could do with a tutorial to discuss what its own discourse is. 

Julia Roberts plays Alma Imhoff, a Yale philosophy professor and feminist who is idolised by her students. 

Imhoff and husband Frederick (Michael Stuhlbarg) host bourgeois soirees in their art-filled pad where favourite students including Maggie (Ayo Edebiri), and Hank (Andrew Garfield) gather to muse and debate. 

But when Maggie accuses Hank of sexual assault and turns to her tutor for guidance, beliefs, boundaries and loyalties blur for both women. 

Roberts is exceptional as Imhoff but the pace is so laboured and the ostentatious dialogue so pleased with itself it feels like a dull self-congratulatory lecture. 

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A repetitive ticking pendulum only emphasises the plodding pace and a subplot about stomach ulcers adds little. Some valid social commentary around generational divides is quickly drowned out by more droning. The many lingering close-ups are stylistically credible yet still dull. 

• Laura Stott         

Here’s a look at the elusive Birdman mentioned in Monster: The Ed Gein Story

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Netflix‘s latest sensation, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, has been gripping viewers worldwide since its release on 3 October, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The series boasts a cast of real-life characters, including Ilse Koch (portrayed by Vicky Krieps), Psycho star Anthony Perkins (played by Joey Pollari), and Adeline Watkins (Suzanna Son), among others.

This third instalment of Ryan Murphy’s true crime anthology series also features notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy (John T. O’Brien) and Richard Speck (Tobias Jelinek).

However, many are curious about the enigmatic Birdman.

Who is the Birdman in Monster: The Ed Gein Story?

The series shows Speck writing letters to Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam), discussing his prison experiences and citing the Plainville Ghoul as his muse.

Speck also refers to the Birdman, another real-life serial killer, better known as the infamous American criminal Robert Stroud.

READ MORE: Did Ed Gein really kill the nurse in hospital?READ MORE: Did Ed Gein kill Adeline Watkins?

Convicted murderer Stroud killed a bartender and assaulted fellow inmates and guards while in prison. In 1916, he murdered a prison guard and was sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life imprisonment in solitary confinement.

He earned the monikers ‘Birdman’ and ‘Birdman of Alcatraz’ after caring for a nest of three injured sparrows he found in the prison yard during his time at Leavenworth.

After a couple of years, he’d accumulated 300 canaries and would go on to study and pen the book Diseases of Canaries, published in 1933.

He was permitted to continue his pastime because it was deemed a constructive way to spend his time, according to Alcatraz History.

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Stroud carried on studying avian ailments and documenting their behaviour and anatomy, even selling remedies for them.

However, his apparatus and bird studies came to an abrupt halt when it was discovered he’d been using his kit to brew alcohol on the side.

In 1942, Stroud was relocated to Alcatraz, where he would remain for the following 17 years of his existence.

In 1959 Stroud was transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri and passed away four years later in 1963 of natural causes.

He was brought to life on the big screen by Burt Lancaster in the film Birdman of Alcatraz, which secured the actor an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Fascinatingly, the reason Speck may have also referenced Birdman was due to his own encounters with a sparrow whilst incarcerated.

According to Mindhunter FBI Agent Robert Ressler’s book Whoever Fights Monsters, Speck caught a sparrow and kept it as a companion.

When he was cautioned by a prison officer that he’d be placed in solitary confinement if he didn’t free the creature, Speck murdered the bird by hurling it into an overhead fan.

The shocked guard enquired why Speck had carried out the brutal act, to which the serial killer was reported to have said: “[B]ut if it ain’t mine, it ain’t nobody’s.”

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is streaming on Netflix now

A MASKED man who gassed trams with a highly flammable vapour in a UK city centre has pleaded guilty.

Ghalib Saeed, 31, let off butane gas inside Manchester Metrolink tram carriages on three “disturbing” occasions on March 15, 20 and 22.

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Passengers on the trams reported hearing a “hissing sound” and seeing a man clad in a terrifying gas mask during the attacks.

A number of commuters complained they felt dizzy after the incidents but thankfully no injuries were reported.

Witnesses reported seeing Saeed board the trams with a gas mask covering his mouth and nose.

Passengers would then hear a hissing sound as he emptied gas canisters in the carriages.

People then reported a strong smell of gas filling the trams and said they developed “headaches” and were left feeling “dizzy” during the incidents.

Several reports were made to the police and Saeed was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a public nuisance at the eleventh hour today.

He changed his plea just before a trial at Manchester Crown Court was due to go ahead today.

During a court appearance in April prosecution counsel Neil Fryman said: “The Crown says it’s very disturbing behaviour, a lot of people were affected on a number of occasions.”

Saeed was warned by the judge that the starting point for an offence of this nature is a prison sentence.

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be written up.

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls warned Saeed that “all sentencing options will remain open.”

Saeed has been remanded in custody and is due to return to court to learn his fate in November.

At the time of the bizarre incidents Transport for Greater Manchester said: “We are aware of these incidents on Metrolink and are assisting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries at this time.

“The safety of our Passengers and staff is a core priority – everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe across the Bee Network.”

At the time of Saeed’s arrest Detective Chief Inspector Paddy Connell, from GMPs City of Manchester Division, said: “We fully appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern in our communities, but I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any wider threat present.

“We have now secured the arrest of a man and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of the events that have been reported over recent days.

“As officers continue to work their way through all the evidence available, we are asking anyone who has any information to please come forward.

“This includes anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious, or similar to the incidents that we are dealing with.

“Our transport hubs are operating as usual, and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to a police officer, who will be more than happy to discuss any queries you may have.”

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TEN of the cheapest new cars on sale right now in the UK have been revealed.

Experts have also outlined their thoughts on the selection of new vehicles.

Top Gear gave advise on the list of the ten cheapest cars currently on sale, which includes a bizarre “micro car”.

1. Citroen Ami – £7,695

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At the top of the list is the Citroen Ami that is being sold for “the price of a well-used BMW 3 Series”.

It appears to have the “bones” of a quadricycle with a very boxy shape.

This Citroen comes with an 8bhp electric motor, and 5.5kWh.

Top Gear analysts said it was “fun to use and an entirely loveable object” which can reach top speeds of 28mph.

2. Leapmotor T03 – £14,495

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This is a small Chinese electric car that appears well built.

And its price of £14,495 includes a Leapmotor grant of £1,500.

Even though it is small, the interior is still quite roomy and reasonably comfortable.

“The Dacia Spring has already shown that cheap cars like this can have character, something the T03 severely lacks,” reviewed Top Gear.

3. Dacia Sandero – £14,715

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When it first came into the UK, the Dacia Sandero actually cost just £8,000.

However, it is still the cheapest “proper” petrol-powered car that can be bought in the country at the moment.

The vehicle has been described as “simple”, “spacious”, and one that “absolutely nails the brief” for allowing passengers to get from one place to another.

Top Gear’s verdict on the Dacia Sandero was: “If you don’t in the least bit care about cars, this is probably what you should buy.”

4. Dacia Spring – £14,995

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This car is small, electric and cheap for new cars generally.

It has also been considered “simple” but “fun” like its bigger sibling.

Top Gear stated: “It proves to everyone else it is possible for a BEV to weigh largely the same as its petrol equivalent.

“Well done Dacia.”

5. Kia Picanto – £16,695

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The latest Picanto from Kia is aligned with the maker’s belief in The Small Car,

While looking great, it has a fun motor that offers enough practicality for urban life.

“For a first car or something that’s just needed as a runabout, you can’t go at all wrong with the Picanto,” said Top Gear.

6. Toyota Aygo X – £16,845

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This is a 1.0L, three-cylinder-engined car ideal for the city.

It also has a 71bhp that comes through the front wheels for an exciting 0-62 mph in 14.9 seconds.

For the city, this is surely sufficient because it is unlikely you will going faster than 5mph much.

Top Gear’s verdict on the Aygo X was: “It rides and steers impressively well, although the little three-cylinder engine can feel a little gutless.”

7. Microlino – £16,990

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The Microlino is said to be “becoming the cutest, most adorable thing on the road at any given point”.

It is a “micro” car though so doesn’t leave any room for passengers.

Basically a life-sized, portable, electric Playmobil toy.

“As a car it’s flawed,” admits Top Gear.

“Think of it more as a pet.

“Not brilliantly house-trained, but somehow kinda loveable.”

8. Hyundai i10 – £17,100

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This Hyundai is thought to be the most sophisticated version of the humble i10 yet.

It offers fairly impressive levels of technology and tools, with some decent space inside.

A good overall small car, especially for the price.

“Well done Hyundai for having come up with a fresh city car when lots of other car-makers have canned theirs,” said Top Gear.

9. MG 3: £17,245

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The third generation of the Chinese car maker is small, but not a bad drive.

It’s simple, with a more refined interior to make a good all-rounder.

There is still room for improvement in the ride as Top Gear suggests: “If you can ignore the badge snobbery, you could do a lot worse.”

10. Fiat Grande Panda (hybrid) – £18,035

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This vehicle marks a return for Fiat in making motors that are cheap but fun and full of character.

Top Gear writes: “It has a cheery countenance and knowing sense of heritage.

“We approve.”

A RYDER CUP star was dumped out of the BMW PGA Championship after three rounds – following a rarely-seen SECOND CUT.

All 12 Team Europe players plus captain Luke Donald teed it up at Wentworth this week in the last big event before they fly to New York to face the USA.

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But DP World Tour chiefs were forced into an unusual rule change.

A whopping 86 made it through the regular cut at the mid-way point after 36 holes on Friday evening – with 26 players tied on two-under-par.

However, a secondary cut can be introduced by the Tournament Director after the third round on Saturday to reduce the field for the final day if more than 84 make it to the weekend.

The secondary cut is designed to ensure the maximum number of players on Sunday is 78.

This was the first time the little-known rule was implemented on the DP World Tour since the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in 2023.

That ensures the leaders can go out at 11.10am on Sunday – allowing enough time for a possible play-off and to stick to TV schedules.

However, it was bad news for Robert MacIntyre.

The fiery Scot – who slammed his driver into the ground after a wayward tee shot on the sixth hole – missed out on a tee time for Sunday’s final round as one of the unlucky 13 to miss the additional cut.

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His level-par 72 kept him at -2 and sent him packing alongside Alex Fitzpatrick and Niklas Norgaard among others.

But unlike the regular cut, the 13 golfers ditched after Saturday are still entitled to both ranking points in the Race To Dubai and prize money from Wentworth.

Tommy Fleetwood, fresh from his maiden PGA Tour win, just scraped through to Sunday on -3 with Rory McIlroy two shots better off.

Justin Rose, Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry are all at -7 with Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick on -10.

But MacIntyre’s European team-mates Viktor Hovland (-12) and Tyrrell Hatton (-13) will be hoping to chase down the leaders Alex Noren and Adrien Saddier on -15.

Ironically, Noren is a vice-captain for Donald at Bethpage Black in two weeks’ time.

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Ryder Cup line ups

Here are the players who will be competing in the Ryder Cup…

Team Europe

• Luke Donald (C)
• Shane Lowry
• Jon Rahm
• Sepp Straka
• Viktor Hovland
• Ludvig Aberg
• Matt Fitzpatrick
• Rory McIlroy
• Robert MacIntyre
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Justin Rose
• Rasmus Hojgaard
• Tyrrell Hatton

Team USA

• Keegan Bradley (C)
• Justin Thomas
• Collin Morikawa
• Ben Griffin
• Cameron Young
• Patrick Cantley
• Sam Burns
• Scottie Scheffler
• JJ Spaun
• Xander Schauffele
• Russell Henley
• Harris English
• Bryson DeChambeau

A DARTS match ended in bizarre fashion when a player accidentally injured himself on live TV.

The Modus Super Series International Pairs matchup between Wales and South Africa had fans in disbelief when one player pretended to punch another, only for it to inadvertently end in injury.

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The tie, which was being played between Richie Burnett and Kurt Parry of Wales and Carl Gabriel and Devon Peterson of South Africa, ended in a 4-1 victory for the Welshmen.

And after a sensational 112 checkout from Parry to earn the victory, Peterson playfully pretended to punch Burnett for getting the better of him and his teammate.

Burnett, 58, tried to play along with the friendly playfighting by pretending to go flying as a result of the punch.

But his overenthusiastic reaction ended up leaving him with a real-life bump on the head, after he crashed into a TV in the corner of the room.

Fortunately Burnett seemed absolutely fine, giving his head a rub and laughing off the gaffe.

Fans loved the unusually hilarious moment and reacted on social media.

One labelled it as the “funniest end to a darts match ever.”

While another wrote: “We need Richie on the TV box more often”.

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Burnett, affectionately nicknamed The Prince of Wales, is a fan favourite in darts.

The experienced thrower went viral last year for the unusual technique he showed at the oche by tossing the tungsten on one leg.

While his humble beginnings have made him relatable to the masses.

Reflecting on a dark period in his life, Burnett previously admitted that he once had so little money he could not afford a kettle for boiled water.

Burnett told the Mirror: “When times were hard and I had no money, I was in Wigan for a tournament and bought myself a Pot Noodle for my tea.

“But I didn’t have a kettle to boil water for it. The only thing I could do was drain the radiator in my room and use the hot water from that.

“It was all soily and brown but it worked and the Pot Noodle went down okay.

“But I’d used a pair of nail scissors to open up the valve and it wouldn’t shut again, so hot brown water was leaking out.

“All I could do was put a tray underneath to catch it all. I didn’t get much sleep because I had to get up every hour to tip the water down the sink.”

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MARCUS RASHFORD has been given a sweet new nickname by his Barcelona team-mates – but admits he has no idea what it means.

The 27-year-old star opened about the motivation behind his season-long loan move away from Manchester United in a tell-all front page interview with Spanish newspaper Sport.

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Rashford left his boyhood club last month after being frozen out to Ruben Amorim‘s five-man ‘Bomb squad’ alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

After finally being registered to play in LaLiga, and making his league debut from the bench in a 3-0 win over Mallorca last Saturday, Rashford now faces the difficult task that all non-Spanish speaking players encounter at Barcelona or Real Madrid – learning the language.

A willingness to pick up Spanish is often essential for getting the fans on side, which could help the club decide to activate their £26million option to buy before next summer’s World Cup in the USA.

And Rashford, who has already scored a pre-season goal, has picked up a bizarre – but comical – new nickname after trying to get to grips with Español.

The England winger told Sport: “When they’re having fun among themselves, they call me ‘sweetie’ [‘chuche’].

“I don’t know what it means, but it’s funny to be spoken to like that.

“But I’m trying to learn Spanish. I think it’s important for me to learn as soon as possible. So it’s stimulating. You’re always learning and that’s good.

“Catalan is difficult. I suppose that while I’m here, I’ll learn a little and hope it will help me understand more about Catalan culture.”

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Rashford later admitted that he escaped Old Trafford to be “happy” after being shunned from the squad in December by Amorim after a clash of personalities.

On why he left United, who he joined at the age of seven, Rashford said: “I need to be happy to play my best football. 

“For me personally, football is my life. It’s been my life since I was very, very young.

“Actually, I don’t know anything else. So the bond I have, not only with my career but with sport in general, is huge and I don’t expect it to go away. 

“But it’s always good to be happy when you play football. It’s the reason I started this.”

Rashford has endured a testing couple of years under former gaffer Erik ten Hag and more recently Amorim, who informed the forward he was no longer part of his plans at the start of the summer transfer window.

A month after arriving from Sporting, Amorim dropped Rashford for United’s 2-1 win at rivals Manchester City on December 15, citing the academy graduate’s inability to adapt to his training methods.

After a fruitful six-month loan stint at Aston Villa, Rashford openly confessed he is now “comfortable” at reigning LaLiga champions Barca as he looks to get back to his very best in front of goal.

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The South Manchester-born star has clearly bonded with his new team-mates, particularly with Lamine Yamal, the youngest Ballon d’Or front-runner, who recently turned 18.

Rashford said: “Lamine is the most talented player I’ve played with at this age. I’ve seen few with the impact he has. 

“Maybe Ronaldo, ‘the phenomenon’. He can already be a Ballon d’Or winner.”

Rashford took a salary cut to join Barca, who have agreed to cover his wages for the next year, but if Hansi Flick‘s club send him back to United in a year’s time, he could be forced to see out the remainder of his contract which expires in 2028.

LUKE LITTLER has learned to block out the haters and hecklers, saying: I just let my darts do the talking.

The Nuke is heading to Auckland for part two of his Down Under jaunt this summer.

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The 18-year-old banked £30,000 on Saturday when he beat Belgian thrower Mike De Decker 8-4 in the final of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong.

It was his fourth success on the World Series of Darts circuit and was equally impressive given that he had not practised ahead of this 21,000-mile round trip.

Every time he failed to hit a treble during the evening’s three games, a group of locals shouted out “rubbish, rubbish” and someone even bizarrely said he was “washed”.

This comment perplexed Littler but it is believed to mean he is supposed to be washed-up and not as good as he used to – which is clearly not the case.

The more he wins, the more he will be targeted by irate punters but even for someone so young, he has learned to rise above it all.

There have been times in Germany where he has been singled out and he was asked if he had gotten used to dealing with a portion of the crowd being on his back.

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Littler, in his second season as a pro, said: “For myself, the first time I hear it, I will obviously do something, but then I will let it go by.

“Just do my darts. Let the darts do the talking.

“No-one has taught me how to deal with much. I just get on with things. You are on stage alone.

“No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.”

Littler – who is on the two-week trip with new girlfriend Faith – is in good form and in a good mood, telling his rivals that his confidence is sky high.

No-one else is with you. No-one else is going to help you unless it’s a few guys from the crowd. Yeah, you have just got to get on with it.

Luke Littler on dealing hecklers while on the stage

An early-morning flight to Kiwi country means shifting his body clock by another two hours – he has already said he struggles with jetlag on the other side of the world.

Last year, the Warrington teen was defeated in a last-leg decider 7-6 by world No.1 Luke Humphries in the semi-finals at the Globox Arena in Hamilton.

Littler, the newly-crowned World Matchplay champion, says he has a policy of practising hard for the big TV events but for the smaller ones, he will simply rock up and do his thing.

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The world No.2 said: “I’m very happy. My debut last year in Australia didn’t go to plan. But second time lucky.

“I want to be winning things. We look to New Zealand next week.

“I will enjoy this. But then it’s an early flight again. An extra two hours ahead – so I will definitely be needing some sleep.

“It’s only my second time coming to New Zealand. I didn’t do much last year.

“We can make the most of four to five days and then once it comes to Friday that is when the darts starts again.

“I’m feeling confident. This is the most confident I have felt in a very long time.

“For myself I know how much I will practise, how much I have been doing.

“But yeah I practised really well for the World Matchplay and won it. I think I will practise for the big ones.

“As a player, you are on stage for a long time. You practise leading up to it and when you are on stage, you gain that confidence.

“You get warmer and you find those four or five gears.”

Reporting from Sacramento — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger refers to it as the “ribbon of shame,” a congressional district that stretches in a reed-thin line 200 miles along the California coast from Oxnard to the Monterey County line. Voters there refer to it as “the district that disappears at high tide.”

Democratic lawmakers drew it that way to make sure one of their own won every election. The party has held the seat throughout the decade — since the last redistricting gave it a big edge in voter registration there.

Critics of that 2001 remapping have cited the coastal ribbon as Exhibit A — the reason, they say, that Californians were right to strip elected officials of the power to choose their voters and give the task of determining political boundaries to more ordinary citizens.

As the new Citizens Redistricting Commission begins its work next month, members say, the 23rd Congressional District will be a good reminder of what not to do.

“It’s been used as an example of how absurd the process is,” said Peter Yao, the commission’s chairman. “It does not allow people to choose the candidate. They are forced to go with the party’s choice.”

Republicans have protected themselves too. Using a spaghetti strip of land along the shore of heavily Democratic Long Beach, for example, they connected a GOP-leaning area of Orange County with a pouch of like-minded voters on the Palos Verdes Peninsula to create the 46th Congressional District.

The whole country, in fact, is marked with districts so distorted by gerrymandering that they are referred to by such names as “Rabbit on a Skateboard” (in Illinois) and “Upside-Down Chinese Dragon” (in Pennsylvania).

California, which voted two years ago to take the job of redrawing state districts from lawmakers, is one of 10 states that have given the job to a citizens group. But most of them are appointed by elected officials and are less independent than the Golden State’s panel.

In the districts drawn by the Legislature the old way, every incumbent member of Congress and the state Legislature on the California ballot was reelected Nov. 2 — even as a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that only 21% of voters approve of the job being done by Congress and 12% like what state lawmakers do.

Now the bipartisan citizen commission, appointed through a process overseen by the state auditor, will draw both the Legislature’s districts and California’s congressional boundaries. Last month, voters added the federal districts to the panel’s job.

Proponents of the change said it could alter campaigns and improve government. The new districts would be more competitive, forcing candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters, according to Tony Quinn, co-editor of the nonpartisan Target Book, which analyzes California legislative races, and a former Republican redistricting consultant.

“They would be more worried about getting elected, so their behavior would change,” Quinn said. “They would reflect their districts much more.”

Under the new rules, boundaries can no longer be drawn according to where an incumbent lives or how the lines would benefit him or her, said advisors to the commission.

Lines must be drawn “for publicly minded good rather than reflecting what gives a particular legislator an advantage,” said Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School who advises the commission.

The new rules emphasize compactness, contiguity and the need to keep counties, cities, neighborhoods and other communities of interest together. The aim is to prevent redrawings such as the one that left San Luis Obispo County and some cities scattered among multiple districts.

Rep. Lois Capps (D- Santa Barbara) has easily won reelection every two years since the latest boundaries were drawn to create a district 44.3% Democratic and 32.9% Republican. Previously, she represented a district that was 39.1% Democratic and 39.4% Republican.

The map makers kept heavily Republican precincts out and connected heavily Democratic precincts along the coast, using areas that are just a few blocks wide.

“You can drive a golf ball across [the district] in a couple of places,” said Tom Watson, a Republican businessman who unsuccessfully challenged Capps last month.

The boundaries also split the city of Ventura between Capps, who has about a fourth of it, and Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley). In 2000, before the last remapping, Gallegly’s district was 40.6% Democratic and 39.8% Republican. Afterward, it was 45.9% Republican and 34.6% Democrat.

Redistricting expert Alan Clayton is concerned that black and Latino voters could lose ground under the new criteria, which he said are too vague about how much weight should be given to which factors and what constitutes “communities of interest.” And, he said, a citizens panel need not be responsive to constituent groups the way lawmakers would be.

Clayton cites the example of congressional districts that divide the city of Long Beach. Part of that city is split into a district shared with Compton, making it easier, at least theoretically, for an African American to be elected. If Long Beach is kept in one congressional district without Compton, it could mean the loss of an African American seat, Clayton said.

Bob Hertzberg, who was Assembly speaker during the 2001 redistricting, said he doubts the new method will produce significant change in the numbers of Democratic- and Republican-held seats, because that is largely a function of voter registration.

“I don’t think it makes a hill of beans’ difference,” he said. Still, he supported the ballot measure that took the job from the Legislature. “It’s about restoring public confidence in government. You can’t have people thinking that politicians are self-dealing.”

After last month’s election, Schwarzenegger said the old method polarized government and contributed to its dysfunction.

“To win those districts, you had to be far to the left or far to the right,” he said, “and of course that is why it is very tough here in Sacramento to get things done.”

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It was another day of drama in the Love Island villa tonight as the Islanders got to know new bombshells Billykiss and Ryan after their shock arrival during last night’s episode

It seemed to be the end of the road for Harrison and Toni during tonight’s Love Island – but fans were more focused on the 22-year-old’s bizarre sleeping habit.

Toni was celebrating her 25th birthday – but it probably wasn’t the best celebration she’s ever had, as she learnt Harrison and Helena had shared another kiss the night before. Despite the arguments, Harrison tried to rekindle things with Toni by making a birthday breakfast, but she wasn’t having any of it, as she took him to the terrace to end things.

“You made your bed, lie in it,” Toni said, as she told Harrison to go off and be with Helena. Ironically, fans happened to notice Harrison’s ‘bizarre’ sleeping pattern in tonight’s episode, as they couldn’t help but realise he slept sitting up.

“Harrison defo got a sore back tomorrow sleeping sitting up,” said one, while another said: “has anyone else noticed how Harrison always sleeps like sitting up LOL.”

As for now, Toni and Harrison are still coupled up so they’ll be sharing a bed in the meantime. However, if things continue the way they are, Harrison and Helena may be sharing a bed together in the near future.

Elsewhere, Billykiss and Ryan enjoyed their first day in the villa. Billykiss decided to take Conor and Dejon for a date, whereas Ryan invited Shakira and Toni out. During tonight’s episode, the rest of the Islanders got to know the new bombshells – but it seems they only had eyes for certain people.

Following their date, Billykiss and Conor continued the vibes back at the villa. Billykiss’ arrival came at the perfect time for Conor, after his partner Megan was dumped from the villa following last week’s public vote. Despite Conor being all for Billykiss, the bombshell’s eyes are elsewhere…

Later on in the episode, she was seen pulling Dejon for a chat. Despite Dejon saying he had a great connection with Meg, she wasn’t too convinced and expressed her worries that her partner’s head could finally be turned.

Billykiss and Dejon’s chat took an awkward turn in front of Meg tonight, when Tommy remarked the two were getting on like a house on fire. It seemed Dejon couldn’t hide his attraction towards the new bombshell, as she pointed out that he kept staring at her.

Could Billykiss be the one to turn Dejon’s head?

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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

A Channel 4 sex experiment show has left viewers shocked as committed couples agree to have sex with other people to see if they are willing to have a polyamorous relationship

A Channel 4 reality show has left viewers stunned – and some reaching to turn off the TV – after a contestant vomited while participating in a bizarre sex experiment that saw his girlfriend sleeping with other men.

In the latest explosive episode of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment, Tom and his girlfriend Lauren signed up to explore non-monogamy in an attempt to reignite their relationship – but the reality proved too much for Tom to stomach, quite literally.

The controversial show, which airs on Channel 4, invites committed couples to a luxurious countryside retreat to test the boundaries of their relationships by experimenting with open sex – all under the watchful eyes of cameras and sex therapists.

READ MORE: Big Brother star’s brutal two-word review on Jeremy Clarkson’s pub The Farmer’s Dog

Touted by the show as a bold dive into “one of society’s greatest taboos” – monogamy – Open House has become one of the broadcaster’s most talked-about series, following in the footsteps of the equally provocative Virgin Island, which was slammed by some viewers as “creepy” and “uncomfortable”.

In one episode, Tom and Lauren were advised by non-monogamy coach Effy Blue to try spending time independently to see how it would impact their bond. But things quickly turned from awkward to distressing.

Despite Lauren’s pep talk – “Don’t be nervous. You absolutely got this” – Tom looked pale and anxious as she reassured him about the day ahead. Moments later, he was seen rushing off camera to vomit in the bathroom.

“This is going to be horrible,” he admitted. “I feel absolutely petrified and sick.”

Lauren, hugging him from behind, gently urged: “All that anyone can ask is that you just try, okay?”

Lauren had been the one to suggest they experiment with other people from the outset. Speaking to the camera, she said: “Yes, it’s throwing me and Tom in the deep end… but for him to have the confidence that we can go off, have our fun, and come back to each other at the end of the night – it’s insane.”

But viewers weren’t convinced – many taking to social media to question both the format and the wellbeing of those taking part.

“I’m no prude, but this is unnecessarily graphic and getting away with it by being ‘educational’,” posted one user on X. “Grow up, Channel 4. Full of exhibitionists.”

Another wrote: “Tom needs help and support – he shouldn’t be anywhere near this show. #OpenHouse.”

“Honestly feel bad for Tom,” added one viewer. “He needs counselling, not cameras in his face.”

A fourth branded the episode “so awkward to watch,” while others said Channel 4 was simply pushing boundaries for shock value.

Tom had opened up about bedroom issues in the episode, explaining he struggled “to get it up” due to performance anxiety. But later on, his worries passed as both he and Lauren had sex with different people in separate rooms at the same time.

Open House: The Great Sex Experiment is available to stream now on Channel 4.

READ MORE: Illuminating tinted moisturiser with SPF worth £32 is reduced to half price in summer sale

Holidays are all about relaxation, staying in a welcoming hotel and spending days by the pool, but for one traveller their getaway was far from what they expected

Many of us meticulously plan our summer holidays, tracking down the best flights and checking an endless list of hotel reviews to ensure we’re getting the most for our money. But sometimes, even with careful preparation, our holiday can be ruined, and we’re being told to pack our bags as staff tell us the hotel has gone bust, mid-stay!

This happened to one unlucky holidaymaker in the middle of their trip to Turkey. They were asked to relocate the hotel or pay for their stay again, but this was just the start of the bizarre ordeal.

The traveller took to Reddit to share their experience under a post asking for people’s “worst holidays”. The user shared earlier this month: “Went to Turkey years ago and bang in the middle of the holiday, our holiday company went bust.

“The hotel called a meeting and told us all to pack our bags or else pay the bill again. We paid again, thinking that anything was better than being on the streets in a strange land. Our fellow holidaymakers objected, and the staff and guests all fell out. Things were getting heated, so we decided to bail out and return later on in the evening.”

READ MORE: Dad shares eye-watering bill after taking family for Disneyland ‘Princess Breakfast’

They continued: “Fast forward four hours, we landed back to a practically deserted hotel. We were personally welcomed by the manager, who was all over us like a rash from then on. He must have thought we were millionaires, because it turned out that we were the only guests to have paid again.

“We also learned that some of the guests and staff had been arrested for throwing punches and were taken off the premises. The remaining guests were nowhere to be seen, but I read on TripAdvisor afterwards that they had left their luggage in the hotel temporarily until they managed to change their return flights.

“Apparently, when they opened their luggage back at home, they found that it was full of Mars bars, wrappers removed, that had melted in through their clothes. Fun times.”

One user commented on the post with: “That was a wild ride.” Others shared their own holiday from hell stories, including one who was accused of cheating while away with his wife.

They revealed: “Husband and myself went to an all inclusive 3 star in Majorca (this was our big mistake). The hotel was like an episode of Benidorm. On the 1st night we went to the evening entertainment and an English lady asked if she could sit beside us. The place was packed!

“Had a friendly chat for about 20 mins until her coked-up Brock Lesnar look-alike partner stormed in and accused my husband of having an affair with her. He smashed all the drinks off the table and started flipping chairs. Utter chaos! Security was called and some lad managed to calm this roided up psycho down with the offer of a joint. We avoided them like the plaque for the next 7 days although I doubt they remembered who we were!”

READ MORE: Get a ‘fabulous’ tan in minutes with this ‘fast-absorbing’ tan accelerator

IT’S the most glamorous fixture on the football calendar – but the glitziest stars will be the ones cheering on from the sidelines.

As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to take on Inter this evening, the players’ stunning WAGs will be getting dressed up to the nines as their partners prepare for potential Champions League glory.

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While PSG’s roster has included superstars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in recent years, this year’s team is full of young, hungry talents ready to make their own names on the world stage.

The likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi will be testing themselves at the Allianz Arena in Munich against Inter‘s equally impressive side, which boasts stars including Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

But away from the pitch, which of these names are scoring in their love lives too?

From doctors to lawyers and even fellow players – as well as a dramatic cheating scandal – we reveal all about PSG and Inter’s top WAGs.

Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Nitsa Tavadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Brainy Nitsa Tavadze, 23, wife of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 24, studied medicine while her relationship with the Georgian star blossomed.

In 2023, they tied the knot at the historic Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta, celebrating with Georgian traditions, attire, and customs. 

Although the couple were introduced by a mutual friend in 2021 sparks didn’t fly until a month later.

Due to Nitsa’s demanding studies, the pair would write to and call each other, and would meet up during their time off or when Kvaratskhelia was on an international break.

When Nitsa didn’t have lectures to attend, she would go to Naples and attend matches at his former team, Napoli.

They made their first appearance at a basketball game between Italy and Georgia and by 2022 they were official. Now, they share a son, Damian, one.

Océane Toussaint and Warren Zaire-Emery

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French goalie Océane Toussaint, 21, has been in a relationship with her fellow PSG star Warren Zaire-Emery, 19, since 2024.

They were first papped together at a Louis Vuitton event in January and later confirmed their relationship at a gala in May.

Océane was the first goalkeeper to win the Titi d’Or – a fan award for PSG’s most promising academy player – in 2023 and took to social media to share her success with fans.

She wrote: “Very proud to be the first Titi gold keeper, thank you again for all your messages.”

During their short time together so far, Océane and Warren have already jetted off for glamorous holidays and were seen visiting Zoomarine in the Algarve.

Madalena Aragão and João Neves 

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Portuguese television and film star Madalena Aragão, 19, has been in a relationship with João Neves, 20, since 2024.

Madalena made her acting debut in 2016 when she was just 10 years old in the soap opera Rainha das Flores.

The talented actress is also a popular blogger and creator of a YouTube channel, where she shares her thoughts on teenage life and growing up. 

Since embarking on her new relationship with João it’s been go go go. She even moved to Paris to be with him after his move from Benfica to the French giants.

The pair have also been quite active on social media, sharing several adorable pics together.

In response to one of Madalena’s recent Instagram posts, Portuguese actor and model Diogo Amaral replied: “My favourite couple.”

Carol Cabrino and Marquinhos

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Influencer Carol Cabrino, 32, carved out a successful singing career before her marriage to Brazilian centre back Marquinhos, 31.

After he proposed to her underneath the Eiffel Tower, the pair had a civil wedding in June 2016.

Together they share three children – Maria, eight, Enrico, six, and Martina, 3 – but tragically, Carol recently opened up about losing her fourth child after suffering a miscarriage.

Taking to Instagram to share the distressing news in March, she said: “I’m going to talk about something that is not very good.

“But I’ve accepted what happened to me and I’ve come to share it with you.

“I can’t get on with my life if I don’t come here and explain to you a little of the things that have been happening in my life for a while now.”

Alessia Elefante and Gianluigi Donnarumma

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Italian bombshell Alessia Elefante, 27, is the fiancée of Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, and the couple have been together for over seven years.

Alessia is an interior designer and mum to one-year-old Leo, whom she shares with Gianluigi. The Italian pro footballer proposed to her a month after their son was born.

They also share a dog named Coco that Alessia has referred to via her Instagram as her “favourite baby boy” and “a prince” – before her son was born, of course!

Alessia also stands 39cm shorter than her partner who reaches a whopping 6ft5inches.

Despite such a significant height difference, the couple seem super loved up and often share photos together on social media.

Another little known fact about Alessia is that she’s a twin. On May 27, 2024, she took to Instagram to share a birthday pic with her sister Daniela.

The caption wrote: “Since 1998. Love you.”

Shocked fans were quick to spot the similarities between the pair. One person wrote: “I thought there was a mirror in the 1st pic.”

Inter Milan

Agustina Gandolfo and Lautaro Martinez

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Model Agustina, 29, has two children with Inter’s star striker Lautaro, 27, Nina, four and Theo, two.

Agus has developed a career as a mumfluencer in recent years, with her candid posts about the realities of motherhood.

Alongside her personal updates, she has launched her own lifestyle brand, Coraje, as well as partnering with trendy fashion and fitness labels like Cloter Official and Tropical Sweat.

She met her Argentine husband around 2016 when he was playing for local club Racing, at a party hosted by fellow stars Mauro Icardi and Wanda Nara.

They were initially pals but later fell in love. They had their first child, a daughter named Nina, in 2021 and had a son in 2023.

The pair had a lavish wedding in Villa d’Este on Lake Como Italy in 2023 with 120 guests.

Agus has three tattoos: one of birds flying on her upper back, a heart on her arm and a quote on her ribs.

She also made headlines in 2021 after claiming a Milan restaurant had handed her a menu that didn’t have any prices on during a romantic meal out with her man.

She claimed on her Instagram story that the practice is sexist – because it assumes the man is going to pay for the meal, not the woman.

Kleofina Pnishi and Benjamin Pavard 

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Kosovo-born actress and model Kleofina, 30, was elected Miss Provence 2017 and ran in the Miss France competition the following year.

But life hasn’t always been easy. When she was just five years old, her family fled their homeland due to the war and arrived in France in 1999.

She graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication of Aix-Marseille, before meeting Benjamin Pavard, 29, with the pair getting engaged in July last year.

Benjamin got down on one knee on the coast of Saranda, Albania, in a beautiful, romantic proposal made special with flowers and candles. 

Federica Schievenin and Nicolò Barella 

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Stunning sports scientist Federica Schievenin, 35, met childhood sweetheart Nicolò, 28, over a decade ago.

Like her beau, she has had a passion for sports since a young age thanks to thanks to her dad, who was into motocross.

She earned a PT CFT3 certification from the International Sports Scientists Association in 2019 and is now said to be studying nutraceuticals and naturopathy.

The pair tied the knot in 2018 and are now parents to four children: daughters Rebecca, eight, Lavinia, five, Matilde, four and a baby son, Romeo.

Federica keeps her children’s faces hidden on social media, usually with an emoji.

Claudia Scarpari and Francesco Acerbi 

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Claudia Scarpari, 38, is the wife of defender Francesco Acerbi, 37, who she met in early 2020.

Speaking of their early romance, the glamorous lawyer said she found it “enchanting” to watch him play, but admitted she didn’t follow football before they met. 

However, since falling in love with the defender, Claudia has revealed she had never missed a match, and will always be cheering on her partner.  

Claudia already has a daughter and a son from a previous relationship, and has had more children with Francesco.  

Their daughters are named Vittoria, four and Nala, two.

On top of being a supportive WAG, Claudia is a successful lawyer and has spoken of the similarities between the couple’s careers, explaining they are both “defending and protecting what we believe in”.

The couple married in early 2025 in Cassina Rizzardi, Italy.

Sinem Gündoğdu and Hakan Çalhanoğlu

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Hakan Çalhanoğlu, 31, and Sinem, 30, grew up together in Turkey before tying the knot in 2017, but their relationship has not always been plain sailing. 

In 2018, the midfielder sensationally announced the decision to divorce his wife after a “very serious and unforgivable situation occurred”.

Sinem’s response was speedy, and came with another bombshell, as she announced: “I never cheated on you. By the way, I’m pregnant.”

Fortunately, the couple appear to have resolved their issues and now seem better than ever. 

Together they have three children: Liya, six, born in 2019, Ayaz, four, born in 2021 and Asil Can, two, born in 2023.