PALOMA Faith shocked fans after announcing she’s pregnant with her third child – but did we just miss the signs?
The Only Love Can Hurt Like This songstress, 44, dropped several subtle clues before revealing her big news on Friday.
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Paloma wore baggy outfits and big clothesCredit: InstagramShe was also careful about how she posedCredit: InstagramShe dropped a not-so-subtle hint in this captionCredit: Instagram
Firstly, fans might have noticed that Paloma had been wearing lots of baggy clothes in her recent social media activity.
A federal grand jury has charged two brothers in Southern California with tax evasion on more than $1.1 million in income they allegedly received in part from a years-long scheme selling tee times on local golf courses.
Se Youn “Steve” Kim, 41, and his identical twin brother, Hee Youn “Ted” Kim, 41, were arrested Thursday morning by federal authorities and pleaded not guilty.
From 2021 to 2023, the Kim brothers’ tee time brokering business scooped up thousands of reservation slots at golf courses across the U.S., including at least 17 public golf courses in Southern California, according to the indictment filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.
The brothers used online platforms including KakaoTalk, a Korean instant messaging app, to reach their customers. Federal prosecutors say that by quickly nabbing popular early morning tee times almost immediately after they were available to the public, the brothers “created a monopoly” of Southern California golf courses.
The prevalence of tee-time brokering was reported by The Times last year, in which scores of local golfers shared frustrations over their inability to secure a tee time on public courses in L.A.
“Finally, it’s justice,” said Joseph Lee, a vocal critic of tee time brokers who helped collect evidence and met with federal prosecutors during their investigation of the Kim brothers. “For a long time, L.A. golfers have been frustrated by these illegal tee time brokers and their resale market. Authorities have finally recognized the seriousness of the issue.”
Anthony Solis, the attorney representing Ted Kim, said he did not immediately have a response on behalf of his client. The attorney representing Steve Kim did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Federal prosecutors said the brothers had customers pay reservation fees to their personal accounts via Venmo, Zelle, and other applications. The tee time brokering business netted the brothers nearly $700,000 between 2021 and 2023, according to the indictment. The brothers, who also worked as MRI technicians, are accused of willfully failing to report a combined $1.1 million in income to the Internal Revenue Service for 2022 and 2023.
The Kim brothers are also accused of failing to pay taxes that the IRS had assessed. Rather than paying off mounting tax debts, the indictment alleges that the brothers made lavish purchases at Chanel, Cartier, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
In a brief interview with The Times last year, Ted Kim said that he used up to five devices and relied on unspecified friends to secure tee times. He said he is on the same playing field as every other golfer in L.A. and does not use bots to game the system.
“It’s not like I’m taking advantage of technology. I’m booking myself,” Kim told The Times in an interview. “I’m not doing anything illegal.”
Kim told the newspaper that he profited a couple thousand dollars a month, and framed his business as a way of helping elderly Korean golfers without tech savvy to navigate the online golf reservation system.
“I’m just helping Korean seniors, because they have a right to play golf, because all the Koreans play golf, right? Without my help, they actually struggle,” he said.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
HAVING struggled to lose weight for years, it was a simple diet change that finally helped Emma Dennison to shed the pounds.
But with her huge weight loss came a big surprise – hiding under her loose skin.
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Emma Dennison weighed more than 20 stone at her heaviestCredit: Cover Images
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With the weight gain came plummeting self esteemCredit: Cover Images
Emma had tried to lose weight for years without success.
And after a catastrophic knee injury left her unable to exercise, she decided it was time to give up.
The 42-year-old weighed more than 20 stone, and as her size grew, her self-esteem shrank.
“I wasn’t always big. I was a bit heavier in school, but I stayed active through university,” she said.
“Then in 2006, I completely blew out my knee. I was in a full cast for eight months. That’s when the weight started creeping on.
“It wasn’t that I was eating junk all day – I just ate too much. And food became my comfort when life felt overwhelming.
“I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror. I’d stopped shopping for clothes I liked. I always had to go to the ‘fat shop,’ and even then, I hated everything. I stopped being in photos. I’d take a thousand of my kids and husband, but I’d avoid the camera.”
Emma is a full-time sheep farmer and mum to Henry, now ten, and Thomas, 8.
Her life never slowed down and she struggled with emotional eating and portion control.
When Emma and her husband Mervyn, from Tipperary, Ireland, began trying for a third baby, she didn’t suspect her weight might be a factor.
‘No shortcuts exist’ I’m an Irish teen who lost almost 60 pounds in 16 weeks following a routine that works wonders
She said: “All my hormone levels were fine, but we tried for two years and nothing happened. Eventually, I just said, ‘That’s it. We’ve got two beautiful boys. It’s not meant to be.’”
With the baby dream put to rest, Emma decided it was finally time to focus on her health and gave the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan a go, a programme that mixes meal replacements and normal food with consultant support.
Starting the plan in September 2021, Emma steadily lost weight.
She said: “By May, I was down nearly six stone. Then the scales stopped moving. I was confused. Until that point, I had been consistently losing weight.”
THEN CAME A SURPRISE…
“One night, just for the craic, I took a pregnancy test. I was sure it would be negative… but it wasn’t,” she recalled.
“I was sitting on the toilet at half eleven at night, staring at it thinking, ‘Oh my God. I’m pregnant.’ I didn’t want to wake Mervyn so I lay awake half the night thinking about how I would tell him.”
When she saw the doctor the next day, the news got even more shocking.
“He said, ‘Emma, you’re not just pregnant – you’re already 15 weeks along.’ The weight loss had hidden my bump under loose skin”, she says. Her third pregnancy, Emma says, was worlds apart from her previous two.
“I had no Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. I was active right up to the end. Two days before my C-section, I was shearing sheep. I honestly believe losing weight made the difference. I felt strong and capable for the first time in years.”
After giving birth to her miracle baby Alistair two years ago, Emma focused on expressing milk, a goal she hadn’t achieved with her older sons.
“I was constantly hungry while expressing. A lot of the weight went back on, but I didn’t panic. I knew I had a plan,” she said.
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Emma found success with the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight PlanCredit: Cover Images
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With the weight loss came a surprise – she found out she was 15 weeks pregnantCredit: Cover Images
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Emma says weight loss has given her back her fertility, health, confidence and identityCredit: Cover Images
She returned to the 1:1 Diet in May 2023, and by December had lost the additional weight, reaching a total loss of eight stone.
Emma now fluctuates comfortably between a size 12 and 14.
She said: “Size 10 doesn’t suit me. I’m curvy and that’s okay. I’m in my 40s now, not my 20s. I want to be healthy, strong, and confident.”
One of the biggest changes came when she began to love fashion again.
She said: “I remember walking into a shop and picking up a top, knowing it would fit. I sat in the car afterwards and cried. That was a freedom I hadn’t felt in years.”
Since then, Emma has become a 1:1 consultant herself, training up while on maternity leave so she can help others see a similar transformation.
And her proudest moment came when she completed Couch to 5k – something her 14-year-old self never imagined.
She said: “I was forced to run a 1,500m race in school. I came dead last – and I mean a long way last. People laughed. When I hit 5k, I thought, ‘Up yours’ to every single one of them.
“Losing weight gave me back my fertility, my health, my confidence and my identity. And I no longer hide from the camera.”
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes – most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all…
Don’t skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry.
Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.
Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone.
Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need.
Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.
Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it’s full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.
Don’t ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There’s no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance.
Don’t stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
A GUNMAN who allegedly killed two police officers could be hiding in a cave as his family handed themselves in.
A major manhunt is still underway for Dezi Bird Freeman, 56, who allegedly gunned down “execution style” three officers who were conducting a search warrant at a property in Porepunkah, Australia, on Tuesday morning.
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A manhunt is still underway for Dezi Bird Freeman who allegedly gunned down copsCredit: EPA
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The search continued into Wednesday evening as the alleged gunman’s family turned themselves in to authoritiesCredit: EPA
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Dezi Freeman (pictured) has been named as the alleged gunman who shot two police officers dead
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Police sources told the Herald Sun it was a “straight-out execution” when Freeman allegedly opened fire with a shotgun as officers entered a bus where he and his family live.
A 59-year-old detective, just days from retirement, and a 35-year-old senior constable were killed in the horror attack.
A third officer, meanwhile, was shot in the thigh and is undergoing surgery in a Melbourne hospital.
The remaining seven members of the 10-officer team were unharmed.
On Wednesday, the search for the alleged killer continued as his family, who were feared to have been kidnapped by Freeman handed themselves in to authorities late on Tuesday.
Freeman’s whereabouts, meanwhile, remain unknown with cops believing he may have fled into the nearby dense bush.
The 45-year-old is well known to police, having been in and out of court for driving and traffic offences, defying police orders, and verbally abusing a judge in a roadside drug-test case last year.
In 2021, he was arrested at an anti-government protest. He has also previously compared police to Nazis.
Australian outlets are reporting that Freeman is a self-declared “sovereign citizen” – part of a fringe movement that rejects the authorities of Australian laws and government.
Often called “SovCits”, adherents have been Australia for decades, with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) previously describing them as mostly harmless.
‘At least seven people shot’ in New York as emergency services swarm Brooklyn neighbourhood
But the movement has gained traction in recent years, fuelled by pandemic-era mistrust, and a 2023 AFP briefing note warned it has “an underlying capacity to inspire violence”.
Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed that ten officers went to the Porepunkah property around 10.30am on Tuesday to execute a search warrant when shots were fired.
He said: “They were fired upon. The two deceased officers are still at the scene. A third officer was seriously injured and is currently in surgery in hospital.”
Bush said the other officers on scene were uninjured, but stressed the incident was “still active and ongoing”.
“We have deployed all specialist resources into the area to arrest the person responsible… [they] are currently there looking for this person.”
That includes homicide detectives, the Armed Crime Squad, the Fugitive Squad and specialist police units.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed one person with serious lower-body injuries was flown to hospital in a stable condition.
The attack unfolded in Porepunkah, a small Alpine town of about 1,000 residents, located 186 miles north-east of Melbourne.
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Freeman had been previously arrested in 2021 at an anti-government protest
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Local areas have been shut to aid the search operationCredit: EPA
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About 50 officers and a police dog were reported at the sceneCredit: EPA
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Freeman fled the scene, prompting a large police manhunt and community lockdown in the affected Australian town
The local primary school was placed into lockdown and the Alpine shire council closed all public facilities “effective immediately”.
Alpine shire mayor Sarah Nicholas said it had been an “unsettling” and “emotional” afternoon for the small community.
“Today has been a day of deep sorrow and shock for our community… We are grieving together,” she said in a statement, paying tribute to the officers killed and offering “thoughts, love and unwavering” support to their families.
“We hold our police in the highest regard. They serve with courage, compassion, and dedication, and their loss is felt profoundly across our region,” she added.
Nicholas also thanked teachers at the nearby school for keeping children calm during the lockdown, and locals for heeding police instructions. She closed with a plea: “Please stay safe.”
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said: “Our thoughts are with the police for the work they do, each and every day.
Who are Australia’s ‘sovereign citizens’ ?
“SOVEREIGN citizens” – often called SovCits – are part of a fringe movement that falsely claims individuals can opt out of Australian law and government authority.
Followers often argue they are not bound by taxes, licences, fines, or court rulings.
The movement has existed in Australia for decades, borrowing heavily from conspiracy theories in the US.
While always on the margins, SovCits became more visible during the Covid pandemic, when mistrust in government and police surged.
Although many adherents are non-violent, police say confrontations can escalate when SovCits refuse to recognise authority.
Some have clashed with officers over property disputes, traffic stops, and legal orders.
The Australian Federal Police has warned the movement has “an underlying capacity to inspire violence.”
A 2023 AFP briefing note said SovCits are becoming more organised, using social media to spread their views and recruit supporters.
Authorities say numbers remain small but pockets of activity have been reported in regional areas.
Most activity involves disruptive legal claims and anti-government rhetoric — but some adherents have been linked to armed standoffs and violent threats.
“The men and women who wear the uniform of the police force, take risks each and every day.”
Premier Jacinta Allan told parliament: “Victoria police officers and all of our first responders show extraordinary bravery and courage every single day. They are the best of us.”
A large police operation remains underway in Porepunkah, with about 50 officers and a police dog reported at the scene.
The local airfield has been shut to the public to allow emergency access.
Meanwhile, locals are being warned to stay indoors, with PCC Bush saying: “I want to further assure the rural community around Bright that we will do everything to bring this person into custody so that your community is safe.
“Can I please ask you just to stay at home, not go out and about at the moment, until this operation is concluded?
“I’m leaving now to head to the area to support our officers and support the operation.”
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He is a self-declared ‘sovereign citizen’, part of a fringe movement that rejects the authorities of Australian laws and government
A quarter of holidaymakers have travelled without insurance all together, according to new research
One in six British holidaymakers confess they haven’t been entirely truthful about their health when buying travel insurance. The study reveals that a quarter of travellers have jetted off without any cover whatsoever, whilst a fifth have embarked on trips knowing their policy wouldn’t fully protect them.
The research found that a quarter of holidaymakers believe it’s acceptable to conceal details about health conditions they don’t consider serious in order to secure cheaper premiums. Some felt under pressure to keep holiday expenses low, with a quarter thinking it was fine to omit health information because they only wanted basic protection for cancellations or lost luggage.
Travellers have paid the price after hiding health conditions on their insurance(Image: Getty Images)
A Staysure spokesperson, who commissioned the study, remarked: “This survey paints a worrying picture.”
“When buying a travel insurance policy, you want to know you’ll be in safe hands if the worst should happen so be as honest and detailed as possible about your current health.”
Most travellers were oblivious to the fact that weight loss medications must be disclosed, along with HRT, a treatment used to manage menopause symptoms.
Moreover, a quarter of holidaymakers didn’t think it was necessary to mention high blood pressure or recent surgery, or that they have previously had a heart attack or severe organ condition.
“Many people don’t realise that their NHS medical records are checked when they make a medical claim to verify their policy against their current health,” the spokesperson added.
“Any undeclared medical conditions, or recent GP and hospital visits that are not covered on their policy could invalidate their cover – leaving them high and dry to foot a medical bill alone.”
Seven out of ten revealed their greatest worry was having their claim rejected and being stranded overseas with an unaffordable medical bill. For 14 per cent they know someone whose medical claim was refused because they failed to disclose a health condition beforehand.
The spokesperson continued: “Declaring all your medical conditions ensures you are financially protected if you need medical treatment abroad or repatriating home – last year the average cost of an air ambulance from Spain alone was £45,136.”
Among those surveyed, 81 per cent believed their travel insurance represented good value for money, with 26 per cent having previously submitted a claim.
“We urge people to tell their insurer if they’ve recently seen a medical professional as not all heath changes will increase the price of their policy but may just save them thousands of pounds in unexpected medical costs.”
TOP 10 CONDITIONS TRAVELLERS DIDN’T REALISE YOU HAVE TO DECLARE:
Hvar is known to tourists for its vibrant nightlife and party culture, but with new laws clamping down on the main town’s shenanigans, a hidden gem on the other side of the island is the next best thing
Hvar, one of Croatia’s many islands, is just a two-hour ferry ride from Split. The main spot, Hvar Town, is known as a party destination with tourists pouring in during the summer months to go straight from the beach to the clubs and back.
But, less than an hour away from the hustle and bustle is a lesser-known side of the island. Family-friendly, tranquil and everything you could imagine in a sliver of Mediterranean paradise.
This is Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe with a full-time population of less than two thousand people. Arriving by ferry on this secluded side of Hvar, it’s easy to forget it’s a ‘party island’ at all as you’re enveloped in the serenity of Mediterranean countryside.
Stari Grad’s crystal-clear waters and iconic long bay create the most gorgeous views as the sun sets right down the middle of it during the summer months. The waterside promenade also boasts a plethora of local bars and restaurants where you can watch the dazzling display with a glass of Bogdanusa from the edge of ancient Roman mosaic floors dating back to the second century.
The medenjaci, crystal clear waters and delectable Mediterranean cuisine of Hvar make for an idyllic getaway(Image: REACH)
Down the city’s narrow alleyways, you can find a range of local treats and handmade goods, from painters to bakers. All are experts in their crafts and friendly as they come. In the summer, the streets come alive with flowers complementing the ancient stonework, making for some stunning photos.
The medenjaci, traditional Croatian cookies, are to die for. The island is also known for its lavender fields, with several vendors offering dried plants, oils, and other handmade lavender products. After a few minutes of walking, you may even come across Petar Hektorović’s castle.
The Renaissance poet built the pinnacle of a writer’s sanctuary into his favourite town, which is still mostly intact today. It has all the plants he collected during his travels and his famous fishpond. It may not sound like much, but the atmosphere is indescribable, like pure tranquility in physical form.
All of this is just a short walk away from Valamar’s [PLACES] hotel. Providing some of the upbeat party culture Hvar is known for without distracting from the natural wilderness it’s surrounded by. When the sun goes down, the pool stage lights up as DJs and performers take over, excited chatter takes over as cocktails pour out of the multiple bars until the late hours of the evening.
The resort features apartments and villas just a few short steps from the ocean, where a secluded beach allows visitors a dip in the crystal clear waters. It also features a quaint spa next to an array of huts, bean bags and lounging chairs in a ‘quiet zone’ that creates a true break away from all the stressors of life. Allowing you to completely unwind as the birds sing in harmony with the rhythm of the ocean.
Just next door is the family-friendly Valamar Amicor resort. Water slides, game rooms, sports courts, even virtual reality football, are just a quick walk or tricycle ride from the lavish villas. Its delicious buffet restaurant also caters to every picky eater imaginable, from pancakes to oysters.
[PLACES] Hvar offers some unreal serenity in its quiet area, snuggled in-between its poolside party stage and the Adriatic sea(Image: [PLACES] by Valamar)
Our local guides note that mid-summer is Hvar’s busiest time of year, which also means prices for resorts and activities go up. However, they also point out that even the depths of winter rarely hit single-digit temperatures here.
For anyone planning a getaway, they recommend skipping July or August and going for May, June, or September, when temperatures are just as high but the beaches are empty and the rates are lower.
The tourist hotspot of Hvar Town is less than an hour’s drive away from Stari Grad. If you plan the right route, you might even come across local family wineries up on the mountains that offer unmatchable views of the bay as you sip.
Our little group even managed to catch a glimpse of Jeff Bezo’s super yacht sailing in as he and Lauren Sanchez enjoyed the last few days together before their lavish wedding.
Family wineries up on the mountain provide a jaw-dropping view of Stari Grad’s countryside and bay(Image: REACH)
Out in Hvar Town, there’s something to do and see down each cobbled street. From the 16th-century fortress lording over the city to a museum dedicated to the Hvar detective who pioneered forensic fingerprinting techniques.
From Hvar’s port, sailboats depart for several local swim spots and other islands. The blaring sun can get intense out on the sea, so sunscreen is recommended at the bare minimum, but diving into a still, crystal-clear ocean is an inimitable feeling.
Of course, there’s still Hvar’s vibrant nightlife, but authorities are clamping down on rules this summer to curb the onslaught of rowdy tourists it’s known for collecting. They are limiting noise levels, cutting parties earlier, and adding fines for things like wearing beach attire in certain venues.
Following a surge in arrests by armed, masked federal immigration agents in unmarked cars, some California Democrats are backing a new bill in Congress that would bar officials from covering their faces while conducting raids.
The No Masks for ICE Act, introduced by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-New York) and co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats, would make it illegal for federal agents to cover their faces while conducting immigration enforcement unless the masks were required for their safety or health.
The bill would also require agents to clearly display their name and agency affiliation on their clothes during arrests and enforcement operations.
Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), who is co-sponsoring the bill, said Tuesday that the legislation would create the same level of accountability for federal agents as for uniformed police in California, who have been required by law for more than three decades to have their name or badge number visible.
“When agents are masked and anonymous, you cannot have accountability,” Friedman said. “That’s not how democracy works. That’s not how our country works.”
The bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to set up discipline procedures for officers who did not comply and report annually on those numbers to Congress.
A DHS spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The department has previously warned of a spike in threats and harassment against immigration agents.
The mask bill has no Republican co-sponsors, meaning its chances of getting a hearing in the GOP-controlled House are slim.
“I would think that there’s Republicans out there who are probably hearing the same thing that I’m hearing from my constituents: ‘I don’t like the idea of people jumping out of a truck, carrying very large guns with masks over their faces, and I have no idea who they are,’” Friedman said.
Friedman said she hoped that Republicans concerned about governmental overreach and the so-called “deep state” — the idea that there is a secretive, coordinated network inside the government — would support the bill too.
The proposal comes after weeks of immigration raids in Southern California conducted by masked federal agents dressed in street clothes or camouflage fatigues, driving unmarked vehicles and not displaying their names, badge numbers or agency affiliations. Social media sites have been flooded with videos of agents violently detaining people, including dragging a taco stand vendor by her arm and tossing smoke bombs into a crowd of onlookers.
The raids have coincided with an increase in people impersonating federal immigration agents. Last week, police said they arrested a Huntington Park man driving a Dodge Durango SUV equipped with red-and-blue lights and posing as a Border Patrol agent.
In Raleigh, N.C., a 37-year-old man was charged with rape, kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer after police said he broke into a Motel 6, told a woman that he was an immigration officer and that he would have her deported if she didn’t have sex with him.
And in Houston, police arrested a man who they say blocked another driver’s car, pretended to be an ICE agent, conducted a fake traffic stop and stole the man’s identification and money.
Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez said Tuesday that city officials have received questions from residents like, “How can I know if the masked man detaining me is ICE or a kidnapper? And who can protect me if a man with a gun refuses to identify himself?”
Those issues came to a “boiling point” last weekend, Perez said, when a man confronted a woman at the Mystic Museum in Burbank, asked to see her documents and tried to “act as a federal immigration agent.” Staff and patrons stepped in to help, Perez said, but the incident left behind a “newfound sense of fear, an uncertainty.”
“Why is it that we hold our local law enforcement, who put their lives on the line every day, to a much higher standard than federal immigration officers?” Perez said.
The bill in the House follows a similar bill introduced in Sacramento last month by state Sen. Scott Wiener that would bar immigration agents from wearing masks, although it’s unclear whether states can legally dictate the conduct or uniforms of federal agents.
The images are jarring. Across the country, federal law enforcement officers in plain clothes and wearing ski masks and balaclavas are seizing and detaining protesters, students and even elected officials. These scenes evoke images of government thugs in violent regimes disappearing opponents.
This is not how policing should look in a democratic society. Which is why everyone — regardless of political affiliation or stance on immigration enforcement — should support bills being introduced in Congress to address this growing problem. Three pieces of legislation — under consideration or expected soon — would prohibit masking by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including one Thursday from Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) and one expected Friday from Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). These are obvious, common-sense measures that shouldn’t need to be codified into law — but given the reality today, and what’s being done on streets across the country, they clearly do.
In the United States, those tasked with enforcing the law are public servants, answerable to the people through their elected representatives. Wearing uniforms and insignia, and publicly identifying themselves, are what make clear an officer’s authority and enable public accountability.
That is why U.S. policing agencies generally have policies requiring officers to wear a badge or other identifier that includes their name or another unique mark, like a badge number. That is why — not so long ago — one of us wrote a letter on behalf of the Justice Department to the police chief in Ferguson, Mo., to ensure that officers were readily identifiable during protests. This letter was sent by the federal government, in the middle of the federal civil rights investigation of the Ferguson Police Department, because ensuring this “basic component of transparency and accountability” was deemed too important to hold off raising until the end of the investigation. Exceptions have long been made for scenarios such as undercover work — but it has long been understood that, as a general rule, American law enforcement officers will identify themselves and show their faces.
This foundational democratic norm is now at risk. In February, masked ICE officers in riot gear raided an apartment complex in Denver, one of the first times Americans saw agents hide their faces on the job. In March, the practice came to widespread attention when Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk was snatched by plainclothes ICE officers, one of them masked, while walking down a street in Somerville, Mass. Throughout the spring, bystanders captured videos of masked or plainclothes ICE enforcement actions from coast to coast, in small towns and big cities.
ICE says it allows this so officers can protect themselves from being recognized and harassed or even assaulted. ICE’s arguments just won’t wash. Its claims about how many officers have been assaulted are subject to serious question. Even if they were not, though, masked law enforcement is simply unacceptable.
At the most basic level, masked, anonymousofficers present a safety concern for both the individuals being arrested and the agents. People are understandably far more likely to disregard instructions or even fight back when they think they’re being abducted by someone who is not a law enforcement officer. If the goal is to obtain compliance, masks are counterproductive. It’s far safer to encourage cooperation by appealing to one’s authority as a law enforcement officer — which almost always works.
Related, there is a very real and growing threat of law enforcement impersonation. There has been a disturbing uptick in reported incidents of “ICE impersonations,” in which private individuals dress as ICE or law enforcement officials to exploit the trust and authority invested in law enforcement. Just this month, the assailant in the recent assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker was posing as a police officer. Other examples are abounding across the country. As Princeton University noted in a recent advisory, when law enforcement officers are not clearly identifying themselves, it becomes even easier for impostors to pose as law enforcement. Replicas of ICE jackets have become a bestseller on Amazon.
Most fundamentally, masked detentions undermine law enforcement legitimacy. Government agencies’ legitimacy is essential for effective policing, and legitimacy requires transparency and accountability. When officers hide their identities, it sends the clear message that they do not value those principles, and in fact view them as a threat.
Federal law currently requires certain clear accountability measures by federal immigration enforcement officials, including that officers must identify themselves as officers and state that the person under arrest is, in fact, under arrest as well as the reason. That should sound familiar and be a relief to those of us who are grateful not to live in a secret police state.
But those words are cold comfort if you are confronted by someone in street clothes and a ski mask — with no way to know if they are who they say or whom to hold accountable if they violate your rights.
ICE officials cannot be allowed to continue to enforce our laws while concealing their identities. Transparency and accountability are what separate democracy from authoritarianism and legitimate law enforcement from the secret police in antidemocratic regimes. The images we are seeing are unrecognizable for the United States, and should not be tolerable for anyone.
Barry Friedman is a professor of law at New York University and author of “Unwarranted: Policing Without Permission.” Christy Lopez is a professor from practice at Georgetown University School of Law. She led the police practices unit in the Civil Rights Division of theDepartment of Justice from 2010-2017.
Love Island’s Helena has been slammed online by fans as ‘insecure’ as they ‘work out’ her real game plan and say her ‘main personality trait’ is putting ‘other girls down’
Jessica Clarke Digital Reporter
22:57, 22 Jun 2025Updated 22:57, 22 Jun 2025
Love Island’s Helena slammed by fans
Love Island’s Helena has been slammed by fans after the latest instalment of the reality show, as fans claim they have worked out her game plan and said her ‘main personality trait’ is putting ‘other girls down’, following a chat with the latest Bombshell, Harrison.
Helena, 29, was getting to know Harry, 30, however, their relationship came tumbling down after he kissed Yasmin three times in the hideaway and then lied about it. The blonde beauty is now opening herself up to Harrison, but fans aren’t pleased with their conversation.
Helena and Harrison were seen having a cosy chat in the pool together when Helena brought up his other interest, American girl Toni, 24. Helena said Toni was “marking her territory” with Harrison and said she feels like Toni doesn’t like it when she talks to Harrison.
Love Island’s Helena has been slammed by fans after the latest instalment of the reality show, as fans claim they have worked out her game plan(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Fans rushed to express their opinions on X, as one person wrote: “Helena’s main personality trait is putting other girls down. And she has the audacity to call THEM boring”, while another added: “Helena’s chat is literally just talking down other girls”.
A third added: “I’m seeing a very nasty pattern with Helena…..”, while another said: “Can we get a compilation of Helena talking shit about the girls behind their backs on movie night please”.
Helena, 29, was getting to know Harry, 30, however, their relationship came tumbling down after he kissed Yasmin three times(Image: ITV/Love Island)
Helena’s flirty conversation was followed by another game in the villa, which is proving to be very dramatic this year. The islanders were tasked with a game of spin the bottle, which saw chaos erupt in the villa.
The Islanders were faced with telling truths and dares. Conor, who is currently getting to know Emily, got a dare to put the person he thinks is best in bed in his “most favourite sex position”, and he chose Megan.
Helena’s flirty conversation followed another game in the villa, which is proving to be very dramatic this year(Image: ITV/Love Island)
Conor got her to lie on her tummy on the floor and declared his favourite position to be “speed bumps”, before he hovered above her and said: “Pump”. Megan’s partner Tommy shook his head disapproving of the actions.
Emily then said: “If he carries on, he’ll never find out how I am in bed.”
Elsewhere in the episode, fans showed real concern for Alima as they pointed out her lack of airtime and questioned if she had gone missing.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “is alima still in that villa??#LoveIsland,” as another questioned: “WHERE IS ALIMA ?? #LoveIsland“
With a rifle pressed to his temple, Barry was told he had ten seconds to admit he was a spy.
As the grim countdown began, the New Yorker wrestled with the dilemma of either being perceived as a traitor to his country or leaving his kids fatherless.
“On the count of five I relented,” Barry told me.
“I signed the false confession, distraught and completely ashamed.”
Trump’s shock Iran strikes take us to brink of global conflict and will strengthen Axis of Evil alliance, experts warn
Barry would eventually return to his loved ones in the US after 444 days in captivity.
Britons are high-value hostages for the regime.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained in Iran for six years on trumped-up charges of plotting to topple the Iranian government.
She was finally released when Britain paid a £400million outstanding debt to Iran.
I would eventually get out — more on how later — after staying with an extraordinarily kind Iranian man who put me up in his apartment and tempered my nerves with some rocket-fuel home brew.
Today — with Iran’s tyrannical regime in Israeli and US crosshairs — I cast my mind back to the welcoming people I met while travelling this ancient land.
These folk loathe rule by the hardline ayatollahs and long for a time less than 50 years ago when women wore miniskirts in capital Tehran, the hair bouncing on their shoulders.
I had arrived in Iran — successor state of the Persian Empire — in 2012 with the idea of travelling from Tehran to Persepolis, a millennia-old desert ruin once the centrepiece of its civilisation.
On the way I’d talk to ordinary people to try and understand what made this land tick.
Did they really think Britain was the cursed Little Satan?
‘GREAT SATAN’
On landing in Tehran — a high-rise city of 9.8million shrouded by mountains — fleets of white taxis honked their way through the city’s awful traffic.
In the pollution-choked centre, I was struck by the number of women walking around with white plasters on their noses.
Tehran has been called the nose job capital of the world.
Women here also face a daily battle over what they can wear in public, with checks made by the dreaded Basij militia network.
Yet many were wearing their head scarves pulled back to reveal dyed blonde hair, while their overcoats were colourful and figure-hugging.
Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, when the Shah — or king — Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was toppled and replaced by hardline cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Islamic dress has been strictly enforced.
Alcohol was banned, protests stifled and unmarried couples prevented from meeting in public.
Today, the internet is censored and the regime attempts to scramble satellite TV signals.
Near the Taleghani Metro station is the old American embassy — known here as “the nest of spies” — its walls daubed with murals and slogans decrying the so-called Great Satan.
Months after the revolution, students stormed the embassy compound and took 66 Americans hostage.
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained in Iran for six years on trumped-up charges of plotting to topple the Iranian governmentCredit: AFP
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US embassy worker Barry Rosen was held hostage for 444 days in 1979Credit: AP:Associated Press
In Palestine Square — in the heart of Tehran — beats a Doomsday Clock predicting Israel’s end by the year 2040. The regime put it there in 2017.
It helps explain why Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear sites, senior nuclear scientists and top brass last week.
Nearby, I visited the British embassy compound, its gateway overlooked by lion and unicorn statues.
Around six months before my visit, diplomats had fled as a frenzied mob of Iran- ian “students” storm- ed the building and ransacked offices.
It would remain shuttered for nearly four years.
The rioters — who were chanting “Death To England” — were in fact state-sponsored Basij thugs.
It is the same sinister paramilitary force that is responsible for the policing of morals in this hardline Shi’ite Muslim state, including the wearing of the hijab or headscarf.
Yet these repressive goons are far from representative of the beating heart of this oil-rich nation.
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Oliver’s ‘Denmark’ passportCredit: Supplied
A short stroll away in the teeming Grand Bazaar, women shoppers, in the all- covering black cloak-like chador, were out looking for bargains.
But surprisingly, Union Jack-patterned knickers and bra combos were on sale on at least three stalls.
American stars and stripes underwear was also available in several shops.
One black-clad shopper in her thirties told me: “The underwear is very popular.
“We have nothing against your country.”
The message that the lingerie worn under the chadors sent out was clear: Knickers to the hardliners.
Indeed, as a metaphor for things being very different under the surface in Iran, it couldn’t be bettered.
“We don’t hate Britain,” a 26-year-old Red Devils-mad taxi driver told me.
“Far from it.
“We admire your freedom.”
After a few days in Tehran I took a shared taxi on the five-hour, 280-mile journey to Iran’s third largest city Esfahan.
It’s home to an exquisite square overlooked by the imposing aquamarine dome of Shah Mosque, regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture.
The city’s outskirts are also home to one of the largest uranium enrichment facilities in the country.
‘EVERYBODY BREWS THEIR OWN NOW’
Terrified that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon to make good on its doomsday prophecy, the site was pummeled by more than two dozen US Tomahawk cruise missiles on Sunday morning.
I had checked into a largely empty hotel in the city centre which had no safe for valuables.
That evening I went out shopping for a Persian rug.
Warily passing some soldiers in the street, I was dismayed to see them beckon me over.
Yet they simply wanted a selfie alongside a rare Western traveller.
Emerging with my new carpet, I was heading for an electronics store bearing a fake Apple logo when I was surrounded by pickpockets.
Now passportless, I was petrified about being stopped by police and asked to produce my documents.
I then remembered meeting some Iranian migrants in Calais who had told me they used to work as smugglers, trekking over the mountains from Iran to Turkey with some contraband alcohol in backpacks.
Finding an internet cafe to research the journey, a man started using the computer next to me to watch porn.
The idea of attempting to walk alone over rugged mountains seemed more hazardous than another internet suggestion — go to another country’s embassy and throw myself at their mercy.
Travelling back to Tehran I attempted to check into a hotel but the receptionist insisted I needed to show my passport.
When I explained my predicament, he told me: “I’ll phone the police and they’ll sort this out.”
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Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, who was toppled in 1979Credit: Getty
I told him I needed to collect my luggage then scarpered.
Knowing no one in the country, a contact then put me in touch with someone who could put me up.
The grey-haired father lived alone in a ramshackle flat and said I was welcome to the sofa.
“I was jailed for protesting against the Shah when he ruled,” he told me.
“Now I wish I hadn’t bothered.
“This regime is far worse.
“We have far less freedom now.”
Deciding the Dutch would be most amenable to a stricken Brit, I tried their embassy but it was closed for holidays.
So I went to the Danes instead.
They took my details and I was told to return the following day.
Presented with a paper Danish temporary passport 24 hours later, I profusely thanked the embassy staff for making me an honorary viking.
Taking a cab to the airport, I checked my bag on the flight then queued up at immigration dreaming of a glass of red on the plane.
A bearded border guard disdainfully looked at my Danish passport, sniffing as he tossed it away: “No good, no ministry stamp.”
It was back to my new friend’s sofa to watch subtitled TV, including shows with Jamie Oliver and James May.
The former prisoner — raising a glass of home-distilled spirits — revealed: “Twice every year the police go upon the roof and smash up all our satellite dishes.
“But we simply go out and buy some more.
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A chanting crowd during the Iranian revolution in 1979Credit: Getty
“There’s a saying here that the regime closed down thousands of brewers during the revolution but created a million more.
“Everybody brews their own now.”
After two days queuing at the relevant Iranian ministry — and praying that they wouldn’t google my identity — I finally got my stamp.
My plane banked over the vast mausoleum built to house Khomeini’s remains as it headed west.
One after another, most of the women on the flight removed their head scarves, then their restrictive chadors.
Settling with a glass of wine, I hoped one day to return to this fascinating land under better circumstances.
Now, with the ayatollahs’ regime perhaps at threat of being toppled, I may one day make it to Persepolis.
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