selling

NEW YORK — Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he profited from rigged poker games and provided sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Jones, a onetime teammate of James, said little during back-to-back arraignments in federal court in Brooklyn, letting his court-appointed lawyer enter not guilty pleas in a pair of cases stemming from last month’s federal takedown of sprawling gambling operations.

Jones, 49, acknowledged he read both indictments and that he understood the charges and his bail conditions, which include his mother and stepfather putting up their Texas home as collateral for a $200,000 bond that will allow him to remain free pending trial.

Jones’ lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, told a judge that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.” He is due back in court for a preliminary conference with other defendants on Nov. 24.

Jones was among more than 30 people arrested in the gambling sweep. The others included reputed mobsters and prominent basketball figures, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

Sports bettor Marves Fairley also pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges alleging he cashed in on information about injuries to NBA players, including some that prosecutors say Jones provided to him.

Jones, an NBA journeyman, earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and he served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.

According to prosecutors, Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information to bettors that James was injured and wouldn’t be playing in a Feb. 9, 2023, game against the Milwaukee Bucks, texting an unnamed co-conspirator: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”

James wasn’t listed on the Lakers’ injury report at the time of the text message, but the NBA’s all-time scoring leader was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body jury, according to prosecutors, and the Lakers lost the game 115-106.

On Jan. 15, 2024, prosecutors said, Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Davis, the Lakers’ forward and center at the time, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury.

Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said, but the tip was wrong. Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win, prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee, prosecutors said.

Jones, a native of Galveston, Texas, who played college basketball at the University of Houston, is charged in both cases with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. As part of his bail agreement, his travel is restricted to parts of Texas and New York City. He was allowed to keep his passport to use as identification for flying until he obtains a REAL ID, which his lawyer said should happen soon.

A hot hand from outside the three-point arc, Jones once proclaimed himself in an interview with Insidehoops.com as “the best shooter in the world.” He played in every regular season game for three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2006.

After his playing days, he worked as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and was an assistant coach when the team, led by James, won the NBA championship in 2016.

In the poker scheme, according to prosecutors, Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting players into poker games that were rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table.

According to the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those people to James and NBA All-Star Stephen Curry, prosecutors said. When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand, prosecutors said.

In response, according to prosecutors, Jones texted: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

The poker scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to prosecutors.

Members of those families, in turn, also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.

Sisak writes for the Associated Press.

Selling Sunset star Emma Hernan reunited with her on-and-off boyfriend Blake Davis after the latest season wrapped filming.

Selling Sunset’s Emma Hernan has revealed the real reason she reunited with her on-and-off boyfriend Blake Davis.

Emma, 33, introduced Blake to her friends Chrishell Stause and Chelsea Lazkani in season nine, and Chrishell had her doubts about the coupling.

Blake, 28, also has a real estate background and seemed completely smitten with the reality star. He even proposed to Emma, but she soon ended the relationship.

Now, the O Group agent has confirmed she is back together with Blake, despite her friends’ concerns.

Opening up to Tudum, she explained: “If I really cared about making myself look good, I would’ve stayed broken up with him or would’ve said, ‘Nope, we’re not together.’

“But ultimately, with relationships, there’s back and forth — and I think that that’s OK to show.”

Diving into why she reunited with her ex, Emma continued: “I had a realization at the reunion that I was [thinking too much] about what other people think.

“If I want to go spend time with this person, why am I so concerned about what everyone else is going to say? After the reunion, I went to go see him, and we’ve been traveling and been together ever since.”

During the reunion, Emma revealed she was back in contact with Blake.

It also came to light that Emma had “lied” to Chrishell about going to the Bahamas for Blake’s birthday, which has played a part in souring their friendship.

The duo were at a Beyoncé concert when Emma abruptly left.

Chrishell revealed: “You [Emma] told me that you were going to Boston to see your family and that’s why you had to leave early. That’s what you told me.”

She went on to add: “The next day she shows up in the Bahamas with Blake.”

The 44-year-old claimed she disliked Blake because the relationship causes Emma to “flake” on their friendship.

But Chrishell’s disappointment didn’t end there, the actress also claims Blake has problematic views.

Back in May, a fan took to Instagram and asked Chrishell: “What’s happening with you and Emma? Hot topic on Reddit.”

She responded: “Ask her about her MAGA bf who told me pronouns are dumb and that he likes to use the N word. I just can’t with that. Too old to allow that in.”

The social media comment sparked online conversation and press coverage which didn’t exactly paint Emma in a favourable light.

During the season nine reunion, Chrishell opened up about the post, claiming Blake revealed his views during a conversation in her kitchen.

“He told me proudly [that] he openly uses the N-word. He thinks that people [who] don’t sing lyrics with all the words, he thinks they are the ones that are too woke,” she explained.

Emma, who was there during the chat, fired back with: “He never said the word woke. He never said that.”

She went on to explain that Blake expressed that “he’s friends with a bunch of rappers and they try and get him to say it [the N-word] and he says no”.

Emma also argued that Chrishell’s post was not an accurate representation of what Blake said, and that he never voiced any political views.

Selling Sunset Season 9 is streaming now on Netflix

Oct. 29 (UPI) — An Australian cybersecurity expert who served as director of L3Harris Trenchant, a U.S. defense contractor, has pleaded guilty in federal court to selling trade secrets to a Russian broker that resells cyber exploits to buyers including the Russian government.

Peter Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets that had been stolen over a three-year period from the defense contractor where he worked, the U.S. Justice Department announced in a news release.

The Justice Department did not name the American company, but British government corporate records showed it to be L3Harris Trenchant, where he was employed as the director from October 2024 until he resigned in August.

Williams admitted as part of his plea deal that he used his access to steal $35 million worth of trade secrets beginning in 2022 until his resignation, the Justice Department said.

Using the alias John Taylor, Williams then entered into “multiple written contracts” with a Russian broker who paid him some $1.3 million in cryptocurrency, and then used the money to buy himself fake Rolexes and high-end jewelry.

Sources told Australia’s ABC broadcaster that Williams previously worked for the Australian Signals Directorate, the country’s equivalent to the U.S. National Security Agency.

Precise details of what was stolen by Williams have not been made public, but the Justice Department said the materials were “national security-focused software that included at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components.”

“America’s national security is not for sale, especially in an evolving threat landscape where cybercrime poses a serious danger to our citizens,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison for each count at his sentencing, expected to take place next year. He also faces fines of up to $300,000 and will have to pay restitution of $1.3 million.

LILY Allen and David Harbour are selling their Brooklyn townhouse just days after her new album and are set to make millions in profit.

The stunning property has hit the market for a whopping $8 million (around £6m) after the pair bought it for just $3.3 million (£2.5m) in 2020.

The 19th-century townhouse only went on sale yesterday – two days after Lily, 40, released her breakup album which has been branded her “revenge” album by fans.

Lily and Stranger Things star David, 50, split in December and it was later reported he’d had a three-year affair. 

David had even made a shock “cheating” joke while doing a tour of their New York City home two years prior.

Lily and David bought the property under two separate trusts as co-owners, according to documents seen by The U.S. Sun, and made several renovations worth thousands.

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Lying at the heart of Brooklyn and spread across four levels, the house has five bedrooms and four bathrooms interspersed throughout.

The property listing eloquently describes the home as a “layered narrative of traditional English charm, modern Brooklyn sensibilities and rich Italian influence”.

The main level opens out into an exotic living room wrapped in high-end Zuber wallpaper and “detailed crown mouldings”.

With a fireplace at its centre, the room is framed by glass doors that lead to a private backyard with a sauna and cold plunge at the owner’s disposal.

The kitchen is described as spacious with “plain English cabinetry” and houses a huge island as well as a custom-built banquette beneath is windows with natural light flooding the room.

Walk upstairs and you’ll find another sitting area with a fireplace as well as dual walk-in closets alongside the main bedroom.

There are two well-equipped guest bedrooms on the third floor as well as a skylit lounge and a home office.

There’s an additional guest suite on the garden level too with a powder room and casual living room, another fireplace and access to the backyard.

And a fully-furnished basement see’s a gym, ample storage and closet areas as well as a laundry room.

The pair took out a big mortgage on the house which they first purchased on November 16 2020 for $3.35 million.

The loan is listed for $2,512,500 with City National Bank in 2021, and they had until February 1, 2051 to pay it back.

They made extensive renovation on the property filing several building permits, many for tens of thousands, with the most expensive being for $282,600 and $265,600 for general construction.

Lily had moved to New York to start a new life with the US actor, who she wed in 2020 a year after meeting on celebrity dating app Raya.

But five years later, one local resident said: “It appears no one has been home for quite some time”

“Every house on the street has Halloween decorations, but not Lily and David’s”

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“It’s a very family-friendly neighbourhood, Lily was very active in the community when she lived here with David.”

The Smile singer has now moved back to London with her two daughters from her first marriage.

On August 2, 2027, the Sun will ‘go out’ for up to six minutes. The incredible phenomenon will be most visible across North of Africa and parts of the Middle East

A rare solar eclipse in 2027 has spiked bookings to five countries.

On August 2, 2027, the Sun ‘go out’ for up to six minutes. The incredible phenomenon will be most visible across North of Africa and parts of the Middle East. Google searches for destinations in this area have surged over the past couple of months as celestial event enthusiasts work out how they can be there when it happens.

The 2027 total solar eclipse will be the longest eclipse of the century visible from land. Some of the best destinations to witness the eclipse include:

• Tangier, Morocco – This area is directly beneath the central shadow, and you can expect around four minutes of totality
• Oran, Algeria – You can expect over five minutes of totality
• Sfax, Tunisia – You can expect over five minutes of totality
• Benghazi, Libya – This area is along the centerline passage, offering about five minutes of totality
• Luxor, Egypt – This area is near the point of greatest eclipse, where you can expect near-maximum totality of over six minutes

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To celebrate the rare event, Wild Frontiers , a B Corp tour operator that specialises in adventure travel, has launched three exclusive ‘eclipse special’ tours, and bookings for all departures sold out within 24 hours. Wild Frontiers has since added new departure dates to its eclipse tour collection and is anticipating similar levels of demand.

Clare Tobin, CEO at Wild Frontiers, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness one of the most incredible natural spectacles. We launched tours in three of the best viewing points in north Africa.

“Travellers can observe the event from a traditional houseboat on the waters of the Nile in Egypt, among the atmospheric UNESCO Roman ruins of Timgad in Algeria or from the epic amphitheatre of El Jem in Tunisia. We previously ran an eclipse tour in Northern Mexico in 2024 and, whilst it was popular, we have seen even more demand for the 2027 tours.”

The term ‘astro-tourism’ came to light towards the end of last year, with experts coining it as a key travel trend for 2025. The term has been used to describe travellers becoming increasingly interested in escaping the urban city lights, in pursuit of dark skies.

Now it seems that astro-tourism is becoming more than stargazing and trips to see the northern lights. Clare says: “Travellers are seemingly fascinated with space, the stars and natural phenomena and they’re turning their attention to the skies. Witnessing celestial events has become more accessible for several reasons, such as more accurate forecasting predications, advancements in technology and increased education and coverage around the topic.

“As demand for ‘astro-tourism’ continues to increase, the ability to travel to these destinations also becomes more accessible. Travellers can now plan and book trips in advance that are centred around significant celestial events. There is no better way to escape and feel at one with nature than to behold such an extraordinary event.”

For travellers who wish to add ‘witness a natural phenomenon’ to their travel bucket list, below are some of most significant eclipse events over the next two years.

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Most visible from: Iceland, Northern Spain and the Balearic Islands, Greenland, parts of northeastern Portugal and Russia. The best of the eclipse will take place over the water however.

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An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but is too far from Earth to completely cover the Sun. This causes what is often referred to as a ‘ring of fire’ effect, where a bright rind of sunlight can be seen around the moon’s silhouette.

Most visible from: Antarctica, Southern South America (particularly southern Argentine and southern Chile), Southern Africa (including South Africa, Namibia and Botswana), Madagascar.

Lunar eclipses

A lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow onto the Moon, which makes it appear a reddish colour. It only occurs during the full moon stage and doesn’t happen every month as the Moon’s orbit is tilted, relative to the Earth’s orbit.

7 September 2025

Most visible from: India, China, Russia, Central Asia, Western Australia, New Zealand, eastern Africa, parts of Europe (especially Czech Republic).

3 March 2026

Most visible from: Northeast Asia (especially Japan, Korea and China), northwestern North America (western Canada and Alaska), Central Pacific Ocean.

28 August 2026

Most visible from: North America (USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia), Spain, France, Nigeria, Egypt, Pacific Islands (Hawaii, parts of Polynesia).

CALVIN Klein is practically retail royalty when it comes to boxers, and a multipack has been slashed by 46% in the Amazon Prime Day sale.

A three-pack of classic black boxers would usually costs £42, but shoppers can pick up the set for £22.87 for a limited time.

Calvin Klein 3-Pack Boxers, £22.87 (was £42)

Calvin Klein boxers are the most popular men’s underwear for an reason, and the deal works out as just £7.60 per pair.

Stock is selling seriously fast, but other colourways have also been slashed.

Fashion fans can also get a three-pack with a red, white and blue pairs for £22.91.

The boxers would make the perfect Christmas gift for men, or as a treat to yourself.

Amazon’s Big Deal Days sale is running until tomorrow, but as one of the bestsellers so far, it’s likely that all sizes will be gone before the deal expires.

For more of the best discounts, read our roundup of the best Prime Day deals, which we’re constantly updating with more deals.

Amazon Prime Day: the 10 best deals

The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale kicks off today and runs until midnight tomorrow (Wednesday 8th October) – here’s our pick of the best deals.

*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue

1. Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, £19.99 (was £39.99) – buy here
2. Poounur Fitness Smartwatch, £23.99 (was £129.99) – buy here
3. Ninja 7.6L Foodi Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, £119 (was £218.99) – buy here
4. BaByliss Air Style 1000 £29.99 (was £75) – buy here
5. LKOUY Portable Charger, £12.99 (was £59.99) – buy here
6. Silentnight
7. Remington Shine Therapy 45mm Hair Straightener, £29.99 (was £79.99) – buy here
8. Apple iPhone 16e, £494 (was £549) – buy here
9. Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet, £69.99 (was £149.99) – buy here
10. Felix 40-pack Jelly Wet Cat Food, £9.48 (was £14.77) – buy here

When the sale lands, you’ll find more top bargains here:

Just remember, you’ll need to sign up to Amazon Prime to take advantage of these bargains.

The classic designer boxers have received brilliant ratings from shoppers, with over 5,700 five-star reviews on the Amazon website.

One wrote: “I recently purchased these Calvin Klein underwear for my partner, and he’s extremely pleased with the quality, comfort, and fit. 

From the moment they arrived, I could tell they were made from high-quality materials, and they definitely live up to the reputation Calvin Klein has for premium undergarments. 

The fit is absolutely spot-on, and my partner says they are some of the most comfortable underwear he has ever worn.”

Another added: “The fit is so precise it feels like Calvin Klein himself took my measurements.

Five stars is an insult, these deserve their own constellation.”

Amazon has been cutting prices across all sections, and shoppers can save on everything from Dyson Airwrap alternatives to Samsung tablets reduced from £260 to £146.

MAKE-UP lovers have spotted Home Bargains is selling a fancy brand that usually costs £33 for just £6.

The budget retailer has slashed the price of some make-up must-haves from the cult favourite BareMinerals.

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Bargain hunters can make savings of up to 78% in an online only deal that includes a range of moisturisers, lip gloss, and more.

Beauty fans can snap up the popular Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturiser for just £6.99 down from £33 in a variety of shades.

Other goodies include a Mineralist Lip Gloss-Balm for a steal at £4.99 down from £23 and the Barepro Pressed Powder Foundation for £6.99.

Premium make-up

The premium make-up brand’s tinted moisturiser provides a great option if you’re looking for natural, breathable coverage that looks after your skin with its added SPF 30 protection.

It’s described as an “oil free, mineral-based moisturiser offering sheer-to-light coverage, broad spectrum SPF 30, and a clean matte finish.”

You can take your pick too with a range of moisturisers to choose from depending on skin tone that will also help improve skin texture.

The pressed powder foundation “instantly blurs the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections”.

It’s infused with Shea Butter, Cacao Butter and Vitamin E that will help protect and improve your skin.

What’s better is that it comes with a convenient puff applicator which makes it perfect for use on the go.

While the lip-gloss balm will “deeply hydrate and smooth lips, instantly and over time” while adding a glossy shine.

The product is great for both everyday wear and statement lips and claims to make them up to 50% smoother.

BareMinerals was launched in 1995 and touts itself as the “original clean beauty brand.”

The brand was founded by Leslie Blodgett who said she wanted to start a makeup line that helped you achieve beauty that was more than skin deep.

“I always felt that beauty was something you felt, and it came with confidence, and it came with feeling good physically and emotionally,” she says.

More Beauty Bargains

There’s plenty more beauty products to be had for great prices at retailers too.

Just this week, beauty fans were racing to TK Maxx to nab a £20 discount on Charlotte Tillbury’s cream with another viral product in their hair aisle.

A TikTok user revealed the store is stocking a huge haul of high-end makeup and haircare – including the cult classic Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream for nearly half the price.

A shopper also recently shared how they spotted dupes of P.Louise’s five-star rated lip kits for just £3 in B&M.

Considering the cult-favourite product is usually £22 – the similar-looking products could be ideal for those on a budget.

And beauty fans have been racing to pick up the Boots beauty advent calendar filled with £289 worth of products.

The 24-day calendar includes an impressive 20 full-size skincare items, including bestsellers from Round Lab, Cetaphil and Byoma.

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WILKO is now selling official Labubu dolls – but shoppers have been infuriated by the hefty price tags.

The dolls, which originate from Hong Kong, are retailing for £50 at the high street chain.

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Customers took to social media to express their anger at the prices of the fang-toothed, fuzzy dolls.

One said on Instagram: ” The prices are horrendous.”

Another added: “Get stuffed.”

While a third said: “Disgusting prices.”

The dolls are currently available both in Wilko stores and online.

Wilko returned to UK high streets last year after announcing it would be closing all of its shops back in October 2023.

The Labubu doll was first introduced in 2015 but has soared in popularity through celebrity endorsements and its ‘ugly-cute’ design.

They are particularly popular across Southern Asia, with K-Pop performer, Lisa, sharing the fluffy doll on her Instagram story which skyrocketed the craze around the toy.

The hashtag Labubu has appeared more than a million times on TikTok.

Where else can you purchase Labubu’s

The figures are available on the Pop Mart platform but consumers have to be incredibly savvy to get them as they are often sold out.

However, if you live near London, Pop Mart’s new flagship shop has just opened on Oxford Street, which often has exclusive drops of the dolls.

These retail for £32, far less than Wilko.

The doll is also available on Amazon for much cheaper prices, although highly sought after editions can sell for upwards of three figures.

You might have more luck looking on second hand retailers such as Vinted or Depop, who often sell high quality items for half the price.

If you don’t want to purchase the item, you can even rent the dolls.

You can borrow the charms for around £4 a day on platforms such as By Rotation.

Growing number of fakes

Not only have the dolls risen to extremely high prices, there is huge number of counterfeits arriving in the UK.

Out of the 259,000 fake toys that arrived in the UK this year, 90% have been Labubu dolls.

Experts value this haul at nearly £3.3million.

Many of these toys fail safety checks for banned chemicals and pose significant choking hazards.

However, despite these safety concerns, IPO research said that 92% of customer we’re aware they we’re buying counterfeit products, but that the price was more important.

How to avoid buying fake toys

Many customers are not aware that they are buying fakes, but the IPO research found that 58% would think twice before purchasing if they knew the safety risks.

Customers should stick to there trusted retailers and official branded websites to avoid purchasing fakes.

Additionally, prices that look ‘to good to be true’ are likely to imply a fake item.

You should also look thoroughly through the reviews before purchasing, look beyond the first few.

When the toy arrives you should look for a UKCA safety mark and a UK or EU contact on the pacakaging.

The packaging should also look of high standard and not have any immediate signs of wear.

For Labubu’s particular, collectors suggest looking for signs such as brightness of the packaging, pop mart stamp on their foot, number of teeth of the dolls should have (nine) and the presence of the a QR code, to ensure the validity of the doll.

Domino’s Pizza (DPZ -0.60%) may be best known for late-night delivery, but for investors it represents something bigger. One of the most durable growth stories in the restaurant industry. Over the past two decades, Domino’s has outpaced the S&P 500, delivering close to 3,000% in stock return to investors.

Now, with more than 21,000 stores worldwide, the question is what keeps Domino’s compounding from here. The answer lies in three powerful forces: International expansion, digital leadership, and menu innovation.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. International expansion, and particularly China

One of the biggest issues with Domino’s is the sheer size of its U.S. store count (7,031 as of March 23), which limits its future growth potential. While the bears are not wrong in saying that, they are missing the bigger picture, wherein the real growth engine is from overseas. For perspective, Domino’s now operates more international stores than domestic ones, and global markets (with more than 14,000 stores) are providing both scale and profitability.

The most significant growth opportunity here is China. Domino’s master franchisee there, DPC Dash, ended June 2025 with about 1,198 stores across 48 Chinese cities. Same-store sales have grown for more than 30 straight quarters, and management expects to add about 300 stores in 2025 and 350 more in 2026. It also has 30 million customers on its loyalty program there, up from 19 million a year ago.

Importantly, DPC’s growing scale is translating into profitability. In the first half of 2025,  Domino’s China generated $362.7 million in revenue and a fivefold increase in net profit year over year, with adjusted EBITDA margins climbing to 12.4%. Those numbers highlight a rare combination: Rapid revenue growth alongside improving margins.

While impressive, the growth in China is likely to be in the early days. With a population of 1.4 billion, the country can certainly accommodate many more thousands of stores. For investors, that’s a blueprint that could extend to other emerging markets as Domino’s replicates the model in emerging markets like India or Southeast Asia.

2. Ongoing investment in digital and technology

Domino’s has long differentiated itself through technology. It was one of the first pizza chains to roll out mobile ordering, and today, digital accounts for a large share of its sales base. In the U.S., more than 85% of sales now come through digital channels.

That’s more than just a convenience metric. Digital orders typically carry higher average tickets and lower error rates, and foster customer loyalty through push notifications and rewards. By steering customers to its own app, Domino’s also collects valuable data, enabling upselling and targeted marketing.

The company is also partnering with other tech companies. Its DoorDash deal, announced in May 2025, allows Domino’s stores to appear on DoorDash’s marketplace while still using Domino’s drivers for fulfillment. This hybrid model expands customer reach without compromising the delivery experience for customers.

Looking ahead, Domino’s ongoing investment in the latest technology and innovations could further enhance the customer experience while making its operation leaner and better. Both will add to the bottom line over the long run.

3. Menu and value innovation

People crave variety, even in a category as simple as pizza. Domino’s continually updates its menu with new toppings, sides, and limited-time offers that encourage repeat visits from loyal customers while attracting new demographics.

Internationally, Domino’s adapts to local tastes — paneer pizzas in India, durian pizzas in China — to ensure cultural relevance while still leveraging its global brand. That balance of localization and consistency is a significant strength as it expands into new markets.

Value remains just as crucial as novelty. Domino’s has consistently positioned itself as an affordable option in quick-service dining, offering carryout deals, bundles, and promotional pricing that appeal to price-sensitive consumers. This approach has helped Domino’s not only sustain demand through economic cycles, but also gain market share during more challenging times.

The combination of menu variety and value pricing has cemented Domino’s position as the largest pizza chain in the world, and it gives the company multiple levers to drive growth even when broader consumer spending slows.

What does it mean for investors?

Domino’s isn’t just a restaurant chain anymore — it’s a global platform powered by scale, technology, and relentless customer focus.

International expansion, particularly in China, offers a long runway for store growth. Its digital leadership strengthens customer loyalty and operational efficiency. And menu and value innovation keep the brand relevant and affordable across markets.

That’s why, even after two decades of outperformance, Domino’s story may just be getting started. Investors should keep the company on their radar.

Sept. 25 (UPI) — The United States has blacklisted two Indian nationals accused of operating online pharmacies selling illegal, counterfeit drugs to unsuspecting Americans.

The Treasury sanctioned Abbas Habib Sayyed, 39, and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, 34, as well as Shaikh’s KS International Traders online pharmacy on Wednesday for their alleged role in supplying hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills filled with fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and methamphetamine in the United States.

“Too many families have been torn apart by fentanyl,” John Hurley, under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury, said in a statement.

“Today, we are acting to hold accountable those who profit from this poison.”

Sayyed and Shaikh were among 18 people indicted in New York in September of last year on accusations of selling counterfeit pills to American over the Internet and via encrypted messaging platforms. The fugitives, if convicted, face a mandatory 20 years in prison to life, according to the Justice Department.

In October, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public safety alert warning the public to the dangers posed by these bogus online pharmacies that sell and ship counterfeit pills made of fentanyl and methamphetamine to U.S. customers who believe they are purchasing genuine brand-name drugs, such as Oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax and others.

The DEA said it has identified many of the sites as being operated in India and the Dominican Republic.

Treasury officials on Wednesday said Sayyed and Shaikh work with Dominican Republic- and U.S.-based traffickers to sell their counterfeit pills, which are marketed as discounted, legitimate drugs, but are filled with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

“Both Sayyed and Shaikh have used encrypted messaging platforms to conduct their illegal business and market their product to victims,” the Treasury said.

Despite the indictment, the Treasury said Shaikh continues to operate KS International Traders.

The sanctions freeze all U.S.-based property and assets of those designated and bar U.S. persons from doing business with them.

I am sitting in a tent placed inside the parlor of a Victorian-era house. Before me lies a spirit board, a lone tarot card and a black scrying mirror. I am here to commune with the dead.

There is no medium. It is only myself and eight other attendees— our guide has left the tent. Though earlier we could hear tension-rattling music setting a cryptic mood, now there is nothing. Lights? Off. The tent has gone pitch black. At this particular moment, there’s only the sound of our breaths, our thoughts and perhaps some new guests.

Welcome to “Phasmagorica,” what composer-turned-magician-turned-spiritual explorer BC Smith describes as “a séance reimagined as art.” It’s running this month at the Heritage Square Museum, itself a location imbued with history and mystery, the site of the homes of Los Angeles as they existed a century ago.

I’ll get right to the point: I did not have an encounter with the dead. And yet I left “Phasmagorica” deeply curious. That’s because Smith sets up the evening as an exploration of the modern Western history of communing with the deceased, attempting to conjure the feeling of a séance as it occurred in late 1880s America, albeit with a better sound system and all the Death in the Afternoon cocktails you can consume (note: you should not consume very many).

The “experiment” — Smith shirks at the word performance — is designed, he says, for believers and nonbelievers. He himself falls somewhere in the middle.

“I’m a hopeful skeptic,” Smith says. “If I were a 100% believer, ‘Phasmagorica’ would be a church. I just wanted to create a space that started a conversation for people.”

It is relevant to point out that Smith is also a magician, a member of the Magic Castle, home itself to a popular séance. While Smith has not conducted a Magic Castle séance, he has — and will — orchestrate what he refers to as a “theatrical séance,” for which he is present as a storyteller. “Phasmagorica” is different, Smith says, and was born out of those more dramatic performances, in part because he kept encountering the unaccountable.

“It’s highly curated,” Smith says of a core difference between a theatrical séance and “Phasmagorica,” as the former will be tailored specifically to guest needs and requests. “But people were experiencing a lot in those séances that I could not explain,” Smith says. He recites a story that opens “Phasmagorica” of a shadow reaching out and touching someone on a shoulder. Smith says he witnessed this phenomena, and at that point decided to create an event that focused on realism and dispensed with the notion that there could be any illusions or magic.

BC Smith’s “Phasmagorica” is not a theatrical or magic performance. The event aims to recreate the feel of a vintage séance.

(Roger Kisby / For The Times)

I was surprised, for instance, when Smith left the room. At that point, we were with only a television, which narrates a short history of séances in America before instructing us to hold a pendulum over a spirit board. Knowing Smith’s past, I went in expecting more of a show. Instead, we are prodded to examine a tarot card, peer into the scrying mirror and ask questions to our spirit board.

“It becomes more personal,” Smith says. “Even in my theatrical séances, I’ve had people want to cut me off mid-sentence and say, ‘This just happened to me.’ And they want to spend the next five minutes talking about it. At the end of the day, I think what people like is that this is all about them.”

And still, Smith says, audiences are looking for wizardry. But there’s no tricks of the light, no hidden fans. He stresses multiple times in this interview and at the start of “Phasmagorica” that this is “not theater, not a performance, not a show.”

“I’ve had people walk out of the room and swear there was a magnet in the pendulum board,” he says. “Or swear there was some effect that made them see a person standing. People still have an explanation that I had something to do with it. Whatever helps you sleep with the light off.”

While numerous cultures and spiritual movements have throughout history long attempted to commune with the dead, a séance, says Lisa Morton, author of “Calling the Spirits: A History of Séances,” is a relatively recent occurrence. She and Smith trace their popularity to the Fox sisters, Kate and Maggie, who performed to packed crowds in the late 1880s in New York, attempting to demonstrate that spirits could speak via a series of raps on the walls.

BC Smith calls “Phasmagorica” an “experiment,” shirking at the word performance. (Roger Kisby / For The Times)

Prior to the Fox sisters, Morton says, attempts to commune with the beyond, broadly speaking, were a more personal and ritualistic affair. “The Greeks believed that sleeping on a grave might give you dreams in which you communed with a spirit,” she says. Popular myths, too, would portray the practice as borderline arcane. In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” for instance, a bridge to the spirit world is reached only after a complex series of sacrifices and offerings — a potent mix of sweet wine and the blood of a lamb.

“The séance comes along, and not only is it a group activity, but it suggests that anyone can communicate with the spirits of the dead,” Morton says. “You just need a medium — someone who can enter a trance state and open themselves to receiving spirit communications. It was done with a group, and in the comfort of someone’s home. Those were startlingly new ideas.”

Morton has taken part in Smith’s “Phasmagorica.” She, too, appreciated the historical emphasis, specifically the way a musician performs after the séance as guests mingle with one another and share their experience. Music was a big part of early séances, Morton says.

“People would sit around a table and the lights would be lowered and they would sing,” Morton says “Now, singing did have a scammy double purpose, as they allowed the medium to start doing things in the dark unheard. But these evenings were wondrous for people, and I thought that was what BC Smith captured really well.”

“Phasmagorica” has been running on select weekends at Heritage Square since the late summer. Smith intends to continue adding events throughout the fall as his schedule allows, announcing them on Instagram. Though intimate, they do typically sell out. It’s traveling via word of mouth, theorizes Smith, because people today are increasingly searching for “connection and meaning.”

Heritage Square Museum is itself a location imbued with history and mystery, the site of the homes of Los Angeles as they existed a century ago.

(Marcus Ubungen / Los Angeles Times)

“The experience is really up to you,” he says. “I think we’re all searching for something. This is a safe space to explore.”

Late in life, Maggie Fox denounced the spiritualism movement that she and her sister Kate had helped start, demonstrating the ways in which they had fooled their audiences. Smith again stresses that he himself is a “hopeful skeptic,” and purposefully stays out of the experience so that guests aren’t trying to figure out if he’s holding onto any secrets.

And yet he says, “Phasmagorica” has permanently changed him. He notes that his wife is a commercial airline pilot and must travel often.

“When she’s away, I sleep with a night-light,” he says. “Maybe that’s the answer to the question whether I believe or not.”

IF you’re already planning ahead for the festive season, you can nab a huge saving on Christmas chocolate right now.

A bargain UK supermarket is selling 25p Cadbury’s selection boxes for £2.50 cheaper than a rival store.

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The bargain comes after news that struggling Poundland is going back to basics, with plans to increase the number of products sold in store for just a quid.

The Cadbury’s 25p selection box weighs in at 125g and includes a selection of favourite treats.

This includes Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Freddo Caramel, Fudge, Crunchie,, Dairy Milk Little Bar, Treatsize Buttons and a Wispa.

An identical selection box is on sale at Iceland‘s for £2,50.

But you will have to pop into your local Poundland to pick up the bargain as Poundland‘s website is now for browsing only.

A statement on the site reads: “We’re currently working very hard behind the scenes to simplify and refocus our stores.

“And that means very soon there’ll be even more ranges at £1 and new items to choose from each week.

“Unfortunately, we will no longer be providing an online delivery service from the 16th September 2025.

“While we know most of our online shoppers also visit us regularly in stores (thank you!), we know this will be disappointing to all who’ve been using our online ordering service.”

Cheapest UK supermarket to buy Christmas chocolate tubs

Whether you’re indulging in the festive treats ahead of time or you’re stocking up for your friends, family, and co-workers, this deal offers impressive savings.

The offer comes after Morrisons slashed the price of a variety of chocolate tubs from £7 to just £4.50.

Now, Tesco is giving shoppers a chance match this price, with some tubs reduced right now.

Clubcard holders can avail of significant savings with tubs of Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses reduced to just £5.25.

Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street are also available for just £4.50.

Sainsbury’s slashes the price of Cadbury favourites starting today

Supermarkets often watch each other’s sales and try to price match especially in the lead up to Christmas.

And Sainsbury’s is slashing the price of Cadbury favourites for five days only starting today.

The promotion will take the price of Heroes and Roses tubs down from £7 to £4.50 – perfect for anyone looking to stock up ahead of the festive season.

A large box of Milk Tray will see its cost halve from £11 to £5.50

And pouches including Cadbury giant buttons, crunchie rocks, oreo bites, twirl bites, will fall from £1.95 to 97p.

Large 90g bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk will drop from £2.20 to £1.50.

The discounted prices take effect from Wednesday September 17 and will last until Sunday September 21.

However, they are only available to Nectar account holders, so you’ll need to sign up for the loyalty scheme if you are not already a member.

A MAJOR supermarket is selling McVitie’s biscuit boxes for just £2.50 ahead of this Christmas season.

The 400g boxes include a selection of family favourites to get in the festive spirit.

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McVitie’s Family Circle Biscuit Selection boxes are available cheapest at Iceland for just £2.50.

What is included

There are ten different biscuits to choose from in this selection box, including the iconic Milk Chocolate Digestives, popular Custard Creams, and much-loved Rich Highland Shorties.

Also included in the boxes are McVitie’s Choc Chip Cookies, Shortcake, Jam Sandwich Creams, Milk Chocolate Fingers, Crunchy Oat, Nice, and Bourbon Creams.

Shoppers’ reactions

Iceland customers have raved about the product in reviews.

One wrote: “These biscuits have always been Christmas specials.

“There is a good selection of biscuits included.

“And they are great tasting …love them for a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.”

Another added: “Includes chocolate ones and most usual ones.”

“Not really any new ones.”

Both gave the biscuit selection an overall rating of four stars.

Sainsbury’s and Occado are also seen selling the McVitie’s boxes, but for £4.

And Morrisons has them on sale for £3.

More Christmas boxes

Quality Street chocolates and celebrations are also popular Christmas boxes that have been seen going for cheap recently.

At Morrisons, tubs were seen going for just £4.50 from the discount retailer.

And Lidl and Aldi are also known for providing the best deals of groceries, another major UK retailer was found to have the cheapest rate on chocolate boxes.

This week, Tesco took the crown for best overral rates on Christmas chocolate.

Tesco Clubcard holders are able to pick up Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street for £4.50, while Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses have been reduced to £5.25.

Tesla (TSLA 7.21%) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs), but rising competition is slowly chipping away at its market share. EV sales are still the main driver of Tesla’s financial results, but CEO Elon Musk is trying to future-proof the company by steering its resources into new products like autonomous vehicles and robotics.

Ark Investment Management, which was founded by seasoned tech investor Cathie Wood, predicts autonomous vehicles will transform Tesla’s economics. In fact, Ark thinks a whopping 86% of the company’s earnings will come from self-driving robotaxis by 2029, paving the way for a stock price of $2,600. That would be a 615% increase from where Tesla stock trades today.

How realistic is Ark’s forecast? Let’s dive in.

Image source: Tesla.

Tesla’s EV business is sputtering

To meet Ark’s bullish 2029 forecast, Tesla will have to transition from selling passenger EVs to selling self-driving robotaxis, and it will also have to build new services like an autonomous ride-hailing network.

Unfortunately, Tesla is currently operating from a position of weakness, which is forcing this shift earlier than the company perhaps would have liked. After all, government regulators haven’t approved Tesla’s full self-driving (FSD) software for unsupervised use anywhere in the U.S. yet, which is a huge barrier to the success of its upcoming Cybercab robotaxi.

Tesla delivered 1.79 million passenger EVs during 2024, which was down 1% from the prior year, marking the first annual decline since the company launched its flagship Model S in 2011. The situation is much worse in 2025, with deliveries shrinking by a whopping 13% in the first half of the year. This led to a 14% decline in Tesla’s revenue and a 31% collapse in its earnings per share (EPS) during the same period, which is alarming to say the least.

A rapid increase in competition is a key reason for Tesla’s woes. Low-cost EV producers like China-based BYD are making serious inroads into some of Tesla’s biggest markets. Tesla’s sales sank by 40% across Europe in July, despite EV registrations climbing by 33% overall. BYD, on the other hand, saw a whopping 225% increase in sales in the region.

Simply put, Tesla is quickly losing market share in the passenger EV space. The company is launching a low-cost EV of its own in order to compete, but production just started so it probably won’t be a factor until next year at the earliest.

86% of Tesla’s earnings could soon come from autonomous robotaxis

Elon Musk is making a big bet on autonomous ride-hailing. The Cybercab, which will enter mass production in 2026, will run entirely on Tesla’s FSD software, so it’s designed to operate without any human intervention. In theory, that means it can haul passengers and even small commercial loads at all hours of the day, creating a lucrative new revenue stream for the company.

Scaling this business will come with challenges. I mentioned FSD isn’t approved for unsupervised use in the U.S. just yet, but Tesla will also have to compete with established ride-hailing giants like Uber Technologies, which has already partnered with 20 other companies in the autonomous driving space. Around 180 million people already use Uber every single month, so it’s in a much better position to dominate the autonomous ride-hailing industry compared to Tesla, which has to build an entire network from scratch.

However, Ark thinks Tesla will eventually make it work. Its forecasts suggest the company will generate $1.2 trillion in annual revenue by 2029, with 63% ($756 billion) coming from its robotaxi platform alone. Ark says that could translate to $440 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), with 86% attributable to the robotaxi because of its high profit margins — human drivers are the largest cost in existing ride-hailing networks, but the robotaxi won’t need them.

Don’t rush to buy Tesla stock just yet

In my opinion, Ark’s predictions are too ambitious. Wall Street thinks Tesla will generate around $93 billion in revenue during 2025 (according to Yahoo! Finance), so that figure will have to grow by almost 1,200% over the next four years to meet Ark’s forecast of $1.2 trillion — driven by a brand-new robotaxi product that hasn’t even hit the road yet.

Tesla’s valuation is another issue. Its stock is trading at an eye-popping price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 209, making it almost seven times as expensive than the Nasdaq-100 technology index — which trades at a P/E ratio of 31.6. Remember, Tesla’s earnings are currently shrinking, which makes its premium valuation even harder to justify.

Therefore, I’m hesitant to buy into the idea that Tesla stock could surge by another 615% over the next four years to reach Ark’s price target of $2,600. It might be possible if the company’s robotaxi platform becomes as successful as Ark predicts, but I think that’s unlikely in such a short period of time. After all, Elon Musk has promised unsupervised self-driving cars for the last 10 years, and Tesla still hasn’t delivered.

A COUPLE are selling their £600k home in a raffle – with tickets costing just TWO pounds.

Aily Chalmers, 32, and her husband, Nathan, 35, say they were forced into the unusual decision because of the “disastrous” housing market.

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They initially put their four-bed detached home near Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, on the market, but were instantly put off.

The couple were told by their estate agent that they would have to cut the price, with a potential 18-month wait to make a sale.

Instead, they are selling 450,000 raffle tickets, with the winner set to receive the house free from stamp duty and fees.

Speaking on their “mad” venture, website designer Aily said: “We never thought we’d be doing something like this.

“But we want to move closer to family and just thought, ‘go for it.’

“All you can do is try in these situations and the house is basically just going to be given away.

“All stamp duty and other fees will be paid, and the winner won’t have to pay anything other than £2 for the ticket.

“The market is awful at the moment, and we’re looking to move ASAP.

“It sounds mad, but it’s a win-win for us and someone who gets to live in a four-bed house for £2.”

The home has three bathrooms, a study, a snug and an open-plan dining room-lounge.

Aily and Nathan moved into the then-new build seven years ago.

But when the pair’s fourth child was born, they decided they wanted to move closer to family in Hampshire for support.

The mum-of-four continued: “Nathan and I have been discussing moving out since last year.

“We looked into selling the house the traditional way.

“Our house is perfect at the moment and our budget is the same.

“The only downside of being here is that we have to drive miles and miles if we want to see our family.

“It sounds mad, but we’re really hoping we can pull it off.

“We had lots of Zoom calls with the company hosting the raffle, to iron out the legalities of it all and now the competition is live.”

The pair have already sold one per cent of tickets in a matter of days, raising £6,000.

Both her and Nathan are hoping to raise an extra £20,000 in spending money to cover additional costs.

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It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be considering a new tax on the sale of houses over £500,000.

But critics say the measures could weaken the property market by discouraging homeowners from downsizing and selling.

The proposed legislation would be part of a wider overhaul to stamp duty and council tax.

Slamming the proposed changes, Aily accused the Government of “punishing people who own property”.

She added: “I feel like it’s the whole property market at the moment.

“The government putting in all this new legislation just to get more money off people and sort of punishing people who own property.

“We couldn’t afford to keep this home mortgage when our mortgage rate doubled a couple of years ago.

“It’s terrible. I don’t know how some people are surviving. A lot more people are wanting to just rent.”

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People in L.A. and New York better get ready for a sea of ESPN red on their morning and evening commutes.

Walt Disney Co.’s is backing the Thursday launch of its sports media unit’s direct-to-consumer streaming app with a major advertising campaign aimed at captive audiences in their cars and on the railway tracks.

The aggressive four-week push is aimed at telling consumers that ESPN — long one of the pillars of the cable television business — will be available for the first time without a pay TV subscription.

The service, a major initiative since ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro took over the Disney unit in 2018, is a response to the growing number of consumers who are bypassing cable and satellite for streaming video platforms. The trend has decreased the number of pay TV homes receiving ESPN, which is a major source of revenue for the company.

ESPN ad on a Cadillac SUV used for Lyft.

(ESPN)

Consumers can subscribe to the new ESPN streaming app for $29.99 a month. Households already paying to receive ESPN channels through cable or satellite can sign up at no additional cost, enabling up to five people to stream the service on mobile devices and internet-connected TV sets.

“We designed our campaign exactly as we designed our product, which is to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere,” Jo Fox, executive vice president of marketing for ESPN, said in a recent interview. “So we want to make sure we are showing up in as many places as possible.”

The advertising campaign that starts Thursday will feature Lyft-operated Cadillac SUVs wrapped in the company logo and the promotional campaign’s tagline “All of ESPN. All in One Place.”

The vehicles will be concentrated in high-traffic areas near sporting events in Los Angeles and New York, where the U.S. Open tennis tournament will soon begin. The ESPN brand name and logo will also appear on the Lyft app and maps.

Mass transit users won’t be left out, as ESPN will take over the E Line of the New York City subway that travels from the World Trade Center to Queens. The exterior of the train cars will be covered with logos while more specific ad messages will appear on the inside.

The public address announcements at the Spring Street subway station — located near Disney’s downtown Manhattan headquarters — will be delivered by ESPN’s voluble $20-million-a-year man Stephen A. Smith, the co-host of “First Take.”

Signage will also take over electronic screens in New York’s Moynihan Train Hall and Port Authority Bus Terminal and billboards along L.A.’s Sunset Boulevard and adjacent to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

ESPN’s campaign will go beyond the major media centers on the coasts. The streaming service will be featured on TV screens in the home entertainment sections in 4,000 Walmart stores across the country.

ESPN also has a deal with Samsung, which will offer free yearlong subscriptions to the streaming service to customers who purchase a QLED 4K TV at Best Buy or Samsung.com. Best Buy stores will feature the ESPN app in stores as well during the promotion.

ESPN has already been touting its streaming service on air and in paid TV media buys with commercials featuring actor and WWE star John Cena. Cena will soon be an ESPN fixture as the streaming service becomes the new home of major WWE events such as WrestleMania and Royal Rumble, starting in 2026.

The ESPN app will include a number of features that will complement the live sports offerings. Fans will be able to create their own personalized “SportsCenter,” which will use artificial intelligence to provide a short personalized highlight program geared to the user’s favorite teams and events.

NBC Sports pioneered the customized highlight show on its Peacock streaming platform during the 2024 Summer Olympics, using the voice of Al Michaels. The voices of ESPN “SportsCenter” hosts will be used on “SportsCenter for You.”

The app will also offer stats, betting, commerce and fantasy sports information alongside the live game coverage shown on ESPN channels.

“Framing” the image of Dutch colonial history: For decades, the Netherlands maintained its own narrative about its colonial past, notably over the 1945-1949 war in Indonesia, euphemistically called “police actions”. In reality, it was a major military operation in response to Indonesia’s unilateral declaration of independence in August 1945. This two-part series reveals how far the Dutch government went in “selling” the war as a domestic affair aimed at restoring peace in what it called the Dutch East Indies. The series exposes how propaganda, selective media coverage and historical omission shaped the Dutch collective memory. A wide range of interviewees explain the complex relationships in the former colony and provide a global context. International pressure eventually forced the Dutch government to give up its colonial war, but its carefully orchestrated disinformation campaign still hangs over the public debate in the Netherlands today. This is about how history is written, rewritten and often manipulated to serve powerful vested interests.

LIDL is selling a range of budget-friendly camping gadgets as Brits soak up the sunny weather.

The discount supermarket chain is stocking kids’ sleeping bags and chairs, cool boxes and even an air mattress.

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The new range will be perfect for camping during the end of summer and autumn and getting outdoors to make the last of the year’s light.

There are 30 items Crivit Camping range that range from air mattresses to cool boxes.

And some even have a discount attached to them.

For example, the camping cutlery set selling for £9.99 now has 20 per cent with Lidl Plus and is selling for £7.99.

The Crivit Aluminium Camping Table normally sells for £24.99, but with the Lidl Plus card is currently selling for £19.99.

The air mattress in a double size is selling for £14.99, while sleeping bags are selling for £12.99.

A range of four cool bags are selling for £3.99 while backpacks are selling for £14.99.

It comes after Crivit released a number of tents and festival gear for summer at Lidl several months ago.

The incredible Crivit camping range has everything festival-goers need to set themselves up in the Wilderness, including the 4-Person Blackout Tent – popping up in stores for just £99.00 with Lidl Plus.

Crivit was even selling stand up paddleboards at supermarkets.

The Crivit All-Round Inflatable SUP is priced at just £99.99, and was available at Lidl stores from Thursday May 29.

This bargain bed comes after Lidl have begun selling ice cool gel pillows that are easy to use and would be perfect for keeping cool on those hot car trips.

For just £7.99 on the Lidl plus app, shoppers can get their hands on the Silentnight Cooling Gel Pillow Pad.

That’s more than £12 cheaper than a similar product on Argos, with the low price available until June 7.

Described as perfect for restless sleepers and over heaters, the pillow give you instant cooling comfort, so you don’t need to flip your pillow during the night.

At 60x40cm it covers your entire pillow and simply needs to be slid inside your pillowcase on top of your normal pillow.

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The pretty town is loved by locals and popular with holiday makers for several reasons including its market being crowned ‘Britain’s best’

A Devon ‘rebel’ town lined with independent shops is a place I visit often – and tourists flock there too.

It’s a picturesque place offering a true taste of local life with cream teas served along with lots of other delicious food to try.

Tavistock in Devon is closer to Cornwall than you may think – and being inland there are numerous other places to visit around the charming town, reports the Express.

Fringed by Dartmoor and within driving distance to the beach, staying a while in Tavistock offers a retreat from the crowds that typically end up in seaside spots.

The town has much to see, museums, independent shops and a fantastic pannier market with an array of stalls selling all sorts of things.

For ramblers it’s great, as there are so many short or long walks to set off upon from here with many trails taking you along the riverside.

Tavistock’s Pannier Market dates back hundreds of years to the year 1105, stall holders are friendly and chatty and will talk you through their wares.

I love to visit the market which was crowned Britain’s best this year in the Great British Market Awards 2025 – one of my favourite stalls is a quirky one called Talking Rubbish.

Richard Westacott-Jones runs this business which sells numerous beautiful old bottles, many of which he has dug from the earth himself.

Brimming with unique shops, the town really offers an ‘experience’ when it comes to shopping and Richard from Talking Rubbish, believes retail has become ‘soulless’ in cities, which is why so many people visit Tavistock to shop.

If you’re in a nearby seaside spot and it’s a rainy day in Devon (or nearby Cornwall) a little escape to Tavistock could be a good tip.

Even if the sun shines, it’s a nice place to come for some relaxation, with Lydford Gorge nearby too with its stunning waterfall – you can even walk here from the town if you’re keen on a ‘moderate’ one hour ramble.

Running through Tavistock town is the beautiful River Tavy, where kingfishers and much other wildlife can be spotted – and other walking routes will lead you to many other delightful spots.

The Tavistock Canal Towpath winds through woodlands, leading you to the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tavistock is known as a ‘rebel town’ for famously shunning fast food outlet McDonald’s, although one briefly opened, no-one used it, locals didn’t want it there, so it closed down (in 2006).

Now it’s these kinds of actions that make me proud to be Devonian – and it’s this kind of stronghold local action that has enabled the town to keep its charming character.

Tavistock is a bit different – and what’s more you can shop for something a bit different too, this gives the place a nice relaxing vibe and a feeling of escape (from the norm of other towns and cities) for a while.