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Long Lost Family search ends in ‘heartache’ as Davina McCall shares tragic news

The ITV show followed Natasha Carr and her sister Lee-Ann four years after their initial reunion

Two siblings were given tragic news about their biological father during the latest episode of ITV’s Long Lost Family: Born Without a Trace.

Natasha Carr was just one week old when she was abandoned in a toilet at St Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth, in 1989. She turned to the ITV show for assistance in tracing her biological family in 2018, having no knowledge of her life prior to being fostered and ultimately adopted at the age of two.

While the show was unable to locate her biological parents, it uncovered, after three years of searching, that Natasha has a full sister named Lee-Ann, who is just 18 months older than she is.

Sharing 51 percent of Natasha’s DNA, Lee-Ann was also a foundling, having been left in the staff toilets at St James’s Hospital in Balham when she was just a few days old.

At the time of their reunion in 2022, Natasha told host Davina McCall: “It’s so lovely to have someone who has the same experience. No one will ever understand unless you’re in the exact same situation, and she literally was in the same situation,” reports MyLondon.

On Monday evening (August 24), the ITV show broadcast an update to Natasha and Lee-Ann’s story in Long Lost Family: What Happened Next, eight years after their initial search began.

While the team searched for further relatives of the sisters, they learned that their father had passed away only a few years earlier, following a battle with cancer. Natasha and Lee-Ann received the heartbreaking news away from the cameras.

“I’m on my way to give Natasha and Lee-Ann major information; sadly, their birth father has died, which we’ve told them away from the cameras,” Davina revealed.

Yet the sisters faced another stunning development as Davina confirmed their birth mother had been traced. “She’s still alive, and she would really like the chance to meet them and to start building a relationship,” she added.

Throughout Davina’s conversation with Natasha and Lee-Ann, she disclosed that their father was born and brought up in Jamaica until he was 14 years old.

“It’s really interesting to know our background and where we come from and who we are”, Lee-Ann shared, “That’s what started my journey, I wanted to know what flag.”

The siblings also learned their biological mother was alive and had additional children, leaving them both astounded.

Lee-Ann became visibly emotional and received support from Natasha as Davina confirmed their mum’s desire to reconnect with her two daughters.

Subsequently, in the episode, Natasha confirmed she had encountered her birth mum while Lee-Ann was still coming to terms with the revelation.

Long Lost Family: What Happened Next is available to stream on ITVX

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Passport Office shares ‘don’t travel’ advice as trips could be ‘disrupted’

The travel advice was shared to help prevent disruptions for people with upcoming trips

HM Passport Office (HMPO) has shared essential travel advice for anyone travelling abroad. The alert comes amid the busy summer holiday period, when countless families are planning trips.

In a post shared on social media, HMPO urged people not to travel with a passport that they had previously reported lost or stolen. The X alert said: “Found a passport you previously reported lost or stolen? Don’t travel with it. Once reported, it’s cancelled and using it could disrupt your trip.”

Instead, they will need to apply for a replacement. HM Passport Office says it considers passports damaged if any of your details cannot be read, any of the pages are ripped or cut, there are holes in the cover, the cover is coming away, or there are stains on the pages. For instance, ink or water damage is not allowed.

HM Passport Office says it is important to cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as you can. “This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity.

“You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.” If you have a photo of the lost passport, you can use this to answer the necessary questions.

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The advice continues: “You might be able to apply for an emergency travel document. You’ll need to pay a fee. If you apply for an emergency travel document, you do not need to cancel your passport now. You’ll cancel it as part of your application for the emergency travel document.”

When renewing your passport online, you will need a credit or debit card and a digital photo. It costs £102. If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you also need someone to confirm your identity online. More details are available on GOV.UK.

You can also follow @HM_Passport on X for general updates and tips. For instance, another recent post shares tips for taking your passport photos. The advice said: “A suitable passport photo can help avoid delays. Make sure your photo is in focus, against a plain background and meets all requirements.”

GOV.UK says: “In your photo you must: be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera, have a plain expression and your mouth closed, have your eyes open and visible, not have hair in front of your eyes, not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons).

“Do not have anything covering your face, not have any shadows on your face or behind you.”

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Walmart shares fall as comparable sales growth slows

Customers at a Walmart on Nov. 28, 2013 in Alexandria, Va. Shares of Walmart fell more than 9% after the retailer reported the lowest quarterly comparable sales growth since 2020. File Photo by Michael Reynolds/EPA-EFE

Aug. 20 (UPI) — Walmart on Thursday reported sales grew at their slowest pace in the retailer’s latest fiscal quarter in six years, sending its shares down more than 9%.

In the second quarter ended July 31, comparable sales in the US, including stores and digital channels open for at least a year, were 2.6%, the smallest advance since 2020, Walmart said.

“Customers tell us they’re still feeling some pressure,” Walmart CEO John Furner said on an earnings call with analysts.

Walmart blamed the disappointing sales growth partly on new federal rules on drug pricing that cut the prices of several costly medications for those enrolled in Medicare.

The company is also anticipating at least $2 billion in extra costs this year from higher gasoline prices due to rising oil prices due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

As the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen to $4.10 from $2.98 and inflation spiked to 3.4% from 2.4% before the conflict, Walmart said consumers are making adjustments.

“As you go through month by month in the last quarter, you can tell when fuel prices increased and got above $4, and perhaps there’s a psychological impact to that, that there are choices that consumers are making,” Walmart finance chief John David Rainey told analysts. “It’s why we have leaned so heavily into lower prices.”

Meanwhile, Walmart said it has seen gains as more affluent customers trade down as their budgets tighten.

For the full year, Walmart expects net sales to rise 4% to 5%, up from 3.5$ to 4.5% previously. Operating income is expected to rise 7.5% to 8.5%, up from an earlier view for 6% to 8%.

Rainey told CNBC that Walmart is eligible for tariff refunds of around $2.9 billion, and it has yet to receive nearly $100 million of that. He said the funds would be used to lower prices.

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EasyJet pilot shares the biggest mistake parents make when flying with kids

If you’re taking your little ones on a plane this summer, there are some helpful ways to feel prepared, as an easyJet pilot has shared the mistake that parents can easily make

An easyJet pilot has revealed the biggest mistake parents can make when flying with their children.

Jetting off abroad is always exciting, with the promise of touching down at that sought-after holiday destination you booked months in advance. While the flight might provide a little pre-holiday respite for many travellers, with their favourite series downloaded on Netflix or their current read in hand, it can be a whole different experience for parents.

Understandably, children can become restless on flights, particularly if they’ve set off early in the morning or late at night, and even if the journey is just a few hours. In their eyes, they’re in a compact space, unable to run around freely, in a new environment with some loud noises and a change in air pressure.

Parents can certainly have their hands full when flying with kids. But there are some nifty ways to help make the journey smoother, including being organised with what the kids need.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, easyJet Captain Matt Clutterbuck, said: “When my kids were young, we tried to be as organised as possible, having only the things we needed with us in our under seat bags and we start packing away everything but the essentials when the flight is descending so there’s less to deal with (and forget) when you get off – especially cuddly toys!”

On his own experience of seeing little jetsetters board the plane, the pilot, who is based at London Luton Airport, shared: “When I’m at work I always enjoy meeting our young travellers, so next time you fly with us, please say hello.

“Our cabin crew have Little Traveller’s logbooks so young passengers can keep a record of their travel adventures, and it’s a great way to keep kids occupied while flying. Ask for one next time you are on board, and they can ask the Captain to sign it every flight.”

The easyJet pilot also revealed the destination he’d recommend for family travel. “I think our favourite family holiday destination is Turkey,” Matt said.

“With amazing food, culture and people, we have always had a brilliant time there. It is a very family-oriented culture, and they always make a fuss of the children.”

Last month, the airline and package holiday provider partnered up with Life360, the family connection and safety app, to offer easyJet customers free Teddy Trackers when jetting off on their holidays. The aim of the scheme is to help families keep track of their children’s favourite toys via the Life360 app during their holiday, as 87% of parents said they fear their child losing a toy when travelling, while 49% said they had encountered the heartbreaking ordeal.

On the Teddy Trackers initiative, Matt shared: “I think this campaign will not only help children, but parents too. One of the biggest stresses on our holidays was making sure both kids had their cuddly toys with them. It seemed we were constantly doing a teddy roll call to make sure they hadn’t been left in a shop, on a bench or in a restaurant, and we weren’t alone because nearly 4 in 5 parents say their child’s favourite toy travels with them on most, if not every, family holiday.

“Hundreds of thousands of cuddly toys will travel on holidays this summer, so parents will have that extra peace of mind knowing that their child’s cuddly toy can be tracked, putting an end to the heartbreak of losing them. Hopefully, the Teddy Trackers offer parents extra peace of mind, helping ensure these special companions always find their way home and offer comfort to children knowing their beloved companion will be easily traceable if lost.

“The trackers are now available for free at London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast International.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Witney Carson shares pregnancy news ahead of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ premiere

Witney Carson will be dancing for two on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.”

The professional ballroom dancer revealed her pregnancy Monday on “Good Morning America,” stating that although she’s excited for the experience, it is also “daunting.”

“I’ve never been this far along pregnant and competing on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” said Carson. “I don’t know if it’s ever been done. So you guys will definitely see a big bump.”

The competitive dancer has two boys — 5-year-old Leo and 3-year-old Jet — with husband Carson McAllister. The two have been married since 2016.

The 32-year-old has competed on 15 seasons of the popular reality dance show. Last year, she took home the top prize alongside Australian conservationist Robert Irwin; in 2014, she took home her first Mirrorball Trophy alongside actor Alfonso Ribeiro.

In the coming season, Carson also revealed that she will hit the dance floor with comedian Guillermo Rodriguez, the Mexican talk show personality best known as a sidekick to Jimmy Kimmel on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“It wasn’t on my bingo card to compete on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and be four months pregnant, but I think that it’s a beautiful thing,” said Carson on “GMA.” “I want to feel empowered. I want to see what my body can do. And hopefully Guillermo could be right there beside me and we can work as a team.”

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the dancer revealed that she was “extremely sick” in her first trimester and “dropped out of things” that she had been contracted to participate in, but after discussing the matter with her husband as well as executive producer Deena Katz, she decided to continue with the competition.

Carson was first in the spotlight in 2012 during the ninth season of the Fox series “So You Think You Can Dance,” then joined the “Dancing With the Stars” troupe in 2013 for the 16th season. This summer, she made a special appearance as a guest judge on the spinoff series “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” where 12 up-and-coming dancers compete for a pro-dancer spot on the popular main series.

Season 35 of “Dancing With the Stars” will premiere with a two-night episode on Sept. 15 and 16.

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Cruz Beckham shares surprise social media snap with brother Brooklyn amid family fall-out

CRUZ Beckham left fans blindsided as he shared a throwback photo with his two brothers Romeo and Brooklyn.

In what at first appeared to be a regular post of recent snaps, Cruz included a photo of when he and his brothers were children, posing together while on holiday.

Cruz Beckham left fans blindsided as he shared a throwback photo with his two brothers Romeo and Brooklyn Credit: instagram
Elsewhere, Cruz’s sister-in-law Nicola Peltz also shared a series of snaps, including a picture of her husband Brooklyn, grinning happily Credit: Instagram

The photo of happier times was simply captured “Brothers” with a blue heart emoji.

This surprised his followers, given Brooklyn is currently estranged from the rest of the Beckhams amid their very public fall-out.

Brooklyn has not been pictured with the rest of the family since then – but Cruz’s inclusion of the childhood throwback set tongues wagging in the Instagram comments.

“Brothers forever Cruz!” one person penned, followed by another who wrote: “Precious memories forever!”

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Elsewhere, Cruz’s sister-in-law Nicola Peltz also shared a series of snaps, captioning them “summer magic”.

At first glance, the post appeared to be a regular series of recent snaps, with Cruz playing the guitar in one image Credit: instagram
Another snap saw Cruz on holiday looking out to sea Credit: instagram
David and Harper Beckham featured in a further snapCredit: Refer to source
Brooklyn has been estranged from the Beckhams for over a year Credit: Getty

Amid a slew of snaps featuring luxury homes and bouquets of flowers, was a picture of her husband Brooklyn, grinning happily.

Brooklyn declared in January that he was not speaking to his family, claiming they had tried to interfere with his marriage to Nicola, and that they “humiliated” him at their 2022 wedding.

He stated that he was not interested in reconnecting with mum and dad Victoria and David Beckham, and his siblings Cruz, Romeo and Harper Beckham were seemingly dragged into the feud as a result.

Just last week, fans believed Cruz had taken a swipe at Brooklyn in a TikTok post.

Cruz’s clip showed him cracking an egg into a pan, before removing and throwing away the shell.

He struggled to crack the egg, having to scoop out pieces of shell with his fingers.

Cruz captioned the post: “The shell is the best part.”

Meanwhile, the lyric “I wanna wear you down” from Cruz’s single Wear & Tear played over the video.

Cruz’s followers believed he was referencing aspiring chef Brooklyn’s own cooking videos.

This includes fans recently being left baffled with Brooklyn’s bizarre cooking hack on a yacht, when he used seawater to cook tomato pasta during a holiday with his wife.

Writing underneath Cruz’s video, one fan penned: “Second best cook in the family after ya dad….”

While another added: “It took me a minute, but this has to be a dig. The cooking and the song lyrics.”

Earlier this month, David and Victoria missed bumping into Brooklyn by minutes after the whole clan holidayed in St. Tropez separately.

The Beckhams enjoyed a summer break away in the South of France but estranged son Brooklyn was enjoying his own outing with wife Nicola Peltz just around the corner.

The clan have been split for over a year with Posh and Becks attempting to extend an olive branch on numerous occasions.

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Countryfile’s Adam Henson shares ‘heartbreaking’ farm problem that has left him worried

Countryfile’s Adam Henson has highlighted a worrying issue facing Britain’s farming industry after a set of figures left him deeply concerned

BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has highlighted a serious concern facing the farming industry after new figures revealed a sharp rise in the number of people dying at work.

The farmer, who runs Cotswold Farm Park, said the statistics had prompted him to think carefully about the risks faced by those working on farms and whether more could be done to prevent fatal accidents.

Writing in BBC Countryfile Magazine, Adam said: “There’s so much bad news around that it’s easy to be numbed by the torrent of negative stories in the media. But occasionally something hits the headlines that stops me in my tracks – and that’s what happened when the latest figures for deaths in the workplace were released.”

Figures showed 33 people died while working in agriculture during the 2025/26 financial year, compared with 23 the previous year and 27 in 2023/24.

Adam pointed out the disproportionate number of deaths in the sector, noting that agriculture employs only around 1% of the British workforce but accounts for approximately one in five workplace fatalities.

The figures also prompted him to reflect on safety procedures at his own farm, where both employees and contractors carry out a wide variety of work.

He explained that risk assessments and training were already part of everyday operations, but said the figures were a reminder that it was worth looking again at how hazards were identified and managed.

Adam stressed that there was no single reason behind the number of deaths and that every incident had its own circumstances. However, he highlighted the nature of agricultural work as one possible factor.

Long days, physically demanding jobs and working alone can all create additional risks, particularly when there is nobody nearby to spot a problem or intervene.

“If there are no colleagues around and no chance of a second opinion (or a crucial second pair of eyes), it’s easy to imagine how something potentially dangerous could go unnoticed,” he wrote.

Farming also involves a huge variety of potentially hazardous tasks, with workers dealing with livestock, machinery, chemicals and other equipment.

Adam said the rural setting could sometimes make it easy to forget that a farm is still a workplace, and compared it with more conventional working environments such as factories and workshops.

He also recalled Apaches, the notorious public information film from the 1970s which highlighted the dangers children could face on farms. Adam described the film as “terrifying to watch”.

Research by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 88% of farmers surveyed believed complacency, including overconfidence and a false sense of security, was a major contributor to accidents on farms.

Several initiatives are attempting to improve safety, including the Foundation’s Yellow Wellies campaign, which provides advice and training. Meanwhile, charity RABI has developed FarmersAid, a free app intended to support people who are alone after a serious accident while they wait for emergency assistance.

Adam’s comments come after he recently raised another concern affecting the farming industry during a Q&A with fellow farmer Olly Harrison at Cotswold Farm Park.

Asked what they wanted from the Government, Harrison argued that farming needed to receive greater attention.

Adam subsequently discussed food fraud, saying he had been told by someone at the Food Standards Agency that the problem was worth £9 billion in the UK.

He said: “I was with someone from the Food Standards Agency and food fraud in the UK has a value of nine billion pounds. So stuff that is on a glass or a packet or says it’s something that it’s actually not.”

He went on to claim: “Huge amount of food coming into the country that is, you know, meats that is unlabelled or out of date or not fit for human consumption. Honey, olive oil and dairy products are the three biggest fraudulent foods.”

But it was the farm safety figures that left Adam with a simple hope for the future.

“Like everyone, I’m hoping and praying for zero avoidable deaths on our farms in the future.”

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Delta Goodrem ‘can’t move’ as she shares rehearsal update

The Australian singer was the third celebrity to be named for the new series of the BBC show and has now given an update after a gruelling first day in rehearsals

Delta Goodrem says she’s already struggling with the gruelling demands of her Strictly Come Dancing schedule – after one rehearsal.

The Australian singer and actress was confirmed for the twenty-sixth series of the long running BBC show in June, shortly after representing her country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Eclipse.

But Delta, 41, admits she is feeling the strain after participating in her first rehearsal at a London dance studio on Friday. Reflecting on her progress with new Strictly host Emma Willis, she said: “I can’t move today… I had my very first day yesterday. Obviously, there was a lot of dancing, so it was a baptism of fire, a lot of shock for the body, so I’m slow moving today.”

Despite her pedigree as a seasoned performer, Delta insists she doesn’t have an advantage over her Strictly rivals because her music doesn’t lend itself to dance.

“I love dancing, but I don’t get to dance,” she explained during an appearance on BBC Radio 2. “It’s never been my role. My music doesn’t sit in the space where I do a lot of choreography.

“I don’t do a lot of dancing, and I don’t think people associate me with dance… I’ve never done ballroom. I didn’t even know there was a difference between Latin and ballroom until yesterday.”

Delta was the third celebrity to be confirmed for the new series following the announcements of former Love Island winner Dani Dyer and EastEnders star Lacey Turner.

The singer hinted at an appearance on the show in June, telling Good Morning Britain: ‘Every time I’ve ever been in the UK and I get immersed into it. I love music with all my heart but as I said before Eurovision, I’m always open.’

Last week, the singer admitted she was yet to be assigned a professional dance partner and was already feeling nervous about her imminent appearance on the show. “I think in a couple of weeks, so it’s still like a week or so away when we start the process,’ she told Sunday Brunch. ‘I’m excited, nervous, all those kinds of things.”

Asked if she saw herself as a potential winner, she added: “I am going to go in and give my very best that I possibly can. I have no expectations or awareness of what level of dancing.”

Strictly is back this autumn and winter for its first series since hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the programme. Tess and Claudia have since been replaced by a trio of presenters – Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdecombe and Emma Willis.

Delta shot to fame when she starred as aspiring singer Nina Tucker on Neighbours and then went onto a major pop career with hits such as Innocent Eyes and Born To Try.

Along with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia, she is part of a cohort of stars who started out on the Australian soap before going onto conquer the music industry.

After signing up for Strictly Come Dancing, she said: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world.

“There is, however, one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor. I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started.”

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



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Emotional Alex Jones fights back tears as she shares message with The One Show fans

The One Show host Alex Jones struggled to hold back her emotions as she shared a heartfelt message to fans watching at home

Alex Jones was visibly emotional as she shared a message to fans during The One Show’s anniversary special.

The Welsh presenter has fronted the popular BBC magazine show since 2010 and she was joined by some former co-stars as well as her current colleagues live on air during Friday’s (August 14) hour-long programme to mark its 20th birthday.

Alex hosted the programme alongside Roman Kemp and the duo were joined by the current team of presenters – Angellica Bell, Clara Amfo, JB Gill and Vernon Kay – for the momentous occasion.

As well as catching up with current co-stars, former hosts Christine Lampard and Matt Baker returned to the iconic green sofa to share their memories of working on the show.

There was also a special film from the show’s original presenter Adrian Chiles, who hosted the very first episode back in 2006 alongside Nadia Sawalha.

From looking back at memorable guests to playing throwback clips, the anniversary programme was filled with joy and just before the credits rolled, Alex shared a heartfelt message with fans.

Speaking directly to the camera, the mother-of-three said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to the team and crew that work relentlessly hard in this programme to make it a brilliant show for all of you every day, thank you to all of the guests for entertaining us and being generous their time.

She continued: “Thank you to all of my co-hosts over the years. I’ve been so lucky to sit next to all of them and lastly thank you to you at home, you’re the most important in all of this, thank you for being with us every weekday. It’s a real privilege for us all to be with you at seven every night.”

The emotional presenter then went on to introduce musical guest Tom Grennan, who closed the anniversary special with a rendition of his hit single A Little Bit Of Love.

Fans at home rushed to social media to share their thoughts on the hour-long special marking the show’s landmark birthday. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “Really enjoyed #TheOneShow 20th anniversary.”

Another added: “Can you release this special one show on DVD please #TheOneShow.” Someone else wrote: “This 20 year celebration is a great hour of TV. Happy Birthday #TheOneShow.”

A fourth added: “Happy 20th anniversary @BBCTheOneShow – I love the warmth and inclusivity of the programme #theoneshow.” A fifth agreed: “I love a good TV montage! 20 years of pure TV live entertainment!”

However, the live show didn’t go off without a hitch as the government’s emergency alert interrupted the beginning of the programme. A confused Alex told viewers at the time: “You couldn’t make that up could you. I think it’s a fire alarm but we’ll continue for you and I’m doing my best to keep a straight face.”

However, It was later revealed that millions of people across England and Wales received an emergency alert on their phones from 7pm warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.

The One Show airs weeknights on BBC One at 7pm

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Jamie Redknapp shares loved-up family holiday snaps with wife Frida

JAMIE Redknapp shared loved-up snaps with wife Frida as they enjoyed a family holiday in Italy.

It comes just days The Sun revealed that after Jamie’s ex-wife Louise Redknapp split from her boyfriend Drew Michael after two years.

Jamie Redknapp shared loved-up snaps with wife Frida as they enjoyed a family holiday in Italy Credit: Instagram
Frida put on a stunning display in a mini floral frock Credit: Instagram

The ex-Eternal girl group star, 51, separated from the businessman and former Army officer, 42, earlier this year.

They had been dating since autumn 2023 but called time on the relationship and he is believed to have left the UK.

Meanwhile, Jamie, 53, is busy enjoying a romantic getaway with his wife of five years Frida and their son Raphael, four.

The pair shared a sweet photo of with their arms around each other while out sightseeing.

Frida then put on a stunning display in an off-the-shoulder mini dress and white heels as she glammed up for dinner.

The Sun revealed this week that Louise and boyfriend Drew Michael had split Credit: Getty
Friends insisted she is thriving as a singleton Credit: Getty

They also shared snaps of them enjoying some quality time together at the pool.

The Sun revealed this week that Louise and Drew had ended things.

But friends insisted she is thriving as a singleton and she recently jetted off twice on girls’ trips to Ibiza.

A source said: “Louise and Drew decided to end things a little while ago.

“Things had been really good between them but it felt like their relationship had run its course and they both thought it was best to move on.

“It was all very amicable and although it’s never fun when a relationship ends, Louise has thrown herself back into her social life and her busy work schedule.

Drew’s thought to have moved abroad for work so it’s been a clean break.

“She’s in no rush to jump back into another relationship because she feels very fulfilled with her life right now, but she’ll see what happens.”

Speaking about Drew last year, she said their relationship had inspired the track Manifesting on her fifth solo album, Confessions.

Louise, who shares sons Charley, 22, and Beau, 17, with Jamie, added: “Drew is great with my boys.

“He’s just a really great guy.

“I feel very lucky to have met him.”

Louise separated from Jamie in 2017 following a stint on Strictly.

She said of their separation: “I couldn’t just keep on kind of just being there existing — I’m an entertainer.”

Jamie went on to wed model Frida Andersson in 2021 and they have a son, Raphael, four.

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European Shares Flat as Iran Tensions Lift Oil Prices

European shares were little changed on Friday but remained on track for a weekly decline as investors weighed stalled U.S. Iran peace efforts, rising oil prices and upcoming euro zone economic data.

The STOXX 600 edged up 0.05% to 659.65 by 0710 GMT, staying close to record highs despite losses earlier in the week.

European equities have continued to receive support from a strong earnings season. Second quarter profit expectations for Europe’s blue chip companies have increased for an eighth consecutive week, with aggregate STOXX 600 earnings now expected to rise 23.4%, driven largely by strong energy and materials profits.

Iran Tensions Push Oil Higher

Renewed geopolitical tensions have nevertheless weakened investor appetite for risk.

Stay ahead of the geopolitical week.

MD Briefing delivers expert analysis across five global fronts — the Indo-Pacific, energy, geoeconomics, European security, and the Middle East — every Monday morning. Free.

Oil futures rose 1% to $87.93 a barrel after the United States threatened an indefinite naval blockade of Iran, raising concerns over potential disruptions to global crude supplies.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran remained deadlocked, with both sides adopting tougher positions in recent days.

Higher oil prices could add to inflationary pressure and complicate the outlook for central banks if the conflict continues to disrupt energy markets.

Investors Watch Economic Data

Markets also took some reassurance from softer U.S. consumer and producer price data released this week, strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve may avoid further monetary tightening.

Attention now turns to euro zone employment and GDP data for further clues about the health of the regional economy.

Technology Stocks Lead Gains

European technology stocks were among the strongest performers, with the sector rising 1.4%.

Basic resources stocks were the biggest decliners, falling 1.6% as investors assessed the impact of geopolitical uncertainty and commodity price movements.

Corporate news remained limited as Europe’s earnings season approached its end.

With information from Reuters.

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Travis Kelce shares first comments about wedding to Taylor Swift – ‘Best night of my life’

American football player Travis Kelce has reflected on his wedding to Taylor Swift, telling US media that their nuptials were “the best night of my life”.

Kelce and Swift tied the knot on 3 July at New York’s Madison Square Garden in a star-studded event that was largely kept private.

Few details from the ceremony have been shared publicly and Kelce’s comments on Wednesday mark the first he’s shared since the couple were wed by comedic actor Adam Sandler.

“It was kind of cool to live out my childhood dream of being in that venue, the mecca of all sports venues, being able to get married there,” Kelce told reporters at the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp in Missouri.

Kelce called the wedding “the best night of my life”, thanking guests who attended and calling it “a crazy night”.

The NFL star and the award-winning singer have kept much of the details of the wedding private and there have been no official photos released of the ceremony held inside the stadium. A litany of Hollywood A-list stars, such as actors Hugh Grant and Jason Sudeikis, singer Benson Boone and model Gigi Hadid were in attendance.

Kelce said he had wanted to attend a game when the New York Knicks basketball team were having a good playoff run last year, but had other commitments. The team ended up winning the NBA championships for the first time in nearly six decades.

“My wife went when I was stuck in a mini camp so I didn’t get my opportunity to go then,” he said referring to Swift as his wife publicly for the first time. She sat courtside at Game 4 of the NBA Finals, when the Knicks pulled off a stunning upset against the San Antonio Spurs in a 107-106 finish.

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Nadia Sawalha’s Loose Women co-star shares her brutal exit from ITV show

Saira Khan has candidly revealed why quit Loose Women as she claimed she was “treated unfairly” and received death threats during her time on the ITV chat show

Saira Khan has revealed why she really left Loose Women after Nadia Sawalha claimed she’s been dropped by ITV.

The former Apprentice star, 56, joined the ITV chat show in 2015 and spent five years debating live on air alongside the likes of Ruth Langsford, Coleen Nolan and Nadia Sawalha but eventually made the tough decision to leave the high-paying TV job after even her children had started to realise she had been treated “unfairly” during the height of her fame.

She said: “When you’re new, it’s really hard because it’s such a clique. You’ve got to prove yourself. But I aligned myself to Coleen and Ruth pretty quickly because I could relate to them. It was a hard decision to leave because I’d done it for a long time. No matter what you give to the media, you don’t get the thanks back, there’s no loyalty and you can be dropped. I saw people giving less but getting more. My kids said, ‘You’re not being treated fair, mum.’

“As a parent, I had to show that you don’t stick around. It doesn’t matter how good the job is. Financially, it was really hard to say goodbye to that.” Saira also claimed that because she was expected to be the one on the panel to talk about tough political subjects, she ended up receiving death threats.

She said: “The problem is, for someone like me, I then get stereotyped. ‘Oh, we’re talking about terrorism, bring Saira in, we’re talking about grooming gangs, bring her in.’ But I couldn’t do any of the fun stuff. So if you keep bringing me out talking about that stuff, that is stereotyping.

“I’d run two marathons, I like to snowboard, I’ve travelled around the world. None of that was ever explored. So people thought I was gobby and opinionated and a one-trick pony.

“I got death threats. Honestly, my husband was really scared for me. I got quite a few death threats and and I just said, ‘Steve, if I get shot the head for something I believe in, that’s my fate. I can’t do anything about that.”

Saira, who is married to Steve Hyde and has Zac, 18, as well as 15-year-old Amara with him, also co-hosted The Martin Lewis Money Show before going on to take part in in Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Big Brother during her her mainstream television career.

Elsewhere in the chat, Saira, who now focuses on managing her skincare business, admitted that she thrilled that neither of her children want to pursue a career in the spotlight after her own tumultuous experience.

Speaking on the Nolans Uncensored podcast, she explained: “Both of my kids have no interest in the media and I think it’s because of what they saw me go through. I’m really happy about that. The industry is changing, for me I’ve always seen it as a business and because it doesn’t see itself as a business, it’s not in such a great place right now.”

Saira’s frank comments come just days after Nadia Sawalha, also a long-serving panellist on Loose Women, spoke out about her lengthy absence from the show and threatened legal action, claiming ITV bullied her out of her job.

The former EastEnders star, who has not been seen on the show since April despite previously appearing up to three times a week for years, thinks she is being targeted for speaking out for Palestinian rights and was worried that police officers could come knocking on her door.

She told The Mirror: “I accept that there is a huge risk I will never work in television again.”

Colleagues have offered Nadia support, but she claimed many are too scared to do so publicly. She said two well-known faces at ITV reacted to an Instagram video she posted on her threat to sue the network.

But Nadia added: “I deleted it because I don’t want these people to be phased out. I feel sad that there is an atmosphere of fear that if they were to be seen to be supporting me, their career could be at risk. I don’t believe for one second the head of daytime wanted me off that show, I feel for her.”

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment

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A World Cup referee shares his view of red cards, hydration breaks

“So close to glory.”

That’s how Iván Barton described the moment he heard his last name called during the 2026 World Cup referee assignment meeting. It wasn’t to ask a question or to correct some administrative detail.

The next sentence changed his career forever: “Barton, your match is France vs. Spain. … After that, I didn’t hear anything else. I didn’t even know who my assistant referees would be.” The World Cup semifinal — one of the biggest matches a referee can officiate — had just been entrusted to the Salvadoran.

“It’s like going into shock, but a good kind of shock. ‘This is happening — it’s really happening.’ Reaching a semifinal is coming within a hair’s breadth of glory, because after a World Cup final, there’s nothing left,” Barton said.

Referee Iván Barton issues a yellow card to France's Adrien Rabiot during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain.

Referee Iván Barton issues a yellow card to France’s Adrien Rabiot during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain on July 14 in Arlington, Texas.

(Lars Baron / Getty Images)

There’s one detail in that scene that captures the magnitude of the moment. While waiting for the meeting to begin, Barton was checking the airline’s app on his phone. His ticket was still scheduled for a return flight to El Salvador the next day. He had already started packing, convinced that his World Cup was over.

“I was already mentally preparing to fly back to El Salvador the next day,” Barton recalled. “When I heard ‘Barton,’ I thought, ‘What happened?’ Then they said, ‘Spain vs. France, semifinal.’ I didn’t even hear the names of my assistants.”

The first thing he did after that was call his wife.

“That’s when the tears of joy came,” he said. “It was also a moment to thank God for what was happening and immediately start preparing for the match.”

For the first time, both World Cup semifinal matches were officiated by CONCACAF referees. Barton officiated the France-Spain match, while American Ismail Elfath refereed the England-Argentina match. The confederation described both appointments as an unprecedented event for the region.

Barton said he fulfilled a dream working during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he and other CONCACAF referees were determined to show their ability to call the most important games.

“Qatar meant making a dream come true. Making it to 2026 was a huge challenge because the bar had been set very high,” Barton said. “There were high expectations. We approached it with a great sense of responsibility and humility.”

When the tournament ended, the feeling was different from that of his first World Cup.

“I feel happy, very proud to have placed our little El Salvador flag practically at the very top of world soccer,” he said. “That’s what fills me with the most pride. We continue to open doors not only for my country, but also for the entire region and for CONCACAF refereeing.”

The red card that made history

Among the four matches Barton officiated, the Turkey-Paraguay game went down in history at the 45+3-minute mark.

During a confrontation between Miguel Almirón and Turkey’s Mert Muldur, the Paraguayan star covered his mouth while speaking aggressively to his opponent.

Barton had to review the play via VAR, and as stipulated by the new amendment to Law 12, the incident resulted in a red card, since the situation had elements of confrontation and the gesture served to conceal provocative, derogatory or inflammatory communication.

The review confirmed his interpretation.

Referee Iván Barton issues a red card to Miguel Almirón for covering his mouth while confronting another player.

Referee Iván Barton issues a red card to Miguel Almirón for covering his mouth while confronting another player during a World Cup match.

(Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images)

Almirón became the first player sent off in a World Cup under this new provision.

For Barton, however, the story isn’t simply about a player covering his mouth.

“People get confused. It’s not just the act of doing it; it’s doing it in a confrontational situation against an opponent. That’s what changes the picture,” Barton explained.

Clarity is important.

The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.

In Almirón’s case, Barton believed the conditions were met.

“In that match, it was clear that it had occurred during a confrontational situation in which the players were facing off,” Barton explained. “Seeing it on the VAR footage was clear. It was evident, and at no point was there any doubt about the decision that had to be made.”

The incident occurred shortly before halftime, when Paraguay was leading 1-0. The red card left Paraguay with 10 players for the entire second half, but the team went on to win the match 1-0.

For Barton, the red card illustrates something he believes the public still misunderstands: VAR does not eliminate the need for the referee to interpret the rules.

“VAR isn’t there to eliminate 100% of errors,” he said. “Errors will always be part of soccer because there are many issues open to interpretation, and that’s what the referee is there for — to interpret them.”

Breaks that changed the pace of the matches

There was another major change fans protested during the World Cup — the hydration breaks.

FIFA decided that during the 2026 World Cup, there would be a three-minute break midway through each half, regardless of the temperature or stadium conditions. The referee was required to stop the match around the 22nd minute of each half.

The decision was motivated by concerns about player welfare in some of the hottest venues and a committee agreed it would be best to use the breaks universally rather than whenever the weather conditions required it to assure no teams were hampered by not getting breaks, but the debate did not go away.

In some cases, the breaks interrupted the flow of the game just as a team was starting to take control.

Barton understands that criticism, but he also doesn’t believe the break necessarily has a favorable or unfavorable effect on a team.

“Team A is attacking, attacking, attacking Team B. Obviously, it won’t be beneficial for Team A because they’re at their peak. For Team B, it will be,” he said.

The scenario can change in the second half.

“And what if, in the second half, the roles are reversed and it’s Team B that’s attacking Team A? For Team A, it’ll be beneficial. It’s very relative. I don’t think you can generalize whether it’s positive or not because it depends on the circumstances of the game.”

There’s also a difference between analyzing the break from the spectator’s perspective and doing so from the field.

As a referee, Barton found an immediate benefit.

“For us as referees, it’s beneficial because having a break to rest a bit, regain our strength and get feedback from our colleagues to see if anything needs adjusting — well, of course that’s positive,” said Barton. “In the United States, summers are extreme and it often becomes very difficult to say, ‘In this game, yes; in this game, no,’ because that undermines the consistency that the application of a rule must have.”

The stars’ last names don’t change the rule

What happens when the player who needs to be disciplined is named Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal or James Rodríguez?

In a stadium, those names carry weight. On the lineup sheet, according to Barton, they don’t.

“As a referee — contrary to what many people might think — you detach yourself from many situations, from the noise, from the pressure,” he said.

That doesn’t mean the referee is unaware of who’s on the field. According to him, it means he can’t let a player’s name influence his decision.

“On the field, there are no big names, no big teams. You see 11 players against 11 players,” Barton said.

The Salvadoran had already officiated games featuring Messi during his career in various tournaments and at the 2026 World Cup, he faced some of the most renowned soccer players on the planet.

“At no point do we think, ‘I’m not going to speak to him firmly or show him a card because it’s this player.’ No, absolutely not,” Barton stated.

The rules must apply equally to everyone.

“If you see an incident, a foul or something someone did, you make a decision regardless of who it is,” Barton said.

Barton explains the relationship in a way that makes it clear it’s not about ignoring the players’ status in the sport. It’s about understanding that, for those 90 minutes, roles are clearly defined.

“Obviously, we respect them for what they’ve achieved, for what they represent in soccer, but when it comes to applying the rules of the game, we see 11 players against 11 players — and that’s it,” he said.

Taking El Salvador to the biggest stage

Barton speaks little about himself and a lot about his country. Every assignment, he explains, ceases to be an individual endeavor.

“The higher you climb a mountain, the stronger the wind blows. The harder it is to maintain your balance,” he said.

His philosophy has changed little since he began his career.

“I haven’t achieved these things on my own. There’s a huge team behind me. … My family, CONCACAF, FIFA, the people who have always supported me,” Barton said.

The Salvadoran acknowledges that, during international competitions, he often finds that there are still people who don’t even know where El Salvador is located.

“When you get to competitions at this level, there are people who can’t even locate our country on a map,” Barton noted. “Serving as a means for others to learn about El Salvador and ensuring that representation is dignified is one of my greatest responsibilities.”

There’s a common perception among fans that FIFA assigns the matches each referee will officiate from the very beginning of the tournament.

Instead, each assignment depends on the performance shown during the previous match.

France captain Kylian Mbappe  and Spain captain Rodri pose with referee Iván Barton and match officials.

France captain Kylian Mbappe and Spain captain Rodri pose with referee Iván Barton and match officials before a World Cup semifinal.

(Florencia Tan Jun / Getty Images)

“First, you have to earn a spot in the World Cup. Then you have to earn the privilege of officiating a match. And after that, it depends entirely on how you perform in that match,” Barton said. “It’s just like the teams. No one is guaranteed to advance. Game by game, you prove whether you deserve to stay in the competition.”

After each match, there are technical sessions during which every major match decision is analyzed.

“We have debriefing sessions to review what we did well and what we need to improve,” he said. “We also work with a technical staff that conducts tactical analyses of the teams to prepare for the different scenarios a match might present.”

Although the semifinal against France and Spain holds a special place in his heart, Barton recalls other World Cup moments that will likely stay with him forever.

“The four walkouts before the matches were impressive. Hearing the World Cup anthem and walking out of the tunnel was always special,” he said.

“When the final whistle blew in the semifinal, I felt like I’d written my name into soccer history by representing my country. It was one of the most sublime moments of my career.”

Unlike many public figures, Barton decided to stay virtually off social media before and during the World Cup.

“Our minds are what we choose to feed them. If we feed them garbage, we’ll end up thinking that way,” he said.

Barton only opened official accounts after the tournament — and, according to him, not out of personal interest.

“There were too many fake profiles impersonating me,” Barton said. “I’m not swayed by flattery, just as I’m not affected by insults. … I’ve faced the most attacks in my own country, not abroad,” Barton confessed.

Even so, he insists on always responding with the same message.

“Behind the referee is a human being. There’s a father, a husband, a son,” he said. “It’s fine to criticize the work, but don’t cross the line into personal attacks.”

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Bob Mortimer shares secret behind Gone Fishing’s success as co-star speaks out on loss

Bob Mortimer has spoken about the appeal of his BBC show as Paul Whitehouse opened up about his late mother during an episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

Bob Mortimer has previously opened up about the unlikely appeal of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

The comedian, who stars alongside Paul Whitehouse in the much-loved programme, said he hopes the show encourages people to spend more time with their friends, whatever their age.

Speaking during an appearance on Saturday Kitchen, Mortimer explained that much of what viewers see comes from the pair simply talking while spending long hours together by the water.

“We’re on the riverbank for eight hours, Matt. So, you know, we just talk most of the time when we’re not fishing,” he said. According to Mortimer, the production team then searches through those lengthy conversations for moments that work on screen.

“They try and find 30 seconds here or a minute there that’s worth putting on the telly,” he explained, adding that he could not imagine the programme working in quite the same way if it were scripted.

Mortimer also suggested that part of the show’s success comes from its relatability, with viewers perhaps recognising their own friendships in the relationship between the two presenters.

“I think a lot of people watch it. Certainly a lot of fellas watch it and think, ‘Oh, that’s me and my mate. That’s what we’re like,'” he said.

The relaxed conversations between Mortimer and Whitehouse have become one of the defining features of Gone Fishing, with the pair regularly discussing subjects far beyond fishing. Over the years, they have spoken openly about their health, personal experiences and events that have had a lasting impact on their lives.

One particularly emotional conversation saw Whitehouse discuss the devastating effect Alzheimer’s had on his mother, Anita May Whitehouse.

In a repeat episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airing tonight (Monday, August 10), Whitehouse, 68, reflected on his mother’s illness while speaking candidly with his friend and co-host.

Whitehouse’s mother died in January 2022, and he later described the heartbreaking reality of seeing her suffer with the condition. Introducing the subject, Mortimer asked: “Alzheimer’s is the big for you though, isn’t it?”

Whitehouse replied: “Well, it is, you know. My poor mum, there was no existence. It’s become one of the biggest killers now.”

The pair have never shied away from difficult conversations on Gone Fishing, with their friendship providing a backdrop for discussions about everything from serious health problems to major moments in their personal and professional lives.

Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs tonight at 10pm on BBC Two

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Jet2 pilot shares one thing he wishes people knew about plane turbulence

Turbulence can be a scary thing, but this is what you need to know

A Jet2 pilot has shared what turbulence is really like – and what he wishes passengers understood about it.

Reassuring people that turbulence is “normal”, Josh urged people to stay calm, and it’s nothing to panic about – a key fact he wishes more people knew. He explained in the airline’s Ask a Pilot blog that there are “a few things that’ll really help” nervous flyers stay calm and enjoy their trip, whether they’re heading on a short-haul hop or a longer flight.

But first, what is turbulence? Experts at the Flight Radar 24 explains: “Turbulence is a common yet complex weather phenomenon that affects aviation.

“Broadly speaking, it refers to irregular air movements that cause erratic changes in the altitude and/or attitude of an aircraft. Let’s take a look at the various types of turbulence, their causes, and some notable incidents they have played a part in.”

I’m scared of flying, what can I do?

Answering the question: “I’m a nervous flyer! Can you give me some tips on how to relax and enjoy the flight?” Josh set out practical ways passengers can feel more in control and less anxious in the air.

Josh explained “understanding that turbulence is completely normal” is the first step in dealing with nerves. Planes are designed and rigorously tested to cope with conditions far more severe than anything you’re likely to encounter on a routine journey.

If you are worried, “let the crew know if you’re feeling nervous. The team at Jet2 are incredibly customer-focused, and if you mention it, they’ll do everything they can to reassure you and make the journey as comfortable as possible. This might even include a cockpit visit on the ground before departure, which can really help build confidence.”

The pilot also recommends keeping yourself occupied with distractions such as music, films, podcasts or a good book. This can really help take your mind off the flight and make the time go faster.

He stressed: “Remember, flying is one of the safest forms of transport, with multiple layers of training, technology and procedures all working together to keep you safe. If you have any questions while onboard, just ask a member of our friendly crew who will gladly help you.”

What are the types of turbulence?

Flight Radar explains the types of turbulence that can range from light to extreme. However, it stresses: “Whilst turbulence can feel unsettling, especially to nervous flyers, it is important to emphasise that severe turbulence events are generally quite rare. Pilots carry out an extensive weather brief before a flight which identifies areas of known turbulence en-route, which are avoided if possible.”

Light Turbulence

Light turbulence causes slight and erratic changes in altitude and attitude of the aircraft. Passengers may feel a light strain against their seat belts. There is little or no difficulty in walking for crew members, and unsecured objects may be slightly displaced.

Moderate Turbulence

Moderate turbulence results in changes in altitude and/or attitude that are more intense than light turbulence but the aircraft remains under control at all times. Passengers feel a more definite strain against their seat belts and unsecured objects are dislodged. Walking becomes difficult for crew members.

Severe Turbulence

Severe turbulence causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude, with large variations in airspeed. The aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Passengers are forced violently against their seat belts, and unsecured objects can become airborne. Walking is impossible. Severe turbulence is generally quite rare.

Extreme Turbulence

Extreme turbulence results in the aircraft being tossed about violently, making it practically impossible to control. This category of turbulence may cause structural damage to the aircraft. Severe injuries to passengers and crew are possible if they are not securely fastened. Extreme turbulence is, as named, extremely rare.

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SpaceX shares slide on the heels of first quarterly report | Elon Musk News

The stock was down more than 13 percent as investors were spooked by the company’s heavy investments.

SpaceX share price has plunged more than 13 percent, a day after the Elon Musk-run company reported its first quarterly earnings as a publicly listed company.

On Wednesday, the stock closed down at $108.10, down 13.6 percent from Tuesday’s close of $125.33.

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Investors have been spooked by the increase in the company’s capital expenditure. At $18.37bn, it was a six-fold jump from last year, and much higher than the $13.2bn that analysts had forecast.

The majority of that investment, $15.8bn, is earmarked for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, which includes specialised compute, storage, networking and software systems required to build, train, deploy and operate AI models at scale. SpaceX has said it wants to increase the capacity of its data centres from 1.4GW currently to 2GW by year-end.

Investors across the technology sector are questioning whether the large investments in AI infrastructure will actually yield returns.

“We’ve watched the same scrutiny land on Big Tech this earnings season, where investors have questioned open-ended wallets and started demanding a visible return on them,” said Josh Gilbert, lead analyst at trading platform eToro.

“SpaceX faces that test with an added degree of difficulty because it’s asking shareholders to bankroll data centres in orbit.”

SpaceX has said its computing capacity not only serves its Grok models but is also actively sold, with $14.1bn in cloud-services agreements lined up.

The one area that SpaceX saw some profit was from the “connectivity” business, with revenue jumping 66 percent from a year earlier as the number of subscribers to its Starlink satellite communications service doubled to 12 million, bringing in $1.66bn in operating income.

SpaceX’s share price faces another test on Thursday, when the first tranche of the post-IPO lock-up expires, making up to 911.5 million shares, roughly 20 percent of restricted holdings, eligible for sale.

Melissa Otto, head of Visible Alpha research at S&P Global, told Al Jazeera that the stock is “likely to be volatile” once the lock-up lifts.

SpaceX’s IPO was priced at $135 per share and climbed to $225 within days of its June 12 debut, briefly catapulting Musk as the world’s first trillionaire. The stock has since dropped.

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Coronation Street star shares heartbreak as she faces ‘daily abuse’ over disability

The actress opened up about the horrific abuse she suffers on a daily basis from cruel trolls.

Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston has opened up about the horrific abuse she receives daily.

The actress has played Izzy Armstrong in the ITV soap since 2010, and elsewhere plays Maz in BBC Radio 4 series Tinsel Girl.

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday, August 3, Cherylee opened up about her life away from the spotlight and the abuse she receives daily.

Cherylee was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome when she was 23, and now uses a wheelchair.

According to the NHS, the condition can affect people in different ways, and for some, it can be disabling.

Opening up about her experience, Cherylee told GMB hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley: “A couple of times I’ve been on television and my chair hasn’t been on view, I’ve been bullied for that. People are very easily ready to call out…”

She went on to say that trolls tell her she is “making it up”, and faces the abuse “on a daily basis”.

Cherylee added: “My friend and I were wheeling down the street, and a man was shouting out about how much benefits we got and stuff, and how we make it up. It happens all the time.”

Richard shared: “I have to say, anyone that sees your chair on screen and then puts their fingers on a keyboard to say you’re pretending or you’re seeking sympathy or something, I think they’re a bit thick.”

Cherylee replied: “Yes and no, because I think some of it is about our representation and an understanding.”

She continued: “There’s so much lack of understanding because we’re 1 in 5, but we’re not on screen, our stories aren’t told.”

Cherylee received an MBE for services in the disabled community in 2022, after raising awareness, working to remove barriers for disabled people, and speaking about welfare cuts in Parliament.

She was also involved in a Coronation Street storyline that shone a light on the difficulties disabled people experienced during the pandemic, and the pressures of working remotely while shielding, in scenes filmed in her home.

She said at the time: “I have been unbelievably fortunate that my employers enabled me to continue shielding after the official shielding guidance ended in March. I’ve been so supported by ITV, but I’m aware that many of my disabled peers who were previously shielding haven’t had that safety and have been forced to make the decision to earn money to survive whilst facing the real fear of death or serious illness through Covid.”

Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod added: “We had to think outside the box in order to tell this story, devising new protocols and ways of scripting scenes that would allow Cherylee to film the scenes herself in her home. It certainly helped that her partner, Toby, is a fabulous actor!

“Despite all the technical challenges we had to overcome, this was a story that needed telling, and I hope it will resonate with millions of people who have found themselves in a similar position to Izzy, and perhaps open the eyes of millions of others who had little awareness of the issues facing disabled people during COVID.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

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Shania Twain recalls being ‘kicked around’ by her parents as she shares harrowing details of abusive childhood

SHANIA Twain has recalled being “kicked around” by her parents as she shared harrowing details of her abusive childhood.

Thanks to her catchy songs, the legendary singer has paved the way to huge female stars, including Taylor Swift  but behind the glittery cowboy boots lies a tragic past with childhood poverty and abuse.

Shania Twain has recalled being “kicked around” by her parents as she shared harrowing details of her abusive childhood Credit: Getty
Shania quickly learned that if she came back home with no money from her gigs it meant trouble Credit: Instagram

The star, 60, explained her parents loved each other but they fought a lot, and they got violent often.

She said she witnessed brutal fights between her mother, Sharon, and stepfather, Jerry Twain, and that their violence often included her and her sisters, Jill and Carrie Ann, who were “smacked” and “kicked around a lot.”

Shania said on NPR’s Wild Card with Rachel Martin podcast: “If I was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, definitely. I mean, both my parents were pretty harsh physically.”

She added: “‘It was very violent. So my mom, you know, she would lose clumps of hair.

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Shania revealed details about her traumatic childhood on NPR’s Wild Card with Rachel Martin podcast Credit: YouTube
The singer said she witnessed brutal fights between her mother, Sharon, and stepfather, Jerry Twain
Shania explained she and her sisters got caught in the violence Credit: Getty
Once her sisters were old enough, Shania compiled a demo tape to present to Nashville music execs and within a few months they had snatched her up Credit: PA

“She was bruised often in the face and… it was pretty bad sometimes.

“I mean, our house would shake. Those walls would shake.

“It’s very traumatic. It gets loud and scary, like a really bad thunderstorm.”

It’s not the first time Shania has spoken about the violence within her childhood.

Shania was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1965, one of three girls to parents Sharon and Clarence Edwards.

However her parents divorced when Shania was two and her mother’s second husband, Jerry Twain, adopted the sisters.

Their home life was wrecked by poverty, with Shania and her sisters often going to school hungry.

So when Sharon spotted her daughter had a talent for music, she knew she had found a way to make money to help the family.

“Really, my mother was the one that made me get on stage,” Shania recently told The Independent. “I did not want to be in the spotlight. I was petrified of it.” 

From just eight, Shania would be woken up to perform in bars after midnight.

“I would go to do the after-hours set and everyone was already intoxicated,” the five-time Grammy winner revealed.

“It was not fun,” Shania continued of those early shows. “I had school the next day, and my parents would often fight.”

Shania quickly learned that if she came back home with no money from her gigs it meant trouble.

“If I didn’t earn anything from it, it was going to be a domestic problem,” Shania explained.

“We were living hand to mouth.”

Tragically, Jerry wasn’t just violent towards wife Sharon, once beating her unconscious.

Shania recalled how her cruel stepfather would also make her walk around the house topless and touch her inappropriately.

“He just had issues… It was like he was two people,” she told 60 Minutes

“I would get physically involved sometimes with my parents’ fights… I just thought that he would kill her. One of these times – he was gonna kill her.”

“I hid myself and I would flatten my boobs,” she told The Sunday Times in an emotional interview.

“I would wear bras that were too small for me, and I’d wear two, play it down until there was nothing girl about me. Make it easier to go unnoticed.”

“It was terrible – you didn’t want to be a girl in my house.”

Aged 22, Shania was about to get her big break when her parents were both tragically killed in a car crash.

She had to return home to care for her younger siblings and Shania became ”a single mum overnight,” she recalled.

She added: “It was a very touch and go period in my life.

“It was a lot of pressure. I barely slept.”

But despite the setbacks, Shania didn’t give up on her dream.

Once her sisters were old enough, she compiled a demo tape to present to Nashville music execs and within a few months they had snatched her up.

It was the first step to Shania finally becoming the international country pop superstar the world knows today. 

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The Odyssey’s Tom Holland shares favourite classic 60s dish – 1 ingredient could slash heart disease risk

The Odyssey actor said he loved the ‘creamy shredded chicken dish’ for its taste and ‘sentimental reasons’

Tom Holland’s been doing the rounds promoting Spider-Man and The Odyssey this month, and during an appearance on the podcast Dish, he shared a classic 60s dinner that holds a special place in his heart – and it could boast a number of health benefits.

Holland, who plays Telemachus in Christopher Nolan’s film, recorded the episode with hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett the day after England played against Mexico in the World Cup. Starring alongside his wife in the film, Zendaya, who plays Athena, he raved about a dish called Chicken Véronique.

And according to WebMD, one of its ingredients, chicken, could help with weight management and, as a result, reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. The health experts explain: “Research suggests that 25-30 grams of protein per meal can help us feel more full.

“Protein-rich meals can make us feel fuller despite us eating less, which helps to promote better weight management. Healthier weight leads to improvements in risk factors for heart problems, such as high triglyceride levels and high blood pressure.

“A food rich in protein, chicken can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease.”

The health experts also note that chicken is a lean protein that provides the amino acids our bodies need to build and maintain muscle, which becomes more important as we age. A higher-protein diet can also help support bone density.

Because of this, eating chicken can help keep muscles strong and bones healthier. This can lower the risk of injuries and conditions like osteoporosis.

So the chicken in Tom Holland’s dish could actually provide some benefits to our health. But as with everything, always make sure you are having a healthy and balanced diet, as while a dish may include a healthy ingredient or two, it doesn’t always make the dish itself healthy.

During the podcast, Holland’s younger brother, Sam, who is a chef, shared a pre-recorded video, explaining that their mum and Granny Tess “cooked Chicken Véronique and an apple crumble on a beach in Thailand for the cast and crew of Impossible”.

Now, 15 years later, and it’s “our favourite family meal” especially after Tom has a “long stint away” filming, Sam said, calling it a dish he loves for many “sentimental reasons.”

Tom shared the same memories, re-calling: “We were making a movie in Thailand. It was my first ever film. It was a real family.

“The crew were such lovely people, and we would always go down to this beach called Memories Beach. Cast and crew would be down there every weekend – all weekend.

“We started cooking down there, we became friends with the people that ran the beach bar, and they would let us cook. The English guys would cook one week, and then the Italians would cook the next week.

“Naomi Watts was the star of that movie. So, my granny roasted two chickens in her oven at her house in Thailand. She then drove it through the jungle to this beach, because you had to kind of go down this dirt road for about 25 minutes.

“She made Chicken Véronique. It’s like a kind of creamy shredded chicken dish, but then you peel and roast the grapes. And then you shred the potatoes. It’s absolutely delicious.

“So now if I’ve ever been away and I come home to the family house for dinner, that’s always what we always have.”

Host and chef Angela Hartness replied: “Now you’ve mentioned it’s a really old, classic French dish. And one that you’d have had in the ’60s.”

While they did not cook the classic dish during the podcast, they did cook a dish Tom called a “treat” – spicy pork and pineapple skewers with Greek salad.

Spicy pork & pineapple skewers – full recipe

Ingredients

  • 500g pack British diced pork shoulder
  • ½ supersweet medium pineapple
  • Vegetable oil, for griddling
  • 1 satsuma, halved
  • 2 salad onions, thinly sliced

For the marinade

  • 1 satsuma, juice
  • 2 clove/s garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Turkish Pepper Flakes
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. Soak 8 wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them burning. In a mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and add a few cracks of black pepper. Add the pork (halve any large pieces) and stir to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
  2. Peel, core, then cut the pineapple half into 24 chunks. Thread 3-4 pieces of pork and 3 pieces of pineapple alternately onto each skewer and discard any remaining marinade.
  3. Heat a griddle pan over a medium-high heat, brush the pan lightly with oil, then cook half the skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning twice, until the pork is cooked through with no pink meat, juices that run clear, and is charred in places. Keep hot, while you cook the second batch.
  4. Char the satsuma, cut-side down, on the hot pan. Serve the skewers scattered with the salad onions and the warm satsuma juice, squeezed over at the table. Perfect with a leafy salad on the side, if liked

Angela Hartnett serves this recipe with a village Greek salad. You can find check out the recipe for that and handy cooking tips and tricks on the Waitrose website here.

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SK hynix shares plummet despite record earnings

Memory chip facilities operated by SK hynix in South Korea. The company’s share price has plunged over the past month despite posting record earnings. Photo by SK hynix

SEOUL, July 30 (UPI) — South Korea’s SK hynix posted record earnings in the second quarter of this year amid the AI boom. However, shares of the world’s No. 2 memory chipmaker have continued to plunge on the Seoul bourse.

The company noted Wednesday that it logged sales of $55.1 billion and operating profit of $42.1 billion during the April-June period. Revenue more than tripled from a year ago, while profit increased more than sixfold.

“Driven by sustained demand growth from expanding AI infrastructure investments, high-performance products for AI servers led price increases, enabling the company to surpass its previous record set in the prior quarter,” SK hynix said in a statement.

“With major tech companies increasing their AI infrastructure investments, additional supply requests continue to mount. As these investments are supported by revenue generated from AI services, the momentum in memory demand is expected to persist,” it added.

Despite the stellar performance and solid outlook, its shares have struggled to find their footing on the Korea Exchange. They fell 14.65% on Monday before dropping another 9.61% on Wednesday and 5.64% on Thursday.

Since reaching a record high in late June, SK hynix’s market capitalization has fallen by more than half in just over a month. This came after its shares had surged more than tenfold in the year through late June.

Observers attribute the bearish run to a combination of factors, including lower-than-expected earnings, concerns over the sustainability of the AI boom and the emergence of Chinese competitors such as recently listed CXMT.

Although SK hynix chalked up a record bottom line in the previous three months, the figure came in about 5% lower than the market consensus. There are also questions over whether SK hynix has secured sufficient long-term agreements, or LTAs, with customers to reduce uncertainty about future earnings.

“The market remains skeptical about LTAs, so we believe it will take time for confidence to build,” NH Investment & Securities analyst Ryu Young-ho said in a report, reducing his target price for SK hynix by 17.1%.

Other brokerage houses, including Shinhan Securities, Hanwha Investment & Securities, and Samsung Securities, also followed suit.

“We revised down our operating profit estimates for SK hynix for 2026 and 2027 by 7% and 9%, respectively, to reflect a more conservative price outlook,” Shinhan Securities analyst Kim Hyung-tae said in a report, cutting his target price by 35.7%.

However, some experts remained optimistic, raising their target prices on expectations that SK hynix shares will eventually rebound.

“The main reason second-quarter operating profit fell short of the market consensus was that DRAM price growth was weaker than expected,” Korea Investment & Securities analyst Chae Min-sook said.

“However, this was caused not by slowing demand, but by the postponement of some shipments, which should instead contribute to improved earnings in the third quarter,” Chae added, raising the target price by 24%.

DB Securities came up with a similar view.

Leveraged ETFs tied to memory chipmakers

Also at the center of controversy are leveraged exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, linked to individual stocks. They debuted in late May and are tied to the shares of the country’s two blue-chip companies, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

Investors have complained of heavy losses. Samsung, the world’s top memory chipmaker, has also seen its share price plummet in recent weeks.

Against this backdrop, critics argue that the new products have amplified market volatility by encouraging short-term speculative trading. Over the past two months, KOSPI circuit breakers have been triggered repeatedly by sharp market swings.

Because these products magnify both gains and losses, they tend to attract retail investors seeking quick profits, potentially leading to larger price swings during periods of market uncertainty, according to experts.

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, lawmakers summoned top financial officials to criticized the leveraged products and the market slump.

“The government has encouraged people to sell their real estate and invest in stocks. But after the stock market crashed, retail investors ended up suffering heavy losses,” Rep. Park Jun-tae from the main opposition People Power Party said.

In response, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon promised to do everything possible to minimize market-related volatility but failed to present specific measures.

“South Korean equities have been buoyed by the strong performances of memory chipmakers. But the rally overshot because of a few factors, including the debut of the single-stock 2x leveraged ETFs,” economic commentator Kim Kyeong-joon, formerly vice chairman at Deloitte Consulting Korea, told UPI.

“Once market sentiment turned bearish, the leveraged ETFs accelerated the market’s decline. The problem is that the products cannot simply be abolished because doing so would create even greater market disruption,” he added.

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