slashed

SACRAMENTO — Assembly and Senate budget negotiators, intent on cutting $1.4 billion from the proposed $45-billion state budget, sharply cut proposed spending increases for state colleges and universities Friday, and slashed even deeper into Gov. George Deukmejian’s programs.

The Democrat-dominated six-member budget conference committee reduced the University of California budget by $75 million, a cut of 3.7%. The committee cut the California State University system budget by the same 3.7%, a $56.9-million trim. Despite the cuts, the budgets of both institutions would increase by nearly 3% from the current year.

The UC and CSU spending cuts were among dozens made by the committee during its third full day of work on the budget for the 1988-89 fiscal year that will begin July 1. The committee hopes to wrap up its work Monday, then send the budget out for votes by the Assembly and Senate in time for final action by the start of the new fiscal year.

In addition to the cuts already made, Democrats on the committee are considering reducing the basic public school financial aid budget of $8.4 billion by $300 million to $400 million, which would take half to three-quarters of the increase being proposed by Deukmejian.

Although the committee’s four Democrats are cutting spending in nearly every area, they continued to go after programs earmarked as high priorities by the governor with a special vengeance. They remain angry over Deukmejian’s retreat on tax increase legislation that he first proposed, then dropped because of political opposition.

On Friday, the Democrats, with the two Republicans on the committee dissenting, cut the budget of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, run by a Deukmejian appointee, by 20%, or about $1.4 million. Moments later, they removed the $91,000-a-year salary of Department of Industrial Relations Director Ronald Rinaldi from the budget. Rinaldi is a key Deukmejian Administration adviser who oversaw the dismantling of the popular CAL/OSHA worker safety program.

On Thursday, the committee, with its two Republican members dissenting, cut the $1.6-billion state prisons budget by $100 million, and took another $17 million from the California Youth Authority. The action came on the heels of earlier votes that would completely wipe out the state Resources Agency and the Department of Commerce’s office of tourism, both controlled by Deukmejian appointees.

Assemblyman William P. Baker of Danville, one of the committee’s two Republican members, said the Democrats “are just trying to embarrass the governor” with their actions. He said most of the budget actions were shortsighted. “The prison system’s going to have 10,000 more prisoners next year. Cutting the budget $100 million doesn’t make sense. What are we going to do with the prisoners?” he asked.

Predicts Defeat

Baker’s GOP colleague, Sen. Marian Bergeson of Newport Beach, said the budget in its present form probably will not be able to get the two-thirds majority vote it will need in both the Assembly and Senate for final approval.

“We’ll have to backtrack and undo a lot of these actions. You can’t reduce the dollar amounts of some of these budgets, like the Department of Corrections, without causing irreparable damage,” Bergeson said.

But Democrats insisted that Deukmejian’s flip-flop on tax increase legislation left the Legislature with a huge hole in its budget.

“We just don’t have the revenues to support the governor’s budget. We have to cut somewhere,” said Sen. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove).

Assemblyman John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara), chairman of the committee, said Deukmejian is responsible for the cuts. He called the series of reductions “the Deukmejian destruction derby.”

Governor Drops Plan

Deukmejian had proposed raising taxes $800 million in late May to help deal with a $2-billion revenue shortage caused by changes in federal and state tax law, but then the Republican chief executive dropped the plan.

The loss of the $800 million in revenues that would have been generated by the tax bill, coupled with $600 million in an additional spending added to the budget by lawmakers, left them with a need to cut $1.4 billion. By Friday, they had reduced the budget by nearly $1 billion.

One issue the committee has yet to resolve is which set of tax revenue projections it will use as a basis for next year’s budget projections. Revenue estimates being made by the Legislature’s two nonpartisan budget advisers–the legislative analyst’s office and the Commission on State Finance–are about $370 million higher than the estimates being used for the budget by the Department of Finance.

The committee so far has been using the Department of Finance’s estimates, but if it decides to use the higher revenue projections it will substantially ease the committee’s problem of proposing a balanced budget.

In another of its dramatic reductions, the committee voted to end state support for the operations budget of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

TWO years ago, I became a qualified nail technician and since then, have been through countless nail lamps.

The one that has remained my trusty companion has been the SUNUV nail lamp — and it’s been discounted on Amazon by a hefty 43%.

SUNUV Led Nail Lamp, £69.99 £39.97 at Amazon

Whether you’re looking to save some cash by doing your manicures at home or considering a career as a nail technician, this nail lamp is one to consider, offering salon-quality nails at an incredibly affordable price.

We all know that as Christmas approaches, it brings with it events that can strain finances, leaving less budget for monthly salon trips.

So, now is the perfect time to save your pennies and put some treatments on hold by investing in a nail lamp.

The SUNUV lamp has over 2,000 five-star reviews, has made over 3,000 sales this month alone, and is currently on sale for just £39.98.

Performance

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SUNUV Led Nail Lamp, £69.99 £39.97 at Amazon

I tested this lamp as part of my review of the best nail lamps, focusing on how long it takes to use, how easy it is for beginners to get to grips with and the features that set it apart from other devices on the market.

The SUNUV lamp takes the top spot as the best overall lamp for me for several reasons.

Firstly, despite being a salon-quality lamp — in fact, many salons use it — it’s priced similarly to many flimsy starter lamps, making it a steal for the quality it offers.

While it doesn’t come with polishes, base coats, and tools like some others do, the durability of the manicures it delivers makes it worth purchasing those additional items separately.

One feature that I really love is the three different time settings of 10, 30, and 60 seconds, as well as a fourth option: a lower-heat, longer-timed 90-second setting, perfect for those with sensitive hands who may find higher heat intensity uncomfortable.

The placement of the lights inside the lamp ensures even curing, while the sturdy, detachable base makes pedicures much easier to achieve.

Price and packaging

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SUNUV Led Nail Lamp, £69.99 £39.97 at Amazon

Other salon-grade lamps, such as Glitterbels or Gelish, can sit at the higher end of the price range, costing between £250 and £350.

I’ve tested Gelish as well as other high-end lamps and still find SunUV’s lamp to be the best all-rounder in terms of value, affordability, and features.

For £39.97, you’re getting a salon-grade lamp that’s also compatible with a range of polishes.

When it gets to the colder, wetter months, and the garden’s being used less often, it’s handy to have somewhere to store all your tools.

The 3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage has been reduced from £219.99 to £149.99 – but an extra discount takes another £7.49 off.

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3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage
£142.49 (was £219.99)

In the autumn, wet and windy weather is more common, and it makes sense to want to keep everything safely stashed away indoors in preparation.

A garden shed is an easy solution for organising your outdoor space – but the useful addition doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

Buy Sheds Direct has become a popular retailer to choose from a huge range of garden storage options, and there’s currently a sale on.

The Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage now costs £142.49 as there’s an extra 5% off automatically applied when you check out, and it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

With 600L capacity, it’s compact but worth investing in if you don’t have a huge garden and need a shed that doesn’t take up too much space.

You could use it to keep gardening tools tucked away from rain to avoid weathering and rusting, but it could also fit a small lawnmower depending on size.

Made from natural timber, the shed would easily blend in with its outdoor surroundings, but it’s also pressure treated to protect it from damage, with a 15 year anti-rot guarantee.

Double doors make it easy to fill and access your essentials, so you can quickly reach what you need without having to sift through everything.

Keeping your house clean is also a benefit, as none of your dirty tools are being taken inside.

There’s no need to worry about security either, because the shed is built with a clasp for you to add your own padlock, so you lock everything away out of sight.

It’s also sensible to opt for a shed with a pent roof, because it allows water and snow to run-off easily, rather than sitting on top.

3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage
£142.49 (was £219.99)

If your garden equipment is in need of an upgrade, The Sun Shopping’s best cordless lawn mowers range from budget to more premium options – and we’ve tested them all.

The best chainsaws are worth a look too, whether you’re investing in one to tackle hedges or overgrown weeds.

Motorists are flocking to Amazon to get their hands on a smart bit of car kit that’s seen a dramatic tumble in price.

The gadget is the second-generation Echo Auto, and it’s been picking up some proper rave reviews from blokes and lasses who have snapped it up.

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Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)

Originally fetching a hefty £59.99, the nifty Echo Auto is currently on sale for just £19.99 on Amazon.

That’s a cracking deal and a perfect time for anyone looking to introduce some smart tech into their motor – and crucially, without splashing out a fortune.

This price drop is part of a wider Amazon promotion, with savings as high as 45% across the retailer’s smart devices.

It’s the best deal we’ve seen on a piece of car tech since we covered a slashed cheap CarPlay alternative on Amazon back in April (which is on sale again).

What does the Echo Auto do?

This little gizmo is designed to be your co-pilot, letting you command Alexa while you’re busy at the wheel.

• Hands-free control: You can talk to Alexa to play music, make calls, or set reminders without ever touching your phone.
• Navigation: Get directions from apps like Google Maps just by asking Alexa where you want to go.
• Play music: Listen to your favourite songs and podcasts from services like Spotify or Amazon Music.
• Smart home control: You can ask Alexa to turn on your house lights or adjust the heat while you are driving home.
• Hear your voice: It has special microphones that can hear you clearly over car noise, like the radio or air conditioner.

The 2nd-gen Echo Auto is a small and discreet piece of kit that slots right into your car.

It hooks up to your phone and your car’s speakers to bring a whole new level of voice control to your ride.

Getting it all set up is a doddle too. You just plug it into a spare USB slot, link it to your phone’s Alexa app, and you’re sorted.

This brilliant bit of kit has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with thousands of happy drivers raving about how it’s transformed their motors.

One buzzing punter, who slapped a 5-star rating on it, wrote: “Highly recommend this. Works in my 23-year-old Nissan Micra.

“Voice activated, can listen to a music playlist or podcasts, can make hands-free calls, listen to LBC, etc. Works brilliantly.”

Another shopper commented: “Works seamlessly… very useful as just a Bluetooth pass through to car speakers.”

Another chuffed buyer said: “Great piece of tech, [I] love Alexa at home.

“Now she comes on the road with us and, unlike my phone, she hears very well and plays whatever I want. Terrific.”

A proper ringing endorsement came from a verified customer who simply put: “This is an amazing piece of kit, highly recommend.”

Whether you want to listen to tunes, get directions, or just stay connected on the go, the Auto is a simple and cheap way to do it.

At that sale price, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.

Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)

For more savings on other smart gadgets, head to our Amazon device deals round-up.

Earlier this week, we also spotted a great deal on some bargain earbuds on Amazon, which have been slashed from £130 to £22.

WITH Father’s Day just around the corner, Morrison’s deal on Terry’s Chocolate Oranges has come at the perfect time.

The major supermarket has slashed the price of the beloved chocolate favourite and shoppers can choose from two different flavours.

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Morrisons is selling the 90g ball in both the original and mint flavours for £1.50, for those with a member’s card.

The full price of the tasty treat is usually £2 and the reduced price is also cheaper than what Sainsbury’s and Tesco sell it for, which is £1.95 at both supermarkets.

Even with a Tesco Clubcard, Terry’s Chocolate Orange 90g costs £1.75, making the Morrisons offer cheaper.

Terry’s Chocolate Orange is a much-loved icon in the confectionery world and has been available to buy since 1932.

Around 44 million of the zesty treats are sold globally each year, so the brand has to tread carefully so as not to offend die-hard fans with new flavours.

Earlier this year, a TikTok account @belongwealth posted a video blowing viewers away, divulging a little-known secret about the household name.

The clip revealed that the iconic brand had another delicious product predating the chocolate orange.. the chocolate apple.

The poster gave some context to the history of the product, saying: “In 1926, Terry’s Chocolate Works, a family run factory in York, released a dessert chocolate apple.

“It did pretty well, so in 1932 they released a dessert chocolate orange, which did really well.”

According to the TikToker, the chocolate apple did not have the longevity of the orange ball we know and love today because during World War 2, the Terry’s chocolate factory was taken over to use as a base for building aircraft blades.

After the war, the factory was returned to the Terry’s.

But due to rationing and limitations on cocoa imports, the company phased out the less popular chocolate apple and focused on the much-loved orange.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

Currently, the Terry’s website lists the classic milk chocolate orange, dark chocolate orange, mint orange, plain milk chocolate, toffee crunch orange and exploding candy orange.

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BARGAIN hunters are rushing to Amazon to claim a deal on Calgon Washing Machine tablets that slashes the price of each tab to just 19p.

The retail giant has discounted a 75-tablet ‘Mega Pack’ from £28 to just £14.49, a 48% discount.

Calgon Power Tabs x75, £28 £14.49 from Amazon

The limited-time deal has already caused a rush to buy the tablets, with 7,000 people heading to Amazon to take advantage in the last month alone.

If you’re meticulous about keeping your washing machine in tip-top condition, this is a steal you won’t want to miss.

The deal becomes even more impressive when you compare it to supermarket prices.

Tesco’s largest pack of Calgon is a 30-tablet box for £10.50, which works out to 35p per tablet.

Asda offers a slightly larger 45-pack for £15.98, making each tablet 35.5p.

At just 19p per tablet, Amazon’s mega-pack deal is unbeatable.

Those who remember Calgon’s famous jingle — “washing machines live longer with Calgon” — know that this product is nothing short of essential for those living in hard water areas like London, the South East and East Anglia.

Hard water can cause limescale to build up in your washing machine, leading to unpleasant odours, reduced efficiency, and costly repairs.

Calgon tablets help your washing machine in four ways:

• They remove limescale and other harmful hard water deposits
• They soften water, protecting your washing machine and clothes
• They prevent rust
• They neutralise bad odours

Reviewers have highlighted how effective Calgon is at keeping their washing machines in working order.

One Amazon customer wrote: “Third time ordering. UK water is hard so it makes your drum in your [washing machine] smell, this helps a lot and it also softens the water for softer washing. Good value for money”.

Another wrote: “[I] bought a new Bosch washing machine in January 2011, have used a Calgon tab in every wash for the last 15 years and it’s never missed a beat, still going strong — brilliant price for 75 tabs, can’t be beaten anywhere.”

Calgon Power Tabs x75, £28 £14.49 from Amazon

A SHOPPER has been praised for sharing their haul after nabbing laundry essentials for a quarter of the normal price in Asda.

The thrifty person took to Facebook to post about their epic find, after a trip to their local supermarket.

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In a post on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on the social media site, they shared a snap of the purchases and reveal the discount they got at the till.

“I just picked these up in Asda,” they wrote.

They then revealed they’d paid £1 each for the boxes of Fairy laundry pods – usually £4.50 a pop, and big bottles of Lenor for just 70p.

Also in their spree was two bottles of the ASDA Pure Cotton Sensitive Fabric Softener, which they got for 68p each rather than £2.48.

And other jealous shoppers took to the comments section to weigh in on the person’s find, with one writing: “Wowsas, brilliant find!”

“Bloody hell, never that cheap near me!” another sighed.

“I wish this would happen to me lol, never EVER does!” a third insisted.

“I really wanna get to my Asda but then I don’t ever get good bargains.” someone else moaned.

“Some people are lucky!” another pointed out.

“Well done!” someone else said.

“I got some a week or so ago, but not that cheap. Shared them with family as I bought a lot.”

“Bargain, there at the right time!” another raved.

However, others accused the bargain hunter of “telling porkies”.

“I went Asda last night and they were normally priced at our Asda,” one wrote.

To which another added: “She’s telling the truth.

“I got some today in Asda for £1, I bought all and made the worker get the rest from the top shelf… it was the Bold ones though.”

“It is in our store as well, it’s all deleted lines,” someone else said.

“They went down last week at my store,” another added.

“The colleagues had most of them so might be the same in other stores.

“Doesn’t get a chance to go out on the shop floor!”

Amazon shoppers are snapping up the Flymo lawnmower as the summer months begin.

The popular garden gadget has been reduced from £134.99 to £102.75, saving 24% off.

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Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C Electric
Wheeled Lawn Mower, £102.75 (was £134.99)

Amazon is often one of the cheaper places to buy home and gardening tools, essentials and branded appliances, and this deal is a prime example.

With the start of June just a day away, summer is almost here and the Flymo lawnmower has taken the top spot on Amazon’s bestselling lawnmowers list.

The garden essential is being snapped up by those with a garden lawn, especially if overgrown grass is in need of some TLC after winter.

The online deal has come at a time when Brits are starting to prioritise keeping on top of their outdoor space as the weather starts warming up this weekend.

Although I haven’t personally tested it out, given the positive feedback and that the brand is sold at some of the top home and garden retailers, it should be a reliable choice.

The lawnmower has a powerful 1500W motor which is suitable for small, medium or large-sized gardens.

Designed to be easy to use, the controls are operated on the main handle, and include a choice of five grass cutting heights between 20-60mm, so you can choose which length to opt for and ensure an even trim.

The easy set-up is mentioned often by customers, who praise how quick it is to assemble, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to put your new lawnmower to use as soon as possible.

Emptying out the grass should be straightforward too, as you simply need to 

If you’re looking for a lightweight lawnmower, this could suit you, and it’s also easy to manoeuvre using the handy foldable handle.

The lawnmower has amassed over 8,000 reviews, earning it a 4.6 star rating on Amazon, with plenty of shoppers buying it in the past month.

One shopper was full of praise for their Amazon purchase, saying: ‘’Easily put together and has the ability to cut at different lengths. Great machine and lightweight. Managed to get the perfect lines when mowing the lawn!’

Another shopper continued the positive feedback, adding: ‘’So to save money paying a gardener I bought this mower…. cheap as chips.

“Always been put off before as my old mower was so heavy. This one is a dream and I am quids in already doing it myself!

“Can’t fault it and my lawn looks great already because I do it more often and it is so easy to do.’’

While a third described it as ‘’amazing’’, adding that it was ‘’easy to put together’’, ‘’sturdy’’ and ‘’has a large collection grass box which is easy to empty’’.

Flymo Speedi-Mo 360C Electric Wheeled
Lawn Mower, £102.75 (was £134.99)

Argos also has an affordable £60 lawnmower that’s ideal for smaller gardens.

Or, if you’re looking to revamp your outdoor space in other ways, Amazon’s popular paint sprayer is great for freshening up garden fences and decking.

Still shopping around? Head to our pick of the best lawnmowers, all tried and tested by our team.

LOOKING for life support for your devices? Amazon is offering an absolute gem of a deal on a portable charger.

Right now, you can pick up a fast-charging power bank for just £15.19, a massive 89% discount from its original price of £139.99.

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OHOVIV Portable Charger, £15.19 (was £139.99)

If you’re planning a summer getaway or just spending more time out and about in the months to come, this power bank could well come in handy.

Nobody wants to be stuck with a dead device, whether it’s on a plane, beach or out in the park.

Amazon often offers great tech deals on device from lesser-known brands, and this one seems to have impressed shoppers, boasting over 150 glowing reviews.

The Sun Shopping team hasn’t tested this cheap-as-chips gadget, but the specs are seriously impressive-looking.

No wonder this is now one of the top-selling power banks on Amazon.

The OHOVIV charger comes armed with a 12000mAh battery, one that a customer claims meant their “iPhone 16 reached 50% in under 30 minutes”.

What’s especially cool is that it can charge up to three devices at the same time, thanks to its dual USB ports and Type-C port.

It even has a sleek LED display that shows the remaining battery level and charging status, so you’re never caught out with a dead charger.

Safety is another big plus with this device.

The OHOVIV power bank has been rigorously tested for durability, and it also has built-in protections against overheating, short circuits and overvoltage.

Shoppers seem to love it: Amazon reviewers have left it with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, with one shoppers calling it a “game-changer.”

The same person write: “The compact and lightweight design slips easily into my pocket or backpack, making it ideal for travel, commuting, or outdoor adventures.

“The screen is a handy touch, clearly showing the remaining battery level so I’m never caught off-guard.”

Another happy customer added: “It feels sturdy, looks sleek, and I love that it’s allowed on planes.

“Plus, it has safety protection built in, so I don’t have to worry about it overheating. For the price, it’s a total bargain.”

A third person wrote, “It’s compact yet powerful, making it a great choice for daily use or travel.

“The 12000mAh capacity provides multiple charges for my phone, and the charging speed is impressive – quick and reliable.”

If you’re looking for an affordable way to stay powered up this summer, this deal might be worth a closer look.

OHOVIV Portable Charger, £15.19 (was £139.99)

Power bank deals are clearly a trend on Amazon right now: just last week, we reported on a similar portable charger that’s been slashed from £140 to £18.

Shoppers also hunting for portable sound shouldn’t miss a deal on a JBL speaker that’s been slashed by almost 40%.

Jet-setters dodging those airline fees this summer should also look at an underseat cabin backpack that’s also been reduced on Amazon.

Reaction to the news Loose Women will air only 30 weeks of the year from January irked Jane Moore, who said she was “immensely disappointed” to see pundits’ “lazy misogyny”

ITV has insisted it is not planning “radical changes” to the Loose Women line-up after it emerged some panelists were “in a state of panic and up in arms” amid the cuts bombshell.

The popular daytime programme will air for just 30 weeks each year from January, one of several changes ITV is making to “reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.” It reportedly left some Loose Women stars worried for their future, particularly Coleen Nolan, who a source had said was “shocked and blindsided” at the decision.

Her colleague Jane Moore was also furious, albeit more so at the “snooty reaction” by commentators in the media. The journalist said she felt the programme has received unfair criticism, and reminded pundits the panel regularly hold key political figures, such as Nigel Farage, held to account.

ITV has also stressed Loose Women plays an important part in its daytime schedule, and told the Mirror today that wholesale changes to the panel are unlikely. The ITV source said: “We are not planning any radical changes to the panel. All of our Loose Women are hugely valued and we celebrate each and every one and the experience and opinions they bring to the show every day.

“Many of our long standing panellists have appeared on the show for the majority of its 25 year run on screens and those stalwart, Loose legends are at the core of the show’s success and hugely popular with the audience. The show remains a big priority within our daytime slate, having secured a BAFTA nomination, launched a podcast and celebrated a milestone anniversary in the last year alone.”

READ MORE: Loose Women panellist hints at co-star rivalry as both covet role on iconic BBC show

It is thought this stance has been shared with the stars themselves, some of whom “reached out to the production team in a panic” following the announcement of the shake-up last week. Ruth Langsford and Kaye Adams were among those particularly concerned, the Mirror reported in the wake of the bombshell.

Coleen, whose sister Linda died in January, “has always really relied on Loose Women… her main income,” a source had told us. They added: “She was one of the first Loose Women and she’s always thought it would go on forever. The Loose Women ladies are all gutted. They love the show and are really dedicated to it.”

The programme, which first aired in 2000, won a Royal Television Society award earlier this year for its Facing It Together campaign against domestic violence. However, writing for The Sun this week, Jane said: “One male commentator for a broadsheet casually dismissed Loose Women — on air for 25 years — as a ‘gabfest’… The snooty reaction from some quarters was immensely disappointing.”

The journalist, in her second stint on Loose Women, reminded critics Janet Street Porter confronted then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the show, asking him: “Why do you hate pensioners?” The iconic moment in May 2024 led to his fall from power, as Labour thrashed the Conservatives in a landslide election just weeks later.

Travellers are rushing to Amazon to grab a brilliantly designed underseat cabin bag that’s currently reduced in price.

Originally priced at £26, this versatile bag is now available for just £17 – that’s a great bargain for savvy holidaymakers.

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Xkdoai Underseat Travel
Backpack, £19.34 (was £30.99)

No surprise, it’s currently a high-ranking product on Amazon’s best-selling carry-on luggage page, and with good reason.

It’s marked with a discounted price of £21.49, but you can save an extra 10% if you click the voucher box on the Amazon page.

This Amazon deal is a smart choice for anyone flying with budget airlines like Ryanair and Jet2, where luggage rules are notoriously tight.

In recent years, these companies have tightened their baggage policies, allowing passengers to bring only a small underseat bag on board for free.

Any larger bag – even those stored in the overhead compartment – now incur additional fees that can quickly add up.

This means that even if you’re flying on a budget ticket, you could end up spending extra just to bring a standard-sized carry-on.

With this backpack, however, you can dodge those needless extra costs entirely.

Measuring 40x20x25cm, it’s fully compliant with Ryanair’s underseat baggage dimensions, allowing you to pack everything you need for a short trip.

On top of that, this backpack is cleverly designed to maximise its 20-litre capacity while remaining compact.

It even features compression straps to help you fit it neatly into the baggage checker without any worries.

Designed to open 180 degrees, much like a suitcase, it’s not only practical for packing but also makes accessing your belongings mid-journey a breeze.

Beyond its perfect size, the travel bag is packed with features, including toiletry compartments that make airport security checks swift and hassle-free.

The hidden back pocket offers a secure spot for valuables like passports and wallets, while the built-in USB charging port allows you to keep your devices powered on the go.

The bag has earned glowing reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers love its practicality and quality.

‘Couldn’t believe the quality of this bag for such a small price,’ one shopper noted.

‘[I] took it to Italy for a long weekend and it was absolutely perfect in every way.”

Another wrote: ‘I flew through 5 countries in 14 days with Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air and Norwegian and had ZERO issues with my bag fitting into those little bag-checking boxes’

Customers are impressed by how much the bag can hold while staying ‘compact but spacious’, also calling it ‘perfectly designed’.

‘We packed 5.5kg in one and 6kg in the other,’ one buyer writes. ‘Very impressed when you think most 10kg bags weigh over 1kg empty.’

At this price, it’s no wonder Amazon shoppers are pouncing on this cabin bag. If you’re keen, just make sure you snap it up at deal price.

Xkdoai Underseat Travel
Backpack, £19.34 (was £30.99)

For some tried-and-tested recommendations, head to our writer Lisa Burn’s pick of the best cheap suitcases.

Head to The Sun’s shopping section for more news, deals and sales.

FLYING abroad soon and worried about paying extra for overweight luggage?

Head over to Amazon, where shoppers are snapping up a handy gadget that’s been reduced from £19.99 to just £9.40.

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Freetoo Digital Luggage Scale, £9.40 (was £19.99)

The Freetoo Portable Digital Luggage Scale has been described as a ‘lifesaver’ for travellers who want to avoid those annoying baggage fees.

Now 53% cheaper, it’s currently a number-one bestseller on the Amazon website.

With summer just around the corner, many people have travel on the agenda – and airlines, of course, are super strict with luggage weight limits.

Thing are often trickier on the return flight home, when you’ve bought loads of souvenirs (or just gone a bit mad in the duty-free section).

This digital luggage scale is a cheap, easy way to make sure your bags stay within the weight limit.

It can measure up to 50kg and, according to the maker, is accurate down to 0.01kg.

It’s simple to use: just turn it on, attach the strap to your luggage, lift, and read the weight on the screen.

There’s a large LCD screen that’s easy to read, even in low light, and you can switch between weight units – pounds, grams, ounces or kilos.

The tare function lets you measure net weight easily, so you can figure out how much you’ve added or need to remove.

At just 90g, it’s (appropriately enough) very lightweight, and can easily go into your pocket or the luggage you take on to the plane.

This handy little gizmo has racked up nearly 50,000 reviews on Amazon, with shoppers loving how reliable and easy it is to use.

“Great travel device!” one review reads. “Easy to use, accurate readout. Does the job nicely.”

One happy customer shared: “[I] have used these for 16 flights recently.

“Gives you some peace of mind before arriving at the airport when you have loads of luggage.”

Another shopper called it “an absolute must-have for frequent travellers”.

For the reduced sum of £9.40, this is a real bargain for guaranteed peace of mind at the airport check-in desk.

And for shoppers not just worried about the weight but the size of their luggage, Amazon has slashed the cost of an underseat cabin backpack that’s designed with Ryanair restrictions in mind.

Freetoo Digital Luggage Scale, £9.40 (was £19.99)

And if you’re looking for more travel essentials, an Anker portable charger is now 65% cheaper – perfect for keeping your phone alive on long-haul flights.

And more good news for travellers: 9 UK airports have scrapped a hand luggage rule.

Erik and Lyle Menendez, the infamous brothers convicted of brutally murdering their parents more than three decades ago, have had their sentences reduced today in Los Angeles

Two brothers who murdered their parents more than three decades ago have their sentences cut.

Erik and Lyle Menendez had been caged for life without parole but this punishment has been slashed to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law. The law applies to those who committed crimes under the age of 26 — Erik was 18 and Lyle 21 when they killed Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989.

And Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic told the packed courtroom in Los Angeles: “I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not for me to decide. I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years, that they should get that chance.”

The brothers, who appeared via livestream, remained largely stoic — though Erik cracked a smile when a cousin praised his recent A+ grades in college courses behind bars.

Appeared via livestream video, they spoke for the first time in court before the ruling. Lyle said in a statement to the court: “I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification. The impact of my violent actions on my family … is unfathomable.”

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The ruling means the decision now lies with California’s parole board, who will determine whether the pair still pose a risk to the public.

The sensational case remains one of America’s most talked-about family tragedies, reignited recently by hit Netflix dramas and a wave of public support.

Attorneys for Erik and Lyle Menendez must prove the pair have been rehabilitated during their time in prison and deserve a lesser sentence of 50 years to life.

Such a ruling that would make them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law, since both were under 26 when they killed their parents.

READ MORE: ‘I was jailed for 38 years for murder I didn’t commit – but I’m not angry or bitter’

Their high-profile defence lawyer Mark Geragos told reporters outside court that he wants the charges dropped to manslaughter, and for the brothers to be given time served.

This move would effectively grant them immediate release. At least seven family members are expected to testify in support during the hearings, highlighting the level of backing the brothers continue to receive.

While Los Angeles County prosecutors are opposing the resentencing, arguing the pair haven’t fully accepted responsibility, Geragos fired back:

“The purpose of resentencing is to encourage rehabilitation — that is the law, not relitigate the facts of the crime as the D.A. wants to do.”

Former District Attorney George Gascón has already paved the way, citing new understandings of trauma and the brothers’ lengthy rehabilitation behind bars, including their educational achievements and support work with fellow inmates.