working

Leigh-Anne Pinnock says marriage to Andre Gray is ‘stronger’ after ‘working to overcome betrayal’ & how they coped apart

LEIGH-ANNE Pinnock has opened up on her marriage again to reveal she and her husband are “stronger” than ever after his betrayal.

The former Little Mix singer candidly confessed earlier this year that she and footballer hubby Andre Gray experience a rocky patch in their marriage in which she admitted they had to work together to “overcome betrayal”.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock has opened up on her marriage againCredit: Instagram
The star reveals she and Andre are ‘stronger’ than ever following his betrayalCredit: Getty
Leigh-Anne has confessed all on her marriageCredit: Getty

The popstar, who has just released her debut solo album My Ego Told Me To, revealed she needed to learn to trust her husband again following the undefined betrayal.

Now, in a new interview, she had discussed her personal life once more in order to give a fresh update on her family unit.

Confirming that Andre sought out therapy following the betrayal, Leigh-Anne told People magazine: “The main thing for me was him just changing, really.

“He got therapy, he moved abroad as well.

BACK PINN CONTROL

Leigh-Anne Pinnock soars up the charts with debut solo album


running high

Emotional Leigh-Anne breaks down in tears on radio amid band reunion doubts

“Even just him being alone, he did so much self-reflection on that. That was a massive thing for us. I think he just did the work.”

The singer continued: “It really does mean a lot when you can go through something, come out the other end, and just you automatically become stronger for it.

“Now, obviously, we’ve been through our stuff.

“We’re married, we have kids, and we can just have a soft life.”

Previously, Leigh-Anne has been open about the fact she and Andre have always had a long-distance relationship due to his career seeing him play football across the world with the star having only recently relocated back to England to play for a UK team.

The pair, who share two twin daughters together, have admitted this distance has helped to keep their marriage going.

In the interview, Leigh-Anne said: “A big thing for us is distance. As s*** as it is, it’s been three years of long distance.

“It’s actually, I think, helped to keep the flame alight as well, you know?

“You can’t wait to see them. It’s actually really healthy to miss someone, I think.”

The pair have twins togetherCredit: Instagram

Source link

U.S. Treasury Department sanctions ships, companies, people working with Iran

Feb. 25 (UPI) — The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions Wednesday on more than 30 people, entities and vessels that it said are “enabling illicit Iranian petroleum sales and Iran’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons production.”

The sanctions are part of the federal government’s pressure campaign against Iran.

The vessels targeted are part of Iran’s “shadow fleet,” which the department said in a press release “serve as the regime’s primary source of revenue for financing domestic repression, terrorist proxies and weapons programs.”

“Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs and support its terrorist proxies,” said Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent in a statement. “Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime’s weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritized over the lives of the Iranian people.”

The vessels sanctioned are: Hoot, Ocean Koi, North Star, Felicita, Ateela 1, Ateela 2, Niba, Luma, Remiz, Danuta 1, Alaa and Gas Fate.

The organizations sanctioned are: Poros Maritime Ventures S.A., Ocean Kudos Shipping Co Ltd., Mistral Fleet Co Ltd., Vast Marine Inc., Behengam Tadbir Qeshm Shipping and Maritime Services Company, Paros Maritime S.A., Wansa Gas Shipping Co., Goldwave Maritime Services Inc. and Ithaki Maritime and Trading S.A.

OFAC also targeted the following entities based in Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates that have aided in the purchase of precursor chemicals and sensitive machinery for Iran. They are Iran-based Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company; Turkey-based Utus Gumrukleme Gida Tekstil Ithalat Ihracat Dis Ticaret ve Sanayi Limited Sirketi, Turkey-based Arya Global Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Turkey-based Altis Tekstil Makina Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Altis), Iran-based Adak Pargas Pars Trading Company and UAE-based Mostafa Roknifard Prime Choice General Trading LLC.

Four people being sanctioned are Iran-based Mohammad Abedini, Mehdi Zand, Mehrdad Jafari and Ebrahim Shariatzadeh. They are allegedly employees of Iran’s Qods Aviation Industries, which was sanctioned in 2013.

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on February 24, 2026. Pool photo by Kenny Holston/UPI | License Photo

w

Source link

TSA agents are working without pay due to another shutdown

A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday affects the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country. Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year.

Transportation Security Administration officers are expected to work without pay while lawmakers remain without an agreement on Homeland Security’s annual funding. TSA officers also worked through the record shutdown that ended Nov. 12, but aviation experts say this one may play out differently.

Trade groups for the U.S. travel industry and major airlines nonetheless warned that the longer Homeland Security appropriations are lapsed, the longer security lines at the nation’s commercial airports could get.

Here’s what to know about the latest shutdown and how to plan ahead.

What’s different about this shutdown?

Funding for Homeland Security expired at midnight Friday. But the rest of the federal government is funded through Sept. 30. That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.

According to the department’s contingency plan, about 95% of TSA workers are deemed essential personnel and required to keep working. Democrats in the House and Senate say the Department of Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations.

During past shutdowns, disruptions to air travel tended to build over time, not overnight. About a month into last year’s shutdown, for example, TSA temporarily closed two checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. That same day, the government took the extraordinary step of ordering all commercial airlines to reduce their domestic flight schedules.

John Rose, chief risk officer for global travel management company Altour, said strains could surface at airports more quickly this time because the TSA workforce also will be remembering the last shutdown.

“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said.

What is the impact on travelers?

It’s hard to predict whether, when or where security screening snags might pop up. Even a handful of unscheduled TSA absences could quickly lead to longer wait times at smaller airports, for example, if there’s just a single security checkpoint.

That’s why travelers should plan to arrive early and allow extra time to get through security.

“I tell people to do this even in good times,” Rose said.

Experts say flight delays also are a possibility even though air traffic controllers are not affected by the Homeland Security Department shutdown.

Airlines might decide to delay departures in some cases to wait for passengers to clear screening, said Rich Davis, senior security advisor at risk mitigation company International SOS. Shortages of TSA officers also could slow the screening of checked luggage behind the scenes.

What travelers can do to prepare

Most airports display security line wait times on their websites, but travelers shouldn’t wait until the day of a flight to check them, Rose advised.

“You may look online and it says 2½ hours,” he said. “Now it’s 2½ hours before your flight and you haven’t left for the airport yet.”

Passengers should also pay close attention while packing since prohibited items are likely to prolong the screening process. For carry-on bags, avoid bringing full-size shampoo or other liquids, large gels or aerosols and items like pocketknives.

TSA has a full list on its website of what is and isn’t allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.

At the airport, Rose said, remember to “practice patience and empathy.”

“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said of TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”

Will the shutdown drag on?

The White House has been negotiating with Democratic lawmakers, but the two sides failed to reach a deal by the end of the week before senators and House members were set to leave Washington for a 10-day break.

Lawmakers in both chambers were on notice, however, to return if a deal to end the shutdown is struck.

Democrats have said they won’t vote to approve more Homeland Security funding until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration agents in Minneapolis last month.

In a joint statement, U.S. Travel, Airlines for America and the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. warned that the shutdown threatens to disrupt air travel as the busy spring break travel season approaches.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the statement said.

Yamat writes for the Associated Press.

Source link

Nepo-baby spotted working at charity shop as she serves community service after pleading guilty to drink-driving

NEPO baby influencer Gabriella Bardsley has been spotted working at a charity shop in Cheshire as part of her community service assignment.

The 23-year-old daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley was handed the court order after pleading guilty to drink-driving last summer.

Gabriella Bardsley has been spotted working at a charity shop in Cheshire as part of her community service assignmentCredit: Refer to source
Looking less than happy to be there, Gabriella was seen scrolling her phoneCredit: Refer to source
The nepo baby influencer donned a faux fur coat and leggings for the day of unpaid workCredit: Refer to source
Gabriella is the daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya BardsleyCredit: Instagram/thebardsleybunch

Gabriella admitted to being almost three-and-a-half times over the alcohol limit behind the wheel of her Audi A3.

Taking her good character into account, Crewe Magistrates’ Court court handed Gabriella an order to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Now, she has been seen carrying out community service work in The Salvation Army charity shop in Wilmslow.

Donning leggings with a pair of Ugg shoes and a faux fur coat, Gabriella had her hair tied into a ponytail as she helped out.

JEALOUS JAMIE

Jamie Laing reacts as wife Sophie cosies up to her Hollywood star ‘hall pass’


TOTAL SHOCK

Marvin Humes share the sweet moment his kids found out he was on Masked Singer

Looking less than happy to be there, she was snapped scrolling through her phone on the shop floor, before helping out by folding a pair of jeans.

In May, Gabriella was pulled over and instructed to take a road-side breath test while driving, which she refused.

She was then taken to a nearby police station and was found to have 122 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the UK legal limit being only 35 micrograms.

Crewe Magistrates’ Court was later told how she had approached the scene of a road traffic collision in Wilmslow and “attempted to drive through the police blockade”.

Charlie Hayward, prosecuting, said when officers approached her she was visibly intoxicated and “slurring her words” and “struggling” to stand on her feet.

However, her lawyer Gary Hughes told the court that she was of “hitherto good character” – which played a part in her sentencing of community service and a driving ban.

Gabriella’s stepdad is ex-Manchester United footballer Phil Bardsley.

The influencer appears on ITVX series The Bardsley Bunch alongside her famous parents and younger brothers Rocco, Renz and Ralphi.

Her stepdad Phil began his career at Man Utd before joining Sunderland in 2008.

He also played for the Scottish national team before hanging up his boots for good in 2023.

She was spotted working inside the Wilmslow Salvation Army charity shopCredit: Refer to source
Last May, she was breathalysed and found to be almost three-and-a-half times over the legal limit while driving her Audi through CheshireCredit: Instagram
Her previous good character meant that it was just a driving ban and the community service orderCredit: Refer to source
Gabriella has been handed an order of 200 hours unpaid workCredit: Refer to source
She was seen sitting by the till scrolling through her phone throughout the dayCredit: Refer to source

Source link

I spent my holiday working at an American Summer Camp

MY idea of American summer camps comes from Nineties movie The Parent Trap, starring a young Lindsay Lohan.

Kids canoeing at dawn, counsellors blowing whistles like drill sergeants, and bunking up in cute, wooden lodges with total strangers who soon become your best pals.

Summer Camp USA programme employs hundreds of travellers every yearCredit: Supplied
Emily Downes found herself in the US state of Maine last AugustCredit: Supplied

And let me tell you, it’s just like that.

I found myself in the US state of Maine last August, visiting several real-life camps — including the one where The Parent Trap was filmed.

And even though we are now in 2026, every camp I visited was completely offline with no phones, no TikTok, no Deliveroo.

Bliss.

I SEA IT

UK seaside town is one of ‘best places to live’ – with Blue Flag beach & dolphins


DED KEEN

Pretty village regularly named ‘UK’s most beautiful’ is a perfect weekend break

Instead, days are filled with canoeing, archery, sailing, lake swims, rope courses, arts and crafts, drama and communal singing — the list goes on.

Despite summer camp being a very American tradition, a huge number of the people running the show are British.

At the camps I visited, these were 18 to 25-year-olds, usually fresh out of school or university, who had flown over for the summer on sponsored visas.

BUNAC is one of several companies that offers this kind of working holiday. Its Summer Camp USA programme employs hundreds of travellers every year.

BUNAC was my host for the week, and talked me through the process of applying, and getting matched up with the perfect camp for one’s skill set and interests. The Brits live on site, work long days and are responsible for groups of children who idolise them.

The kids love our accent — and the Brits love the freedom.

One camp director told me British workers are prized because they offer “a unique perspective”, from across the Pond. Over one week, I watched workers fully immerse themselves in this US right of passage — wearing camp merch, scoffing American treats and making new friends who felt more like family than colleagues.

Many told me the same thing: “It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked but also the best summer of my life.

Maine is a popular summer camp destination because of its lakes, pine forests and thriving wildlifeCredit: Supplied
Portland is the largest city in the US state of MaineCredit: Getty
Emily’s idea of American summer camps comes from Nineties movie The Parent Trap, starring a young Lindsay LohanCredit: Alamy

“The days are long, but the weeks go by so quickly.”

Maine is a popular summer camp destination because of its lakes, pine forests and thriving wildlife.

During downtime and days off, however, workers will often head to the nearby coastal city of Portland — the one in Maine, not Oregon. It’s little but has a great atmosphere with seafood shacks, craft-beer bars and scenes some may recognise from the Netflix teen comedy-drama series Ginny & Georgia.

It’s the perfect contrast to camp life — and the bug spray, bunk beds and lake water.

For many of the Brits working at summer camps it’s their first time in America, their first proper job with responsibility and their first taste of independence from home with their own cash to spend meaning exploring is inevitable.

Visas often outlast the time spent at camp so many workers still have around three weeks left at the end of summer to venture farther afield to bucket-list destinations such as New York and Florida.

Prank war

Nothing quite compares to the time spent at camp, though. Just like in The Parent Trap, there are emotional goodbyes but friends for life are made.

There is, however, no such thing as an isolation cabin such as the one that twins Hallie and Annie were confined to in the movie, to work out their differences after a prank war.

The camps’ real joy comes in the culture — workers I spoke to told how they loved immersing themselves in rural America.

It’s wholesome, chaotic and exhausting all at once. Plus, it’s a great way to organise a long-haul trip if you’re nervous about venturing so far from home, or can’t wrap your head around an itinerary for gap-year travel.

BUNAC plans nearly everything for you, taking away the hard parts.

And although you probably won’t find your long-lost twin, you’ll likely find a friend who remains a surrogate sibling for life — and that’s as good as.

GO: USA SUMMER CAMP

BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA Programme is available for 18 to 30-year-olds for a nine to 12-week period.

The programme costs from £339pp, not including flights.
Travellers need to fly before June 20 and will be provided with $2,300 camp pocket money and the option to travel for 60 days post-programme.

See bunac.org/summer-camp-usa.

Source link