Browse

Latest Headlines

Fresh headlines, crisp visuals — faster reading.

Why Governments Want You Ready for 72 Hours Without Power or Water New

Why Governments Want You Ready for 72 Hours Without Power or Water

Published 15:28 31 Oct 2026 GMTAround 40% of people admit they would struggle to protect their household during a major emergency Households are being encouraged to prepare for the possibility of going three days without essential services, with emergency preparedness advice highlighting the supplies people should have ready before disaster strikes.Losing access to electricity, running water or phone service can quickly disrupt everyday life, particularly if severe weather or another unexpected emergency makes it difficult to leave home.The recommendation is to have enough essentials available to manage independently for 72 hours, including drinking water, food, medication and ways to stay informed if normal services become unavailable.According to the British Red Cross, preparing in advance can help households manage short-term disruption and avoid being caught without essential supplies.AdvertA power outage could leave people unable to charge their phones, cook meals or keep their homes warm. Meanwhile, interruptions to water supplies could affect everything from drinking and washing to preparing food.Losing internet access or phone signal could create further difficulties, making it harder to contact loved ones, receive important updates or access online services.Emergency preparedness guidance recommends having enough essential supplies to manage for 72 hours. (Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)Why are governments urging people to stock up on 72 hours of essentials?Governments around the world are encouraging residents to keep emergency supplies at home as concerns grow over everything from extreme weather and climate-related events to international conflict and cyberattacks.The advice is not limited to one country. France recommends having enough essential supplies to last 72 hours, while Germany advises residents to prepare for a longer period of up to 10 days. Japan, which has extensive experience preparing for earthquakes, considers three days the minimum and encourages households to aim for a week where possible.There are also growing concerns that hostile states, cyberattacks and sabotage could disrupt critical infrastructure, potentially affecting everyday services without a conventional military attack.According to CNBC, having enough supplies to manage the first three days of an emergency gives authorities and emergency responders time to deal with the immediate aftermath of a crisis.For example, during severe flooding, emergency crews must prioritize rescuing people whose lives are in immediate danger, carrying out evacuations and keeping essential services such as hospitals operational.As a result, other households may need to rely on their own food, water and essential supplies while the emergency response gets underway.The 72-hour target also offers a practical balance, providing a buffer during major disruptions without requiring families to store excessive amounts of food and other necessities.Drinking water and food that does not require cooking are among the recommended emergency supplies. (Getty Stock Image)What supplies should you keep at home for an emergency?One of the most important steps is putting together a basic emergency kit containing enough supplies to last three days.Households should aim to have sufficient drinking water and food that does not require cooking, alongside essential medication and basic first aid supplies.A working flashlight, spare batteries and a fully charged portable power bank can also prove useful if electricity becomes unavailable.Basic hygiene items, including wet wipes and hand sanitizer, are worth including, particularly if running water is disrupted.However, emergency supplies should reflect the individual needs of everyone living in the household.Families with young children may need additional baby food, formula, diapers and medication, while people with pets should make sure they have enough food, water and any necessary medication for their animals.Those who rely on medical equipment or mobility aids should also consider what backup arrangements they might need if essential services are interrupted.A flashlight, spare batteries and a charged portable power bank can help households manage during a power outage. (Getty Stock Image)How can you prepare your household for 72 hours without power?Having supplies ready is only one part of emergency preparation.Households should also think about how they would communicate if phone networks or internet services stopped working.Agreeing on a meeting point, keeping important contact numbers written down and making sure everyone knows where essential documents are stored can help avoid confusion.It is also worth considering how family members would respond if they needed to leave their home quickly, including knowing how to safely turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if necessary.Checking on friends, relatives and neighbors who might need additional assistance is another important consideration.Older people, individuals with disabilities and those who may struggle to access information or supplies could need extra support during an emergency.Staying informed is equally important. Households should consider signing up for relevant weather and flood alerts and familiarizing themselves with the risks that could affect their local area.Preparing does not have to mean spending a lot of money or buying everything immediately.Starting with supplies already available at home and gradually adding missing essentials can make the process more manageable. Even a small box, bag or cupboard can provide enough space to store the most important items.The goal is to have a practical plan and the essentials needed to get through three days if everyday services are suddenly disrupted.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image Topics: World News

Oct 31, 2026
Maya Jama Sparks Reactions With Charity Gesture After Celebrity Traitors Exit New

Maya Jama Sparks Reactions With Charity Gesture After Celebrity Traitors Exit

Updated 16:03 31 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 15:46 31 Oct 2026 GMTbreakingThey're still going to get the money from Maya JamaMaya Jama has announced she's donated what she would have won on Celebrity Traitors to her chosen charity, even though she didn't make it to the end.Sadly for the game-long Traitor she was banished at the roundtable and didn't last until the final firepit, which saw remaining Traitor King Kenny also booted off the show and Faithfuls Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft winning the prize pot for their chosen charities.Everyone on Celebrity Traitors went into the show with a chosen charity they'd be donating their portion of the prize pot to, and Maya Jama had selected Action for Children.She confirmed her donation on social media today (31 October) as she called the group an 'amazing cause', and Action for Children works to help vulnerable children with issues such as poverty, abuse and finding a foster home.AdvertOver the course of the show the celebrities had amassed a prize pot of £83,000, which in the end was split equally between the two remaining winners.Ranganathan's charity was the Refugee Council, with him saying: "I am playing for the Refugee Council, helping displaced people who need help, and of course it’s very close to my heart. So I’m very, very grateful for this."Meanwhile Croft's share which amounts to £41,500 has gone towards Choose Love.“It’s an organisation that I used to volunteer at," Bash explained.“The money will be going to refugees and displaced people, but predominantly queer refugees and displaced people, and they are just the best organisation.”Even if her hopes of making it to the end were scuppered by the group finally wondering why players with no heat on them were still in, Maya Jama had a darn good run of things as she was there from the very beginning and lasted until almost the final hurdle.Action for Children has got the money even though Maya Jama didn't win Celebrity Traitors, which is nice of her to do (CARLOS JASSO / AFP via Getty Images)Her fans have said she's been 'absolutely incredible' on the show and off it since she's making sure the charity gets some money, while others called her an 'absolute queen' for doing so.Hailed for her 'superb act of kindness', the book is unfortunately closed on the latest series of Celebrity Traitors which proved to be hugely entertaining right from the moment Richard E Grant directly admitted to being a Traitor (just a few minutes after he'd been picked) right through to James Blunt realising he'd made a huge mistake by voting to keep the game going when it would obviously mean he was going.Featured Image Credit: Neil Mockford/WireImageTopics: Maya Jama, Celebrity, The Traitors, Charity

Oct 31, 2026
What Could Happen to Donald Trump After He Leaves the White House? New

What Could Happen to Donald Trump After He Leaves the White House?

Updated 10:38 31 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 10:34 31 Oct 2026 GMTDonald Trump is unlikely to disappear from the public eye when his presidency endsWhether he likes it or not, Donald Trump will have to exit the White House in January 2029.The president has long teased the concept of running for a third term, despite the fact that it's impossible under the US Constitution.The country's 22nd Amendment states: "No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice, and no person who has held the office of president, or acted as president, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected president shall be elected to the office of the president more than once."So, with his departure drawing nearer, what will happen afterwards? Well, according to artificial intelligence, it's unlikely Trump will step back from politics.AdvertDonald Trump's presidency ends in January 2029 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)Trump will try and stay the face of the Republican partyPer AI, Trump could continue influencing the Republican Party, endorsing candidates and campaigning for politicians who support his agenda, even after he's no longer president.He could well influence who the Republicans end up picking as their presidential candidate – his current vice president JD Vance, for example. He seems to be keen for the position, but has admitted that there's one thing that could prevent him from going for it."We've got four little kids," Vance told CBS News about his family situation. He added: "My wife has never loved politics. She loves public service."A new POTUS could undo Trump's biggest policiesIf the Democrats come back into office after Trump, it's likely they'll undo a lot of Trump's unpopular policies, particularly those relating to immigration, climate policy and federal government operations.But it won't all be easy to reverse. AI noted: "Policies written into law would be much harder to undo, meaning some parts of Trump's legacy could remain for years."Trump may have his policies undone by his successor (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)Trump may face renewed legal scrutinyTrump has been somewhat protected from the legal battles he's been facing while president, but these protections won't be in place when he leaves the White House in 2029 as former presidents do not have blanket immunity from prosecution.One thing may come under the microscope is the allegations surrounding him abusing his presidential power. For example, investigators could examine whether presidential powers were used for personal financial or political benefit rather than legitimate government purposes.However, the distinction between official and unofficial conduct would be crucial because of the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.Trump could launch his own media ventureIf there's one thing Trump loves, it's the spotlight, so it probably wouldn't come as a surprise to many if we continued to see his face on our TVs and all over the internet post-presidency.Trump may use his celebrity status and political following to build himself some kind of media career. This could involve launching a new media platform, hosting a regular programme, making documentary appearances or continuing to communicate directly with supporters through social media.Featured Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesTopics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Artificial Intelligence

Oct 31, 2026
Karl Bushby Nears Home After 28 Years Walking Around the World New

Karl Bushby Nears Home After 28 Years Walking Around the World

Updated 11:59 31 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 07:49 7 Oct 2026 GMT+1He's only got a weekend of walking left nowKarl Bushby is only a couple of days away from making it back home now after travelling around the world for 28 years.He just got back to the UK earlier this month after swimming the English Channel and since then has been trudging towards his home in Hull, which he expects to reach by Monday (2 November).At which point he'll have earned the chance to put his feet up for a little while.Along the way the 56-year-old man has had to face down hazards including the Coronavirus pandemic, a polar bear attack that almost killed him, being attacked by a mob in Peru and an incident where he had to be rescued by a helicopter, but on the balance of things he's enjoyed it more than he hasn't.AdvertHe's been pushing a card laden down with camping gear along his way, but now the prospect of home is so near he told The Independent his 'purpose and reason for living is about to end' and his next challenge would be getting accustomed to 'a society that you just don’t know anymore'.Bushby has dealt with severe weather conditions throughout his journey home (Instagram)He'd hoped to complete the last aquatic leg of his journey home through the English Channel on foot, an agreement couldn't be reached, so he ended up swimming for over 20 hours across three days in order to land back on the British beaches.Bushby said: "[It] feels good to have UK soil under my feet after all these years. It hasn't been easy, and that's part of the point; proving I'm more capable than I give myself credit for."He added: "All of us can accomplish more than we will ever imagine."HM Coastguard said it 'liaised with French authorities and maritime sector partners to ensure safety protocols were met', after Bushby's initial request to walk down the Channel Tunnel was vetoed.Bushby previously swam across the Caspian Sea (Resul Rehimov/Anadolu via Getty Images)Bushby started his journey at the tip of South America on 1 November 1998, so assuming he arrives on time on Monday it'll be 28 years and a day that he's been travelling.He started out when he wasn't yet 30, and how he's in his 50s having travelled around the world.His journey has taken him across 28 different countries and seen him travel over 30,000 miles but when he spoke from Belgium earlier this year, it seems as if his legs and his body had finally had enough, as he's no doubt desperate to get home and put his feet up with a cup of tea and a biscuit.He's certainly timed his return home well, as he will get to watch Premier League teams get mauled by the tigers in his home town of Hull.Featured Image Credit: Leon Neal/Getty ImagesTopics: UK News

Oct 31, 2026
Jessica Biel Reveals the Rule Keeping Son Silas From ‘Nepo Baby’ Roles New

Jessica Biel Reveals the Rule Keeping Son Silas From ‘Nepo Baby’ Roles

Published 15:56 28 Oct 2026 GMTTheir son has just appeared in a movie with his mum, but his parents won't keep that door openJessica Biel has explained that she and husband Justin Timberlake have made it clear their children won't get to be 'nepo babies' if they want to pursue a career in the performing arts.Biel, 44, has just appeared in Matchbox the Movie and one of her co-stars is her son Silas, who has a brief part in the film.However, mum has made it clear that he's not to rely on it as she told Josh Smith's Great Chat Show that while he's interested in acting and performing it'll take more than having famous parents to lock down regular roles.She explained that one of the producers asked her whether Silas would be interested in taking a minor role at the end of the movie, and Biel was reluctant to agree at first because 'we keep them away from all of this'.AdvertWhile they had concerns, Biel and Timberlake eventually reasoned that since he'd be around where they were filming and was interested in getting into acting anyway, and it 'was not a big speaking part'.Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake's son Silas has a minor role in her new movie (Gotham/GC Images)She told Smith that as a rule they weren't going to get their son roles with big parts that might be taking a job away from someone who had done the hard yards to go up for the same thing."There are kids who work really hard and they go to acting class and they're in theatre class and they're doing all of the work," Biel said."You can't just take a part from that person, just because you're my son. Like, that's not cool, we're not doing that. So this is a special opportunity because it's really teeny-tiny."If you had a big monologue I wouldn't let him do it."Those seem to be the boundaries the celebrated parents are setting for their child, in this case they said yes because a producer asked and it's not a big role so that 'made Justin and I feel ok about it' according to Biel.They were convinced to let him appear in the movie because it was a small part, but they'd have said no if he had more of a role (Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Justin Timberlake)"You have to earn that part, because we're not starting that," she went onto say of Silas needing to earn his roles in the industry and not being able to rely on the contact book of mum and dad if he wanted bigger opportunities."We're not starting 'oh you just get handed a bunch of opportunities because you're part of this family'."On the other hand Silas did get to have a benefit from it as he met John Cena while filming the movie, which is a pretty cool thing to do while on a bit of work experience with your mum.Her son also got a lesson in what acting is really like, because during his first day he got on set he didn't get to do anything and Biel had to explain that for a lot of actors that was the job.He did get to do some work the next day.Featured Image Credit: Lisa O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesTopics: Celebrity, Justin Timberlake

Oct 31, 2026
Maxim Sleptsov’s Agonizing Headaches Led to a Startling Eye Discovery New

Maxim Sleptsov’s Agonizing Headaches Led to a Startling Eye Discovery

Updated 20:56 30 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 20:52 30 Oct 2026 GMTIt all started when a branch whipped across the man's faceWe all get headaches from time to time, and the cause is usually pretty harmless. However, one man discovered that his agonising headaches and deteriorating sight was due to a plant growing in his eye.Maxim Sleptsov, 42, had been suffering from bouts of inflammation, double vision and four months of crippling headaches, prompting him to seek medical advice. To the plumber's shock, doctors removed a sprouting seed from his eye in just a few minutes. But how on earth did this happen?Well, it all began during a trip to the remote Abyysky district. His plan was to visit a friend, fish and pick berries, but he picked up something else instead.Advert“A branch caught me in the eye. It whipped across my face,” he said.Maxim Sleptsov, 42, had been carrying a seed that had germinated in his eye (East2West)He told Yakutia newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda that he removed a ‘fragment of bark’ after rinsing his eye, but unbeknownst to him, a seed remained in his eye.Maxim started to suffer with 'constant migraines,' so much so, that he almost got used to it.The Emergency Ophthalmology Centre discovered that the sprouted seed was developing a tiny root which had 'penetrated the conjunctival tissue.' It measured at 3mm. Surgeons were left mind-boggled, as Ophthalmologist Elizaveta Karpova, who removed the seed with an injection needle under local anaesthetic, said: “I had never encountered a case like this in my practice before."Fortunately, the seed has left no lasting damage, and there is no further risk to the 42-year-old's eyesight. “I was so relieved that nothing else mattered," a now headache-free Maxim said. Maxim is now free of headaches (East2West)Maxim has taken a positive from the scary experience, turning to religion. "[God] made me understand that I should not point out other people's sins," he said. Here, he referenced Matthew 7:3-5, which says: "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?"The 42-year-old said he will now 'work on himself and put his own life right.'There have been other cases similar to Maxim's, although not exactly the same.In 2020, doctors found a germinating rice seed beneath a 42-year-old farmer's upper eyelid in India. It came after he had complained of blurred vision and redness for over two months, as recorded in the National Library of Medicine. Featured Image Credit: East2WestTopics: Health

Oct 31, 2026
Donnie Darko’s Chilling ‘Dead All Along’ Theory Changes Everything New

Donnie Darko’s Chilling ‘Dead All Along’ Theory Changes Everything

Published 16:48 30 Oct 2026 GMTDoes Donnie Darko time travel – or was he simply dead all along?Donnie Darko may have been dead for the entire film, according to one completely mind-bending analysis of the film. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Seth Rogen and Patrick Swayze, 2001's Donnie Darko is considered to be one of the greatest cult films of all time. After sleepwalking his way out of a mysterious jet engine crashing into his bedroom, Donnie (Gyllenhaal) is repeatedly visited by a man in a rabbit costume who warns him that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Fast-forward to the end of the film, and Donnie is transported back in time to the fatal morning of the jet engine crash; only this time he decides against getting out of bed and chooses to be crushed to death instead. Advert25 years later and Donnie Darko remains a cult favourite (Newmarket Films)It's certainly a lot to unpack, which is why Donnie Darko fans have spent the following 25 years debating its meaning. The main consensus is that Donnie and everyone he knows spend the majority of the film inside an unstable 'tangent' universe, which will destroy reality itself if not corrected. By the end of the film, Donnie chooses to collapse the universe by travelling back to his bedroom on the evening of 2 October alongside a jet engine from a crash which would've killed his mother and sister. By choosing to die, Donnie erases the events of the tangent universe and saves his loved ones from their alternate fate. While the time-travel theory remains the most popular analysis of the film, it's not the only one, as a Redditor once posed a different theory that will completely alter your viewing of the film: the idea that Donnie was dead all along.The main theory behind the film involves time travel and alternate universes (Newmarket Films)What if Donnie was actually dead throughout the entire events of Donnie Darko?Posted on the popular r/FanTheories subreddit, the poster detailed an alternate take on the film, writing: "When people die, sometimes they are too heavily linked to Earth by something they wanted to experience more than anything but weren't able to, and so sometimes they're given a chance to relive their final days to try and experience what they're missing."The Redditor then poses that, for Donnie, the thing tying him to Earth is his desire to experience true love. After surviving the initial crash, Donnie is then given an opportunity to 'accomplish what he is missing' in order to see if it brings him peace of mind. After travelling into the alternate timeline, Frank, dressed in the rabbit costume, acts as a 'conduit' for Donnie to achieve his earthly desires, which includes forming a romantic relationship and losing his virginity to new girl Gretchen. But one Redditor wants you to believe Donnie was dead all along (Newmarket Films)As time passes, Donnie is then faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return to his fate or remain in the alternate timeline. It is only after he witnesses the tragedies which unfold in the new timeline - Gretchen's death, Frank's death and the deaths of his mother and sister in the plane crash - that he is convinced to accept his fate. The film then ends by showing the next day in the original timeline, with everyone waking up to learn about Donnie's fate and having a strange sense of familiarity when seeing each other. Read the whole theory below: by The theory has since struck a chord with readers over the years, with several Redditors saying the theory is one of the best ways of making sense of the movie. "I literally just finished it, and was so confused that, after wikipedia, the first place I came was here to make SOME meaning of it," one person wrote, adding: "Not only does this make sense, it makes sense of the movie. I feel like this is actually what happened, it makes so much sense."Think this nicely captures the subtext of this movie well done," penned a second, while a third added: "This is the best theory I've ever read for Donnie Darko."Looks like it's time for a rewatch this Halloween...Featured Image Credit: Newmarket FilmsTopics: Entertainment, Film, Reddit, Nostalgia

Oct 30, 2026
Elon Musk Sparks Reactions With Stark Midterm Election Warning New

Elon Musk Sparks Reactions With Stark Midterm Election Warning

Published 19:57 30 Oct 2026 GMTHe warned it would be 'the end of democracy' as we know itElon Musk has warned it would be 'game over' for America should the Democrats win the midterm elections next week. More than 100 million Americans are set to cast their vote in the midterm elections next Tuesday (November 3), as voters head to the polls to decide which party will control Congress for the next two years, alongside a number of key state and local races.The elections will see all 435 seats in the House of Representatives contested, alongside 35 seats in the Senate, with the results set to shape the political landscape for the remainder of Trump's presidency.The president himself has been out campaigning for candidates standing for the Republican Party in recent weeks, with trips to Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Georgia and Arizona, as he attempts to rally support for his party ahead of the crucial vote.AdvertTrump told voters to 'close their eyes' and pretend he is on the ballot on November 3. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)Musk has been a long-standing supporter of the Republican Party, having joined Trump's administration in 2024 to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), before stepping back from his role in May 2025.And prior to the elections next week, the trillionaire has issued a stark warning to voters. Listing his 'biggest concerns' should the democrats have a 'clean sweep', Musk warned that they would: "Make DC and Puerto Rico states to gain a strong majority in the Senate. Open the borders and legalize everyone living in America illegally to cement a permanent majority.Increase the size of the Supreme Court to gain an immediate majority. This would result in America becoming a permanent one-party state and the end of democracy in any meaningful sense of the word."Musk outlined his 'biggest concerns'. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)The Tesla CEO added: "All that is needed to ensure this doesn’t happen is 51 Republican senators in 2029. That is why you should vote for Republican senators this election. Other reasons are irrelevant compared to this one."The Democrats are currently favoured to win the 2026 midterms, particularly when it comes to taking control of the House of Representatives, as per election forecast trackers.In fact, recent national polling puts Democrats ahead of Republicans by around eight to nine percentage points.Trump has repeatedly urged Americans to treat the November 3 midterm elections as though he himself is standing for re-election.Speaking at a rally in Alabama, the president said: "When I'm not on the ballot, we don't do well. We have 44 percent or 48 percent less people. When I'm on the ballot, we get everybody. So, just close your eyes and pretend I'm on the ballot."Featured Image Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesTopics: Elon Musk, US News, Politics, Donald Trump

Oct 30, 2026
Lauren Bennett’s Cause of Death Confirmed as Father Raises Questions New

Lauren Bennett’s Cause of Death Confirmed as Father Raises Questions

Updated 16:56 30 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 16:37 30 Oct 2026 GMTbreakingThe dad of LMFAO and G.R.L singer claimed she was ‘failed’ by doctors before her deathWarning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.Singer Lauren Bennett, who was the voice of LMFAO’s major single Party Rock Anthem died by suicide aged 36, an inquest found.The musician who was a member of G.R.L died aged 36 in May this year after being found by her partner near her home.The late Party Rock Anthem singer Lauren Bennett (Scott Dudelson/WireImage)AdvertAn inquest hearing into her death has determined that she took her own life, and had suffered with mental health issues.Her dad previously said his daughter had been failed in the months before her death, writing: "We have no suspicions regarding the circumstances of her death."Only deep disappointment that, for five months, medical professionals failed to treat her appropriately during her time of greatest need."Lauren had been living in Los Angeles husband Kenny Wormald before they both moved back to Kent a few years after they married.The inquest heard how Lauren had been struggling with her mental health, which had declined after she was diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, an inherited intellectual and developmental disability caused by a genetic mutation.Her husband had told police that he was still asleep when Ms Bennett left the house at about 9am to go for a walk on the day she passed.When she did't return, he and her father went looking for her using the find my iPhone feature, and tragically later found her in a nearby area of woodland.Tributes paid to singerThe sad news of her death on May 29 this year was first confirmed by G.R.L who shared a tribute on Instagram.Bennett rose to stardom in 2009 as part of the band Paradiso Girls, and later featured alongside LMFAO and GoonRock on Party Rock Anthem, one of the biggest hits of 2011. She then joined group G.R.L. in 2013, but they disbanded after bandmate Simone Battle’s death by suicide in 2014.Lauren Bennett died aged 36 (Instagram)“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren,” the band said.“Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us. We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us.“Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved.”If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.Featured Image Credit: Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagicTopics: Music, Celebrity, UK News

Oct 30, 2026
Why Selective Service Changes Are Drawing Attention in Six US States

Why Selective Service Changes Are Drawing Attention in Six US States

Published 14:38 30 Oct 2026 GMTFrom December, eligible young men will be automatically added to the military draft poolSix US states will now be required to automatically register eligible men for the Selective Service as of December, with failure to register potentially carrying felony consequences.From December 19, all eligible American men aged 18 to 26 will be signed up by default into the military draft register, marking the first time such a measure has been implemented since February 1973, during the Vietnam War.The majority of US states and territories already have automatic registration procedures in place, with 46 doing so according to the Selective Service System’s 2024 annual report.However, states without existing default registration procedures will now be brought under the new nationwide system.AdvertThese include Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wyoming, Maryland, and Nebraska, where mandatory registration will now apply to green-card holders, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented men.As per the SSS, men must register 'within 30 days of (their) 18th birthday', and further explain that it is a felony to not do so.Changes have been made to the policy. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)It’s also a violation of the Military Selective Service Act, which could lead to imprisonment of up to five years, and a fine of up to $250,000.Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who sponsored the automatic selective service language, told CNN: "Making registration automatic, not only saves taxpayer dollars by eliminating the need to advertise but finally ensures that young men are not unknowingly penalized."And the plans to do so were outlined in the annual defense policy bill that was signed into law late last year.Up until Decemeber, the process varies by location. The process currently differs by state. (Herika Martinez / AFP) (Photo by HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP via Getty Images)In states such as Arizona and Delaware, as well as Washington. DC, eligible men are registered with Selective Service when applying for a driving licence or other state-issued ID. New York takes a different approach, giving eligible applicants the option to sign up for the draft register as part of their driving licence application.What would happen if the US reinstated the draft?Should the US ever reinstate military conscription, eligible men would not automatically be sent into service. Instead, Congress, along with the President's administration, would first need to authorise a draft, before a nationwide lottery determined the order in which registered men would be called up. Those selected would then undergo medical and mental assessments, with some potentially qualifying for exemptions or deferments before being formally inducted into the Armed Forces.Women are not eligible for the draft, though they can still enlist in the regular US armed forces to serve on the frontlines. Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock ImagesTopics: US News

Oct 30, 2026
Wicker’s Intimate 4DX Scene Leaves Cinema Viewers ‘Forever Changed’

Wicker’s Intimate 4DX Scene Leaves Cinema Viewers ‘Forever Changed’

Updated 15:37 30 Oct 2026 GMTPublished 15:28 30 Oct 2026 GMTWicker – starring Olivia Colman and Peter Dinklage – has a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score Who’d have thought that Olivia Colman starring with a husband out of wicker could be so wild?Wicker follows The Favourite star as a lonely fisherwoman living in a medieval seaside village. Mocked by the locals and unable to find love, she asks a basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to create her a husband out of wicker. Amazingly, he comes to life as a unconventionally handsome and devoted man, played by Alexander Skarsgård. AdvertTheir passionate relationship shocks the villagers and cinemagoers alike, with some witnessing their sex scene in 4dx. The cinema experience is where the seats move and shake in sync with the action on screen, alongside effects such as wind, water and vibrations.Viewers were stunned after experiencing the sex scene in 4dx (Black Bear Pictures)4dx is a cinema experience where the seats move and shake in sync with the action on screen, alongside effects such as wind, water and vibrations.“All jokes aside, the experience was actually so much fun!! In my theater they even had snow come out at one point,” one person commented on TikTok. With another adding: “The vibes in that theater are immaculate.”"I love how it's just a bunch of girls giggling in there," a third said, as someone else penned: "Just popcorn FLYIN ERRYWHERE."At the time of writing, Wicker has a Tomatometer rating of 94%, while the popcornmeter rating currently stands at 92%. One critic called it 'a cheeky remix of Beauty and the Beast, while another said it's 'a delightful fairy tale romantic-comedy that is rich in both fields'.Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Colman admitted that Skarsgård’s full-body wicker suit actually helped with the simulation. “It actually makes it less embarrassing for me because there wasn’t skin touching,” she said.Colman didn't want nudity in the film (Black Bear Pictures)The actor said it was a conscious decision by the cast and crew to show no nudity on screen, because they wanted to keep it ‘all in our imaginations’.“There’s so much you can unpack in that social commentary: institution of marriage and how silly it can be and what a prison that can be,” Skarsgård said of the film. “It deals with patriarchy and jealousy and social hierarchy that, regardless of gender, we’re all existing in. And how transgressive and how much of a threat it can be if someone disrupts that hierarchy, the way the Fisherwoman does in a way which sets everyone off.”Peter Dinklage plays a basketmaker (Black Bear Pictures)Colman added to The Guardian that the script was completely different to anything she had read before. “You get sent a lot of scripts that you feel you’ve seen before. But when I read this, I was like an octopus. I changed colour and went: ‘Oooh!’” Of the character, she pointed out: “And she’s the only woman with agency. She’s perfectly happy with her life. It’s when pushed that she says, ‘I’m going to **** this up and make a mockery of your beloved convention of marriage.’ Then she gets this kind, beautiful creature, and suddenly the world is even more joyous.”Featured Image Credit: Black Bear PicturesTopics: Film, TV and Film, Entertainment

Oct 30, 2026
Ohio Daycare Owner Sentenced After Infant’s Suffocation Death

Ohio Daycare Owner Sentenced After Infant’s Suffocation Death

Inset: Melanie DiMarzio (Stark County Sheriff's Office). Background: The Ohio home where DiMarzio ran her home daycare (WOIO).A 46-year-old former daycare owner in Ohio is headed to prison over the death of an 8-month-old boy, who suffocated after she put him down for a nap in a bed rather than in a crib.Common Pleas Court Judge Chryssa Hartnett on Tuesday sentenced Melanie DiMarzio to five years in a state correctional facility after she pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree involuntary manslaughter and one count of endangering children in the death of Grant Simmons, court records show.In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped an additional charge of first-degree involuntary manslaughter.According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, officers with the Village of East Canton Police Department on March 10 responded to a home on South Market Street for a medical emergency call involving an infant. The victim was unresponsive when first responders arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility.Police discovered that DiMarzio was providing childcare at the residence despite lacking a license for the operation. In its complaint seeking to shut down the business, the village said DiMarzio told investigators she typically watched between five and 10 children for about $45 per child per day, paid in cash.The complaint alleged that the home lacked appropriate supervision and sleeping arrangements for infants and toddlers. It also said DiMarzio had "difficulty recalling how many children she babysat," lacked current CPR certification and other medical training, had no formal plan for a fire or other emergency, and had no baby monitors or cameras to observe children in separate areas of the residence.At least six children were at the home on the day Grant died, the complaint alleged: Grant, two 23-month-olds, a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old. The filing further said DiMarzio told police she did not know the 1-year-old's last name.On March 20, a judge granted a temporary restraining order shutting down the daycare after learning that DiMarzio planned to reopen on March 23, according to a report from Cleveland-based CBS affiliate WOIO. After settling a lawsuit, DiMarzio reportedly sold the daycare.DiMarzio was indicted in July in connection with Grant's death. She initially pleaded not guilty before reaching a deal with prosecutors.At Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Grant's parents described the loss of their son. His father remembered a baby who "always had a smile, no matter what" and "loved life," according to the Canton Repository. He also addressed DiMarzio directly, saying, "I hope your cell is cold."Grant's mother reportedly said she had trusted DiMarzio to care for her son and questioned DiMarzio's remorse by highlighting how she wanted to reopen the daycare on the day of Grant's funeral.The mother further criticized DiMarzio for taking a family cruise after Grant's death and posting "Family is forever" on social media.The judge echoed those sentiments, addressing DiMarzio directly."How tone deaf do you have to be to put that out there?" Hartnett asked the defendant.The judge also told DiMarzio, "You definitely did things that you should not do," the Repository reported.DiMarzio, who did not speak during the hearing, must report to the Stark County Jail on Nov. 9 to begin serving her five-year sentence.

Oct 30, 2026