2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Teenage boy, 16, who died in fall while on holidays in Kerry is named as family suffer second tragedy in space of year
A TEENAGE boy who died in a fatal fall while on holidays with his parents in Kerry has been named.
Darragh Byrne, 16, from Charleville, Co Cork, was killed instantly yesterday when he fell at a lake close to Daingean Ui Chuis in the west Kerry Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne near the Conor Pass.
The 16-year-old was a student in the Christian Brothers Secondary School in Charleville.
Darragh had travelled to Kerry on holidays with his parents, James and Siobhan, and is believed to have been an only child.
He went exploring an area with a waterfall close to Pedlars Lake at Conor Pass, near Dingle.
When he failed to return, his parents raised the alarm at around 3pm.
Emergency services, including 30 members of Dingle Coast Guard and the Kerry Mountain Action Team, immediately responded along with the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 115, ambulance service and Gardai.
The boy was found close to the bottom of the waterfall and it is believed he may have climbed up to the lake, slipped and plunged to his death.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to University Hospital Kerry for a post-mortem examination.
Gerry Christie of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, told Radio Kerry: “I’m speaking with a heavy heart today but how heavy are the hearts of his parents. He was well on the way to being a man – a man sadly he now will never be.
“One can only assume that somehow he slipped on a beautiful afternoon in Kerry. It puts it into context how precious life can be.
“I did speak briefly to his parents when I came down but I need to extend my condolences and that of all of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, and indeed all of Kerry. It’s so sad..
Charleville-based Fianna Fail Councillor Ian Doyle said the local community is in shock.
‘TOTAL SHOCK’
He said “This is a total shock and a terrible tragedy. The family is deep rooted in Charleville and Darragh’s parents are very active with the local GAA and community affairs in general.
“They are very well liked and respected and everyone feels so sad for them on the loss of their only child.”
This is the second high-profile tragedy to hit the family as Darragh’s grandmother, Mary Feehily, died last November when she was struck by a car as she stood on a footpath after stopping to buy a GAA lottery ticket in the centre of Charleville.
Mary, who was in her 70s, was very well known locally and was the mother-in-law of Fianna Fail TD for Clare Cathal Crowe.
The incident took place near a lake at Conor’s Pass, which goes through the mountains of Dingle Peninsula Getty Images - Getty
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Diddy may only get TIME SERVED after disastrous prosecution in most expensive prostitution case in history, says lawyer
SEAN ‘DIDDY’ Combs’ criminal case has been blasted as a ‘total failure’ for the prosecution and he will likely only get time served or a few years, legal experts believe.
The rap music mogul fell to his knees on Wednesday when the verdict was read out in a Manhattan courtroom.
ReutersSean ‘Diddy’ Combs reacts to the verdicts of the five counts against him in this courtroom sketch[/caption]
EPASupporters of Sean Combs rejoice after a jury acquitted Combs of racketeering and sex trafficking and found him guilty on lesser transportation charges in New York[/caption]
GettySean ‘Diddy’ Combs attends the GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons honoring him on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills[/caption]
The jury decided to only convictCombsof two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, which each carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence and no minimum.
He has been acquitted of racketeering conspiracy, which carried a life sentence, and two counts of sex trafficking, the most serious crimes.
Combs was arrested in September 2024 and has been behind bars ever since after multiple requests for bail were denied.
While the star and his family celebrate, his accusers will not after a grueling seven-week trial including harrowing testimony from over 30 witnesses, including his former girlfriends and employees.
A judge will decide whether or not he will be granted bail late on Wednesday, July 2.
However, prosecutors look set to argue that detention is mandatory following a conviction of this kind.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers, who has been following the case since the beginning spoke to The U.S. Sun about the outcome.
He said, “Today’s verdict is nothing less than a complete and total failure by the prosecution in what will go down as the most expensive prostitution trial in American history.
“Even though the Mann Act carries a potential 10-year maximum sentence, Diddy is going to get time served or close to it. His sentencing guideline range may be as low as 15-21 months.
The government made several fatal self-induced errors.”
Neama Rahmani, president of Los Angeles-based West Coast Trial Lawyers
“The jury has spoken and prosecutors in the prestigious Southern District of New York should take this very embarrassing loss and move on.”
Count 4: Transportation to engage in prostitution (Cassandra Ventura) – Guilty
Count 5: Transportation to engage in prostitution (“Jane) – Guilty
The U.S. Sun obtained a letter from the prosecution sent to Judge Arun Subramanian following the verdict on Wednesday.
They say the guideline sentence for him is just 51 to 63 months [five and a half years maximum], and he has already been behind bars for nine months.
It reads, “The Government notes, however, that the Guidelines applicable at sentencing may be higher than this preliminary calculation.
“The Government has not had adequate time to carefully consider all potentially applicable Guidelines provisions.”
He believes that the sex trafficking charges appeared weak because of the “evidence of consent” the jury was told throughout the trial.
“The prosecution’s only real chance of a victory was racketeering and to prove a non-sex related predicate act like kidnapping, arson, extortion, or bribery,” Rahmani continued.
“The fact that the jury even rejected that argument shows the many flaws in the prosecution’s case.
“They failed to lean on and flip key members of Diddy’s inner circle like KK and D-ROC.”
The prosecution also didn’t call any of the alleged sexual assault victims who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs, who did not have a romantic or professional relationship with him.
Many celebrities who showed the alleged victims support throughout the trial have expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the trial.
Rosie O’Donnell shared on Instagram on Wednesday, “I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion – wow – they just think women stay because what? money – fame – “they love the abuse” – what a fucking joke – this decision got me angry#cassie.”
New Mexico-based criminal defense attorney John W. Day also told The U.S. Sun he felt the verdict was a “major loss for the prosecutors.”
He said, “They presented a tsunami of evidence against Diddy over many weeks, and the jurors did not buy their story.
“The government was trying to convince the jury that RICO — which was designed to go after the Mafia and mob organized crime families — should be applied to baby oil and Diddy’s high-flying lifestyle in the music business, and the jury just was not convinced.
“The prosecutors believed that Cassie Ventura and Jane — the girlfriend who testified under an alias — would tell a story of victimization that the jury would feel empathy for, but they most likely just saw these witnesses as willing participants in the glamorous world of Diddy.
“In retrospect, the prosecutors aimed too high with the RICO charges.
“He’s likely to get some time in federal prison — maybe more than three or five years, but not the full 20 years he’s facing after convictions on the two counts.
“At the end of the day, the prosecutors need a black box, like we have in airplanes to tell us what went wrong after a crash, to find out what failed with their case.”
Combs’ legal team has written a letter, obtained by The U.S. Sun, to Judge Subramanian outlining the reasons why they say he should be released from custody.
They argue he is not a flight risk and has been a model inmate and shown up to all court hearings, adding that “reasonable conditions would ensure” he would not have the ability to arrange to meet with escorts in the future.
His defense also says the jury “unambiguously rejected the government’s allegations that Mr. Combs ran a years-long criminal enterprise or engaged in sex trafficking – the core of the government’s case.”
GettySean Combs could soon be a free man after beating the most serious charges in the indictment this week[/caption]
APCassie Ventura, left, and Sean Combs appear at the MET Gala in New York in 2015[/caption]
ReutersThe embattled music mogul fell to his knees in court after the verdict was read out[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Tom Cruise developing sequel to another of his 80s blockbuster hits after Top Gun Maverick success
TOM Cruise is developing a sequel to another of his 80s blockbuster hits, after the success of Top Gun Maverick.
With all the adrenaline, spectacular stunts, humour and heart of the first blockbuster, Top Gun Maverick also had an all-action storyline of bombs and baddies to beat Bond.
GettyTom Cruise is developing a sequel to another of his 80s blockbuster hits, after the success of Top Gun Maverick[/caption]
GettyFans will be delighted by the news after much speculation[/caption]
AlamyTom Cruise as naval pilot Maverick[/caption]
When the sequel came out, it had been 36 years since we last saw Tom Cruise slipping out of his shirt and into his aviators as test pilot Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in the original.
And it was a great success, which is likely why the Hollywood star has now decided to develop another sequel to one of his 80s blockbuster films.
Jerry Bruckheimer, co-producer to the F1 movie, has confirmed that a sequel to Days of Thunder is in the pipeline, which will of course star Tom.
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American sports action drama film which is still beloved by NASCAR fans today.
There has been a lot of hope for a sequel, as well as speculation, after Tom, 62, uploaded a throwback photo on X to mark the 35th anniversary of working with late director Tony Scott.
Speaking about Days of Thunder 2 in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jerry said: “Well, there’s always new technologies. There’s always new ways to do things and to see things, and Tom is such a great individual – comes up with phenomenal ideas.
“So we’ll have something really exciting for an audience once we pull it together.”
Former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon has also addressed a Days of Thunder 2 being made.
The chairman of Hendrick Motorsports said: “Let’s do Days of Thunder 2, I am all for that. Tom Cruise has told me it’s gonna happen, so let’s make it happen.
“I can’t go back to driving, I am too old for that, so gonna have to be one of our four or all four of our Hendrick drivers, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron. When I came into NASCAR, Days of Thunder had just come out. It played a huge role in the growth of NASCAR.
“So let’s bring it back.”
The US actor is always pushing the limits when it comes to his work.
In May, he clambered onto the roof of the 82ft BMI Imax cinema — home to Britain’s biggest screen — in a stunt to promote his latest film.
Wrapped around the building in Waterloo, South London, was a giant advert for the movie, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
The 62-year-old Top Gun star was in the capital to receive an honorary British Film Institute Fellowship, the organisation’s highest award.
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American sports action drama film which is still beloved by NASCAR fans todayAlamyFormer NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon has also addressed a Days of Thunder 2 being madeParamountGettyTom is always pushing boundaries with his movies[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on I found the perfect summer tank top which snatches your back fat & holds your boobs in place with no bra – all for £7.31
A TANK top is a staple item in many wardrobes – particularly during summer.
And one fashion lover claims to have found the perfect one that “snatches in your fat”, and it currently just £7.31.
TIKTOK/@nachyyin4kA fashion lover has raved about a tank top she found on TikTok Shop[/caption]
TIKTOK/@nachyyin4kShe claims the top ‘snatches in back fat’[/caption]
The top is £7.31 on TikTok Shop and it comes in a number of different coloursTIKTOK/@nachyyin4k
TikTok user @nachyyin4k posed in a black tank top she picked up from TikTok Shop, and she said she also had snapped it up in red too.
In the clip, the shopper paired the soft-looking top with a pair of black satin shorts, but you could also wear it with jeans or a skirt.
She shared: “I finally found a tank top that snatches your back fat, your boob fat, holds your boobs in place.
“You don’t need to wear it with a bra or breast padding, totally optional.
“Comes in four different colours, I just could not wait until they dropped the white
“But I got it in red as well and I wore it on holiday multiple times.
“I am obsessed, I can’t wait for them to drop the white. Please drop it.”
Her video has racked up over 2,000 likes, and people seemed keen to snap the tank top up.
One person wrote: “They are so fitted and snatched.”
Another added: “You look so good,” and a third commented: “I have this , it’s so good!”
CELEB TANK TOP LOVE
We previously shared how Kylie Jenner, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jennifer Lopez have all been spotted in the same wardrobe must-have.
The three donned a white tank top, which won’t break the bank.
Les Girls’ Rib Tank White is sold by Gooseberry for just $40.
Kylie Jenner got ready in her closet wearing the tank topTikTok/ Kylie Jennerinstagram/anyataylorjoyAnya Taylor-Joy also donned the white tank top at Yosemite[/caption]
Jennifer Lopez wore the Les Girls’ tank top while making cocktailsinstagram/jlo
The basic white tank also comes in gray for another neutral option, making it a closet essential.
According to the brand, the cropped tank top is made of 100% cotton with a ribbed texture.
Les Girls also recommends choosing your normal size due to a curve-hugging fit.
Kylie Jennerwore the top during a closet tour promoting her clothing line, Khy.
Meanwhile, J-Lo also rocked the simply chic style in a viral reel as she sipped Delola, her line of ready-to-drink cocktails.
Fans complimented her style in the comments section, with one saying: “Yo this look on you, Jennifer, is by far the most fire look that I’ve seen in my life.”
Anya Taylor-Joy wore the Les Girls style in an Instagram photo taken in Yosemite, making it a versatile choice, from lounging at home to going out in nature.
Hottest fashion trends of 2025
Fabulous’ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street.
The East/West Bag
Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s’ shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber.
In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder.
They’ve been on runway models’ arms at nearly ever designer show – think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta – and are hitting the high street now, too.
Powder pink
Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025.
Pantone may say that it’s the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own.
If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour.
The shell jacket
The ’80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025.
We all know we’re likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket.
Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in ‘80s windbreakers’.
Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion!
The turn-up jeans
While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we’re styling them is different.
This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups.
For this look, size doesn’t matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good – but only as it’s just one single fold.
Peep-toe shoe
Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event.
After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style.
From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street.
Sheer blouses
See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life – until now.
Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S ’25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season.
Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks.
2 days agoMalaysia TvComments Off on Lotto Results: Winning Numbers for Tuesday 01 July 2025
It’s another thrilling Lotto Wednesday in South Africa, and tonight’s draw could change someone’s life forever! With millions of rand up for grabs across three different games, players across the country are eagerly waiting to see if their lucky numbers...
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Sam Thompson breaks his silence on Samie Elishi split as he opens up on love life
SAM Thompson has addressed his split from Samie Elishi while opening up on his love life.
Former Made in Chelsea star Sam, 32, began dating the Love Island beauty earlier this year – but the pair later broke up after two months.
YouTube / Staying RelevantSam Thompson shared an update on his love life[/caption]
RexIt comes following his split from Love Island beauty Samie Elishi[/caption]
Speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast with best mate Pete Wicks, Sam shared an update on his love life.
He said: “I’m going to work on myself, no dating. I’m not ready. I realised that.”
A source close to the former couple said: “It was a mutual thing and there is no bad blood between them.
“They both just have really busy schedules, particularly Sam who has been non-stop recently, and it was really hard to make it work. They’re still good mates.
“It’s a shame but sometimes things just don’t work out.”
The pair had been together for five years before breaking up at the start of this year.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline at the time: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.
“But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split and will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025.
“There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it’s just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.”
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on BMW M5 is so good I had to test it twice and jumped at the chance to drive this Bumblebee Beast again
NOW the dust has finally settled on Bumblebee 1000’s Talladega Nights road trip and life has returned to normal.
I can reflect on another amazing adventure and an awesome time spent behind the wheel of the ballistic new BMW M5.
BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BALLISTIC, 727BHP BUMBLEBEE WEAPON: The M5 once again was the perfect choice to take part in Bumblebee 1000’s latest charity road tripJacob Liggett
I drove the M5 at Bumblebee’s first road trip of 2025 in April, and was trying to source the new M2 for this one in June, but that didn’t work out.
However I was more than happy to be back behind the wheel of this beast again as it’s the most powerful M5 ever, producing a supercar-rivalling 727bhp and impressive 1,000Nm of torque.
And it’s also the first plug-in hybrid M5 ever, with a huge 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 crammed under the bonnet that works alongside a 145kw electric motor and 18.6kWh battery.
But all of the above adds weight, a lot of it, making it the heaviest M5 ever too — weighing in at 2,510kg — so with a full tank of petrol, four passengers on-board plus the driver, you could be tipping the scales at three tonnes.
SOUND OFF: Despite its quad exhausts the M5 could do with being lot louderJacob Liggett
Key Facts:
BMW G90 M5
Cost: From €137,055 Engine: 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8, 145kW electric motor Power: 727bhp Torque: 1,000Nm 0-100kph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 305kph Economy: 48.7mpg Real world: 30.2mpg Emissions: 43g/km Rivals: Mercedes-AMG E53, Audi RS7, Porsche Panamera
SUPERCAR POWER: M5’s 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system produces 727bhpPaddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
It can launch from 0-100kph in just 3.5 seconds, and with the optional M Drivers Package fitted, max out at 305kph, which makes the new M5’s performance figures all the more impressive.
BMW has done a great job trying to hide the weight, and it’s only when cornering hard or under heavy braking that you really notice its heaviness.
My test car came fitted with the optional M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes that are incredible, as is the Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering.
This allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 1.5° allowing the M5 to become a lot more nimble and sure-footed than you’d think for a heavy, five-seater saloon.
BOOT SIZE: The M5’s boot offers 466 litres of luggage spaceJacob LiggettTHE KING OF CARBON: The M5 is available with carbon fibre mirrors, carbon boot spoiler, carbon ceramic brakesPaddy McGrath
On Bumblebee 1000 you cover a lot of miles, so being very comfortable over long distances is another plus point for the M5.
The battery takes 2 hours 30 minutes to fully charge providing you with a handy 70km electric-only range too, plus as the M5 is a PHEV, the annual road tax is only €140.
BMW quote a 148.7mpg figure, and impressive stats like those are possible with a fully charged battery and very gentle driving.
But with so much power available and when driving in an environment like Bumblebee, the big Beemer is a thirsty beast.
COOL SEATS: BMW’s curved dual screens take centre stage and there’s heated and cooled front seatsPaddy McGrath www.pmcgphotos.com
After the road trip ended, the fun was over and I returned home from the Portlaoise Plaza at a more leisurely pace.
And here I recorded 30.2mpg, not bad for a car that has a top speed of over 300km.
It could be louder though.
That big V8 should really be allowed to sing, but sadly the M5 is too quiet for its own good.
Inside, BMW’s brilliant curved dual screens dominate the dash, and like the exterior, there is carbon trim everywhere.
The front sports seats are superb, heated and air-cooled, with an illuminated M badge and there are heated seats in the back.
The M5 saloon starts at €137,055 and the Touring model is €139,515 but that’s before you start ticking boxes and there are loads of options to choose from.
