Take a look at what the weather has in store for South Africa’s nine provinces this Thursday, 3 July 2025.
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WEATHER: Severe storm with rain, excessive lighting and hail to hit SA
Free Sky Sports channels added to millions of TVs TODAY – essential codes to unlock them revealed
THREE Sky Sports channels have been added to the TV guide on millions of screens at no extra cost today.
Viewers have gained a total of six new channels totally free in the latest boost for Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
Although Sky Q customers won’t find them on their TV guide, they can access the channels another way instead.
The broadcaster has decided to add a series of so-called FAST (Free Ad Supported TV) channels to the main selection screen.
However, you can get to them even quicker by using your voice or keying into the channel number on your remote.
Among them is Sky Sports Classics, home to Sky Sports Premier League archives with the likes of Premier League Icons and Premier League Legends.
The full list of six channels are:
- Sky Sports Classics
- Sky Sports Vault
- Sky Sports Stories
- Pick Monkey Rescue
- Emergency 24/7
- Sky Artist of The Year
Elsewhere, Sky Sports Vault revisits a whole host of archive darts, EFL and boxing content including 30 Years of The PDC World Darts Championship and Fight Night.
And Sky Sports Stories is the place for sporting documentaries, from EFL Rivalries to Her Huddle.
If you recognise the channels you’re not mistaken.
They were first made available a year ago via the little-known Xumo Play app, where you can find about 70 free extra channels.
Today’s changes put Sky’s own six channels from the Xumo app directly onto the TV guide like any other channel.
The free Sky Sports channels can be found on 1001, 1002 and 1003 respectively.
Pick Monkey Rescue, on number 1004, shows episodes from the Monkey Life series.
And on 1005 it’s Emergency 24/7 with programmes such as Highway Cops, Air Ambulance ER and Stop Search Seize.
Finally, Sky Artist of The Year, on number 1006, allows viewers to catch up on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year.
Rival Virgin Media has been dabbling in a similar move with FAST channels.
So, although Sky Q customers won’t find them directly on their TV guide they can still watch them via the Xumo app.
Tricks for your Sky remote
Try a whole host of Sky tricks to take your TV to a whole new level.
- How to set channel favourites
- Clear storage space on your box
- Special voice commands
- Hidden buttons on your remote
- Dark mode on Sky Q
- Secret menu with hidden settings
Image credit: Getty / The Sun / Sky
Brit paedophile behind fake Disneyland wedding ‘took child bride, 9, and her mum on holiday’ before grim ceremony
A CONVICTED Brit paedophile allegedly took a nine-year-old “child bride” and her mum on holiday a year before arranging a grim wedding ceremony.
Jacky Jhaj, 39, attempted to marry the young Ukrainian girl in Disneyland last month before the “dangerous sexual predator” was arrested.
Jhaj reportedly spent over £111,000 on the sick wedding plans as he hired more than 100 actors to play guests at the staged event.
One of those recruited through a social media callout was told he would play the “father” of the bride.
Devastated Vitalijs, 54, said he had no idea what he had signed up for prior to turning up in Paris.
The former Russian special forces paratrooper was one of the first to raise the alarm about the sickening marriage plot.
Vitalijs says one major warning sign of Jhaj’s true intentions came after he spoke to the bride-to-be’s mum.
She revealed the London-born predator had been in constant contact with the family for over a year.
Jhaj had spoiled the mum with money and gifts and even paid for a family holiday, Vitalijs claimed.
He told The Telegraph: “This Ukrainian woman [the mother] told me that she had known this Jacky for a year.
“He paid her money and helped her family.
“They went somewhere together to relax, the three of them. I think he won her over with gifts.”
Vitalijs, who only uses his first name for security reasons, also revealed he was offered £550 to play “the father of the bride”.
But he was lied to as he signed up to give away the girl’s 41-year-old mother.
He soon realised inside the theme park the “bride” was instead an underage girl as he immediately refused to be a part of the bizarre act.
Vitalijs then hatched a plan to get the ceremony cancelled as he broke into the park without a pass on the morning of the planned event.
Vitalijs approached the wedding stage and handed a note to Disney staff, who saw a “scared and confused” child in a big dress with four-inch heels taped to her feet.
Staff managed to stop the wedding immediately and called the French cops.
Several suspects were arrested within minutes – including Jhaj and the girl’s mum.
Jean-Baptiste Bladier, the Meaux prosecutor, confirmed the Ukrainian child had not suffered “any violence, neither physical nor sexual” and had “not been forced into playing the bride”.
The mum was later released without charge but Jhaj was held after being labelled the “mastermind” behind the operations.
It was then revealed that he had rented the resort outside of its opening hours to host the fake wedding.
His sick acts landed him charges of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering and identity theft.
He was also placed under assisted witness status for corruption of a minor.
After his arrest, the convicted paedophile told the examining magistrates in Meaux: “I’m just a simple actor who took part in a film shoot”.
His dark past was soon uncovered as in 2016 Jhaj was found guilty of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds in Britain.
The investigation into the fake wedding continues.
Who is Jacky Jhaj?
CONVICTED paedophile Jacky Jhaj, 39, has been previously jailed in the UK for child sex offences.
He was on the run from British authorities at the time of the sick wedding stunt, French prosecutors say.
The disgraced director and actor, from Feltham, was jailed in 2016 for four years after being found guilty on four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds.
Before his arrest, he drove around the streets of Hounslow, offering girls alcohol and claiming to be a Hollywood film producer.
But the convicted paedophile has pulled a string of bizarre stunts since being released from jail.
In September 2024, Jhaj staged an explosion using an old BBC truck and Union Jack-draped vehicles packed with explosives, filming himself naked as the blaze spiralled out of control behind him.
The incident was reported to be a film production stunt.
But it triggered panic, with hundreds of calls flooding emergency services as locals feared a terrorist attack.
Residents were not warned beforehand and only found out afterwards through a post on the Borough of Greenwich’s official Facebook page.
A year before the explosion, footage surfaced of Jhaj mixing with around 200 children and 100 young women at a film shoot in London’s Leicester Square.
The shoot, which shows some of the children touching Jhaj, took place on October 17, 2023, the BBC revealed at the time.
The BBC reported that the organiser of the event – known as “Project BRT” – hired 90 children aged six to 14 from an agency called Jam 200
The production also booked around 100 young women between the ages of 16 to 24 from Uni-versal Extras.
![Pink wedding wristband for [redacted]'s and Jack's wedding on June 21st, 2025.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image_59edea.jpeg?strip=all&w=960)
Lidl Ireland set to release limited-edition Oasis inspired jacket’s just in time for the bands reunion gigs
LIDL Ireland are set to release limited-edition Oasis inspired jacket’s – just in time for the bands reunion gigs.
The budget supermarket is releasing a brand new “Lidl by Lidl” jacket this week.
It costs just €35 and comes with drink cooling pockets, a bottle opener zip and branding that looks like it fell out of Liam Gallagher’s wardrobe.
Oasis are playing two sold-out shows in Dublin’s Croke Park on August 16 and 17 marking one of the biggest reunions in years.
It’s the first time in over a decade that fans will see the Gallagher brothers back on stage together and demand for tickets has been massive.
The jacket drop comes after fans joked last year that Liam’s Berghaus jacket looked suspiciously like a Lidl collab.
Social media flooded with people asking where they could get a “Lidl by Lidl” version and now they can.
The jacket has two insulated pockets for cans, a zip that opens bottles, an embroidered Lidl patch and even a tambourine for good measure.
It goes on sale online at 10am on Wednesday, July 9 at lidlbylidl.com, and Lidl says stock is limited.
All money raised will go to Lidl Ireland’s charity partner, Family Carers Ireland.
Eimear O’Sullivan from Lidl Ireland said the jackets are designed to help fans relive some 90s nostalgia.
She said: “The Croke Park gigs are the most hotly anticipated gigs of the summer and now Oasis fans can relive 90s nostalgia and commemorate a piece of Irish rock and roll history with the limited-edition Lidl by Lidl jacket.
“Not only does it look the part, but it comes with fun features to enhance your live music experience including insulated pockets to keep drinks cool and a handy bottle opener attached to the zip.
“We’re thrilled to launch the ultimate throwback jacket that’s sure to be a hit with both Oasis and Lidl fans.
“We can’t wait to see fans fill Croke Park kitted out in this summer’s must-have merch.”
Fans who want to guarantee a jacket are being encouraged to set a reminder for the online launch as stock is limited and likely to sell out quickly.
And last month, Lidl Ireland launched a “Jepic” new summer festival range with items starting from just €1.49.
JEPIC SUMMER RANGE
The men’s and women’s fashion range include blue and yellow crocs-inspired clogs for just €3.99.
Get the Jepic sliders from the same affordable price and branded t-shirts at only €3.49.
No festival is complete without the extremely popular bucket hats at only €4.99 as well as the Lidl socks for €1.49.
Other items available in this creative collab include short sets, mugs, joggers and much more all below €15.
The famous X Factor duo said: “We’ve grown up with Lidl and getting to front a campaign with such bold looks is absolutely Jepic!
“You’ll definitely spot us at this summer’s festivals in our matching bucket hats and branded shirts.”
THE HISTORY OF LIDL IN IRELAND
LIDL first opened in Germany in 1973.
Back then, it employed just three people, stocking 500 product lines.
The first Irish store, located just off Molesworth Street in Dublin, was opened in 1999.
This was Lidl’s first entry into the Irish grocery market.
Then, Lidl opened more stores in 2000, in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise.
Now, the retailer has over 180 stores and three distribution centres, employing over 6,000 people.
They work with a network of more than 260 Irish suppliers from the communities they operate in.
People call me a ‘bad mum’ for letting my 7-year-old get a spray tan – they need to mind their own business
A MUM has clapped back at trolls who slammed her for letting her seven-year-old daughter get a spray tan.
The fiery parent took to TikTok to share a sweet moment between her and her little girl, explaining that her daughter had asked for a spray tan and so she booked them both in for one.
In the video, Tiktoker Noel LaPalomento explained her pamper day plans, which included heading with her seven-year-old to Glow Lab, an airbrush tanning salon in West London.
And while some viewers thought it was adorable, with comments like “Mum goals!” and “This is exactly what I want to do with my future daughter”, others were less than impressed.
One wrote: “Sorry but you’re a bad mum. Let the child be a child.”
Another snapped: “Kids grow so fast nowadays – uhm idk, maybe because you let them? She’s 7, she doesn’t need a spray tan.”
Others chimed in: “I didn’t even know what a spray tan was at seven.”, arguing “She should be tanning by playing out in the sun“ and that “It shouldn’t even be a subject at that age.”
But Noel wasn’t having any of it.
She clapped back, posting a follow-up video declaring: “She’s just a girlllll!!!” and reminding critics that her daughter’s confidence matters more than their opinions.
Her TikTok bio reads “Mind your business” – a pretty clear message to anyone judging her parenting.
She even shared a behind-the-scenes clip of her daughter giggling as she got her tan sprayed on.
Still, the backlash kept coming, with more parents commenting things like “Please stop” and “Why are we normalising this?”
But some were quick to defend her, pointing out that a spray tan is a safer alternative to sunbathing, which exposes skin to dangerous UV rays.
One supporter wrote: “Spray tan better than getting a sun tan and skin cancer – I say go for it!”
Experts warn that there’s no such thing as a “safe” tan from the sun and any darkening of the skin is actually a sign of cell damage, which can even lead to skin cancer.
So a spray tan seems like a safer option.
But the row taps into a wider debate on whether kids are growing up too fast.
According to a study by the Department for Education, 88% of parents believe children are being pressured to mature too early – pointing fingers at celebrity culture, adult-style clothing, and social media.
This mum isn’t the first to come under fire for letting her child embrace beauty trends.
One mum admitted she lets her six and seven-year-olds wear make-up and false nails, calling it “harmless fun”.
And in the US, 10-year-old Naiya White, who started wearing make-up at age three, now calls herself a “Sephora kid”, with a nine-step skincare routine, 200+ beauty products, and over £1.5k spent on cosmetics.
Her mum, a former Ulta make-up artist, insists it’s all about encouraging self-expression and looking after your skin.
As for this spray-tan-loving mum, she’s made it clear, she’s raising her daughter her way, and the haters can kindly scroll on.
Why the 'Tanning Mitt Painting' trend isn't as good as it seems
Painting door frames and banisters with a tanning mitt is a DIY trend everyone is obsessing over on social media.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, and DIY-enthusiast reveals why you should put down the tanning mitt, and revert back to the old-fashioned paintbrushes and rollers for your next painting project.
“A tanning mitt might be a cost-effective solution to painting your home, but it can’t compete with a traditional paintbrush or roller.
Tanning mitts offer a smooth, even application, but it doesn’t compare to the professional and precise finish of a brush or roller.
When it comes to painting detailed areas, like edges and corners, a paintbrush is the best tool for a job.
Equally, if you are applying a new paint colour, you might need several coats of paint, and a tanning mitt can only provide very thin coats of paint – meaning you’d be spending more hours on the job!
Painting brushes and rollers are also much easier to clean and are longer lasting. Tanning mitts usually need throwing out after one use which is neither good for the planet nor your wallet.”
Shocking viral video shows cleaner emptying DIRT into food – WATCH
The video has resulted in South Africans sharing why they don't buy takeout food and prefer to eat home-cooked meals.
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I had kids at 15 & 16 with different guys – I was a single mum but got back with my baby daddy AFTER he went to jail
A WOMAN who gave birth twice in her teens has shared a look into her life.
Lindsey Loftis is just 18 years old and yet already has two children with different fathers.
Speaking to Love Don’t Judge, the teen mum shared that life had clearly not been easy for her, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
While Lindsey might be 18 with two kids under five, she still finished school and works to provide for them while her baby daddy is locked up.
“I go to work, I make my money and I provide them with everything they need to live,” she said.
“I strive for them to have a better childhood than I had.”
The young mum first got pregnant when she was 14 with her eldest child, but she and the baby daddy split up soon after when she caught him cheating.
She added that Clyston, her current partner, was his best friend and to get payback on the affair she had one with Clyston.
When she was 15, Lindsey fell pregnant again and has had many negative comments thrown her way.
“They’ll say ‘You ruined your life, you ruined your body, kids shouldn’t be having kids,'” she explained.
“Which is not true because we’re obviously not kids if we can have kids.”
The mum revealed the pair have been on and off for two years, even breaking up when she was pregnant with his child.
Lindsey said Clyston wasn’t acting right and soon after he got sent to jail.
While he was in the jail cell they rekindled their romance, but four weeks after his release he was jailed again for outstanding warrants.
He now has a year and a half left to serve of his three-year sentence, and Lindsey hasn’t given up on him.
Now she says she writes to him everyday and keeps him updated on how their kids are doing too.
She added: “Even if we weren’t on good terms or whatever I’m doing all of this for my family I want him to be in my family.”
The video went viral on Love Don’t Judge with over 21k views and people were quick to share their thoughts in the comments.
One person wrote: “She is a dedicated mum. Good for her.
Another commented: “Unpopular opinion but good for her. She’s working and providing for her babies and she looks good/healthy. She’s doing well as a young parent going through all this.”
“Say what you want. She looks like a good mom with a well-kept environment,” penned a third.
UK Teen Mum Statistics
Teen pregnancies in the UK have been decreasing considerably since 2007...
The under-18 conception rate has decreased considerably since 2007, reports Nuffield Trust.
Between 2007 and 2021, the under-18 conception rate in England and Wales decreased by 68%, from 42 per 1,000 women to 13 per 1,000 women.
This resulted in 13,131 under-18 conceptions in England and Wales in 2021.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “I’m hoping the best for this couple. She seems like a very good mum with a promising future.
“I know life was rough on her so I really do hope he is the man her kids and she deserves and learned the lesson of missing out on life while being in prison.”
“I like her mentality, I so super hope this girl doesn’t get her heart broken, she seems like such a good mum,” claimed a fifth.
Tiernan Lynch fires warning to Derry City squad after Alex Bannon signing
DERRY CITY boss Tiernan Lynch has warned his players that their places are under threat following the arrival of Alex Bannon.
The Scottish defender has joined on a year-long loan from Burton Albion with Lynch highlighting his versatility.
Lynch said: “He’s a young lad with plenty of senior experience under his belt.
“He can play in a number of different positions – he can play right side centre half, right wing back, right back or even as a six.
“And he’s someone we are looking forward to getting in and working with.
“He’s a very versatile lad and the big attraction to us is the number of senior games.
“He is someone that we definitely feel that can come in and make an impact.
“No one should be safe and everyone should know that when they come in on the Monday morning they have a fight on their hands”
Bannon, 21, clocked up 59 appearances for Queen’s Park before being signed by Burton last summer
He clocked up nine consecutive starts in League One in October and November but, when he fell down the pecking order, he joined Airdrieonians in January.
There he played alongside Adam Frizzell, who has also joined the Candystripes, and played 16 times as the club secured its Championship status in the play-offs.
Dunnes Stores shoppers set for frenzy over ‘stylish’ denim dress with ‘easy-to-wear silhouette’ and it’s a bargain €35
DUNNES Stores designers have dropped the ultimate denim dress – but it’s already selling out fast.
The Gallery Lucia Denim Shift Dress has landed on shelves across the country and is also available online.
The cute pinafore style dress has a square neckline, pocket detail and silver buttons.
Dunnes Stores designers said the frock is comfy to wear.
They said: “Timelessly stylish, this denim shift dress features a structured square neckline and a full button-through front.
“Designed with four patch pockets complete with button closures, it boasts an easy-to-wear silhouette.”
Retailing at a bargain €35, it’s a piece you will keep reaching for all year round.
Style with wedges for a glam summer look or pair with trainers for a relaxed look.
And team the dress with black tights and Chelsea boots for colder months.
The Gallery dress ranges in sizes 8 to 18 but popular sizes have sold out online already.
Sizes 12 and 16 are currently available on the website.
Meanwhile, an Irish fashion fan revealed some must-have holiday buys from Dunnes Stores.
Nicola, who posts on Instagram under @nicolas_notions, shares fashion inspiration for women over 40.
The style lover revealed the striking Savida Arti Denim Poplin Midi Dress for just €40.
Nicola said: “Day or night Dunnes Stores have you covered.”
It features a fitted bodice, spaghetti straps and a full midi skirt.
The retailer said: “Designed with a contemporary edge, this dress from Savida features a denim, corset-style bodice, and is finished with a lightweight poplin skirt that falls to a midi length.
The style lover revealed the striking Savida Arti Denim Poplin Midi Dress for just €40.
Nicola said: “Day or night Dunnes Stores have you covered.”
It features a fitted bodice, spaghetti straps and a full midi skirt.
The retailer said: “Designed with a contemporary edge, this dress from Savida features a denim, corset-style bodice, and is finished with a lightweight poplin skirt that falls to a midi length.
“Brought to you by Irish designer Carolyn Donnelly, exclusively for Dunnes Stores.”
The designer brand beach dress ranges in sizes XS to XL.
“Brought to you by Irish designer Carolyn Donnelly, exclusively for Dunnes Stores.”
The designer brand beach dress ranges in sizes XS to XL.
THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES
DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit.
Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.
During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.
Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.
The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.
“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.
“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”
The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.
They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.
“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”
Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
Arsenal’s 2025/26 lightning bolt away kit ‘leaked’ as fans say ‘this strip was literally made for Eze’
ARSENAL’s incredible new lightning bolt away kit has been “leaked” online, with fans declaring “this strip was literally made for Eberechi Eze.”
SunSport exclusively revealed Arsenal are lining up Crystal Palace’s star man after he fired the Eagles to FA Cup victory in May.
Eze has a release clause of £68million in his Selhurst Park contract.
And SunSport also told you that rivals Tottenham are chasing his coveted signature too.
But should Arsenal make an acceptable bid, and Eze also agree to join Mikel Arteta’s title hopefuls, he will line up in a dazzling new kit next season.
A promotional video was “leaked” on social media today detailing Arsenal’s away jersey for the upcoming campaign.
The stunning kit featured a mix of dark blues and purples in the shape of lightning bolts.
The eye-catching display was topped with red adidas stripes along the arms.
And it left fans drooling at the prospect of seeing it worn by potential new faces like Eze.
One supporter said: “This kit is literally made for Eze.”
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Another declared: “Can’t wait to get my hands on this.”
One noted: “OK this actually slaps.”
Another added: “As always we have the best jersey.”
Eze may not be the only exciting new attacker bolstering Arsenal’s ranks this summer.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke and Real Madrid forward Rodrygo have both been linked.
And a new striker could be secured in either Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The Gunners have so far completed just one signing this summer in Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga.
He is set to be followed by Brentford’s Christian Norgaard and fellow midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
While centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is nearing a move from Valencia.