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Naga Munchetty interrupts BBC Breakfast to issue apology after guest is abruptly cut off in live blunder
BBC Breakfast anchor Naga Munchetty was forced to issue an apology after a blunder with a live on-air segment.
The experienced broadcaster chipped in and told the show guest, who was speaking from a live link to Ludlow, Shropshire, that BBC bosses would attempt to “fix” the issue.
On Saturday’s BBC Breakfast episode, Naga’s regular presenting partner Charlie Stayt, 63, had been replaced on the red sofa by Ben Thompson, 43.
He joined forces with Naga, 50, for a chat about fly tipping and litter with Keep Britain Tidy representative Ed Lennox.
He described the dumping of rubbish as the “biggest problem in Western Europe” and said: “It’s like smashing criminal gangs, we have got to break their business model.
“We have made it more difficult in the UK for people to do the right thing, so they do the wrong thing.”
Yet after just a few lines of chat, in which he revealed dumping by gangs at a woodland in Kent had cost £15million to clean up, he struggled to hear a question posed by Ben and looked blankly at the screen.
He said: “I can only hear about every third word,” to which Naga replied: “Apologies, we will try again and we will try to fix it.”
She then directed a question to show producers and said: “Any good?”
Yet she was then forced to inform viewers: “No.
“Apologies, we’re not going to be able to carry on that interview with Ed Lennox from Clean Up Britain but that was shocking.”
Last Saturday, Naga also needed to put her broadcasting talent to swift use after another apparent show blunder saw a “dead dog” aired on-screen.
The mishap came amid reports of a “deeply divided workplace” and off-air tensions between Naga and co-host Charlie.
TROUBLE OFF AIR
Earlier this week, The Sun exclusively reported how things were not all rosy on the show’s iconic red sofa.
We told how anchor Naga had been hauled in by show bosses amid allegations she bullied a junior staffer.
Naga – now at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row — was also hauled in over a sex jibe made at Radio 5 Live.
Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast?
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay – Since 2022
Sally Nugent – Since 2021
Charlie Stayt – Since 2006
Naga Munchetty – Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood – Since 1997
Breakfast’s editor Richard Frediani has now taken leave amid separate bullying claims.
Naga is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it.
The alleged remark stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to Naga being hauled before bosses.
She was reprimanded by a senior producer but no formal action was taken.
The comment became widely known at 5 Live, with one source describing the 2022 incident as: “Crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed.”
We can also reveal that on BBC Breakfast last year, she was rapped for the alleged bullying of a woman, who was the most junior staffer.
As part of the bullying behaviour, the star is said to have falsely accused her of stealing, which led to a closed-door showdown.
The source said: “It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised.”
The Sun then clarified the behind the scenes goings on – and why the gulf between the presenters is “getting bigger.”
A representative for Naga did not respond to our request for comment.
Andy Farrell hails Ireland star for ‘showing what Lions should do for teammates’ with ‘play of the day’ vs Western Force
ANDY FARRELL believes Mack Hansen showed “what a Lion should do for his teammates” with one critical moment against the Western Force.
The Lions kicked off their tour of Australia with a 54-7 rout in Perth on Saturday afternoon.
Connacht winger Mack Hansen was one of eight Ireland players to start for Farrell, with Joe McCarthy, Garry Ringrose, and Dan Sheehan getting among the tries.
However, the Lions head coach singled out the Aussie-born star for contributing the “play of the day” late on.
After a Josh van der Flier error, the Force threatened to break away for a try.
Hansen charged back to gather position and kick clear, before chasing his own kick and forcing a knock-on and winning his side a try.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Farrell hailed: “There were some fantastic tries, weren’t there?
“But the play of the day, if you want to look what a Lion should do for his teammates was when Mack Hansen went up and down the field, end-to-end, never gave up, and fought for his teammate.
“That’s the type of spirit that we want throughout the team. So a nice example there.”
Hansen’s stellar showing from the start on Saturday came after he was brought on off the bench in the defeat to Argentina in Dublin.
And it came 12 years after he was watching the Lions from the stands, only on that occasion, he was cheering against the side he now represents.
The Canberra-raised ace was 15 when dad Craig took him to watch local outfit the Brumbies take on Warren Gatland’s side during the 2013 tour.
Hansen, who played for the Brumbies from 2018-2021, went wild in the stands as a Lions team including Ireland trio Rob Kearney, Seán O’Brien and Rory Best were downed 14-12.
The 27-year-old said: “It seems like an alternative universe. I remember the buzz around Australia and seeing these players you didn’t really get to see.
“It was amazing.
“I always loved the Lions and I didn’t know it would be something that I’d get to do — but I’m here and I’m enjoying it. It feels like I’m properly living the dream.
“We were sitting behind the goalposts watching it. It was mad.
“I talked to guys after that and they’d been pumped up for the game for weeks, working towards it.
“They saw it as the be-all and end-all.
“Also, guys are playing to try to get into the Wallabies as well, so there’s still a lot on the line for a lot of these teams.”
Meet the ‘Neom’ WAGS – glam Brit TikTok housewives of Saudis building $1tn mega city… and why it’s hiding a dark secret
IN the deserts of north-western Saudi Arabia sits a gated Brit family enclave – and while wives stay home to look after their young kids, their husbands are busy building Neom – the $1 trillion mega-city.
But the glamorous Brit influencers also act like they too are working for the project as they spend their days posting social media content, painting a glossy picture of life there – but it hides a dark secret.
A dozen now-influencers – most with young children – made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for the Saudi project.
The high salaries are said to be the main attraction for a new life in the desert – as well as the often free accommodation – with some senior executives offered over $1 million annually.
It appears that most, if not all of the women had normal jobs before taking up social media as they moved thousands of miles away.
And, by offering an insight into the project and their luxurious life there, the women have accumulated thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok.
Footage uploaded to social media shows perfect pre-schools, playgrounds, virtually zero traffic and community-building activities like coffee mornings for the housewives.
Families also come together in a central food hall on the site for buffet-style eating for every meal of the day.
The temporary accommodations are also equipped with luxury amenities like swimming pools, spa facilities, playgrounds and football pitches.
One TikToker shared a video on how items compare price-wise in Saudi supermarkets, with a punnet of strawberries or blueberries costing up to £10.
But the Brit expat insists, “considering where we are, the prices are really really good”.
And to help deal with such a change in environment, UK chocolates and sweets are stocked on the shelves.
But the rosy image posted of Neom couldn’t be further from the underlying truth, having been built on bloodshed and slavery – with women in the country reportedly slaughtered for speaking out against the ruling regime.
Neom was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Project 2030 in 2017 – a major push to wean the oil-rich nation’s economy off its reliance on fossil fuels.
The anticipated cost of delivering the gargantuan scheme is reported to have spiralled from a $500bn (£386bn) estimate to a head-spinning $8.8 trillion (£6.8 trillion), according to The New Civil Engineer.
But even more shocking are the human rights abuses and brutal conditions for workers looming over Neom – issues that have plagued the country well before the project.
I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn’t change it for the world.
Samantha
As many as 21,000 are reported to have died during construction on various sections of Neom, although Saudi authorities have disputed this figure.
But as some international workers continue to ensure the high-tech, blood-soaked utopia is built on time, their families are residing in a gated community equipped with everything they could possibly need – including a Starbucks.
Nick McGeehan from NGO FairSquare told The Sun how mumfluencers in Saudi are “very clearly a public relations strategy” – and “quite an effective one”.
He said: “It is trying to attract all sorts of investment into the country to sort of realise its commercial ambitions for the country, and to do that, it needs to sort of exhibit this progressive, tolerant face.
“Western women are a key part of that. Sending this message to audiences that this is a safe place, it’s a good place for families, is very important to them.
“And of course, the reality in Saudi Arabia is quite different to the one that’s being presented, unfortunately.”
Life in Neom
Brit mum Samantha films day-in-the-life videos showing off her new lifestyle over 4,000 miles away.
This consists of school runs, gym sessions and salon appointments, which she describes as “great” and “amazing” in nearly all of her videos.
Similarly, another Brit mumfluencer Samara has lived at the compound for over two years.
She has dubbed her time on Neom as “incredible” and, like Samantha, shows off the amenities and what she and her family get up to day-to-day.
Samara says in one video: “I can’t believe I am saying this, but it has been nearly two years since I packed up my life in the UK and I got on an aeroplane with my then five-week-old baby to move to somewhere that I had never ever been before.
“It was absolutely madness if you ask me but honestly it was the best decision I have ever made in my life and it still is.
“I absolutely love the community here, and I just wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Despite previous denials from Neom that influencers aren’t paid, Nick has his doubts.
He said: “I would be very surprised if there wasn’t a commercial dimension to this.
“We’ve seen this in the past, and we know that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States spend millions and millions of pounds on public relations, and they’re very smart how they do it.”
Just two weeks ago, Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed for “high treason”.
He was the founder of news blog The Saudi Scene, which is said to have regularly addressed topics in the country, like its infamous lack of rights for women.
Nick pointed out how the life of expat influencers in Saudi differs greatly from the women who were born and raised there.
The reality is, it’s still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it’s still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country
Nick McGeehan
Women’s rights are incredibly patchy in the country and women exercise little control over their marriage, children, education, and even healthcare.
Only six years ago were Saudi women were granted the right to drive.
It is also known that women are being jailed, starved and flogged in “hellish” Saudi prisons for being “disobedient” to their husbands.
Documented cases show various evidence of abuse and neglect at the notorious Dar al-Re’aya jails, according to rights group ALQST.
Prisoners are left malnourished and locked up in solitary confinement, the organisation claims.
Several cases of suicide attempts in recent years have also been reported.
The name of the jails, Dar al-Re’aya, literally translates to “care homes“.
They have existed since the 1960s and were initially presented as a rehabilitative “shelter” for women accused or convicted of certain crimes.
The infamous cells house women and girls between the ages of just seven to 30.
Nick said: “We cannot believe the sort of public relations image that we’re sold about the country from influencers on TikTok and other social media.
“The reality is, it’s still quite a brutal place for anyone who wants to speak out, and it’s still not a great place for women to go because of the way that women are still second-class citizens in the country.”
Nick believes it is “dangerous” to perpetuate this kind of unrealistic lifestyle on social media, based on the idea “you just have to shut up, consume, shop, sunbathe – and don’t say a goddamn thing about what’s going on to the people who’ve stood up and ask for their basic rights”.
He concluded: “It’s cheap PR, right?”
Some influencers living in Neom have been approached for comment.
Futuristic city
Neom is to be an unbelievable futuristic city across 26,000 sqft on the Red Sea and will include smaller projects like The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah and the Gulf of Aqaba Projects.
Some infrastructure in the plans includes floating buildings, as well as ultra-luxurious holiday and ski resorts.
But even after eight years, little progress has been made.
And the project has been the subject of a number of controversies.
One former employee has shared their story of working at the gigaproject with The Sun, shedding light on the atrocities taking place behind Neom’s doors.
Rights organisations have long blasted the Saudi regime’s record on workers’ welfare, with a recent Human Rights Watch report detailing the “gruesome yet avoidable” deaths faced by many migrant workers.
The advocacy group mentions that some workers died falling from buildings, by electrocution, and even decapitation.
Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea told The Sun: “Unfortunately, migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high-profile gigaprojects.
“On Neom, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions.
“Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant recruitment fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country, as well as serious health and safety risks.”
Michael, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, told The Sun that the project is unlikely to be anywhere near complete before 2055.
Talking about delays, Michael said: “From the very beginning, Neom had a very long timeline.
“There were certain objectives they wanted to achieve by 2030, but most of the leadership were aware of a longer timeframe.”
Michael said Neom’s management has “overspent quite a bit” since its announcement.
He says: “They were focusing on way too many things at the same time.
“They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region.
“No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work.”
The much hyped project, aided by an aggressive social media marketing campaign, has sought to big up Neom as a vision of futuristic city living.
Sci-fi ideas from levitating trains to an artificial moon are reported to have been among the features of the project.
But Neom continues to fall chronically behind schedule, with many of its most ambitious projects still looking like a distant dream.
Top 5 blunders plaguing NEOM project
By Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, despite its ambitious vision, has been criticized for several major blunders that have raised concerns about its feasibility, ethics, and overall execution.
Here are the top five major blunders associated with the project:
Forced Displacement of Indigenous Communities: One of the most significant controversies surrounding NEOM is the forced displacement of the Huwaitat tribe.
This indigenous community, which has lived in the area for centuries, was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to make way for the development of the mega-city.
The Saudi government’s crackdown on those who resisted, including the killing of a tribal leader, Abdul Rahim al-Howeiti, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations.
This blunder not only sparked international outrage but also tainted NEOM’s image as a forward-thinking, humane project.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns: NEOM has been marketed as an environmentally sustainable city, but the environmental impact of such a massive development is a major concern.
The project’s scale—covering over 26,500 square kilometers—poses significant risks to local ecosystems, particularly in the Red Sea, which is home to rich marine biodiversity.
Critics argue that the construction of artificial islands and extensive urbanisation could lead to irreversible ecological damage.
The enormous water and energy demands required to maintain a green city in the desert also raise questions about the project’s sustainability.
Economic Viability and Cost Overruns: NEOM is one of the most expensive development projects in history.
But there are serious doubts about its economic viability. Critics question whether the project can attract the necessary foreign investment and whether it will generate sufficient returns to justify the enormous expenditure.
The economic risks are further compounded by potential cost overruns and delays, which are common in megaprojects of this scale.
This financial gamble has led some to worry that NEOM could become a costly white elephant if it fails to meet its ambitious goals.
Technological Overreach and Ethical Concerns: NEOM is envisioned as a high-tech city, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence, robotics, and extensive surveillance systems.
While this technological ambition is central to NEOM’s identity, it also raises significant ethical concerns. The level of surveillance planned for the city could lead to unprecedented control over residents’ lives, sparking fears about privacy and civil liberties.
The lack of transparency about how AI will be used, coupled with concerns about job displacement, has also led to criticism that NEOM’s technological vision may be more dystopian than utopian.
Cultural and Social Disconnect: NEOM’s vision of a futuristic, liberalized society clashes sharply with Saudi Arabia’s deeply conservative cultural norms.
The project plans to introduce mixed-gender sports, entertainment events, and other liberal lifestyle elements that are rare in the kingdom.
This cultural shift has raised concerns about a potential clash between NEOM’s globalised vision and the traditional values of Saudi society.
The disconnect between the project’s ambitions and the broader cultural context has led to skepticism about whether NEOM can truly integrate into Saudi Arabia’s social fabric without causing significant friction.
Takahiro Shiraishi – Japanese Man Hanged For Dismembering 9 People He Met Online
Japan executed Takahiro Shiraishi for committing this crime. TAKAHIRO SHIRAISHI – Japan’s execution is the first in 2022 after this man was convicted of committing this gruesome crime. Dubbed as the “Twitter Killer,” Takahiro Shiraishi was executed by the Japanese government for claiming the lives and dismembering nine (9) people he met online. This is ... Read more
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I’m 42 and was desperate to have a Kris Jenner ‘face lift’ but was left with a bumpy, lumpy neck
HER rumoured facelift hit headlines worldwide – with people praising just how flawless the results were.
And one person keen to emulate Kris Jenner’s new look was Australian model Rebecca Judd.
The 42-year-old asked her clinical specialist Claire McGuinness to “give me Kris Jenner’s neck without surgery”.
However, things didn’t appear to have gone quite to plan, judging by Rebecca’s Instagram Stories post.
In the image, she showed that she’d been left with three lines of raised bumps on her neck.
The lumps on her neck under her chin looked to have started healing, with some of them disappearing completely.
While the lower lines were still obvious and red.
It’s not clear exactly what procedure Rebecca had, but Claire’s website states that she offers countless facial rejuvenation procedures – from micro-needling to LED light therapy.
The picture of Rebecca’s bumpy neck went viral on social media, with people taking to the comments section of the posts to weigh in on what treatment Rebecca may have received.
“Looks like MicroBotox to me,” one wrote.
“This pic was probably taken right after and then the bumps go down.
“Nothing major that is for sure!”
“These are Botox injection bumps and will literally be gone in under 10 minutes,” another added.
“You all do realise this is probs just polys?” a third asked.
“It goes down within half hour – it’s a simple easy good little treatment.”
“This is a Skin Booster, and this is exactly what it should look like post injections,” someone else commented.
Kris, 69, left fans stunned when she stepped out showcasing her new youthful look, with her rep confirming to Page Six that she underwent aesthetic enhancements from New York plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Levine.
Although it has not been revealed exactly what she had done, many critics have suggested she underwent a deep plane facelift.
What is a face lift and how quick is the recovery?
A FACE lift (technically called a rhytidectomy) is a cosmetic surgical procedure which tries to reduce visible signs of ageing in the face and neck.
- The procedure begins with either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation to ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free.
- The surgeon makes incisions based on the type of face lift.
- The surgeon lifts the skin and underlying tissues (SMAS layer – superficial musculoaponeurotic system).
- Fat may be sculpted, removed, or redistributed.
- The underlying muscle and connective tissues are tightened and repositioned to create a more youthful look.
- The skin is gently laid back over the newly repositioned contours and incisions are closed with sutures (medical stitch) or skin adhesives.
- Recovery time varies, but most people return to normal activities within two to four weeks.
In an exclusive chat with The U.S. Sun, Dr. Norman Rowe, who did not do Kris’s work but specializes in deep plane facelifts, was asked how much her rumoured procedure might have set her back.
“It depends on whether or not you’re getting it in Cincinnati, Ohio, or Miami or New York or LA,” he said.
“I mean, it can range from, five figures to six figures.”
Sunderland to smash transfer record to sign Senegal star Habib Diarra as Jobe Bellingham’s replacement
SUNDERLAND will smash their transfer record to sign Senegal star Habib Diarra as Jobe Bellingham’s replacement.
The Black Cats have agreed a deal with French side Strasbourg worth an initial £27million up front with a further £3.5m in add-ons for the 21-year-old midfielder.
A medical has been scheduled next week and personal terms are expected to be finalised without any expected hitches.
Diarra showed his capabilities this month on the international stage when scoring for Senegal in their historic 3-1 victory over England at the City Ground.
The 11-capped ace caught the eye under Liam Rosenior in Ligue 1 last term and helped them finish seventh.
A host of Premier League clubs have been monitoring Diarra.
The player’s representatives have also held talks with fellow Prem new boys Leeds United while Everton and Brighton are also keen.
Though Sunderland are confident they have won the race to sign him in a move that beats the previous £20m record fee they paid Roma for Enzo Le Fee last month.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are also closing in on a deal for Polish international goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.
The Nice shot stopper has his heart set on a move to England and negotiations between the two clubs are at an advanced stage.
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Bulka spent three years in Chelsea‘s youth academy between 2016 and 2019.
He failed to make a professional appearance before making a switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
Justin Bieber hasn’t been to church in 3 months as pastor Judah Smith hints at drama in rambling sermon
JUSTIN Bieber hasn’t been to his long-time church for at least three months amid drama with his pastor and accusations of a cult-like atmosphere at the institution, insiders have claimed.
The pop star, 31, had previously been pictured attending Churchome, a nondenominational church in Beverly Hills, with his wife, Hailey Bieber, but he’s been missing in action since March.
He is said to be close to Smith, 46, who has been his spiritual advisor for years.
However, their relationship has reportedly caused a rift between Bieber and his best friend, Ryan Good.
Sources previously told TMZ that Bieber hasn’t spoken to Good, who was the best man at his wedding, for a year amid the fallout.
Good, who co-founded the star’s fashion brand Drew House in 2018, left the church due to its supposed “cult-like culture” and has been worried about Bieber, according to the outlet.
He has not returned calls for comment on the situation.
The tension is also said to have escalated when the star added Smith to the Drew House board, despite Good’s reported concerns and the pastor’s lack of business experience.
Bieber has now distanced himself from the brand, telling fans not to buy clothing from Drew House.
The U.S. Sun can reveal the singer has not been seen at Churchome’s monthly in-person services for three months, while Smith hinted at the troubles in a rambling sermon this week.
He has left fans worried with his bizarre behavior and comments about Hailey, including when she featured on the cover of Vogue, admitting in an Instagram post he told he she’d never be on the front of the fashion bible during an argument.
Bieber was also filmed having a public meltdown ranting to paparazzi while at the beach with his family.
His rep has also denied allegations of drug abuse, while followers on social media have been concerned with his weed smoking after becoming a new dad to his son, Jack Blues.
EMOTIONAL SERMON
On Wednesday evening, around 250 people shuffled into the iconic Saban Theater for the so-called Christhome Experience, and Smith apologized as he was late to the stage.
While Bieber was nowhere to be seen, Smith name-dropped his close friend, former E! News host Jason Kennedy, who was sitting in the audience, and admitted pals had been worried about him.
“Recently, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I’m okay,” Smith admitted. “Which, [at] face value, that is a wonderful thing to do, right? A text, ‘Hey, you good?’ ‘Hey, you okay?’
“The problem is when they add up, I start to wonder … maybe this has happened to you, wait, am I okay?
“So Jason and I went to Miami this past weekend. It was a great time. And I ran into so many old friends I hadn’t seen in a while.
“And I was kind of taken aback because one person said, ‘Hey, are you good? You okay?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, no, I’m good.’ I’m kind of like, what have you heard?
“Then another person, ‘Hey man, are you good? Are you okay?’ Should I not be? Yeah, I’m still married to Chelsea. We’re having sex pretty regularly. My kids are 20, 18, 16, I don’t, uh, yeah.
“And then another person, ‘Hey, you good? You’ve been on my mind.’ Um, thank you. You ever had that? Someone’s like, ‘You’ve been on my mind.’ You’re like, ‘I haven’t thought about them in years.’ You don’t say that, of course. You’re like, yeah, me too. I mean, it’s good to see you.
He went on: “Now part of that is like, wow, what a thrill, what an honor, what a privilege. Now, some of you right now, already, I’ve missed you with this message because you’re like, ‘I wish to God somebody would ask me if I’m okay’, but have you ever been asked so many times if you’re okay, that you started to wonder if you’re okay?
“And I’ll admit in Miami recently seeing old friends, I started to say, ‘no, I’m great’. And then I could hear through my own tone that my response was me also telling them, but also telling me that I’m great.”
He proceeded to reference Bible scripture and stumbled through the sermon as many of his jokes failed to land with the churchgoers.
After an hour, Smith’s speech took an emotional turn as he began tearing up and said, “It’s [life] always been about people, but we made it about popularity and we made it about appearances.”
Smith was unavailable for comment on his relationship with Bieber after the service, and Churchome did not respond to comment calls.
Bieber’s rep also failed to respond when asked for clarification about whether he is still a member of the church.
CULT ACCUSATIONS
During a previous sermon, Smith recounted how paparazzi had asked him to confirm or deny if Churchome is a cult after he stepped out of his car.
“If we’re a cult, we are the worst cult in the history of all cults,” he joked.
“We meet once a month, guys. I stopped doing this every Wednesday. We’ve got to get better at this.”
Bieber and his wife are still following Smith on Instagram despite not showing up to services.
Smith officiated their 2019 wedding and baptized the couple together in 2020.
He has also provided the pair with counseling sessions and featured in the 2020 YouTube documentary series Justin Bieber: Next Chapter.
The U.S. Sun spoke to churchgoers leaving the service on Wednesday, with one admitting it’s had its issues but insisted it’s not a cult.
He said, “I’ve been coming to this church for five years. I’ve grown so much lot spiritually.
“Things aren’t always perfect but I know pastor Judah comes from a good place. He has a good heart, he’s the real deal.
“Haters are gonna hate but I think he has the right intentions.
“At the end of the day, pastors are also human, they do make mistakes, but it’s up to us to help pray for them and uplift them.
“I haven’t had negative experiences with Judah but I used to be in the prayer group and that didn’t work out. I’ll leave it at that. But that didn’t discourage me [from coming].
“Every church has its issues, there’s mental illness with the people that go there. No church is perfect.”
On Bieber being missing from services, he said, “He’s a big celebrity, he’s got a busy schedule. And not to mention the health issues he’s going through, everyone here is supportive.
“He’s participated here, given words here, so we all love him,” he added, saying they would always welcome him.
BIEBER’S CHURCH TROUBLES
It’s not the first time Bieber’s association with spiritual advisors has caused issues in his personal life.
He previously had to distance himself from Hillsong and disgraced pastor Carl Lentz, who was fired in November 2020 due to “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.”
It was later revealed that these “moral failures” included affairs that rocked his marriage.
Hillsong also found itself the subject of a damning documentary that detailed historical accusations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s by late church leader Frank Houston.
The churchgoer who spoke to The U.S. Sun revealed he also previously attended Hillsong services but said the two organizations were “two different worlds,” adding, “Carl Lentz is a completely different character.”
A third churchgoer insisted, “There’s no pressuring [people] or anything. I’ve seen Bieber here, they help him get in and out without being [mobbed], but we haven’t seen him recently.”
JUSTIN’S TURMOIL
Meanwhile, the star has left fans worried in recent months with his public rants and emotional Instagram posts amid alleged turmoil in his marriage with Hailey.
He also announced in April that he no longer supports Drew House and instead is focused on his clothing brand, Skylrk, although the launch has been delayed.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, he wrote, “I, Justin Bieber, am no longer involved in this brand,” over a screenshot of the fashion house’s Instagram account.
“Drew House doesn’t represent me or my family or life. If your [sic] rocking with me the human Justin Bieber don’t waste ur money on Drew House.”
Justin also posted cryptic messages and private leaked texts with an unknown friend on Instagram this month.
In one worrying post, the Sorry singer shared a blurry black-and-white selfie where he looked solemn.
He wrote, “Tired of transactional relationships. If I have to do something to be loved that’s not love.”
Tourist who kicked sniffer dog ‘so hard it flew into the air’ at US airport is deported after being slapped with fine
A TOURIST who kicked a sniffer dog “so hard it flew into the air” at a US airport has been deported after being charged a hefty fine.
Freddie, a five-year-old beagle, was booted at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after he detected a suspicious suitcase.
Hamed Ramadan Bayoumy Aly Marie had flown into the US from Cairo, Egypt and was waiting at baggage claim on Tuesday when his suitcase was flagged by the pooch.
After talking to a US customs officer, he kicked the helpless dog “so hard that he was lifted off of the ground,” a federal complaint said.
Freddie, who works with US customs officials to sniff out smuggled goods, was rushed to the vet where he was treated for bruises to his right rib.
Hamed pleaded guilty to the assault on Wednesday and was made to pay $840 (£611) for the bill before being sent back to Egypt the following day.
A raid on the man’s bag uncovered a slew of banned agricultural products including 25kg of beef meat and 20kg of rice.
Some 7kg of auberine, cucumbers, and bell peppers, 1kg of corn seeds, and some herbs were also found.
Many agricultural products are banned or restricted from entering the US due to concern about pests and diseases.
Though these restrictions vary from country to country, commonly prohibited items include meats, fresh fruit and veg, and other animal or plant made products.
Christine Waugh, a senior customs and border protection officer, condemned the man’s actions, calling his violent outburst unjustified.
She told The Telegraph that being caught with the food did not mean he could “violently assault a defenceless beagle”.
Customs official “rely heavily” on their canine partners and Freddie “was just doing his job”, she said.
“Any malicious attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. CBP will continue to work with our investigating and prosecuting partners to deal swift and sever justice to perpetrators,” she added.
Customs and Border Patrol said: “CBP’s Beagles Brigade plays a vital role in screening passengers and cargo to prevent the introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal disease from entering the U.S.
“Animal and plant diseases and invasive pests and weeds have cost nations millions to billions of dollars in eradication measures and lost revenues.”
This comes just days after a dutiful pup was caught squaring up to a bear after it broke into a Californian home.
Footage shows the 17-year-old dog named Doodle watch the beast smash through the door before trying to fend it off with his barks.
All this while the dog’s owner, Zoe Cadman, lay fast asleep.
The nail-biting moment, which saw the hairy intruder roam around the house for almost half an hour, was caught on Zoe’s home security cam.
Unprovoked, the bear is then seen wandering over to the fridge and raid its contents before making its way out – leaving both Zoe and Doodle unscathed.
Fit with a massive collar, it’s not clear whether the bear was being monitored or if it belonged to anyone.
But neighbors suggest the enormous creature is a frequent visitor.
One local told NBC Los Angeles: “It’s part of living up here. We’re really close to the mountains and they were here first.
“But luckily, knock on wood, they’ve all been really friendly coming through here.”