free web stats admin – Page 605 – open Dazem

admin

I’m a Premier League star who got the Tube to a match with my club’s own fans – they didn’t even recognise me

CARLOS SOLER has been able to jump on the tube with West Ham fans and go unnoticed at times this season.

But the anonymity he is enjoying in London may not last long if early displays under Graham Potter are anything to go by.

Carlos Soler of West Ham United playing soccer.
Getty
Carlos Soler is enjoying his time at West Ham[/caption]
PSG players celebrating a goal.
Getty
Soler used to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe[/caption]

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST MOVES FROM THE JANUARY WINDOW

The Spanish midfielder joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and endured a slow start as the Hammers struggled under Julen Lopetegui.

But having scored his first goal for the club in Potter’s first Premier League game, Soler is starting to show what he is capable of.

The midfielder travelled to the Brighton game earlier this season on the Underground from his Tower Bridge flat, without a single Hammers fan spotting him,

He said: “I was suspended for the game against Brighton and I travelled to Stratford via train.

“I went with a lot of West Ham fans but they didn’t recognise me. I was with them like a fan and I enjoyed it.

“I prefer not to be recognised. It’s not a problem to take photos with fans because I was like them when I was young. When I was in the academy at Valencia, I saw the first team players and wanted to take photos with them.

“I know it’s my job too so I’m fine with that. But in that moment I preferred no one to recognise me so I could go with them and experience a matchday like a fan.”

He has thrown himself into enjoying London – recently taking his girlfriend to Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall – but there are some aspects the Spain international is not a fan of.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Soler added: “I live near Borough Market and I have to say, sorry about the paella here.

“I haven’t tried it but just watching it I know.

Carlos Soler's 2024-25 West Ham United stats.

“People seem to love this so if they come to Valencia, they’re going to really love it.”

Seeking game time in the summer having struggled for a role in Paris, Soler made a deadline day dash for London.

Lopetegui pushed hard to bring him in, but was sacked last month – leaving his summer signing in an awkward position – but it is one he is embracing.

Soler said: “It’s always difficult to have a manager and the next day have another manager.

“It’s always difficult because you have an idea. You are all day with them, with the staff, with a lot of people that you think everything is going to be good, it’s going to be alright. But that’s football.

“For me personally, Julen was the person that made the big effort to bring me here.

“But I saw that too as an opportunity for me to enjoy a new manager. I think the new coach has good ideas.

“I like the football that he wants to practice here and to watch in the games.

“For me personally, I see that as an opportunity to grow.

“I had a lot of managers in my career. I had seven or eight different managers and from all of them I had so many good things.

“Of course, if in the future I want to be a manager too, maybe, I don’t know.”

A move into management remains a way off if it happens at all, though Soler will have plenty of experiences to draw on.

From LaLiga, Ligue 1 and now the Premier League, as well as working alongside, for him, the best player of all time – spending a year with Lionel Messi at PSG.

He added: “It’s an experience that I’m going to remember always because playing with Messi, for me, he is the best player in history. The GOAT.

“Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Marquinhos, Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos. A lot of good players.

“I just enjoyed playing with them.

“Day by day, they are like normal people. When you are at the club, obviously they are stars and they can’t go like me here with a train. But day by day, they are normal people and that’s the best.”

Playing with Tomas Soucek and Max Kilman is a bit different, but Soler is enjoying it nonetheless – however he is unsure what the future holds.

West Ham have an option to buy in the summer, but there is no clarity on whether it will be taken up at this stage or not.

He said: “I don’t know about that because I’m just on loan here. I don’t know.

“If I tell you one thing, maybe in two months it’s going to be different.

“I like London. I like playing for West Ham.”

Carlos Soler of West Ham celebrating a goal.
Alamy
Soler scored his first goal for West Ham in the win over Fulham[/caption]

Read More »

Two regional UK airports get new flights to one of Europe’s cheapest capitals with £1.25 beers and £10 hotels 

JET2 is launching two new routes from East Midlands and Newcastle airports to Budapest as part of its winter programme.

The affordable carrier will be taking regional holidaymakers to Budapest from October.

Jet2 plane in flight.
PA
The UK tour operator is launching its new Budapest services later this year[/caption]
Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, Hungary.
Alamy
Jet2 is launching two new routes from East Midlands Airport and Newcastle International Airport to Budapest[/caption]

Twice-weekly flights will launch from East Midlands Airport on October 10, with services operating every Monday and Friday.

Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £46 per person with the UK airline.

The East Midlands to Budapest route will run until April 27, 2026.

Jet2 flights to Budapest from Newcastle International Airport will begin operating one day earlier on October 9.

The twice-weekly service will fly every Thursday and Saturday throughout the winter season until April 26, 2026.

Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £57.

Jet2 already operates direct flights to Budapest from several UK airports, including Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds Bradford.

Another new route from Glasgow Airport to Budapest will launch on November 28, making the most of the capital’s Christmas market.

Budapest is home to plenty of activities and attractions to keep visitors entertained during a city break visit.

One of those is the Szechenyi Baths, one of the city’s most well-known thermal baths.

There are other attractions too like Market Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, and a McDonald’s that transforms into a nightclub.

Located in Nyugati Railway Station in Budapest, the Maccies hosts a series of late-night live DJ sets at the weekends.

Budapest is also home to one of the most beautiful cafes in the world, The New York Cafe.

Far from being a simple cafe, it’s an ornate building with grand columns fancy decor and even live classical music.

It’s not just the Hungarian capital that’s popular with tourists – it’s the city’s prices.

According to Tipsy Tours, pints start from around £1.25, with most pints costing around £2.50.

Try local brews like Borsodi and Dreher, which are among the cheaper options.

Accommodation is relatively affordable too, with private hotel rooms and a shared bathroom from £10 per night.

Rooms with private bathrooms start from as little as £20 per night.

Jet2 boss, Steve Heapy, said: “Budapest is a city that is soaring in popularity right now, and it is easy to see why when you consider its fantastic culture, history, nightlife and cuisine, not to mention its stunning architecture.

“In response to the demand that we are seeing from customers and independent travel agents, we are absolutely delighted to be giving holidaymakers across the East Midlands and northeast the chance to experience everything Budapest has to offer.

“This expansion means we are on sale to Budapest from six UK airport bases for winter 2025-26 and we are looking forward to working with hotel, airport and industry partners to make this a hugely successful programme.”

Jet2's new London airport base

TOWARDS the end of last year, UK airline Jet2 announced the opening of its 13th UK airport base at London Luton Airport.

Opening this year, the new airport base will offer flights to 17 holiday destinations with 430,000 seats already on sale.

Flights will start on April 1, 2025, with the first services flying to Majorca on the same day.

In total, 36 weekly flights will operate from the London-based airport next summer.

Jet2 will fly to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal, and Turkey.

It will also run three exclusive routes to Girona, Madeira and Verona.

Weekly services will also operate to Greece and Italy – with a full list of destinations below.

Steve Heapy, Jet2 boss, said: “We are very excited to announce London Luton Airport as our 13th UK airport base today, further expanding our footprint and bringing our award-winning holidays and flights to even more customers.

“Customers and independent travel agents have been asking us to open at London Luton Airport for many years now, so we know how enormously popular this announcement will be.

“We have seen time and time again how popular our product is when we bring it to new customers, and we look forward to delivering our VIP customer service to holidaymakers from our newest airport base.”

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has also launched two new flights to exciting destinations departing from London Heathrow.

And Ryanair is set to launch five new routes from a UK airport just in time for summer holidays.

Aerial view of East Midlands Airport.
Alamy
East Midlands Airport will be one of the two regional airports benefitting from the new route[/caption]
View of the Hungarian Parliament Building and Danube River in Budapest.
Getty
Beers in Budapest cost as little as £1.25 with hotel rooms starting from £10[/caption]

Read More »

I’m being taken to court for going on 3 school time holidays in 3 years – but one was only a day & they’re MY kids

A MUM who’s facing a criminal record for taking her kids out of school to go on three holidays in three years has hit back at the controversy.

Whitney Ainscough jetted off on three family holidays during school time last year with her partner and three children, Cora Bentley, 12, Addison Squires, seven, and Adley Christopher, three.

Woman stating "They're my kids, they're not the government's kids."
Whitney Ainscough has done an interview with radio station LBC defending how many holidays she’s taken her kids out of school during term time for
Tiktok/@lbc
Man on LBC radio discussing taking his children on school holidays.
/But host Tom Swarbrick argued that the children have a “right to education” – a right that “needs to be protected” from Whitney
Tiktok/@lbc
Couple in swimwear in the sea.
Whitney and her partner have taken her kids to Cyprus, Zante and Paris in the past year
Kennedy News
A family of five posing for a photo on holiday.
Kennedy News
But Whitney argued that as their trip to Disneyland Paris was only a day, it shouldn’t be included in the complaint[/caption]

For their £5,000 trip to Cyprus in June last year, the children missed five days of school, before missing a further five days when they went to Zante on an £8k trip the following month.

Whitney then took her brood to Disneyland Paris on a day trip she insisted was “educational”.

The self-professed ‘bad mum’ has now appeared on London’s LBC radio to defend herself, after receiving a single justice procedure notice last month outlining that she is being charged under Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996.

“I’ve only been on two holidays within three years,” Whitney argued during the radio interview.

“No, no, you’ve been to Paris as well for a day,” host Tom Swarbrick insisted.

“One day. It’s a holiday!” Whitney said.

“So when it says if your child is off school three or more times within three years, and they have been, you are not going to be fined, you’re going to be taken to court, Whitney,” Tom retorted.

“I’m really sorry.”

“I think it is really unfair. It is unfair. But they’re my kids. Right, they’re my kids,” Whitney insisted.

“They’re not the government’s kids.

“If I want to take my kids out and experience the world… I could leave them at home with family, happily.

“But I don’t want to take my kids out of that.

“I want to bring them with me, you know?”

“You’re right, they are your children,” Tom replied.

“But they are also given a right over and above your decisions with where to take them for an education.

“They have that right. And that right needs to be protected.

School Rules + Laws in the UK

“That right to education even needs to be protected from you.”

“If they’re not my kids, the government can start paying me for them then,” Whitney replied.

“They are your children,” Tom said, to which Whitney retorted: “Well, apparently they’re not the government’s kids!”

Tom refused to let it go as he then said: “Their right to an education is protected over and above even their mum’s decision to say, ‘Right kids, we’re off, we’re going to Paris again, here we go, here’s the Arc de Triomphe, you’re having a lovely time’.”

Section 444 (1) of the Education Act 1996 states that if a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at school, his parent is guilty of an offence.

A person charged with the offence has to prove they had a ‘reasonable justification’ for their child’s failure to attend regularly at the school.

After receiving the letter informing her of the legal proceedings, Whitney told her TikTok followers: “I was expecting that I may get another fine but I’d not heard anything and it had been months.

“I was absolutely furious, fuming.

“To be honest with you, it would absolutely make me laugh.

“How could you even threaten somebody with jail for taking their kids on holiday?

“I just can’t understand the logic of it.

“What do you want me to do? Leave my kids at home while I go off on fancy holidays with my partner?

“No. I’m sure social services would be getting involved at that point.

“I take my kids on a nice holiday to see the world and you get penalised for it. It’s absolutely disgusting.”

Read More »

Kate Middleton to stop telling the public key personal detail after cancer diagnosis gives her a ‘new perspective’

PRINCESS Kate is to stop sharing her impeccable outfits details to the public when she steps out for public duties.

The stylish mum-of-three hopes fans will focus on her work rather than her elegant ensembles, after her cancer journey gave her a “new perspective”, according to a palace source.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, at a carol service in London.
Getty
Kensington Palace are to stop giving out details of Princess Kate’s outfits[/caption]
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at the No Time To Die premiere.
Getty
Kate is said to have a ‘new perspective’ following her cancer treatment[/caption]

Since Kate Middleton married Prince William in April 2011, Kensington Palace has often shared the brands she has worn during public events.

However, following Kate’s gradual return to work following her preventative chemotherapy, this is set to end.

The royal wants to ensure the focus remains on the “issues, people. and the causes she is spotlighting”, rather than her clothing. 

A palace source told The Sunday Times: “There is an absolute feeling that it [the public work] is not about what the princess is wearing.

“There will always be an appreciation of what the princess is wearing from some of the public and she gets that. 

“But do we need to be officially always saying what she is wearing? No. 

“The style is there but it’s about the substance.”

It is understood that the palace may share details of Kate’s outfits on important occasions, but not for public duties. 

One of Kate’s friends said she understood that she’d have to wear a “uniform” for Trooping the Colour or film premieres.

However, they added she found it “enormously difficult” that a focus was on her fashion when she first started duties.

They told the publication: “[She] was going out and doing the work she was interested in and was hugely important to her, and people just talked about what she was wearing.”

Typically when Kate wears a brand they will sell out of the item due to what has been dubbed the “Kate effect.”

No details of her outfits were revealed for her previous two engagements in South Wales

Often her elegant looks are created by long time personal assistant Natasha Archer, who was recently appointed to be her senior private executive assistant.

Yesterday, Kate launched a mission to create a happier, healthier society through a major new project for her early childhood foundation.

What is Princess Kate's signature fashion style?

WHEN it comes to dressing for public engagements Princess Kate has formulated a highly successful signature style, according to fashion expert Amber Graafland

The princess knows exactly what styles flatter her figure and while she may mix her favourite designers with the odd bit of high street, the basic principles remain the same.

The biggest benefit of this confident approach is that it allows her to recycle outfits.  Kate is often seen re-wearing bespoke outfits by go-to designers McQueen, Ellis Saab and Jenny Packham.

The other huge plus side is that it has allowed her to amass an impressive handbag collection. 

While the exact grand total has never been revealed, it is estimated that Kate owns at least 110 styles.

For most mere mortals that sounds like a huge amount, but if you consider that the princess attends upwards of 100  public engagements a year, it’s not actually that ridiculous.

Kate’s collection includes styles by Jimmy Choo, Prada, McQueen, Chanel, Asprey, Aspinal of London and Ellie Saab to name but a few.

It marks a significant step on her return to work following her battle with cancer as she calls for all to “invest in humankind”.

She says to “create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance”.

Her heartfelt message comes in a ­personally penned foreword to a 106-page report, ahead of a public launch next week — her first such engagement for her children’s projects in 14 months.

Her early years initiatives are described as the “golden thread” of her work this year and she will be seen up and down the country promoting it.

Princess Catherine visiting a textile manufacturer in Ammanford, Wales.
Getty
It is understood Princess Kate’s outfit details may be released for major events, but not for public duties[/caption]

The princess was briefed on the progress of the Shaping Us report, which has taken almost two years to research and release.

It comes after Kate — who last month revealed her cancer was in remission — carried out three royal engagements last week, with sources close to her insisting she was embarking on a gradual recovery rather than returning to full-time work.

Kate is said to be excited to have a chance of shining a light on early childhood and the work of the centre after conducting her highly personal visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

Read More »

EastEnders airs harrowing scenes as Phil Mitchell is left for dead in horror accident after devastating suicide attempt

EASTENDERS broadcast harrowing scenes as Phil Mitchell made a devastating choice to attempt to end his own life amid his secret depression battle.

The BBC soap opera has seen the Walford hardman become increasingly isolated and alone over the past few months.

Phil Mitchell lying injured in a car.
BBC
EastEnders aired harrowing scenes as Phil Mitchell attempted to commit suicide[/caption]
Phil Mitchell lying injured in a dark basement.
BBC
An awful fall after the attempt saw him lay lifeless on the garage floor[/caption]

Phil, played by Steve McFadden, has been living alone since the breakdown of his marriage to Kat Slater.

His son Ben was also jailed in the US with daughter Louise having left London many years prior.

It has seen him without any family by his side for the first time and has caused him a deep internal struggle which he has kept hidden from those once closest to him.

In the latest episode of the show, Phil was clearly emotional as he struggled to speak during a pub outing with Nigel Bates and his two friends.

When one of Nigel’s friends brands him a “sad sod” and claimed she can see his inner sadness, Phil became tearful and smashed his glass into smithereens with his own bare hands.

He later headed to The Archers where he found himself getting inside one of the customer’s cars.

Clearly still emotional, Phil was seen fighting tears as he appeared consumed with worrying thoughts.

In a tragic move, he opted to turn on the ignition and let the car fill itself with smoke and fumes whilst he was inside the vehicle.

Eventually, Phil began to violently cough and splutter after inhaling a copious amount of smoke.

He managed to open the car door as he stumbled out of the car fighting to catch his breath.

Disorientated and gasping for air, Phil then took a terrifying tumble which saw his entire body plummet through the pit in the garage.

Phil’s body could then be seen lifeless on the ground after the scary accident amid his worrying suicide attempt.

The tough to watch scenes left fans deeply moved and emotional as one wrote on X: “Tonight’s final scene in #EastEnders was absolutely heartbreaking.”

Another added: “Seeing Phil Mitchell like this is making me so sad.”

A third then wrote: “I just want to give Phil a hug.”

Before a fourth wrote: “Jesus Christ, hard watch.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

Help for mental health

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.

The following are free to contact and confidential:

Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).

YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.

Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).

Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Phil Mitchell exiting a car, injured.
BBC
Phil stumbled out of the vehicle[/caption]
Phil Mitchell injured in a car.
BBC
Fans branded the episode a “hard watch”[/caption]

Read More »