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ARNE SLOT admits nothing seems to be important at Liverpool following the death of striker Diogo Jota.

The champions return to action at Preston this afternoon, still mourning the loss of their Portuguese international forward ten days ago.

PA

Slot and Liverpool have been paying their respects to Jota, who tragically passed away[/caption]

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Shutterstock Editorial

Liverpool have decided to retire the number 20 at the club[/caption]

Jota, 28, and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in Spain as they began their journey back to England for pre-season training.

Slot has spoken for the first time since the devastating news and says the club has to find a way to move on and start focussing on football again.

For now, he has told his players to be themselves as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their popular team-mate.

The Anfield boss said: “Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened.

“But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.

“What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate.

“What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate for what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?

“And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself.

“It didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.

“So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh, if we want to cry we’re going to cry.

“If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.”

Liverpool announced last week that they will retire Jota’s No20 shirt in all their teams right across the club as a lasting tribute to him.

Slot has welcomed the move, saying: “We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.

“Maybe especially in difficult moments but in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts.

“To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.”

Slot and his wife Mirjam were among the thousands who have visited Anfield to pay their respects to Jota over the past few days.

And he said the fact the former Wolves forward had been through such an unforgettable few weeks gave him some solace in the dark days.

He said: “What I take comfort in is that  in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything.

Alamy

Jota’s passing shook the world of football[/caption]

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Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United at Jota’s funeral[/caption]

“A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married.

“A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, [with] a country that he cared about so much.

“And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League.”

The outpouring of emotion since Jota’s death has only reinforced Slot’s own bond with the club and supporters.

He said: “In the title parade, it was only the Liverpool fans I assume. Now this time it was the complete city, it wasn’t only Liverpool, it was also the Everton fans.

“And not only this city but also all around the country and in the world. To represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before.”

Instagram

He passed away only ten days after his marriage[/caption]

fk.felippekatia

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended the franchise of the five buses of a bus company that got involved in a road crash in Zamboanga del Sur province, resulting in the killing of two passengers and injuring dozens others. In a statement on Sunday, the LTFRB said it moved

DUNNES Stores chiefs have dropped more summer items – and they make the perfect airport travel look.

An Irish shopper has taken to social media to share a look at their new casual set in stores.

Instagram/arh.styled

Dunnes

Instagram/arh.styled

Stylist Alanna, who posts under the username @arh.styled on Instagram, shared a clip showing off her fabulous casual look from Dunnes Stores.

She revealed the cosy set consisting of the Varsity Loopback T-Shirt and Shorts for €22 – both sold separately.

And it’s the perfect look for the airport and day-to-day activities during the warm days.

Captioning on the post, she said: “Dunnes Stores is slaying right now.”

The €12 Varsity Loopback T-Shirt is crafted from a loopback cotton-rich fabric.

It is also cut to a boxy fit, boasting a graphic print with bold lettering at the front.

The €10 Varsity Loopback Shorts are also made from a loopback cotton-rich fabric, featuring a comfortable elastic waistband with drawstring fastenings, and two handy pockets.

Dunnes Stores chiefs said: “These are the perfect companions for day-to-day activities.”

Shoppers can bag the new additions in sizes XS to XXL online and in stores nationwide.

However, they are warned to act swiftly as sizes XXL are out of stock online, indicating it may be a major sell-out this summer.

Fashion fans have endless options for styling with the set, as it can be mixed or matched.

The varsity top works perfectly with denim jeans or shorts, a light jacket and a pair of sneakers for a casual look.

Or style it down with a sweatpants and some fluffy socks for casual and cosy loungewear for chilly nights.

Style the comfy varsity shorts with an oversized t-shirt, a pair of sunglasses and Birkenstocks for a beach day.

The set is also great for layering over swimwear and will help protect exposed skin from the sun rays.

SUMMER DRESS

Meanwhile, Dunnes Stores also brought out another perfect summer buy and shoppers are set to love it.

The Gallery Alba Tunic Dress is just €35, and is available in sizes 8 to 20.

The deep blue dress is covered in white floral patterns for a stunning summery vibe.

It features mid-length sleeves with a plunging v-neckline, making it perfect to wear in the warm weather.

The skirt is flowy with a baggy waist, so it’s perfect for anyone who may feel a bit self-conscious.

Instagram/arh.styled

Garrett White

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday slammed class suspension announcements for Monday, July 14 as “fake news.” In an advisory on Facebook, the MMDA shared two screenshots from Facebook pages titled “Walang Pasok Advisory” and “Philippine Weather Specific System/Pacific Storm Update” bearing the logo of MMDA. “Announcements on class suspension

MANY people would love to have big, voluminous hair, but it can be hard to achieve if your locks are naturally flat on top.

However, one woman claims that a £7.99 spray from Boots has been a game-changer.

TikTok/@sparklesandskin

TikTok/@sparklesandskin

Iona, who posts under @sparklesandskin, said she swears by the John Frieda Volume Lift Root Boosting Spray to give her roots a boost.

She shared: “This spray is magic if you have no natural volume at the root like me, and your hair is always flat.

“My hair is always flat at the root, whether I’m wearing it straight or curly.”

She shared how she saturates the whole crown of her head, where her roots are usually flat.

The beauty lover added: “Then I dry it like normal, and I’ll show you the after.”

After blowdrying her hair, she showed her roots with more height and thickness than usual.

She continued: “Look how much volume it’s given me.

“It’s the John Frieda Volume Lift Root Boosting Spray, and it’s only £7.99. Seriously a must-have if you have flat hair.”

You can pick up the spray online and in stores, and it is “designed to protect against heat,  boost hair and thicken strands for natural-looking volume.”

The Boots website states: “Towel dry and spray Luxurious Volume Blow-Dry Lotion onto hair, concentrating on roots, ensuring that undersection and surface are fully covered. 

“Blow-dry hair as usual.

“For great body and lift, blow-dry hair upside down.”

Hundreds of people have liked Iona’s post, with many saying they love it too.

Supplied

Many people also raved about the John Frieda Volume Lift Root Booster spray[/caption]

One wrote: “saaaame girlie !! Thought this was just me.”

Another added: “Love this for u.”
The high street is also jam-packed with hundreds of products that promise to give your hair that oomph – but do any of them actually work?

Desperate to give my thinning and patchy hairline a breather from the tight bun, Fabulous decided to put five volumising products to test.Out of the ones tested, Wella Shockwaves Volumising Hair Mousse proved to be the best.

Cristy Fermin talked about the rumor about Ivana Alawi and Dan Fernandez Veteran entertainment insider Cristy Fermin mentioned the rumor that actress Ivana Alawi and actor-politician Dan Fernandez already have a child. It has been years since the first time when rumors linking Ivana and Dan circulated on social media. However, back then, the actress ... Read more

The post Ivana Alawi-Dan Fernandez Rumored Child: Cristy Fermin Talks About This appeared first on PhilNews.

A TOWIE star has blasted fat jab accusations as they insist they lost weight naturally.

Weeks after she and husband Tommy Mallet had a second wedding, Georgia, 34, has shown off her epic weight loss transformation.

Instagram / @georgiakousoulou

Georgia has blasted fat jab accusations[/caption]

ITV

She is married to Tommy Mallet[/caption]

Instagram

Georgia has shed three stone in eight months[/caption]

Taking to Instagram to share a sizzling bikini snap, Georgia posed up a storm in a mirror as she rocked a cream two-piece bikini.

Her slender figure, endless pins and toned stomach was on display, with fans left in awe over how she lost weight so quickly after giving birth.

In November 2024, the TOWIE couple welcomed their second child, daughter Gigi.

Because of how fast Georgia has slimmed down, fans were left convinced that she might have used weight loss jab Ozempic.

“Clearly weight loss jabs, pleassssssee just be honest,” penned one person underneath the sizzling bikini snap.

“Good ol Ozempic – she’s never been this size even before children – looks amazing but took the easy route – not a great role model tbh,” said another.

But pal Lydia Bright added: “The pins, the body, I know how hard you have worked baby girl, well you look sensational.”

Georgia was then quick to blast the fat jab accusations when she commented on her post and revealed exactly how she shed the many stone she has.

“Oh the comments,” she said, complete with a laughing face emoji.

Georgia went on: “People hate to see it because they can’t imagine doing the hard work themselves.

“3 stone I have lost in 8 months. On average the maximum I have lost a week is about 1&half 2lbs.

“That isn’t a jab that is HARD HARD exercise & full control & determination. Plus a wedding for motivation!”

She added: “I have nothing against the jab at all. Of course it crossed my mind, but I thought I would try this first because I have done it 10000 times before.”

She then explained how her twenties were spent in a bikini while on TOWIE, with her having always been “naturally slim”.

“Except when I’m down I eat out of stress,” she candidly added.

“And before ivf I was the biggest I have ever been! But I didn’t care because it made me feel better,” she said.

Georgia added: “I am now back to my healthy self & I will not have anyone say I haven’t worked because my family & friends know.

“It’s been hard yes but I knew I could do it!”

She then revealed exactly how she lost the weight.

Georgia explained how she would walk five or six nights each week and even bought a walking machine.

She went to the gym twice a week to lift weights, and did Pilates three times per week.

She also changed her habits and said “no sugar in tea / no full fat drinks”.

Georgia confessed that she started WeightWatchers “to get me to understand food / make choices” as well as eating in a calorie deficit.

She concluded: “My people know & tbh I don’t care if you think jab or not.

“But I will not have anyone say I haven’t grafted because it’s been HARD!!!!!! & I’m happy so enjoy your negative comments if it makes you feel better.”

Instagram

She welcomed her second child in November 2024[/caption]

AFTER bashing down the door to a drug den on the third floor of a tower block, police officers were surprised to see a window open and a burner phone on the ledge.

One of the 17-year-old dealers using the gloomy property in Dunstable, Bedforshire had jumped 40ft in a bid to escape capture.

Channel 4

Jamal Andall was jailed for trafficking a child across county lines[/caption]

Channel 4

Dealers threaten to ‘rub out’ school children they’ve recruited in chilling texts[/caption]

Channel 4

An arrest following a raid on a drug den in Dunstable, Bedfordshire[/caption]

They were shocked to see the youngster survived the potentially fatal leap – but he didn’t get away.

The savvy officers were able to track him down and the mobile device led them to the kingpin behind an extensive county lines network.

But a new episode of Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody, titled Lost Boys, reveals the fear of gangs that is driving children to such extreme actions.

Gary Hales, an investigating officer from Bedfordshire Police’s Boson guns and gangs unit at the time of the arrests, tells The Sun: “When you are going into a top floor flat you don’t expect someone to be jumping out of the window.

“It was amazing he didn’t break his legs.

“There is fear. A way the gangs keep these children street dealing is to threaten them and show a bit of force.

“When you are on a lower rung, you have the elders threatening you, you are around the knives, you are around the violence that goes on.”

In the show, which airs on Sunday at 9pm, we see some of the messages sent to a 15-year-old boy called Gavin, not his real name, who has been roped in by the ruthless criminals.

There are threats to stab his mum, including “wil shank up u mum”.

Officers believe that Gavin has been told he has a drug debt and constantly has to work to pay it off otherwise they will face violent consequences.

They will be told, “Where is the rest of the money? You had more drugs.”

In fact the teenagers haven’t lost any drugs, they are just being told they have in order to keep them in debt. 

Adult mob members recruit school children because they are less likely to be sent to prison due to their age.

Gavin’s mum has called the police in a desperate state, because he keeps going missing, sometimes for 10 days at a time.

The police suspect he is being sent around various “trap houses”, an American term for a drug den, in different English counties.

‘Saturated’

Luton has become so “saturated” with drug lines that dealers send children far afield.

Gary says: “In terms of drug lines there are over 100 listed that are Bedfordshire based.

“But then you have county lines going to places like Essex and London trying to muscle in.

Luton is exporting drug deal lines to places where they are not known to police. We have rescued children from Swindon

Gary Hales

“Luton is exporting drug deal lines to places where they are not known to police. We have rescued children from Swindon. 

“Drug lines in Luton are saturated, they are known to police.”

Access to Gavin’s phone leads the detectives to the flat in Dunstable which is part of a network selling class A drugs including crack cocaine.

Inside the flat is a 14-year-old boy, who has also been recruited by the county lines gangs.

The flat is rented by a 23-year-old former heroin addict who says he allows the dealers to use his property because he doesn’t want “to get my head kicked in”.

He warns: “Drugs get you involved with stupid people.”

Criminal control

Channel 4

Investigating officer Gary Hales helped track down the adult gangsters[/caption]

Channel 4

Drugs were found in Andall’s car[/caption]

Alamy

Luton in Bedfordshire is exporting drug dealers to other counties[/caption]

The pay as you go burner phone found on the window ledge has been topped up in various shops.

By studying the CCTV of those businesses, the police are able to identify an adult higher up in the operation.

When they arrest Jamal Andall in 2020 they find more burner phones and SIM cards in his home, plus crack rocks in his Ford Focus car.

After being questioned, Andall is told he has been given bail and can go home.

But the gangster says: “I’m not walking home. It’s not safe around here. I’ve been shot. I’ve been stabbed.”

Remarkably, the police accede to his request and agree to drive him home.

It’s not safe around here. I’ve been shot. I’ve been stabbed

Jamal Andall

Andall and his fellow drug dealer Alex Anderson, both 30, became the first members of a county lines gang to be convicted of modern slavery offences by Bedfordshire Police.

In February last year Andall was jailed for seven years for being concerned in the supply of heroin, with Anderson receiving six years and four months for the same offence. 

They were also sentenced to six years for exploitation and three years for being concerned in the supply of cocaine, but those will be served concurrently.

The court heard that the two men trafficked a 15-year-old boy from Bedfordshire to Lowestoft in Suffolk, where officers found the boy with £3,000 worth of crack cocaine.

Saving the ‘lost boys’

Bedfordshire Police

Class A drugs were found on the teenager exploited by Andall and Anderson[/caption]

Bedfordshire Police

Incriminating texts found on a phone in Andall’s home helped nail him[/caption]

Gary, though, says that “there is always someone higher up”, and that dealers keep finding new recruits.

He says: “They go to schools and care homes to slip them some cannabis and form a relationship with them.

“They might give you a top up for your phone, you’ll think it’s free, but nothing is free, there is going to be a pay day for that.

“They pull them into what is an organised crime group.”

The key to disrupting their business model is to stop children getting so entangled they don’t think they can escape.

A parent will notice a change in their child, whether they have got new clothes they can’t afford or they are missing school

Gary Hales

He says: “As a police force we are about protecting the community, and that means safeguarding these youngsters who have become dissociated and get pushed into these paths.”

Bedfordshire police launched a Lost Boys campaign to inform parents, teachers and pupils about the warning signs. 

Gary says: “Generally, a parent will notice a change in their child, whether they have got new clothes they can’t afford or they are missing school.”

If they can’t be pulled back from the drugs underworld, the consequences can be fatal.

As Gary points out: “Many of the murders we see in towns like Luton are drug-related.”

The lad who jumped out of the window was lucky – he might not be so fortunate next time.

24 Hours in Police Custody: Lost Boys, stream or watch live on Channel 4 from July 13 at 9pm.

Channel 4

Gavin kept going missing[/caption]

Getty

Drugs are ruining young lives[/caption]

Alamy

Cannabis plants found during a raid in Luton[/caption]

ANNE-MARIE has opened up about her struggle with postnatal depression in a raw and candid Instagram post.

The Ciao Adios hitmaker, 34, welcomed her second child with rapper Slowthai, 30, in May this year.

Instagram/annemarie

Anne-Marie has openly spoken about her battle with postnatal depression[/caption]

The singer, who gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in February last year, shared a series of selfies with fans.

In the cover photo, she rocks a choppy blonde bob and has her eyes closed.

In the second snap, she laughed as she faced the camera – her eyes still closed.

She also shared a full-body photo where she wore a pretty frilly playsuit and a cherry pendant necklace.

“This is the most ‘me’ I’ve felt in a long time. My head has been all over the place. I’ve been pregnant and breastfeeding for over 2 years,” she wrote in the caption.

“My hormones are mental and I’ve only just started feeling okay. I’ve been through a lot.

“My body has been through a lot. It’s so hard but I guess cliche to say IT IS worth it.

“For someone who doesn’t like routines I’ve had to become the person who lives in one. With naps and feeding and meal times.

“But I’m through it, still going through it but I feel I’ve come out of the hole.

“I battled with postnatal depression and postnatal anxiety, and therapy (yet again) and the people around me pulled me through it.

“Now I’m back. I’m strong and I’m excited. My blond hair is back. My body is kinda back. I just have to stop eating chocolate now and saying ‘the baby wants it’ hahahaha damn.”

Anne-Marie teased a return to performing too, now she’s back on her feet.

She continued: “Anyway, this caption is too long but just wanted to let you know. My mind is finally seeing clear again. Yay.

“I have 2 beautiful babies. Now it’s time to tour again hahaha. Okay maybe not yet but soon.”

Fans flocked to the comment section to share their support and admiration for Anne-Marie.

“Our superwoman,” one wrote.

“Beautiful inside and out mumma!!” said a second.

“Love you extraordinary human x,” echoed a third.

To mark the arrival of her second child, Anne-Marie shared a series of pictures on Instagram.

She wrote: “Another beautiful little thing has entered our lives. Hello everyone.”

In February last year she broke the news about her first child with a video of her singing along to her song Don’t Panic.

She then revealed her blooming bump, captioning the clip: “Surprise!”

Anne-Marie later revealed how different her second pregnancy had been, sharing that she was no longer a vegetarian.

The star said: “The other day I really wanted to eat a steak and I’ve never eaten steak in my whole life.

“I’ve got gestational diabetes this time, though.

“So yeah, that’s annoying because I can’t eat cereal or bread.”

Anne-Marie and her baby daddy Slowthai – real name Tyron Kaymone – secretly married in Las Vegas in the summer of 2022.

Instagram

Anne-Marie and her husband welcomed their second child together[/caption]

TIKTOK

She said that she’d also been struggling with postnatal anxiety[/caption]

Instagram/annemarie

The singer celebrated finally feeling herself again after a long battle[/caption]

Instagram/annemarie

She said that she was thinking of heading back on tour[/caption]

Instagram

Anne-Marie expecting second child with husband Slowthai as she unveils pregnancy bump[/caption]

LOVE stories come in all shapes and sizes, and can often challenge traditional notions of romance.

For one woman, Iyah, her journey to finding “the one” involved a significant age difference that’s now sparking conversations and strong opinions across social media.

TikTok/rafal_and_iyah

Iyah has gone viral with her latest revelation[/caption]

Iyah recently caught the attention of her 839,000 TikTok followers by sharing the surprising details of how she met her husband, who happens to be 21 years her senior.

When their paths first crossed, Iyah was just 19 years old, while her now-husband, Rafah, was 45.

In a previous video shared on their TikTok page, ‘@rafal_and_iyah‘, Iyah openly described connecting with Rafah as nothing short of “a dream come true.”

And in another video, she delved deeper into what brought them so close together, despite the age gap.

She explained that at 19, she was already set on getting married and becoming a young mum.

Then, she met Rafah, who, at 41, had “wanted a family for so long.”

Iyah revealed that both of them were initially worried about the age difference and what their families might think.

However, they ultimately decided that they “didn’t care” and chose to go ahead and start a family together.

The video, shared on 3rd July, has since gone viral with an astonishing 2.3 million views and 926 comments, reflecting a wide range of mixed opinions.

One commenter wrote: “So, he couldn’t find a woman in her 20’s, 30’s or 40’s? No, he specifically wanted a teenager.”

A second added a word of caution: “I just hope that he understands that you’re young.

“Even though you’re a mom you’re still so young and have so much to learn and grow. Also don’t forget to have fun, pursue a career! Live!”

However, many were quick to hit back at the negative comments and defend the couple.

One person wrote: “People honestly need to mind their own business on things that have NO relevance or consequence on their life at all.

TikTok/rafal_and_iyah

She revealed how her age-gap relationship started[/caption]

She was 19 and an adult, she can rent her own flat, vote, manage her own finances but because there’s a teen on her age suddenly she’s like five and can’t ever possibly know what she wants in life and can’t make her own decisions?”

Someone else praised Rafah, saying: “Look how he married late and still looks good.

“Men have to establish themselves before providing. He did that.”

Speaking in a previous video, Iyah summarised their whirlwind romance: “Don’t mean to be a bad influence, but we met when I was 19 and he was 41.

“Three weeks later, I moved in, eight months later, he proposed and now we are married with a baby.”