The Boston Celtics continued their season-long stretch of dominance over the New York Knicks on Sunday, coasting to a 118-105 victory over one of their top rivals in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown had another solid game for the C’s, but what wasn’t as solid was his performance in a game that saw if he […]
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A MAJOR broadband and mobile provider is to hike bills by up to £36 in a matter of weeks.
A number of Vodafone‘s 18.3million customers will see prices increase come April.
The price hike comes as part of the firm’s annual mid-contract price rise, which means bills will go up automatically for many customers.
It follows similar increases from Sky, BT and EE with some providers hiking bills by as much as 13%.
If you signed your Vodafone contract before, July 2 2024 your price rise will be based on December’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) which hit 2.5%.
There will also be an additional 3.9% increase set by the company.
Now for customers whose contracts started before July 2nd 2024 their average broadband contract will increase by £22.73 to £378.
Meanwhile for customers whose contracts started after July 2 2024 their annual bill will rise by £36 to £391.
Vodafone mobile customers – who started their contract before July 2 2024 – will see their £284.40 yearly bill rise by £15.90 to £264.
While those who started after, excluding Vodafone Basic customers, will see their bill rise by £21.60 to £270.
The new pricing system follows an Ofcom crackdown on mid-contract price rises that catch customers out.
As of January 15, providers have banned from doing this in percentage terms and now have to include an exact pounds and pence figure in your contract – but this will still mean customers have to pay extra.
Vodafone said back in June 2024 that it would no longer apply these price hikes for consumers and some small businesses.
However, the change will only affect new customers of those renewing a contract with the telecom provider after this date.
For instance, customers who sign a contract in August 2024 will have their bills adjusted in April 2025 and and then again in April 2026 by a predetermined amount.
This works out as:
Vodafone has previously said that price increases will not be applied to customers identified as financially vulnerable or those on social tariffs.
This includes customers on Vodafone’s social broadband tariff dubbed “Vodafone Essentials”.
Pay-as-you-go users won’t be affected by the change as they aren’t signed up to a fixed contract.
Vodafone is not the only broadband and mobile firm hiking bills for customers.
For example, BT which also owns EE and Plusnet, said that from March 2025, the price of mobile contracts will rise by £1.50 a month (SIM-only) or £4 (handset plans).
Broadband tariffs will go up by £3 a month and £2 for TV.
But, the provider has assured vulnerable customers on BT Home Essentials contracts that they will be exempt from any price rises.
For those who took out a deal before this, a 6.4% rise will apply (3.9% and December’s inflation rate, which was 2.5%).
Plusnet will also increase its broadband price by £3 per month from the end of March for contracts taken out after July 11, 2024.
For contracts started prior to this date, a 6.4% hike will apply.
Sky customers face a 6.2% increase from April 1, adding up to £38 more per year
While the new Ofcom rules require providers to specify future price rises in pounds and pence upfront, it only applies if they are linked to inflation.
Sky’s are not, so it can go ahead with a percentage increase.
For example, if you currently pay £39 per month for Sky TV, Netflix, and Full Fibre 150 broadband, your bill will increase by £2.42, bringing the total to £41.42 a month.
The same rises will apply to NOW Broadband, which is owned by Sky.
If you’re on a broadband and mobile social tariff, you won’t see an increase to your bills because Sky and Now has frozen its tariffs.
Out of contract Sky Mobile customers will see bills rise by £1.50 a month.
You can read more about individual broadband firms hiking prices by clicking the link here.
By James Flanders, Chief Consumer Reporter
Switching contracts is one of the single best ways to save money on your mobile, broadband and TV bills.
But if you can’t switch mid-contract without facing a penalty, you’d be best to hold off until it’s up for renewal.
But don’t just switch contracts because the price is cheaper than what you’re currently paying.
Take a look at your minutes and texts, as well as your data usage, to find out which deal is best for you.
For example, if you’re a heavy internet user, it’s worth finding a deal that accommodates this so you don’t have to spend extra on bundles or add-ons each month.
In the weeks before your contract is up, use comparison sites to familiarise yourself with what deals are available.
It’s a known fact that new customers always get the best deals.
Sites like MoneySuperMarket and Uswitch all help you customise your search based on price, allowances and provider.
This should make it easier to decide whether to renew your contract or move to another provider.
However, if you don’t want to switch and are happy with the service you’re getting under your current provider – haggle for a better deal.
You can still make significant savings by renewing your contract rather than rolling on to the tariff you’re given after your deal.
If you need to speak to a company on the phone, be sure to catch them at the right time.
Make some time to negotiate with your provider in the morning.
This way, you have a better chance of being the first customer through on the phone, and the rep won’t have worked tirelessly through previous calls which may have affected their stress levels.
It pays to be polite when getting through to someone on the phone, as representatives are less inclined to help rude or aggressive customers.
Knowing what other offers are on the market can help you to make a case for yourself to your provider.
If your provider won’t haggle, you can always threaten to leave.
Companies don’t want to lose customers and may come up with a last-minute offer to keep you.
It’s also worth investigating social tariffs. These deals have been created for people who are receiving certain benefits.
A WOMAN and two dogs were killed after a fire ripped through a Scots home.
Emergency crews raced to the property on Balnagowan Road in Selkirk, Borders, at around 5.30am on Saturday.
Jessie Dahill, 73, and two dogs were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Cops say the blaze is not thought to be suspicious following a joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.30am on Saturday, 22 February, 2025, officers were made aware of a fire at a property on Balnagowan Road in Selkirk.
“Emergency services attended and Jessie Dahill, 73, and two dogs were pronounced dead at the scene.
“Following a joint investigation between Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, the fire is not thought to be suspicious.
“Enquiries are ongoing and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A POPULAR car dealership has permanently closed its doors as part of a major group’s decision to shut six locations across the UK.
Vauxhall Portsmouth has recently ceased operations, along with five other dealerships, as owner Evans Halshaw implements cost-cutting measures that have led to approximately 250 job losses.
According to Portsmouth News, Vauxhall Portsmouth was a staple of the city and had been at its London Road site in Hilsea for decades.
But its closure comes as the brand’s American owner, Lithia, continues to downsize its UK operations that have seen the end of other Vauxhall dealers in Wolverhampton.
Operations have also halted at St Albans, Hanworth, and Orpington, while a Renault and Dacia showroom in Doncaster will also close its doors.
Lithia, which completed its purchase of Pendragon, Evans Halshaw’s parent company, in February 2023, already cut around 250 jobs last April with the closure of the CarStore used car supermarket brand.
A spokesperson for Evans Halshaw said: “The closure of these stores aligns with our wider strategic network plans, in conjunction with our OEMs and network partners.”
It’s perhaps slightly better news for those who work for the Evans Halshaw-owned Vauxhall dealership in Edinburgh, who recently confirmed the sale of the business to rival group Arnold Clark.
The site has reportedly already begun trading under the Arnold Clark banner – going against rumours the deal might fall through.
As reported by Car Dealer Magazine, an Arnold Clark spokesperson said: “Arnold Clark can confirm the takeover of the Evans Halshaw Vauxhall dealership in Edinburgh and will begin trading this week.”
Mystery surrounded the sudden closure of another Evans Halshaw branch back in October, when a Ford dealership shut down.
The site in Northwich, situated on Chester Way, Cheshire, confirmed the shutters had come down on the site for the last time via its Facebook page, but no explanation was given.
Bizarrely, when Sun Motors called the Northwich branch’s telephone, the line was redirected to the Altrincham dealership.
This comes as BMW slammed the brakes on its multi-million-pound investment in the Mini plant in Oxfordshire – as demand for electric vehicles plummets.
The assembly plant in Cowley is one of the nation’s most vital and historic car factories, but it is facing turmoil after a £600 million investment has been halted.
BMW announced in 2023 that it would invest in the factory built in 1913 to improve its operations, allowing it to manufacture electric vehicles.
It was hoped that by next year, the plant would be pushing electric Mini Coopers and electric Mini Aceman SUVs off the production line.
And elsewhere, the DVSA has revealed the centres with the lowest driving test pass rate across the country – and it’s bad news for those learning in two major cities in the south west.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which conducts driving tests in the UK, including theory tests, recently shared their driving test and theory test data for September 2024.
It showed some centres have stark differences to others, with a clear sign that many learners are facing challenges in securing a pass.
In the list of the top 10 lowest pass rates, the Plymouth LGV test centre in Devon had the lowest pass rate, just 27.3% – meaning just over a quarter of the drivers who took their test were going home disappointed and out of pocket.
Of course, the LGV centre specialises in large goods vehicles – those who want to get behind the wheel of a lorry or bus.
Second on the list was the test centre in Watnall, Nottinghamshire, with a 29.4% pass rate.
EVER feel ready to keel over from tiredness, only for your thoughts to start racing as soon as your head meets the pillow?
As your brain bounces from one topic to the next – the email or text you forgot to reply to, a conversation you handled badly, an embarrassing encounter from five years ago – it can feel impossible to shut it up so you can get some much needed sleep.
According to psychologists, this cyclone of repetitive negative thoughts and excessive worry is called rumination or mental perturbance.
For many of us, this pattern of thinking – dwelling on mistakes, negative feelings and distress – is not even conscious.
Psychologists say it can impact your mental health and also intensify symptoms if you already live with depression or anxiety.
But it can happen to anyone, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like life isn’t quite going your way.
If your brain starts going at 100 miles per hour when you’re desperately trying to snooze, there might be a way to tame your errant thoughts.
Called ‘cognitive shuffling’, it involves visualising random images to help you drift off.
It sounds deceptively simple, but psychologist Dr Luc Beaudoin says it mimics what your brain does naturally when you’re drifting off and you’re not quite conscious but not asleep either – a picture show of unrelated images that slowly lull you to sleep.
“We want your brain to be thinking different things because as you naturally fall asleep, that’s what the brain does,” the adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada told BBC Science Focus.
It may also help get your spiralling thoughts in check, giving them some structure, so you won’t stray to thinking about stressful topics – like your mortgage.
The hack has recently made its rounds on social media.
While many trends that cycle through TikTok and Instagram aren’t the most legit, with some users claim the mental exercise helps distract them from stressful thoughts keeping them awake.
Here’s how it works, according to Dr Beaudoin.
He told BBC Science Focus: “It basically gets you to imagine things one after another.
“One way to do that is to pick a word, any word, like the word ‘piano’.
“Now, imagine a piano for five to six seconds, maybe touching it or playing it, even if you don’t know how.
“Then, we’re going to spell the word piano and for each letter, we’re going to come up with as many associations with each letter as we can.”
So for ‘piano’, you’d try and think of as many words starting with the latter ‘P’ as you can – parakeet, pilot, pumpkin, powder puff, pooch, and so on.
Dwell on each image for a few seconds and imagine yourself interacting with it before moving onto the next, until you run our of words starting with ‘P’.
Thomas Høegh Reisenhus, TEMPUR® sleep specialist & sleep counsellor, reveals the key components of a good bedtime routine and environment...
A sure-fire way to facilitate a better night’s sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene.
Establish a sleep routine that works for you and stick to it.
This will help your body establish a consistent, natural sleep-wake cycle which can do wonders for your overall sleep quality.
As such, try to avoid making up for lost sleep with a lie-in.
Instead of sleeping in, spend your morning reading a book in bed or having a leisurely coffee in the kitchen.
Ensure that your bedroom, bedding, and sleepwear are fit for purpose too.
The ideal sleep environment is dark, quiet, and cool – much like a cave.
If you find unwelcome sources of light are keeping you up, consider investing in an eye mask or black-out curtains.
Adding soft furnishings can be a great way to reduce noise, with the surfaces having an absorptive quality, but if this doesn’t work, consider embracing a soothing soundtrack to block it out.
In terms of temperature, try to keep your bedroom at 18°C. You can further reduce the risk of waking up due to overheating by ensuring that all your bedding and sleepwear is made with natural, breathable materials such as cotton and linen.
Bear in mind that everyone is different; what might work for most, may not work for you!
Whilst knowing how much sleep you should get, how to overcome common barriers, and practicing good sleep hygiene can facilitate a great night’s sleep, if you continue to struggle with sleep or fatigue persistently, do not hesitate to visit a doctor or health professional for support.
After that, go through words starting with ‘I’, then ‘A’.
Hopefully you won’t make it all the way to ‘O’, as the idea is that you’ll fall asleep long before you get to the end.
At a glance, cognitive shuffling technique may sound similar to the concept of counting sheep’.
But Dr Beaudoin said focusing on the same object over and over might be too repetitive and precise, preventing your mind from truly resting.
He told Women’s Health that he first came up with the concept as an undergraduate student studying cognitive psychology in 1989.
He was struggling with insomnia and claimed the method helped him, but he didn’t become formally studying the cognitive shuffling technique as a researcher until about 2009.
The technique is one part of a broader theory of sleep onset that Dr Beaudoin has developed, called ‘somnolent information processing’.
The idea describes a kind of control system for sending yourself to sleep and lists factors that help smooth this process as well as some that hinder it.
Dr Beaudoin has run a number of pilot tests on cognitive shuffling, but wants do more research in comparing the technique with other cognitive strategies used to help people get to sleep.
“We’ve had encouraging results, but we need to do more studies,” he told Science Focus.
“And it’s important to emphasise that no cognitive treatment, including the cognitive shuffle, is expected to be used in isolation.”
Making sure you’re following other science-backed recommendations for better sleep is also important, he added.
No amount of shuffling will undo the effects a coffee or heavy meal right before bed, the psychologist noted.
Experts also told Women’s Health that cognitive shuffling remains a theory, not a proven practice, and that more research needs to be done on it
Here are some pointers to give the technique a go yourself:
BRITS wanting a family holiday with everything you need in one place should head to the Duinrell Eurocamp.
This holiday camp in the Netherlands is budget-friendly, two hours away from the UK, and has its own theme park with over 40 attractions.
The Duinrell Eurocamp is one of the biggest in Europe and the star of the site is their huge amusement park that is included with the price.
Rides include roller coasters, drop towers, a monorail, bumper cars, an outdoor trampoline park, and a carousel.
The family-friendly amusement park’s biggest ride is The Falcon which reaches speeds of 43mph and a height of 22 metres.
One reviewer called the amusement park a “hidden gem” and loved the fact that even in September there were “no queues” during the week.
Another said their trip was “worth every penny” for everything they did on their holiday from the theme park, to waterpark, bike hire and other entertainment on the site.
On-site at the Duinrell Eurocamp, there is also one of the best waterparks in northern Europe.
The Tiki waterpark has flumes and slides including one with a trapdoor, as well as a lazy river, wave machine, hot tub and steam room.
There’s also a heated play pool suitable for children up to three years old.
Eurocamp customers also get a discounted rate for the Tiki waterpark: €15 (£12.42) per person for the indoor pool and €5 (£4.14) per person for the outdoor pool.
Other activities around the park include football, volleyball, cycling, padel tennis, there’s even a games room with over 80 arcade games and a bowling alley.
In the evenings, expect even more entertainment from discos to live acts, karaoke and talent shows.
The Duinrell Eurocamp also has four restaurants including a creperie, an Italian restaurant, there’s also a bar, and place to grab takeaways too.
And for anyone wanting to venture out of the park, the city of Amsterdam is half an hour away – and a great way to explore the city is on a canal cruise.
For any Brits travelling from the UK, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is the closest terminal.
There are 40 non-stop flights a day from London, 10 from Manchester, and seven from Birmingham.
There are six from both Edinburgh and Bristol, and none of the flights take longer than an hour and a half.
Once you touch down, Duinrell Eurocamp is less than 30-minutes away by car.
The nearest beach to the Eurocamp is Wassenaarse Slag, a four-minute drive away, it’s perfect for children with a long sandy stretch and dedicated cycle paths.
Prices at Duinrell vary but the cheapest we found is from £67 per night (based on a 7 night stay for a family of four), which of course includes full use of the theme park.
For anyone returning to Eurocamp, you can save five per cent with their loyalty scheme – and watch out for other offers throughout the year.
We also asked A Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton about her favourite Eurocamp destination.
And some of these Eurocamp holidays cost less than UK holiday breaks.
One of them has a waterpark with slides, bouncy obstacles, and trampolines...
Châteauneuf-de-Galaure, The Alps
One of the new Eurocamp additions is set in the French Alps countryside. Château de Galaure is a four-star facility with a swimming pool complex containing three pools. There’s also a lagoon-style pool with a sandy beach, and plenty of slides too. Other activities on the site include cycling, river fishing and horse riding.
Locunolé, Brittany
Another new addition for this summer is Le Ty Nadan in Brittany. Situated in the north west of France, the region is famous for its cider, seafood and beaches. The five star site is set within an ancient woodland. Because of its location, there’s plenty to do for anyone who loves the outdoors including river canoeing, woodland horse rides and a treetop adventure park.
Saint-Amans-des-Côts, Aveyron, France
Eurocamp’s other new addition, Domaine des Tours, is set right on a lake. The four star holiday park has a large swimming pool as well as a children’s pool with plenty of slides. There’s also an inflatable water park complete with slides, bouncy obstacles, and trampolines. Other activities include beach volleyball, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding. On-site there’s also a games room, restaurant, pizzeria, and a bar.
A TEEN has pleaded guilty to murdering his mum and two siblings who were found dead after gunshots were heard.
Juliana Prosper, 48, was discovered alongside her son Kyle Prosper, 16, and daughter Giselle Prosper, 13, at home in Luton in September.
Nicholas Prosper, 18, appeared at Luton Crown Court today where he admitted three counts of murder.
The teen also pleaded guilty to a number of other offences during the hearing.
This includes purchasing or acquiring a shotgun in Luton without holding a certificate on September 12.
He is also accused of possession of a shotgun on September 13, as well as possession of a bladed article, a kitchen knife, in a public place on the same date.
The massacre unfolded on September 13 at a flat on Wauluds Bank Drive.
Police swarmed the home at around 5.30am following “welfare concerns”.
Horrified neighbours claimed they heard “loud bangs” that sounded like shots being fired.
Officers discovered Juliana and two of her four children dead inside the flat.
Tributes have flooded in for the tragic family from their heartbroken loved ones.
The family said in a statement: “Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four beautiful children, who were her absolute world.
“In her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity – she was always putting others first.
“Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing.
“He was creative and thriving on TikTok, a big talent with massive potential.
“Kyle’s friends were his everything.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl; she liked to laugh lots and loved her family and big brothers.
“She was so loveable with an infectious smile.
“She was also an exceptional pupil at school and was loved dearly by her friends in Year 9.”
The Utah Jazz will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at Delta Center. Lauri Markkanen is questionable on the team’s injury report due to lower back soreness. Here’s everything we know about Markkanen’s injury and playing status vs. the Trail Blazers. *Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)* Lauri […]
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The Miami Dolphins had a wildly disappointing 8-9 2024 campaign after spending last offseason as a trendy AFC East champion pick. Now, it’s back to the drawing board, and a big part of that will be the 2025 NFL Draft. So, let’s see what the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator says the Dolphins do […]
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The Edmonton Oilers are in the midst of another great season and looking for that elusive Stanley Cup. After losing in Game 7 of the Cup Final last year, they are looking to keep this core together to get them over the hump. They signed Leon Draisaitl to a record-breaking extension that kicks in this […]
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