Blogs

ONE of the world’s most beautiful museums has finally reopened after a €466million (£402million) four-year restoration project.

The Grand Palais in Paris, France, has undergone a grand restoration over the past four years – marking the most important restoration phase in the site’s history since the 1900 Universal Exhibition.

Alamy

One of the world’s most beautiful museums has finally reopened after a €466million (£402million) four-year restoration project[/caption]

Instagram/@le_grand_palais

The Grand Palais in Paris, France, has undergone a grand restoration over the past four year[/caption]

One of the building’s most iconic features – the glass roof – was restored in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics and has now been fully integrated with the rest of the building.

The rest of the restoration included reopening and reconnecting the main interior of the building for the public, creating a new public entrance, adding restaurants, modernising galleries and planting over 60,000 plants.

In addition, 40 lifts have been added alongside the building’s existing 30 staircases.

One visitor commented on Tripadvisor: “One stairway makes you feel like you’ve ‘arrived’ as the honored guest of a major fashion show.”

Another added that the museum has “one of the most beautiful staircases I’ve ever seen”.

Statues, balconies and other ornaments have been restored throughout the building too, in addition to 150 of the Grand Palais’ windows.

The Grand Palais will also offer more cultural events including art fairs, public installations and fashion shows.

New spaces have been added for families too – with games, creative workshops, interactive features and an exhibition trail to explore.

In the Children’s Palace – below the Rotunda of the Palais de la Découverte – there is a new, fully restored interactive area for children aged between two and 10-years-old with scientific machines and hands-on experiences.

According to Dezeen, the architects behind the project – Chatillon – said: “Our aim has always been to ensure these stunning areas meet their full potential by linking them together, creating new visitor services and access routes that will transform the way the building works and is used, creating a new experience for the next generation of visitors.”

The Grand Palais was originally built for the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900 and since, has been widely considered as one of the French capital’s most iconic landmarks.

The Universal Exhibition was a series of events and exhibitions that showcased France‘s cultural and technological advancements – and the Grand Palais was one of the impressive structures to feature.

Since then, the site has been used for many different events over the decades including exhibitions, salons, festivals, the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics fencing and taekwondo events and even a huge ice rink.

It was even used as a military hospital and rehabilitation centre during World War I.

It’s iconic glass roof – which is one of the largest in Europe – was built using 9,400tons of steel and 15,000square-metres of glass.

Alamy

One of the building’s most iconic features – the glass roof – was restored in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics[/caption]

The architects added that the renovation has meant that the museum’s capacity has increased by 140 per cent.

The Grand Palais was also named on Prix Versailles’ World’s Most Beautiful Museums List in May of this year, reports Bustler.

According to Tripadvisor, over two million people visit the Grand Palais each year.

Tickets to the Grand Palais vary in price depending on the exhibition you want to see.

The UK’s newest national museum is more like an Ikea store – and Kate Middleton is already a fan.

Plus, the UK’s oldest museum has revealed a new £11.6million redevelopment plan.

Alamy

The restoration included reopening and reconnecting the main interior of the building for the public, creating a new public entrance, adding eateries, modernising galleries and planting over 60,000 plants[/caption]

AN iconic sports car manufacturer is reportedly considering axing 400 jobs after saying it had no plans to end production in the UK.

The factory set to lose 30 per cent of its work force in Norfolk has been open since the 1960s.

Getty

Fears have been raised that the factory could close altogether[/caption]

Getty

Up to 30 per cent of the factory’s workforce could lose their jobs[/caption]

Lotus has reportedly become the latest car manufacturer to look at slashing its UK workforce.

The move comes after the brand held emergency talks and fellow motor manufacturer Nissan said it would be slashing 250 jobs from one of its UK sites.

A report in the Daily Mail claims that the sports car specialist is considering cutting 30 per cent of jobs at its plant in Hethel, Norfolk.

Of the 1,300 staff at the site up to 390 could now be facing down the prospect of losing their job.

A decision on the job losses is expected from the brand in the next few months.

Recent reports that the brand was considering closing its factory in Hethel and moving production to the US were denied by the firm.

Majority owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, Lotus adamantly rejected the claims, saying in a statement: “The UK is the heart of the Lotus brand—home to our sports car manufacturing, global design centre, motorsport operations, and Lotus Engineering.

“It is also our largest commercial market in Europe.

“Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory.

“We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.

“We have invested significantly in R&D and operations in the UK, over the past six years.

“Lotus remains committed to the UK, and its customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, as well as its proud British heritage.”

The reports of imminent closure however sparked intervention by the government with company executives meeting business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

The meeting on Sunday, June29, reportedly saw the group discuss possible support measures.

Reuters

The Norfolk Lotus factory has been open since the 1960s[/caption]

Alamy

Concerns have been raised over American imposed tariffs[/caption]

Fears were raised that the brand would fall victim to Donald Trump’s import tariffs.

These were reportedly not addressed by the news that the tariffs would be reduced from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent.

Despite the emergency meeting, the offer of government support and the reduction in tariffs, the brand is still said to be set to cut a huge number of jobs.

The Sun has approached Lotus for comment.

CRISTIANO RONALDO has paid tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic death.

The Liverpool star, 28, died alongside his brother in a car accident in Spain.

Getty

Ronaldo has shared a heartfelt tribute to his Portugal team-mate.

BRIAN Maher reckons the eight-second rule will make the Brandywell a tougher place to play — for opposition goalkeepers.

Fifa have introduced a new rule at the Club World Cup where a corner is awarded if a keeper does not release the ball in his hands within eight seconds.

The rule replaces a six-second regulation whereby an indirect free-kick was awarded — though it was rarely implemented.

And the new eight-second rule will be used in the League of Ireland from tomorrow, as it comes into action around the world this month.

Derry City star Maher reckons it will make no difference to keepers like him in a team that wants to play on the front foot.

But he believes fans can make it harder for opponents.

Maher told SunSport: “From our end, we’re happy to see it come in. We’ve had it plenty of times where teams come up and try and waste time at the Brandywell.

“Probably twice in the last couple of weeks, we’ve had referees warning goalkeepers in the first half. It is a good thing for us that it’s a rule.

“It has given fans a chance to get on top of it, especially if they’re being beaten at home or whatever.

“The big thing is to see how it is implemented. If referees are going to be put under pressure, players need to be aware of it and not get caught.

“I remember there was a six-second rule — so we’ve now got an extra two seconds!”

But Maher believes many goalkeepers will not have to change their game.

He said: “It’s something we speak about at Derry. We want to play on the front foot and at a high tempo. There is no point in me taking ages over a dead ball, or out of my hands.

“Even throw-ins and free-kicks, we want to get the ball in play as fast as we can. I don’t think it will affect us much.”

And the Candystripes are a team currently on the front foot having won their last three games against Drogheda United, St Pat’s and Shelbourne to climb to second place.

They remain 11 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers with two games in hand, which makes this month huge as they play all of their extra matches.

But having not won four games in a row since June last year, Maher insisted the sole focus is on beating Waterford tomorrow and building further momentum.

He added: “When you talk about points and games in hand, it’s not something we talk about.

“We mentioned the table once last week because we faced three sides around us. It could have been tricky but we took nine points which puts us second in the table.

“We just want a run to find consistency. We’ve had little runs of two and three games this year but we haven’t put four or five together.

“The manager keeps telling us we’re still improving and we’ve got a way to go.

“Even this week, he’s delighted with the results but is showing us where we can improve. The 11-point gap to the top shows that there is room to improve.”

Bangkok’s skyline is about to get a little less dazzling, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Council takes action to tackle the growing issue of excessively bright billboards. In a bid to protect residents’ eyes and prevent dangerous distractions for drivers, the council has approved a new regulation to limit light intensity from illuminated advertisements. Yesterday, July …

The story Bangkok to dim down blinding billboards with new regulations as seen on Thaiger News.

MANILA, Philippines— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded on Thursday morning to a collision between a passenger vessel and a fishing boat near the waters off Port of Lucena in Barangay Talao-Talao. The incident happened around 7 a.m. when MV Peñafrancia VI, bound for Balanacan Port in Marinduque, collided head-on with FV Sr. Fernando II,

MEATH boss Robbie Brennan remembers Dublin great Rory O’Carroll’s mantra when players get injured — simply that the next man steps up.

The Royals will play their first All-Ireland SFC semi-final since 2009 against Donegal on Sunday week but are without Ronan Jones, James Conlon, Jack Kinlough and Jack Flynn, who will all be sidelined for the rest of the season.

But former Kilmacud Crokes chief Brennan points out that the show must go, saying; “We have certainly said all year, next man up. The great Rory O’Carroll in Kilmacud taught me that lesson early on in my days in Crokes.

“It’s just about the next man up and that’s what we’ve installed and luckily we have some really good players there and still more that haven’t even been used yet. So we’d be quite happy with the squad we have.”

Brennan, who led Crokes to All-Ireland club glory in 2023, took the Meath reins this season.

And they have had a remarkable year despite Jones and Conlon (both hamstring), Kinlough (ACL) and Flynn (pec) all undergoing surgery.

Their most recent win came in Sunday’s Croke Park quarter-final against Galway as Brennan had to sweat over players again.

He said: “Seán Rafferty had a cramp and a slight little ankle sprain but nothing to worry about.

“I’d say it was the humidity and the heat. Bryan Menton had a cramp and Ruairí Kinsella had a sprain in his ankle but they have trained since.”

Meath watched the semi-final draw over pizza in Dunboyne after Sunday’s pulsating win.

And Brennan hopes for another slice of success against Jim McGuinness’ men as the Royals chase their first All-Ireland final appearance since 2001.

He smiled: “It was funny . . . the lads probably didn’t really care at this stage who we got and we were the same.

“So as it came out, the lads just glanced at it and went back to the pizza.

“No matter who you get now, it’s got to be a good side — they’re a phenomenal team. Their running game is exceptional, the loops they run, and the forwards attack.

“So plenty to have to work on, but look, we’ve been able to start looking at it already.”

JERMAINE Jenas has spoken out about his exit from the BBC for sending X-rated text messages to colleagues.

The former England footballer, 42, revisited the scandal that cost him his high-paid telly gigs on The One Show and Match of the Day.

YouTube

Jermaine Jenas has spoken candidly about his sacking from the BBC[/caption]

YouTube

Katherine Ryan was a guest on his podcast with Derek Chisora[/caption]

Getty

Jermaine split from wife Ellie in March[/caption]

It also ultimately led to the collapse of his marriage to his wife of 14 years, Ellie, with the pair announcing their split in March.

Speaking with comedian Katherine Ryan and professional boxer Derek Chisora on his Let Me Tell You Something podcast, he said: “I broke a vow. I feel my level of punishment was up there. I had to take it and have some broad shoulders and handle it, and I feel like I did that.”

Jermaine likened his messages to Fifty Shades of Grey lothario Christian Grey, continuing: “It was sexting, as simple as that, but it was initiated to me and then I responded.

“It wasn’t just me going out of my way and it definitely 100 percent wasn’t ‘me ‘if you do this I will help you in your work’.

“There was no power element to it going on.”

He then admitted his personal life and marriage weren’t in a good place at the time, though he insisted it was no excuse for his behaviour.

“There’s a lot of stuff with me and Ellie where we weren’t in the best place ourselves,” he said.

“And things were just spiralling a little bit. In no way is that blame. I’m fully accepting responsibility.

“I dealt with it wrong and got heavily punished for it by losing pretty much everything that I had at that time.”

Though the fallout of the messages was costly, Jermaine claimed the BBC had him “locked in a creative prison“.

He was sacked in an excruciating online meeting with HR and senior corporation execs, including being shown a string of X-rated messages he’d sent.

He told The Sun at the time: “I am ashamed, and I am deeply sorry.”

In the same interview, he confessed to lying to wife Ellie during a family holiday and sneaking off to take a Zoom call with BBC bosses over his X-rated messages.

In 2023, Jenas and Ellie clashed as he started spending more time socialising with his One Show work colleagues.

The pair had explosive rows but, Jermaine admitted they quietly worked through their issues with the help of couple’s therapy.

Heartbroken ex-model Ellie announced the couple were separating in March.

She wrote: “I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary.

“After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways.

“We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children’s privacy during this challenging time.

“Thank you, Ellie.”

The pair had been married for 14 years and share two daughters, Geneva and Olivia, and son, Jacob.

Jermaine also has an older daughter, Sancha, from a previous relationship.

Instagram

Exes Ellie and Jermaine share four children together[/caption]

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Jermaine played for England and made more than 300 Premier League appearances[/caption]

Cannabis dispensaries in Thailand will need to transition into medical clinics to operate legally, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. Doctor Somlerk Jeungsmarn, the department’s chief, stated that a draft ministerial regulation is in development to manage the medical use of cannabis, as the government aims to tighten its regulations on …

The story Thai cannabis dispensaries must become medical clinics to stay legal as seen on Thaiger News.

A FRUSTRATED homeowner has revealed that his neighbour’s massive tree is blocking all of his sunlight.

Not only this, but the man’s anger has continued to grow, as now the large tree has begun growing into his home. 

reddit/GardeningUK

An angry man has claimed that his neighbour’s huge tree is growing into his house and blocking his sunlight[/caption]

And if you thought that was bad enough, think again, as this anonymous man even claimed that the tree is also home to rats too.

Posting on social media, the man uploaded a snap of his neighbour’s overgrown tree, which is towering onto his roof and is extremely close to his window, leaving many open-mouthed.

Writing on the r/GardeningUK thread on Reddit, alongside the post, the user, who shares content under the username @Jacktheforkie, explained: “Neighbours got a massive tree growing directly against my house.”

Not only this, but he claimed: “It’s blocking my sunlight and the rest of her jungle is host to a fair amount of rats.

“The rats are digging under and jumping over from the weeds.”  

And it’s not just rats that have emerged, as the man later recognised: “I certainly get birds, and the grey furry birds with long pink tails.” 

Unsure on how to proceed and desperate for advice, he then penned: “She doesn’t want to deal with the mess.

“I never see the neighbour, she used to take pride in the garden but now it’s a jungle that requires periodic attack with power tools to fight the weeds back. 

“What can I do about it?”

Reddit users were left stunned by the man’s post and eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts. 

One person advised: “You can complain to the council but I would speak to the neighbour first and offer to pay towards the cost of removal. 

“Where I am, the expectation is that neighbours go 50/50 on this kind of work but it’s a social convention rather than a legal one.”  

Another recommended: “This is an ash tree. They get huge and aren’t suitable for right next to houses. It’s probably self-seeded and nobody noticed until it suddenly was too big. 

“You need to talk to your neighbours about cutting it back – ideally taking it down altogether because the root system will also be large.

“If your neighbours won’t play ball or don’t have the money you are entitled to cut off anything that overhangs your property. 

Call the council about the rats and report it as a health hazard….Who knows what state the garden is behind the foliage

Reddit user

“Monitor your foundations. First sign of cracks or movement in your house it’s a job for your insurance.” 

Meanwhile, a third stressed: “Write them a polite letter, attach them that picture, see what they do. Decency starts with a polite approach.” 

Whilst someone else said: “Call the council about the rats and report it as a health hazard. The rats are living off something… So who knows what state the garden is behind the foliage.”

The man later responded to the comments and wrote: “My mum asked and she said she likes it that way, but we are pretty sure she said that because she doesn’t want to deal with it.” 

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