2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Chelsea’s second game of Premier League season set to be moved to Friday night after Sky Sports request
CHELSEA’S second game of the season away at West Ham has been moved to a Friday night following a request from Sky Sports.
The London rivals were due to meet in the Premier League on Saturday, August 23 at with the Hammers hosting.
AFPChelsea’s second game of the season has been moved to a Friday night[/caption]
But according to the Daily Mail, Sky want to screen the eagerly-anticipated early-season game a day earlier at 8pm.
That will come with the threat of fans spending longer in pubs with a later kick-off time.
But police in the capital believe they can handle the switch, which is set to be rubber-stamped following the expected backing of other stakeholders.
The reschedule does need the green light from the Safety Advisory Group, which is made up of officials from clubs, the local council and emergency services.
And backing from the Met means the agreement should be a formality.
Both West Ham and Chelsea and Sky declined to comment to the Mail.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The Met works closely with partners and clubs to ensure the safety and security of those attending football matches in London, and those in the wider community.
“We want everyone to come and enjoy themselves and will act decisively to deal with anyone intent on causing trouble.”
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2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Ryanair to make free hand luggage allowance even SMALLER
RYANAIR is set to reduce the size of their hand luggage allowance.
The budget carrier currently allows a free bag the size of 40cm x 25cm x 20cm into the cabin, which fits underneath the seat in front and is around 20 litres.
AlamyRyanair is set to make hand luggage even smaller[/caption]
However, new rules will reduce this to just 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, the Independent reports which is just 18 litres.
Anyone with a bag that fits the new rules, will no longer be able to use it.
Not only that, but all airports would need to change the size of their baggage sizers to be able to check them.
The new rules are expected to be rolled out by the end of October this year.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E) of which Ryanair is included, said: “This will align A4E members with the decision of member states made last month and bring more clarity to passengers across Europe.
“From city-hoppers to family travellers, everyone will benefit from the same clear rule across our members’ networks.”
This means passengers would be allowed a small cabin bag weighing up to 7kg, and no more than 100cm.
The rules hope to simplify the travel process, with a common standard across the board for carry-on luggage.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “We want to make sure passengers can travel with ease, which is why we landed a deal with the EU to allow millions more British nationals to use e-gates at airports in time for the summerholidays.”
Yet those opposing it have warned it will race plane ticket prices.
Not only that, but most airlines do not have the overhead locker capacity to allow all passengers a cabin bag.
Airlines for Europe Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou told Politico: “The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”
Other budget airlines that don’t allow free cabin bags offer a much larger underseat bag size allowance.
EasyJet allows bags that are 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, and have confirmed they won’t reduce their sizes.
While Wizz Air allow bags up to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
British Airways and Jet2 have the same smaller size as Ryanair, but also allow a free cabin bag, measuring 56cm x 45cm x 15cm.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on We live in UK ‘gang capital’ where anywhere beginning with ‘P’ is no-go zone…gun-toting drug lords terrorise our estate
IN the shadow of an imposing ten-storey tower block, a young mum emerges pushing a pram, nervously checking the paths either side of her before making a hurried beeline for the park.
This is Penhill in Swindon, a notorious estate which has long been tarnished by its high crime rates, drug raids and a growing gangland culture that the Wiltshire town has become infamous for.
Adrian SherrattPenhill in Swindon is a notorious estate which has long been tarnished by its high crime rates, drug raids and a growing gangland culture[/caption]
Adrian SherrattPenhill is one of 25 ‘trailblazer neighbourhoods’ set to receive up to £20million over the next decade to improve its community, libraries, facilities and general infrastructure[/caption]
Adrian SherrattPenhill is one of the most deprived areas in the region in terms of household income, quality of health, life expectancy, child poverty and level of education[/caption]
Adrian SherrattLocals say there is nothing for teenagers to do in the area, which often sees them become embroiled in crime[/caption]
Adrian SherrattLife-long resident Fiona Woodward told The Sun: ‘You know what they say about avoiding anywhere that begins with a P in Swindon?’[/caption]
It’s one of the 25 “trailblazer neighbourhoods” identified across the country by Chancellor Rachel Reeves which is set to receive up to £20million over the next decade to improve its community, libraries, facilities and general infrastructure.
But many of its residents feel no amount of cash will fix its problems.
One mum, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s good that the Government want to improve Penhill, but we’re living in mouldy homes surrounded by drug dealers on every street, and that’s probably never going to change.”
Life-long resident Fiona Woodward, 68, adds: “You know what they say about avoiding anywhere that begins with a ‘P’ in Swindon?”
It was a local anecdote oft repeated when The Sun visited the estate this week, referring to Penhill and nearby council estates Pinehurst and Parks.
Aaron Jacobs was visiting his mum, who moved to the estate almost 20 years ago.
“Penhill’s rep for having gangs is because there’ll always be angst between Penhill and Pinehurst,” he explained.
“You do see kids hanging around in gangs, but there’s not a lot else for them to do here.”
Alarmingly, some residents say this lack of purpose is causing children as young as 10 to be groomed as drug dealers.
Another man, who gave his name as John Craig, said: “The biggest issue on the estate is the amount of drug-dealing.
Adrian SherrattAaron Jacobs says Penhill’s rep for having gangs is because ‘there’ll always be angst between Penhill and Pinehurst’[/caption]
“The youth club was cut, and the football pitch rents for £80 per game, which most people can’t afford.
“This leaves the kids with nothing to do, and as a result they are groomed as drug dealers.
“It sounds great getting a grant from the Government, but this is the real problem.”
Escalating violence
The 1950s estate is a mile square, housing 11,000 residents, with three ten-storey tower blocks, and is one of the most deprived areas in the region in terms of household income, quality of health, life expectancy, child poverty and level of education.
Violent crime is also an escalating issue. In April 2023 two men were arrested after a 17-year-old boy was shot in the head in Penhill, leaving him with life-changing injuries.
SWNSPolice on the scene in Penhill in April 2023 when a teenager suffered life-changing injuries after being shot[/caption]
SWNSA 17-year-old boy sustained potentially life-changing injuries thought to have been caused by a firearm[/caption]
SWNSA gun seized when cops took part in three simultaneous raids in Penhill, North Star and Old Town in Swindon in July 2022[/caption]
Wiltshire PoliceLast year Marlon Barnes of Penhill was jailed for six years and six months after admitting being in possession of a firearm and running a local class A drugs operation[/caption]
And last year Marlon Barnes, 20, of Ramsbury Avenue, Penhill was jailed for six years and six months after admitting being in possession of a firearm and running a local class A drugs operation.
Most recent crime statistics for Penhill show that in April alone there were 95 crimes reported, with 50 of those being of a violent or sexual nature.
There were 11 reports of anti-social behaviour, seven public order offences and 27 ‘other’, including drugs offences.
The estate has two primary schools, two churches, a Morrisons Local, a charity shop, a fish and chip shop and a pub, the Deer’s Leap, serving a small handful of customers the lunchtime we visited.
It is also adjacent to a 100-acre nature reserve, Seven Fields, where just last month police and firefighters were called to a blazing car, thought to be stolen and then set alight by joyriders next to the wooden frame of a zip line.
Despite the deprivation of the area a number of houses look well-maintained, while others have overgrown grass and furniture left to rot in their gardens.
Penhill’s rep for having gangs is because there’ll always be angst between Penhill and Pinehurst
Aaron Jacobs
Pensioner Fiona says more needs to be done for young people in Penhill who have “nothing to do” so find “other ways to entertain themselves”, often resulting in turning to crime.
“We do have problems with crime, we’ve had a lot of problems with gangs in the past,” she says.
“There’s some anti-social behaviour, some people who cause trouble, but the problem is some parents weren’t brought up well, and they don’t know how to look after their kids properly or know what they’re up to.
“There’s a lot of space, but the council don’t look after it. There’s even one resident who started cutting the grass himself because the council didn’t bother.
“I’ve lived here all my life, and it has changed compared to what it used to be like.
“But we do have a sense of community and if anything happens, like the house fires, we all come together.”
In January the community rallied to raise thousands of pounds for terminal cancer patient Lisa Lansdown and her partner Gary Parsons, after their home in Penhill was ruined by a fire, leaving them and their two children homeless, with only the clothes on their backs.
Lack of opportunity
DWFRSLast month a vehicle was found alight outside garages in Penhill after residents reported hearing loud bangs[/caption]
Adrian SherrattIn June a BMW was set on fire in the children’s play park in Seven Fields, a nature reserve in Penhill, after being driven dangerously nearby[/caption]
Adrian SherrattLocals say money should be invested in improving the security around the estate and providing more opportunities for the kids[/caption]
Adrian SherrattShopkeeper Richard Styles agrees young people are suffering from a lack of opportunity[/caption]
Adrian SherrattOther residents called for the return of a ‘bobby on the beat’[/caption]
Local shopkeeper Richard Sayles works in the local Premier newsagents, and agrees young people are suffering from a lack of opportunity.
He says: “The money should be invested in improving the security around the estate and providing more opportunities for the kids.
“There are parks for the little kids but not much for older kids to do.
“The Community Centre has gone downhill, it used to run a youth club, but it only opens on Fridays now to run the food bank.
“They also closed one of the parks. With nothing to do there’s a lot of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, so if some of the money was invested in CCTV I think that would help.
One of the reasons people struggle in Penhill is because there’s a reputation associated with being in one of the areas beginning with P
David Childs-Clarke
“Crime is a problem here, the kids are bored, so most importantly the grant needs to be reinvested into the community centre.”
Penhill Community Church pastor David Childs-Clarke previously told the BBC: “One of the reasons people struggle in Penhill is because there’s a reputation associated with being in one of the areas beginning with P.
“People in Penhill often think of themselves as being considered less than other parts of Swindon – as a church we do try and counter that message.
“Anything that the government can do to help the reputation of an area will do something positive, to help people with their sense of identity.”
Other residents called for the return of a ‘bobby on the beat’ local police officer to tackle the growing issue of county lines in Swindon.
Jim Grant, the leader of Swindon council’s Labour group, previously expressed concern over the “gang warfare” and increasingly common “life-threatening stabbings, large-scale public disorder and ongoing damage to property” in Penhill and Pinehurst, branding it a “tragedy for the town”.
Wiltshire Police carried out a number of raids on properties on the estate in a major drugs crackdown last year after reports of suspicious behaviour from worried locals.
In November Lewis Morton, 23, of Fairford Crescent, Penhill, was jailed for a string of serious offences, including requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour and supplying Class A drugs including heroin and crack cocaine.
But there is hope Reeves’ cash injection, expected to start in April 2026, will “boost growth” and “deliver real change people can see on their doorstep”.
A spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said communities like Penhill had “been starved of investment and left behind” for too long.
The Sun has reached out to Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Police for comment.
Adrian SherrattThere is hope Reeves’ cash injection, expected to start in April 2026, will ‘boost growth’ and ‘deliver real change people can see on their doorstep’[/caption]
Adrian SherrattWiltshire Police carried out a number of raids on properties on the estate in a major drugs crackdown last year after reports of suspicious behaviour from worried locals[/caption]
SWNSA police drugs raid in Penhill in July 2022[/caption]
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Acidre: Don’t judge secret funds just because of abusive officials
MANILA, Philippines — Confidential funds (CFs) should not be judged negatively just because there were reports of officials abusing the secrecy of these allocations, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said on Wednesday. During a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Acidre was asked about former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo’s
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea CONFIRM Joao Pedro, Liverpool ‘REJECT Bayern’s approach for Diaz’, Richarlison EXCLUSIVE
THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are well underway with some huge deals in the pipeline over the next few weeks!
Chelsea have now CONFIRMED the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton, with a social media post captioned ‘The boy from Brazil’ – he moves for £50million plus £5m in add-ons.
Liverpool have reportedly rejected an approach from Bayern Munich for Luiz Diaz.
Elsewhere, Juventus have joined the race for Victor Osimhen, according to reports and we can also exclusively reveal that Richarlison is ready to leave Tottenham and reset his career abroad.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Atong Ang Mastermind, Gretchen Barretto Involved In Missing Sabungeros Case?
Whistleblower involves Atong Ang and Gretchen Barretto in the case of these missing people. Atong Ang and Gretchen Barretto are tagged in the case of missing sabungeros by a whistleblower, who is also one of the accused. Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, one of the accused in the case of missing sabungeros, revealed more details about the ... Read more
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Horror discovery in rusting barnacle-covered car hauled from water sparks major breakthrough in 15-year-old cold case
A RUSTING barnacle-covered car hauled from a lake could be a major breakthrough in a 15-year-old cold case.
Specialist divers Dan Pritchard and his scuba partner Bill McIntosh made the horrific discovery when they unearthed the sunken Chrysler at a Long Island beach.
CBS NewsA horrific discovery was made inside a rusting barnacle-covered car[/caption]
FacebookRobert Long went missing in 2019[/caption]
The dive team believe they found the human remains of resident Robert Long, who went missing in December 2010 aged 62.
Long was on his way to the local liquor store when he was reported missing.
Over a decade later, specialists believe they have found the remains of his body inside a submerged Chrysler PT Cruiser at Cedar Beach.
Monday’s discovery launched an urgent investigation by Suffolk Couny Police who have sent the remains for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The remains have yet to be identified.
Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer said on Tuesday afternoon: “There is a missing person who we suspect this driver to be.
“We made a courtesy notification to the family, but we have not definitively made any sort of identification.”
The pair of divers reportedly used kayaks equipped with special side-scan sonar devices in the search.
Sonar systems are used to create an image of large areas of the sea floor.
After several hours, they found what appeared to be human bones inside the rusting vehicle.
They promptly called the police who performed their own search and pulled the vehicle out of the water with a crane.
A force spokesman told the New York Post: “We started this morning with the Marine Bureau divers going into the water at low tide.
“They examined the interior of the vehicle and tried to recover whatever they could from within the vehicle.”
The shock discovery comes just weeks after a suspected human bone was found washed up in Rhode Island, near Taylor Swift’s beachside mansion.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on ‘It was amazing’, says emotional mum of CMAT after Glastonbury gig & reveals surprising way ex-RTE star inspired singer
THE mum of Irish singer CMAT has revealed which RTE star inspired her daughter’s early interest in music.
The Stay For Something singer, whose initials stand for Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, performed to thousands of fans at Glastonbury over the weekend.
CMAT performed for thousands of music fans at GlastonburyGetty ImagesInstagramThe Irish singer played the biggest gig of her career so far[/caption]
CMAT, who has been releasing music under her diva persona since 2021, recently experienced a major surge in popularity.
The Dunboyne native played the biggest gig of her career so far as she performed to over 60,000 adoring fans on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
The 28-year-old also recently released her most successful single to date, Take A Sexy Picture Of Me, which has raked up over seven million streams on Spotify.
The track was the second single released ahead of her third studio album, Euro-Country.
Despite the rise in popularity for the talented star, there’s one fan who has always been her biggest cheerleader.
CMAT’s mum, Sinead Lanigan joined Carl, Roz and Aisling on 2FM Breakfast, where she discussed watching her daughter perform at the major festival.
She said: “The night before I said to my daughter, will you bring me over so I can see where the Pyramid Stage actually is. I just wanted to see what everyone was talking about crowd-wise.”
Sinead admitted that she thought it would be like Croke Park before her daughter said: “A little bit bigger, mam.”
She continued: “I was like, ‘Oh God! Oh God!’ They brought me over and showed me the hill.
“We were standing side of stage and there were loads of people, loads of people and then the hill! It was amazing. It was absolutely amazing.
“I couldn’t speak and that’s not like me. I was giddy with enjoyment. It was just unreal. You might dream of it, but you never think your child will end up somewhere like that.”
They then asked Sinead if she “shed a tear”, to which she replied: “Oh, I did.”
When asked if she was always into music herself, she replied: “I love music. But they were rared on the radio. The radio was always on. Ciara would have always listened to it.”
She also recalled how CMAT’s early love of music started when she was very young and told how her interest was influenced by The Beatles because of Ryan Tubridy‘s former radio show on RTERadio One.
HONEST CHAT
Sinead explained: “I go back to, I was saying that yesterday, Ryan Tubridy days on 2FM. Going to primary school, like, junior infants, senior infants, Ciara would have always listened to them.
“I’d have it on in the car and Ciara would have – the Beatles were a big deal for her because of Ryan Tubridy, you know.”
Despite coming from humble beginnings, and experiencing what has been a meteoric rise to success, Sinead insists that fame hasn’t changed her daughter.
She said: “Absolutely. 100 per cent. [When she’s home] ‘Oh, Mom, I’m tired’. No, ‘Mom, make me a cup of tea’. ‘Are you making any scones?’
“She’s the exact same. That’s good to know. She’ll never not be grounded being a third child in the family of four anyway. So, you know.
“They don’t let her away with anything. They’re like, Ciara, do you think you’re famous or something?”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Dortmund star reveals Jobe Bellingham’s heartbroken reaction to finding out he won’t face Jude at Club World Cup
JOBE BELLINGHAM was devastated after realising a booking he received had ruled him out of a dream clash against his brother Jude and Real Madrid.
With the Club World Cup entering its crucial stages, Jobe’s suspension means he is unable to help his new team Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals – and that’s not his only disappointment.
Jobe Bellingham received a yellow card after a late challenge on Nelson DeossaGETTYHe will miss Borussia Dortmund’s quarter final tie against Real MadridGETTY
Following a booking in Dortmund’s third group game against Ulsan HD, the former Sunderland star picked up another yellow card in the Round of 16 tie with Monterrey for a late tackle on Nelson Deossa.
Under Club World Cup rules, two yellow cards in separate games result in a one-match ban.
The result is Bellingham is suspended for Dortmund’s quarter-final clash with Real Madrid which means he misses out on the chance to play against his older brother.
The suspension came as a shock to Jobe.
Dortmund boss Niko Kovac revealed: “I think we all saw that he [Jobe Bellingham] was very disappointed.
“I think he did not exactly know that the second yellow card is a suspension at half-time. He was a little bit surprised.
“OK, he’s young. His brother is also young so I’m convinced they will face each other, maybe next season in the Champions League and then the future. The future is for them.
“The Club World Cup would be nice but now it isn’t. Someone else must play for him but it’s also OK.”
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Jude will almost certainly share in his brother’s disappointment with the pair having never faced each other competitively.
Jobe followed in Jude’s footsteps by joining Dortmund earlier this summer in a £30million deal.
He was snapped up in time to make his debut at the Club World Cup and has since helped his new side finish top of Group F and then beat Mexican side Monterrey 2-1 in a tightly contested match last night.
Two quick goals from Serhou Guirassy put the German club in a comfortable position at half-time.
Monterrey’s Berterame managed to pull one back soon after the break, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Dortmund now turn their attention to this Saturday when they face Spanish giants Real Madrid – but without their new summer signing, the clash becomes an even tougher test.
GettyJude Bellingham will be aiming to knock Jobe’s side out of the Club World Cup[/caption]
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Gardai hunt motorcyclist who passed by scene of fatal hit-and-run that killed boy, 16, walking home from friend’s house
GARDAI investigating the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy in Co Kildare last year are hunting down the driver of a motorcycle who passed the scene of the incident.
Kedagh Moore was fatally injured in the incident, which occurred at around 12.30am on November 10 last year in Robertstown, Co Kildare, while he was walking home from his friends house.
The teen was walking on the R403 in Blackwood near Robertstown when he was struck by a car that proceeded to flee the scene.
Gardai are continuing to investigate the fatal collision and continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward and assist in the probe.
And, in a statement today, officers confirmed that they are on the hunt for the driver of a motorbike who may have passed the scene.
A garda spokesperson said: “In particular, Gardai are seeking to identify the driver of a motorcycle, not involved in the collision, who is understood to have passed the scene of the incident.
“It is believed the motorcyclist was travelling along the R403 from Prosperous to Allenwood.
“Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Prosperous, Allenwood, Carbury and Robertstown between 11.30pm on Saturday, 9th November 2024 and 3.30am on Sunday, 10th November 2024, and who may have camera footage is asked to make this available to investigating Gardai.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
The spokesperson added: “Investigations are ongoing.”
At Kedagh’s funeral last year, his mother Glenda told of her “immense pride” of her son.
She said: “Over the past week, we as a family and community have been so cruelly reminded that at any minute, your life can change between one breath and another.
“The song can stop, and everything thereafter can be so different.
“Kedagh’s song began on the 12th of July, 2008 when John and I welcomed our precious baby boy into this world. Kedagh Sean Moore, seven pounds, six ounces of pure perfection, embodying pure love and the hopes and dreams of his mammy and daddy, and his little sister Sadhbh at home. And Kedagh never disappointed.
“As his mam and dad, John and I were honoured to support his enthusiasm for growth and learning, his fabulous sense of curiosity and creativity, his adventurous spirit, his wonderful good humour.”