2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Iconic Italian car brand brings BACK flagship motor in a ‘less ostentatious’ colour with new name & steering wheel
AN ICONIC Italian car brand has brought back one of its flagship motors under a new name with new features.
The V6-engined supercar has been redesigned with a “less ostentatious” colour and a new steering wheel.
Not known, clear with picture deskMaserati have brought back one of its flagship motors[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskThe MC20 has a new look and new name – the MCPura[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskMaserati say they’ve updated the “aesthetics and innovation” of the MC20[/caption]
The Maserati MC20 has a new look and a new name – the MCPura.
The Italian car firm said it has updated the “aesthetics and innovation” of the MC20 with this refresh.
It’s subtly revised the design of it’s five-year-old V6 flagship to keep it up to date with newer rivals.
But the carbon tub and the twin turbo V6 engine both remain the same as does its output of 621bhp.
The MCPura retains the 3.0 litre Nettuno combustion engine and Maserati pegs the 0-62mph time at 2.9 seconds – it can reach 186mph in just 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 202mph.
What’s changed?
So, what’s new other than the name?
Eagle-eyed motor enthusiasts may have noticed a slightly sharper face for one.
Maserati has given the MCPura a face lift to draw out the front bumper to give it more of a shark nose and to optimise airflow.
Changes have also been made to the floor too while round the back there’s a slightly different rear bumper.
But you’d need to put the MC20 and MCPura side-by-side to really notice.
New colours and steering wheel
There are new colour options available too.
This includes the flagship Aqua Rainbow – a triple-layer blue-green that changes hue depending on the light – as well as Devil’s Orange.
In addition, there are subtle updates to the interior with its use of Alcantara fabric – a synthetic suede-like material.
The interior also features a new chunky-looking steering wheel inspired by the MC20 GT2 racer – with flat top and bottom and an option of LED gearshift indicators.
And the screens have the latest generation “Maserati Intelligent Assistant”.
While the MCPura will not be limited in production, it will be built to order with a high level of personalisation meaning no two examples are likely to be the same.
The MCPura will also come in the same choice of coupe or Cielo convertible bodies.
With prices not yet confirmed, the old MC20 kicked off at around £230,000 for the coupe and £250,000 for the Cielo.
So expect modest increases on those numbers.
Not known, clear with picture deskThe changes include subtle updates to its interior[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskAnd the screens have the latest generation “Maserati Intelligent Assistant”[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Dunnes Stores fans rushing to buy new tunic dress perfect for 30C heatwave – and it costs just €35
DUNNES Stores shoppers are set for a frenzy over a brand new belly-friendly dress in stores now.
The retailer has brought out another perfect summer buy, and shoppers are set to love it.
DUNNES STORESThe Gallery Alba Tunic Dress is €35[/caption]
DUNNES STORESThe pattern is perfect for summer[/caption]
It’s just the latest in a long line of different top summer pieces from the retailer that are now in stores.
Shoppers are set for a frenzy over the Gallery Alba Tunic Dress.
The 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.
In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, fashion chiefs said: “Crafted in a breathable cotton-linen blend, this tunic is cut to a comfortable, relaxed silhouette.
“It is designed with three-quarter length sleeves and pockets, and all-over embroidery brings the piece to life with abstract floral patterns.
“Gallery is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores.”
The dress is perfect to pack for your holidays, and is super versatile.
Fashion fans could pair it with some high heels for a summer event or a night out.
Or, add some runners to make it a comfy but stylish outfit.
And the retailer is also selling the perfect sandals to wear it with, to create a stunning summer outfit.
The H-Front Slider Sandals are a major bargain at just €7, reduced from €15.
And they’re ideal for this week’s sunshine as temperatures rise to 29C.
Dunnes said: “These sleek slip-on sandals have crossover straps and a gently squared toe, designed for effortless summer style.
“The cushioned insole adds a touch of comfort, making it the perfect choice for everyday wear.”
The brown sandals are the perfect dupe for the Hermes versions which are priced at €760.
THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES
DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit.
Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.
During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.
Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.
The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.
“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.
“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”
The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.
They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.
“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”
Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on The breathtaking five-bed mansion on the Irish market for €1.6m – and it comes with pool, gym & guest house
A BREATHTAKING five-bedroom mansion has just hit the market for €1.6million – and it comes with an indoor heated swimming pool, a gym and a guest house.
This luxurious family pad is located in Drumollard, just outside the town of Virginia in Co Cavan.
Daft.ieThe home is located outside of Virginia in Co Cavan[/caption]
Daft.ieAnd it is now on the Irish market for €1.6million[/caption]
Daft.ieThe pad was built in the 1890s[/caption]
Daft.ieIt features modern and period fixtures throughout[/caption]
Daft.ieThere’s a conservatory along with views overlooking a lake[/caption]
Set on 6.5 acres of landscaped grounds, the property is surrounded by trees, colourful plants and even has stunning views over a lake.
The detached five-bed, four-bath home extends to a whopping 837 square metres.
The listing reads: “Delightful restored and extended period house together with guest cottage, indoor heated swimming pool, 6.5 acres of colourful grounds and lake frontage.”
Originally built in 1890, the home underwent a full restoration over a two-year period, with everything from the roof to the floors replaced while still preserving its period charm.
Known as one of the most stunning homes in Cavan, the property has a spacious indoor swimming pool, a hard court tennis court and an entertainment room.
The estate also features a beautifully restored two-bedroom coach house that’s now a self-contained guest cottage with its own kitchen and shower room.
The main house has oil-fired central heating, double glazing throughout and concrete floors on both levels.
What’s more, the pad also includes a three-bay carport with a staircase leading to a bright 57-square-metre gym overlooking the grounds.
The home’s driveway is lined with trees and follows the route of two old mill races originally built for Victorian corn mills that leads to a spacious garden and private courtyard.
This breathtaking property is in an excellent location, just minutes away to Virginia and only 90 minutes from Dublin city centre by the M3.
There are also several primary and secondary schools in the area, making it a great fit for families relocating to the countryside.
Upon entering the ground floor of the home, guests are welcomed by a pillared porch and a grand entrance hall with oak flooring and a feature marble fireplace.
Moving further into the house, there is a stunning drawing room and formal dining room, all connected by wide doorways and traditional fixtures.
The property also features a spacious open-plan kitchen, living and breakfast area which connects to a sunny south-facing conservatory room.
STUNNING KITCHEN
This light-filled kitchen is fitted with bespoke cabinetry, solid worktops and elegant finishes, creating the perfect space for family dining and entertaining.
A major bonus to buying the home, the conservatory opens the room with natural light and offers stunning views over the surrounding gardens.
FIRST FLOOR OFFERINGS
Moving upstairs, there are five spacious bedrooms, including a master suite with large windows, built-in wardrobes and a luxurious ensuite.
Two additional bedrooms are connected by a Jack & Jill bathroom, and there’s also a fully tiled family bathroom with elegant sanitary ware and fittings.
Located in the restored coach house,the guest pad includes a living and dining space, kitchen, shower room and two upstairs bedrooms.
The indoor pool complex covers 158 square metres and features French doors, timber flooring over the pool for events and even a plant room.
The property is listed by Colliers Estate Agents on Daft.ie and viewings can be arranged by contacting the agent.
Daft.ieThe property is a five bedroom pad[/caption]
Daft.ieIt comes with an indoor heated swimming pool[/caption]
Daft.ieThe pad also features a guest house[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Desperate search for backpacker who vanished in Oz outback as van found abandoned after sending haunting final message
AUSSIE cops are desperately searching for a missing backpacker after her van was found abandoned following a haunting final message to a friend.
Carolina Wilga has not been seen or heard from since June 29, when she was spotted at a general store in Beacon, 186 miles north-east of Perth.
AFPThe 26-year-old German backpacker was last seen at a general store on June 29[/caption]
Facebook/@ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUKHer Mitsubishi Delica van was later found abandoned on Thursday[/caption]
Western Australia Police ForceWA Police have since launched a desperate search to find the 26-year-old German[/caption]
The 26-year-old German was then seen driving away in her black and silver Mitsubishi Delica van.
She is described as slim with curly brown hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos, including a distinctive “symbols” tattoo on her forearm.
Police believe Carolina may have become disoriented and walked into bushland after her vehicle broke down in the Karroun Hill area in Western Australia’s outback.
The region is said to be an unforgiving expanse, described by authorities as remote, rocky and inhospitable.
Acting Inspector Jessica Securo confirmed the van was found Thursday at least 21 miles from any main track.
She told ABC News on Friday: “The terrain is outback country and there are large, rocky outcrops.
“So although there’s a number of tracks, you can see how it would be easy to become lost or disorientated in that area if you didn’t know it well.”
Broken down van
Authorities say Carolina’s van appeared to have suffered mechanical issues and was bogged, The Guardian reports.
WA police’s Martin Glynn said: “The police air wing officers were able to identify that the vehicle was bogged and was subject to extensive efforts by her to recover the vehicle.
“She’d used Maxtrax and pieces of wood to try to free the vehicle from its location, but unfortunately was unsuccessful.”
Cops say they do not believe foul play was involved, and have focused search efforts around the van’s location.
They launched what they call a “reflex search” within 300 metres of the vehicle and aerial sweeps of the wider area due to the difficult terrain.
“The search has resumed in that Karroun Hill area,” Securo said.
“It will be concentrating around her vehicle and tracks that offshoot that area.
“Our aerial support is our best chances of finding her.”
Forensic teams are now combing through the Mitsubishi vehicle to determine what the backpacker may have taken with her – and what might have let her to abandon it.
Securo told Sky News Australia: ”Part of my team at Major Crime division will go through the vehicle and meticulously cover what was in the vehicle, what we believe is outstanding. And that may help to direct our search in a certain area.”
Final messages to friend
Carolina had been backpacking across Australia for two years and recently worked at mine sites in regional WA.
Her last known communication were text and voice messages sent to a friend in the early hours of June 29.
At 7am, Carolina texted her friend, who had been in communication with her the day she was spotted departing the Sundance Backpackers hostel in Freemantle.
In the text, the German reportedly said she wouldn’t be able to drop off a book and a jerry can because she had “some stuff she needed to handle.”
AFPCarolina had been backpacking across Australia for two years[/caption]
Carolina was spotted wearing a long beige jumper and light blue jeansWestern Australia Police ForceAFPCarolina pictured in the van outside a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon[/caption]
Western Australia Police ForceShe was also pictured later driving the same van[/caption]
She was then spotted at a local store in the tiny town of Beacon on June 29 at around 12.10pm.
Later that day, at 4.28pm, CCTV captured her at a Toodyay petrol station, Sky News Australia reports.
Ten minutes later, at 4.38pm, she reportedly sent a chilling voice message to her friend, in which she could be heard saying: ”I just couldn’t wait anymore. Ugh. I felt tired”.
Police believe Carolina continued driving east to Wialki, but after June 30, all contact with friends and family ceased.
Her disappearance has triggered a full-scale operation involving police, State Emergency Services and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The van — equipped with solar panels and water — was found Thursday, but there has been no sign of the missing woman.
A Facebook page titled ‘Help Find Carolina Wilga’ has been launched to assist the search, and WA Police have issued an urgent nationwide appeal for information.
“Someone out there must have some vital information which can assist WA Police in bringing Carolina back to her family and friends,” said Detective Katherine.
Premier Roger Cook also weighed in, describing the discovery of the van as a “pleasing” development but said the priority remains bringing Carolina home.
“Our heart goes out to everyone involved, we just want Caroline home,” he said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Police on 131 144, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit relevant footage via the public portal set up by police.
APPolice officers gather in Beacon, Western Australia on Friday as they prepare to search for the missing German backpacker[/caption]
APPolice wait by a helicopter in Beacon, Western Australia, on Friday[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus grew up in one of Ghana’s toughest neighbourhoods, barely spoke and played with broken thumb
MOHAMMED KUDUS didn’t just dream of the Premier League, he dragged himself there.
The man signed by Tottenham for £55million had to overcome pain, setbacks and the kind of adversity most can’t even imagine.
GETTYMohammed Kudus grew up in one of the toughest places in Accra to get to the Premier League[/caption]
suppliedIn left the £55m Tottenham star during his early days in football back in Ghana[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialKudus has beaten all the odds to get where he is[/caption]
Kudus grew up in Nima, one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana.
Tin-roofed homes built in the 1800s, markets that never sleep, and a crushing lack of opportunity – that was Kudus’s reality.
Pickpocketing and poverty surrounded him.
Bashiru Mohammed Zakari is the vice chairman of Strong Towers, Kudus’ first football club and told SunSport in an exclusive interview: “For many kids from Nima, options are limited.
“Football has become an escape for most. When he (Kudus) came to us, he barely spoke.
“He’d spend hours with his mates and you wouldn’t hear a word from him. But there was something different about him, quiet, yes. Timid? Not a chance.”
He’d go to school in the morning, count down the hours and race off to Montreal Park – a rough patch of dust that’s now gone, bulldozed to make way for the National Mosque in Accra.
That park was where he put in the graft, that’s where the hunger grew.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Zakari added: “I remember how we picked him up, like it was just yesterday. He got really lucky that we didn’t have our own academy, so we organised games with Right to Dream Academy , and that’s where they spotted him.”
At just 13, Kudus was snapped up by the Right to Dream Academy, but even there, things weren’t smooth.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, the first coach who took him to Right to Dream exclusively told SunSport in an interview from his base in Accra: “He was very shy.
“I think Kudus is a very determined footballer. We had him on our radar for a while, but it wasn’t until we played against his local team that we decided to bring him in.
“He was only around 13 to 14 years old. Our role wasn’t just to develop them as footballers but also to ensure they grew as better human beings.
“I remember when he first joined, like most teenagers, he was eager to impress. But one thing stood out for me.
“It was when he broke his thumb and was in a cast, yet still worked with the group.
“I still recall those moments and how mentally tough and stable he was, playing with a cast on his hand.”
At Right to Dream, his talent was obvious, but so was the confusion about where to actually play him.
One week he was box-to-box, the next drifting out wide. A jack-of-all-trades. It took time, patience and trust before he carved out his true identity.
When FC Nordsjaelland, the Academy’s sister club in Denmark, came calling, Kudus packed his bags and went.
But the challenge wasn’t just on the pitch. It was everything, from the cold weather and strange food to no friends and no family.
Dramani says: “I remember speaking to him and telling him that it’s going to be tough before it gets better.
“But one thing I can say is to remember how far you’ve come, remember how you used to play with a broken thumb and when the manager gives you five minutes, show him you deserve ten.
“Then, when you have ten, work for 20.
“In Europe, you get what you work for and it worked, he was a sensation in Denmark, and it didn’t take long before Ajax came calling.”
GettyKudus had a 20-goal contribution in his first season in the Premier League[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialTottenham will hope he can rediscover his best form from his West Ham days[/caption]
GettyHe established himself as a rising star at Ajax[/caption]
The move to Ajax brought him closer to his Premier League dream.
But just as things looked up, they came crashing down again.
In 2022, Everton came in with a serious offer. Kudus wanted it, the Premier League was right there for the taking and he was going to play under Frank Lampard but Ajax said no.
Just like that, the deal was dead, worse, they froze him out of the team. Still, he didn’t moan and didn’t throw a tantrum.
He just got on with it and later told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf: “The fact that Ajax blocked a transfer to Everton last time disappointed me.
“I thought it was time for a new chapter in my career because I wasn’t playing here. But the moment the transfer window closed, my full focus shifted back to Ajax.”
That is the kind of statement that defines Kudus, he believes life is like a bicycle and the only way to maintain balance is to keep peddling.
So when the West Ham move came along he jumped on it and moved to East London.
His first season was sensational, 14 goals across all competitions, 20-goal contributions, two bicycle kicks amongst them and that solo run and a brilliant finish against Frankfurt in Europe.
But in the second season everything faded again – only five goals, a huge drop and even though he still attempted the most take-ons of any player in the league he was just not the same energetic all-action forward who would sit on the advertising board after a goal.
But for a boy who grew up in the chaos of Nima, struggled in the Danish cold and fought his way back after heartbreak in Amsterdam, he believes a move to Spurs presents with him an opportunity and platform to showcase his absolute best.
For Spurs – where Kudus could face an awkward first meeting – they’re getting a player who is an absolute game changer, an edge of your seat player who can be world class in the right environment and has a dynamite shot.
Kudus has come a long way – and now presented with the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Champions League – he can go even further.
PAKudus was sent off against his new employers last season[/caption]
Kudus endured a difficult season last time outRexGettyThe Ghanaian has trademark celebration where he sits on a stool when he scores[/caption]
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Man, 70s, found dead with serious injuries in Limerick city as gardai launch assault probe & seal off scene
GARDAI are investigating the death of a pensioner in Limerick City overnight.
The man, aged in his 70s, was found with serious injuries in the Cornmarket area of Limerick city.
It’s understood the man suffered the injuries as a result of being assaulted.
The man was discovered near St Michael’s Court shortly before midnight.
Emergency services responded and the Gardai have sealed off a scene.
Gardai have been contacted for an official comment.
For the latest news on this story keep checking back at the Irish Sun Online, where we will bring you live updates as soon as they happen, before anyone else.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theirishsun, and follow us from our main X account at @IrishSunOnline, where we will bring you this story and all the rest of the top news and exclusives of the day.
TheSun.ie is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
A man was found dead in Limerick City last nightAlamy
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Satun Timber Smuggling Uncovered: Underwater Deception and Environmental Vigilance
In the serene depths of Satun province’s waters, a clandestine operation was unraveled, one that bore the eerie silence of submerged crime. The Rom Sai Rescue Foundation’s underwater team, following a surreptitious whisper, uncovered an elaborate ploy to hide precious timber beneath the surface in Ban Thung Mai, Nam Phut subdistrict of La-ngu district. Although only fragments remained to tell the story above the waves, the hidden logs whispered tales of a deftly orchestrated deception that sought to outsmart authorities. This discovery wasn’t the first inkling of such mischief. Prior to this watery revelation, a tip had guided the guardians of the forest 800 meters into the dense, green embrace of Ban Nam Ra National Forest Reserve, Thung Nui subdistrict, in the heart of Khuan Kalong district. Here, amidst the undergrowth, like relics from a forgotten era, lay large logs—some as formidable in circumference as two souls could encircle. Abandoned…
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Violent Bar Host Brawl in Pattaya Leaves Man Critically Injured Amid Nightlife Chaos
It was a night meant for revelry in the vibrant town of Pattaya, but what erupted instead was a clash more dramatic than any reality TV showdown. On the fateful evening of July 8th, an unexpected brawl broke the waves of usual nightlife, when more than ten bar hosts turned the tides of celebration to chaos in a rented room that’s now infamous for all the wrong reasons. Amongst the aftermath, one man, unfortunately, took home more than just a headache—he left with a life-threatening head injury requiring urgent medical attention. This incident wasn’t just a backstage brawl of bickering bar hosts but unfolded like a scene straight out of a gangster movie’s playbook. The rented abode in South Pattaya became the stage of this vengeance-filled drama, as the property owner, alarmed at the melee involving over a dozen men, sought justice through a formal complaint with the local Mueang…
2 days agoBlogsComments Off on Anna’s Costly Encounter: How a Fake Dentist Scammed an Udon Thani Vet Online
In a tale that seems plucked from the plot of an elaborate thriller, Anna, a 34-year-old veterinarian from the vibrant city of Udon Thani, found herself ensnared in a cunning trap woven by a digital villain. Just when she thought she’d engaged with a charming dentist, she soon discovered that this character was a master of deception, fleecing her of nearly a million baht. If this story doesn’t make you cling tighter to your wallet or purse, I don’t know what will! The saga began innocently enough with a friend request on Facebook from a seemingly genteel gentleman with a radiant smile—an image that Anna later realized was as authentic as a unicorn in a zoo. This man, calling himself James and claiming to be a dentist, first appeared in her messages seeking advice on pet care. A little pet guidance turned into frequent chats on LINE, and as they…
