Bladder weakness affects over half of women – so why the code of silence?
Sharlene Mawdsley debuts gorgeous hair transformation in Instagram video with hilarious song choice
SHARLENE Mawdsley has unveiled her ‘brighter’ look after a quick trip to the hairdressers.
The 400m sprinter shared a video that recapped the before, during and after for her Instagram followers.
Amusingly, it was soundtracked by a pop song called ‘Blondie’ by English artist Maisie Peters.
Its chorus goes ‘I’ll f**k your life up as a blonde’ so it was an apt choice as the 26-year-old diverted from her natural brunette colour.
Getting back to matters slightly more aligned with her daily life as a world-class athlete, the Tipperary native last week criticised a Netflix documentary series for ‘not showing the reality’ of athletics.
The TV series – named Sprint – was released last year and charts the careers of a group of elite runners.
According to IMDB, it ‘provides an insider’s perspective on the high stakes and mental toughness of sprinters.’
However, while Mawdsley did watch the show up to a point, she believes it did not give fans an insight into the inner workings and sacrifice in the sport.
She told RTE: “We’ve discussed it as athletes between ourselves, even just with my training group.
“It’s very glamourised and I think that’s the side of the sport people see quite often.
“You see us going out to the track with our hair done, our make-up done, our tan is on and we’re looking our best.
“You don’t see us puking on the side of a track in training and I feel it would have been nice had they showed that a little bit more.
“I think there was a lot of noise made in Sprint, whereas that’s not actually the reality of our sport.
“Of course, it’s a part of it but it’s not the 95% of it that they didn’t show.
“It would be nice if you could see more of that.”
She is an active user of social media, through which she gives her followers an inside look at her own progress.
This includes training camps in the likes of South Africa and the Tenerife.
With that territory comes negative and troll comments, with Mawdsley admitting to such in an interview with the Irish Independent.
The Newport AC export said she tries not to get bogged down when it comes to media attention.
She explained: “Mostly I don’t think twice about it, but then you are walking down the street with your groceries and someone stops you for a picture.
“The crying on TV was a big one, because it showed people how much it meant to us.
“I am sitting here at the track and these are the days that no one sees that you have to dig in and do the work.
“The majority of the attention has been good — I get messages from mothers all the time saying how much of an impact it has on their daughters.”
Attention in traditional media has brought with it scrutiny on social media.
She added: “I definitely get comments.
“Someone posted under one of my training posts last week: ‘All of this training for fourth at the Olympics.’
“Sometimes I’ll bark back and say, ‘How did you get on at the Olympics?'”
League of Ireland falls victim to the weather as match postponed due to heavy rainfall with new date to be confirmed
THE Airtricity League First Division match between Wexford FC and Longford Town has been postponed.
Following torrential rain in the area on Thursday night and Friday morning, the playing surface was deemed unplayable.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, the League of Ireland confirmed that the match, scheduled for this evening, had been called off.
It said: “Following a pitch inspection at Ferrycarrig Park amid heavy rainfall in the area, tonight’s SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division fixture between Wexford and Longford Town has been postponed.
“We will issue a new date for the fixture in due course.”
Wexford FC followed this up with a short social media statement of its own.
It read: “We regret to confirm that tonight’s game has been postponed due to the heavy rainfall last night and this morning.
“Ticket purchasers will be contacted via email”
It is not the only First Division fixture that is under threat from the conditions.
UCD are due to host Bray Wanderers at the UCD Bowl on Friday night, with the home side having lost their first game and the visitors having won theirs.
A pitch inspection took place on Friday afternoon at 2:15pm.
Following the inspection, the League of Ireland confirmed that a second inspection will take place at 5:30pm, after which a final decision will be made.
As well as five games in the First Division, there will be four fixtures in the Premier Division.
Shamrock Rovers, as a result of their elimination from the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, will not be in action.
Instead, the pick of the matches will see Derry City welcome Bohemians to the Brandwell.
The Gypsies will be in buoyant mood going in, having beaten Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium last Sunday.
Elsewhere, Drogheda United will host Sligo Rovers, while champions Shelbourne travel to the RSC to face Waterford.
And finally, Stephen Kenny‘s St Patrick’s Athletic travel to face Galway United.
That game will be shown live on Virgin Media.
Kick-off at Eamonn Deacy Park is at 7:45pm.
‘It’s back!’ cry Dunnes Stores bosses as ‘everyone’s favourite’ spring staple returns to stores with new styling
DUNNES Stores designers have brought back a must-have lounge set – and have also dropped in a gorgeous new colour.
The Airlayer Collection is available online and in stores across the country.
The fashion giant announced the set is now available in a gorgeous purple shade.
The retailer said: “Your favourite sweat set is back in a brand new shade.”
Shoppers will be scrambling to get their hands on the Airlayer Ultra Soft Crew Neck Sweatshirt in purple.
Dunnes Stores chiefs said the sweatshirt has any “airy feel”.
They said: “Elevate your everyday with this airlayer sweatshirt.
“Lush cosy fabric, with a smooth knit and a lightweight, airy feel.
“Featuring a classic crew neckline and two handy pockets, it’s perfect for both lounging and working out.”
Choose from a bold cobalt blue, cool bone shade or light-grey.
The soft sweater, retailing at €15, comes in sizes XS to XXL.
Style with the matching Airlayer Ultra Soft Joggers, also €15.
Dunnes Stores designers said the pants will “elevate your everyday” wardrobe.
They said: “These joggers feature a cuffed leg, side pockets and an elasticated waist.
“A comfortable essential perfect for lounging and exercising.”
The cosy joggers have the same smooth knit and lightweight fabric.
And jetsetters will love the cosy set for traveling in style.
The Irish retailer has been delighting fans with the new spring-summer releases.
Instagram user Kate, who posts under the username @chasingtrendswithkate, shared a short video to the platform for her followers.
In the caption of the post, she noted that the pieces were “new arrivals” in store.
The Gallery Stella Embroidered Jacket is now available online and in shops around the country for just €40.
It’s the ideal piece for layering over an outfit to add a smart touch.
And it’s a unique item that adds flair to whatever you pair it with.
The smart jacket costs €40 and can be found in sizes 8 up to 20.
And luckily for fans of the look, all sizes are still up for grabs online.
It features a slouched shape at the shoulders and a bold black and white pattern with a round neck.
Fashion bosses said the jacket has a “sophisticated” look.
An official description of the item reads: “Crafted from pure cotton with an edge-to-edge design, this collarless jacket from Gallery is a sophisticated outer layer
“Boasting intricate embroidery, it effortlessly elevates day-to-day ensembles.”
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.
Trump’s war hero Ukraine peace envoy ‘Special K’ BREAKS RANKS to hail Zelensky as an ‘embattled and courageous leader’
DONALD Trump’s longtime war hero pal and new Ukraine peace envoy breaks rank as he publicly heaps praise on Volodymyr Zelensky.
Decorated war veteran Keith Kellogg, 80, travelled to Kyiv this week to meet with the Ukrainian president who is currently embroiled with a bitter feud with Trump and his pals.
Kellogg has been tasked by Trump with ending the war in Ukraine in just 100 days with his main duty being to act as a mediator between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington.
Military man, Kellogg, spoke with Zelensky on Thursday around the future of Ukraine amid looming pressure to agree to a peace deal.
Following the talks, Zelensky posted a video on social media in which he said the conversation “restored hope” in US-Ukraine relationships.
He also personally thanked Kellogg.
The special envoy responded with a glowing review of the meeting.
He said: “A long and intense day with the senior leadership of Ukraine.
“Extensive and positive discussions with @ZelenskyyUa, the embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war and his talented national security team.”
The positive comments comes amid a period of diplomatic turmoil between the US and Ukraine after Trump branded Zelensky a “dictator”.
Tensions were so high that a joint news conference between Kellogg and Ukraine’s leader was cancelled last-minute at the request of US officials, Zelensky’s office said.
Spokesman Serhii Nikiforov gave no other reason for the briefing being called off other than it was in accordance with US wishes.
Despite no official reason being given for the late axing of the conference, it did come off the back of mounting disagreements between both nations.
Trump sparked uproar on Wednesday after lashing out at Ukraine’s wartime leader and accusing him of “refusing to have elections”.
In a shocking social media rant, Trump warned “modestly successful comedian” Zelensky must “move fast or he is not going to have a country left”.
Trump also claimed the Ukrainian president talked the US into “spending $350 billion dollars to go into a war that couldn’t be won”.
He also later insisted he “trusts” that Russia wants peace after branding Zelensky a “dictator without elections”.
Trump then once again labelled Zelensky a “dictator” after the Ukrainian leader said he was “living in a disinformation space”.
Zelensky also accused Trump of falling for Russia’s propaganda and fake news as he told of his fury of Ukraine being excluded from peace talks.
Wrong, Donald
The Sun Says…
DONALD Trump’s smearing of the Ukraine regime as scam artists who provoked a war using US taxpayers’ money is a rant beneath the dignity of his office.
Almost nothing in it is true.
It reads like a post on a forum for conspiracy theorists. It is an unprecedentedly shocking statement from the President of the United States.
Vladimir Putin has made no secret of his imperialist ambitions, nor his denial of his neighbour’s right to exist as a sovereign, free country.
He invaded Ukraine, butchered and raped its people, stole its children and bombed its cities.
President Zelensky — far from duping anyone or inviting the conflict, far from being a “dictator without elections” — has been a heroic wartime leader who needs Western aid to overcome staggering odds.
The idea he is riding a “gravy train” is laughable. And his people, with whom he remains highly popular whatever Trump claims, have resisted conquest with immense bravery.
It is troubling and short-sighted in the extreme for the so-called leader of the free world to have no interest in a war raging in Europe because he is separated from it by the Atlantic.
America is not a business where Trump, as CEO, has no task except to slash costs and maximise profits. It is the most powerful democracy on Earth with global responsibilities and — let’s be frank — a duty to discern right from wrong with absolute moral clarity.
Others in the White House should urgently point this out.
Kellogg’s review of Zelensky is set to calm fears that Trump may bypass Ukraine and continental leaders to do business directly with Moscow.
European leaders have tried to muscle their way into the talks to try and make sure stability in the continent can continue even if Putin gets his way in the negotiations.
But no one was at the first peace talks other than representatives from Moscow and Washington, earlier this week.
The UK and France hit back after being left out as they soon suggested a peacekeeping plan that UK PM Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to propose to Trump in Washington next week.
It is said to involve putting up to 30,000 UK and European troops on the ground, an idea that Putin has said is “unacceptable.”
Despite continental fears, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back against accusations that the Trump administration has given in to Russia.
He said Washington first wants to see whether Moscow was “serious” about achieving peace.
Rubio added: “US President Donald Trump “wants this war with Ukraine to end.
“And he wants to know: Are the Russians serious about ending the war, or not serious about ending the war?”
General Kellogg's formidable war record
KEITH Kellogg first joined the US military in 1967 and went on to have a stellar 36-year career as a top officer.
His main military service saw him rise through the ranks during the Vietnam War, work closely with the Pentagon during the 9/11 terror attack and give support to the US in Iraq.
His first taste of conflict saw him deployed in the Vietnam War as part of the 101st Airborne Division.
He would go on to qualify as a US Army Special Forces officer and work as a special forces adviser to the Cambodian Army during this time.
He even earned himself a hero status with the American people during the deadly Vietnam War when he bravely attacked the enemy on his own.
A brutal air assault saw several men from Lieutenant Kellogg’s 101st Airborne Division badly wounded and left for dead.
Brave Kellogg stepped up to protect his fellow countrymen and launched his own assault back on the enemies bunker system.
Navigating through the gunfire with a machine gun and grenades in his hand, Kellogg destroyed five bunkers in the valiant solo mission.
His actions earned him a Silver Star medal and kick started his rise through the US military ranks.
Kellogg also commanded the 3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division during Operation Just Cause.
Twenty three years on from his first mission Kellogg commanded the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Due to his decades of success he was then given the honor of serving as the Chief of Staff of the 82nd Airborne Division and then as its Assistant Division Commander during Operation Desert Shield in 1990.
Kellogg also held roles as the Commander of Special Operations Command Europe and the command of the 82nd Airborne Division.
He later retired from the army in 2003 as a lieutenant general.
He was given over 30 prestigious awards during his time in the military.
Map reveals last known movements of missing woman, 23, whose car was found abandoned sparking 100-mile wide search
A MAP has revealed the last known movements of a missing woman, whose car was found abandoned sparking a 100-mile wide search.
Jenny Hall, 23, was last seen leaving her home in Tow Law, County Durham, just after 3pm on Tuesday.
Her car, a red Ford Focus, was found parked on the B6278, between Eggleston and Stanhope the following day.
An extensive search was launched involving specially-trained police and mountain rescue teams as well as the coastguard.
Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) said it scoured an area of moorland between Eggleston and Stanhope on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, cops said they are scouring running trails in between Eggleston and Hamsterley, Durham, which Jenny frequently used.
More than 100 miles of track have already been covered in the Teesdale area alone to find the missing woman.
Sniffer dogs have also been deployed to the area around where Jenny parked her car.
Mountain rescue teams and police are working with air support in challenging weather conditions in a bid to find the young woman.
Durham Constabulary revealed Jenny, who is 6ft with long dark hair, is a keen long-distance runner.
She was last seen wearing a blue hoodie with a John Deere logo and dark jogging bottoms.
Her family have now confirmed she may have also been carrying a green jacket and had her hair up in a ponytail.
Police believe Jenny, may have been heading to the Barnard Castle area when she left home in her red Ford Focus.
Cops said they are carrying out a wider sweep of the Teesdale area.
The force is appealing for any information that could help locate Jenny.
But individuals were advised not to try and assist as it could “hamper the systematic search”.
A police spokesperson said digital intelligence officers have conducted enquiries into Jenny’s digital devices.
Behind the scenes, they have looked at her mobile phone, smart watch and running apps but none have provided any results.
Chief Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, of Durham Constabulary, added: “We have become increasingly concerned for Jenny since she was reported missing on Tuesday and have been exploring all lines of enquiry, including dozens from members of the public.
“We are focussing our search on areas we know Jenny likes to run through and we are determined to do everything we can to find her.
“I would like to thank everyone who is working around-the-clock in our search and efforts to reunite Jenny with her family.”
A spokesperson for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team added: “Many thanks to the local farmers and gamekeepers who have provided invaluable assistance over the last two days and also to Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team,
“Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team, North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team and Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team.”
Bumper week of sport sees Cheltenham Festival, huge Champions League ties, bitter Six Nations rivalry and return of F1
EXCITEMENT is building ahead of a jam-packed week of sport coming your way in March.
A hectic schedule involving football, horse racing, rugby, F1, darts, tennis and golf lies ahead for fans from March 10 to March 16.
We ease our way in with a Premier League clash as Newcastle head to West Ham.
But things start getting chaotic on Tuesday as the Cheltenham Festival begins in the afternoon before the first batch of second legs in the last-16 of the Champions League kick-off that evening.
Today’s draw revealed mouth-watering ties like PSG vs Liverpool, Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid and Arsenal vs PSV.
The dates of the games are not confirmed yet but there will be four on Tuesday night and another four on Wednesday night – both after huge days at Cheltenham.
On Thursday, again the horse racing fills our lunchtime before the Europa and Conference Leagues take centre stage.
Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea are all set to be in action on the night of March 13.
Spurs welcome AZ Alkmaar, United face Real Sociedad and the Blues come up against Copenhagen.
For those that prefer darts, it is also night six of the Premier League from Nottingham.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
Bumper week of sport
Biggest events:
March 10: Premier League
March 11: Cheltenham Festival & Champions League
March 12: Cheltenham Festival & Champions League
March 13: Cheltenham Festival & Europa/Conference League, Premier League Darts
March 14: Cheltenham Festival
March 15: F1 qualifying, Six Nations, Premier League
March 16: F1 race, Premier League, Carabao Cup Final
On Friday 14, Cheltenham draws to a close on Gold Cup day.
It sets fans up for a blockbuster weekend of wall-to-wall to sport.
The Six Nations draws to close with three games on Saturday as Italy face Ireland, England take on Wales and France battle Scotland.
There is also five Premier League games and the first qualifying session of the F1 season from the Australian Grand Prix.
The race then takes place early on Sunday 16 morning from 4am before football regains our attention.
At 12:30pm, it is the Old Firm Derby between Celtic and Rangers at the same time as Sheffield Wednesday clash with bitter rivals Sheffield United in the Steel City Derby.
There are three Prem matches at 1:30pm as Arsenal vs Chelsea and Fulham vs Tottenham.
It is then the Carabao Cup final from Wembley as Liverpool come up against Newcastle at 4:30pm.
That is before we switch back to the Premier League as Man Utd head to Leicester.
If that was not enough, the weekend also brings us the tennis Indian Wells final in a tournament considered one of the biggest outside of the Grand Slams.
And in golf, it is The Players Championship final day from Florida.
Jose Mourinho braced for epic revenge tour with Fenerbahce to face THREE former clubs including Man Utd in Europa League
TAKE THAT, Fleetwood Mac, The Stone Roses, The Eagles and Spice Girls all feature in some of the biggest comeback tours ever seen.
Another huge comeback tour has been announced for 2025, and we don’t mean Oasis.
Instead, it is Bananarama superfan Jose Mourinho is set to embark on the biggest comeback tour of the year in the Europa League.
Mourinho is now the boss of Turkish club Fenerbahce.
But in today’s Europa League knockout phase draw the 62-year-old has been lined up for a stunning comeback tour against his old rivals.
Fenerbahce have been drawn against Rangers in the last-16 of the competition.
However, if Mourinho’s side progress into the quarter-finals over the Scots they could line up a fixture against his last club Roma.
The potential fixture list gets even tastier in the semi-finals with Fenerbahce having the chance to play Manchester United once again.
Mourinho’s stunning comeback tour could end in the final in Spain, where he may face old club Tottenham in the ultimate grudge match decider.
The Portuguese tactician was famously sacked by Spurs just before the Carabao Cup final.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS
The North London side went on to lose that final and continued their trophyless streak.
Fans of Man Utd had complained the Europa League draw was “rigged” after seeing they would face Real Sociedad in the last-16 followed by a far tougher bracket than rivals Tottenham.
Suits LA First Look: Arrowverse Alums Matt Letscher and Stephen Amell Are Troubled Father and Son (Exclusive)
Suits LA has some serious daddy issues, much like Harvey Specter had mommy issues on the original USA Network drama. Matt Letscher will be introduced to viewers as the father of Stephen Amell’s character, Ted Black, during this Sunday’s series premiere (NBC, 9/8c), and TVLine has an exclusive first look at the pair’s tense dynamic. […]
Read More »
EastEnders fans ‘calling Ofcom’ after Martin Fowler’s ‘traumatic death’ saying they’re ‘taking time off work’ to mourn
EASTENDERS fans have been left “calling Ofcom” after Martin Fowler’s tragic death shocked the nation.
BBC viewers took to social media in their droves to grieve long-term character Martin after he was crushed by an iron beam.
The Walford resident said an emotional goodbye to on/off girlfriend Stacey Slater during a live episode.
The heartbreaking scenes saw him declaring his love to Stacey and proposing to her, before dying from a cardiac arrest.
Viewers were put through the wringer during the highly-charged and tearful episode – with some saying the needed to “call in sick” to mourn Martin’s death.
One fan shared a clip of an overcrowded escalator and wrote: “the whole of the UK right now on their way to complain to Ofcom for killing off our beloved Martin.”
A second posted: “Ringing Ofcom to claim compensation for the EastEnders writers killing off Martin.”
A third wrote: “Will be taking compassionate leave from work for at least 10 working days to grieve the dearly departed Martin Fowler.”
“Can I write an Ofcom complaint about that??? That was so traumatic,” a fourth commented.
This person fumed: “So they killed Martin?? Ok Ofcom will be hearing from me for the trauma they’ve caused me.”
Another added: “I need to talk to Ofcom about how badly I’ve been impacted by tonight’s EastEnders.”
Martin’s final scenes saw him crushed under a steel beam after he saved ex Stacey following the Queen Vic explosion.
After being given morphine by paramedics while the fire fighters tried to lift the beam, Martin and Stacey had a final conversation.
He proposed to her, declaring that he loved her – all of her.
As they spoke about their lives and futures – in or away from Walford, Stacey realised something was wrong.
Cornering the paramedic she demanded to know what was going on.
He told her that Martin was in a bad way and once the beam was lifted, his body would be flooded with toxins and that she should say what she wants to say.
Stacey couldn’t bring herself to tell Martin what was happening, but he realised.
He decided to tell her what he’d say at their wedding, telling her: “No pressure but I have loved this woman since the very first moment I saw her.
“I thought she was the sexiest thing I’ve ever clapped my eyes on. It’s alway been Stace because she feels like home and adventure wrapped into one.
“I know that this time and we are going to be in here in the Vic celebrating our anniversary in 40 years time.”
She begged him to hold on and they shared a kiss before the emergency services began to lift the beam.
Martin told Stacey: “It’s going to be alright.”
And tragically Martin died leaving Stacey screaming in devastation for all the Square to hear.
