MILLIONS of chocolate lovers have been warned of price rises for an iconic bar.

Nestle has blamed a rise in costs for both cocoa and coffee as it today warned of having to pass on the increase to shoppers.

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Nestle has warned of price rises[/caption]

AFP or licensors

The iconic KitKat would be impacted, the brand warns[/caption]

It comes despite Nestle today announcing it had achieved better than expected sales growth.

However, the full-year results also detailed how profit margins would be narrower this year.

The brand cited potential increases to its Nescafe coffee and KitKats, both of which are already at record-high prices.

Nestle has also hiked the price of its Purina dog food to offset inflation.

But a rise in input costs is likely to leave the Swiss food giant having to pass on the increase onto supermarket shelves.

The company’s CEO Laurent Freixe said: “It is clear that when it comes to coffee and chocolate as input costs further increase, you should see some pricing, but it is the same story, we will try first to mitigate… the impact of input costs and price right.”

The firm’s CFO Anna Manz added: “We are taking more price in 2025, so this may give rise to more customer challenges.”

It comes after Mr Freixe unveiled cost-saving measures in November last year.

This included an an increase in advertising spending focused on popular products and a reorganisation of Nestle’s water business.

He added: “The plans that we laid out at our capital market day are materialising.

“It takes time to move the needle. You will see Nestle moving in the right direction.”

Shares in the group soared to around six per cent on Thursday.

Its wide range of products also include Maggi bouillon cubes, Gerber baby food and Nesquik chocolate-flavoured drink.

But customers have been reacting to the price hikes by turning to cheaper products as Nestle raised prices to cope with inflation.

Mr Freixe added: “In a challenging macroeconomic context and soft consumer environment, we achieved a solid performance in 2024 in line with our latest guidance.”

It comes after Nestle discontinued its Vegan bar from shelves due to dwindling demand last month.

A spokesperson for Nestle said: “Unfortunately, global demand has been reducing to the point that production was making manufacturing more and more complex and we have now made the difficult decision to discontinue the product.”

But the brand did also launch a new KitKat flavour that has never been seen before.

The new hazelnut flavoured chocolate bar has been spotted on shelves in Sainsbury’s.

A BODY has been found in the search for a London man who went missing in the Scottish wilderness.

Marc Drostle, 28, left the UK capital and travelled to Aviemore on December 12 2024.

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A body has been found during the search for Marc Drostle[/caption]

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He went missing in the wilderness near Aviemore[/caption]

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Locals in the area were urged to keep their eyes peeled and report any sightings[/caption]

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He travelled to Aviemore in December[/caption]

He was seen in the Abernethy National Nature Reserve, near Nethy Bridge, between December 19 and 21.

Marc then vanished without a trace from the town and was reported missing.

And cops believed he was in the area around Anagach woods, Grantown at 3pm on Christmas Eve.

Extensive searches were launched for the young South East London man, who police was know to walk long distances.

Several appeals were launched urging the public to keep their eyes peeled and report any sightings of Marc.

Officers also released CCTV footage of him in a local shop.

His family grew extremely upset and concerned as the searches to find him continued.

Tragically, a body was found in the woods this morning near Nethy Bridge, Strathspey, seven weeks after Marc went missing.

Cops and a mountain rescue team were called to the scene of the tragic discovery.

The man has yet to be formally identified, but Marc’s family have been told about the discovery.

Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.

A huge search effort was launched to find Marc after he disappeared.

Specialist search advisers, mountain rescue teams, and police dogs were all involved in the search.

Marc’s family previously released a statement through police in January about his disappearance.

In it they revealed he “hadn’t been feeling good for some time” and they worried about him looking after himself in the cold December weather.

“Marc is a kind, funny and gentle person.”

Family statement

They previously told how he enjoyed being in the woods and had good memories of a family holiday to Scotland when he was young.

They said: “Marc is a kind, funny and gentle person, who is a talented artist and works making mosaics with his dad in South East London.

“He has always loved being in the woods and has fond memories of Scotland from a family holiday when he was younger.”

His family added: “We are so grateful to local people for their kindness and support.

“The police have been working hard to find Marc and we really appreciate their efforts and commitment.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.50am on Thursday, 13 February, 2025 officers attended a woodland area in Nethy Bridge, Strathspey after a body was found. 

​”Emergency services, including mountain rescue, attended and the body of a man was recovered. 

​”Formal identification is still to take place, however the family of 28-year-old Marc Drostle, who was reported missing from Aviemore on Saturday, 21 December, 2024, have been made aware.

​”His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Police Scotland

Marc has been missing for seven weeks[/caption]

A TEENAGER whose brain was like ‘jelly in a box’ after being thrown over the handlebars of a quad bike has taken part in a UK-first study after making a miraculous recovery.

Mia Jack was 12-years-old when she was thrown over the handlebars of a quad bike and hit a tree headfirst during a family activity day.

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Mia Jack was 12 when she was thrown over the handlebars of a quad bike during a family activity day[/caption]

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Mia couldn’t walk or talk after the accident[/caption]

Part of her skull was removed to relieve pressure on her brain but immediately after she needed more surgery to remove a blood clot.

Mia, from Soham, Cambs, could not walk or talk after the accident but made a miraculous recovery and has spoken of her ordeal.

Her medical data was used in the UK’s first study to help improve understanding and outcome for paediatric traumatic brain injuries.

The study findings support monitoring the pressure reactivity index (PRx) in paediatric traumatic brain injuries which could be used to fine-tune treatment targets.

The aim was to identify critical thresholds of PRx in relation to outcome and create a research database.

A traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children worldwide with more than two thirds of the survivors suffering from longer term problems.

Mia, now 18, said: “When I woke after the accident I was completely confused and didn’t know who mum was, what had happened, and I didn’t understand what was going on.

“I was wearing a helmet at the time, but apparently my brain was like a jelly in a box that had been really badly shaken and I was going to be in hospital for some time.

“To say it was all a bit of a struggle would be an understatement, but I am a fighter and hope someone else can take inspiration from that.

“Anything that helps with traumatic brain injury in children – and raises awareness of it at the same time – has got to be a good thing.”

Despite wearing a helmet when she was thrown over the handlebars, Mia was put into an induced coma and airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambs.

She had a craniectomy to relieve pressure on her brain and spent weeks in intensive care.

Music-loving Mia – who now lives with sister Isabella, 19, mum Angela Paine and her partner Stuart Jack – woke up when she heard a ukulele being played on the ward.

To Angela’s dismay Mia didn’t recognise her and couldn’t walk or talk.

But over several difficult weeks, Mia was determined to get better along with the help of specialists.

She later returned to Addenbrooke’s to have a titanium plate fitted over the hole in her skull.

She said David Guetta’s hit ‘Titanium’ became something of a “personal anthem” – and part of her piano playing repertoire.

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Mia had a titanium plate fitted over the hole in her skull[/caption]

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Mia’s mum Angela says her recovery has been nothing less than a miracle[/caption]

The teenager returned to school and is in her second year of a hairdressing course.

Mum Angela, who works in catering, said: “To me Mia’s recovery has been nothing less than a miracle.

“She is so courageous, so talented, and I am very proud of all she achieves.”

Mia was one of 135 children involved in the national study across ten paediatric intensive care units across the country.

Dr Shruti Agrawal, paediatric trauma lead at Cambridge University Hospitals and leader of the study, said: “Understanding the underpinning principles and management of raised intracranial pressure and brain perfusion is essential for reducing the morbidity and mortality of traumatic brain injuries.”

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, added: “We were delighted to be able to help fund this important study, which was only possible thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters.”

BRITS have been warned to watch out for “unprotected texts” this Valentine’s Day after almost £100million was stolen in romance fraud last year.

With more singles hitting it off online before meeting in person, experts have said that scammers will be “preying on the vulnerable”.

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£99.4m was reported stolen in romance scams last year[/caption]

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Experts share important red flags to watch out for[/caption]

People share an average of 155 messages with love interests before meeting them in person, according to a poll commissioned by EE.

The network says its detection tech blocked 12million scam texts last February, which is way above the monthly average of 8.9million over the past 12 months.

“Scammers are experts at preying on the vulnerable,” explained Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE.

“At this time of year, when social media is full of public displays of affection, it can be tempting to turn a blind eye to the red flags, but spotting them is more important than ever.”

Nine in ten Brits actively looking for love admit that they have shared sensitive information, according to a study involving 2,000 people.

This includes phone number (65%), location (51%), social media profile (35%), email address (27%), or date of birth (23%) with strangers met online before they’ve had a chance to meet in person.

“The threat of scams is an unhappy part of life in 2025, and we’re all increasingly familiar with the traditional calling cards of a scam,” Wainer continued.

“However, in a dating context, we’re more vulnerable to social engineering and attempts to defraud can be harder to spot.

“That’s why it’s so important people practice ‘safe texts’.

“We recommend keeping your sensitive information like your address, email address and security question answers closely guarded and do not share these via text.

“Always verify someone’s identity with a video call or meeting before getting too personal and never send money or gifts to someone you’ve just met online.”

Action Fraud data obtained by Which? recently showed that romance scams resulted in a loss of £99.4million for 2024.

“It can be really hard to spot fraudsters when online dating,” said Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert.

“It’s worth using a reverse image search tool, such as Google or Tineye, to see if the image has been posted anywhere else on the internet.

“You should also be suspicious of anyone who makes excuses to never meet in person or video call as this is often a tell-tale sign of a scammer. 

“If you think you have lost money to a romance scammer, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland. Romance fraud can also take a huge toll on your mental health and you might find it helpful to talk to someone about what you’re going through, such as Mind or Victim Support.”

These are the top eight red flags to watch out for:

1. Asking for money or gifts
2. Using urgent or emotional language
3. Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings
4. Telling a sob story to evoke pity
5. Giving inconsistent answers
6. Dodging personal questions
7. Showing off, or promising the world
8. Asking overly personal questions

MARIAH Carey is headlining Brighton Pride for her highly-anticipated return to the UK festival scene — her first show on these shores in six years.

The singer will be taking centre stage at the Pride On The Park event on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Preston Park — here’s everything you need to know so you don’t miss out.

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Mariah Carey is headlining Brighton Pride 2025[/caption]

Mariah Carey will thrill UK crowds for the first time since a sensational series of shows at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019.

In an announcement on Brighton and Hove Pride’s social media accounts, Mariah said: “I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful faces at Pride on the Park 2025.

“It’s going to be a scorcher.”

It’s been twenty years since the release of Mariah’s record-breaking album The Emancipation of Mimi, which includes mega-hits We Belong Together and It’s Like That.

A source said: “Talks have been ongoing for a while and finally everything has fallen into place.

“Mariah was initially set to headline the festival in 2020 and then Covid happened.

“It’s part of a series of shows celebrating The Emancipation of Mimi album which had some of her biggest hits on it.

“No doubt it will be a military operation when Mariah arrives in Brighton but the festival can do it before — they pulled off Britney headlining back in 2018.”

It’s set to be a huge year for Mariah, who wraps up her Las Vegas residency — The Celebration of Mimi — on February 15, 2025.

Brighton Pride managing director Paul Kem said: “We were so excited to have her join us in 2020 and absolutely gutted the show couldn’t go ahead due to pandemic restrictions that summer.

“Pride is always an amazing weekend of celebration and inclusiveness of our city, and this year is going to be incredibly momentous.”

How to buy tickets for Brighton Pride

Tickets for Mariah Carey at Brighton Pride 2025 will be exclusively sold through the Pride On The Park website.

Eager fans can sign up for pre-sale access to increase their chances of securing tickets.

The pre-sale kicks off at 10am on February 20, 2025.

I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful faces at Pride on the Park 2025. It’s going to be a scorcher

Mariah CareySocial media

Important warnings:

• Tickets from secondary sites like Viagogo are not valid — if you’ve purchased them this way you should contact [email protected]
• A maximum of four tickets per booker is permitted
• Tickets are non-transferable and must be purchased directly from the official Pride Ticket Shop

Options

Brighton Pride offers various ticket options:

• Day tickets: For those who want to attend on Saturday to see Mariah Carey
• Weekend tickets: For the full Pride On The Park experience on both Saturday and Sunday
• VIP packages are available with premium access and benefits

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Girls Aloud headlined on the main stage during Brighton Pride 2024[/caption]

Ticket delivery

• E-tickets only — no postal tickets will be sent
• They will be emailed seven days before the festival
• Tickets can be printed or shown on smartphone
• Each ticket will be name-specific and require photo ID

Previous Brighton Pride headliners

Brighton Pride has a stellar history of world-class performers, with previous headliners including:

• 2024 — Girls Aloud and Mika
• 2023 — Black Eyed Peas and Steps
• 2022 — Christina Aguilera and Paloma Faith
• 2019 — Kylie Minogue and Grace Jones
• 2018 — Britney Spears and Jess Glynne
• 2017 — Pet Shop Boys
• 2016 — Sister Sledge

Brighton Pride is not just a celebration, but also a fundraising event for the LGBTQ+ community.

By attending, you’re not just enjoying world-class entertainment, you are supporting an important cause.

EASTENDERS fans were left scratching their heads after spotting a major blunder in Tuesday night’s episode.

Viewers watched in confusion as Ian Beale uncovered Cindy’s secret plan ahead of the soap’s highly anticipated 40th-anniversary special.

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EastEnders have spotted a major blunder in Tuesday night’s episode[/caption]

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Viewers watched in confusion as Ian Beale uncovered Cindy’s secret plan[/caption]

The dramatic scene saw Ian (Adam Woodyatt) eavesdropping on a tense conversation between Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy).

But while Ian was able to overhear every word of their exchange, viewers couldn’t help but notice that Cindy and Priya seemingly failed to see him lurking just meters away.

Taking to social media, baffled fans called out the unrealistic scene, questioning how Ian could be in plain sight yet go unnoticed by Cindy and Priya.

One tweeted: “ian realising priya was playing him into being his friend and working with cindy.”

Another added: “Ian seen priya talking to Cindy and handing over money.”

The conversation in question saw Priya discreetly handing over money to Cindy, confirming to Ian that the two were secretly working together – a betrayal he certainly didn’t see coming.

With tensions rising in Walford and the soap’s milestone anniversary just around the corner, fans are eager to see how Ian will react to the revelation.

Despite being central to the show’s 40th anniversary week, show legend Michelle won’t be taking part in the programme’s epic live episode on Thursday.

Her character will be nowhere to be seen, despite the reveal of Who Attacked Cindy Beale set to take place.

All of next week’s episodes are understood to take place over the course of one day which makes Cindy’s absence from Thursday’s live episode even more eyebrow-raising.

Actress Michelle confirmed herself that she would not be filming live on the night but did not add the reasons as to why.

Speaking at the TV Choice Awards on Tuesday night, she told Metro: “I’m actually not going to be in the live. I am allowed to say that. 

“It’s quite complicated but I am in the lead-up to the live. I actually think it’s very well done.”

In scenes set to be broadcast on Monday evening, Cindy will be seen coming face-to-face with who she believes is her attacker.

Cindy will accuse the individual in front of stunned guests at Billy and Honey’s wedding party in The Vic.

Later, events will take a dangerous turn when Cindy points a gun at the person and threatens them with their life.

As the situation continues to unfold, an unexpected twist will flip the situation on its head.

This is then understood set to trigger a motion of events which lead to the devastating Queen Vic fire.

But with Michelle avoiding the live episode, does this mean the fate of Cindy is sealed before the explosion commences.

Speaking about how her co-stars have prepped for the live episode, she admitted that some of them will be left “terrified”.

She told the publication: “I’ve done a lot of theatre but I don’t think it really matters.

“Live TV is very different to live theatre, so I think there’s going to be quite a few very terrified actors.”

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Ian had been eavesdropping on a tense conversation between Cindy Beale and Priya Nandra-Hart[/caption]

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Viewers couldn’t help but notice that Cindy and Priya seemingly failed to see him lurking just meters away[/caption]

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It comes ahead of the soap’s highly anticipated 40th-anniversary special[/caption]

NETFLIX’S cycling docuseries Tour de France: Unchained is set to be axed after three seasons, according to reports.

The programme debuted on the streaming platform in June 2023, with the first season covering the 2022 Tour.

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Tour de France: Unchained has been axed after three seasons[/caption]

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Netflix have reportedly made a big decision on one of its docuseries[/caption]

Twelve months later season two was released, covering the 2023 edition.

The Netflix cameras were on site for last year’s Tour and season three is expected to be released in its usual June slot.

But according to French newspaper Le Parisien, the show’s third instalment is set to be its last.

They claim that teams “have started to get used to the idea that Netflix’s cameras will no longer be there in June”.

Their report adds that an unnamed French team revealed that ordinarily they had been contacted by Netflix regarding filming by the end of January – but that no conversations have been had this year.

A further source adds that the sport’s “repetitive” nature has proved challenging for Netflix in terms of creating compelling storylines.

The French outlet claims that the show achieved “average” ratings – but did not reach its expected level of viewership in France.

Tour de France: Unchained, is not the first Netflix sport docuseries to be axed.

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Last year, tennis series “Break Point” was cancelled after just two seasons.

Following disappointing viewing figures and reluctance from top players to provide access, the show was canned.

Netflix have several sports docuseries, including Formula 1 hit “Drive to Survive”.

Its golf series “Full Swing is also set to return later this month, with a recent trailer showing reactions to Rory McIlroy‘s divorce drama last May.

ANDY IRVING drives a modest car and is already planning for life after football.

The West Ham midfielder has risen from obscurity this season and is now one of the regulars in the side.

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Andy Irving is becoming a cult hero at West Ham[/caption]

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He drives a modest Nissan Juke[/caption]

Irving, 24, signed for the Hammers in the summer of 2023 but was never officially announced by the club.

He remained on loan at SK Austria Klagenfurt for the campaign and arrived at the club at the end of his spell in Austria.

Despite becoming a fully fledged Premier League football the Scotsman has kept his life humble.

The midfielder drives a white Nissan Juke compared to his team-mates’ Mercedes, Bentleys, Ranger Rovers and Porsches.

The Athletic have claimed that Irving’s mindset has put him in a good place in the Hammers’ squad.

Manager Graham Potter has been impressed with his dedication with it appearing to leave a “lasting impression”.

The report has also claimed that Irving is “shrewd with his money” and is already making moves to set up a comfortable life when he hangs up his boots.

The report has claimed that he has invested in real estate that will help support his family after retirement.

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Irving’s unlikely success in East London saw him earn his first start in the Premier League in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Fans have also bought into the player as he was continuously serenaded from the away stand against the Blues.

Irving had interest last summer to leave West Ham but opted to stay at the club after backing from his partner, Zoe.

He revealed that it was her belief in him to succeed at the club that convinced him to stay.

Zoe was so confident that she herself got a teaching job in Tower Hamlets.

He told club media: “At the end of May, there was a job available at a school in Tower Hamlets and my partner opted to go for the interview, which I was all for.

“She had massive belief that I would be staying for this season, but the pressure was on throughout pre-season.

“She’s amazing. I’m super proud of her, the way she’s taken to life in London and her job.”

So far this season, Irving has made nine appearances in the Premier League and one more in the Carabao Cup.

He is contracted to the Hammers until 2026 and if he keeps improving he could be in line for a new deal.

CURTIS Pritchard learns how some of his fellow Love Island All Stars Islanders really feel about him in awkward scenes tonight. 

Following the explosive clash between Love Island All Stars couples Elma Pazar and Sammy Root and Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu and Curtis Pritchard, things in the villa are still tense. 

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ITV

ITV

In tonight’s episode Elma, 32, chats with Gabby Allen and Catherine Agbaje about the situation on the terrace – unaware Curtis, 29, is listening to every word. 

The Towie star tells the girls: “It was never about Ekin, it’s Curtis. He’s been tested and he failed and that’s the bottom line of it.”

Gabby, 33, replies: “Maybe Ekin’s not the problem then…”

And Catherine, 24, adds: “Yes that’s what we’ve concluded.”

Luca Bish – who is sitting with Curtis at the time – quips: “Curtis is getting the brunt of it up there!”

Ekin-Su, 30, arrives in time to hear Gabby defending her and Curtis, as she says: “I agree they’re both theatrical people, very animated, very over the top…doesn’t mean you’re not genuine, it’s just the way you are together.”

Brushing off the comments, Ekin-Su tells Curtis: “We’re better than that, I love being theatrical with you, I wouldn’t change a thing!”

But the strong words from Elma come shortly after she and Ekin-Su attempted to clear the air after days of feuding. 

Last night’s episode saw things between the girls come to head following their fall-out, which was triggered by the Turkish actress kissing Elma’s man Sammy Root in the heart rate challenge. 

Pulling Ekin-Su for a chat, Elma tells her: “I feel like we both got a lot off our chest yesterday…”

“I wanna clear things up ‘cause I feel like you think I’ve got a vendetta against you and in all honesty it was never about you. 

“I find Curtis very jarring… it’s a shame to me that we lost a friendship that I actually believed we were getting back.”

Ekin-Su replies: “After the heart rate challenge – yes i did f**k up, which was wrong, I said sorry – all these games kept happening, you both voted for us, I felt like this is becoming a pattern.” 

Elma says: “I think it seemed like it was becoming a pattern but it was never based on you… everything else was all to do with Curtis.”

Standing by her man, Ekin-Su adds: “Unfortunately even if you are aiming it at Curtis it feels like you’re aiming it at me…”

LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS CONTINUES TONIGHT AT 9PM ON ITV2 AND ITVX

Unlimited prosecco and where to propose.