3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Italy vs France live stream FREE: How to watch Six Nations clash today
ITALY and France do battle in Rome as the 2025 men’s Six Nations reaches the halfway point.
The Azzurri are making their mark in this tournament, putting in an impressive display against Scotland before beating Wales in Rome in the second round.
Italy are looking to avoid the Wooden Spoon in the 2025 Six NationsMatthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press WireFrance need to win in Italy in order to keep alive any hopes of winning the Six NationsBob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images
The cards are out of Fabien Galthie’s hand as things stand, but will need his side to build up a head of steam before they travel to Ireland in the fourth round.
Italy vs France line-ups
Italy XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on You’ve been using your tumble dryer all wrong and an easy hack could slash your bills
MILLIONS of customers are facing rising energy bills – but there are ways to cut costs.
A tumble dryer is a handy appliance to have in your home, especially during the winter when you can’t dry clothes outside.
We share a hack to keep your energy costs down
However the common device can be costly run, using around 4.5kWh of energy per cycle.
That works out at around £1.12 per hour to use under the current energy price guarantee.
This rises to £7.84 a week if you use the item for an hour every day each week or £31.36 to your energy bill if you intend to use your tumble dryer every day each month.
That means if you use your tumble dryer every day for it a year it could add £376.32 to your yearly energy bill.
However an energy expert has shared a hack which could help you save £32 a year on tumble dryer costs.
Will Owen says households should put their clothes on a spin cycle if there clothes are still very wet when they take them out of the washing machine.
He said using the spin cycle will remove excess water, “meaning your clothes will dry faster in the tumble dryer or on an airer”.
“If your clothes are still very wet when you take them out of the washing machine, you could make use of the spin cycle setting.
“Using the spin cycle will remove excess water, meaning your clothes will dry faster in the tumble dryer or on an airer.
He said using the spin cycle could cut your bill by a quarter and save you 23p a load.
“So if you’re doing three loads a week, it could add up to £36 a year,” he added.
The spin cycle on a washing machine is a setting which rotates wet clothes at a high speed to remove excess water from the clothes after washing and rinsing.
You find the setting on dial of your washing machine, if you are confused you can read your manual.
This should also be the case if you have a combines washer/dryer.
OTHER HACKS TO SAVE ON YOUR TUMBLE DRYING BILL
Will added that households should avoid overloading the drum as it mean your machine has to work harder and may end up costing you more money in the long run.
Meanwhile underloading your tumble dryer will also waste energy.
It is generally recommended that your washing machine be 75% full when you use it.
HOW ELSE CAN I SAVE ON MY BILLS?
Heated clothes airers can be a great alternative to tumble dryers if you’re looking to save more money.
That’s not all. Buying insulation will prevent heat from escaping through your loft, and it could save you hundreds on your bills.
You should insulate your loft hatch as well – that will prevent further heat from escaping.
Closing your curtains in the evening when temperatures drop naturally drop will keep the heat in too.
And opening them up in the morning to let the sun in will warm you up
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionicshared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on USA’s 15-year flying safety streak came to an end with at least 90 deaths in 6 weeks for 3 crucial reasons, expert warns
THE aviation industry is buckling under three massive oversights as nearly 100 people have died in disastrous air crashes just this year, an expert warned.
Fifteen years of relative safety in commercial US flying came to a halt after a passenger plane collided with a Black Hawk earlier this year, resulting in the deaths of 67 people.
GettyAir travel in 2025 started out with a tragedy after a military helicopter and an American Airlines plane collided in Washington DC and killed 67 people[/caption]
SuppliedAn air ambulance carrying a six-year-old girl and her mom went down in flames on January 31, and seven people died[/caption]
ReutersOn February 17, a Delta plane crashed onto the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport and flipped over[/caption]
APOn February 19, two planed collided in Marana Airport in Arizona, and two people died[/caption]
The January 29 collision in Washington DC was the most deadly crash since 2001, when an American Airlines flight plunged into a New York City neighborhood and killed 260 people.
The tragedy was the first of a series of terrifying crashes that have struck fear into American fliers and sparked an eleventh-hour debate on airline failings.
And just days after that, singer Vince Neil’s private jet collided with another plane, killing the pilot and injuring four others.
US airways hadn’t seen a serious crash since 2009, when a Colgan Air Bombardier turboprop plummeted near Buffalo, New York, and killed 49 passengers and crew.
After that tragedy, America ascended to a gold standard reputation for safety, but travelers in the states fear this era may be over.
Speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun, Ryan Tseko, who worked as a flight deck officer and trainer for the Federal Aviation Administration, stressed that despite the disturbing crashes, US air travel is still reliable.
“If you look at the actual data comparing 2024 and 2025, the total number of plane crashes this year is actually lower than last year,” he said.
“In January 2024, there were 80 crashes, and in February, there were 93. So far in 2025, we are at a total of 87 crashes.
“However, there have been more fatalities this year, which, combined with increased media coverage, makes it feel like aviation accidents are happening more frequently.”
Tseko said these latest crashes have shined a light on three key issues plaguing the aviation industry – and said that airlines are struggling to maintain their normally high safety standards.
One massive issue is the shortage of air traffic controllers, who are essential to approving flight takeoffs and touchdowns at busy airports.
According to FAA records, a controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was doing the job of two people when American Airlines smashed into the Black Hawk.
Controllers have been urgently requesting assistance for years, as many quit or are fired over the long, irregular hours and constant stress of holding thousands of lives in their hands.
According to Tseko, the staffing issue has now become a “crisis.”
“The industry has been facing an ongoing ATC staffing crisis, which raises concerns about workload management and air traffic safety,” he said.
National Transportation Safety BoardAir crash fatalities are higher than normal this time compared to last year[/caption]
National Transportation Safety BoardHowever, overall crashes are lower than in previous years[/caption]
Airlines are also struggling to hire pilots since the pandemic, when many people stepped away from their jobs and pivoted to other industries.
“Some analysts predict that by 2025, the industry could be short by as many as 34,000 pilots,” said Tseko.
“A large number of experienced pilots are either retiring or phasing out of the airlines, and the question remains: Are we training enough new pilots fast enough to keep up?”
All of these issues are mounting as a surge in air travel is pushing the industry to its limits.
According to the International Air Transport Association, there’s expected to be a mind-boggling 40 million aircraft departures in 2025, which is a 4.6% increase from last year.
Tseko said, “We are seeing a significant spike in air travel demand, putting further strain on airlines, training programs, and the aviation workforce as a whole.”
According to the aviation expert, US travelers shouldn’t be afraid when they’re boarding a flight.
However, as pressures mount and demand grows, changes must be made in order to prevent any future disasters.
“While the overall number of crashes may not be increasing dramatically, these industry challenges highlight the need for proactive solutions to maintain the high safety standards that aviation is known for,” Tseko said.
'Freak accident' is something 'from the movies'
Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at the Going travel app, shared insights with The U.S. Sun following the Delta plane crash at Torotno Pearson International Airport on February 17.
Regarding the cause of the Toronto plane crash: “It’s too early to speculate what precisely happened, I’m afraid. It’s certainly safe to call it a “freak accident” and that may be understating just how rare a scene like this is. An inverted passenger plane is something moviegoers saw in Denzel Washington’s 2012 film Flight—not something we see in reality until today.”
Regarding smaller jets having been involved in recent crashes: “While it’s certainly unexpected to have two major incidents in a row take place on small aircraft, it’s not totally shocking. Around one-third of commercial aircraft in the US are smaller planes like the Delta CRJ seen today. We’ll wait and see for the investigators’ report, but given the differing circumstances of Toronto and DCA, I think it’s highly unlikely that this is a built-in aircraft issue similar to what we saw with successive 737 MAX crashes.”
Regarding air travel safety: “You are far, far more likely to get in an accident on your drive to the airport than on your flight from the airport. On a per-mile basis, your mortality risk in a car is over 100 times higher than in a passenger plane. The fact that incidents like these grab so much attention is because of their rarity.”
— Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at the Going travel app
APThe neighborhood in Philadelphia erupted into flames after the plane crash[/caption]
APThe streets were strewn with wreckage[/caption]
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on ‘Second again, ole ole’ – Brutal West Ham fans taunt Arsenal with three cheeky chants after stunning the Emirates
WEST HAM fans gleefully mocked their Arsenal counterparts as their side delivered a Hammer blow to the Gunners’ fading title hopes.
GettyDeclan Rice takes a corner in front of the away end[/caption]
EPAHammers fans celebrate with their victorious team after the game[/caption]
The Gunners’ defeat saw them remain eight points behind leaders Liverpool, with Arne Slot‘s men possessing an opportunity to make it 11 when they face Manchester City this afternoon.
After Jarrod Bowen‘s 44th minute header gave their side the lead, it was truly party time for the Hammers’ faithful in the away end.
With Arsenal having finished as runners-up in the last two seasons, and sitting in the same position at the moment, West Ham fans chanted: “Second again, ole ole.”
Hammers supporters also directed a pair of cheeky songs towards their former captain Declan Rice.
The West Ham academy graduate, 26, left the London Stadium for Arsenal in a £105million deal two summers ago.
He won the Europa Conference League as Hammers skipper, but is yet to win a major trophy with Arsenal.
As Rice went over to take a corner in front of the away end, they sang: “You should have signed for a big club.”
The song was repeated as Rice was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was sent off just 17 minutes after coming on.
GettyDeclan Rice was replaced during the second half[/caption]
GettyThe midfielder looked fuming as he sat on the bench[/caption]
West Ham supporters also mocked their former captain with a chant bigging up this season’s cult hero Andy Irving.
They sang: “You’re just a s*** Andy Irving.”
After he was substituted, Rice looked furious as he sat on the bench.
West Ham’s win was just their second in seven games under new boss Potter.
They remain 16th in the Premier League table, but are only behind Manchester United on goal difference.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left raging after his side’s defeat.
‘I AM VERY, VERY, VERY ANGRY’
He said: “I refuse that completely because I am talking about the standards of the players and the team that played today, me included, and that was nowhere near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win the Premier League.
“Very disappointed, obviously very angry as well. I think you have to congratulate West Ham for the victory and the game that they played.
“But there was a lot from our side that we never got right and didn’t allow us to get enough momentum, enough sequences of play with positive action that could deliver situations of threat for them.”
He went on to add: “So I am very, very, very angry.”
Arsenal will return to action on Wednesday night with a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham, meanwhile, will host Leicester 24 hours later.
GettyArsenal’s fading title hopes took a huge blow[/caption]
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Royal aide tells of Prince William’s devastating phone call after Kate & Charles diagnosed with cancer just weeks apart
A FORMER royal aide has told of Prince William’s devastating phone call after Princess Kate and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer just weeks apart.
Jason Knauf – who previously worked for the Waleses – said the future monarch experience his lowest moment last year.
GettyPrince William and Princess Kate[/caption]
60 Minutes AustraliaJason Knauf speaking to 60 Minutes Australia today[/caption]
PAKnauf worked for the Waleses until 2021[/caption]
Speaking in an appearance on 60 Minutes Australia which aired today, he said: “Within a couple of weeks if you’re Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him.”
Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 in an emotional video released by Kensington Palace.
The previous month, Charles had confirmed he had also been diagnosed with a form of the disease following a hospital procedure for a benign prostate enlargement.
Mr Knauf went on to say matters were made worse for William – who shares children George, Charlotte and Louis with Kate – due to the “crazy” conspiracy theories about the Princess’ withdrawal from public life.
At the time of her announcement, Kate was said to be recovering after treatment in hospital in January, and hadn’t been seen in public since the previous Christmas.
Days before a scandal erupted after the Palace released an official photo of the royal and her kids, which was pulled by agencies, including Reuters, Getty and Associated Press, over concerns it had been heavily doctored.
This was later admitted by the Firm, with Kate forced to take the blame.
It led to fans online questioning where she was and if she was genuinely ill.
Mr Knauff – who officially worked for William and Kate until 2021 – said at that time “they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children”.
He added that the couple have always had their children’s best interests at throughout Kate’s health battle.
He said they were clear “they had to be parents first” when planning out the year.
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Woman sexually assaulted outside shopping centre as cops seal off bus station & launch urgent manhunt
A FRANTIC hunt is underway for a man after a woman was sexually assaulted outside a shopping centre.
The horror attack, near Victoria Shopping Centre in Nottingham, took place at around 4.45am today.
BPMCops were called after a horror attack in Nottingham today[/caption]
Detectives are now searching for any potential witnesses that may have seen the “distressing incident” in York Street.
A pathway at Victoria Bus Station is now cordoned off with police tape as investigations continue.
Pedestrians have been told to divert from the path using the adjoining car park, with both entrances to the station blocked off by the cordon.
The station remains open for use and cops have urged anyone with information to get in contact.
Cops said they’re examining CCTV footage in an attempt to track down a man who may be connected to the attack.
Detective Constable Laura Manley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim and we are working hard to track down the person responsible.
“We are currently reviewing local CCTV footage and closely examining the scene, but would also like to hear from any additional witnesses who saw or heard anything that may help our investigation.
“Even the smallest piece of evidence may prove vital in this investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 127 of 23 February 2025.
BPMA police cordon has blocked off areas of the bus station and witnesses have been urged to come forward[/caption]
3 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Ten HARDEST test centres in the UK to pass your test revealed – do you live near one?
THE DVSA has revealed the centres with the lowest driving test pass rate across the country – and it’s bad news for those learning in two major cities in the south west.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which conducts driving tests in the UK, including theory tests, recently shared their driving test and theory test data for September 2024.
GettyThe hardest test centres in the Uk have been revealed – and it’s bad news for those learning in two cities in the south west[/caption]
The map reveals where the test centres are located and their percentage pass rates
It showed some centres have stark differences to others, with a clear sign that many learners are facing challenges in securing a pass.
In the list of the top 10 lowest pass rates, the Plymouth LGV test centre in Devon had the lowest pass rate, just 27.3% – meaning just over a quarter of the drivers who took their test were going home disappointed and out of pocket.
Of course, the LGV centre specialises in large goods vehicles – those that want to get behind the wheel of a lorry or bus.
Second on the list was the test centre in Watnall, Nottinghamshire, with a 29.4% pass rate.
Nervous drivers in the area might fancy taking their test at the centre in Ashfield, which is a 25-minute drive away and has a pass rate of 51%.
Third on the list is the city of Exeter, just an hour away from Plymouth, with a 33.3% pass rate.
The village of Gairloch in West Ross, Scotland, is level with Exeter on pass rate, with Leicester’s Cannock Street branch completing the top five with a 34% pass rate.
Of course, while failing a driving test (or theory test) is not the end of the world and both tests can be retaken, test slots are currently in high demand and eager drivers may be forced to wait weeks or even months for a fresh chance.
That is why it is crucial for learners to be fully prepared ahead of their test, to avoid the frustration and cost of retaking.
The figures have prompted the Transport Select Committee in Parliament to look into the issue and see how it can be addressed.
In the latest round of hearings the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union, which represents DVSA employees, accused the agency of putting pressure on examiners to be more lenient.
How to boost your chances of passing first time
Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, the largest driving school in the UK, that trains nearly a quarter of all driving instructors in the country, has shared his top five tips to help boost your chances of passing for the first time:
Master your manoeuvres
Ensure you’re confident with key manoeuvres like parallel parking, a forward bay park or a reverse bay park. These can make or break your test, so practice them until you’re confident in doing these under pressure. Let your instructor know ahead of your test if there’s anything you’re concerned about and they can help you practice until needed.
Plan your lessons with your instructor wisely
Take lessons at different times of day, including busy periods. This helps you get comfortable with all driving conditions and traffic situations, giving you a true feel for real-world driving. Particularly if the only time you can secure a test is during a busy period – you’ll be thanking yourself later.
Your instructor will also help make sure you’re test ready and point out anything that needs to be worked on. They’re there to help your chances of passing for the first time!
Focus on observation and awareness
The driving test is as much about your ability to spot hazards as it is about your car control. Stay alert, check mirrors regularly, and always anticipate what’s happening on the road. Your examiner will be looking out for this, so keep this in the back of your mind while taking the test.
Know your theory
Putting your theory knowledge into practice is more important during your test than ever. There are also resources students can use to ensure that they are fully prepared – at RED, we have apps to help our students prepare for their tests such as the Learn to Drive with RED app and RED’s Complete Driving Theory app.
Stay calm under pressure
Don’t let nerves get the best of you. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and if you make a mistake, don’t let it get to you. Keep your focus on the next task and show the examiner you can recover quickly.
According to the Republican, not only does he have a stake in Ukraine’s oil, gas, and critical minerals reserves, but he also has dibs on infrastructure and ports.
If that is not enough, the $500 billion Trump claims the industry is worth is just ‘payback’ for all the US military aid, the White House confirmed.
The Ukrainian president refused to sign the agreement, saying the US has offered no specific security guarantees.
On Friday, he said the US and Ukrainian teams were working on a deal and Trump said he expects one will be signed soon.
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It has since been reported that Trump’s negotiators have threatened to cut Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to war-torn Ukraine and its military.
This raised during meetings between Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine, and Zelensky, said one of the anonymous sources, who was briefed on the talks.
During the meeting, Ukraine was told it faced imminent shutoff if it did not reach a deal on critical minerals.
‘Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,’ they warned. ‘Losing Starlink … would be a massive blow.’
Who has given the most aid to Ukraine?
The US has been the biggest source of military aid to Ukraine, including weapons, equipment and financial support, during Joe Biden’s term in the White House.
Between the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022 and the end of 2024, the US gave £54.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
On military aid, Europe’s support of £52 billion is on a similar level, data from the German think tank the Kiel Institute shows.
But Europe has long surpassed the US when it comes to financial and humanitarian aid allocations ( £57 billion versus £41 billion).
In percent of GDP, only Scandinavian and Eastern European countries, plus the Netherlands, have made a significant effort to support Ukraine.
Major donors such as Germany, the US or the UK have allocated less than 0.2% of their GDP on aid to Ukraine per year.
After Reuters published its story, Musk posted on X that the article is ‘false’ and accused the news agency of lying.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, said Starlink was essential for Ukraine’s operation of drones, for one.
‘Losing Starlink would be a game changer,’ Haring said, noting that Ukraine was now at 1:1 parity with Russia in terms of drone usage and artillery shells.
Ukraine has a wide range of different drone capabilities, ranging from sea drones and surveillance drones to long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.
Zelensky rejected a detailed US proposal last week that would have seen Washington and US firms receiving 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals.
A map showing where Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth is located (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
They includes graphite, uranium, titanium and lithium, a key component in electric car batteries.
Since then a rift has emerged between the leaders, with Trump denouncing Zelensky as ‘a dictator without elections’.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
