New York State

THIS is the moment a £445k Ferrari was completely destroyed after going out of control and smashing into a house in a shocking accident.

CCTV footage shows the yellow Ferrari 296 GTB driver losing control of the speeding car and crashing into the wall.

The out-of-control Ferrari narrowly missed hitting a retired old man – just by a metre – before crashing into a residence in São Paulo, Brazil.

Shocking pictures of the aftermath of the crash show the car completely destroyed.

The owner of the property said that the luxury motor was being driven by an employee of a Ferrari dealership at the time of the accident.

He said he was inside his house but was shocked to hear the loud noise of the crash.

“The house alarms went off. At that moment we realized that there was a rather unusual vehicle, a brand new yellow Ferrari that had crashed into the property’s gate,” he added.

Nearby people rushed to the scene of the accident to help the driver get out of the car wreckage.

The lucky retired pensioner said: “[The driver] was fine, a little dizzy. He sat under the tree, and then the people took him away.”

It is understood the car was speeding more than the allowed limit before losing control.

It comes after a supercar crash was branded the world’s most expensive pile-up – with an eye-watering combined cost of £6million.

The pricey prang occurred after one of the Ferrari drivers is believed to have panicked on a tight hairpin in Austria on November 10.

Embarrassingly, the driver appears to have triggered a four-car pile-up and financial disaster.

After the two Ferraris crashed, a McLaren Elva worth £1.4million joined the growing queue.

Then, to top it off, a £191,545 Bentley Continental GTC crashed into the back of the McLaren.

It left all four flashy supercars sitting smashed by the rockface.

Meanwhile, a Brit was killed and three others injured in a catastrophic crash after their shared bike was hit by a car in New Zealand.

One cyclist died at the scene after being fatally injured in the crash while the three others were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

According to local reports, the driver was unharmed in the incident and is in contact with the police.

American casual diner chain Denny’s is reportedly shuttering over three dozen more restaurants in addition to 150 previously marked for closure.

Denny’s in October said it would close 50 locations by the end of 2024 and 100 in 2025, amounting to one-tenth of its locations across the US.

But in an investors call on Wednesday, Denny’s chief financial officer Robert Verostek said 70 to 90 would close this year and that 88 were shuttered last year, USA Today reported. That means up to 38 more restaurants are on the chopping block than originally announced.

The diners that are set to close have been operating for an average of almost 30 years.

‘In any mature brand, when restaurants have been open that long, it is natural that trade areas can shift over time,’ said Versostek.

‘Accelerating the closure of lower-volume restaurants will improve franchisee cash flow and allow them to reinvest into traffic-driving initiatives like our tested and proven remodel program.’

Some of the locations set for closure are in aging buildings or have expiring leases, according to the company.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

A reader and lifelong PlayStation fan is upset to hear that Sony has had such a successful financial year, despite releasing so few games.

I’ve been a PlayStation fan ever since there was such a thing. I’ve owned a few different Nintendo machines, as my secondary consoles, but I’ve always been PlayStation #1 in my thinking and Xbox has given me very little reason to regret that. Maybe I felt I was missing out a bit in the Xbox 360 era, but I was younger then and console warrior antics kept me on PlayStation 3 anyway.

Nowadays, I like to think I’m less zealous in my opinions and would happily get an Xbox if there was sufficient reason to do so, but I don’t think I’m being too partisan when I say there is not. What would have tempted me to pay hundreds for an Xbox One? Sunset Overdrive and Gears 5? Or is it surprising I wasn’t opening my wallet for an Xbox Series X and the chance to play Halo Infinite and Starfield?

These might be good games, but they are absolutely not system sellers. So, despite all Microsoft’s talk of losing the wrong generation and people being stuck in the PlayStation ecosystem the ultimate problem is, and always has been, that the Xbox does not have enough good exclusives.

That problem is irrelevant now though. Xbox has gone third party and soon or later there will be no exclusives, because there’ll all be on PlayStation 5 as well. But as a PlayStation fan I’m not going to gloat about that. (Apart from anything I still don’t really care, because there still aren’t any Xbox published games I want, but that is also irrelevant to the point I’m making.)

I’m not going to gloat about it because I believe that Microsoft’s fall is the explanation for why Sony has been acting so lazy the last two years. Despite a perfectly normal start to the generation (which was impressive in itself, given the pandemic) they suddenly put the brakes on and stopped announcing games and started going on about live service titles instead… which they also didn’t release in the numbers they said.

We all know how the whole live service thing has worked out but so far that failure doesn’t seem to have changed anything at Sony. They had a State of Play on Wednesday that lasted 50 minutes and there was only one new first party game in it. Which won’t be out till 2026.

Although that wasn’t great news what bothered me most this week was that PlayStation 5 sales were up over Christmas, despite the fact that Sony didn’t have any big exclusives and had basically done nothing to deserve it. There was no clever marketing, no new features… it wasn’t even a busy time for third party releases, in fact it was one of the worst that I can remember in a long time.

So really, Sony did nothing to deserve that success. They made no effort and they released no games and yet they were more successful than the previous year when they had done more. So, what lesson do we think they’re going to learn from that?

It’s obvious to me why they did so well. If Xbox console sales are down, and the format is in trouble, then it seems obvious that a lot of people would be jumping ship to Sony. Especially as this is about the time in a generation when fans think about switching formats, to try out the exclusives, or getting a second console.

Everything worked in Sony’s favour and yet they really had nothing to do with their own success. The situation now is that they are really the only choice of console. Nobody’s buying an Xbox Series X/S anymore and no matter how big the Nintendo Switch 2 is it’ll never be able to run enough third party games to be a primary console for most people.

Sony isn’t doing well because it’s innovating or putting out great games, or even just great marketing, it’s winning because it’s basically the only choice. And that is not good for anyone (including them, I’d argue, not that they’ll care at the moment).

The market leader is now unstoppable and it got that way by doing as little as possible and just letting others make mistakes. Not exactly inspiring stuff, is it? Maybe they’ll mess up with the PlayStation 6, or the Switch 2 will be bigger than I expect, but at the moment we’ve never been closer to a one format future and, as a PlayStation fan, I’m not happy about it at all.

By reader Trancer

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at [email protected] or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

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MARKS and Spencer is turning up the indulgence with the launch of its brand-new Collection Pistachio Crème spread, and foodies can’t wait to get their hands on it.

The limited-edition treat lands in stores nationwide this Saturday, February 15, and promises to deliver an irresistible, creamy delight made with premium Italian pistachios and no artificial ingredients.

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Pistachio Creme spread Marks & Spencer[/caption]

With Pancake Day just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better.

Whether shoppers like it thick on a stack of fluffy pancakes, drizzling it over cakes, or swirling it into ice cream, this luxurious pistachio crème covers it all.

M&S has declared this rich, nutty spread as “taking indulgence to a whole new level,” and social media seems to agree.

Searches and posts about pistachio-based treats have soared by 50 per cent this year, showing just how much the flavour is having a moment.

The hype follows the success of M&S’ viral Easter Pistachio Rolled Eggs, which fans hailed as: “The best thing M&S has ever created.”

This latest offering also joins the retailer’s hit collection hazelnut spread and collection chocolate hazelnut crème.

Kathryn Turner, M&S Director of Product Development, said: “We’ve seen the pistachio trend explode in the last few months both on restaurant menus and on social media, so it’s a real focus for us as one of our top flavour trends this year.

“Our top quality collection pistachio crème is perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your day, whether you’re having a sweet snack, making an amazing dessert, or simply looking for something indulgent to top your pancakes.”

The Collection Pistachio Crème spread will be available in M&S stores nationwide.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has a history of introducing unique products for Pancake Day. In a previous year, they launched a £2 Lemon, Gin, and Tonic sauce, made with 4% gin and lemon juice, offering a zesty twist to traditional pancake toppings.

M&S has a history of introducing unique products for Pancake Day.

In a previous year, they launched a £2 Lemon, Gin, and Tonic sauce, made with 4% gin and lemon juice, offering a zesty twist to traditional pancake toppings

Additionally, M&S has offered bundle deals, such as a £5 package that included a frying pan, pancake mix, cooking spray, and a topping, providing customers with all essentials for a delightful Pancake Day experience.

Getty

Searches and posts about pistachio-based treats have soared by 50 per cent this year, showing just how much the flavour is having a moment[/caption]

IF a Greek Cypriot dancer ever says he’s lost his glasses, there’s a good chance they’ll be on his head.

No, not his specs, silly — wine glasses, that vital part of traditional entertainment in a Cyprus hotel.

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The Asimina has a private beach[/caption]

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Treat yourself and relax at the hotel’s spa[/caption]

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Laze in cabanas on the sandy beach[/caption]

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Eat, drink and be merry at the hotel’s Kymata restaurant[/caption]

Our dancer had TEN of them on his bonce, one on top of the other, plus a bottle of wine on top of all that for good measure.

This astonishing mix of balancing act and Zorba-style dancing was the highlight of Greek Cypriot Night at the Asimina Suites Hotel in Paphos.

The diners in the restaurant, mainly Brits, loved the show.

Still, someone at the next table to us was a bit grudging with the applause, saying in a loud whisper: “Ten? I mean, OK, but isn’t the world record 300?”

Well you try it, mate! Honestly, there’s no pleasing some people.

But there is no doubt that from food to facilities and from entertainment to location, the adults-only Asimina pretty much pleases everyone.

This friendly 5H hotel, where we stayed last October, is a hit with Brits all year round and you can see why.

Owners the Constantinou Brothers promise a traditional Greek Cypriot welcome and they are as good as their word.

This is service with a genuine smile as attentive staff keep asking if you need another drink or more food.

And the location! The Asimina is in a sedate spot on the Paphos seafront with its own private section of sandy beach.

Hire a cabana for a bit extra and laze right by the water’s edge or lie on a sunbed under the palm trees on the hotel’s huge front lawn, an exhausting 20 paces from the sea.

If you prefer the pool there are two outdoor and some of the suites even have their own private ones with wooden decks.

But back to dinner. The food at the Asimina’s four restaurants may be its crowning glory.

There are local delicacies, themed nights with international cuisine and plenty of straightforward grub to keep fussy Brits happy.

It was all superb, wonderfully presented and with loads of choice.

Like many holidaymakers, we often get sucked into the fly and flop of staying in a brilliant hotel and never leaving until it’s time to go home.

But a half-hour stroll along the coastal path will take you to Paphos port with its lively bars and restaurants.

Best of all you can visit Paphos Archaeological Park, one of the most important digs in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It contains the remains of four Roman villas with incredibly well preserved mosaic floors.

Perhaps the most impressive is the Grand House of Dionysus, named after the Greek god of wine, showing scenes of partying and hunting.

Next door is the Tomb Of The Kings, which is like something out of Indiana Jones.

It’s a 2,000-year-old  maze of underground burial chambers that’s utterly fascinating, even though no kings ever ended up being laid to rest there.

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MAKE A SPLASH . . .  in hotel’s main pool[/caption]

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The ancient mosaic at House of Dionysus[/caption]

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Take in the beach view at Kohili restaurant[/caption]

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The bedroom suite’s pool[/caption]

It is worth venturing into Paphos town, too, even though one regular at the Asimina complained that endless building over the last few years had ruined its charm.

It’s a bit of a hike from the hotel so get the bus or a cab, or hire a car.

Don’t worry about the latter. This is Cyprus not Greece. Everyone drives on the left and even the cabbies obey the speed limit.

It’s things like that, along with 300 days of glorious sunshine a year and no real language barrier (and even the fact Cyprus uses the UK three-pin plug!), that make the island so popular with us Brits.

Anyway, Paphos’s bars and boutiques are worth checking out but make sure you eat at the fantastic Agora Tavern, a family-owned place on a hill overlooking the sea.

There are just two things on the menu, the small meze and the large one. Choose your size and enjoy this fabulous array of local delicacies all chosen for you.

You might think that staying at the Asimina is more than enough for a holiday.

But travel companies have this theory. How much better would your stay in Cyprus be if you stayed in TWO brilliant hotels?

Rock star

Which is how we found ourselves on the other side of Paphos at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort at Peyia.

The Cap St Georges is seriously upmarket, a huge campus offering suites with private pools, villas, several private beaches and the kind of personal attention that makes you feel like a rock star.

It’s such a big deal that the England football team have stayed here and one of the villas is owned by the pop star Shakira (we didn’t see her).

It’s set on a series of cliff tops that look like slices of tiramisu above tiny coves offering warm, clear waters to swim in.

There’s loads to do at the Cap St Georges from wine tours, water sports and private yacht trips to horse riding and halloumi-making.

Like the Asimina, the food is the big selling point.

There are four restaurants for dinner, serving Italian, Asian and sushi, fine dining and more.

Our favourite was the Kohili, offering local cuisine in a stunning setting by the beach.

Needless to say, all this ain’t cheap but for that special celebration, the Cap St Georges is hard to beat.

Oh, and while you are in Paphos, visit the beach where Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was born. It’s just down the coast from the Asimina.

Call me unromantic if you like, but Dionysus is more my kind of god.

He loved wine, good food and a bit of a party.

What’s not to like?

A BUS driver has been charged with drug-driving after a girl was hit by a bus and killed in a tragic crash.

Ada Bicakci, 9, died in hospital on August 5 last year, two days after the horrific collision with a bus driven by Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, in Bexleyheath, south east London.

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The scene of the horror collision last summer[/caption]

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Police at the scene[/caption]

Asolo-Agogua was charged on Thursday with causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.

Police said he was also charged with driving whilst over the drug limit.

Ada’s five-year-old brother was also struck and taken to hospital as a precaution.

The nine-year-old was a Turkish-British national that lived in Bexleyheath with her family and attended a local primary school.

She also attended a Turkish school in south-east London and was a keen gymnast and swimmer.

Ada’s organs were donated and she went on to help six other people following her tragic death, her family said.

They also shared two pictures of their daughter, including one that shows her having had her hair cut for donation.

Asolo-Agogua, from Nunhead, south London, was arrested on the day of the crash on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving.

The horror crash took place on Watling Street on the morning of August 3, 2024.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Ada by her family and raised more than £14,000.

Metropolitan Police said at the time of the crash: “Police were called to the scene where a bus had collided with two children in Watling Street near the junction with Halcot Avenue on the morning of Saturday, 3 August 2024.

“Both children were taken to hospital and, despite the best efforts of medical staff, nine-year-old Ada Bicakci sadly died in the afternoon of Monday, 5 August.

“Ada’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers.”

Asolo-Agogua has now been bailed and is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on March 24.

MAKASSAR, PAREPOS. FAJAR. CO.ID — PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Sulawesi terus menunjukkan komitmennya dalam pemberdayaan...

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MAROS PAREPOS. FAJAR. CO.ID – PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sulawesi memastikan layanan distribusi BBM...

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It's brought back a lot of memories

A humbling night for the Blues on the south coast.