LOVE Island alum Georgia Harrison stripped to a daring semi-sheer lace bodysuit as she headed to a petrol station in Los Angeles.

The ITV2 star looked particularly overdressed for the mundane task, showing off her toned figure in the fishnet one-piece which gave a glimpse of her underwear.

Georgia, 30, wrapped up with a cropped jacket – in the on-trend aubergine shade of the season – and pulled her hair back in a high ponytail.

She vamped up her look with dark black eye make up and red lipstick.

The All Stars contestant flashed a put as she held the petrol pump with both hands, before perching one hand on her hip for a sassy look on the forecourt.

Georgia then flashed her bum as she slid onto the driver’s seat of the huge white people carrier after paying her bill.

She tagged her location in California and posted the snaps taken at the Chevron garage to her Instagram grid.

She failed to add a caption, yet her fans were quick to add their comments, with one writing: “Erm WOW.”

A second put: “Beautiful,” as a third put: “Smoking hotty on fire wow.”

One then quizzed: “Why the need for so many photos filling fuel up, everyone does that.”

HAPPY CHAPTER

Georgia’s sizzling photoshoot came after she enjoyed a loved-up weekend away with her new man to celebrate turning 30.

During her Instagram Stories uploads this month, Georgia gave a glimpse of his dark T-Shirt and jeans as he prepared to tuck in to a huge roast – yet kept his face hidden from the camera.

Though the reality TV star gave a hint at his kind character as she posed with a huge bunch of flowers and confessed: “He did good.”

In October, Georgia revealed that she she is dating a new man – who’s not in the public eye.

It came after she split with All Stars partner Anton Danyluk earlier this year – with the Scottish businessman claiming there was a lack of “romantic spark.”

Her new relationship marks a happier chapter for the star after a torrid few years.

In 2020, Love Island star Georgia became the victim of revenge porn when her ex-boyfriend Stephen Bear secretly filmed them during an intimate moment and shared the video online.

He was sentenced to 21 months in prison last March but was released early this January.

The star has since bagged a TV series about online porn, with the star bravely sharing her experiences to help others.

Since Bear, Georgia has had a few high-profile relationships, including Jake McLean, who tragically died in a car accident in 2022.

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She recently teased her mystery man as she went on a dinner date[/caption]

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She featured on Love Island All Stars this year[/caption]

TOMMY Mallet has shared an adorable picture with his kids after Gigi’s ‘long and stressful week in hospital’.

His wife Georgia Kousoulou, 33, posted an update on their baby daughter’s health yesterday, announcing she will be returning home for Christmas on Instagram.

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Tommy Mallet has shared an adorable picture with his kids[/caption]

Now, Tommy, 32, has taken to his own grid with a doting snap alongside the newborn and three-year-old Brody.

Matching with his youngest in festive pyjamas, the Towie legend wore a T-shirt reading ‘Daddy’ as he cradled Gigi on a sofa.

Gigi had been draped in a blanket embroidered with her birthday.

Tommy wrote, “Perfection,” in his caption.

Alongside images of Gigi attached to nasogastric tubes, Georgia revealed yesterday that she had spent a difficult week in the hospital battling bronchitis.

She claimed the illness had escalated to the point where Gigi required oxygen support, making it a particularly worrying time for the family.

Thankfully, after days of stress and uncertainty, Gigi was given the all-clear to return home.

Georgia wrote in her caption, “Time to get you home for Christmas, baby girl. After a long stressful week in hospital, Gigi is allowed home.

“Gigi’s bronchitis got worse, and she needed to be on oxygen.

“What I’ve learnt most is always go with your gut, and if you think your baby isn’t well, always check it out!”

Georgia’s heartfelt post also included a special thank-you to the medical team at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

She praised the nurses and doctors for their exceptional care, saying, “They were incredible with Gigi.”

Her gratitude extended to her family and friends, who supported her during the challenging week.

“Thank you to our family for keeping things going at home with Brody, and our friends for checking in. We love you,” she wrote.

The post garnered an outpouring of support from friends and fans alike.

Amy Childs commented, “Sending you lots of love @georgiakousoulou xxx,” while Dani Dyer wrote, “Oh darling girl sending you all lots of love xxx.”

Cara De La Hoyde added three heart emojis as Charlotte Dawson concluded, “Sending so much love babe it’s the worst I really feel for you all.”

Georgia told how they were forced to rush her to A&E last week.

The reality star took to Instagram to share a snap following their trip to the hospital.

As she cuddled her daughter, she wrote: “Baby girl not well… trip to a&e and she has bronchitis.

“Worst thing when they are this small.”

She also begged fans for tips on how to cope with the diagnosis at such a young age, adding: “She’s only 3 weeks old.”

Georgia and Tommy are also parents to son Brody, three, and introduced the latest addition to their family on social media in November.

They wrote: “Introducing you .. GIGI Fordham born on 22.11 weighing 8 pound 12

“Our darling girl, we are so in love, our hearts could burst. Thank you god for answering our prayers.”

The couple previously shared the happy news they were expecting again after suffering a tragic miscarriage last year.

Alongside an emotional video at the time, Georgia told her fans she had undergone IVF to have her little girl.

She wrote alongside it: “Our little rainbow baby due December.

“Words can’t express the emotions we have , we have prayed , wished & with a little help it’s happened…”

Last year, the couple were left heartbroken when they went for their 12 week scan and were told about the rare chromosome disorder, called triploid syndrome, that meant their baby had no chance of survival.

The discovery left Georgia with the agony of having to undergo a termination – had she continued with the pregnancy, her baby would have been miscarried or stillborn.

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Georgia Kousoulou shared an update on Gigi’s health yesterday[/caption]

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They are also parents to three-year-old Brody[/caption]

RYAN Searle is an unconventional player — he throws darts like hammers, has long flowing hair and an eye condition meaning he cannot see where his arrows land.

Even so he’s one of the best on the planet, which he’ll be aiming to prove at the PDC World Darts Championship 2025.

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Ryan Searle is the current world No. 20 on the PDC Order of Merit[/caption]

Who is Ryan Searle?

Ryan Searle was born on October 21, 1987, in Wellington, Somerset.

He has become one of the most recognisable faces in professional darts — and not just because of his unorthodox appearance.

Ryan is known by the nickname “Heavy Metal” due to his rockstar hair, powerful throw and musical preferences.

His walk-on tune is an absolute banger — Paranoid by Black Sabbath.

Early career

Before his professional darts career, Ryan worked as a window cleaner.

His journey into professional darts began humbly, starting in local leagues and attending professional tournaments as a spectator.

In a remarkable moment of foresight, he once joked about competing on the big stage — a dream that would ultimately come true.

Ryan said: “I went to the Premier League Darts in Exeter as a spectator.

“I had just started playing in my local league, and I joked that one day I’d be on that stage competing with the best players in the world.”

Ryan’s breakthrough came with two Challenge Tour victories in 2016, earning him a Tour Card for the 2017 PDC campaign.

Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks, achieving several notable accomplishments along the way.

Career highlights

• PDC Titles: Ryan has won five ranking PDC titles, showcasing his skill and consistency on the professional circuit.
• World Championship Performance: He made his PDC World Championship debut in 2019, reaching the last 16 on his first attempt. He repeated this feat in 2021.
• Players Championship Finals: In 2021, Ryan finished as runner-up in the Players Championship Finals, narrowly losing 11-10 to Peter Wright in a thrilling final.
• World Ranking: As of 2024, Ryan is ranked No. 20 on the PDC Order of Merit, reflecting his continued improvement and success.
• Pro breakthrough: Won his first Pro Tour title in 2020, defeating Michael van Gerwen 8-6.
• Nine-darter: Ryan hit a televised nine-dart finish at the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts, demonstrating his exceptional skill.

I had just started playing in my local league, and I joked that one day I’d be on that stage competing with the best players in the world

Ryan Searle

Unique characteristics

Ryan’s approach to darts is distinctive in several ways.

He is known for using unusually heavy darts, weighing 32 grams — significantly heavier than the typical 20-26 grams used by most professionals.

Ryan has astigmatism, a condition that affects his ability to see where his darts land.

Despite this challenge, he has developed a playing style that relies more on muscle memory and feel rather than visual confirmation.

Family life

Off the oche, Ryan is married to Sophie Cosh.

They have two children together — a daughter named Amelia and a son named Connor.

Ryan’s unique playing style, characterised by heavy darts and powerful throws, combined with his distinctive appearance, has made him a fan favourite.

His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring darts players, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, it’s possible to overcome adversity and transform your passion into a successful professional career.

IT’S not really Christmas until the tree is up.

But for some, welcoming the return of their festive foliage could also invite a host of irritating – and potentially dangerous – symptoms. 

‘Christmas tree syndrome‘ is the nickname given to an allergic reaction to a Christmas tree.

Like all allergies, five symptoms could be triggered as a result:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose

Terpenes, the compounds that give Christmas trees their scent, can be one cause of an allergic reaction if touched or inhaled.

But symptoms can also be triggered by mould or dust, and can be a particular danger to people with asthma.

Dr Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead at the charity Asthma + Lung UK and a practising GP, warned: “It can cause the airways to inflame and tighten, potentially leading to a flare-up of symptoms, such as breathlessness, and causing a life-threatening asthma attack.”

Christmas tree syndrome can occur with both real and artificial trees for different reasons.

“Real trees can carry many different types of mould which can increase the levels of mould spores in your home,” the doctor said.

Other seasonal plants like mistletoe can also bring mould spores and pollen into your house.

And in a warm home, these spores can multiply.

If you’re sensitive to mould and pollen, you may notice symptoms similar to hay fever and your asthma symptoms may get worse. 

In a recent survey, Asthma + Lung UK found a staggering 34 per cent of people with asthma surveyed said they were triggered by mould and fungi.  

Artificial trees aren’t completely safe either, as the dust and mould from these accumulated during storage could prompt an allergic response too. 

And 55 per cent of those with asthma surveyed said dust is a trigger for them.  

Dr Whittamore said: “It is important that those with asthma protect themselves so they can stay well during the festive season by ensuring they take their medicines correctly and staying away from triggers whenever possible.

“Winter is a tough time for people with lung conditions as cold, damp weather and an increase in viruses also increase inflammation in the airways and respiratory symptoms.” 

How to avoid Christmas tree syndrome

Dr Natasha Fernando, a practising GP and medical director of home blood testing service Medichecks, said there are things you can do to avoid a bout of Christmas tree syndrome.

When natural Christmas trees are kept in a warm house, they are the perfect place for mould to grow.

So Dr Fernando said if you suffer from asthma and know that mould irritates you, then it might be time to swap to an artificial tree.

Packing your tree up in an airtight bag will reduce the amount of dust that can gather before the next year

Dr Natasha FernandoGP

But she added: “Artificial trees are perfect holders for dust.

“If you know that dust also triggers your asthma, this can be dangerous if it causes an attack.

“If you have a natural tree, spraying it down with a hose before you bring it into the house will remove mould spores and hopefully reduce the growth rate.

“Just ensure that the tree is completely dry before you dress it with any Christmas lights.  

“An air-humidifier is also a good option for keeping the room ventilated and clearing away mould particles.”

If you’ve chosen an artificial tree, vacuuming or wiping it down before you decorate can also help get rid of any dust particles and hopefully reduce irritation.

She added: “Packing your tree up in an airtight bag will reduce the amount of dust that can gather before the next year, so you have more time to focus on your decoration placements.”  

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Christmas tree syndrome is the nickname given to an allergic reaction to a Christmas tree[/caption]

THE Pogues fans have gone wild after the legendary band reunited for a special gig one year after the death of Shane MacGowan.

The rebel rousers were joined by some special guests as they reformed for a packed crowd in Dublin.

Twitter / @TheRockRevival_

Twitter / @TheRockRevival_

They were joined by Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten and guest vocalists[/caption]

Twitter / @TheRockRevival_

Irish singer Grian sang The Pogues’ Streams Of Whiskey[/caption]

Social Media Collect

The gig comes a year after the death of Pogues legend Shane MacGowan[/caption]

Grian Chatten, who is the lead singer of Fontaines D.C., joined the band on stage for a rendition of Streams Of Whiskey.

The Irish singer sent die-hard fans crazy as he took over the mic for the special version of The Pogues’ hit 1984 song.

Pogues founding members Jem Finer and James Fearnley, along with band mate Spider Stacy, make up the current line up of The Pogues and they looked thrilled to have Grian on stage with them.

The musicians were also accompanied by vocalists Nadine Shah, Daragh Lynch from Lankum, and John Francis Flynn on the night at Dublin’s 3Arena.

The gig had special significance as it came just over a year after the death of The Pogues’ iconic frontman Shane.

The Fairytale Of New York singer died last November aged 65 following a battle with ill health.

Shane’s devastated wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, and his family were at his bedside when he passed away.

The singer would have turned 66 on Christmas Day 2023 but had been battling viral encephalitis, which causes inflammation of the brain.

It was later confirmed he had also contracted pneumonia, which caused his death.

Victoria was at the gig in Dublin last week and hailed it as a success.

Referring to her late husband, she said: “He didn’t miss anything — he was here!”

But taking to the stage in Dublin amid the roar of a huge ovation, Victoria also admitted she had been “terrified”.

She said: “I was terrified being here. I thought I would be too emotional, I thought there might be a sense Shane not being here might be too much for me.

“But, what happened was, this gig, these guys, they did something that was so ­brilliant that Shane wasn’t missing at all, there was nothing missing.

“The first time that I saw The Pogues was in 1982, and they were f***ing brilliant then.

“But I’ve got to say, this is just as good. I’m not joking. It was f***ing brilliant.”

Victoria went on to tell the crowd how Shane wasn’t actually a fan of the festive season, despite being famed for fronting a Christmas anthem.

She continued: “But on a slightly more serious note, Shane was not that into Christmas, weirdly.

“I think if you want to remember Shane, please just be good to somebody that you need to, be kind to someone, give them the time of day, talk to a homeless person.

“Give them a drink! Be good to people. That’s how to remember Shane.”

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, fans were thrilled to catch a glimpse of the Pogues’ gig after a member of the crowd uploaded a clip.

One wrote: “Shane is there in spirit.”

Another added: “I absolutely love this!”

And a third said: “Yep he sang it like Shane would’ve sang it. No b******s just straight up. Great gig.”

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Shane MacGowan died in November 2023[/caption]

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He was the lead singer of The Pogues[/caption]

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Die-hard fans appreciated Grian’s rendition of Streams Of Whiskey[/caption]

FLIGHTS and ferries have been cancelled due to 70mph winds, adding to the Christmas getaway chaos.

Millions of travellers are continuing to take to the roads in a bid to be with family and friends for the festivities.

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The Met Office is forecasting 70mph gales[/caption]

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A wind warning is in place until Sunday evening[/caption]

George Cracknell Wright

Traffic queues on the A102M Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich[/caption]

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A Jet2 aircraft is blown about as it departs Leeds Bradford airport[/caption]

The Met Office said warnings for “severe” gales are expected to remain in place until 9pm today – more than 24 hours after being issued.

Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire.

And this morning, more snow is expected in parts of Scotland.

The Met Office said: “Snow will be focused over hills, where several centimetres may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning.”

HEATHROW

Yesterday Heathrow Airport announced a “small number of flights” had been cancelled due to “strong winds and airspace restriction” and British Airways said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we’ve had to make a small number of cancellations.

“We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.

“While the vast majority of our customers will travel as planned, our teams are working hard to help those who have been affected get their travel plans back on track at this important time of year.”

P&O Ferries said journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled until at least 8pm on Sunday.

CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland’s west coast, said 29 of its 30 routes were either cancelled or affected by disruption on Sunday.

Rail operator ScotRail announced that speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.

It comes amid warnings of a “perfect storm” created by bad weather and congestion on the roads.

The AA predicted 21.3 million drivers will hit the road on Sunday while 22.7 million had been expected on Saturday, slightly fewer than the 23.7 million on Friday which was expected to be the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

A spokesperson said “if the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm”.

“We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”

The RAC estimated seven million leisure trips would be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic.

It predicted that congestion hotspots will be on both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23; Liverpool to Chester on the M53; Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3; the M25 to the south coast along the M3; and at the Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.

It comes after Heathrow said earlier this week it was preparing for the “busiest Christmas ever”.

The West London airport expects the number of passengers travelling through its terminals on December 25 to be 21 per cent higher than on the same day last year.

It also predicts that passenger numbers for the month as a whole will exceed the previous record of 6.7 million in 2023.

The airport made the forecast after confirming it served 6.5 million passengers last month in the “busiest ever November”.

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Traffic almost at a standstill with long queues on Southbound carriageway on M5 motorway at Exeter[/caption]

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Stormy weather hits Blackpool‘s North Shore[/caption]

TYSON FURY has refused to confirm that he will fight again.

The Gypsy King, 36, was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk via unanimous decision last night in Riyadh.

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Tyson Fury felt he’d won the fight[/caption]

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The Gypsy King was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk for a second time[/caption]

Fury stormed out of the ring before speaking to the public.

But during his post-fight press conference, he was asked if he will compete again.

He said: “What’s next for me? I’m going home and having some time off.”

Pressed if the public will see him fight again, Fury cryptically added: “You might do, you might not do. Who knows?

“We’ll talk about that next year.”

The Gypsy King also insisted that he felt he’d beaten Usyk.

He said: “I thought I won that fight. I thought I won both fights but I’m going home with two losses on my record. There’s not much I can do about it. I can just fight my heart out.

“I will believe til the day I die that I won that fight. I was aggressive, on the front foot all night, landing to the body and head.

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“Frank Warren had me three or four rounds up. A lot of people had me at least two rounds up. But I’m not going to cry over spilled milk.

“I can’t change the decision. When you don’t get the KO this is what happens: you can’t guarantee a win.”

An AI judge, unveiled earlier this week, had Usyk as 118-112 victor.

When this was put to Fury, he huffed: “F*** all the computers, keep the humans going.

“More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers. F*** electric cars too, while we’re at it.”

A Ukrainian reporter asked Fury if he felt his opponent had taken inspiration from the spirit of his war-torn country.

‘A CHRISTMAS GIFT’

The Gypsy King replied: “I didn’t feel no spirit. I felt a bit of Christmas spirit in there and think he got a Christmas gift from those judges.”

After bumping into Ben Davison, Fury admitted that he felt he’d won comfortably.

He told his former trainer: “I swear to God I thought I won by at least three rounds.”

After the bout, Fury was comforted by wife Paris, who he claimed he had not spoken to for three months ahead of the fight.

Speaking ringside to TNT Sports after the fight, promoter Warren, 72, was stunned.

He said: “I am dumbfounded, to give four rounds out of the 12 is impossible.

“One judge didn’t give him any round from round six onwards, that’s impossible.

“It’s crazy, and I’m calm and collected, that is a nonsense. Their faces, the management of Usyk had him winning.”

TYSON FURY stormed out of the ring after suffering a heart-breaking points defeat by Oleksandr Usyk – and he has now dropped a cryptic retirement hint!

Officially at his career-heaviest weight of 20 stone, Fury came flying out the blocks before Usyk began to work out the Gypsy King in the latter stages.

After hearing the judges’ scorecards being read all in unison of 116-112 for Usyk, Fury immediately left the ring and did not conduct his in-ring interview.

On an eventful undercard, Johnny Fisher was DROPPED by Dave Allen before winning by a controversial decision and Moses Itauma brutally KNOCKED OUT Demsey McKean in the first round.

Follow ALL the reaction from the Kingdom Arena with our live blog below…

AT LEAST 38 people have been killed in a horror crash after a packed bus collided with a lorry in Brazil before bursting into flames.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described the fatal smash as a “terrible tragedy” with harrowing images showing the burnt out bus left on the side of the road.

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The burnt out wreckage of the bus after the collision[/caption]

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A car was also trapped underneath the lorry[/caption]

AFP

Debris was sent flying across the road in the horror crash with bus seats seen strewn across the ground[/caption]

The coach, carrying 45 passengers, caught on fire after one of its tyres suddenly blew out and sent the motor out of control, horrified witnesses said.

The driver battled to keep it on the road before it ploughed into an oncoming lorry.

Dozens of the passengers were ultimately killed along with the driver as the bus smashed off the concrete road.

Moments later the impact sparked a deadly inferno.

Footage shows firefighters putting out the burning bus wreckage as it laid on the side of the busy main road in the country’s eastern state of Minas Gerais.

Other onlookers also told rescue teams that the bus hit a granite block as it spiralled out of control.

The lorry was left in a severely damaged state with pictures showing it appeared to collide with a separate car just seconds after the initial crash.

The small car was crushed underneath the weight of the truck but the driver and two passengers are said to have miraculously escaped.

The truck driver later fled the scene, say local media.

Another 13 people were taken to hospital following the crash, the local fire department said.

Mr da Silva added in a statement: “I deeply regret and send my prayers to the families of the more than 30 fatalities from the accident in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais.

“I pray for the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy.”

Local governor Romeu Zema wrote on X that he had ordered “full mobilisation” of the Minas Gerais government to help the victim’s loved ones.

More than 10,000 people have tragically died in traffic accidents in Brazil this year alone.

It comes just months after three people were killed in a horrific bus crash carrying a Brazilian football team to a championship game.

Local media claims the trio who died were players from the American football team the Coritiba Crocodiles of the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba.

In May, Brazilian country music star Ana Paula Vieira was killed alongside her boyfriend in a horrifying head-on car crash.

The 27-year-old was driving home with her partner Marcelo Stocco, 32, after performing her final gig in Cacoal when they collided with a tractor-trailer – leaving the car mangled at the side of the highway.

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Firefighters inspect the wreckage[/caption]

AFP

A crane works to move the bus from the side of the road[/caption]

A US fighter jet has been shot down over the Red Sea in a “friendly fire” strike after the warplane sent on a secret Houthi mission.

The incident has been dubbed the most serious to threaten troops in over a year of US targeting Yemen‘s terrorist Houthi rebels.

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An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet takes off from the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower[/caption]

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A U.S. Marine McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet is displayed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar[/caption]

Two pilots had to eject from their stricken aircraft and were thankfully recovered alive, with one suffering minor injuries.

But the shootdown underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become over the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

This is all while US and European military coalitions patrol the area.

The US military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi rebels at the time – but the US military’s Central Command didn’t disclose just what the mission was.

The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, Central Command confirmed.

On December 15, Central Command acknowledged the Truman had entered the Mideast, but hadn’t specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.

Central Command said in a statement: “The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18.”

From the military’s description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.

However, Central Command said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels.

Incoming hostile fire from the terrorist Houthis has given sailors just seconds to make decisions in the past.

Since the Truman’s arrival, the US has stepped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area.

But the presence of an American warship group may spark renewed attacks from the rebels.

That deployment marked what the Navy described as its most intense combat since World War II.

The Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023 after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel.

Israel’s grinding offensive in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, local health officials say.

The tally doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two in a campaign that has also killed four sailors.

Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate US – and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

But many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict – including some bound for Iran.

The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel itself with drones and missiles, resulting in retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

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McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet aircraft of the Spain Air Force participate in the Tactical Leadership Programme[/caption]