QUEEN Elizabeth has been compared to pop royalty Taylor Swift during the monarch’s time in Australia.

The late Queen was such a big hit Down Under that there’s no way Aussies want to be a republic, the late head of state’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson has said.

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Queen Elizabeth during a visit to a wildlife park in Brisbane on October 24, 2011[/caption]

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The Queen’s press secretary has compared the former monarch to being like Taylor Swift in popularity, seen here performing at Melbourne’s cricket ground in February this year[/caption]

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Huge crowds of adoring well-wishers gathered to greet the Queen in Melbourne’s Federation Square in 2011[/caption]

Ms Anderson was talking to The Sun Online for the latest episode of our Royal Exclusive series.

As her role as the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth visited Australia in October 2011, taking in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Ms Anderson said: “I remember the crowds, the big Aussie barbeque in Perth, which was the last big event.

“It felt like the Queen was Taylor Swift.

“Honestly, the crowds were enormous – cheering. It was electric.

“The media always like to say ‘how long are you going to have a monarchy?’ in Australia but coming back, there’s no way they’re going to become a republic.

“The crowds, the genuine people, just the adoration.”

She added: “It was a real boost for the Queen and Prince Philip because you never know how many people are going to be interested but clearly they were.”

Talk about the possibility of Australia becoming a republic has intensified lately ahead of King Charles‘ upcoming tour of the country.

But all six of its state premiers snubbed an invite to join him at a reception.

One has taken a further swipe by accusing the King of turning down a Lamington – Australia’s favourite cake.

Steven Miles said he and Charles visited a children’s hospital in 2018 but the royal spurned the sponge dipped in chocolate and coconut, made by the kids.

The Queensland premier claimed: “I’ve got a bit to do here in Queensland so I won’t be able to make the party with the King.

“But I did host him last time he was here in Queensland so I’m sure he won’t take it personally.

“I took him to the children’s hospital and we had a really great day there.

“The highlight was the children had made Lamingtons and he looked at me and I said ‘we’ve got to eat it’.

“And he said ‘I will not’, so I ate the Lamington. He declined the Lamington but I ate it for him.”

But a recent poll revealed Aussies are less in favour of ditching the King for a Republic than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Charles and Queen Camilla will conduct a nine-day tour and have an action-packed itinerary ahead of them.

Despite his cancer treatment he will still pack in 36 engagements.

While the visit is historic – Charles’ first as reigning monarch – it could be “extremely exhausting” for Camilla who “doesn’t like flying”, according to an expert.

The royal couple will land in Australia on Friday then head to Samoa on October 23, before departing for the UK on October 26.

Editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward told Fabulous: “Queen Camilla is 76. 

“She gets very tired because she’s not born to this royal life. 

“I know she’s been in it a long time, but she’s not born to it, and I think people sometimes forget that Camilla’s never actually had a job. 

“I think she finds these trips extremely exhausting. She doesn’t like flying.

“She’s not a great traveller, and she’s not good in the heat, because you know her, you know, like a lot of women of her age, you know. her feet swell up, and she feels uncomfortable.

“So it’s not the most pleasurable thing to do for her to whisk across to Australia although it might be really exciting for somebody younger.”

The King and Queen will start their trip in Sydney on October 18 before heading to capital Canberra three days later for a banquet with senior politicians.

It’ll be Charles’ 17th visit to Australia but his first trip to a Commonwealth nation since becoming King.

It’s also his first visit to Australia since 2018 when he opened the Commonwealth Games on the Queensland Gold Coast.

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The Queen chats so aborigine dancers during her visit to Cairns, Queensland[/caption]

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Queen Elizabeth during a visit to officially open Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital[/caption]

Reuters

King Charles and Queen Camilla are flying to Australia for a nine-day tour[/caption]

The Sun

WNBA rookie star Angel Reese opened up about her various expenses and shared what she makes in the WNBA.

The Chicago Sky forward, 22, spoke to her fans about the topic on social media.

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Chicago Sky star Angel Reese talked about her WNBA salary on her Instagram Live on Wednesday[/caption]

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The 22-year-old Reese prepares to shoot a free throw during a WNBA game on September 1[/caption]

Angel Reese has been one of the most popular players in the WNBA due to her stellar college history, professional league play, and, of course, her off-the-court ventures.

On Wednesday, she appeared on Instagram Live and spoke about her business endeavors which help fund her lifestyle.

Reese did cause controversy, however, saying that her WNBA salary currently doesn’t “pay her bills.”

The LSU Tigers product then called out her haters, adding that “hating pays the bills” and that her job with the Sky doesn’t cover her main payments.

“Hating pays them bills, baby. I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all,” Reese said.

“I don’t even think that pays one of my bills.

“Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at.

“Let me do the math real quick.

“I don’t even know my [WNBA] salary. $74,000?”

Later in the live broadcast call, one of Reese’s friends confirmed that her salary doesn’t cover her $8,000 rent.

Reese then said, “I living above my means!

“Babe, if y’all thought… That WNBA check don’t pay a thing. Did that even pay my car note?

“I wouldn’t even be able to eat a sandwich with that.

“I wouldn’t even be able to eat.

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Reese walking during a WNBA game[/caption]

“I wouldn’t be able to live.”

In addition to her lucrative sponsorship deals, Reese has her own hit podcast, called Unapologetically Angel.

The show launched last month and has brought on celebrity guests which include Dwyane Wade, Latto, and Kayla Nicole, among others.

Reese was also recently named on Sports Illustrated’s list of the 50 Most Influential Athletes of 2024.

She is coming off a stellar rookie campaign that saw her break the WNBA single-season rebounding record.

Reese also became the first rook in any American professional basketball team to achieve back-to-back 20-rebound games since NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal.

SIR Richard Branson will co-pilot the first crewed flight of Space Perspective’s stratospheric balloon flight.

A pressurized capsule powered by hydrogen will fly eight passengers to 20 miles above Earth – with the business tycoon at the helm.

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Sir Richard Branson is set to pilot a space balloon to 20 miles above Earth[/caption]

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The hydrogen-powered balloon promises a journey that’s as “easy as an airplane flight”[/caption]

Space Perspective, the company behind the attempt, successfully completed an uncrewed flight in September.

And it now promises to float a capsule “at levels above the atmosphere never before achieved in a commercial balloon flight”.

Sir Richard previously broke two ballooning world records by crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1987 and 1991.

And now he’s set to copilot a world-first balloon trip to space.

“Some of the most magnificent experiences of my life have happened on ballooning expeditions and I’m excited to support Space Perspective in its journey,” Sir Richard said.

“I’m passionate about adventure and helping fellow entrepreneurs reach their business dreams.

“I look forward to dusting off my old ballooning license ahead of some magnificent test flights.”

Sir Richard is an investor in the balloon company that has raised $100 million (£77 million) in funding.

Its hydrogen capsule is designed to soar gently into space – before splashing down in the ocean.

The journey is expected to take around six hours “to the highest altitude of any commercial balloon flight in the world”.

It doesn’t use any rockets, there’s no weightlessness, and Space Perspective even promises no heavy g-forces or training required.

Instead, the company says it’s “as easy as an airplane flight”.

Guests will “enjoy a world-class meal and cocktail service”, and there’s even Wi-Fi on board.

But the main attraction is the view, with a stunning look at Earth “through the largest windows ever to adorn a pressurised capsule”.

We are now on a mission to give Explorers breathtaking views of the Earth against a black sky.

Jane PoynterSpace Perspective founder

Space Perspective

You’ll need to pay $125,000 for a ticket to board the pod on a trip to space[/caption]

There’s also a “proper restroom” on board that’s been dubbed the Space Spa.

Joining Sir Richard on board will be the two founders of Space Perspective: Taber MacCallum and Jane Poynter.

“We’re delighted by Richard’s decision to join Jane and I as co-pilot on the first crewed flight, leveraging his deep experience in ballooning to ensure a successful maiden voyage,” said Taber MacCallum, the founder of Space Perspective.

“Richard’s pioneering efforts in the ballooning industry were a key inspiration for us when we founded Space Perspective.”

Space Perspective

A built-in window will allow for stunning views of Earth from space[/caption]

Taber and Jane met as crew members in Biosphere 2, and also led the team that flew Google exec Alan Eustace to a record-breaking height of 136,000 feet with a space balloon.

“We are now on a mission to give Explorers breathtaking views of the Earth against a black sky,” added Jane Poynter, founder of Space Perspective.

“And do so gently in a way that only balloons enable.”

There’s no set date for Sir Richard’s first flight.

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The capsule is expected to have a gentle ocean splashdown after its six-hour flight[/caption]

But if you want to head up to space yourself, you’ll have to pay $125,000 for a “standard reservation” on board the capsule.

A TYCOON has revealed how £2.5billion plans for a huge theme park dubbed the “British Disneyland” have destroyed his life.

Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi says he has invested millions into the huge London Resort theme park, first announced back in 2012, but has faced a number of problems.

The massive attraction, which hopes to open on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent, would be three times larger than any other UK theme park and equivalent to 136 Wembley stadiums.

But he has faced fierce opposition from locals, with many slamming the huge development.

Now Dr Al-Humaidi has revealed how the plans have “ruined” his reputation and claims he faces jail if he returns to his homeland of Kuwait.

He told Kent Online: “I am a very private person – I do not seek the limelight. But some disgruntled creditors of the London Resort are saying falsehoods about me and the truth needs to be told.”

He revealed how the long-running saga surrounding the £2.5bn project has left him bankrupt, shattered his reputation, and made him afraid to return to his homeland.

He said: “it has ruined my reputation and left me bankrupt.”

Despite pouring millions of his own money into the scheme, he expresses little hope for any financial return as the project remains mired in limbo.

The former chairman of Ebbsfleet United Football Club told of the pressures he faced from friends and investors in Kuwait, some of whom have accused him of orchestrating a “fictitious” venture to siphon off funds.

He said: “I lost a lot of money personally—a lot of money. And I couldn’t keep up with that, hence my bankruptcy.”

After declaring bankruptcy last November, he is now awaiting the lifting of restrictions that have held him captive in a foreign land, unable to return to Kuwait for fear of arrest.

Dr Abdulla invested a staggering £40million into the project, a sum he initially believed would ensure a swift and profitable venture.

He recounts being told that only a few million would be needed to get the project off the ground, only to find that the reality was far more complicated and costly than anticipated.

With each hurdle, public support waned, turning from eager anticipation to growing scepticism.

As he faced mounting pressure, Dr Abdulla extended his search for funding, turning to family and friends in Kuwait.

However, cultural differences and the rigid nature of Kuwait’s financial system complicated matters.

Some investors began demanding repayment through the courts, leading to arrest warrants being issued against him—a chilling threat that has prevented his return home.

Despite the bleak situation, he remains resolute that the vision for the London Resort is still viable.

The fallout has been severe, with ongoing legal actions causing him to fear imprisonment should he return home, despite many of the allegations being dismissed.

Reflecting on the decade-long struggle, Dr Abdulla, now 38 and a father of two, expresses his frustration at the UK’s planning system, which he describes as “broken.”

His journey began in 2012, when the promise of a Disneyland-style attraction ignited excitement across the country.

The project, set to create thousands of jobs and provide a significant boost to the local economy, has instead devolved into a protracted series of legal battles and bureaucratic setbacks.

As the years rolled by, the dream of the London Resort remained just that—a dream.

No construction has taken place, and creditors have been left out of pocket as the company behind the venture spirals into financial disarray.

The once-promising site is now a bleak reminder of the unfulfilled aspirations that accompanied its announcement.

The costs of preparing planning documents have been staggering, leaving Dr Abdulla grappling with his own financial ruin.

The site, now designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, poses additional challenges.

The unexpected designation has created a new layer of obstacles, forcing the London Resort team to revaluate their plans.

With a High Court hearing set for April 2025, the project hangs in the balance.

Dr Abdulla acknowledges the urgent need for change in the planning process, stating that the current system deters institutional investment and stifles progress.

He believes that constructive dialogue between conservationists and developers could pave the way for a more harmonious future.

As uncertainty looms over the Swanscombe Peninsula, local businesses are left grappling with the implications of a project that has failed to materialise.

With it being the biggest investment in Europe since Disneyland Paris in 1992, there were initially plans for six lands.

This included partners such as Paramount, BBC and ITV, with Mission Impossible and Doctor Who themed rides.

Along with 3,500 hotel rooms, at least 12 major rides were expected, with as many as 50 rides as a new ferry terminal.

It was set to open by 2019, however delays resulted in this being pushed back, as well as the majority of partners pulling out of the development.

In March 2023, the London Resort called in administrators, and at the time time said the project was ongoing, with new proposals to be submitted.

But last year, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, MP told The Sun he considered the scheme to be “dead in the water”.

He said: “In my eyes, the SSSI registration has ended the possibility of a theme park. I now see this site’s future as a nature reserve.

A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson told Sun Travel: “

Planning Inspectorate spokesperson: “The London Resort application was withdrawn in March 2022.

POOL fans were left in awe after watching FOUR golden breaks in the Thursday’s Reyes Cup action between Europe and Asia.

The event, taking place in the Philippines, began on Tuesday and runs until Friday.

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Four golden breaks took place on Thursday – when the nine-ball goes in off the break to automatically win the frame[/caption]

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Team Europe claimed three golden breaks[/caption]

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Team Asia also helped themselves to a golden break[/caption]

Team Europe began Thursday’s action trailing 7-2 as they attempted to claw their way back into the Reyes Cup.

And fans in the arena in Manila were treated to a sensational few hours which featured a remarkable FOUR golden breaks.

A golden break is when a player pots the nine-ball from the opening break, automatically winning the frame.

It is considered perfection in the game of nine-ball pool, like a 147 in snooker or a nine-dart finish in darts.

But they were not hard to come by on Thursday as four sensational breaks claimed frame victories – three for Europe and one for Asia.

Reacting to the feat, one fan said: “What a thrilling event!”

Another added: “That was brilliant.”

A third replied: “Amazing play.”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

While a fourth joked: “Fluke mate.”

And a fifth said: “You cannot write this!”

HARROWING pictures show inside Liam Payne’s hotel room shortly after his fatal fall.

Argentine media have published troubling images showing white powder, burnt aluminium foil and a smashed TV screen.

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White powder and burnt aluminium foil was allegedly pictured inside Liam Payne’s hotel room[/caption]

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Aluminium foil was also seen in the bath of the hotel room[/caption]

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Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died aged 31[/caption]

The 31-year-old singer was in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour when he died after falling from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said initial findings point towards him fracturing his skull.

Several images show what is reported to be the inside of the former One Direction singer’s luxury suite at the upmarket Hotel CasaSur Palermo, according to Argentina’s biggest newspaper Clarin.

They appear to show traces of a white powder and burnt aluminium foil in the bathroom and living area.

A green lighter and a container of Dove soap is also sat on what looks like a messy table in the trashed room.

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It comes as:

• Heartbreaking 911 call from hotel staff revealed
• One Direction fans held candlelit vigils outside the hotel
• The singer posted on Snapchat just minutes before his death
• Rylan Clark and Dermot O’Leary paid tribute to the singer
• His ex-fiancée Maya Henry broke her silence after his death
• Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy’s message before he died
• Harry Styles’ mum pays heartbreaking tribute to the star
• Inside the hotel where Liam tragically died

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Clarin, Argentina’s biggest newspaper, published the images alongside a report saying: “Damage and drugs in the hotel room Liam Payne was staying in in Buenos Aires.”

Cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are but are due to run tests on them shortly.

A smashed TV can also be seen in the room next to a half-drunk champagne glass.

Clarin and several other outlets like La Nacion confirmed the photos were taken after Liam was found unresponsive outside.

The singer had been open about his battles with addiction in the past.

A final 911 call from hotel staff on Wednesday revealed they needed “urgent assistance” from cops to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.

Argentinian police said staff reported an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Witnesses at the hotel reported Liam even had to be carried back to his room, according to TMZ.

Recordings from the 911 calls made by the head of reception show them reporting “a guest who is destroying everything in his room”.

In a second urgent appeal for help the receptionist said: “We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger.

“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”

Police who suspect the star may have been intoxicated are now set to look into who might have supplied Liam with drugs, say La Nacion.

Liam was found dead in the hotel’s inner courtyard at around 5pm local time (9pm UK time) on Wednesday.

His death was confirmed as soon as ambulance crews arrived as they said he had suffered severe injuries.

It is believed that he fractured his skull when he landed, according to emergency chiefs.

A red tent was put up over Liam’s body as cops began to investigate the death.

Forensic police worked with ambulance staff at the scene before they moved his body to the morgue.

Police are now said to be carrying out an autopsy with a post-mortem expected some time today.

The singer was in Buenos Aires for a holiday after going to see pal Niall Horan’s tour.

He had arrived on September 30 with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

Weeping fans crowded outside the hotel holding a candle light vigil overnight in honour of the beloved singer.

Many mourned the loss of Liam with flowers as they wiped away tears.

His loved ones say the heartbreaking news has left them “devastated”.

Neighbours said Liam’s parents left in a hurry from their Wolverhampton home at around midnight.

Two women, believed to be Liam’s sisters, were then seen entering the property at 9am this morning.

Liam had shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death showing himself with girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.

The star had posted earlier in the day talking about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.

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One of the final pictures of Liam Payne on Snapchat[/caption]

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Liam was a member of the boy band One Direction between 2010 and 2016[/caption]

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Cops waiting outside the Hotel CasaSur Palermo as a heartbroken crowd watches on[/caption]

He has left behind his seven-year-old son Bear who he shared with Cheryl after the pair met when Liam was on the X Factor.

Cheryl reportedly feared the worst for her ex in the years before his tragic death in Buenos Aires.

A source claiming to be close to the Girls Aloud star told the Mirror: “Cheryl is really worried about Liam.

“She’s really protective of him and is worried no one is actually looking out for him.”

It followed the beloved artist being rushed to hospital with a serious kidney infection last August.

The Wolverhampton star was born August 29, 1993, and had early health battles and was bullied at secondary school.

He first shot to fame aged just 14 when he appeared on the popular singer competition in 2008.

Liam returned to sing in front of Simon Cowell in 2010 before he was grouped up with four other talented young singers and went on to form the iconic One Direction band.

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Liam shared a boy named Bear with Cheryl[/caption]

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Heartbroken fans paid tribute to the former One Direction star outside the hotel[/caption]

A MUM has shared her shock after her three little boys were diagnosed with the same rare brain condition.

Whitney Niece took sons Lincoln, 10, Norrin, six, and Remley, three, to the doctor after they started suffering from bizarre symptoms one-by-one.

Jam Press/Whitney Niece

Jam Press/Whitney Niece

All three were struck with bizarre symptoms like headaches and balance issues – picture with mum Whitney Niece[/caption]

Jam Press/Whitney Niece

Remley was the first to be diagnosed with Chiari malformation type 1[/caption]

Jam Press/Whitney Niece

They were struck with headaches and vomiting, as well as a loss of balance and coordination.

At first, doctors dismissed their symptoms as being caused by a virus.

But the three youngsters were found to have Chiari malformation type 1 – a condition which occurs when the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal, triggering worrying symptoms.

“Our lives felt like a whirlwind – it seemed like one challenge after another hit our family,” their 38-year-old mum, a marketing coordinator from Indiana, US, said.

“I felt defeated before we had answers.

“It was always chalked up to being a viral issue, yet no one else was sick.

“So finding the cause for their problems was a strange feeling.

“I felt relief but then also nervousness because I had no idea [of] anything about the condition.

“Remley’s diagnosis was unexpected, as all prenatal tests failed to detect it.

“Then, Lincoln’s diagnosis was another shock, leaving me to wonder about the odds of having two children with the same condition.

“I suspected Norrin might have it too based on his symptoms, but that didn’t lessen the impact of discovering that all three of our boys shared the same diagnosis.”

The boys’ symptoms had presented slightly differently and at different ages.

Whitney said: “Lincoln and Norrin’s were mainly headaches and vomiting, while Remley had the loss of coordination – he would walk and just fall, typically face first since he was so little.”

Little Remley was first diagnosed in June 2022 after he stopped urinating, and an MRI found the malformation incidentally.

Lincoln was again diagnosed by chance, after a doctor spotted his pupils were not the same size and called for tests in February 2023.

Finally, Norrin was diagnosed in December 2023 after battling headaches for three months.

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Lincoln right before Chiari decompression surgery – he was the second to be diagnosed[/caption]

Jam Press/Whitney Niece

Jam Press/Mackenzie Miller Photo

The boys have been in and out of hospital for surgeries[/caption]

Jam Press/Mackenzie Miller Photo

The malformations are generally caused by genetic mutations that take shape while babies develop in the womb.

While not life-threatening, the diagnoses still came as a shock to the parents – and have led to a string of hospital stays, including decompression surgeries to help ease the symptoms.

The procedure involves removing a small piece of bone from the base of the skull or top of the spine to reduce the pressure on the brain and allow the fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord to flow normally.

Whitney said: “In March 2023, Lincoln underwent a decompression surgery and fortunately was out of the hospital within three days.

“Around the same time, Remley began to show more symptoms, prompting his neurosurgeon to request further imaging to determine if he also needed surgery.

“He was decompressed that August but developed a cerebrospinal fluid leak just 10 days later.

“He required emergency surgery to insert an external ventricular drain, which he had for 10 days until a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed at the end of the month.”

This is a thin plastic tube that helps drain extra cerebrospinal fluid from the brain.

The mum went on: “Meanwhile, Norrin began complaining of frequent headaches, and we started the testing process for him.

“In January, he was also decompressed, facing the same CSF fluid leak, EVD drain, and shunt that Remley had experienced months earlier.”

Whitney says the health issue has been difficult for her and husband Ron, 41, to navigate – but that things have started to calm down.

She said: “Financially, we felt overwhelmed, trying to juggle caring for our kids, managing jobs, and caring for the other two who were not in the hospital.

“Thankfully, life has settled down significantly since then.

“While we still deal with headaches weekly, they are now manageable with medication at home.

“Lincoln was cleared by his neurosurgeon and is no longer under neurosurgical care.

“Norrin and Remley will have annual check-ups for their VP shunts, but their futures look bright – and hopefully healthy!”

LINES and wrinkles are an inevitable part of ageing and there’s no way to completely prevent them.

One wrinkle might seem like any other – you might not think to differentiate between the crows feet wreathing your eyes or the creases across your neck.

But each one can pop up for different reasons.

Skin expert and founder of freezeframe, Sonia Amoroso, told Sun Health: “There is no single cause of wrinkles.”

Instead, lines form due to a buildup of multiple factors that, when combined, “create a negative that is more than the sum of its parts”.

“Genetics, changes in hormones, dehydration, lifestyle factors, sun damage, free radical damage and the 20,000 plus expressions you make every day can all contribute to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles,” Sonia explained.

“Left untreated, fine lines will become more prominent, leading to the deeper creases and crevices we know as wrinkles.

“Whilst wrinkles can appear anywhere on your body, they are most common around the face, neck, and hand areas,” the skin expert went on.

From furrows between your brows to marionette or bunny lines, we break down different kinds of wrinkles and what they might be caused by.

It’s no surprise that our faces begin to show signs of wear and tear as we age, as “we make over 20,000 facial expressions every day”, according to Sonia.

What do the wrinkles on your face mean?

“These form creases in the skin which over time will leave their mark as a wrinkle.

“We call these expression wrinkles – they start out as dynamic wrinkles and eventually become fixed in place as static wrinkles.”

When you think of wrinkles that might caused by facial expressions, you might think of smile lines or crows feet.

But Sonia names seven different kinds of common expression wrinkles:

1. Forehead lines – the lines you get when you raise your eyebrows in surprise around the T-zone area
2. Frown lines or elevenses – lines between your eyebrows
3. Crows feet or laughter lines – these form around the eyes and into the cheek zone
4. Bunny lines – the diagonal crinkles that form from the corner of your eyes down the bridge of your nose as you smile or scrunch up your face
5. Nasolabial wrinkles – lines between the nose and mouth corners
6. Verticle lip lines that develop along and above your upper lip
7. Marionette lines – vertical lines running from corners of your mouth down to your to chin

“Whilst the expression is creating the crease, younger skin has the ability to bounce back,” Sonia said.

But as we age, our skin loses the ability to snap back, leading to the formation wrinkles.

When it comes to skincare and ageing, the term ‘free radicals’ gets tossed around a fair bit.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that have the ability to interact freely any other molecule and can trigger chemical reactions in the body called oxidation, damaging the cells and DNA by altering their chemical structure and causing signs of ageing.

Unfortunately, our skin can come into contact with to these unstable molecules in multiple different ways, through sun exposure, pollution, tobacco smoke and poor diet.

All these factors can increase the load of free radicals and cause wrinkles, according to Sonia.

Inevitable hormonal changes also come into play.

These result in decreased levels of collagen and elastin in our skin, as well as less subcutaneous fat – fat that’s stored beneath the skin – and muscle.

What do the wrinkles on your neck mean?

Be honest: how often do you forget to go over your neck when you’re washing your face or applying moisturiser and sun cream?

“The neck is a body part that we tend to miss when it comes to skincare, but it is just as important to take care of the skin on your neck as your face,” Sonia told Sun Health.

Some people might be genetically predisposed to neck lines, as even teenagers can have them, she went on – though perhaps hunching over their phone as they scroll through TikTok could be to blame.

“Whilst you aren’t making facial expressions, in today’s world we are constantly creating creases due to the repeated or prolonged use of tech devices, hence the term ‘tech neck’.

“Just like facial expressions, this repeat creasing creates horizontal lines which, combined with free-radical exposure and hormonal changes, deepen over time.

“But all of the same factors – like constant free radical exposure from sun and pollution – are also fighting against us to form neck wrinkles,” Sonia noted.

As if this wasn’t enough incentive to take care of your neck, Sonia added “the skin around the neck is thinner than the face and does not have the same level of subcutaneous fat layers, so it tends sag and form wrinkles quicker”.

Are ‘sleep lines’ a thing?

Turns out that when you thought you were getting your beauty sleep, you might actually have been making your wrinkles worse.

Sonia said: “You can also develop ‘sleep lines’ from regular, long-term creasing of the skin against your pillow.”

It’s certainly not uncommon to roll out of bed with grooves stamped into your face from your pillow.

“With younger skin, sleep wrinkles tend to go away within a few minutes, but they can be more sustained in mature skin,” Sonia warned.

“As these lines form due to continual pressure as you sleep, they can appear anywhere where your face comes into contact with the pillow such as the cheek and eye area.”

To combat the formation of sleep lines, Sonia suggested lying on your back to sleep or investing in a silk pillow case that will be less harsh on your skin that cotton.

How can I prevent wrinkles?

There are certain things you can to do combat the formation of wrinkles, though none of us can stop ageing in its tracks.

Sonia said: “Just like there is no one cause of wrinkles, there is no one way to prevent wrinkles or fine lines.”

Having a good skincare routine isn’t the only way to prevent your skin from wrinkling, she noted.

“Lifestyle choices can be a huge factor when it comes to preventing wrinkles: stay hydrated, limit your consumption of alcohol, sugar and junk food, and avoid pollution and tobacco smoke.

“Once you reduce your free radical load from food and tobacco, think sun protection,” the skin expert went on.

Sun can cause age spots and pigmentation as well as lines due to free radical damage.

Sonia recalled: “Growing up in Australia, I learned the “slip, slop, slap” song, and it’s one of the top age preventing things you can do – “slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat”.

“Sounds silly but makes perfect sense. UV rays ravage your skin with free radicals whether you burn or not, so take care of your skin when outdoors,” she advised.

‘You are what you eat’ is a saying for a reason, so Sonia advised you eat “a diet rich in anti-oxidants”.

This includes foods like vegetables and fruit – especially berries – nuts and seeds, beans, herbs and spices and even dark chocolate.

Good quality skincare treatments which contain anti-oxidants and peptides can also be helpful, as they “help your skin remember how to recover”, Sonia added.

What products can I use?

Sonia said: “If I was asked what the most important factor is in caring for your skin and preventing wrinkles and other signs of ageing, it would be making sure to use a good eye cream as our eyes have the thinnest skin.

“They are not only the first place to show the signs of ageing, wrinkles around the eyes are also the most noticeable in this area.

“A clinical strength eye cream can really help to not only delay, but even treat these signs of ageing.”

Sonia advised you choose a peptide rich eye cream like freezeframe’s REVITALEYES, which retails for £45 and contains a cocktail of three peptides as well as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and a gel tensor system to lift and smooth the eye area.

“When looking for an eye cream, it should be light-weight and fragrance-free so as not create further swelling an inflammation,” she added.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, you could try the Cetaphil Healthy Renew Hydrating Eye Gel Serum which has peptides in it – it goes for £14.50 at Boots.

Another essential addition to your anti-ageing skincare routine is sunscreen – make sure you’re wearing some daily, not just when it’s sunny.

Sonia recommended the Bondi Sands Sun Lotion Face SPF50+, which you can grab at Superdrug for £6.99.

The skin expert said this sun cream provides UVA and UVB protection and is non-comedogenic – meaning it won’t clog your pores – and suitable for sensitive skin.

Finally, Sonia said you can’t go wrong with the Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser – £8.50 at Holland & Barrett or Amazon – which contains polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate your skin, along zinc PCA, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to tackle congested pores. 

The moisturiser might also help reduce the appearance of fine lines, she added.

In other skincare news, skin doctor Dr Wafaa El Mouheb recently shared which seven foods can help you look years younger – and they all cost under £3.

Meanwhile, Sun Health asked experts whether popular skincare products containing snail slime can actually get rid of wrinkles and give you perfect skin.

TNT Sports is breaking into the world of women’s basketball broadcasting.

After Caitlin Clark‘s first WNBA season was a smash success, TNT Sports is trying to get their hand in the cookie jar.

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The WNBA just completed its most successful season in history[/caption]

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TNT Sports is getting in on the action by broadcasting a new women’s basketball league[/caption]

The WNBA season is coming to a close, but TNT Sports is going to continue broadcasting women’s basketball via the new 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled.

Warner Bros. Discovery made an investment into the league alongside its broadcasting deal, giving it equity in the company.

The deal was brokered by former ESPN president John Skipper and former Turner chief David Levy and will see games broadcasted starting on January 17.

Games will run on TNT on Mondays and Fridays, with all games also streaming on Max.

Unrivaled has garnered a lot of buzz thanks in part to the hype around women’s basketball this year, but also because of the roster they are building.

WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier co-founded the league, and various other All-Stars will participate in the games.

All players will also receive equity in the league as part of their compensation.

The deal is massive for TNT, as it is a way for the network to retain basketball coverage even if they lose NBA rights after their lawsuit with the league.

“The history they have with basketball is second to none,” Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Media rights is the end goal for every league, not just a startup League, that’s what pays the bills the most.”

TNT Sports have been seeking to add as many sports as possible to its roster in the wake of losing the NBA. They already added some college football and basketball this month.

“From the standpoint of timing is everything, it’s nice that ultimately, they’re building up their their sports portfolio,” Levy said.

Unrivaled is benefitting from having an established basketball broadcaster that they hope can grow the league.

“They know how to do studio shows better than anybody, in my opinion,” Levy said.

“So to be able to go back to that and bring this new league into that infrastructure while we’re producing the games, they’re going to give us some insight and some help.

“We want to make sure those games fit culturally into their environment as well.”

“They get to help story tell outside the games… they have Bleacher Report and House of highlights under that umbrella,” Bazzell added.

“Hundreds of millions of social followers for us, that’s an additional way to tap into a fan base that we’re trying to garner so aside from just the dollars of investment, it was more about the alignment of the long-term growth of this property, not just looking at this as a transactional partnership, but more of everyone rowing in the same direction.”

The WNBA season is nearing its completion, with the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx competing in the finals currently.

The Liberty hold a 2-1 series lead over the Lynx.

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TNT Sports gained equity in the new Unrivaled basketball league[/caption]

TGI Fridays has announced that it is closing down a dozen locations as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

This comes after the chain abruptly closed seven locations in May this year, as well as 36 restaurants in January.

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TGI Fridays shuttered a dozen locations this month following a year of financial woes[/caption]

The chain pulled the plug on the restaurants across 10 states earlier this month.

According to the company’s location section on its website, multiple TGI Fridays locations in the Northeast closed last week, including in Clifton Park, Middletown and Poughkeepsie, New York; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Enfield, Connecticut; and Leesburg, Virginia.

Additional closures from earlier this month took place in the Southeast and Midwest regions, in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, as well as two locations in Minnesota.

“We’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet — and exceed — on that brand promise,” TGI Fridays Chief Operating Officer Ray Risley previously said in a press release.

“By strengthening our franchise model and closing under-performing stores,” he continued, “we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future.”

WAVE OF CLOSURES

Before the closures, TGI Fridays had about 270 US locations, according to the company’s website.

Eight other locations were sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette, a longtime stakeholder who will acquire the previously corporate-owned restaurants.

The sale comes as major changes have been made to the brand’s leadership, including the news of Weldon Spangler being made CEO.

“As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays,” said Spangler in a statement.

‘RETAIL APOCALYPSE’

Independent stores and major retailers have been forced to adapt their business plans as customers’ shopping behaviors have changed over time.

A phenomenon, that has been dubbed the retail apocalypse, has gripped the sector for more than a decade.

Industry experts believe that it has been fueled by the rapid growth of online shopping, malls becoming more unpopular, and the death of middle-class consumers, as reported by Vox.

And, the issues facing the retail sector were compounded when the Covid-19 lockdowns hit.

The “retail apocalypse” has seen renowned chains go to the wall, while thousands of stores have closed nationwide.

Many restaurant chains have faced the chopping block as part of a wave of closures across 2024.

To shed light on the reasons behind these restaurant industry closures, The U.S. Sun interviewed Mitchell Olsen, a marketing professor specializing in retail at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Food prices are on the rise, with diners paying 4% more than they did in May last year.

Olsen explained that hiked costs have heavily impacted fast-casual restaurants, with these inflationary pressures driving closures in two ways, from “both sides of the menu.”

“On one hand, it’s more expensive to operate restaurants due to higher wages and food costs. On the other hand, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to pass those higher operating expenses on to diners with ever-increasing menu prices,” he explained.

The high costs have diners reining in their spending habits.

“Consumers are starting to push back against the high cost of dining out by thinking twice about that appetizer or going to a restaurant in the first place,” said Olsen.

The cost of food rose 2.1% from May 2023 to May 2024, and consumers’ wallets are taking a hit not only while dining out, but also at the grocery store.

This change is especially noticeable after the pandemic, according to Olsen.

He concluded: “Although inflation is decelerating, it remains stubbornly high compared to the pre-pandemic prices that remain a reference point for many consumers.”