THE World Darts Championship is underway at Ally Pally – and there are some huge ties taking place TODAY!

Reigning champion Luke Humphries started his title defence with a stunning 3-0 victory over Thibault Tricole on the opening night.

While 2021 winner Gerwyn Price and left-handed genius James Wade feature on Monday.

But teen sensation Luke Littler and his army of fans face a lengthy wait to kickstart his campaign.

• Start time: From 12.40pm GMT
• Live stream: NOWTV / Sky Sports app
• TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
• Explainer: When does Luke Littler play?

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Follow ALL the action from the World Darts Championship with our live blog below…

A MASSIVE whale has washed up on a Scots beach but cops are warning locals it could explode at any time. 

The huge minke whale was discovered on Irvine Beach in Ayrshire this morning and reported to the Coastguard at around 10am. 

It’s not known how the 23ft (7 metres) creature died, but its tongue was distended which happens when decomposition gasses build up and cause the tongue to swell.

Dog walkers and locals using the beach formed a small crowd, keen to catch a glimpse of the whale.

However police were on scene warning people to stand back in case the mammal exploded due to a build up of internal decomposition gasses inside the whale.

Dog walker Margaret Taylor, 64, “It’s quite sad actually seeing it there. Whatever has happened to it is such a shame.”

Local resident Alex Kerr, 47, said: “I heard on Facebook about so I came down to see for myself. It’s a shame to see it dead but it’s quite impressive seeing the size of it.” 

Minke whales are the smallest baleen whale species  in the UK. can reach up to 35 feet (10 metres) in length and can weigh between five to 10 tonnes.

They are usually found in Scottish waters between May to October and are known to migrate to more tropical waters in winter. 

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team has been sent to a report made at about 10am on 16 December of a whale washed up at Irvine beach.”

HM Coastguard will now liaise with North Ayrshire Council to decide how best to dispose of the carcass.

It comes six months after a basking shark was found on Maidens Beach in Ayrshire.

Locals stumbled upon the stricken creature at the popular beauty spot near Trump Turnberry Hotel and Resort on July 1 after it appeared to have become tangled up in discarded fishing rope.

Basking sharks are an endangered species which are often spotted off the Ayrshire coast in the summer months.

It is the second largest shark or fish, after the whale shark, however, they usually sink when they die, so they are rarely found washed up.

A HEARTBROKEN brother had just seconds to tell his sister goodbye during a harrowing call after she ate a Pret sandwich.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse was just 15 years old when sesame seeds baked into a baguette from the restaurant giant sent her into anaphylactic shock and killed her.

PA:Press Association

Alex was 13 years old when Natasha died[/caption]

The teen from Fulham, west London, ate the Pret A Manger artichoke, olive and tapenade sandwich she bought at Heathrow Airport not knowing it contained sesame.

She died of anaphylaxis after collapsing on board a flight to Nice, France, on July 17, 2016.

Her brother, who was 13 at the time of the tragedy, has since recalled his last seconds with Natasha.

Alex Ednan-Laperouse, now 21, received a call from his dad telling him to say goodbye to Natasha who at this point was in a French hospital.

The politics and philosophy uni student told The Times: “It was so unexpected, because I was so adamant that she would survive and would be OK.

“I remember having very little time, saying, ‘I love you, Tash. You’ve been an amazing sister to me. Thank you so much for everything’.

“And the phone call ended and I ran upstairs into a room by myself, and I just cried. I cried for hours.”

Natasha had dealt with allergic reactions prior to her death – but sadly couldn’t get the medical care she needed thousands of feet up in the air.

Legislation at the time did not require food made on the premises to display allergen advice on labels. 

Under Natasha’s Law all food businesses are now required to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged food.

This was brought in in 2021 after Natasha’s parents campaigned tirelessly in the hopes of saving lives.

Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse previously said they were “absolutely delighted” by the move to full allergen and ingredient labelling.

They said: “While Natasha’s Law comes too late to save our beloved daughter, we believe that helping save other allergy sufferers and their families from the enduring agony that we will always bear is a fitting legacy for her life.”

In that same year, Tanya and Nadim were awarded OBEs in the New Year Honours List for their efforts in changing the law.

I can’t breathe, I’m suffocating, help me Daddy.

Natasha's last words

Her dad said at the time: “These are Tashi’s OBEs. This is all for her.

“When you lose a child, it’s like a bomb goes off. It blasts a hole in your life. The shrapnel from your grief affects everyone around you. 

“This happened when Natasha died. We just have to spend the rest of our lives navigating around the crater the bomb of her death created. 

“We think, ‘Would Tashi want us to fall off the face of the Earth into grief or do something to make something of her death?’.

“She wanted to try to help the world so we’re going to try to do it for her.”

Natasha’s last words were “I can’t breathe, I’m suffocating, help me Daddy,” before she suffered a fatal heart attack.

Nadim added: “It’s very hard to ever come to terms with but I’ve had to find a way through.

“It happened on my watch. We would die a thousand deaths to have Natasha back.

“Shortly after she died I had the strangest experience. I was not in any way religious but I saw five angels.

“I realised later it was a reassurance that Natasha had gone to heaven and was waiting for me.

“Maybe if I had not seen them I could have ended it all. It kept me on the planet.”

Nadim finally came to terms with not being able to save his daughter after “18 months of grief and anger”.

He said: “I was furious with everyone. All kinds of questions were going around in my head.

“I was swearing a lot. I was in shock, pain and living in a zombie-fied world.

“I remember going into her room and opening the carry-on suitcase she had packed for that trip for the first time and breaking down. 

“I was asking myself what I could have done differently and if there was anything more I could have done. That lasted for about 18 months.”

Tanya added: “His misery was so strong. We focused on our son Alex, we had to be strong and there was never any blame. We both loved Natasha and did our very best for her. We stuck together and tried to get through. 

“Natasha was a serious allergy sufferer. Ever since the age of four we’d been on high alert at birthday parties as dairy and nuts would give her reactions.

“She’d even get a reaction if someone was wearing perfume. She always checked labels and would never have picked up the baguette if she had any inkling it contained sesame.” 

BITCOIN has been making headlines again, ever since the now President-elect Donald Trump announced his bid for the White House.

But what impact could a Trump presidency have on the original cryptocurrency? Read on to explore how global events influence Bitcoin’s price and uncover who the major players are.

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(A beginner’s guide)

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Take two to minutes to learn more about cryptocurrency.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House, whether you view it positively or negatively, injects unpredictability into global markets. 

For Bitcoin, this could spark growing interest as people look into alternative assets, especially with Trump’s pro-crypto talk during his campaign.

If you’re curious to learn more about Bitcoin or the wider world of cryptocurrency, eToro’s Crypto Academy is a great starting block to learn the crypto investing basics.

You can also explore how to buy Bitcoin for the first time and gain insights into owning crypto responsibly.

But remember, Bitcoin is not a guaranteed win, it’s a high-risk, high-volatility asset. Read on to find out more.

What is crypto?

Crypto is a digital asset and decentralised form of money, meaning it’s not issued or directly controlled by an authority, like a central bank.

The first and most famous example is Bitcoin (BTC), launched in 2009.

Unlike the cash in your wallet, Bitcoin exists purely online as a digital token, and is created and stored on a secure online ledger called a blockchain.

Its appeal lies in the control it gives you, cutting out banks and middlemen.

But, that freedom comes with a trade-off – the unpredictable volatility of the cryptocurrency market.

Trump’s standpoint on crypto

For years, Trump was a vocal critic of cryptocurrency, dismissing it as a rival to the US dollar and not real money.  

But since launching his 2024 campaign, the President-elect has embraced the crypto world.

His change of heart has sparked a wave of investor confidence, pushing Bitcoin to record-breaking highs of $100,000 in December 2024.

Crypto enthusiasts are now hopeful that Trump’s endorsement signals a shift toward a more crypto-friendly administration, with hopes to position the US as a global leader in the rise of digital currencies.

The ups and downs of Bitcoin

Being the first cryptocurrency on the scene, Bitcoin has seen its share of dramatic highs and lows, riding the uncharted waters of a brand-new market.  

Its first major milestone came when it broke the $1,000 barrier, grabbing the attention of early adopters.

Fast forward four years and Bitcoin’s value skyrocketed tenfold, surpassing $10,000 in 2017.

But with steep highs come sharp falls, and world events often hit cryptos hard.

Take the early days of the pandemic, for example, when Bitcoin’s value halved overnight.

Yet, in the years that followed, it reached new heights.

True to its nature, Bitcoin is wildly volatile compared to traditional investments like stocks and shares or gold.

Crashes and comebacks are all par for the course.

The Elon Musk effect

Another key factor behind Bitcoin’s recent surge is the influence of Tesla owner Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a vocal supporter of crypto. 

A remark from Musk, whether in favour or against, has been known to send prices rocketing or plummeting within minutes.

While Musk was initially wary of the crypto market, he has become a strong advocate in recent years, championing it as a tool to revolutionise finance and decentralise power.

Now, with Musk’s endorsement of Trump, crypto enthusiasts are feeling optimistic, believing this partnership could signal positive developments ahead.

Other crypto contenders

Bitcoin might be the biggest name in crypto, but it’s far from the only one. Here are some of the other big players:

Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency, is renowned for its smart contracts—automated programs that run when specific conditions are met. It’s also a major player in the booming NFT market.

Cardano (ADA) stands out for its focus on sustainability and scalability, aiming to tackle issues like Bitcoin’s energy-intensive operations.

Ripple (XRP) takes the lead in cross-border payments, offering some of the fastest and most affordable transactions, typically completing in just 3–5 seconds.

While each cryptocurrency has its unique strengths, Bitcoin continues to set the standard for the market.

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(A beginner’s guide)

---

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Take two to minutes to learn more about cryptocurrency.

A FORMER soldier who stabbed his friend to death with a screwdriver at the door of his home was jailed for life today.

Stephen McGhee, 48, was ordered to serve at least 21 years in prison before he becomes eligible to seek release on parole for slaying Kevan Doyle in Wishaw, in North Lanarkshire.

A judge told McGhee at the High Court in Edinburgh: “The speed and ferocity of the attack was plain to see on CCTV footage.”

Lord Young said McGhee was “a man quick to violence” who had ten convictions for assault – several of them aggravated by the injuries inflicted or the use of a weapon.

The judge said that Mr Doyle, 43, had experienced many difficulties in his life and added: “He was part of a close and loving family and they miss him very deeply.”

McGhee had earlier denied murdering Mr Doyle in the attack with a screwdriver or a knife or similar implement by repeatedly striking him on the head and body on October 28, 2022, at an address in Glencleland Road, Wishaw.

The court heard that the lethal weapon used in the attack was a screwdriver.

He also faced a charge of assault to severe injury and possessing a bladed item in a public place.

McGhee claimed that he wanted to help his friend and went to get him a spare phone before he returned to the house, where he alleged Mr Doyle and others effectively ambushed him.

But the fatal assault was caught on CCTV with prosecutor William Frain-Bell KC describing three blows to the head and chest of the victim as “forceful, violent and immediate”.

McGhee fled the scene and said he only realised something serious had occurred when he later saw police tape at the house.

He told jurors at his earlier trial: “I could not believe what had happened had resulted in his death.”

Defence counsel Tony Graham KC said it was “a needless death”, adding: “He stands to spend a considerable time in custody for ending a human life.”

He said “a considerable amount of alcohol” had been consumed on the day of the attack.

He told the Court: “It goes without saying that if Mr McGhee could relive that day, he would never have returned to that house.”

THE identity of a “man in a striped jumper” whose body was found in a canal 14 years ago is still unknown.

The mystery man was discovered by a passerby in the waters of Fazeley Canal in Birmingham around 8am on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Alamy

The man’s body was pulled from Fazeley Canal in Birmingham in 2014[/caption]

When his lifeless body was pulled, he was wearing a dark-coloured jumper with white horizontal stripes, black shoes with Velcro fasteners and brown socks.

Cops say he was in his 50s, around 5ft 7ins tall, had stubble and greying brown collar-length hair.

A post-mortem at the time determined the man’s cause of death was drowning.

Despite extensive enquiries being carried out, police cannot find a DNA match for the man and have had no one come forward claiming to know him.

West Midlands Police (WMP) has since generated a new e-fit image in a final bid to identify him.

Detective Constable Darryl Towle, from WMP Unresolved Missing Persons Investigation team, said: “Despite all of our hard work, this is one of our longest-running cases.

“Our aim is always to find out who these people are to help them, their families and friends, find peace.

“A post-mortem examination found that the man died from drowning and an inquest was held which allowed him to be laid to rest. But that’s all we know about him.

“He had no identification on him, he did not match the description of any missing people and he has never been reported missing. 14 years on we’re still determined to find out who he was and trace any family or friends.”

If you recognise the man you can get in touch with the force via live chat on their website – westmidlands.police.uk – quoting reference: PID: 33246.

Or, by calling 101.

West Midlands Police

A WOMAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a young boy was found dead in a housing estate.

Police swooped on the house in South Ockendon, Essex, yesterday afternoon following a concern for welfare report.

Tragically, a young boy found inside could not be saved and passed away shortly after.

A woman was taken to hospital but has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Essex Police confirmed they are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the horror.

They have not released details on either the boy’s age or how old the suspect is.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Blakesley, who is leading the investigation, said: “First and foremost, this a tragic incident in which a child has lost his life, and I would please ask for the South Ockendon community – and further afield – to please refrain from speculating.

“Specialist officers and staff are continuing to build a picture of the events which led up to the call to emergency services yesterday.

“This will of course take time and a thorough investigation is now under way.

“Officers remain in the area this morning and residents will notice a footprint throughout today and I would urge anyone with concerns or any information which they believe may be useful to our investigation to please come forward, either in person or using our other reporting mechanisms.”

Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 645 of 15 December.

UKNIP

The horror unfolderd[/caption]

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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Allen’s has caved to pressure from super fans and brought back one of its most requested lollies now available in their own bag.

Dylan was last seen on Tenth Avenue, Maylands, about 5.45pm on Monday and is described as having a slim build, with short brown hair and a fair complexion.

Hear from several families across Perth about why they love sprucing up their homes with Christmas lights, some of which took three months to set up.