USA Update

Fix the BBC

SCANDAL after scandal, followed by one failed internal “review” after another.

Will the BBC finally make this new one count?

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The BBC has been rocked by the Huw Edwards and Strictly bullying scandals — both brought to light only thanks to Sun investigations[/caption]

We wearily welcome the independent probe now commissioned into the battered corporation’s workplace culture.

But previous efforts have appeared ­little more than futile box-ticking exercises.

Why will this be any different?

It is hardly reassuring that the firm hired to carry it out “also led the work on the BBC’s 2013 Respect at Work Review”.

Clearly no one paid that any attention.

Because since then the Beeb has been rocked by the Huw Edwards and Strictly bullying scandals — both brought to light only thanks to Sun investigations.

The BBC seems to learn nothing.

Jimmy Savile, Stuart Hall, Rolf Harris, the lies of Martin Bashir.

Then Edwards and Strictly.

What seems to link these shocking cases is a management desperate to ­circle its wagons around the “talent”, turning a deaf ear instead of fully investigating and exposing abuses of power or even crime.

The new review must be different.

It must tackle exactly what went wrong over its handling of Edwards, given years of internal rumours about his behaviour and the complaints then made by a family directly against him.

It must lead to cast-iron processes which allow staff to speak out with confidence — and for any allegations to be properly looked into even if they threaten to disgrace a household name.

BBC chairman Samir Shah is “fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour”. Great.

Let The Sun’s exposing of the corporation’s top newsreader be the earthquake it needed.

Let this new probe be the first to secure genuine change.

Let it ensure that another Edwards-type scandal can never happen at this broadcaster we are all still forced to fund.

Grow figure

WHY, at every turn, does a Government supposedly so committed to growth seem hell-bent on crushing it?

Net Zero is a recipe for an economic boom only in the minds of ardent eco warriors who need to pretend it won’t be the wrecking ball most sensible people fear.

But even green zealots cannot surely believe new carbon taxes on businesses would be anything but ruinous.

One of the Chancellor’s top aides, bizarrely, seems to like the idea.

“Around the world, even the places with a carbon tax are way lower than I think anybody thinks are necessary to get the kind of transition we want to,” says John Van Reenen, head of Rachel Reeves’ council of economic advisers.

His group’s remit is to lead us towards higher growth.

He seems far less interested in that than he is in Miliband-style eco-signalling.

CRAIG BELLAMY suffered the first setback of his Wales reign as his team chucked away a two goal lead.

Brennan Johnson’s goal-scoring streak now stands at seven games after he tapped in the opener before Harry Wilson added a second.

AP

Wales keeper Danny Ward produced a late own-goal leveller for Iceland[/caption]

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Logi Tomasson celebrates sparking Iceland’s second-half comeback win[/caption]

AP

Wales’ first scorer Brennan Johnson must have thought his luck was in again[/caption]

The Dragons were cruising at the break but then Iceland stormed back with sub Logi Tomasson bringing them back into it.

He also forced an own goal off keeper Danny Ward three minutes later as Wales were left clinging on to a point in the end.

Such an end to the game looked impossible as the visitors ran riot early on.

Wilson sprang the offside trap to go through on goal and his effort was partially stopped by home keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson.

He got back to stop the ball trickling over the line but could only divert it into the path of Johnson who couldn’t miss.

That was only a fourth goal in 31 internationals for the Spurs man – but seven in his last seven games for club and country.

Wilson’s deflected shot struck a post but he did not have to wait long to double his team’s lead as he latched onto a sweeping pass from Neco Williams.

The Fulham man was again in the clear and his first touch was brilliant – giving him the chance to despatch it past Valdimarsson.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Williams then made his mark at the other end as he got back to clear a shot by former Burnley man Johann Gudmundsson off the line.

But the Dragons were a constant threat going forward and Sorba Thomas could have wrapped it up when he ran onto Wilson’s through ball but was denied by Valdimarsson.

The only disappointment in an otherwise perfect first half for Bellamy’s men was a yellow card for Johnson – for a needless skirmish with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.

That means he misses Tuesday night’s home game against Montenegro – and he did not reappear after the restart.

It was a very different game after the re-start with Mikael Ellertsson firing over and Orri Oskarsson bringing a smart save out of Danny Ward.

Andri Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea forward Eidur – fluffed a golden chance while Gudmundsson was denied by Ward.

But from the resulting corner, Tomasson was given far too much time to shoot through a crowd of players and into the corner from the edge of the box.

And three minutes later he beat Connor Roberts and his low cross from the left was diverted into his own net by Ward’s elbow. 

Now it was Iceland who looked the more likely to win it and the Dragons were relieved to see Thorsteinsson’s shot hit the base of the post.

The draw leaves Wales second in their group, two points off Turkey.

AFP

Craig Bellamy watched on frustrated as the Dragons couldn’t hold on[/caption]

BIG Brother was thrown into chaos during Friday’s live eviction, with a technical blunder pulling spin-off show Late & Live off the air.

ITV2 viewers were left perplexed when the audio cut out from the feed, before historic clips from the programme were shown.

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Big Brother: Late & Live suffered a technical blunder after the eviction[/caption]

ITV

An automated message was shown on screen[/caption]

The broadcast went awry after one audience member had said into the microphone: “I want Lily to go cos she’s annoying.”

Shortly afterwards, the following message was shown: “We’re currently experiencing a technical issue. Whilst we try to get it fixed, enjoy some of Big Brother‘s greatest ever moments. We hope to be back with tonight’s live show very soon.”

After five minutes, hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best were beamed back into fans’ homes right before the show ended.

Will said: “Guys, we’re sorry about that, we had a few technical issues but we’re back now,” before saying his goodbyes with AJ.

DASHCAM footage showed the moment police officers launched a GPS tracking dart onto a suspected burglar’s vehicle while in pursuit.

The new tracking tool, made by GPS company StarChase, was used during a recent hunt for a pair of suspects who allegedly broke into a liquor store in Oak Park, Illinois, about 30 minutes west of Chicago.

News Nation

The GPS tag dart by StarChase[/caption]

News Nation

Dashcam footage shows the moment the dart was launched out of the cop car[/caption]

The two suspects were fleeing the burglary on Thursday when cops were alerted to the escaping vehicles, quickly getting behind the speeding car.

An officer from Oak Brook, another suburb of Chicago, drove behind the alleged criminals’ vehicle and deployed the GPS tracking dart.

Video showed the tag dart shooting out of the squad car’s front and attaching to the vehicle being pursued.

Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis told NewsNation how the technology works.

“An officer presses a button and it heats up an epoxy for the actual dart,” Strockis said.

“That dart has a GPS tracking device inside of it and also has a very strong magnet that shoots out of the front of the bumper of the squad car and affixes itself to the back of the fleeing vehicle.”

After the dart stuck to the car, the cops could safely pull off and end the chase while they tracked the fleeing suspects.

The officer uses the GPS dart by backing off the chase, pulling up a computer screen, and tracking the dart’s location.

The GPS information was sent to Oak Park police after the vehicle exited around the area – leading to the suspects’ arrests.

Officers arrested the two suspects at around 4:45 am on Thursday.

“If you would have told me, I started 24 years ago, that we’d be shooting GPS darts out of the front of a squad car I would have said that you’re crazy, you know,” Strockis said.

“But technology is advancing so much, especially in law enforcement, that it’s just, it’s amazing to see where we’ve come.”

Strockis told CBS News the technology changes the nature of typical police pursuits.

“It makes all the difference in the world,” Strockis said.

“Police pursuits are inherently dangerous, but I also believe it’s very dangerous for criminals not to have any consequences.”

The darts make it possible for cops to safely track suspects without them knowing.

“There’s no warrant necessary to deploy this device,” Strockis said.

“We have reasonable suspicion and probable cause that vehicle is going to flee.

“It’s a public safety tool to not only keep the officers safe, but the public safe.”

NEW HORIZONS

Oak Brook police reported that they’re using the darts on a weekly basis – which means they’re helping neighboring police departments as well.

Now, CBS News reports that Chicago Police have discussed implementing the tech in their city.

StarChase said in a statement that the tool de-escalates high-risk situations.

“Our integration capabilities allow multiple tools to work collectively and collaboratively to de-escalate these potentially high-risk events,” the company said in a statement to CBS News.

“This dramatically improves the safety of the officer(s) and suspect(s) involved and the public writ large.”

AN expert shopper has hit the jackpot after their recent trip to Goodwill.

They located several items typically worth hundreds of dollars more while thrifting.

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A thrifter recently found a designer jacket for over $1,000 less than it was worth (stock image)[/caption]

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Hay Buettell made the discovery at her local Goodwill for just $25[/caption]

The best find of the entire haul was a light-brown coat, according to a video on TikTok from Hay Buettell (@hay_buettell).

“I just found so much designer at Goodwill, I’m still shaking,” Hay told viewers while holding several large bags from the store.

She then showed the label on the coat, which read “Toteme.”

Toteme is a brand that makes women’s designer coats and jackets that typically sell for a few hundred to as high as $3,000.

“Toteme for $25,” Hay said, shocked.

The thrifter tried on the jacket and quickly explained that the same item typically retails for around $1,200.

“Are you freaking kidding me, this is like a $1,200 coat, I literally — my jaw was on the floor, but I didn’t want everyone in the store to know that I was finding all this designer stuff, so I was like trying to play it cool,” she explained.

That’s over $1,000 in savings for Hay, considering.

VALUE IN VOLUME

It also wasn’t the only piece of designer clothing she discovered during the Goodwill trip either.

She proceeded to show viewers a floral print coat from Celine for $5.99.

Celine also makes luxury coats for thousands of dollars.

Aside from coats, Hay found two pairs of leather pants from Aritzia, dresses from Halo, and several other tops and bottoms.

There was also a brown suede Rebecca Minkoff handbag, something that would sell outside of Goodwill for around $200 to $400.

Considering the variety of designer items Hay managed to find, she likely saved several thousand dollars from that thrift haul alone.

HIDDEN TREASURE

It wouldn’t be the first time thrifters tried their luck and managed to find gold within Goodwill’s aisles.

Last month, another shopper paid $14 for a “nice leather” bag that appeared to be designer.

It was made by the brand Mansur Gavriel, and after doing a brief search, she found that it retails for around $595.

Additionally, someone else located a $12 jacket most people called “ugly,” but it’s worth at least $250.

It was specially designed by New York City-based artist Danny Cole as part of a special NFT project.

Another shopper even found a vintage Versace dress for $17 that goes for an eye-watering $9,800.

WHEN voters went to polling stations 100 days ago, many did something they have not done for a long time – or in some cases never before.

They voted Labour.

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Deputy PM Angela Rayner, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves at party conference in Liverpool last month[/caption]

After 14 years of the country going nowhere under the Tories, they put their trust in us to change Britain.

And after just a few weeks you can see how we are fixing the foundations so we can turbo-charge the economy.

Yes, there have been some days when the headlines have not been what we would have chosen.

But we are already beginning to deliver on our promise of change and nothing will distract us from making life better for you.

The Health Secretary is turning around our NHS, starting by putting an end to the junior doctors’ strike.

Kick-starting economy

The Home Secretary has appointed the new Border Security Commander and is preparing legislation to introduce new counter-terror-style powers to tackle the criminal smuggling gangs.

The Education Secretary has begun work to recruit 6,500 new teachers and from April the first primary schools will start offering free breakfast clubs.

The Energy Secretary has announced the HQ of Great British Energy and we have removed the ban on onshore wind farms.

And the Deputy PM is overhauling the planning system so we can build 1.5million homes.

Above all, though, our No1 mission is kick-starting the economy so we improve the lives of people everywhere.

It is only by getting growth going that we will create jobs and get more money in your pocket to spend on the things you want.

While things are tough at the moment after the Tories left a £22billion black hole in the nation’s finances, by taking the difficult decisions now we will put the country on the path to prosperity.

While things are tough at the moment after the Tories left a £22billion black hole in the nation’s finances, by taking the difficult decisions now we will put the country on the path to prosperity.

We are restoring economic stability because it is working people who pay the price if you don’t — as the families paying hundreds of pounds more in rent or mortgage costs know after the chaos of the last government.

But by doing so, we are also unlocking the investment that will bring the jobs of the future. Just look at the last few days.

Billions of pounds of new investment has been announced. Britain is truly open for business.

The UK’s first carbon capture sites will open in Teesside and Merseyside thanks to billions of private investment.

The game-changing technology — that removes CO2 emissions before they reach the atmosphere and stores them safely beneath the seabed — will create 4,000 jobs in these industrial heartlands.

A £500million investment to deliver 1,200 zero emission buses will support up to 500 UK manufacturing jobs.

By putting industrial relations back on a sensible footing, we will end the chaos that has cost our economy billions in damaging strikes.

NHS patients will benefit from a partnership with pharmaceutical companies and universities to spot cancer sooner through trials for new technologies.

Thousands of jobs in green industries will be created from Yorkshire to Suffolk and Aberdeen to Stow thanks to £24billion of private investment in energy projects announced yesterday.

Our Make Work Pay plan will deliver the biggest boost to workers’ rights in a generation, while making Britain a better place to do business.

We will end exploitative zero-hour contracts and unscrupulous fire and rehire practices.

By putting industrial relations back on a sensible footing, we will end the chaos that has cost our economy billions in damaging strikes.

And this is just a start. On Monday, we will bang the drum for Britain as we host a major International Investment Summit, bringing together the world’s most important companies and investors.

Opportunity and optimism

Together, we are changing our country’s story to one of growth, opportunity, and optimism.

We will make Britain a stronger country, with a stronger economy, a stronger NHS, a stronger borders.

So while the Tories threaten to send us backwards, we will get on with delivering on our promise of change.

Meanwhile, the Tory leadership contest has retreated into a battle to see who can double down most on the failed policies that cost them the election.

They have nothing to say about firing up our economy. Nothing to say about getting businesses back investing. Nothing to say about jobs.

Their only economic policy is to abolish maternity pay.

So while the Tories threaten to send us backwards, we will get on with delivering on our promise of change.

 We will rebuild Britain to make every part of the country better off.

THE BAD

THE GOOD

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Great British Energy and removing ban on onshore wind farms[/caption]

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The Health Secretary is turning around our NHS, starting by putting an end to the junior doctors’ strike[/caption]

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The Deputy PM is overhauling the planning system to kickstart building of 1.5million homes[/caption]

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Make Work Pay plan will deliver the biggest boost to workers’ rights in a generation[/caption]

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The Education Secretary has begun work to recruit 6,500 new teachers[/caption]

A FOOT thought to belong to a British mountaineer who vanished on Mount Everest 100 years ago has been found by documentary makers.

Andrew Comyn “Sandy” Irvine was last seen with George Mallory 800ft from the peak.

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A foot thought to belong to a British mountaineer who vanished on Mount Everest 100 years ago has been found by documentary makers.[/caption]

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The foot, in a boot and a sock embroidered ‘AC Irvine’ was discovered in melting ice on a glacier below the North Face of Everest[/caption]

There has been speculation they may have been the first to the summit — 29 years before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Mallory’s body was found in 1999.

The foot, in a boot and a sock embroidered “AC Irvine” was discovered lower down in melting ice on a glacier below the North Face.

National Geographic Explorer Jimmy Chin, who was a member of the climb team, said: “Sometimes in life, the greatest discoveries occur when you aren’t even looking.

“This was a monumental and emotional moment for us and our entire team on the ground, and we just hope this can finally bring peace of mind to his relatives and the climbing world at large.”

Irvine’s great-niece Julie Summers, said she’d been “moved to tears” on being told of the discovery.

“I have lived with this story since I was a seven-year-old when my father told us about the mystery of Uncle Sandy on Everest,” she said.

“The story became more real when climbers found the body of George Mallory in 1999, and I wondered if Sandy’s body would be discovered next.

“A quarter-of-a-century after that discovery, it seemed extremely unlikely that anything new would be found.

“When Jimmy told me that he saw the name AC Irvine on the label on the sock inside the boot, I found myself moved to tears. It was and will remain an extraordinary and poignant moment.”

Relatives have agreed to DNA tests.

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Andrew Comyn ‘Sandy’ Irvine, left, was last seen with George Mallory, right, 800ft from the peak of Mount Everest[/caption]

Getty - Contributor

DESPITE booming business, Something About Her has suffered another setback as it struggles to get its outdoor dining space up and running, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

Back in January, owners Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney were forced by the city of West Hollywood to tear down the patio and get completely new signage for the sandwich shop.

The U.S. Sun

Something About Her continues to not have an outdoor dining area after budgeting and zoning issues[/caption]

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Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix celebrate the opening of their shop in May 2024[/caption]

However, there were immediate plans to rebuild the outdoor dining area both in front of the store, as well as adding sitting options to the side alleyway next to the shop.

Now, nearly a year later, a source revealed to The U.S. Sun that due to finances as well as zoning permit issues, plans for the Something About Her patio continue to be on hold.

“No plans for the patio as of now, there haven’t been any updates,” an insider said.

“Everyone was excited about getting outdoor space and just more space in general but they put that on hold for now because it would have been really expensive, more than they thought.

“There’s also issues with the city. It’s extremely difficult and pricey to get these things approved and I know it’s been a struggle with permits.

“It’s hard with the [neighboring businesses] so close by, figuring out where to put it, there really isn’t space. Everyone would love it though so they’re trying.”

The source also revealed that the compact 740-square-foot store is under new management and everyone is “doing their best” with the ongoing changes. 

Something About Her sits on a busy road in West Hollywood, CA and is sandwiched between a neighboring business – leaving little room for expansion. 

The U.S. Sun

The alley pathway directly to the side of Something About Her was proposed to serve as a place for more outdoor dining[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

The back of the store has limited space to add a patio due to the neighboring businesses[/caption]

Directly next to the famed sandwich shop is Oak Berry, a smoothie store while on the immediate other side of Something About Her is a home decor business. 

Next to Oak Berry is an alley pathway filled with planters that leads to the back area of SAH.

Earlier this year, a source said that the side area next to Oak Berry was originally intended to be where they would be able to add more tables after having to remove the small patio that was at the store’s original space.

When Ariana, 39, and Katie, 37, first purchased the storefront where Something About Here now resides, it had a small, square-shaped patio from its former tenant. 

John Chapple for The US Sun

Prior to the Vanderpump Riles stars taking over the shop, the building had a small square patio that the city forced them to remove[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

Just a small bench that hangs from the wall currently sits out front of Something About Her[/caption]

Back in December, the Vanderpump Rules stars filed to obtain a new permit from the City of West Hollywood, proposing a different outdoor dining area and a new canopy that’s permissible within limits. 

The application requested approval for plans of a new 20-square-foot patio. 

According to city records, the permit was approved on April 26, 2024 and issued a few days later on April 30, 2024. 

However, there remains to be no outdoor options for the small business all these months later. 

“The drawings that were submitted for the new outdoor dining space don’t look the same as it was before.

“They’re not giving up hope since the outdoor dining area would be beneficial to the business and will allow for more seating space,” a source said. 

Business for the VPR shop has remained steady since its opening day in May.

Due to the interior being so small, a line regularly forms outside of patrons waiting to try a bite of the menu’s luxury sandwiches.

The U.S. Sun

The sandwiches cost between $14 to $18 while drinks, such as Olipop, are $8 a can.

The names of each sandwich are inspired by “queens” in the romantic comedy genre as the shop was inspired by iconic Nancy Meyers films.

Some of these bites include The Diane (Sicilian style tuna salad on artisan baguette), The Reese (chef’s chicken salad on seven grain bread), The Nancy (BLT on toasted sourdough), and The Meg (Greek salad on traditional lavash) among other sandwiches.

In addition, there is a selection of baked goods, sweet treats, chips, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages.

While customers have reported that Ariana is “very rarely, if ever” in the shop, Katie appears to be present much more.

The reality star is often seen working at SAH with her mom, Teri.

The U.S. Sun

Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney’s faces can be seen throughout their shop[/caption]

The Mega Agency

Business for Something ABout Her has remained steady since it opened[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

The interior of Something About Her was inspired by a Nancy Meyers film[/caption]

VISITORS who traveled to a beloved city to visit tourist hotspots may not know they’re walking on a mass graveyard.

In New York City, burial sites are being turned into vacation destinations.

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In New York City, visitors can tour Hart Island, which is the gravesite for over 1 million bodies[/caption]

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Most tourists may not know that other popular tourist destinations in the city are gravesites, like Manhattan’s Bryant Park[/caption]

This Halloween, you can visit harrowing historic graveyards just by walking through some of the Big Apple’s most popular parks.

One of the most terrifying spots is Hart Island, which the NYC Parks Department took over in 2021 and has since started giving tours.

Around 1 million people have been buried on the island, and it’s hosted a list of eerie institutions, including a prison camp, psychiatric ward, and homeless camp.

Bodies buried on the island range from poor Civil War soldiers to unidentifiable New York City residents.

In 2020, the island was used as a mass burial site for victims of Covid-19.

Since November 2023, urban park rangers have started taking visitors on dark journeys to see gravesites and now abandoned buildings.

Floating between the Bronx and Queens, Hart Island has not been inhabited since 1977. It was run by the NYC Department of Correction until 2019.

People who suspect they have a relative buried on Hart Island can search the city’s database for answers.

If they find proof there’s a relative living there, they can schedule a grave visit.

While some tourists may go to Hart Island specifically for the spooks, other NYC travelers may not know they’ve probably already visited a hidden burial site.

An estimated 20,000 people were buried under the arch in Washington Square Park, Lower Manhattan, from 1797 to 1827.

The area was used as a cemetery in that year because of a yellow fever epidemic that killed a devastating 10% of the city’s population.

All of the bodies remain underground, where they were buried at varying levels, according to a 2005 archaeological assessment.

Bryant Park, a bustling area in Midtown Manhattan, was also used as a potter’s field, which is a graveyard for people who couldn’t afford plots of land.

From 1832 to 1840, bodies were buried in the area, but they were moved after the city turned the park into a reservoir.

Visitors could walk over gravesites in Madison Square Park, just south of the Empire State Building, as the area was used as a potter’s field from 1794 to 1797.

However, those bodies were moved to Washington Square Park.

Union Square Park was also used as a public grave until 1815, but how many bodies were buried there is unclear.

The spooky tourist destinations come after The U.S. Sun spoke with residents of New York’s “most dangerous city.”

One local declared that she would never leave the town that’s “rougher than New York City.”

Getty Images - Getty

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Union Square was used as a public graveyard until it became a luxurious neighborhood[/caption]

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Underneath Washington Square Park’s iconic arch, thousands of bodies are buried[/caption]

Damien Navarro says some board members falsely blamed him for the organization's bleak financial situation as part of a retaliatory campaign. The festival denies his claims as "baseless and malicious."