Most students will celebrate their Junior Cert results in a sensible way, but, just in case, here’s how to talk to your child about alcohol misuse. Today, students all over the country will be getting their Junior Cert results, and they’re likely going to meet their friends to celebrate tonight. You may feel, though, that […]
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FOOTAGE shows a female thief distracting a McDonald’s customer – before seamlessly swiping his phone off the table.
Nirix Stanescu, 24, has been jailed after admitting nine “distraction thefts” of mobile phones across the Home Counties.
Between May and July this year, Stanescu would enter restaurants and approach people eating meals with their phones on the table.
Stanescu would put a map or piece of paper over the phone – pocketing it while the victim was distracted.
Footage shows canny crook Stanescu in action at a McDonald’s in Reading.
Smiling and dressed smartly in a gilet, she is seen approaching a man with a piece of paper in hand.
Stanescu asks the man a question about the sheet and slips it over his phone as he takes a look.
She then walks away with the phone tucked behind the sheet of paper – with the man none the wiser.
Stanescu has now been convicted of a spate of mobile phone thefts across Surrey, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
Four of the thefts happened in the leafy Surrey towns of Staines-upon-Thames, Walton-on-Thames and Woking.
The others took place in Milton Keynes, Reading, Slough, Wokingham and Oxford.
Stanescu, of no fixed abode, was arrested on September 25 and has been jailed for eight months after admitting nine counts of theft.
Detective Constable Michael Hanson said: “Stanescu would use distracting techniques to target her victims and steal their phones.
“I am pleased that she pleaded guilty at the first hearing and has now been sentenced to prison as a result.
“I hope that her time in prison is used constructively to reflect on her offending behaviour.
“Although Stanescu used distractive techniques, this case is a timely reminder of the risks involved in leaving property in full view.
“I would advise people to keep their property close at hand, or out of sight, to prevent opportunists such as Stanescu targeting them.”
Inspector Chris Thoday said: “We worked closely with Thames Valley Police to ensure Stanescu was held accountable.
“Her repeated and targeted offending stretched across multiple counties.
“By reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, we identified Stanescu and her tactics for stealing mobile phones.
“This type of distraction theft is something we’re seeing right across Surrey.
“We urge people to stay aware of their surroundings and secure their belongings while out.”
MEGHAN Markle was “given every opportunity to succeed as a royal but just didn’t fancy it”, royal experts have claimed.
Speaking at our first ever Royal Exclusive Live show, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond and Sun snapper Arthur Edwards revealed their experiences of Meghan joining the royal family.
The royal experts were asked by a forum attendee whether Meghan had been properly advised by the palace on how to handle royal life.
The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson argued the former Suits actress had been given so many opportunities to succeed in the role.
He said: “I think the royal family gave her so many opportunities.
“They gave her staff, a house, paid for her wedding, gave her patronages, and made her a Commonwealth Trust ambassador.
“She had all these opportunities and was given so much to succeed.”
He added: “I think they gave her everything they could, I don’t think they could have given her any more, but in the end, she just didn’t fancy it.”
Royal photographer Arthur agreed, saying Meghan was “brilliant” and “fantastic” when she first started doing public engagements, but claimed she changed her mind on royal life.
He stated: “It was phenomenal, and I can’t tell you how unbelievably brilliant she was in that first year.
“I don’t think she needed any briefing. She was a very wise lady and knew exactly what was required of her, and she did it.
“But then, she decided she didn’t want to do it anymore, and that was it.”
Jennie disagreed and said that although Meghan should have spent more time deciding if royal duties were for her, she was not properly “nurtured” in the role.
She commented: “I think she didn’t really know what she was getting into, and I believe that’s why William was absolutely correct to warn Harry, or suggest to Harry, that he took it a little more slowly and give it more time.
“Not the strength of the love, but whether Meghan truly understood what she was getting into. William was so wise to give Catherine ten years to look in that “goldfish bowl” and think ‘can I hack it’.
I think they gave her everything they could, I don’t think they could have given her any more, but in the end, she just didn’t fancy it
Matt Wilkinson
“If Meghan had been given more time, she might have thought well no I can’t give up my independence.
“Meghan was fantastic. She could have been such a credit to the royal family.
“She was an independent, forthright woman with her own career, her own thoughts, charities, and causes.
“She could have been exactly what a modern monarchy needs.
“But I think the monarchy, as I’ve said earlier, didn’t act as carefully as they should have done in nurturing what they could have had.”
However, Jennie did admit that she thought Meghan was a “bit of a diva”.
She continued: “She didn’t like what she saw and didn’t like having her wings clipped in that way. I think it’s a sad combination of misjudgments, really.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from royal duties in 2020, following their royal wedding in 2018 in Windsor.
In her March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan opened up about the difficulties she faced as a member of the royal family.
She admitted struggling with her mental health, and said: “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.
“And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.”
I think the monarchy, as I’ve said earlier, didn’t act as carefully as they should have done in nurturing what they could have had
Jennie Bond
Speaking about being prepared for royal life, Meghan shared: “I would say I went into it naively because I didn’t grow up knowing much about the Royal Family.
“It wasn’t part of something that was part of conversation at home.
“It wasn’t something that we followed.
MEGHAN Markle was also branded a 'diva' on the show, while Prince Harry was dubbed 'deplorable' for his book Spare.
Jennie Bond blasted: “He was a very silly boy to write Spare, it was deplorable and stupid. He’s done the blood letting, now we want to move on.”
Meanwhile the pair said Meghan couldn’t hack royal life in the same way Princess Kate can – and revealed she was ‘difficult’ with the media.
Sun legend Arthur also regaled memories of his royal tours with Charles and Diana – and implied Harry and Meghan may be putting on a show like they did before their marriage crumbled.
During the hour-long event, the royal experts also discussed the future of a slimmed-down monarchy, shared tales of behind-the-scenes encounters with key royals and opened up about Kate and Charles’ cancer battles.
You can watch the full Royal Exclusive Live show in the player above and on our YouTube channel.
“My mum even said to me a couple of months ago, ‘Did Diana ever do an interview?’
“Now I can say. ‘Yes, a very famous one’, but my mum doesn’t know that.”
She claimed she didn’t do much research into what the role would entail, and said that her perception was very different from the reality.
I would say I went into it naively because I didn’t grow up knowing much about the Royal Family
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan continued: “I think, as Americans especially, what you do know about the royals is what you read in fairytales, and you think is what you know about the royals.
“It’s easy to have an image that is so far from reality, and that’s what was so tricky over those past few years, when the perception and the reality are two different things and you’re being judged on the perception but you’re living the reality of it.
“There’s a complete misalignment and there’s no way to explain that to people.”
POKÉMON TCG is a collectors paradise, with the rarest cards eventually selling for thousands.
The Sun has received an exclusive first look at two of the powerful Pokémon EX cards from the upcoming set Surging Sparks.
There are over 250 new cards coming in the upcoming set, which will launch on November 8, 2024.
It will include a number of full-art illustrations, Pokémon EX cards, and Ace Spec cards that you can use while playing the TCG.
Some cards like Alolan Exeggcutor EX, Archaludon EX and Latias EX and the set will feature the new terastalization type, Stellar Tera, for the first time.
The first card we can exclusively reveal is Tatsugiri EX which will come with Stellar Tera, making it a Dragon-type card.
It unfortunately doesn’t have an ability, and has just 160HP meaning it will be one of the easier EX cards to knock out.
However, it does come with an interesting attack that could be used in a number of decks if positioned correctly.
The first move Surprise Attack deals a steady 100 damage, which isn’t changed by any of the opponents’ effects.
The second move Cinnabar Lure will be very intriguing for decks built around getting Pokémon on the bench to use their abilities.
The move reads: “Look at the top 10 cards of your deck. You may put any number of Pokémon you find there onto your bench. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.”
We can also exclusively reveal a new full-art card for Pikachu EX, which is classed as a special illustration rare.
This one has 200HP but it does come with an ability that increases its usability in the tabletop game.
Pikachu comes with the ability Resolute Heart which reads: “If this Pokémon has full HP and would be Knocked Out by damage from an attack, it is not Knocked Out, and its remaining HP becomes 10.”
The Pikachu EX also comes with a very powerful attack called Topaz Bolt which deals 300 damage.
This card will be one of the rarest cards in the whole set and definitely one to look out for when you are opening your packs.
If you want to read more about Pokémon cards, check out our Pokémon TCG Pocket preview.
Get the lowdown on more of the latest Nintendo Switch releases from our expert reviewers.
For Xbox Series X and PS5 reviews, check out our full game reviews section.
A BRIT photographer has collapsed and died on top of a Greek beauty spot.
The man, 67, was found in the Vouraikos gorge in Kalavryta after his friends called emergency services around 8.30 am Friday.
Friends tried to resuscitate the 67-year-old to no avail before rescue teams arrived to find the man already unconscious on the outskirts of the town of Diakopto.
Police, the fire department and an ambulance were quickly brought to the scene to assist.
He was later pronounced dead at the Kalavryta Hospital.
The man has not been identified yet.
The 67-year-old and his friends were hiking through the gorge, hoping to capture shots of NATO fighter jets flying overhead on the last day of drills.
Photographers were invited to attend NATO exercises on October 1 and 8.
Local firefighters posted on Twitter/X this morning but only confirmed that one man had been injured near the local caves.
“An unconscious man was transported from a difficult location in the Kalavryton mega cave area and handed over to the EKAB (emergency teams).
“(They brought) 7 firefighters with 2 vehicles.”
Police are working to establish the cause of death, with initial investigations suggesting he may have been suffering from an illness, per local media.
The body will be transferred to Patra, where an autopsy will be conducted.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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THE Colorado Buffaloes have made a major decision over Deion Sanders’ future.
The college football team have had a strong start to the season, going 4-1.
Their only defeat came at the hands of Nebraska, a disappointing 28-10 showing.
They take on Kansas State on Saturday evening, looking to extend their solid 2024-25 NCAA season record.
But Sanders’ long-term future with the college is already on everyone’s minds.
His star quarterback son Shedeur is set to quit at the end of the campaign.
Coach Prime’s other son, Shilo, who plays as a safety, is also set to go.
And superstar corner and wide receiver Travis Hunter will join them.
The trio are set to announce their eligibility to join the 2025 NFL Draft class.
They are expected to be three of the top picks, with Hunter predicted to go first.
This has led to speculation over their head coach, and whether he wants to continue.
The Buffaloes are hoping he does stay, progressing with a new set of players next year.
The NFL legend is only in his second season in Colorado, bringing them national attention.
“We hope Coach Prime finishes his career here,” said the University of Colorado’s athletic director Rick George.
“I think he can do significant things for us long-term with longevity.
“I think Coach would sit here and tell you that he and I are on the same page about where we want this program to go.
BELOW are the matchups for the Colorado Buffaloes for the 2024 college football season
“It’s not a short-term fix and we want to set it up to be sustainable for the future.
“I think what he’s done is incredible.
“I like the culture he’s created. I see it on a daily basis.
“I like where we’re at.”
Sanders still has three years remaining on his five-year, $29.5 million contract.
In September, he hinted he could quit the Buffaloes at the end of the season.
“Look around your environment and ask yourself can you do better than what you’re doing?,” he said.
“What areas in your life need improvement? How can you change it and are you willing to change?
“Only a fool thinks they don’t need change or help. Don’t be that fool?
“We can all be better and do better.”
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS star Laviska Shenault VOMITTED on the sidelines after an incredible kick-off return against the San Franciso 49ers.
The wide receiver returned a sensational 97-yard touchdown on Thursday night, which, understandably, went viral.
But not as viral as footage of the 26-year-old THROWING UP moments after the breathtaking score.
Cameras caught Shenault spewing on the sidelines after the Hawks‘ offensive line was replaced by their defensive counterparts.
Scores of NFL fans commented on the clip after it spread like wildfire on social media.
One wrote on X: “‘Sleepless in Seattle? Sickness in Seattle.'”
Another said: “The kick return f**ked him up bad lol.”
And another said: “Welcome to the hurl club.”
One remarked: “Puke and rally.”
Another chimed in: “Nasty.”
Amazon Prime commentator Al Michaels was almost speechless after the cameras panned to the vomiting Shenault.
The veteran commentator – 79 – said: “Meanwhile… sickness on the sidelines.”
Shenault’s incredible touchdown return and subsequent vomiting on the sidelines ended up mattering little as the Hawks came up short against the 49ers.
The 49ers ran out 36-24 winners at Lumen Field to take their record for the season to three wins and three defeats.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said: “I thought we played real well in the second half, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to win.
“That’s kind of how it works. We played well. They played well.
“They came back and made some plays, which made it tighter.
“And I was glad that our guys could fight through that, realize that games are really never over where you can just sit and chill in the fourth quarter.
“You’ve got to go beginning to the end and we got that experience today.”
