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Man Skates Through Incredible ‘Drowned Forest’ Frozen Over in Alaska 

A couple from Alaska skated through a “drowned forest” and it looked mezmerizing, wowing internet users. Luc Mehl, 46, shared a clip of his wife Hannah skating through the forest, which is partially under water due to an earthquake in 1964. Having frozen over due to cold temperatures, the lake with its trees sticking up […]

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More aging Japanese need to cope with living alone

At the age of 85, Ikuko Arai on November 30. She says she is happy to step back from her role at a non-profit organization in the capital Tokyo, but she is also more than a little worried. Arai lives alone since her husband died 16 years ago, and she fears that stopping work is […]

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5 things to do with leftover turkey

As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one thing to do with leftover turkey and that’s put it between two slices of crusty bread with mustard and a bit of stuffing.  For Christmas upon Christmas, one of my favourite things about Christmas dinner is the leftovers; I get worried when I see people at the […]

The post 5 things to do with leftover turkey appeared first on RollerCoaster.

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How getting a dog is like having a toddler all over again

My family recently made the decision to get a dog and we were all prepared for the added responsibility. But what I wasn’t prepared for was that it would be like having a toddler all over again! The time seemed right to get a dog. My daughter, almost five, is at a great age for […]

The post How getting a dog is like having a toddler all over again appeared first on RollerCoaster.

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7 Thoughts EVERY mammy has over the Christmas break

It’s lovely having our kids home all day over the Christmas break but it can also be a challenge. The disruption of routine, the overstimulation (for them and you!) and the (potentially) bad weather all lend themselves to a pretty stressful time, alongside the magic that is. Here are seven thoughts all mams will have […]

The post 7 Thoughts EVERY mammy has over the Christmas break appeared first on RollerCoaster.

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Things to do in January to get you through the new year slump

We’ve compiled a list of things to do with the family in January to bring you into the New Year.  As the festive celebrations come to a close, we can oftentimes find ourselves entering a bit of a slump come January time. RELATED: The best family movies we can’t wait to watch in 2024 With […]

The post Things to do in January to get you through the new year slump appeared first on RollerCoaster.

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Woman who slept with record 919 men in one day reveals how she REALLY feels about it & says best bit WASN’T the sex 

THE woman who holds a world record for sleeping with 919 men in one day has opened up about how she really feels about it.

Adult film star Lisa Sparks set the record at the Third Annual World Gangb*** Championship in Warsaw, Poland, back in 2004.

Woman in orange shirt smiling.
Instagram
Adult film star Lisa Sparks has revealed her regrets over sleeping with 919 men in one day[/caption]
Woman adjusting sunglasses, wearing a teal tank top.
Instagram
She achieved the world record at the Third Annual World Gangb*** Championship in Warsaw, Poland, back in 2004[/caption]
Lisa Sparks, seated, wearing a beige top and jeans.
WIKIMEDIA
But she said the event was a complete “s**t show”, and nearly ended up with her in jail[/caption]
Woman wearing a Lakers jersey.
She admitted the best bit about being in Poland was the food
Instagram

She competed against two other women in the event, and eventually beat out her strongest competitor by 21 men.

The men taking part in the event were allowed 45 seconds with each woman, with people acting as “flutters” standing by to ensure they were ready for action when their time came.

And while Lisa holds the record to this day – despite several OnlyFans models trying to beat her – she explained in a post on her website that she actually regrets taking part in the championship.

“To be completely transparent with you all; this event is the one thing I regret doing in the 21+ years in the porn industry to this day,” she wrote.

“This was also the ONLY job I agreed to perform strictly for the money.”

She added that while she enjoys having sex with multiple people at one time, Lisa said that the event was “never anything I planned on”, and was a “complete s**t show”.

The government in Poland discovered the event was being planned and threatened to arrest anyone involved.

Due to that, the championship was moved to a secret warehouse, but Lisa still feared afterwards that she was going to be jailed for her part in it.

“I was disappointed but was excited to fly home and not spend any time in a foreign jail,” she continued, adding that the championship also got her Wikipedia page removed, and “to this day I am not sure why”.

Her regrets over taking part in the championship didn’t detract from the best bit about being in Poland though.

“I had the best Italian food of my life and it was in Poland of all places,” she laughed.

Prior to Lisa nabbing the world record, a woman held it for sleeping with 759 men at the 2003 Annual World Gangb*** Championship.

British model Lily Phillips is probably the biggest threat to Lisa’s record, having admitted she wants to bed 1,000 men in one day.

She hopes to limit each encounter to “a couple of seconds at most” to achieve her goal.

Lily has advertised online, looking for male participants and describing it as the “record-breaking event of the year”.

“I dreamed it up with my assistant,” she told the Mail.

What is OnlyFans?

OnlyFans is a subscription content service based in London.

As of 2023, it is thought to have more than 220million registered users and over three million content creators.

Sex workers charge monthly fees for access to pictures, videos and more.

While popular for porn, the site isn’t exclusively designed with that in mind – anyone who wants to build up a fan base and charge them for it can set one up.

Celebs like Katie Price and Kerry Katona are popular personalities on the platform.

“Whether you’re uploading tutorials, tips, behind-the-scenes footage or just endless selfies, a lot of your followers would be willing to pay for them,” the company states.

For every subscription that’s sold to a viewer, performers get 80 per cent of the cash while OnlyFans gets the rest.

It isn’t limited to adult content, as it has become popular with physical fitness experts and musicians.

“I can’t wait… it’s very exciting. It will be a world record. A real challenge!

“Ideally, we’ll do it in a big warehouse with two doors.”

Medical professionals and ethicists have raised concerns about the physical and psychological risks involved in Lily’s endeavour.

However, the 23-year-old remains undeterred and says she has been “in training” for months to prepare for the physical demands of the feat.

Woman in olive green long-sleeved shirt.
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Lisa holds the record to this day, despite the event taking place 20 years ago[/caption]
Woman in low-cut top leaning out of car window.
Instagram
There were people on hand at the championship to ensure the men were ready when their time came[/caption]
Woman in white eyelet shorts and top.
Lisa now has some competition from OnlyFans star Lily Phillips, who has challenged herself to bed 1,000 men in one day
Instagram/lilyphillip_s

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Surprising secrets behind Xmas film Elf – from Will Ferrell’s ‘sugar headaches’ to the Hollywood superstar he replaced

WATCHING Elf might be a regular holiday tradition, but the Christmas comedy has a trove of behind-the-scenes secrets that may surprise even its most devoted fans.

From Will Ferrell’s dedication to Buddy’s sugary diet to the Hollywood heavyweight who nearly starred in the film, here are some fascinating facts about the making of Elf.

Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs in Elf, waving on a New York City street.
Alamy
There are some little known facts about the making of Elf[/caption]
Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs in Elf.
Alamy
Will Ferrell was not originally pegged for the role[/caption]
Scene from Elf showing Buddy Hobbs, James Caan, and Mary Steenburgen in a kitchen preparing food.
Alamy
The actor suffered from health problems on set[/caption]

Will Ferrell’s Sweet Sacrifice

Will Ferrell didn’t fake Buddy’s love for sugary treats — he actually consumed all those maple syrup-drenched spaghetti meals and candy-covered breakfasts.

While it added authenticity to the role, it came at a cost.

Will admitted he suffered severe sugar highs and pounding headaches during filming.

“I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and didn’t get much sleep,” he joked. “But anything for the movie!”

Another A-lister as Buddy?

It’s hard to picture anyone but Ferrell in the role of Buddy, but Jim Carrey was originally meant to star as Santa’s little helper.

The script for Elf circulated in Hollywood for over a decade, and in the early 1990s, Jim was the comedy king thanks to hits like Ace Ventura and The Mask.

But by the time Elf entered production in the 2000s, Jim had moved on from the Christmas scene after starring in festive blockbusters like The Grinch and A Christmas Carol.

The 12-Second Burp Truth

Buddy’s epic 12-second burp at the dinner table is a standout moment in the film — but it wasn’t Will Ferrell behind the sound.

The infamous belch was performed by voice actor Maurice LaMarche, best known as the voice of Brain in Pinky and the Brain.

Maurice’s uncredited contribution created a hilarious scene that kids and adults alike have replayed for years.

Baby Drama

Buddy’s childhood scenes may look heartwarming on screen, but they came with a unique set of challenges.

The production had to fire its first set of baby actors — twin boys — because they wouldn’t stop crying when they were supposed to smile and crawl.

Producers ultimately replaced them with a trio of cheerful triplet girls, who nailed their brief but pivotal roles.

No Sequel for Buddy

Despite the film’s massive success and ongoing popularity, Elf fans shouldn’t hold their breath for a sequel.

Will Ferrell reportedly turned down a staggering £21 million offer to reprise his role in Elf 2.

His reason? Ferrell felt that a second movie might tarnish the charm of the original.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: “I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would’ve been, like, ‘Oh no, it’s not good. I just couldn’t turn down that much money.’

“I thought, ‘Can I actually say those words? I don’t think I can, so I guess I can’t do the movie.’”

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Tragedy as toddler, 2, is killed in horror hit-and-run after stolen Porsche crashed into car – with manhunt for driver

A TWO-year-old boy has been killed in a horror hit-and-run after a stolen Porsche crashed into a car.

Cops are desperately hunting for the sports car driver after they smashed into a Toyota carrying four adults and the tragic tot.

Police tape on a railing near the site of a fatal accident involving a stolen Porsche and a Toyota.
BPM
The driver fled the scene, say police[/caption]

The fatal crash happened on Dartmouth Road, Smethwick, West Mids., shortly before 11pm on Saturday.

Everyone, including the young boy, was rushed to hospital following the collision.

Despite medics’ best efforts, the two-year-old could not be saved and was pronounced dead.

A woman, 29, and a 30-year-old man remain in hospital in a serious condition.

Another man and woman, both 30, are both said to be stable.

West Midlands Police say the driver of a grey Porsche Cayenne fled the scene.

The car is said to have been stolen earlier in December.

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the little boy at this extremely difficult time.

“I would urge the driver of the Porsche to do the right thing and come and talk to us.”

Anyone with information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.

Or, call 101 quoting log 4421 14 December.

Dartmouth Road in Smethwick, site of a fatal accident involving a stolen Porsche and a Toyota.
BPM
Dartmouth Road in Smethwick where a two-year-old has sadly died[/caption]

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Walmart and Target shoppers are snubbing name brands in stores – a retail expert tells us why

PRIVATE labels, or generic brands, are rising in popularity as the cost of groceries remains high due to inflation.

A retail expert touched on why these private labels are so popular among retailers and consumers alike, giving name-brand products a run for their money.

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Shoppers are increasingly turning toward private label brands as a cheaper alternative to name-brand products[/caption]
Kaity Fuja, OMG Photography
The U.S. Sun spoke exclusively with retail expert Mitchell Olsen on the history and popularity of private label products[/caption]

A private label is a product line that a retailer owns and sells under its own brand name, rather than an independent brand.

From Costco’s Kirkland Signature line to Walmart’s flagship brand Great Value, these products have become increasingly more relevant in recent years.

Their rise in popularity is mainly driven by factors such as inflation and an expanding emphasis on value-based shopping.

BY THE NUMBERS

Almost every household in the US buys at least one private-label grocery item instead of a name-brand product, per a new report by data analytics firm Numerator.

Nearly half of consumers admitted to purchasing private-label products this year to save money.

The report also found that Walmart’s Bettergoods and Target’s Dealworthy were the two fastest-growing private label brands in 2024.

Target
Target’s Dealworthy and Walmart’s Bettergoods were two of the fastest-growing off-brand labels in 2024[/caption]

Both brands were launched this year and saw their sales volume increase by over 200%.

Target’s Bullseye’s Playground was next in line at 109%, followed by Aldi’s Choceur at 83%, and Dollar Tree’s B Pure at 75%.

The Numerator report also discovered that Aldi holds the largest private label presence, with generic products comprising 80% of its overall sales volume.

Aldi was followed by Trader Joe’s at 70% and Costco at 35%.

Although these off-brand products are flying off the shelves, some consumers believe they are not on par with name-brand products in terms of quality.

While 59% of shoppers feel private label brands provide “above-average value for their price,” only 27% said they are as good as name-brand competitors.

EXPERT OPINION

To delve more into the history and success of private label products, The U.S. Sun spoke exclusively with Mitchell Olsen, a marketing professor at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, who specializes in retail.

The expert first noted that despite their recent rise in popularity, these off-brand products are “as old as retailing itself.”

Olsen pointed towards several examples, including the private label whiskey Macy’s sold in the 1800s as well as the Craftsman brand of tools that Sears launched in the 1920s.

The retail expert shared how the generic private labels spread extensively in the 1970s, offering a lower-quality version of national brand alternatives at a lower price point.

These brands are spiking in popularity now because retailers are putting more resources behind them, according to Olsen.

Private Label Brands

Private label brands offer a lower-quality version of national brand alternatives at a lower price point. Here are a few examples of these brands:

Walmart:

  • Great Value
  • Bettergoods
  • Sam’s Choice
  • Equate
  • Mainstays

Target:

  • Dealworthy
  • Wild Fable
  • Room Essentials
  • Threshold
  • Good & Gather

Aldi:

  • Clancy’s
  • Milville
  • Mama Cozzi’s
  • Little Salad Bar
  • Sundae Shoppe

“Instead of mimicking a leading national brand, they are creating their own premium store brands that offer shoppers something unique and of relatively high quality,” he said.

“Compared to generic private labels, premium store brands provide retailers with greater levels of differentiation, profitability, and shopper loyalty.”

Olsen further explored each reason why retailers are placing a greater emphasis on their private label brands.

In terms of differentiation and shopper loyalty, the expert pointed out that private labels are unique to each retailer and cannot be found anywhere else.

Because of this, off-brand items are a differentiating factor between retailers and can generate more shopper loyalty to a certain store than a national brand.

“Take Costco for instance – the ability to buy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at Costco probably isn’t going to make me do more of my shopping at Costco, because I can buy Ben & Jerry’s at many different stores,” said Olsen.

“However, if I love Kirkland Signature’s vanilla ice cream, then I’m locked into Costco, because that’s the only place I can buy it.”

The expert also explained how private brands provide retailers with greater flexibility to create the products they want, “which can result in offerings that better align with the idiosyncratic needs of the retailer’s shopper base.”

This can also boost customer loyalty to certain retailers.

In terms of profitability, Olsen explained that private labels are typically more fruitful than name-brand items.

“In a low-margin industry like retail, it makes a big difference to the bottom line when you’re able to cut out a channel intermediary and have more direct control over your cost of goods sold,” he said.

The U.S. Sun previously spoke with Olsen on other topics, including how popular candy brands are at risk of elimination if Hershey is bought by Oreo and Cadbury-owner Mondelez.

The expert also discussed how restaurant chains are going under as consumers are starting to “push back” against the high cost of eating out.

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