USA Update

PARENTS of young kids are being urged to use the half-term break to catch up on their flu vaccinations.

Families are also being asked to make sure their children have had all their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.

The warning comes as the UK faces a “tripledemic” of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter.

If parents missed the in-school flu vaccinations, they can be booked through GP surgeries or at pharmacies, using the NHS website.

Kate Langford, chief medical officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “Flu can be a very unpleasant illness in children, causing fever, stuffy nose, dry cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints and extreme tiredness.

“It is important that parents make sure children are protected as they can easily spread the illness among their friends and family.”

Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council director of public health, added: “School holidays are a really good time to catch children up on any vaccinations they’ve missed.

“There’s lots of ways to book and local centres to attend so we hope parents and carers can find an option that fits in with busy family life.”  

Children aged two and three are usually given the flu vaccine through a quick and painless spray up the nose.

But anyone who cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products is offered an injection instead.

The first MMR dose is usually given at 12 months old, while the second jab is administered at about three years and four months before children start primary school

Schoolchildren and other groups such as pregnant women, older people and those with health conditions are also able to get a flu vaccine ahead of winter when cases spike.

Flu tends to peak in December and January and people are advised to have a vaccine before then.

It can be serious and can lead to hospital admission, even in young children.

Respiratory infections like Covid, flu, RSV and whooping cough will strike many this winter as people spend more time indoors, the NHS has warned.

But some people are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from catching these common bugs.

For the first time, the NHS is also offering an RSV vaccine this autumn.

It is available to women from the 28th week of pregnancy to protect their newborns, as well as older people aged 75 to 79.

RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, external, but can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

If you are not sure if your child is up to date with their immunisations or have questions, you can contact your GP surgery to check and to book in any outstanding immunisations.

It is never too late to catch up with your child’s immunisations and you can book appointments for missed vaccinations at any time.

SHOCKING footage has shown the moment one of Vladimir Putin’s soldiers seemed to tempt death as he dodged eight drone strikes.

The video showed how this Russian survived the near-deadly kamikaze attack carried out by remote Ukrainian pilots.

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Footage captured the moment a Russian soldier (circled) dodged a Ukrainian drone attack[/caption]

East2West

The Russian fighter (circled) narrowly missed eight kamikaze drone attacks[/caption]

East2West

This Russian soldier (circled) missed death as he walked along a desolate field and road[/caption]

This shocking video, caught by drone cameras, showed the fighter crossing through a desolate field alone while under attack.

The soldier, from the 15th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Alexandria Brigade, was targeted twice by drones on the field.

He continued onto an empty road where footage showed four more FPV drones narrowly missing him.

The soldier reportedly dodged two more drone attacks, not shown on video.

This Terminator-esc fighter reportedly walked away with little more than minor injuries.

Despite this Ukrainian drone attack failure, the army conducted a successful operation on a Russian explosives plant overnight on October 20.

A series of loud eruptions were reported at the Sverdlov Plant in Dzerzhins, in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia.

Shocking images showed clouds of smoke and bright flashes coming from the site as it was pummeled by kamikaze drones.

This plant was one of Russia’s biggest producers of industrial explosives and other military equipment, like artillery shells and warheads for air defence systems.

Latest on the Ukraine war

Despite this blow, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has shared hope that his country will soon defeat Putin and end Russia’s war.

Two and a half years after his country was invaded, Zelensky stood infront of Ukraine’s parliament and revealed his “victory plan,” The Sun has previously reported.

The Ukrainian leader detailed his five-step proposal to strengthen Ukraine’s ties with the West and deter future attacks from its neighbour.

Specific ideas included securing an invite to join NATO, and getting permission from allies to use long-range weapons, that have been provided, deep inside Russia.

Other steps include a joint effort from the US and EU to protect Ukraine’s natural resources and hosting non-nuclear weapons on its soil to deter Russia.

Finally, Zelensky said he wanted to provide Ukrainian soldiers in Europe as part of the bloc’s defence against Russia, after the war ends.

The Kremlin dismissed Zelensky’s plans as a spokesman said Kyiv had to “sober up.”

The Russian parliament has also come out to deny claims that Putin’s health has deteriorated.

This unprecedented move came after the Russian president, 72, admitted on TV that he had received regular medical examinations at one of Moscow’s top hospitals.

“Doctors at the Central Clinical Hospital, where I undergo all sorts of regular examinations, also recommend getting vaccinated with domestically produced drugs,” Putin said in the televised meeting.

Putin’s men last month suffered their biggest death toll since the invasion started.

The Russian army faced an average of 1,270 dead troops each day in September, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

SHOCKING pictures from the Yung Filly court case allegedly show the aftermath of “violent acts” carried out by the YouTuber, prosecutors claim.

The 29-year-old has been charged with rape and sexual assault with investigators claiming to have “extremely strong” evidence against the social media star.

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Shocking pictures from the Yung Filly court case allegedly show the aftermath of ‘violent acts’ carried out by the YouTuber, say prosecutors[/caption]

9 News

Filly being arrested in Australia and moved across the country for his court hearing earlier this month[/caption]

Western Australia Police Prosecutor Julius Depetro is leading the case and claims prosecutors have photographs of the alleged victim which show a “history of what we say is violent acts”.

Mr Depetro told the court during Filly’s first hearing this month that “no ordinary person could consent” to what the images allegedly show.

The prosecutor added: “We say those photos and what is alleged in the allegation is effectively beyond the pale.

“Beyond the norm of what could be considered or entertained to be a consensual act.”

Prosecutors also say they have seen CCTV footage that confirms Filly was with the woman on September 28 when she alleges the assault took place.

The court heard that the 20-year-old woman was seen leaving a venue with Filly as investigators try to pinpoint the exact location of the pair.

Initial reports say it is likely to be outside the Bar1 Nightclub where Filly was performing and his accuser was partying with a friend.

Additional footage goes on to show the woman leaving another building alone which may be the hotel where the alleged offences took place.

Mr Depetro also claims that another witness is being actively looked at by police.

Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, has been charged with four counts of rape and three counts of assault causing bodily harm.

With an additional count of impeding a woman’s normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure to her neck also included.

Filly was charged with the eight serious counts earlier this month and was granted bail on strict conditions by magistrate Tanya Watt.

He stumped up $100,000AUD (£51,000) and is banned from leaving the state, can’t contact the alleged victim and has to report to Perth Police Station everyday.

His second hearing isn’t due to get underway until December with a potential trial set to take up to two years to finally begin.

Leaving Filly potentially forced to stay in Australia for a two-year stint without any update on the case.

The UK musician’s lawyer Seamus Rafferty, has confirmed that Filly has managed to find a home in Perth which he is set to stay in for the next six months until the second hearing.

Mr Rafferty said his client “will need to lead a fairly quiet existence for a while”.

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Court documents from the trial have also revealed the timeline cops are using to investigate the alleged hotel attack.

The 20-year-old woman is said to have been partying at the Bar1 Nightclub in Perth on September 27, according to the Perth Magistrates Court docs revealed by MailOnline.

The university student was with a friend in the VIP section until the early hours of the following day.

She was said to have been drinking throughout the night, say the documents.

Filly was the guest performer at the same club on that evening.

Once the rapper had stopped performing the young woman is believed to have met up with him.

Prosecutors then say the pair went back to a hotel room together.

The alleged victim then claims she was sexually assaulted and raped inside the room on September 28.

The woman phoned her friend at around 5:31am after leaving the Perth hotel, according to the docs.

Detectives believe this was immediately afterwards the alleged assault.

Barrister Rafferty claims that the woman doesn’t mention any form of sexual misconduct in the short phone conversation.

It comes as The Sun spoke to a mum who has accused Yung Filly of breaking her terminally ill son’s heart after he failed to keep a promise he made to the youngster.

The YouTuber told Mason Greaves, 12, he was there to “support him” and challenged him to a game of Fortnite in a video.

But mum Kelly Greaves claims the rapper instead ghosted her poorly son and even at one point told him to “shut up”.

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A BELOVED home decor retailer and rival to Hobby Lobby has confirmed the closure of a staple location.

Shoppers must act fast to make last-minute holiday homeware purchases before its doors shut for good.

GETTY

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At Home is shuttering an Alabama store[/caption]

In Montgomery, Alabama, a store for At Home will be axed at Eastdale Mall.

It opened in 2017 for local customers inside where Sears used to be before mass closures and a bankruptcy filing of Sears’ parent company the following year.

While there isn’t a firm date for the final day of operation for the At Home in Eastside Mall, a spokesperson said it would be by the end of 2024, per local CBS affiliate WACA 8.

Liquidation sales will likely be underway soon, and there’s no confirmed reasoning behind the shutdown.

After the closure, At Home customers in Montgomery will have to travel a bit further to get their favorite merchandise at nearby locations in either Hoover, Mobile, or Trussville.

At Home still has over 250 locations nationwide across 40 states, per its website.

It’s been around since 1979, when it opened its first store in Dallas, Texas.

From there, At Home rapidly grew for 45 years to what it is now.

CONSISTENT TREND?

It’s unclear if customers can expect more At Home closures soon, but another location has already shuttered this year.

Going-out-of-business sale signs were spotted at the home goods retailer’s location within the Destiny USA mall in New York this spring.

The Destiny USA store was massive, taking up 88,000 square feet on the first floor of the building.

It officially closed in August, with no reason provided by At Home.

In 2022, At Home stores closed in California, Illinois, New York, and Texas.

Just over a year ago, in August 2023, a location in Iowa was also axed.

TAKING HITS

Other home goods retailers have taken more significant hits.

Conn’s Home Plus, which has over 100 years of history in the United States, filed for bankruptcy in July.

The company cited financial struggles after the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and owed about $50 million to creditors at the time of the Chapter 11 filing, per Retail Dive.

Preparations are being made in October for the closing of all its 170 stores.

Department store giants like Macy’s are also making similar moves.

It confirmed 150 locations would shutter over the next three years.

In 2020, Macy’s had already detailed plans for 125 closures, making for a nearly 300-store wipeout in the coming years.

PARENTS are up in arms after a soft play centre hid realistic life size body bags for kids to find.

Rugrats and Halfpints in Cirencester, Gloucestershire has since apologised for the Halloween-themed stunt following concerns from “shocked” parents.

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Rugrats and Half Pints was slammed by parents after a Halloween-themed detail attracted criticism[/caption]

Rugrats and Half Pints

The soft play centre in Gloucestershire hung up lifelike body bags[/caption]

Rugrats and Half Pints

Rugrats have since apologised and removed the body bags[/caption]

One mum admitted doing a “double take” when she locked eyes with the blood-curdling decorations.

Images reveal how the props uncannily resemble human bodies covered in black plastic.

The mum, who wished to remain anonymous, told Sky News: “I went inside with my daughter.

“The body bags were at the back which can’t be seen from the cafe area, only by kids inside.

“When I saw them I did a double take – surely that can’t be what I think it is? I just didn’t want to have to explain to my kid what they were.

“I spoke to some other parents after who were as shocked as I was that it was deemed appropriate. It’s a great soft play, but that did shock me a bit!”

Rugrats and Halfpints, which charges as high as £11.75 per child, assures parents it is “committed to providing a safe, clean and stimulating environment, with the emphasis on fun”.

A spokesperson told Sky News: “This is the first time someone has brought it to our attention so of course due to this we will take them down immediately.

“It wasn’t to cause distress and we apologise this is how they have felt.”

According to the centre’s website, the Cirencester inside play park offers parents “a variety of different play areas and entertainment for your kids to get stuck in while you can enjoy our onsite cafe”.

“Winner of the Travellers Choice Award 2022, Rugrats is committed to providing a safe, clean and stimulating environment, with the emphasis on fun,” it says.

“In essence, Rugrats and Half Pints is the soft play centre you have been waiting for.”

The Sun Online has reached out to Rugrats for comment.

HALLO-NO

Meanwhile, one expert has revealed the hidden dangers of kids’ Halloween costumes, including nits and lurgy.

With Halloween fast approaching, many of our little ones will be excitedly planning which of their favourite film characters or spooky creatures to dress up with.

However, Tom Golubovich, a Halloween & design expert from Ninja Transfers, highlighted that masks can actually pose a number of dangers to children, especially those under five.

He said: “While masks might seem like an easy way to complete a costume, they can actually cause hidden safety concerns for young children.

“From breathing issues to hygiene concerns involving germs and nits, there are better and safer alternatives for kids this Halloween.”

Halloween masks are often made with thick materials, and have small breathing holes, meaning that they can restrict airflow.

Tom said: “The physical exertion of walking from house to house, combined with the excitement of the night, may exacerbate breathing difficulties when wearing a mask.”

Instead of masks, Tom recommends using face paint and makeup instead.

This is a great way to get creative, but make sure to use hypoallergenic products, to protect sensitive skin.

He added that younger children have smaller airways, meaning that Halloween masks could turn a fun night into a dangerous experience for little ones.

EXO Chanyeol proves his Filipino core on his successful 2024 'Chanyeol Live Tour: City-scape in Manila' on October 19 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Mattel exec Josh Silverman spoke to THR about the company's mission to create shows that resonate with both adults and children, something he calls "new-stalgia."

Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, also gave an update on 'Ted Lasso' season four during her keynote at MIPCOM Cannes.

The 'Doctor Sleep' scribe and 'Haunting' showrunner will adapt Stephen King's novel.

Tyrese Haliburton, his girlfriend and her two friends showed love to 50 Cent after the rapper announced his first-ever Las Vegas residency.