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Ukraine Backers Make Last-Ditch Effort to Seize Russian Assets

There is vigorous movement afoot, in the weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump graces the White House again, to seize the entirety of Russia’s frozen overseas assets and use that $300 billion to help Ukraine.  Europe’s new foreign-policy chief, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, recently advocated exactly that. Other luminaries have echoed that call, […]

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Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announce $100bn US investment

President-elect Donald Trump, with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son at his side, has announced that SoftBank will invest $100bn in the United States over the next four years in what would be a boost to the domestic economy. In a joint appearance with Son on Monday, Trump said that the investment would create 100,000 jobs […]

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Who is the alleged Chinese spy with close ties to Britain’s Prince Andrew?

LONDON — An alleged Chinese spy who cultivated said Monday he has done “nothing wrong or unlawful” as Britain’s government faced questions about what it is doing to thwart security threats from China. British authorities allege businessman Yang Tengbo — known only as “H6” until a High Court judge lifted an anonymity order Monday — […]

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Jim Acosta after ABC settles Trump defamation suit: ‘This is a time for our industry to stand firm’

CNN host Jim Acosta defended the mainstream media after ABC decided to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump over reporting about his case with E. Jean Carroll. Trump filed the defamation case against ABC News host George Stephanopoulos after Stephanopoulos stated during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) that Trump was […]

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high-ankle sprain, status for Houston remains unclear, AP source says

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain, additional testing confirmed, and his status for this week’s game against Houston remains in question, a person familiar with the results told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce […]

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Bucharest mayor enters Romanian presidential race

Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan will run as an independent in a 2025 rerun of the country’s recently canceled election for the presidency, he announced at a press conference Monday.“We are at a turning point, the most difficult since the revolution. I intend to run for president in 2025,” Dan said, adding that while he will […]

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The latest change for Starbucks under its new CEO? Baristas can get triple the amount of paid parental leave

Starbucks is giving baristas up to three times the paid parental leave they previously had access to. Starting in March, the coffeehouse giant said it will offer up to 18 weeks of paid leave for birth parents and up to 12 weeks for nonbirth parents. The expanded benefit applies to US store employees averaging at […]

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OpenAI updates ChatGPT Search with voice queries, faster results, mobile maps integration

On the eighth day of Christmas…er, the eighth day of “12 Days of OpenAI,” holiday-themed announcements, the company behind ChatGPT took to its now-familiar livestream on YouTube to announce a series of search-related updates for its signature AI chatbot. Specifically, OpenAI just unveiled three major updates to its web search experience within ChatGPT, which was […]

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I’m fuming at my neighbour’s ‘moronic’ fence update after building an outhouse, it’s invaded my privacy & looks ugly too

A HOMEOWNER was left baffled by the update his neighbour made to the fence between their properties.

He shared his confusion over the “ugly” upgrade, and revealed why it may become even more of an issue in the future.

Neighbor's new fence and outhouse impacting privacy.
Reddit
A Reddit user shared the strange update his neighbour made to the fence between their properties[/caption]

In a viral post, the Reddit user shared a photograph of his updated privacy fence.

The poster explained that his family had only moved onto the property a year ago and hadn’t had any issues with their neighbours.

He added that they “don’t seem like bad people” and even said he planned to discuss the spontaneous DIY with them.

The Reddit user shared a picture of this upgrade, which showed a mismatched trellis replace the top part of his privacy fence at the bottom of his garden.

“So I came home from work today and this is how the fence looks,” he explained.

“[My] neighbour has had a building built at the bottom of the garden and a window on the building just the other side of that fence.

“I understand it’s to allow light to pass through the window but it looks s**te, why should my privacy be invaded for their benefit?”

The poster guessed that the new build was an outhouse and the window was to allow natural light into the space.

However, he pointed out how his neighbours hadn’t even done him the “courtesy of painting it or cutting it level with the rest of the fence.”

While he called it “a bit odd” to place a window on that side, the Reddit user revealed the main problem he had with the DIY.

He explained that he was “p**sed off they didn’t ask for permission” to enter his garden.

The homeowner went on to say that he hadn’t even met his neighbours before but would’ve happily come to a “neutral resolution” had they spoken to him beforehand.

Instead, he came home from work to find three workers in his garden.

“I’m not the type of person who wants to deal with years of s**t with a neighbour over something that was probably not intended maliciously,” he said.

However, he added that “they have just over looked how we would feel.”

How to create privacy in your garden

CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden:

1. Fencing

  • Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy.

2. Hedges and Plants

  • Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.

3. Outdoor Curtains

  • Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.

4. Sound Barriers

  • A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern.

The homeowner also revealed that he had been planning to place a shed in that corner of his garden as it gets the least amount of sunlight.

He suggested to his fellow Reddit users about maybe adding foliage to the trellis to cover up the “poor look.”

But if the “fair approach” failed, he said: “The gloves are off, I’ll just have a whole new fence starting from my house to the bottom of the garden to avoid any further altercation.”

Reddit users shared their thoughts on the situation in the comments section.

“That is certainly one of the most moronic things I’ve ever seen,” agreed one reader.

Two men arguing by a fence.
Getty
The homeowner shared his intention to discuss a compromise with his neighbours (stock image)[/caption]

“They’ve just basically made a window into your garden. Not cool,” wrote another commenter.

“They should have at least had a conversation about their intentions first.”

“Yeah that’s a p**s take, the fact that they didn’t even ask about it is even worse. I’d slap a shed there to cover it up,” commented a third person.

“Even better, stick an outhouse there, what are they going to do, complain that you did the exact same thing they did?”

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Tom Grennan risks painful mistake as he gets bold new leg tattoo amid Christmas No1 battle

HE has just had a tattoo to mark his battle for this year’s Christmas No1.

But Tom Grennan may regret it because I can reveal he is already in the painful process of having a large inking on his neck removed.

Tom Grennan at the BRIT Awards.
Tom Grennan just had a tattoo to mark his battle for this year’s Christmas No1
Rex
Tom Grennan asking viewers to decide.
Tom may regret it because I can reveal he is already in the painful process of having a large inking on his neck removed
Instagram
A person's leg with a note that says "Christmas no.1 2024 is..." and a small "Wallace" tattoo.
Tom’s fresh marking on his leg teases: ‘Christmas No.1 2024 is . . .’
Instagram

The It Can’t Be Christmas singer got a backwards question mark on his Adam’s apple, but is now undergoing a lengthy procedure to undo the work.

A source said: “He didn’t like it any more.”

Given the agony Tom will be going through, you’d think he would now be a little more careful when it comes to new body art.

But last week he got a fresh marking on his leg which teases: “Christmas No.1 2024 is . . .”

He has promised to complete the unfinished line after Friday’s big chart reveal.

But at the moment the race to top of the festive chart is looking pretty tight.

Figures yesterday showed Tom’s Amazon-exclusive tune is at No2 with sales of 17,663 copies.

Wham! are on course to clinch the big prize for a second year in a row with Last Christmas, which has so far clocked up 23,834 sales.

I’d love to see Tom take the festive spoils.

But if not, I just worry he might then get “Wham!” tattooed on his leg this weekend.

JINGLE BALL GIG TO MARK FRESHER KESHA

KESHA celebrated the relaunch of her career by performing at Boston’s Jingle Ball on Sunday.

The Your Love Is My Drug singer wore ripped tights and a white dress for the performance, after the release of comeback tunes Joyride and Delusional.

Kesha performing at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball.
Getty
Kesha wore ripped tights and a white dress for the performance, after the release of comeback tunes Joyride and Delusional[/caption]

She is now gearing up to release her new album in 2025 – 15 years after her debut – and will tour the UK, culminating in a headline set at London’s Mighty Hoopla festival.

She said of her songs: “It’s my best friend, it’s my lover – my higher power.”


THE Beetlejuice sequel came out this summer – and it looks like Rihanna is hoping she could be cast in a third film, if there ever is one.

She wore this striped outfit, just like the one worn by Michael Keaton’s crazy movie character Betelgeuse, for a trip out in Los Angeles at the weekend.

Rihanna leaving a CVS store in Los Angeles.
Splash
Rihanna wore this striped outfit for a trip out in Los Angeles at the weekend[/caption]
Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice (1988).
Alamy
Her outfit was just like the one worn by Michael Keaton’s crazy movie character Betelgeuse[/caption]

But rather than being out to cause mischief like him, Rihanna’s only mission was to visit a pharmacy with her rapper partner A$AP Rocky and their two kids.

It’s been another year without a new album from Rihanna, and in January it will be nine years since her last one, Anti, came out.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a change of fortunes in 2025.


LILY FACES HEALTH STRUGGLE

MY thoughts go out to Lily Allen, who has revealed she is battling an eating disorder.

Plenty of people have remarked on the singer’s figure in recent years, and in her latest Miss Me podcast, she opened up about her struggles with food.

Lily Allen at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
Splash
Lily Allen has revealed she is battling an eating disorder[/caption]

Lily said: “I’ve been going through a tough time over the last few months.

“My eating has become a real issue.

“I’m not in a great place mentally at the moment and I’m not eating, but I’m not hungry.

“I obviously am hungry, but my body and my brain are so disconnected that the messages of hunger are not going from my body to my brain.

“I’m not avoiding food.

“I’m just not thinking about it as I’m so in my head.

“My body’s like, you know, a few steps behind me.”

Lily added that it had been going on for “about three years” – and I hope that her addressing it will mean she is now getting help.


NICOLE KIDMAN almost quit Hollywood in 2008 after ­having her first child.

She recalled: “When I gave birth, I was like, ‘Well, I think I’m pretty much done now’.

“We were living on a farm, and that’s when my mother said, ‘I wouldn’t give up ­completely.

“Keep a ­finger sort of in it.’ ”


WITH ALL MY LOVE, CHRIS

CHRIS MARTIN is spreading the festive cheer, one small gift at a time.

The Coldplay frontman offered to buy one excited fan anything he wanted after they got chatting in a swanky food shop in LA.

Chris Martin of Coldplay performing at a stadium concert.
Getty
Chris Martin is spreading the festive cheer, one small gift at a time[/caption]

Luckily for Chris, who was with actress fiancée Dakota Johnson, it didn’t set him back too much, as the man opted for just a bottle of orange juice.

The fan, who goes by the name Zuma Dogg, said he had told Chris he liked his recent video – for Coldplay track All My Love – with veteran Mary Poppins actor Dick Van Dyke.

“He offered to buy me something,” the fan added.

“He was so nice, he was with his girlfriend.

“I just wish everyone was as nice.”

Good on you, Chris.

I’ve heard some horror stories about run-ins with celebs, but Chris has never been one of the spoilsports.

KYLIE PROMISES ALL KILLERS NOT FILLERS

KYLIE MINOGUE is confident her Tension tour will be the best ever, thanks to the fans as much as her hits.

The pop princess said: “I’ve done a number of festivals and one-off shows this past year and I feel you are lucky when you boil down a stock and get the goodness.

Kylie Minogue performing onstage at the People's Choice Awards.
Getty
Kylie Minogue is confident her Tension tour will be the best ever, thanks to the fans as much as her hits[/caption]

“And I feel it’s all killer no filler.

“There are 37 years of songs to play with and heaps of new stuff.

“I am in a state right now but I know the set list won’t be there until we get well into rehearsals and see how it moves me musically.

“It’s gonna be a good time.”

The Spinning Around singer added that she is still stunned that hit album ­Tension’s singles including Padam Padam gained her a new audience globally.

She said: “There is a part of me that says, ‘You did this decades ago and you are still doing it’. But I am still here for it.

“There is so much positive energy and warm ­welcomes around.

“It’s an amazing time and I do not take that for granted.”

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