Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the strengthening of relations between Nigeria and the European Union, particularly in addressing malnutrition and other humanitarian challenges. Shettima expressed appreciation for the EU’s support, adding that there was a need for continued collaboration. The vice president spoke during a courtesy visit by an EU delegation led by […]
4 weeks agoNews TopicsComments Off on DIY SOS’s Nick Knowles begs fans for help after co-stars car is stolen
NICK Knowles has pleaded with fans to help find his DIY SOS co-star’s stolen car.
The TV presenter, best known for stints on DIY SOS and Who Dares Wins, has taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to ask his followers for help.
BBCNick tried to help his co-star Billy Byrne who’s car got stolen[/caption]
HandoutBilly has starred on the show since 1999[/caption]
Twitter / @MrNickKnowlesNick pointed out the “rather obvious number plate”[/caption]
He wrote: “Please can you help and spread the word Our lovely Billy from DIY SOS had his car stolen a few days ago, with a rather obvious number plate.
“Can you RT and see if we can find it for him, as it’s made him awfully sad Thank you everyone.”
Known for being the butt of the joke and an easy-going personality, Billy Byrne, 74, quickly became the shining star of British TV show DIY SOS.
Billy, who has been on the show since 1999, is not new to devastating news as he revealed the passing of his his 20-year-old daughter in 2020.
Emma was diagnosed with the cancer, and the incurable nature of her illness resulted in her tragic passing.
The electrician rarely discloses information of his daughter’s passing, but admitted that having therapy was the only way he managed to cope with the loss – despite it taking him 20 years to access help.
Billy first publicly discussed Emma on DIY SOS in 2020, he said: “You’ve got to accept that she was part of our lives for 20 years.
“Let’s talk about the 20 years that she was great and happy. We can stop shedding tears – but it’s hard.”
Nick was confirmed as a show contestant by the BBC earlier this week.
Joining footballer Paul Merson and GB hockey hero Sam Quek, he will dance alongside another ten names as they take to the TV screens later this year.
Appearing on Monday Night’s The One Show, he told presenters: “I danced in Rio last year doing an Argentine Tango and I thought this is great.”
“My elder sister was a ballroom dancer so I am the least talented person in the family.”
Already taking it seriously, however, a slimmed-down Knowles has been seen out and about recently.
DIY SOS cast
Get to know the DIY SOS team and the characters behind the amazing room transformations.
Nick Knowles – Although he’s the only member of the team who isn’t a builder he’s not afraid of hard work, despite the jokes made on the programme. Nick mucks in and brings his own unique style of presenting to the show, joining in the fun with the team.
Mark Millar – The build manager is the one who has to work out how to fit weeks of work into just nine days. Needless to say he never shies away from a challenge! He’s full of energy and blarney but can get a bit lippy if you let him loose on the coffee.
Chris Frediani – He started at the bottom and worked his way up to being a very versatile plasterer. He’s been on DIY SOS since day one. He lives in and loves his home life in Devon, likes travelling around the country but loves going home more.
Julian Perryman – He has a very broad knowledge of modern and traditional types of properties, and always finds a giggle in any situation. An original DIY SOS team member, he’s a proper Devon Boy through and through.
Billy Byrne – Billy learned his trade in the 60s and then went into lighting in the film game. An original member of the DIY SOS team, he’s known as The Prince of Darkness and is the clown of the team. Billy is often the butt of the jokes but the programme wouldn’t be the same without him.
His new look led to fans speculating on how much weight the Bafta-winning presenter will lose during his stint on the show.
Replying to a comment on X, formerly Twitter, one fan said: “Got a book running with everyone on how much weight you’ll lose doing strictly…I’ve got a score on 3.5 stone…(22.22kg).”
Nick replied: “Well I’ve been training in the gym and on a strict diet and have lost 7 kilos already.”
The gravelly-voiced presenter had previously admitted to piling on the pounds in lockdown, telling his X followers in 2021: “Nothing like seeing your lockdown weight gain splashed all over several national newspapers with before and after example photos to (really) drive home the point…”
He was also previously quoted as saying: “I’ve made a living by looking like a bag of spanners on TV. “
“I’m 18 stone. I’m massive. I’m always on building sites. During lockdown, I put on almost four stone.”
The Bafta-winning presenter, who is engaged to fiancée Katie Dadzie, 27 years his junior, is set to take to the dance floor next month.
Despite recent scandals surrounding the show, it has been a firm favourite with viewers since launching in 2004, with more than 10 million tuning in to watch last year’s final.
Meanwhile, off screen, Nick’s often-rocky love life is now just as glittering.
She has confided in pals and we exclusively reported how she’s one hundred per cent comfortable with Nick’s latest telly gig.
They told us: “Katie isn’t worried about the curse.
“After Nick signed up for the show they joked about it, they’re very confident in their relationship.
“Obviously Katie is stunning and Nick definitely isn’t looking elsewhere – why would he? This is nothing but a job for him.”
GettyNick admitted that he’s been lifting weights in the gym to get in shape for his debut on Strictly Come Dancing[/caption]
GettyNick, 61, popped the question to Katie, 33, last summer[/caption]
InstagramKatie isn’t worried about the Strictly curse[/caption]
4 weeks agoNews TopicsComments Off on Brits face flight disruption across SIX major airports ahead of two strikes this weekend
BRITS are being warned of two huge travel strikes taking place this weekend, affecting six major airports.
Both Heathrow Airport’s border staff and airport ground staff across Portugal are to walk out tomorrow.
GettyBorder staff at Heathrow airport are planning several days of protests[/caption]
The Heathrow Airport strike is set to last until September 3.
They will then work-to-rule and refuse to work overtime until September 22.
Passengers have been warned that there could be “serious disruption” as well as long queues at passport control in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The strike involves 650 members of the PCS union, who are spread out across the airport’s four terminals.
The union’s general secretary Fran Heathcote has warned it will “likely to cause serious disruption to travellers using Heathrow”.
The strike comes due to a disagreement over a change to roster arrangements, saying the “lack of flexibility” has already forced 160 staff members to leave.
However, Home Office spokesperson have downplayed the chaos, saying there would be “robust plans in place to minimise disruption”.
Passengers heading to Heathrow during this time have been advised to use e-gates if they’re able to.
They have also recommended that travellers “check the latest advice from operators before travel”.
It’s not the only strike set to affect Brits travelling this weekend.
Ground staff across airports in Portugal are also set to walk out.
The strike action starts tomorrow, and will last until September 1.
Porto and Lisbon are expected to be the worst-affected, with the union guaranteeing that there will be delays and “numerous flight cancellations”.
However, the strike notice covers all national airports, which also includes Faro Airport, serving the Algarve, Funchal Airport in Madeira and and Ponta Delgada Airport in the Azores, TTG reports.
Portuguese Transport Workers’ Union, Sttamp has warned that this will cause “severe constraints” at airports across the country.
Sttamp has advised passengers with trips scheduled for the days of the strike to confirm their travel with the airline they are set to fly with before heading to the airport.
The walkouts have been called in protest against “the existence of base salaries below the national minimum wage”.
While the majority of flights affected will be with TAP Air Portugal, airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, British Airways and Vueling also operate flights to and from Portugal.
An easyJet spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “As our ground handler in Portugal isn’t impacted by the strike action we are currently planning to operate our schedule as planned but would always advise all customers to check the status of their flights on Flight Tracker at easyJet.com for the latest updates.”
Sun Travel has contacted Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Wizz Air and Vueling for comment.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
4 weeks agoNews TopicsComments Off on My beautiful wife was so happy and full of love as she gave birth to our twin boys – minutes later she died
A FIRST-time mum tragically died 30 minutes after giving birth to twin boys via planned c-section.
Rachael Galloway was “happy, proud and full of love” in the moments after Noah and Abel Galloway-Whittaker were born on August 1, gazing at her boys with tears in her eyes.
Kennedy NewsRachael Galloway, 36, suffered complications after undergoing a caesarean and passed away on August 1[/caption]
Kennedy NewsRachel was ‘happy’ and ‘full of love’ as she gave birth to her boys but passed away 30 minutes later[/caption]
Kennedy NewsA tearful Matt Whittaker, 36, holding twin boys Noah and Abel[/caption]
But she suffered complications after undergoing a caesarean and passed away shortly afterwards.
The 36-year-old business owner, who got engaged to Matt Whittaker just one week earlier, was excited to become a mum and was eagerly planning her wedding – wanting her boys to be a part of the ceremony.
But the couple’s joy was tragically cut short when Rachael, who lived in Carnforth, Lancashire, died at Royal Lancaster Infirmary despite doctors’ best efforts.
Devastated Matt, 36, is now caring for his twin sons while planning Rachael’s funeral, which will be held on September 6.
Matt, from Carnforth, Lancashire, said: “She died bringing beauty into the world, bringing the boys into the world.
“She was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“On the Friday we got engaged we ate our meal and I remember sitting there saying to Rachael, ‘can you believe that this is our life? Life really couldn’t get any better’.
“[On the day of the c-section] Rach was a star. Though she was nervous as hell she was strong as hell and kept a brave face throughout, right until the boys were born.
“Then there were tears of joy, seeing them, knowing they were healthy, and seeing me give Noah his first feed.
“She was so happy, so proud, so full of love. She had the world in her eyes when she looked at our boys.
“It’s a shame that was the last time she cast her eyes on them, but I hope she is still watching over them.
“It wasn’t just her that died on that table that day, a piece of me did too and I will never get it back.
“But I won’t let the legacy and the dreams she had for our boys die too. We have had to say goodbye to too much, and I will not let us lose any more.”
Kennedy NewsMatt and Rachel got engaged a week before her death[/caption]
Kennedy NewsShe was excitedly planning the wedding and wanted to include her twin boys in it[/caption]
A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver babies through a cut made in the tummy and womb.
Around one in four pregnant women in the UK have a caesarean birth, according to the NHS.
A caesarean may be recommended as a planned procedure or done in an emergency if it’s thought a vaginal birth is too risky.
It’s generally a safe procedure, but carries certain risks like any surgery.
Possible complications may include infection of the cut made during surgery, blood clots or excessive bleeding.
Mum ‘made people around her better’
Matt said: “Rachael was the best person I ever met, she made the world a better place.
“Not just because she was smart, funny, driven, beautiful, caring, patient, and so many other things, but because she made the people around her better.
“She saw and brought out the best in people and I’m living proof that she could see what nobody else could.
“It’s now my responsibility to be the man she saw and thought should start a family with her.
“I have to make her proud and ensure our boys grow up to be the gentlemen she would have been proud of.”
Family friend Emma Jones set up a GoFundMe page to raise cash for Matt and the boys, which currently stands at £19,888.
The 35-year-old lettings manager described the loss of Rachael as devastating and said the family is ‘devastated and absolutely broken’ by it.
What are the risks of C-sections?
A caesarean is generally a very safe procedure, but like any type of surgery it carries a certain amount of risk
Some of these include:
Infection of the wound (common) – causing redness, swelling, increasing pain and discharge from the wound
Infection of the womb lining (common) – symptoms include a fever, tummy pain, abnormal vaginal discharge and heavy vaginal bleeding
Excessive bleeding (uncommon) – this may require a blood transfusion in severe cases, or possibly further surgery to stop the bleeding
Deep vein thrombosis (rare) – a blood clot in your leg, which can cause pain and swelling, and could be very dangerous if it travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Damage to your bladder or the tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder (rare) – this may require further surgery
Women are now given antibiotics before having a caesarean, which should mean infections become much less common.
A caesarean may be carried out because:
Your baby is in the breech position (feet first) and your doctor or midwife has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you’d prefer they did not try this
You have a low-lying placenta
You have pregnancy-related high blood pressure
You have certain infections, such as a first genital herpes infection occurring late in pregnancy or untreated HIV
Your baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients – sometimes this may mean the baby needs to be delivered immediately
Your labour is not progressing or there’s excessive vaginal bleeding
Emma, from Bingley, West Yorkshire, said: “She was really excited about becoming a mum. She also got engaged the day after her birthday, she was finally getting her happy ever after.
“Before I went on holiday I gave her a hug and said ‘the next time I see you you’re going to be a mummy to two beautiful boys’.
“That’s the last thing I said to her. I was so excited for her, I couldn’t believe the next time I’d see her she’d be a mum.
“She was the best friend I’ve ever had, I can’t believe we’ve lost her.
“Her fiancé and family are devastated, they’re absolutely broken. Poor Matt has been left with these two beautiful babies and he’s having to be a dad to them while grieving his partner.
“I believe it happened within half an hour of the boys being delivered.”
Sue Stansfield, Interim Director of Midwifery, UHMBT, said: “To lose a loved one is tragic, and our heartfelt condolences go out all family and friends affected by this sad loss.
“As we are in the process of carrying out an internal review and there is an ongoing Coroner’s investigation, we can’t comment further at this stage – except to say we will continue to support the family and colleagues involved.”
Liverpool to win: Started the season in great fashion but also showing a continued effort to attack and be on the front foot. Can be too much for United.
Both teams to score: United still have attacking threats and can get in behind the two full backs and have scored eight in last three games against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo to be carded: Won’t see as much of the ball as he’d be used to and could get frustrated against three big Liverpool midfielders. Booked last weekend and can follow up here.
Man Utd over 4.5 corners: 11 corners awarded in last two games and that winger width is always one that delivers in this market. 11 also against Liverpool in last two games here.
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