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Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to voice Meta AI chatbot

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Dame Judi Dench and John Cena to voice Meta AI chatbot

Instagram owner Meta says Dame Judi Dench and John Cena will be voice options for its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.

Users will also be able to get information from AI versions of Awkwafina, Keegan Michael Key or Kristen Bell.

The technology giant’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, made the announcements during the company’s annual Connect conference.

At the event, Mr Zuckerberg also unveiled the first working prototype of Meta’s augmented-reality (AR) glasses, called Orion.

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Speaking about the updates to Meta AI, Mr Zuckerberg said: “I think that voice is going to be a way more natural way of interacting with AI than text.”

Other new offerings for the ChatGPT-like chatbot include it being able to recognise things users photograph and giving them information about them.

An image editing feature will allow users to alter photos just by telling the Meta AI what changes they want.

The firm said that more than 400 million people were now using Meta AI a month, with 185 million of them returning to it every week.

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Showing off the Orion glasses, Mr Zuckerberg said: “A lot of people have said this is the craziest technology they’ve ever seen.”

Users will be able to interact with Orion through hand-tracking, voice and wrist-based interface.

Meta also announced an entry-level version of its Quest line of mixed-reality headsets, with prices for the new Quest 3S starting at $300 (£225).

Some of the world’s biggest technology firms have been developing AR glasses but have not yet launched commercially successful mass market devices.

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In recent years, Meta has pumped billions of dollars into developing AI, AR and other metaverse technologies.

The company expects to spend as much as $40bn on new projects this year, a record high.

Before the event, Meta’s shares ended Wednesday’s trading day at a record high of $568.31.

The company – which also owns social media platforms Facebook and WhatsApp – has seen its stock market value rise by more than 60% since the start of this year.

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Foreign lagers are the most popular in UK pubs – accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold

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Foreign lagers are the most popular in UK pubs - accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold

FOREIGN lagers have the biggest share of the beer market in UK pubs — accounting for 28 per cent of all pints sold.

Italian and Spanish tipples such as Moretti, Peroni, Estrella and San Miguel helped them to top the pile.

Current boom in world lager is down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed Madri

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Current boom in world lager is down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed MadriCredit: PR Handout
Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the market

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Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the marketCredit: Getty – Contributor

Adding in classic and premium lagers (each on 20%) — including pilsners and those made in the UK — the brewing style made up 68 per cent of beer bought in pubs, bars and restaurants.

Lager’s market share rose 70 per cent year-on-year, with the value of Spanish pints up 22 per cent, Heineken’s Beer Report 2024 said.

Bitter, ale and stout — with classic and premium offerings combined — claimed 23 per cent of the market, while trendy craft beers took eight.

Heineken’s report put the current boom in world lager down to the 2020 launch of Spanish-themed Madri — despite it being brewed in Tadcaster, North Yorks.

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It said: “Brands that evoke happy memories and holiday vibes were therefore set to do well.”

I tried the world’s strongest beer

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‘OMG’ cry parents as they race to major supermarket to nab discounted £2 Disney books for kids perfect for Christmas

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'OMG' cry parents as they race to major supermarket to nab discounted £2 Disney books for kids perfect for Christmas

PARENTS are rushing to buy discounted £2 Disney books for kids at a major supermarket that make the perfect Christmas gift.

An eagle-eyed shopper had spotted the offer and shared the deal in a post on Facebook.

Prices have been slashed in half for many iconic Disney story books at the supermarket giant

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Prices have been slashed in half for many iconic Disney story books at the supermarket giantCredit: Facebook
The deal was spotted in a Tesco store

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The deal was spotted in a Tesco storeCredit: Alamy

The selection of books included many related to Disney’s most iconic films.

Included were stories about The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.

Shoppers were quick to tag their friends on the post and express their desire to nab the deal.

One user said: “Reuben wants this.”

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Another tagged two friends and said: “If you see this please grab it.”

One shopper even exclaimed: “Omg I need it!”

Another commenter noted, however, that a similar deal was also available at a rival supermarket.

They said: “Aldi had this one for 99p recently other similar stories too.”

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The books are normally priced for £4 at Tesco but this offer reduced their price by half.

It should be noted that the discount is only available for those who are signed up to the supermarket’s Clubcard scheme.

The programme, which is free to sign up to, provides you access to discounts across Tesco stores.

It also allows you to collect points which you can later redeem for vouchers or discounts at other outlets.

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What can I get with Tesco Clubcard?

TESCO’S Clubcard scheme allows shoppers to earn points as they shop.

These points can then be turned into vouchers for money off food at the supermarket, or discounts at other places like restaurants and days out.

Each time you spend £1 in-store and online, you get one point when you scan your Clubcard.

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Drivers using the loyalty card get one point for every two litres spent on fuel.

One point equals 1p, so 150 points gets you a £1.50 money-off voucher, for example.

You can double their worth when you swap them for discounts with “reward partners”.

For example, £12 worth of vouchers can be swapped for a £24 three-month subscription to Disney+.

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Or you can swap 50p worth of points for £1 to spend at Hungry Horse pubs.

Where you can spend them changes regularly, and you can check on the Tesco website what’s available now.

Tesco shoppers can also get Clubcard prices when they have the loyalty card.

The discounted items change regularly and without a Clubcard you’ll pay a higher price.

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These Clubcard prices are usually labelled on shelves, along with the non-member price.

But it’s worth noting that just because it’s discounted doesn’t necessarily make it the cheapest around, and you should compare prices to find the best deal.

You can sign up to get a Tesco Clubcard in store or online via the Tesco website.

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Home inspired by Oasis’ Definitely Maybe album cover goes on sale for £550,000

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Home inspired by Oasis' Definitely Maybe album cover goes on sale for £550,000

THIS home on sale is ‘Definitely Maybe’ worth a viewing by an Oasis fan with £550,000 to spare – after the owner decked out his living room to mirror their iconic 1994 album cover.

From the outside, the three-bed semi listed by Purplebricks, appears like any other home lining the leafy east London street in Abbey Wood – but a peek inside reveals it’s a place a true fan could really Live Forever.

This home is decked out with a living room to mirror Oasis' iconic 1994 album cover

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This home is decked out with a living room to mirror Oasis’ iconic 1994 album coverCredit: Jam Press/Purplebricks
The cover of the band's album Definitely Maybe

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The cover of the band’s album Definitely Maybe

It’s not just the Cigarettes and Alcohol on the wooden living room floor that give the game away, flamingos on the fireplace and an Epiphone guitar are also there in tribute.

A framed image of music hero Burt Bacharach leaning against the sofa and another of Man City legend Collin Bell by the fireplace add to the effect.

And, to top it off, a giant spinning globe hangs beside the mirror, to the right of the image as it appears on the Purplebricks listing.

Located in Zone 4, the property is not Half The World Away (about 0.4 miles) from Abbey Wood train station and the Elizabeth Line.

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The home’s entrance hall connects to the through lounge and extended kitchen, a first floor bathroom with over-bath shower, two double bedrooms and a single bedroom.

At the rear there is a laid-to-lawn garden with patio and out-building with windows in its Wonderwalls – and She’s Electric with power and lighting so can be used as an office or gym.

Owner, Jonathan Leclerc-Strode, said: “Definitely Maybe is one of the all-time greats and certainly a game changer in my generation’s lifestyle.

“Oasis makes me think back to a simpler time, when you could spend lazy afternoons blasting indie rock without looking back in anger.

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“A well-placed glass of wine and lo and behold, a striking similarity that left me speechless.”

A Purplebricks spokesperson said: “We love what the owner has done to their living room.

“The likeness to the Definitely Maybe album cover is uncanny.

“It is the perfect house for any Oasis fan.”

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British Airways AXES flights from UK airport in shock move as hundreds of trips are cancelled

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British Airways has confirmed it has suspended all flights from a city airport

BRITISH Airways has cancelled all its flights from a major city airport in a shock move.

The airline reportedly contacted passengers last night to tell them their flights from Southampton Airport would no longer be going ahead next summer.

British Airways has confirmed it has suspended all flights from a city airport

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British Airways has confirmed it has suspended all flights from a city airportCredit: Getty
Flights from Southampton Airport will no longer be running in the summer of 2025

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Flights from Southampton Airport will no longer be running in the summer of 2025Credit: Alamy

A BA spokesperson confirmed: “We are suspending our summer 2025 operations from Southampton Airport and contacting any affected customers with options including rebooking on an alternative flight with us or another airline or a full refund.”

The reason behind the decision is not yet known.

The airline previously ran flights from the city airport to Bergerac, Faro, Malaga, Majorca and Chambery.

These were operated at weekends through BA CityFlyer – a subsidiary running domestic and European flights from Southampton as well as London City.

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The Southampton flights were launched on 29 May, 2021 to 11 destinations in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and Germany.

The news comes just four months after BA launched its two latest routes from the airport – Bergerac and Majorca.

And it comes just a year after Southampton Airport’s 164m extension to its existing runway.

It was thought that this extension would allow larger aircrafts – and therefore more flights – to take off from the airport, with local MP Paul Holmes saying it would “unlock potential”.

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Southampton is not the only airport affected by BA suspensions recently.

Ex-airlines worker who went viral over airport meltdown reveals why she lost temper – ‘oversold plane’ was final straw

Last month, the airline shockingly announced it would be suspending flights between London Heathrow and Beijing from October – one of its “most important routes”.

This followed a three-year pause in London-to-Beijing operations due to Covid.

When approached by the Sun for comment, a spokesperson for Southampton Airport said: “Clearly it’s disappointing when any route is removed, however, we are in constant dialogue with airlines regarding the introduction of new services and that includes backfilling the routes withdrawn by British Airways.”

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Four tips to deep clean your rugs and give them a new lease of life for autumn

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Four tips to deep clean your rugs and give them a new lease of life for autumn

CLEANING your rugs will brighten up your floors for autumn – and the difference might surprise you.

A rug can hold up to four times its weight in dirt, dust and dead skin cells.

We have four great tips for how to clean your rugs

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We have four great tips for how to clean your rugsCredit: Getty

Give yours a new lease of life with these tips.

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PULL THE PLUG: One TikTok trick doing the rounds involves soaking rugs in a bath with detergent or fabric softener.

But this could damage the fibres, change its colour or leave it with a sticky residue, says Liza Garrison from Ruggable.

Instead, spot clean your rug or find out if it is machine washable.

BUST THAT DUST: How often should you clean your rug?

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Probably more than you think. It’s said that the fibres of a rug trap bacteria, making it 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet.

Liza says: “Vacuum your rug once or twice a week to remove dirt, debris and allergens, using the proper vacuum setting to protect the fibres and texture.

“If you have pets, children or a high-traffic area, you may need to vacuum more often.”

SPOT THE MARKS: Start by shaking out your rug, then vacuum using the carpet or rug setting.

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Liza says: “For liquid spills, blot with a paper towel or colour-safe cloth, but do not rub. Next, mix five to 10mls of dish soap with 250-500ml of cool water in a bowl.

My cheap 3-ingredient DIY stain remover works on carpet, rugs, and upholstery – people say a $1 add-in is ‘magic’

“Dampen a cloth with the mixture and dab the stain from the outer edge inward.”

Repeat with clean, cool water to rinse, absorbing liquid with a dry cloth.

Do this until the stain is gone and no soap residue remains, then press with a dry towel.

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MACHINE CLEAN: Deep clean rugs at least once a year.

Check the label to see if they can be washed in a machine and follow the care instructions.

Some might be too big to go in a domestic washer, so you may have to use the big machines at the dry cleaners.

It’s best to avoid washing too frequently as some detergents can affect the rug’s vibrancy.

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  • All prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

Adidas Samba OG Trainers are now £60 at The Original Factory Shop

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Adidas Samba OG Trainers are now £60 at The Original Factory ShopCredit: The Original Factory Shop

STEP out in men’s Adidas Samba OG Trainers, down from £90 to £60 at The Original Factory Shop.

SAVE: £30

Cheap treat

Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread is now £2.60 at Morrisons

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Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread is now £2.60 at MorrisonsCredit: Morrisons

SPREAD or scoop Lotus Biscoff Smooth Spread, down from £3.19 to £2.60 at Morrisons.

SAVE: 69p

What’s new?

FOR luxe body care at a low price, try the Lacura Body Crème from Aldi to soothe and moisturise.

Part of a new beauty range, it’s a snip at £3.99.

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Top swap

Dunelm’s 600ml bamboo and glass cafetiere is £18

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Dunelm’s 600ml bamboo and glass cafetiere is £18Credit: Dunelm
The Range’s bamboo 1 litre cafetiere is just £4.55

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The Range’s bamboo 1 litre cafetiere is just £4.55Credit: The Range

POUR a coffee from Dunelm’s 600ml bamboo and glass cafetiere, £18, or fill up from The Range’s bamboo 1 litre cafetiere, which is £4.55.

SAVE: £13.45

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Little helper

USE the code HC515 to get £5 off when you spend £15 at Hobbycraft. To celebrate ‘Craftober’ the store is also offering 20 per cent off workshops until October 22.

Shop & save

This Asda kettle is down from £20 to £15

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This Asda kettle is down from £20 to £15Credit: Asda

SWITCH on some savings with the sage green fast boil kettle at Asda, down from £20 to £15.

SAVE: £5

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Hot right now

STOCK up on jarred sauces at Tesco – you can get three for the price of two with a Tesco Clubcard, saving up to £4.50.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

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Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

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Our street scooped £1million on the Postcode Lottery – my neighbour used a crafty trick to DOUBLE their winnings

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Our street scooped £1million on the Postcode Lottery – my neighbour used a crafty trick to DOUBLE their winnings

A STREET has scooped £1million on the Postcode Lottery with one neighbour doubling their winnings due to a crafty trick.

11 lucky winners in Nantymoel, Bridgend secured the jackpot on Saturday 28 September.

A selection of the winners in Nantymoel

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A selection of the winners in NantymoelCredit: People’s Postcode Lottery
Each ticket was worth a juicy £83,333

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Each ticket was worth a juicy £83,333Credit: People’s Postcode Lottery
Grant and wife Katrina hope to treat themselves to a flight in first class with their winnings

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Grant and wife Katrina hope to treat themselves to a flight in first class with their winningsCredit: People’s Postcode Lottery

One winner, Grant Williams, hopes to take his first-ever flight in first class after winning his share of the prize.

He said he’s now dreaming of adventures abroad with his wife Katrina as a result.

Born and bred in Nantymoel, Grant has never wandered too far from his beloved home, but now he’s set to see the world.

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And the dad-of-two, who was born in the front bedroom of his family house, thanked his late mum for ‘playing a part’ in his cash windfall.

Read More on Postcode Lottery

Grant said: “This win means the world.

“I’ve never dreamt of winning this much money, it’s hard to process.

“I’ve never been abroad, I’ve never been on a plane.

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“I’m going to have to sort that out now and first class is even an option now.

“It’s unbelievable. Life-changing.”

Grant landed the windfall with 10 neighbours in Nantymoel after CF32 7SU won the lottery’s weekly £1M Millionaire Street prize.

Every ticket was worth a whopping £83,333 with one winner doubling their prize to £166,666, thanks to playing with two tickets.

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The Nantymoel neighbours’ £1M win comes one year after players in the nearby village of Tonypandy won the same prize.

There, three people each won £333,333 on 23 September 2023.

Another lucky winner, Michaela Jones, now says a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia for the British & Irish Lions Tour is now possible.

The mum-of-two said: “It’s felt like a dream. I was waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me, to be honest. Until I saw the camera crew, I didn’t believe it.

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“We were planning on going to Australia next year for the rugby, that might be back on the cards.”

Michaela, who makes parachutes for a living, has fibromyalgia and made the decision to cut her hours to part-time recently.

She said: “Fibromyalgia affects my whole body and because the parachutes are heavy and I stand most of the day, I cut my hours back. Thankfully, my company have been brilliant with me, I can’t wait to tell them.

“My work family at the factory will be over the moon. They’ve been checking on the Postcode Lottery website all week to try and suss out how much I might win.”

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Michaela and her groundworker husband Rob are planning on helping their 24-year daughter with house renovations and will all go to a Liverpool FC match.

How to play the People’s Postcode Lottery?

For just £12 a month, players can sign up through the official website to have a chance of winning millions of pounds.

Once signed up, players are automatically entered into every draw and prizes are announced every day of each month.

Tickets play for the Daily Prize, worth £1000 and revealed every single day.

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Tickets could also win a jackpot of £30,000 for Saturday and Sunday’s Street Prize draws.

People’s Postcode Lottery also offers a £3million Postcode Millions draw each month – where your ticket plays for a share of the cash prize fund.

Winners are notified by email, text, post, or phone call, depending on the prize they win.

Jackpot winners are visited by the lottery team in person.

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