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Every now and then, something comes along that changes your life forever. It’s the start of any love story for the ages: girl meets sex toy, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. It could happen to anyone.

Since the suction category took off, this has been more true than ever. These oral sex stimulators, which pulsate air waves against the clitoris, have taken the world by storm.

Remember the hype for the Rose in 2020? The world shut down, and at the same time attitudes towards this petalled pulser blossomed, with people raving about their love for it on social media.

But we’ve moved on to better things since then. At least, the reviews on two Lovehoney suction toys seem to suggest so. As the owners of Pleasure Air Technology – used in toys from Womanizer, to ROMP, and the Rose – Lovehoney is no stranger to wet and wild (literally) feedback on its products.

The condition can go undetected for years but can cause strokes

A hidden heart condition affecting thousands of Brits could prove fatal without warning. Yet your smartwatch may be the first to detect it.

Medical professionals say wearable technology can identify subtle alterations in your heart rhythm well before any symptoms emerge, potentially avoiding life-threatening complications such as stroke. GP Dr Shireen Emad said: “Smartwatches sit on a spectrum, but one of the most clinically useful things they can do is detect irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AF).”

AF influences how the heart functions and can have severe repercussions if it remains undetected. It happens when the heart beats with an irregular and frequently rapid rhythm, preventing it from pumping blood efficiently. The risk is that many individuals experience no clear symptoms, meaning the condition can remain undiagnosed for years.

“So many people might have atrial fibrillation and they don’t know that they’ve got it until they’ve had a stroke,” Dr Shireen stated. “In atrial fibrillation, the heart doesn’t pump properly. Instead of pushing blood through, it sort of quivers and the blood can pool and clot.”

These clots can subsequently travel to the brain, substantially raising the likelihood of stroke. “If we pick it up early we can start treatment like blood thinners, which can reduce that risk,” she added. Unlike a single ECG examination, smartwatches track your heart constantly, making them far more likely to identify irregular rhythms over extended periods.

“You can do an ECG at one moment and miss it, because some people dip in and out of atrial fibrillation,” Dr Shireen explained. “A smartwatch tracks your baseline and can pick up when something suddenly changes.”

While these gadgets cannot replace a medical diagnosis, they can serve as an early alert mechanism. “They’re not giving you medical-grade insight but they are very good at spotting patterns and flagging when something isn’t right,” she informed Watches2U.

AF warning signs to look out for – and your next steps

Although atrial fibrillation can present no symptoms, some may experience a racing or erratic heartbeat, palpitations, breathlessness, tiredness or light-headedness. Nevertheless, Dr Shireen emphasises that even without symptoms, notifications from a wearable gadget ought to be treated seriously.

“I would always advise speaking to your GP if your watch flags something unusual,” she said. “We don’t expect patients to interpret this data themselves, but it can be a really helpful prompt to get checked.”

Dr Shireen continued: “Smartwatches are not there to replace doctors but they can play an important role in picking things up early, and in some cases, that can be life-saving.”

For 75 years, Dennis the Menace – wearing his signature red-and-black striped shirt and joined by his scruffy sidekick Gnasher – has been delighting children with his unapologetic mischief.

Dennis the Menace debuted in the Beano comic for children in March 1951 and quickly became a favourite with readers. His name derives from the music hall song Dennis the Menace from Venice, and his distinctive silhouette (very like that of his “Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound” Gnasher) was first drawn on a cigarette pack in a pub in the Scottish town of St Andrews.

Coincidentally, on the other side of the Atlantic, another “naughty” boy called Dennis made his first appearance a syndicated newspaper comic strip on the same day as British Dennis. In contrast to his British namesake, American Dennis is a blond five year old, with a round face, blue and black striped t-shirt and red dungarees. American Dennis’s mischief comes from his misguided attempts to be helpful, rather than British Dennis’s deliberate misbehaviour.

The appearance of Dennis the Menace has changed somewhat over time, in his height, length of his legs and his possession of a catapult. But his spiked hair, red and black striped jumper, black shorts, knobbly knees and oversized boots have remained.

À lire aussi :
How The Beano survived war and the web to reach its 80th birthday

Like his predecessor William Brown of the Just William books, Dennis has a nemesis – Walter the Softy. Walter has some similarities to William’s enemy Hubert Lane. Both Walter and Hubert are depicted as cowardly, prim and opposed to fun. But, as researchers have explored, there is a somewhat homophobic element to the depiction of Dennis’s menacing of Walter. Walter is portrayed through ballet dancing in a tutu, sewing, playing with dolls and caring for his dog, named Foo-Foo. Dennis’s attitude to Walter was modified in 2012 to limit accusations of homophobia related to his interests in pursuits that are stereotypically considered feminine. He was renamed Walter Brown.

Another thing to have changed with time is the way the strips end. Generally in the 1970s, they’d close with Dennis lying over his father’s knee and getting beaten with a slipper. With the ending of corporal punishment in English state schools in 1986 (independent schools ended it much later, in 1999), teachers beating the Bash Street Kids or Dennis the Menace with a cane was no longer a likely outcome of misbehaviour.

The appeal of ‘naughty’ characters

So what is the appeal of “naughty” characters for children? Researchers have found that different age groups find different things funny. They characterise two types of humour evident in The Beano – disparaging, such as making fun of people, and slapstick. However, despite concerns about the impact of popular reading on the morals of young people that have been evident since the 19th century there is very little evidence of children being led astray by reading about rule-breaking characters.

Instead, comedy can be used to undermine power hierarchies through upending of social status – or, in children’s media, by making fun of adults.

The comeuppance of naughty characters at the end of a story is rarely permanent. For example, in Beatrix Potter’s stories, Peter Rabbit may end up in bed with a cold after disobeying his mother while his well-behaved sisters eat the blackberries they picked, but a few books later, he is back having adventures with his cousin, Benjamin Bunny.

Humorous stories about naughty children provide an imaginative space to be a rule breaker and laugh at powerful adults, to accept the punishment, but to enjoy another day of mischief. Like Peter, Dennis’s irrepressible mischief has made children laugh for generations. Long may he continue to do so.

Pocket sprung mattresses have an interesting history. When British engineer James Marshall’s wife fell ill in 1899, he built a mattress to help her sleep comfortably, wrapping coiled springs inside muslin. Two of his staff founded luxury bed company Vispring in 1901 and today the firm competes with Dreams, Silentnight, Sealy and more.

Pocket sprung mattresses support the body with hundreds, if not thousands, of metal coils individually encased in fabric. Each spring moves independently to relieve pressure, enhance airflow and minimise the transfer of movement from one side of the bed to the other. Below, you’ll find full reviews for the top pocket sprung mattresses available in the UK, focusing on comfort, spring count and durability. Sleep experts answer common FAQs, too.

If you’re unsure whether a pocket sprung model is right for you, consult our best mattress guide for a full comparison, or take a quick look at our top five:

The best pocket sprung mattresses: At a glance

How to choose the best pocket sprung mattress

“A pocket sprung mattress is suitable for people who want a combination of comfort and support, as it offers a medium-firm feel,” says Hayley Thistleton, sleep and bedding expert at Sleepseeker.

Fabio Perrotta, director of buying at Dreams, adds that they’re a great choice for couples who sleep together because each spring can move independently. He says: “You’re less likely to feel the movement of a partner tossing and turning in the night and more likely to sleep well.”

Pocket sprung mattresses also tend to use more natural fibres than memory foam mattresses and air circulates throughout the springs more freely. This combination means sprung mattresses tend to offer more reliable temperature regulation and better suit sensitive skin.

With the expense, it pays to learn how to choose a mattress before you buy.

How we test pocket sprung mattresses

“Theatre is a hybrid form, a mad-bastard form that begs, borrows and steals from everywhere — formally and narratively,” she says. “It’s porous and not remotely sacred. It’s why I feel so alive on stage — thrashing it all out with the other performers and, vitally, with the audience. We reach through and into audiences to find the meaning of it all. Theatre poses questions, playing expands reality, and by sharpening our feelings into ideas, offers pathways to insight — personal and collective, historic and immediate.”

Sale Sharks will have four Wales internationals next season, with three of them joining this summer

Wales international Christ Tshiunza will leave Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season after signing a one-year contract with Sale Sharks.

The 24-year-old, who can play lock and blindside flanker, was of interest to Cardiff but has decided to remain in the Gallagher Prem with Sale for at least another season. Tshiunza only has only won 15 caps for Wales and his eligibility for the national side next season will depend on whether he was offered a competitive deal by a Welsh club.

That question could have to be answered by the Professional Rugby Board should Steve Tandy wish to select him, although the future of the 25-cap law is surrounded in doubt.

There will be a strong Welsh contingent at Sale next season with Wales props Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis also signing for the club, while tighthead WillGriff John is also on their books.

“When I spoke to Alex he was talking about how he really wanted to compete for the big trophies and that really excited me,” Tshiunza said.

“He talked about the plans for the future of the club and it was something that I wanted to be a part of.

“I’ve played against Sale loads of times and as an opposition player you always know that it’s going to be a really tough, physical game that’ll be won by the pack.

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“It’s always the most physical game of the season and that always excited me because love that side of the game.

“Other teams have a real fear of playing Sale because of that physical challenge and I can’t wait to be on the other side of that.

“I’m also really looking forward to playing with the other Welsh lads who are joining – Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis – and some of the guys I know from Exeter.

“I’ve been at Exeter for a long time and I think it’ll be good for me to experience a new environment with new faces and new players to learn from.”

Tshiunza has not figured for Wales under Tandy and the last time he represented his country was against South Africa in November 2024.

A series of injuries in recent times have held him back but he will be hoping to get his career back on track at Sale.

“Christ is really intelligent, powerful, supremely dynamic player, with a back story that tells you a lot about how much his career matters to him,” said Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson.

“When you understand where he’s come from to become and international rugby player, it strengthens the belief that his best days are ahead of him.

“He’s got so much ability and raw power and hopefully together we can put him back in a Wales shirt and help him fulfil his massive potential.”

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.

The average triple-A video game reportedly costs more than most movies to make, although this seems to be more of a Western problem.

Unlike movies, you almost never hear about the budgets for video games. They’re never confirmed officially and even leaks are rare, and usually due to a mistake on the part of the publisher.

Even so, it’s never been more obvious that games, especially the big triple-A ones from the likes of Sony and Activision, are more expensive to make than ever.

In fact, it’s estimated that high-end games now routinely cost more than $300 million to make, which is roughly £225 million.

This comes from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, one of the industry’s most trusted sources of insider information, who shared the information in the wake of Epic Games’ mass layoffs and Sony’s closure of Dark Outlaw Games.

‘Exact budgets of video game productions can be tough to corroborate,’ wrote Schreier on Bluesky, ‘but the numbers I’ve heard floating around AAA game dev these days are $300 million or more — sometimes much more! — which I think helps explain the current state of the industry.’

While some major blockbuster movies like James Cameron’s Avatar series are even more expensive to make, this means AAA games have higher budgets than most movies, including the entire Harry Potter franchise, DC’s most recent Superman movie, and the majority of Marvel’s cinematic output (when not adjusting for inflation).

Schreier adds that this applies to games primarily made in the US and Canada, and that these large budgets are ‘almost entirely’ spent on developer salaries.

When asked if such budgets are considered too low or too high, Schreier breaks down the maths and explains, ‘If you sell a game at $70 and pocket $49 on every sale… you’d need to sell more than six million copies just to break even on a $300 million budget, and that’s before marketing.’

As shocking as this sounds at first, it does make sense and not just when you consider inflation. Thanks to the Insomniac Games hack in 2023, it was discovered that Sony’s Spider-Man 2 game had a budget of $300 million.

This was a noticeable jump from the leaked budgets for two other first party PlayStation games – The Last Of Us Part 2 ($220 million) and Horizon Forbidden West ($212 million) – and considered surprising at the time, but now it seems to have become the norm in Western development.

What’s especially depressing is that these inflated budgets are wholly unnecessary even within the triple-A space. While no exact figure was given, the most recent Assassin’s Creed game – Assassin’s Creed Shadows – is said to have only cost somewhere over €100 million according to Ubisoft, which is about £86 million for one of the best looking games of last year.

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Japanese games are never that expensive either. There are no official figures, but the budget for Resident Evil Requiem – again, one of the best-looking titles of the year – is rumoured to be less than $100 million. Meanwhile, the famously frugal Nintendo is believed to have spent just north of $100 million on the two most recent Zelda games, which they apparently regard as an unusually high figure.

And of course, there’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a visually gorgeous game that was made for less than $10 million (per The New York Times), which comes out as just £7.5 million. Combined with the game being priced at £45 instead of £70, and selling over five million copies, it’s certainly made its money back.

Bigger American companies, however, seem unwilling to learn anything from Clair Obscur’s success and rather than reducing budgets their only answers to the problem seem to be laying off staff and thinking up more unpopular methods of squeezing extra money out of customers.

For example, earlier this month, it was reported that Sony was experimenting with dynamic pricing in the UK, where it would make games cheaper or more expensive depending on the customer.

Now, it’s reported that the scheme has made its way to the US, with people seeing different prices for Astro Bot as part of the PlayStation Store’s spring sale.

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The Netflix couples are set to reunite one last time, with the reunion trailer showing potential breakups between fan favourites

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Netflix’s Age of Attraction is set to release an unexpected final episode in just a few days. The fresh reality show debuted on the streaming platform earlier this month, inviting 40 singles aged between 22 and 60 to a romantic retreat.

The contestants proceeded to date without ever knowing each other’s ages. The hidden number would only be disclosed once they decided to commit to one person. One of the largest age gaps was between Vanelle, 27, and Jorge, 60, whose relationship didn’t endure.

Each couple went on to cohabit and meet each other’s loved ones, before ultimately deciding whether to stay together during a final commitment ceremony. We discovered which couples said ‘yes’ on Wednesday (March 25), and it has now been confirmed that they are returning for one final reunion.

Hosts Nick Viall and Natalie Joy will release the episode on their The Viall Files podcast next Wednesday, April 1st, reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Netflix horror fans realise where they recognise Jennifer Jason Leigh fromREAD MORE: Strictly’s Vito Coppola has ‘tears in his eyes’ over huge move away from ballroom

The reunion will be available to stream exclusively on the official Viall Files YouTube channel at 4pm PT/7pm ET, which translates to 11pm for UK-based viewers. A trailer for the episode has provided fans with a sneak peek at what’s to come.

Just seconds into the teaser, host Nick can be heard asking “Does anyone know where Pfeifer is?”. This could suggest that her relationship with Derrick, who is seen in the trailer, didn’t survive after the show.

Fan favourites Theresa and John also appear to be at odds, with John sharing a heart-wrenching revelation about their off-screen relationship. He disclosed: “I don’t deserve to date someone who texts me ‘I feel disgusting with you.’”

Meanwhile, the trailer confirms there is one engaged couple among the group – likely Vanessa and Logan who got engaged at the end of the series. Fans have expressed their anticipation for the reunion, with one remarking on social media: “Oh this is gonna be guyuuuud.”

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A second chimed in: “Messy messy messy, I’ll be there,” with a third posting: “Ooo I was wondering why it didn’t show an upcoming reunion and assumed we weren’t getting one so this is great lol.” However, others are not looking forward to watching their favourite couples argue.

“No way John and Theresa broke up they were literally my favourite couple on the show,” wrote one viewer. A second concurred: “You couldn’t give me a dayyyy to be excited for Theresa and John well d**n.”

With another stating: “Bruh. Y’all couldn’t wait a few days and let us be happy about the commitments? Now idk who’s together or not anymore.”

Age of Attraction is streaming now on Netflix. The reunion will stream on The Viall Files’ YouTube channel from April 1st.

Andrew’s dramatic fall from grace could reach a striking new low thanks to protocol rules.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appears to be confronting yet another humiliating chapter in his public life, as he may be forced to bow down to his own daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who have been allowed to retain their royal titles.

His military roles and honorary titles were among the first casualties of the royal fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Once his association with the convicted sex offender became impossible to justify, those titles were quickly stripped away.

From that moment on, scrutiny surrounding the 66-year-old has only intensified. King Charles relocated his disgraced brother from Royal Lodge to his private Sandringham estate, but that only signalled a further distancing from royal privilege.

Arrested there on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office – allegations which Andrew strongly denies – has added yet another level of shame and controversy to the former prince. Now, royal writer Andrew Lownie has weighed in on the situation, outlining that the current arrangement regarding titles is likely to be a source of irritations for Andrew.

Writing in his Substack, The Lownie Report, Lownie said: “Andrew, of course, stands on ceremony, titles and all these things are very, very important to him, and the pecking order and people bowing and curtseying.”

He continued: “I think this is what is going to upset him now, his own daughters; he will have to bow to them.” According to Sky News, Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 36, have kept their princess titles despite their parents downfall, creating a protocol situation that royal experts say is without modern precedent.

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Royal biographer Robert Hardman echoed that view during an appearance on the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, agreeing that such a scenario is entirely likely – albeit with one important condition, the Mirror reports.

“He will have to bow to everybody – that’s assuming he’s in the room with the rest of the family,” Hardman said. When asked whether Andrew would handle that situation well, his response was blunt: “No, I don’t.”

However, behind the scenes a different picture is emerging. Crates labeled HRH were reportedly spotted being unloaded at Marsh Farm, the Sandringham property that King Charles has assigned to his brother.

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Andrew is currently staying at Wood Farm nearby while renovation work at Marsh Farm is complete. Staff who will attend to the father-of-two at his new residence have also been given clear instructions on how to address Andrew.

Speaking to The Sun, a source stated: “He’s lost his HRH, prince and duke titles and so staff, who didn’t know how to correctly address him, have been instructed that he is still to be called ‘Sir’.”

“He will be given his own chef and valet at Marsh Farm which is a climbdown to the luxury he was previously afforded.”

Despite the reduced circumstances, the arrangement remains a comfortable one.

The costs are being covered personally by the King, who has taken on the responsibility for his brother’s finances to ensure the disgraced former prince does not become reliant on an outside source for support.

The road remains closed this morning (Thursday, March 26)

Two people have been taken to hospital after a crash in Cambridge. Emergency services were called to Newmarket Road, Cambridge at around 12.20am today (Thursday, March 26).

The crash involved a car and e-bike. The East of England Ambulance Service took two people to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called just before 12.20am this morning with reports of a road traffic collision on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, involving a car and an e-bike.

“Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle and a response car from East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. Two patients were transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further care.”

Cambridgeshire Police remain at the scene this morning, as Newmarket Road remains closed. Officers have warned people to avoid the area.

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