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NI man’s app inspired by own sobriety journey aiming to show life is ‘better without booze’

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Belfast Live

The app encourages people to think differently about their journey to sobriety

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A man from Co Antrim has used his own sobriety journey to help others by building a new app that takes a holistic approach to recovery.

Matt Waterworth from Carrickfergus spent much of his young life drinking heavily, and became a running influencer under the name of Angry Jogger. In 2014, he wrote a book documenting his running journey, which mixed this experience with drinking.

The 42-year-old was sober for seven years until 2022, when the grief from his mum’s death and the outbreak of the Ukraine War led to him panic buying a bottle of rum and items to protect him from the potential outbreak of a nuclear war.

READ MORE: ‘I suffered with addiction for 20 years on and off, now I’m two years sober’READ MORE: ‘I swapped Amazon to walk the streets with strangers – I wouldn’t change it for the world’

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Now, Matt is on a mission to help many people who may be struggling with addiction through his app, Better Without Booze. The app takes a holistic approach, to help people understand why they may be turning to alcohol, and find better ways of coping.

Speaking to Belfast Live, he said: “Throughout most of my young adult life, I was someone who would be considered to be an alcoholic.

“I’m a former running influencer, and after I quit drinking I did a lot of charity runs including Land’s End to John O’Groats for Mind the mental health charity which was equivalent of 38 marathons in 38 days.

“I did a book a long time ago called Angry Jogger which mixed running and drinking. It was a big mistake, and I quit soon after this.

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“I was sober for seven years, from 2015 to 2022. My mum died at the end of 2021 and then at the beginning of 2022 the Ukraine War started. I was living on my own and grieving, then Vladimir Putin put his nukes on high alert and I just freaked out.

“I bought a bottle of rum and all this nuke protection gear stuff. Once I drank, I felt like I’d lost those seven years, whereas now I realise that was just one day out of say 3,000 where I lapsed.

“The idea for the app really came from that, the idea of trying to encourage people to be open and positive about the experiences they’re creating by not drinking.”

Matt said many people in Northern Ireland drink as a result of intergenerational trauma, and associated repression of emotions rather than being open with each other.

He added: “My parents were both very heavy drinkers, but they avoided the whole alcoholic term. They weren’t addressing what was going on, there was no sort of language to address what was going on at the time.

“Being born in those times, and trying to understand what was going on with them and that they were trying to cope in the best way they can.”

In a bid to help people on their recovery journeys, Matt founded the Better Without Booze app with Stu Nugent, a YouTuber who talks about his own experience with sobriety.

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A main aspect of the app is to change how people think of the journey to sobriety, with the experience turning into a game. It features different sections including craving tracking, recovery wins, and sober firsts.

Matt said: “The idea behind the app is to make it like a computer game. A lot of apps are like counters, for people who are trying to quit alcohol, you need around four or five attempts to properly get off it.

“For example, if you are two months sober and you then go out drinking with a friend, a conventional app will dictate that you’ve failed, because you’ve drank one day out of say 75 days. What we’re trying to do is say okay, you drank – but this is what you can do, and what is possible in the future. That sort of attitude is completely unique to the whole industry.”

Using his own experience, Matt is hoping the app will look deeper into why people drink, and the emotions they go through as they do so.

“From 2022 to 2024, after seven years of sobriety, I was drinking too much. I was trying to get help on the NHS because I knew it was increasing and that I was drinking for the wrong reasons. When I was drinking, it was in moments where I was feeling really depressed,” he explained.

“A key part of it is why you drink. So many of these apps don’t actually ask why, and that’s the biggest part for most people who are struggling. We all have reasons why we drink or why we need to block things out. This app is more about trying to get people to think about those reasons, and find better ways through the difficulties they face in everyday life.

“It’s the issue of trying to meet people where they are with addiction, trying to get them to have some hope for the future and have no shame for the past. It’s about trying to forge a way through by not drinking, and trying to show them life is better without booze.”

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So far, 150 people have signed up to the Better Without Booze app, with around five people already signed up for lifetime subscriptions.

For anyone who is hoping to start their own sobriety journey, Matt said: “If you’re trying to find a way out of addiction, that’s the best thing ever. If our app helps, that’s amazing. If another app helps, then that’s amazing too.

“What we’re trying to do is bring everything together because me and Stu, who I’m running this with, we were both hopeless alcoholics at some point in our lives. We understand how lonely that feels, so we’re trying to get people to try again until they find something that works.

“Whether it’s this or something else, if it’s going to AA, getting out and meeting people, having a talk – there’s so many people out there who could benefit from a holistic, straightforward approach, and that’s what we’re trying to do at the moment.”

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To find out more about the Better Without Booze app, click here.

Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

To find alcohol addiction support services in your area, click here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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One dead and four injured in shooting outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

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One dead and four injured in shooting outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

One person was killed and four were injured in a shooting incident near the Israeli ⁠consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, authorities have said.

A gunfight erupted outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, according to Turkey’s Haberturk broadcaster. Reuters video ​showed ⁠a police officer ‌pulling out a gun and taking cover ‌as gunshots resounded. ‌One person was seen covered in blood.

One attacker was killed, while two were injured at the scene, and two policemen were lightly wounded, Istanbul governor Davut Gul said. Initial reports said three were killed in the shooting incident.

The report said attackers were carrying long-barreled weapons. The area surrounding the building was quickly sealed off.

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There was no immediate information on the identity of the attackers or what their motives may have been.

Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor’s office immediately opened an investigation into the incident, Turkey’s justice minister Akın Gürlek said in a statement shortly after the incident.

“Upon the reports of gunfire sounds in the vicinity of the Israeli Consulate located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has immediately initiated an investigation,” the statement read on X.

Three prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the incident, he added.

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“Within the scope of the investigation, one deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned; our public prosecutors have promptly arrived at the scene and begun examinations.

He continued: “Under the coordination of our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement units, the work is ongoing for the purpose of fully elucidating the incident, and the investigation is being conducted meticulously and in a multifaceted manner.”

No Israeli diplomats were believed to be stationed in Turkey at that time, either at the ‌consulate ​in ‌Istanbul or ⁠the embassy in ⁠Ankara. The consulate occupies one or two floors inside the high-rise building, according to Haberturk.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.

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Exact time Scottish city will be hotter than Barcelona as temperatures jump to 20C

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Daily Record

The weather is truly giving Scots whiplash this week as temperatures are set to rise.

After Easter Sunday was transformed into a winter wonderland for many this weekend thanks to Storm Dave, many Scots have been looking forward to some warmer weather as we move further into the spring season. Well it seems we won’t need to wait long as temperatures are set to soar later today (April 7).

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According to the Met Office, Glasgow will even be hotter than the Spanish city of Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon. While this dramatic change in temperature may feel like whiplash in comparison to the chilly Easter conditions, many Scots will be over the moon to enjoy some much needed warmth and sunshine.

The national forecaster is currently predicting that those in Glasgow will be sizzling in highs of 20C from 5pm on Tuesday, April 7. With temperatures slowly rising throughout the day, Scots may want to peel off some of their emergency winter layers.

This toasty heat will also mean that Glasgow will be hotter than tourist hotspot Barcelona. According to the Met Office’s hourly forecast, the Spanish city is predicted to only hit a high of 18C at 2pm this afternoon, which will continue throughout the day until it begins to drop from 8pm.

Other areas of Scotland are also set to be hotter than the Spanish holiday hotspot this afternoon, with Dumfries, Fort William, Craig and Ullapool all predicted to hit 19C by 3pm. Meanwhile, Edinburgh and Biggar will be as hot as the holiday destination at 18C.

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However, not all of Scotland will be enjoying the rising temperatures. While Glasgow peaks at 20C around dinner time, sadly Aberdeen will only hit 10C, with Dundee sitting at 12C.

These warm conditions also aren’t expected to last as the Met Office’s forecast for Strathclyde tomorrow (April 8) is stating that temperatures will feel “significantly cooler” than today, showing that it still may not be the right time to ditch the warm winter clothing.

It reads: “Temperatures will feel significantly cooler than today. Rather cloudy morning with some patchy rain, mostly confined across Argyll. Mainly dry for the afternoon with brighter spells.”

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Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick has warned that while there are warmer and brighter spells at the moment for some, the weather is “likely turning a bit more unsettled towards the end of the week.”

Looking at Tuesday afternoon, the current forecast reads: “In the north west, clouding over with some outbreaks of rain across the western Scotland and western areas of Northern Ireland.

“This could turn a little bit heavy and it’s going to turn fairly breezy here towards the end of the day, perhaps turning a touch cloudier in parts of Scotland, creating hazier spells of sunshine.”

However, while temperatures are set to stay in the high single figures overnight with Glasgow sitting around 16C by Wednesday afternoon, Criswick warns that the fresh weather will only be a “brief warm spell”.

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She adds: “Later on, on Wednesday we’ll start to introduce a couple of cold fronts that will bring in a different air mass, so some colder conditions are on its way on Thursday.

“Not only this, its going to bring in some bands of rain and also some heavy showers.” She also warns that an area of low pressure coming in on Friday could potentially lead to “quite a wet and windy spell to finish off the week.”

With chilly and wet conditions sadly on the horizon, Scots in areas with soaring temperatures this afternoon will want to make the most of it before it disappears.

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Molly-Mae Hague ‘feeling it’ as she offers pregnancy update with weeks to go until due date

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Manchester Evening News

The influencer and her boxer beau, Tommy Fury, announced back in February that they are expecting baby number two

Molly-Mae Hague has told fans she’s ‘feeling it’ as she offered a pregnancy update with weeks to go until she welcomes her second child into the world.

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The influencer and her boxer beau, Tommy Fury, announced back in February that they are expecting baby number two, three years after welcoming their first child, daughter Bambi, into the world.

The former Love Island stars, who met and fell in love on the ITV2 dating show in 2019, took to Instagram to share the news of their second pregnancy, which Molly-Mae later described as being their “worst kept secret” after she became “lazy” at hiding it.

After the announcement, Molly-Mae confirmed she was already six months pregnant, and the weeks seem to be passing quickly by as she continues through her third trimester.

In her latest Instagram Story post, the mum-of-two-to-be posed for a mirror selfie, showing off her blossoming baby bump. Alongside the post, Molly-Mae told her millions of followers: “31 weeks [Zzz emoji]. Starting to feel it now [crying laughing emoji].”

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She then returned to her profile with a selfie from the car, seemingly admitting she hasn’t had time to rest off her tiredness. “Those silent car rides after you’ve both just lost an argument with your toddler about wearing shoes [upside down smile emojis].”

The update came before Tommy was quick to shut down questions about Molly-Mae’s due date coinciding with his return to the ring after social media was awash with backlash to his boxing announcement.

The boxer recently confirmed his first fight in almost a year, as he will take on former world’s strongest man, Eddie Hall. The fight is set to take place at the AO Arena on June 13 as part of the latest Misfits card, broadcast live on DAZN.

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During an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (April 7) alongside Eddie to discuss their upcoming face-off, Tommy was asked by host Charlotte Hawkins about how Molly-Mae took news of his plan to fight so close to the expected arrival of their second baby.

But he shut down the question, describing it as a “family matter”. He said: “Well I just want to say thank you to the Lord and our saviour Jesus Christ for blessing me with another child on the way. And obviously that is a family matter, we’re dealing with that fantastically, and everything will be perfect.” He added: “We’ll deal that as a family. Thank you.”

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Aaron Ramsey quits football with immediate effect

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Wales Online

The 35-year-old has called time on his illustrious career, having not played since September

Wales legend Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from football.

The midfielder brings down the curtain on an illustrious career that saw him play a starring role in Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, being named in UEFA’s team of the tournament. He also scored the winning goal in two FA Cup finals with Arsenal, having spent more than a decade at the Gunners.

The 35-year-old has been without a club since leaving Mexican outfit Pumas in December, having not played for the club since September.

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A lack of first-team football and injuries meant the midfielder had not represented his country since September 2024.

The former Juventus midfielder had previously said he wanted to play for Wales at this summer’s World Cup should they qualify – although the recent defeat to Bosnia ended those hopes.

As such, Ramsey – who began his career with Cardiff City – has called time on his career.

“This has not been an easy decision to make,” said Ramsey in a statement. “After a lot of consideration, I have decided to retire from football.

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“Firstly, I want to start with Wales. It has been my privilege to wear the Welsh shirt and experience so many incredible moments in it. It would not have been possible without the incredible input of all the managers I have played under and all the staff who have helped me in many ways.

“To the Red Wall. You have been there through thick and thin! You have been there through the highs and lows, and you have been an essential and indispensable part of our success. I can’t thank you enough. We’ve been through everything together and it’s been an honour to represent you. Diolch.

“Secondly, thank you to all the clubs I’ve been lucky enough to play for. Thank you to all the managers and staff that have helped me be able to live my dream and play at the highest level.

“And a huge thank you to my wife and children and all my family. Without you by my side throughout, none of this would have been possible.”

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Ramsey came through the ranks with Cardiff, becoming their youngest-ever player when he made his debut in 2007 at the age of 16.

Having played a part in their run to the FA Cup final in 2008, he joined Arsenal, spending the best part of his career there.

Spells with Juventus, Rangers and Nice followed – before another stint at Cardiff ahead of his final move to Mexico.

His career with Wales was glittering.

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Having made his Wales debut in 2008, he won 86 caps for his country – playing in two European Championships and a World Cup.

He also represented Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.

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Voters in Wales face Senedd election amid confusion over who holds power over what

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Voters in Wales face Senedd election amid confusion over who holds power over what

Ahead of May’s Senedd (Welsh parliament) election, many people in Wales remain unclear about who is responsible for important political decisions.

Our new report suggests confusion is widespread. Our analysis included a survey of people in Wales and found that 69% did not know that policing is controlled by the UK government.

At the same time, a significant minority did not realise that health, education and transport have been devolved to Wales, despite more than 25 years of devolution. The report also found that more people rely on UK-wide news for political information than news produced in Wales.

Working with YouGov between January and February 2026, we surveyed 1,544 people across Wales. We also carried out focus groups and analysed more than 3,000 social media posts, online articles and TV news reports from major UK broadcasters.

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Taken together, the findings suggest that UK‑wide news media are not doing enough to raise public knowledge and understanding of devolved politics ahead of the election.

Reporting lacks constitutional clarity

Our analysis of network news – including the BBC, ITV, Sky News, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – found that devolved politics makes up only a small part of UK-wide coverage. Stories rarely compare how policies differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And when devolved issues are covered, they often lack basic clarity about which government is responsible.

This problem is especially clear on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), 73% of posts about devolved issues did not say whether a story applied only to England, or to England and Wales in the case of legal matters. Just 13.2% mentioned England explicitly. Only 13.8% named Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to make clear that responsibility lay with devolved governments.

But there was also a lack of clarity in TV news, with 57.4% not stating if they were relevant to one or more of the four nations. Online news performed slightly better, but still fell short because 35.3% gave no indication of which part of the UK they referred to.

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While some articles did refer to England (33.6%), our audience research suggests this is not enough. Many readers still struggled to understand how political decisions apply to Wales.

This lack of clarity has real consequences. Our survey found that many people misinterpret news stories that do not clearly explain where policies apply. When shown a BBC report about junior doctors’ strikes in December 2025, 48% believed the strikes were taking place across the UK. In reality, they applied to England only. A further 11% said they did not know either way.

A deeper lack of knowledge was revealed when stories failed to mention any government at all. When shown posts on X about housing and fracking, a majority of respondents assumed these were controlled solely by Westminster. In fact, responsibility is shared between the UK and Welsh governments.

More broadly, vague references to “the government” or to health and education secretaries often left people unsure which nation was being discussed.

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There are wider gaps in political knowledge too. For example, only 47% could identify Rhun ap Iorwerth as the leader of Plaid Cymru, the most likely next first minister of Wales. Meanwhile, 58% did not know how the Senedd’s new voting system works.

Given the limited visibility of Welsh politics in UK-wide news, and the lack of clear explanations when it is covered, this confusion is perhaps not surprising. But it raises concerns about how voters will interpret political debates in the weeks ahead.

Why UK-wide news matters

For many people in Wales, UK-wide news remains the main source of political information. That makes how it reports devolved issues especially important. In our focus groups, participants consistently said they wanted simple, clear references to where a story applies. Explicit references to Wales would increase their interest and engagement.

Many participants said they lacked confidence in understanding the differences between political parties. They wanted clearer explanations of which issues are controlled in Wales, and what each party is proposing to do about them.

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They also expressed frustration with the way politics is often reported. Too much attention, they felt, is given to personalities and campaign moments, and not enough to policy. Issues such as healthcare, in particular, were seen as deserving greater scrutiny.

The coming weeks will be a test not just for political parties, but for network news media. Our report highlights the need for clearer, more consistent reporting of how power is shared across the UK. Without it, voters may struggle to hold the right institutions to account.




À lire aussi :
Wales is overhauling its democracy – here’s what’s changing


If coverage of the election is to inform rather than confuse, it must do more than report the campaign. It must also explain it. That means clearly stating which government is responsible for which policies, and showing how decisions in Wales differ from those made in Westminster or elsewhere in the UK.

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After more than a quarter century of devolution, the structures of governance are well established. But public understanding has not kept pace. As voters prepare to go to the polls, closing that gap has never been more important.

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Fire Stick users issued warning after Amazon blocks free app

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Fire Stick users issued warning after Amazon blocks free app

Downloader is an app that helps users download files onto devices, including Fire TV, Google TV, and Android phones and tablets.

The popular free app, which was created by Elias Saba (AFTVnews), has been downloaded more than 658,000 times on the Amazon Appstore.

It has even been described as “one of the most popular and long-standing apps on the Amazon Appstore” by the tech experts at Cordbusters .

Amazon removes Downloader from Appstore

Despite its popularity, Amazon removed the Downloader app from its Appstore late last month.

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However, the move was only temporary, with the popular app reinstated just days later.

The app’s creator, Elias Saba, via her site AFTVnews , said: “The app was temporarily suspended a couple of days ago for violating Amazon’s policy that doesn’t allow third party browsers.

“Evidently, Amazon is fine with apps that have a built-in browser, but they just cannot declare themselves as browsers to the operating system.”

A new v2.0.2 update of Downloader, which is “identical to the previous suspended version”, is now available to download, with Saba having made a “tiny change” to solve the previous issue, which saw it removed from the Amazon Appstore.

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Saba added: “If you sideloaded Downloader from another source while it was unavailable, I strongly recommend you uninstall it and install the version from the Amazon Appstore, because the sideloaded version will never receive updates.”

Fire TV Stick users issued new scam warning

It appears scammers have taken advantage of the temporary removal of Downloader, creating fake versions of the popular app.

One app named ‘Downloader for Fire, Browser…’ tricks users into paying US$6.99 (around £5.29) per week, according to Saba.

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The Downloader creator warned users to “NOT install the app” and instead “help get it removed” by reporting it as a scam to Amazon.



Thousands warned about use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks as enforcement intensifies

Meanwhile, the ongoing crackdown on the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks in the UK continues to intensify.

Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them, allowing users to watch premium content from providers such as TNT Sport, Sky, Disney+ and Netflix for free.

The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.

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People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.



FACT is continually intensifying enforcement targeting users of illegal streaming devices/services.

Thousands of individuals across the UK were contacted recently and warned to stop using illegal IPTV services immediately or risk criminal prosecution.

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This action followed joint investigations with police that uncovered details of customers who had purchased access to so-called “loaded” Fire Sticks, Android, or Kodi devices.

While FACT’s latest campaign to disrupt illegal streaming networks and protect consumers from the risks associated with illicit online content targeted eight areas across the UK :

  • London
  • South West
  • North West
  • North East
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Yorkshire and Humber
  • West Midlands

The likes of Sky and Amazon are also working on ways to prevent the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks in the UK.

The dangers of using illegal streaming devices

“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeSteamWise explained.

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People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences. (Image: Getty Images)

Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:

  • Viruses and malware
  • ID theft, scams, and fraud
  • Inappropriate content

Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.

The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.


RECOMMENDED READING:


What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?

Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.

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Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.

It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.

A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of up to five years.

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Home Bargains planter adds ‘delightful rustic touch’ to gardens

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Manchester Evening News

It’s ideal for showcasing your plants this summer

The sun is finally here which means many of us are looking at ways to spruce up our outdoor spaces.

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One place that’s packed with gardening gear at this time of year is Home Bargains and there are loads of products to add a special touch to your garden or patio.

And an item that’s proving particularly popular is the Jardin Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter, priced £12.99.

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Offering a statement look, it’s described as being ‘a breeze to assemble’ and ‘adds a delightful rustic touch to any outdoor space’.

“A cute and stylish way to show off your plants,” says Home Bargains. “It’s super easy to put together with fixtures included for simple self-assembly. Measuring W69 x H28 x D32cm, it’s the perfect size to add a rustic charm to your garden, patio, or balcony. A great way to bring a little extra character to your outdoor space.”

The product is available in stores and to order online.

And there are lots more planters available too, including this cute Jardin Frog In Wellington Boot Planter to ‘add a playful touch’.

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Priced £7.99 and around 24cm in height, it’s described as ‘a quirky and charming decoration that brightens up any outdoor space’.

There’s also a Jardin Hedgehog Backpack Planter, priced £14.99, featuring ‘ adorable hedgehogs peeking out for a fun and friendly vibe’.

If you’re wanting something more traditional to transform your outdoor space, you can get a large Hand Crafted Round Wooden Planter for £9.99.

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Made from natural wood, this ‘rustic beauty features a drainage hole and handy metal handles, perfect for showcasing your favourite flowers in style’.

Some larger Home Bargains stores have their own gardening centres attached.

At the end of February we took a look round the new Leigh store which has its own cafe and garden centre selling everything from plants and hanging baskets to garden lighting, furniture and soil.

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When does the Masters start and who will win? Date, odds and how to watch first 2026 major

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When does the Masters start and who will win? Date, odds and how to watch first 2026 major

The Masters 2026 is almost upon us as the world’s best golfers face off at the Augusta National for one of the sport’s biggest prizes.

Rory McIlroy arrives in Georgia as the reigning champion, having last year ended 14 years of strife by beating Justin Rose in a play-off to complete a grand slam.

There will be 91 other players vying to stop McIlroy from becoming the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2002 to claim back-to-back titles.

World no1 Scottie Scheffler is the favourite to take McIlroy’s crown, while 2023 champion John Rahm and fellow LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau will fancy their chances.

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One to keep an eye on is Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick, who arrives at Augusta having finished second at The Players before winning the Valpsar Championship.

Augusta National

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When is the Masters 2026?

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The Masters, held every year at the famous Augusta National in Georgia, begins on Thursday, April 9, 2026, and runs until Sunday, April 12.

Practice days are held across Monday to Wednesday, including the traditional Par 3 contest on the eve of the tournament.

Tee times for days one and two are yet to be confirmed, but the first group is expected to begin at around 12.30pm BST on the first two days.

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Glentoran cannot afford any more slip ups insists Jordan Stewart ahead of Cliftonville clash

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Belfast Live

The Glens lost ground in the title race following their draw at home to Linfield last time out with Larne now six points clear with four games to go

Jordan Stewart says Glentoran have to keep their focus and see where it takes them as they prepare to face Cliftonville in the Sports Direct Premiership on Tuesday evening (Kick-off 7.45pm).

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The Glens lost ground in the title race following their draw at home to Linfield last time out with Larne now six points clear with four games to go.

Third-placed Coleraine also closed the gap on Declan Devine’s side with the deficit now two points and with so much at stake in the final month of the league campaign Stewart insists the BetMcLean Oval outfit must keep pushing until the end.

“Obviously you don’t want to be dropping points at any time let alone the last few games of the season, but it’s going to happen and I’m sure other teams around us will drop points too as we’re all playing each other,” said Stewart.

“What we have done well all season though is if we have dropped points we have bounced back in the next game and that has to be our objective now.

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“Yes, Larne have extended their lead at the top but there’s still six points to play for and we have to play each other as well.

“All we can do is focus on ourselves and the next game, which is Cliftonville. There’s no point looking too far down the line because that’s when you trip yourself up.

“We have to make sure we do everything in our power to go out and get as many points as we can. That’s the only thing we are in control of.

“What happens after that is out of our control, but if we continue to give ourselves a chance then there’s not much else, we can do.

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“We are almost at the end of the season. We’ve possibly only four games left and our aim is to finish the campaign as strongly as possible.

“Why things are still mathematically possible we will be giving all we can to keep the pressure on Larne.

“At the very least there’s a guaranteed place in the Conference League up for grabs and anything after that will be a bonus.”

The Glens have had the upper hand over the Reds so far this season winning three and drawing one of their four meetings to date.

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In their last two meetings they have scored seven without reply with Pat Hoban bagging four and Stewart helping himself to a brace.

The wide man, who also scored a crucial equaliser in the recent draw with Coleraine, isn’t too worried who gets on the score sheet as long as Glentoran come away with the points.

“We’ve had a decent record against Cliftonville so far this season, and it’s nice to be going into the final league meeting with them still unbeaten,” said the 31-year-old.

“That’s a record we will be determined to keep going come the final whistle on Tuesday night.

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“The last two games in particular have worked out very well for us, but again it comes down to the performance levels on the night.

“You don’t get results like that if you don’t produce out on the pitch and thankfully, we have done that.

“That night at Solitude we could have won by an even bigger margin but for an excellent performance by their ’keeper.

“It’s probably up there as one of our best performances all season if I’m being honest. Not many teams go to Solitude and win 4-0 that’s for sure.

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“I was pleased to score a couple that night especially as I only came on 10 minutes into the second half!

“Pat grabbed a couple that night too and followed it up with another brace in our most recent meeting with them at The BetMcLean Oval last month.

“I’m sure Cliftonville will be glad to see the back of him this season, but to be fair he’s been such an asset for us since joining in the summer.

“He’s such a threat in the penalty area and if you give him half a chance, he usually buries it.

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“To be honest though I really don’t mind who gets a goal on Tuesday night as long as someone does. The only thing that matters for us now is coming out on the right side of the result.”

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Patio algae stains will vanish in 5 minutes when cleaned with ‘natural’ solution

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Daily Mirror

Paving experts have shared their tried-and-tested natural cleaning formula to clean patios

Algae is a widespread problem on patios, caused by microscopic plant-like organisms that flourish in wet, shaded and poorly aired conditions. It typically manifests as a green, slippery coating on paving slabs, stone, or concrete, particularly after the winter months. While largely harmless, it can leave patios looking grimy, neglected and discoloured.

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Keeping algae at bay requires regular maintenance, and spring represents the ideal opportunity to tackle it head-on. There are numerous removal methods available, including white vinegar and citrus-based solutions.

Paving specialists at the Reclaimed Brick Company have revealed a formula they’ve relied upon throughout their careers.

Despite taking a week to prepare, they describe it as the “best natural method” available.

Creating citrus vinegar couldn’t be simpler – collect citrus peel in a jar, submerge it in white vinegar, and leave it to steep for seven days.

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Once ready, strain the mixture and dilute with additional white vinegar before application.

The experts said: “The natural citrus oils help fight algae film and leave a fresh smell. The mild acidity loosens grime without harsh chemicals.”

The pros added: “Sweep the patio first to remove loose leaves, soil and grit.

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Then, pre-wet the patio with warm water. This will help the diluted spray to spread evenly.”

Test on a small area first, then apply using a spray bottle or watering can, reports the Express.

Work in sections, scrubbing with a stiff outdoor brush using short, firm strokes.

Allow five to 10 minutes for the solution to penetrate the algae before rinsing thoroughly with clean water, directing the dirty runoff away from flower beds and drains.

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The specialists cautioned: “Do not mix vinegar with bleach, ammonia, or any other cleaners. Never use strong acids on limestone or very soft limestone; always test first and keep the mix mild.

“Regular cleaning prevents algae, moss and grime from building up, which can make the area slippery and shorten the life of the paving.”

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