Connect with us
DAPA Banner

NewsBeat

Elton John Experience tribute show coming to STACK Seaburn

Published

on

Elton John Experience tribute show coming to STACK Seaburn

The Elton John Experience will arrive at STACK Seaburn in Sunderland on April 30, offering fans a night of high-energy entertainment and a celebration of the musician’s greatest hits. 

Fronted by singer Lee Quinney and his band, the tribute show features songs such as Rocket Man, Your Song and I’m Still Standing will all feature.

The Elton John Experience tribute show will be held at STACK Seaburn in Sunderland, delivering a night of live music celebrating Elton John’s greatest hits (Image: Supplied)

Mr Quinney will also don a selection of the star’s famously flamboyant costumes to complete the experience.

The event begins at 7.45pm, with tickets costing £12.

Advertisement

The event is for adults aged 18 and over.

Visitors can make a night of it by sampling food from STACK Seaburn’s range of street food vendors.

Options include Greek specialities at Acropolis, Asian-inspired bites from Bao Down, burgers and loaded fries from Brack Burger, and traditional fish and chips from Downey’s.

Other choices include Nashville-style fried chicken from Get Strip’d, American barbecue from Texas Smoker, Korean street food from Soju and Gogi, and pizza from Zza Pizzeria.

Advertisement

More information about upcoming events at the venue can be found at www.stackleisure.com.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

I’m A Celebrity South Africa star to leave camp ‘for good’ in Ant and Dec update

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

One of the I’m A Celebrity… South Africa stars will be leaving camp ‘for good’ as the eliminations are set to begin

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have confirmed one of the I’m A Celebrity… South Africa stars will be leaving camp ‘for good’ as the eliminations are set to begin.

Advertisement

The second series of the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here spin-off got underway last week with the hosts welcoming back 12 former campmates as they agreed to return for more Bushtucker Trials in a bid to be crowned a “legend” of the ITV reality show.

This week, Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard finally joined their ten campmates – including Adam Thomas, Sir Mo Farah, Gemma Collins and David Haye – for the remainder of the series.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

But unlike the Australian main series which is broadcast live each night with an 11-hour time difference, the South African series was pre-recorded last year, thought to be in September.

Advertisement

That means that instead of the public voting to eliminate the celebrities, the campmates themselves will choose who to bid farewell to after various tough challenges are completed. But in a twist to the first series of I’m A Celeb South Africa, there will be a live final on April 24 where viewers will get to choose their winner.

And after fans recently started to question when the eliminations would begin, it was at the end of Tuesday (April 14) night’s episode that Ant and Dec announced that the next edition of the programme would see the first exit from camp.

“It is time for the first celebrity to leave the camp for good,” the hosts informed the campmates during a teaser for that is to come in Wednesday’s (April 15) episode, whilst it was also revealed that Scarlett Moffatt and Gemma Collins will face the next Bushtucker Trial.

Advertisement

As a new week got underway in South Africa, the campmates were surprised as they were joined by two new celebrities. Heading to the trial clearing, The Royal Express arrived at the platform, with the campmates eager to see which new faces will be joining them.

It was then revealed that Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard were entering the camp. Taking their place on the thrones, the pair were introduced as the Lion King (Harry) and the Rhino King (Jimmy), with them taking it in turns to create their new teams.

With the new teams chosen, it was up to Adam and Craig Charles to fight for glory on behalf of Jimmy, as Ashley Roberts and David worked hard for Harry. As the stars were tied to bungee ropes, they dug through mud to find golden nuggets.

It was then revealed that Adam and Craig had collected more than their opposition, and therefore won. Upon returning back to their respective camps, tensions ran high as the Rhinos cheered loudly as they celebrated. With only a tall screen separating them, the Lion camp couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

East West Rail releases fresh details as locals ask if enough people will use line

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

The East West Railway Company has released an updated proposal for a new rail line connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge

Cambridgeshire Live readers have voiced their opinions on proposals for a new rail line in the county, with many sharing strong views. Comments centred on whether the route is necessary, how it will be operated, and whether it is suited to future travel needs.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has released an updated proposal for a new railway line in Cambridgeshire. The new route would connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge, with up to five trains per hour planned.

Advertisement

The revised proposals now factor in the new Universal Resort near Bedford and the heightened passenger demand anticipated as a result of the development. A station at Stewartby has been earmarked to serve the theme park.

Some readers questioned whether the demand exists to justify the line. Camssurvivor writes: “Five trains an hour? Brilliant. Over the past 60 years, freight transport on the railways has fallen by 63 per cent. If you look at cross-country passenger trains, there aren’t many passengers on them. Only the London commuter lines are busy.”

Alydavid comments: “We wait at our local level crossing every day, watching empty trains hurtle by. The actual plan is to build many more houses and further strain the overstretched poor infrastructure.”

Marlesherbes feels: “EWR has but a single problem. The Unions; there are still no trains between Bedford & Oxford as the unions refuse to allow trains unless there’s both a driver and a guard, the latter to operate the doors, which are automatic anyway!”

Advertisement

Creda1 adds: “Perhaps closer to Cambridge City centre would be a good idea and not nearly 2 miles out.”

Feelgood66 comments: “So five trains an hour plus the trains from Kings Cross coming in from Royston direction, plus the trains coming up from Stansted direction. All funnelling into Shelford. Wouldn’t want to live near that junction, it’s bad enough living next to the Kings Cross line as I do, right next to the area the lines will meet near Harston.”

Drdpy says: “With small trains running four times an hour, that is 231,840 people a week. The population of Cambridge is 157,697, and Oxford is about 165,000. Is it possible that there are insufficient trains running between the two cities? Is there sufficient parking for cars and bicycles if everyone in the city actually used the train? Is that why the new stations, South Cambridge and the proposed East Cambridge, have no car parks?

“There is no available land on which to build mass transport. That is why the newly proposed busway from Cambourne to Cambridge through Coton Orchard is stopping a mile outside the city. The University does not agree that the city needs better transport and has stopped development for decades. The new stations will have bike racks, but not enough for the number of passengers proposed. The city will need new pedestrian ways to cope with the numbers.”

Advertisement

Is there a need for this route? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Learner drivers to get booking fees refunded over crackdown on drip-pricing

Published

on

Learner drivers to get booking fees refunded over crackdown on drip-pricing

Two AA-owned driving schools have been ordered by the UK competition watchdog to refund more than 80,000 customers and have been fined £4.2 million over drip-pricing.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the AA Driving School and BSM Driving School did not include a mandatory £3 booking fee in upfront prices.

This is an illegal practice known as drip-pricing.

The amount repaid to individuals will vary depending on how many lesson packages they bought, with the average being about £9.

Advertisement

This will total more than £760,000.

The refunds and fine combined will almost be £5 million.

This is the first financial penalty the CMA has imposed for breach of consumer law since it was handed new enforcement powers.

CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said: “If a fee is mandatory, the law is clear: it must be included in the price from the very start – not added at checkout – so consumers always know what they need to pay.

Advertisement

“At a time when people are watching every pound, dripped fees can tip the balance. And when it comes to something as important – and costly – as learning to drive, people deserve clarity.

“With our new powers, it will never pay to break the law or treat consumers unfairly. Where the rules are ignored, we’ll step in to put things right.”

A spokesperson for AA driving schools said: “Although the £3 booking fee was made clear to customers prior to their purchase, we acknowledge it should have also been displayed at the start of the online booking journey.

“Having listened to the regulator, we made immediate changes to our website to make the £3 booking fee more prominent.

Advertisement

“We are now refunding all relevant customers. Whilst we are disappointed with the outcome of the investigation, we have fully co-operated with the CMA throughout and would emphasise that protecting consumer rights has been central to our business for more than 120 years.”

Affected customers do not need to take any action, the CMA said.

The AA Driving School or BSM Driving School will write to them stating that the money will be automatically refunded onto the card they used to pay for their lessons.

If that is not possible, they will be sent a cheque.

Advertisement

In 2023, the Department for Business and Trade found nearly half of online businesses used dripped fees, with consumers spending up to £3.5 billion per year as a result.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

HMRC Child Benefit boost lands but some families missing out

Published

on

HMRC Child Benefit boost lands but some families missing out

From 6 April, payments increased to £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child, giving families up to £1,406 a year for their first child.

HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that more than 6.9 million families receiving Child Benefit are now being paid at the new higher rates. Most payments arrive in bank accounts on a Monday or Tuesday.

With payments typically made every four weeks, many parents should now start to notice the increase in their latest or upcoming payment, depending on their payment cycle.

Advertisement

However, officials are warning that thousands of families could still be missing out entirely. Latest figures show only 72% of parents claim Child Benefit within their baby’s first year.

Because claims can only be backdated for three months, delaying an application could mean losing out on hundreds of pounds.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “Looking after a child can be expensive, especially a newborn. It takes a few minutes to claim Child Benefit via the app and doing so as soon as you can after your baby is born will ensure you don’t miss out on vital financial support.”

Parents are being urged to check their bank accounts now to make sure they are receiving the correct amount, and to act quickly if they have not yet made a claim.

Advertisement

Most applications are now completed online or through the HMRC app, with around 85% of claims submitted digitally.

Experts at Money and Pensions Service also recommend checking eligibility using online tools, as some families may not realise they qualify.

Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service, said: “Use MoneyHelper’s free Benefits Calculator if you think you, or someone you know, might be eligible for Child Benefit. The calculator will show you all the benefits you’re eligible for.

“Other MoneyHelper tools for new parents include the Baby Cost Calculator to help you budget when having a baby, and the Baby Money Timeline which gives you key dates to help you plan your finances.

Advertisement

“Visit MoneyHelper.org.uk for free and impartial money guidance for everyday money management.”


Recommended reading:


Payments are made directly into bank accounts and can be managed or updated easily.

Parents should also be aware of the High Income Child Benefit Charge if one partner earns over £60,000, although claiming can still protect National Insurance credits even if payments are repaid.

Advertisement

Officials say families who previously opted out can quickly restart payments, ensuring they benefit from the higher rates now in place.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Swansea city centre business to close as owner says things are ‘impossible’

Published

on

Wales Online

Owner Anna Redfern said that she made the tough decision to close the cinema as the ‘conditions to sustain’ an independent business are ‘becoming impossible’

Another business in Swansea has announced that they will be closing their doors later this year. In the last couple of months, the news broke that locations like Marks and Spencer, Turtle Bay and Gin and Juice would all be shutting down.

Advertisement

The indie film house, Cinema & Co. will be joining that list following an announcement on Facebook on Monday, April 13. Owner Anna Redfern said she made the tough decision to close the cinema, live venue and gallery space based in the centre of Swansea as the “conditions to sustain” an independent business are “becoming impossible”.

Ms Redfern said: “‘Every story has an ending. After 10 years I’ve made the decision not to renew the lease at Cinema & Co. This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s been a necessary one.

“I’ve spent years trying to run this space in a way that felt right— not just financially but ethically and personally too. And the truth is that’s becoming harder and harder to do.

“Running an independent space today means wearing every hat, holding everything together, and constantly fighting to keep something special alive. And over time that takes its toll. Not just on the business but on the person behind it.”

Advertisement

She said sustaining a small independent business is now becoming “impossible”. “I know we’re not the only ones. You’re seeing it everywhere,” she added.

“Independent spaces are disappearing — not because people don’t care but because the conditions to sustain them are becoming impossible. So this is me choosing to end it on my terms rather than lose what made it what it was.

“We’ve got a few months left. If Cinema & Co has ever meant something to you come and be part of it while you still can. Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here

Advertisement

Many locals flooded the comments with support for the business and their disappointment over the news that they would be closing later this year.

One person said: “It’s gonna be quite weird not to see Cinema & Co on Swansea central high street, will definitely miss this venue.”

Another added: “What a shame, you are an inspiration to many – best of luck in whatever is next.”

However, others believe that closure of the establishment was inevitable following financial difficulties in the wake of their legal dispute over breaching coronavirus regulations during the pandemic.

Advertisement

One person said: “She made a few decisions that in the end put people off going there.”

Ms Redfern received fines amounting to £15,000 in December 2021 after admitting to violating Covid public health regulations. She was additionally ordered to pay £8,940 in prosecution costs, while the company itself was handed a £5,000 fine.

She also received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to contempt of court for opening the cinema despite a court order, though in an unusual development she was later permitted to vacate that plea – effectively withdrawing it – and the matter was dropped.

Advertisement

In an interview which was published in 2022, Ms Redfern stated that given the opportunity to turn back the clock, she would make the same decision again.

She said: “I was sick of pretending to comply through fear of losing my livelihood which I guess is quite ironic because it looks like that is going to happen anyway.

“I stood in my truth and it was a matter of principle. We’ve got to be vocal because we are having our freedoms and our rights stripped away from us.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Baby found with drugs in system was ‘unkempt and unclean’ before tragic death

Published

on

Daily Mirror

Phoebe-Rose Douglas, 10 weeks old, died after cardiac arrest with tests showing exposure to cocaine, heroin and cannabis – her parents have since admitted child cruelty

A baby who died after being exposed to heroin and cocaine was discovered to have dirt beneath her fingernails and armpits after being rushed to hospital.

Nurses raised concerns about Phoebe-Rose Douglas’ ‘unkempt and smelly’ condition following her arrival at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, an inquest has heard.

Paramedics had been called to an address on Meaford Drive, Blurton, following reports the 10-week-old was in cardiac arrest on the morning of October 25 2019. She was transferred to the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, but died four days later on October 29, reports Stoke on Trent Live.

Advertisement

A urine sample taken on October 29 revealed a level of cocaine, the inquest heard. Tests conducted on hair samples showed she had been exposed to cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

Parents Rachel Bourne and John Douglas both admitted child cruelty at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in 2024. Bourne was jailed for 31 months and Douglas given a 10-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

An inquest into Phoebe-Rose’s death is now being held this week at Swann House, Stoke.

The inquest heard Phoebe-Rose was born in Halifax in August 2019, where her father lived. She returned to Stoke-on-Trent a month later with her mother.

The inquest heard that Phoebe-Rose’s parents were both drug users. Several referrals had previously been made to social services before her birth, owing to concerns raised about the family, including one in July 2019 relating to their living conditions. They were subsequently evicted from the property, where drug paraphernalia was later discovered.

Phoebe-Rose missed her first round of routine immunisations and a standard developmental check with a GP, which would ordinarily take place at six to eight weeks of age.

Phoebe-Rose’s mother woke at around 5am on 25 October, picked her up, and discovered she was unresponsive. West Midlands Ambulance Service was immediately called.

Advertisement

The inquest heard that Phoebe-Rose was resuscitated, however scans carried out at hospital revealed she had sustained severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, and on 29 October the decision was taken to withdraw life support.

Paediatrician Dr Deborah Stalker told the inquest that hospital discharge notes from Phoebe-Rose’s birth showed no signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome – withdrawal symptoms that newborn babies may experience if they have been exposed to opiates while still in the womb.

“But she was a bit of a struggle to feed, reading between the lines of notes”, Dr Stalker added. “There was also evidence that feeding bottles were not sterilised prior to use – that had been observed in hospital.” When Phoebe-Rose was admitted to hospital in October 2019, “she was unkempt and she was unclean”, Dr Stalker told the inquest.

She went on to say: “She was smelly and she had dirty fingernails and feet and creases under arms and neck.”

Advertisement

Dr Roger Malcolmson, a consultant paediatric and perinatal pathologist, was involved in post-mortem examinations conducted following Phoebe-Rose’s death. He described her to the inquest as “relatively small”.

“There was no evidence of external injuries of any significance that would suggest a pattern of physical abuse”, he said.

“Her brain was swollen, which correlates with injury to brain cells and hypoxia (reduced oxygen to the brain). There was no obvious underlying cause. I think the biggest risk factor for this death we can identify from the history is maternal drug use and smoking.”

The inquest continues.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Getting Ready For School When Kids Are Sniffly: GP Shares Tips

Published

on

Signs Your Child's Posture Changes Might Be A 'Red Flag'

As I write this I can feel another illness taking hold: the headache, the stuffy nose, the scratchy throat. It can only mean one thing: the kids are back at school!

While plenty of people will be relieved to get back to normality after two weeks of juggling work and childcare, a survey of 1,000 parents by Olbas found over half (55%) dread their kids going back to school due to the increased chance of getting ill.

There’s no getting around it, they will (probably) get sick in the coming fortnight.

Dr Roger Henderson, an NHS GP and spokesperson for Olbas, says: “When children return to school after Easter holidays or extended breaks, it’s normal to see a sudden rise in sniffles, coughs, and stomach upsets.

Advertisement

“This isn’t because schools are unhealthy places, but rather because children are suddenly exposed to lots of germs they haven’t encountered in a while – almost like a refresher course for their immune systems!”

Younger children, especially those in primary school, may be hit hardest because their bodies are still learning how to handle common viruses.

“Parents should expect a wave of minor illnesses and be prepared with tissues, comfort foods, and perhaps a flexible routine to allow for extra rest,” says the doctor.

“The good news is that these minor illnesses help children build up stronger immune systems over time. While it can feel overwhelming at first, most of the common viral illnesses pass quickly, and children normally bounce back with their usual energy.”

Advertisement

Here, Dr Henderson shares some tips and tricks to overhaul your morning routine to at least give everyone a fighting chance amid the post-holiday bug surge.

1. Create a 10-15 minute buffer zone

The GP is a firm believer in creating a 10-15 minute ‘buffer zone’ on those mornings when the kids are waking up sniffly.

“The key here is preparation – putting out clothes, packing bags, and prepping lunches the night before gives you a head start, leaving more time for slower wake-ups when children aren’t feeling 100%,” he says.

Advertisement

“Building in a ‘buffer zone’ of 10-15 extra minutes can ease stress and reduce the chance of forgotten items or unexpected delays affecting you.”

2. Start the day with a warm shower or saline spray

If your kids are particularly congested first thing, a warm shower or saline nasal spray can help clear clogged sinuses and “make them feel fresher” for the day ahead.

3. Keep breakfast simple

Advertisement

When kids are feeling below par, something simple and nourishing to set them up for the day can work wonders. Dr Henderson suggests porridge, scrambled eggs, or smoothies are “easy options that don’t require much fuss”.

4. Take a calmer approach to rushed mornings

Easier said than done when you’ve got to be at work for 9am, but if kids aren’t feeling great, they’re going to require a bit more patience in the mornings. The GP says a “calm reassuring tone sets the pace here”.

When to keep your child off school

Advertisement

While kids can go to school with coughs and colds, there are instances where you shouldn’t send your child to school. Here’s what NHS Choices advises:

  • If they have a fever, keep them off until the fever goes away.
  • If they have a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away.
  • If they have diarrhoea or vomiting they should stay away from school until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
  • If they have chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over – usually about five days after the spots first appeared.
  • If they have symptoms of Covid-19 including a high temperature, and they don’t feel well enough to go to school or do normal activities, keep them off.
  • If your child has an ear infection and a high temperature or severe earache, keep them off school until they’re feeling better or the high temperature goes away.
  • If your child has impetigo, they’ll need treatment from a GP – usually antibiotics. Keep them off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.
  • If your child has scarlet fever, they’ll need treatment with antibiotics from a GP. Otherwise they’ll be infectious for two to three weeks. Children can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics, providing they feel well enough.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Read This If You Use Headphones Every Day

Published

on

Read This If You Use Headphones Every Day

If you peek outside, it’s pretty likely you’ll see several people running errands with a pair of headphones on. In our digital-first world, many of us use headphones all day long at work, on our commute and even at home when we’re cleaning or exercising.

Headphones are a convenient (and polite) way to listen to music, videos or calls in public. But does the direct sound exposure impact your ears and hearing any differently than other sound sources? Are headphones more damaging to your ear health?

Below, experts share what you should know about safe headphone use.

Listening to music or calls through headphones is no different than listening via a speaker.

Advertisement

Our ears don’t know where sound is coming from, said Catherine V. Palmer, an audiologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Sound can be damaging whether it’s coming from car speakers, living room speakers or headphones, she added.

“One is not more dangerous than another,” Palmer said.

There’s noise around you all the time, said Dr. Kenny Lin, an otolaryngologist at Houston Methodist, and headphones don’t pose a specific danger.

“It’s just the volume at which and the duration over which you are listening to music or phone calls or whatever the case might be,” Lin said. “As long as you’re using your headphones at a reasonable volume, it is no different than listening to music from the speaker or listening to the TV.”

Advertisement

Headphones can be more dangerous to your ears in specific situations, though.

“The one area where a headphone can be potentially riskier is that you place the sound source right up to the ear,” Lin noted.

If you mistakenly left the volume up very high on Spotify, for example, and then plug in your headphones, “the impact of that on your ear could be potentially higher just because of where it’s placed, closer to the ear in its first place,” Lin said.

According to Anna Bixler, an audiologist and the amplification and tinnitus program manager at Jefferson Balance and Hearing Center in Philadelphia, people can also run into problems if there is a lot of sound going on around them.

Advertisement

“That’s really where I see people get themselves into hot water with their streaming level, because when we’re in quiet, we tend to keep it to a pretty minimal volume … when we get on a train or when we’re running outside, and there’s a lot of noise around … that’s when we have a tendency to kick up the volume to compete with external signal,” Bixler said.

There is one simple way to combat this, though: Bixler recommends that folks turn on noise cancellation if it’s available on their headphones.

“That really, really helps a lot of people to keep their streaming volume to a much more minimal level,” Bixler added.

If you aren’t competing with external noise, you won’t be tempted to increase your volume, she said.

Advertisement

Tatiana Maksimova via Getty Images

Listening to music or calls through headphones is no more damaging than listening through a computer speaker, according to experts.

That said, sound-induced hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.

“The most common cause of hearing loss in adults is [sound-induced] hearing loss,” Palmer said.

But not all sounds are created equal. “‘Dose’ predicts whether sound will damage an individual’s hearing,” Palmer said. “Dose is the combination of how loud a sound is and how long you are exposed to it.”

Advertisement

“The louder the sound is and the longer the exposure, the more likely that there will be damage,” Palmer continued, noting that this hearing loss is permanent.

Prolonged loud sound exposure can also cause tinnitus or ringing in the ears, in addition to hearing loss, according to Lin.

So, what noise level is best?

According to the National Institutes of Health, you’re likely safe from hearing damage if you’re around sounds that are 70 decibels or less; 70 decibels is roughly equivalent to a conversation or the sound of a washing machine.

Advertisement

In workplaces, people exposed to noise at 85 decibels or above are advised to wear hearing protection.

How can you tell what decibel level your music and calls come in at? Many phones and smartwatches tell you when your volume is at an unsafe level. There are also apps and websites that help measure noise levels.

But the most reliable way to understand the volume of your music is by visiting an audiologist, Bixler noted.

“We can’t always just trust our ear to know what’s a safe level [of sound],” Bixler said.

Advertisement

An audiologist can help measure the level of sound that’s being played out of your headphones.

“We can measure the level of the sound in the ear canal,” Bixler said. “I’ve had a number of patients in more recent years actually come in to see me and have this procedure done so we know where to set safe [limits].”

Most devices you’re streaming sound from have parental locks you can set for yourself so your sound doesn’t go above a certain level, Bixler added. “I think the best thing that most people can do is take a look at any streaming device they’re using and set a nice limit for themselves.”

You won’t notice hearing loss right away, but ringing in the ears and a feeling of fullness in the ears are signs that you should see a doctor.

Advertisement

It’s not like listening to too-loud music will cause you immediate and noticeable hearing loss. Instead, “sound-induced hearing loss is gradual,” Palmer said.

There are signs of hearing loss you should know about, including a feeling of fullness in the ears, ringing in the ears, and, of course, diminished hearing. “These are all signs of noise-induced hearing loss, and you should manage your exposure as well as seek a baseline hearing test from an audiologist,” Palmer said.

An audiologist can help you reduce your noise exposure and also take steps to protect your hearing throughout your life.

“You want to be preemptive in thinking about your dose of sound over time,” Palmer said.

Advertisement

While listening to music or taking calls on headphones isn’t any more damaging than doing so through a computer or kitchen speaker, any sound exposure that’s too loud or too long can be harmful.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

‘I’ve survived two open heart surgeries and a stroke at just 24 years old’

Published

on

Belfast Live

Despite living with daily symptoms, the dad-of-two has progressed in his teaching career and fitness journey.

This is Rob Belt, a primary school teacher who has had two open heart surgeries and a stroke.

Advertisement

Rob was just 24 years old when he had a stroke almost a decade ago. Originally from Lincoln in the East Midlands, the now 33-year-old lives in Newry with his wife and two sons.

Rob – who was born with an atrial septal defect in his heart and had his first open heart surgery when he was 18 months old- was driving home from work in December 2017 when, unbeknownst to him, he experienced symptoms of a stroke.

READ MORE: GP’s 60th birthday challenge to help other doctors facing hardshipREAD MORE: ‘We’re honouring the memory of twin baby boys who will always be part of our family’

He said: “I had pulled over to go post a parcel, and as I leant across to grab the parcel, I was suddenly overwhelmed with dizziness, double vision, nausea and heat. I went to grab my phone to call my wife, but I couldn’t work my phone, so I had to use Siri to try and ring her.”

Advertisement

At home the P6 teacher said he has “never felt so unwell”, but, because it was so close to his two-week Christmas break, he was eager to go to work the next day.

“I was at work for about an hour, but every single light or screen was really bright, and my headache was just getting worse,” he said.

“I went to see my GP and they pretty much shipped me off to ambulatory care straight away. A CT scan revealed I had had a large stroke in the cerebellum region of my brain.”

Rob spent a week at hospital on the stroke ward with doctors discovering the patch that was fitted in his heart as a baby had lifted slightly, which they believe could have caused or contributed to the stroke.

He said: “They gave me an ultimatum of having surgery or being on medication for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to be on medication if I could help it, so they did a keyhole surgery the following December in 2018, which didn’t work so I had to have open heart surgery in March 2019, which was four months before my wedding!”

Since his stroke, Rob lives with various symptoms commonly associated with a brain injury, including balance and coordination difficulties, fatigue, and aphasia- a communication disorder where individuals can mix up or miss out words.

Rob said: “I really notice my aphasia in high-pressure or highly-stimulated situations, like in a job interview, where I’d just completely lose my train of thought. I also live with social anxiety and cognitive overload.

Advertisement

“I used to enjoy going out to pubs and restaurants, and then all of a sudden I got very anxious about being in a busy room, with all the sound intensity and different lighting.

“In the beginning of my recovery, going shopping around Tesco was basically like being in a theme park because there’s that many moving parts; you’re trying to negotiate aisles, step to one side out of the way of customers, find the items you’re looking for.”

Despite living with daily symptoms, Rob has progressed in his teaching career and fitness journey. Now he’s gearing up to run the London Marathon later this month to raise funds and awareness of brain injury.

Rob will put his best foot forward on April 26 as he raises funds and awareness of Headway – the brain injury association, a UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury.

He said: “Nearly nine years on, I’m incredibly grateful to be able to run again – and grateful that Headway UK have given me the opportunity to run for them in the London Marathon.

“The support and aftercare that Headway UK provides to families is great – they have so many publications which can help the whole family understand how a survivor may be feeling, without the survivor having to explain it themselves, which can be overwhelming.

“Brain injury is often a hidden illness or disability. I think it’s so important to educate the public on how brain injury can affect people in different ways, and how people can have a brain injury and live ‘normally’, like I am, but there are elements of their daily life that it can affect.”

Advertisement

Eden Harlow, Fundraising Coordinator at Headway UK, said: “Rob has bravely shared his story to highlight the reality of living with a brain injury, and to show that brain injury can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time. His passion for raising awareness and advocating for survivors really is inspiring.

“We’re so grateful to him for taking on the London Marathon in aid of Headway UK, where his fundraising efforts will make a huge difference in supporting others facing life after brain injury.”

You can donate to Rob’s fundraiser here.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

The ‘greatest action movie of all time’ is now streaming on HBO Max

Published

on

The 'greatest action movie of all time' is now streaming on HBO Max
Mad Max: Fury Road is now available on HBO Max (Picture: Jasin Boland/THA/Shutterstock)

There are action films, and then there is Mad Max: Fury Road, a two-hour adrenaline rush that has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying cinematic experiences ever made.

Now, the film widely hailed as a modern masterpiece is newly available to stream on HBO Max, giving audiences another chance to witness the spectacle.

Directed by George Miller, the long-gestating fourth entry in the Mad Max saga finally roared into cinemas in 2015 after decades in development.

Set in a scorched, post-apocalyptic wasteland where water and petrol are the most valuable currencies, the story follows drifter Max Rockatansky, played by Tom Hardy, who is swept into an escape mission led by Imperator Furiosa, portrayed by Charlize Theron.

Advertisement

Together, they attempt to outrun a tyrannical warlord and his army in what becomes an extended, high-octane road battle.

The premise is deceptively simple, but Fury Road unfolds like a symphony of motion, built on practical effects, precision stunt work, and a striking visual language that makes even chaos feel meticulously controlled.

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock (4763869r) Nathan Jones 'Mad Max: Fury Road' - 2015
Many fans think it’s the greatest action film of all time (Picture: Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock)

Critically, the film was met with near-universal acclaim. It became a rare blockbuster that satisfied both audiences and awards bodies, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and winning six, including Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing.

It was also named Best Film by the National Board of Review that year, cementing its status beyond the action genre.

Commercially, it was also victorious, pulling in over 380 million dollars worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise.

Advertisement

Mad Max Fury Road: Key details

Director

George Miller

Writer

George Miller, Brandan McCarthy and Nico Lathouns

Cast

Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicolas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rose Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoe Kravitz, Abbey Lee

Age rating

15

Advertisement

Runtime

Two hours

Rotten Tomatoes score

Critics score: 97% – Audience score: 86%

Advertisement

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock (4763869n) Josh Helman, Tom Hardy 'Mad Max: Fury Road' - 2015
Tom Hardy stars in the apocalyptic thriller (Picture: Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock)

In 2025, Collider went as far as to declare it the best action movie of all time, praising its balance of practical effects and CGI, as well as its breathless pacing and clarity of vision.

Audience reactions have echoed that enthusiasm.

Viewers have described it as an unforgettable experience, with one on Rotten Tomatoes calling it ‘one of the most spectacular movie experiences I’ve had in a while’ and another labelling it ‘a perfect movie’ despite being ‘one giant car chase’.

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock (4763869a) Jasin Boland 'Mad Max: Fury Road' - 2015
The special effects still hold up (Picture: Warner Bros/Everett/Shutterstock)

The Mad Max franchise

  • Mad Max (1979)
  • Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
  • Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome (1985)
  • Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
  • Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Every entry is also available to stream on HBO Max, except Furiosa, which is available on Sky and Now Cinema

Advertisement

Many singled out Theron’s commanding performance, while others praised its immersive world-building and memorable costumes.

A prequel, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, arrived in 2024 with Miller returning to expand the mythology, but Fury Road remains the defining achievement of the series.

Now that it is streaming again, the debate over whether it truly is the greatest action movie of all time is likely to reignite.

Advertisement

Stream Mad Max: Fury Road on HBO Max now.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025