Haribo fans Neavey and her dad couldn’t resist buying one of the £11.95 mystery bags from the Haribo shop – and they were left floored by the haul they managed to bag

We all have our favourite Haribo sweet – whether its sour Tangfastics or super delicious cherries from Starmix packets.

But if you venture out of your comfort zone, there’s a chance you’ll find something new and exciting. And that’s exactly what Neavey and her dad did recently.

The shoppers ventured from Liverpool to the Trafford Centre in Manchester to pick up a mystery box from Haribo. For £11.95, they got a bag of surprising items they wouldn’t revealed until they opened it up.

Fortune appeared to favour the duo, who hit the jackpot with their bounty. So what exactly did they receive?

Items inside the Haribo mystery bag

• Two MaoMixx bags worth £6.20
• Haribo Tangfastics share bag worth £1.25
• Haribo Alienauts worth £1.25
• Haribo Bella Bites worth £1.25
• Maoam JoyStixx worth £1.07
• Haribo BallaStixx worth £1.25
• Haribo jelly beans worth £1.45
• Supermix mini bags worth 34p
• A Haribo key chain worth around £2

TOTAL VALUE – £16.06, saving the mystery bag shoppers around £4.

Final verdict

The delighted shoppers said they were “made up” by the substantial quantity of treats they received in the Haribo mystery bag.

They were also able to sample some confectionery they might have never picked out for themselves, so it was a win-win all round.

If you’re considering snapping up one of these goodie bags, it’s important to remember that luck plays a significant role.

The essence of blind boxes means you’ve got no say in what you receive, which could prove frustrating if you’re fussy about your sweet selections.

Nevertheless, if you’ve got a penchant for sugary treats and don’t mind taking a chance, it could certainly be worth a punt!

GENEVA (AP) — Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv met in Geneva on Tuesday for another round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, a week before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

However, expectations for any breakthroughs in the scheduled two days of talks in Switzerland were low, with neither side apparently ready to budge from its positions on key territorial issues and future security guarantees, despite the United States setting a June deadline for a settlement.

The head of Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, posted photos on social media of the three delegations at a horseshoe-shaped table, with the Ukrainian and Russian officials sitting across from each other. U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner sat at the head of the table in front of U.S., Russian, Ukrainian and Swiss flags.

“The agenda includes security and humanitarian issues,” Umerov said, adding that Ukrainians will work “without excessive expectations.”

Tough talks expected

Discussions on the future of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory are expected to be particularly tough, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to talk to reporters.

During previous talks in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, military leaders looked at how a demilitarized zone could be arranged and how everyone’s militaries could talk to one another, the person added.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned against expecting developments on the first day of talks as they were set to continue on Wednesday. Moscow has provided few details of previous talks.

Trump describes the talks as ‘big’

Ukraine’s short-handed army is locked in a war of attrition with Russia’s bigger forces along the roughly 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) front line. Ukrainian civilians are enduring Russian aerial barrages that repeatedly knock out power and destroy homes.

The future of the almost 20% of Ukrainian land that Russia occupies or still covets is a central question in the talks, as are Kyiv’s demands for postwar security guarantees with a U.S. backstop to deter Moscow from invading again.

Trump described the Geneva meeting as “big talks.”

“Ukraine better come to the table fast,” he told reporters late Monday as he flew back to Washington from his home in Florida.

It wasn’t immediately clear what Trump was referring to in his comment about Ukraine, which has committed to and taken part in negotiations in the hope of ending Russia’s devastating onslaught.

Complex talks as the war presses on

The Russian delegation is headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adviser Vladimir Medinsky, who headed Moscow’s team of negotiators in the first direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul in March 2022 and has forcefully pushed Putin’s war goals. Medinsky has written several history books that claim to expose Western plots against Russia and berate Ukraine.

The commander of the U.S. military — and NATO forces — in Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, and Secretary of the U.S. Army Dan Driscoll will attend the meeting in Geneva on behalf of the U.S. military and meet with their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, Col. Martin O’Donnell, a spokesman for the U.S. commander said.

Overnight, Russia used almost 400 long-range drones and 29 missiles of various types to strike 12 regions of Ukraine, injuring nine people, including children, according to the Ukrainian president.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said tens of thousands of residents were left without heating and running water in the southern port city of Odesa.

He said Moscow should be “held accountable” for the relentless attacks, which he said undermine the U.S. push for peace.

“The more this evil comes from Russia, the harder it will be for everyone to reach any agreements with them. Partners must understand this. First and foremost, this concerns the United States,” the Ukrainian leader said on social media late Monday.

“We agreed to all realistic proposals from the United States, starting with the proposal for an unconditional and long-term ceasefire,” Zelenskyy noted.

The talks in Geneva took place as U.S. officials also held indirect talks with Iran in the Swiss city.

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Burrows reported from London. Associated Press writer Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

The book is described as a wry family story focusing on a sometime actor and panto dame who battles dyslexia to record his mother’s memoirs.

A Bridge of Allan born author has penned his witty debut novel telling the story of a man who appeared as the front half of a camel.

Adrian Ross, who grew in Bridge of Allan and attended Dollar Academy and Stirling University, has written ‘Sons of Great Men’ – described as a wry family story narrated by Victor, a sometime actor and pantomime dame, who battles his dyslexia to record his hospitalised mum’s memoirs.

In his teens, Adrian ushered at the Macrobert Arts Centre and later gained an MLitt by thesis in Film and Media at the university.

He currently co-ordinates the monthly Talks at the Smith programme in Stirling.

As a writer, Adrian has contributed to the New Writing Scotland anthology, The Reviews Hub website and Postbox, Scotland’s international short story magazine.

He studied Drama and Film at the University of East Anglia, where he was a founding member of Minotaur Theatre Company. He worked as a newspaper sub editor in London and South Wales, later becoming a manager in the arts and adult education.

The former actor and journalist said: “I didn’t pursue acting as a career, so this story is partly an exploration of what might have been.

“I’ve tried to give it a funny-and-sad feel.”

Sons of Great Men is published in paperback on 1 March 2026 and is available from all good bookshops and can be pre-ordered online.

These are the words of the heartbroken mother of Mylo Capilla, who sadly drowned in the River Tees after drinking with friends last summer. 

The 13-year-old, who in his short life had overcome stage four cancer, had gone down to the ‘Muddies’ in Ingleby Barwick on June 27 when tragedy struck. 

Mylo decided to enter the River Tees after drinking what would be more than three times the drink drive limit when he got into difficulty and vanished. 

A desperate search was launched but the following day his body was recovered from the river. 

Following an inquest into his death concluding that he drowned after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, Mylo’s mother has issued a heartbreaking statement saying he “was and always will be my precious boy”. 

She also warned others of the dangers of drinking alcohol near water, saying to parents to “hold your babies close no matter how old they are”. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

She said: “As Mylo’s mum, there are no words that truly capture what we’ve lost. 

“My beautiful boy had a short life and he faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime, but he lived every single day to the fullest. 

“He was funny, full of energy, and had a way of lighting up a room the moment he walked into it. He felt everything deeply, loved fiercely, and touched the heart of everyone he ever met.

“Hearing the conclusion that he drowned, with alcohol playing a part, has broken our hearts beyond words.

“If I could say one thing to other parents, it would be this: hold your babies close, no matter how old they are. Tell them you love them. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

“And please, please take water safety and the risks of alcohol seriously. We will carry Mylo with us for the rest of our lives. He was, and always will be, my precious boy.”

‘One of a kind’

Mylo’s father Daniel Capilla also described his son as “truly one of a kind” in a statement read out at the inquest at Teesside Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (February 17). 

He said Mylo was “always ready to wrap you in one of his famous hugs” and he “always knew what to give and he gave it freely”.

Daniel said he still remembers their final exchange, where Mylo gave him a hug and said “love you Papa” before he left the house. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

The inquest heard how Mylo went down to the ‘Muddies’, near Ramsey Gardens in the Round Hill area of the estate, with the intention of building the den. 

Mylo, who had a bottle of vodka and gin in his bag, had texted a pal just after 6pm saying “I may have had too much vodka”. 

After concerns were raised about him and a search was launched, officers arrived and found Mylo’s bike and phone close to the scene. 

Tributes left for Mylo Capilla (Image: The Northern Echo)

Detective Chief Inspector David Snaith said his friend had been found “covered in mud and slightly intoxicated” and confirmed that they had been drinking and gone into the river. 

Toxicology tests revealed that Mylo had a “very high level of alcohol in his blood” which would have caused a “significant degree of intoxication”. 

This may have inhibited his attempts to save himself, the inquest heard. 

He was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 288mg per 100ml, which is more than three times above the drink driving limit. 

There were no drugs found in his system. 

The team have lost county finals in each of the last two seasons but have handed 1992 All-Ireland winner Brolly the reins

Former RTE pundit and Derry All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly is back in GAA management at club level. The Dungiven native has taken the reins of a senior club in Mayo, where he now resides with his wife Laurita Blewitt.

The Irish radio presenter and producer comes from Knockmore in the Connacht county and Brolly has been part of the senior men’s management team there with Ray Dempsey in a coaching capacity.

On Monday night, the club confirmed that Brolly has been appointed as senior ladies manager.

Knockmore, county ladies champions in 2023, stated on a social media post: “Following a meeting this evening, the Knockmore LGFA Chairperson, Patricia Dempsey, is happy to announce that Joe Brolly has been appointed as the Knockmore LGFA Senior Manager.

“Joe brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and the club is extremely excited at this appointment. Joe is looking forward to the challenge and he outlined his vision earlier with great enthusiasm and all at Knockmore GAA and LGFA wish him and the Senior Ladies team every success.”

The Knockmore ladies have come up just short in the last two years in Mayo, losing to Westport in the final on both occasions.

Brolly’s wife Blewitt is a third cousin of former US president Joe Biden and the couple met with the politician several times.

She was a podcaster on The Tommy and Hector Podcast before the pair became engaged in 2021. They wed back in 2022, and welcomed a baby girl into the world two years later.

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Iran is carrying out military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, in a show of strength ahead of nuclear talks with the US in Geneva.

The naval exercises, which included test missiles, warships and helicopters, are testing the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) “operational readiness” and plans for reciprocal action in case of “potential security and military threats”.

Indirect talks began on Tuesday morning, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the US, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi leads the Iranian delegation. Omani officials are mediating.

After the talks began, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned president Donald Trump that even if the US boasts the world’s leading military, “the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up”, according to Iranian media.

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Iranian officials have warned that the success of talks in Geneva relies on whether the US makes unrealistic demands and on its seriousness on lifting economic sanctions on Iran.

Trump meanwhile, has continued to openly voice his support for regime change in Tehran, telling reporters on Monday that it may be “the best thing that could happen”.

He said he would be involved “indirectly” in the talks and voiced his belief that Iran wants to make a deal in Geneva.

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“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.

“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s.”

Last week, US troops pulled out of bases in eastern Syria, suggesting the military could be preparing for an Iranian response to any attack it carries out.

Two officials told Reuters news agency that the US military is preparing for the possibility of weeks of operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack.

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But Iran’s minister of foreign affairs Abbas Araghchi rejected President Trump’s threats in a post on X the day before the talks began.

“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” he wrote. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”

Tehran had previously threatened that it would close the strait, which is critical for the world’s oil supplies, if the US were to attack, a move which would be hugely damaging for global markets.

Oil prices dropped in the Asian trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the risk of supply disruption after Iran conducted the naval drills.

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Threats of a US attack began as a response to the Tehran regime’s brutal crackdown of widespread protests in December and January, but developed into attempt to pressure Iran into agreeing a new nuclear deal.

Tehran is looking to ward off of a repeat of last summer, when attempts to revive nuclear talks were interrupted by US-ally Israel launching a bombing campaign against Iran – which was then supported by US B-2 bombers that struck nuclear targets.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today, denies murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death

The trial of a man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally did not start today (Tuesday) due to legal arguments.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today and who is from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has denied murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

He appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court flanked by two prison officers.

Ms McNally (32) sustained fatal stab wounds in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022.

On Monday, a jury consisting of six men and six women was sworn in at Belfast Crown Court to preside over the murder trial, which is expected to last up to five weeks.

It was anticipated that the prosecution would open its case to the jury today before calling its first evidence.

However, due to legal arguments, Mr Justice Kinney sent the 12 jurors home for the day and told them to return to court on Wednesday morning when he said it was “anticipated” that the Crown’s case against McCullagh would be opened.

Before they left, the jurors were again reminded not to carry out any research on the case or discuss it with anyone else.

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Emergency services were called to a medical incident at an address in Lanark Terrace in Ferryhill on Friday, January 30, where a young child was later pronounced dead after being taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

The death of the child was previously described as ‘unexplained’ as enquiries continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Following weeks of enquiries, the force has now concluded its investigation.

In an update, a spokesperson for the force said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

“Our thoughts remain with the child’s family at this difficult time.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A file will now be prepared for the coroner as the formal process continues.

Police previously said: “Police were called to a medical incident at an address in Ferryhill at 1.55pm today (Friday, January 30).

“Paramedics also attended, and a young child was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

“Sadly, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

At the time, a spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “We were activated at 1.54pm to reports of a medical incident in Ferryhill.

“We had a doctor and a paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene within 10 minutes.

“Our team assessed and treated the patient before the patient was transported to hospital by road.”

(Image: PROVIDED)

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to a private address in Ferryhill, County Durham on Friday January 30 at 1.52pm.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and were supported by our colleagues at Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“One patient was taken to University Hospital of North Durham by road.”

Five people have died and at least five others have been injured in a fire at an apartment building in Spain.

The blaze broke out at a five-storey building in Manlleu, near Barcelona, in the northeast of the country on Monday night.

The fire started in the storage room of the property, emergency services said.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known – and authorities said victims, who have not been identified, were unable to escape an attic storage room.

Catalan police said the five dead were all young people and that they did not live in the building.

Catalonia’s regional leader, Salvador Illa, said he was “deeply saddened by the death of five people”.

Authorities said ambulances and psychological support teams were made available after the incident.

Among the injured, four were later released from hospitals while one other didn’t require hospital treatment.

Three families have been relocated to a nearby hotel with the rest returning to the building, The General Directorate of Civil Protection in Catalonia wrote on social media.

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The organisation also announced that an alert related to the fire had now ended.

Catalan police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire.