From “pregnant” alien babies to renting from Xtra-Vision

The 1990s and 2000s have made something of a comeback in recent years, with fashion and music trends from each decade finding their way back into the spotlight. For many tweens and teens, this is the first time they’ve seen chokers, platform shoes and wide-leg jeans become fashionable. For older generations, it’s all a bit of déjà vu.

But no matter which bits of the era get recycled, there are some things today’s young people will simply never experience. For better or worse, they’ll never know a world without modern technology and the internet, whereas 90s and 00s kids watched phones evolve from wired landlines to touch-screen handhelds in the space of just ten years.

If you grew up around the turn of the century, you belong to a generation that’s seen the best and worst of both worlds. Here are a few things you might remember from growing up in millennium Northern Ireland.

Alien babies and the rumours that surrounded them

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It’s hard to explain to anyone who wasn’t a kid in the 2000s just how much of a hold these smelly, gooey aul things that came in an egg had on us. But the rumours about how they could get pregnant/give birth, eat their babies, open their eyes or even die had us all wanting one for ourselves to see what they could really do.

The concept of a ‘family computer’

Those who were lucky enough to have a computer at home were not lucky enough to have it all to themselves, as it was always placed in a living space, accessible to all the family. Whenever you were allowed on it, time was of the essence – and there was always a chance your sibling would ruin whatever masterpiece you created on Microsoft Paint the next time they got their hands on the mouse.

Renting from Xtra-Vision

Long before the days of on-demand TV and streaming services, there was movie renting. Initially home to VHS tapes that may or may not have needed rewinding before you could watch the film, and later offering the far more convenient DVDs, Xtra-Vision was the place to go to sort out your weekend movie marathon.

Buying a lava lamp in Select

Few kids’ rooms were without a lava lamp in the late ‘90s/early ‘00s. Many kids who grew up in Northern Ireland got theirs from a dark wee shop called Select next to the Black Taxi rank on King Street.

Silicone wristbands

How this fad began, we’ll never know, but it became so widespread that there wasn’t a till to be seen without them. Even charities got in on the action.

Speed-weaving Scoubidous

Of all the fads to come and go throughout our childhood, “Scoubis” were possibly the most inescapable. These plastic strings came in all sorts of colours and glitters to be twisted into bracelets and keychains or other shapes.

Being gifted a Scoubi creation became the highest honour a primary school girl could receive from another. The elite weavers among us even took requests on occasion.

Visiting Dreamworld

This bad-boy was located where McDonald’s now sits on Boucher Road in Belfast and was very well-named as it was a haven for kids in the late ‘90s/early ‘00s. Remember the swinging Fredo ship or the iconic PlayStation area?

Cereal box ‘The Simpsons’ fridge magnets

ever did a child beg their mum not to buy the supermarket’s own brand cereal as much as the time Kellogg’s boxes included a collectible ‘the Simpsons’ fridge magnet. In every box, there’d be one magnet of one family member sitting on their signature couch – the goal was to collect all five to complete the scene.

Beyblade battles

Fidget spinners had nothing on the world’s coolest spinning top toy, Beyblade. 2000s kids can still remember the zzzzzzt! noise they made when launched into battle.

The spinning clown at Barry’s

Barry’s Amusements in Portrush has been revamped with a new name and new ownership. Yet nothing will erase from memory the nightmare fuel that was this bloody clown looping around on his trapeze.

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The arrival of a four-legged friend offers the promise of companionship and joy, but it can also cause stress for pets already living in the home.

Without careful preparation, the introduction of a new dog can lead to anxiety, territorial behaviour, or even aggression between animals.

Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviour Expert at Rover, has shared his top advice on safely introducing your dog to another pet at home.

How to safely introduce my dog to another pet at home

Why an individual animal’s temperament matters a lot

Adem explained that each dog’s reaction to a new companion depends on factors such as temperament, breed traits, past experiences, and training.

If the new dog has some behaviour challenges, this may need to be addressed beforehand, which may take time, patience and considerable effort.

He added: “Alongside the temperament of each pet, the life stage of the animal can also play a part in how introductions might naturally pan out without any owner or professional intervention.

“The age and developmental stage of both animals can significantly influence how introductions unfold.

“Adult cats may perceive very young puppies differently to mature dogs, and in some cases may display stalking or predatory behaviours towards smaller animals.

“Likewise, young kittens are often more likely to run when approached by a dog, which can trigger a dog’s natural chase instinct.

“Adult cats, on the other hand, are generally more confident and may be more inclined to stand their ground and use clear body language or a defensive swipe to establish boundaries.

“These differences highlight why introductions should always be carefully managed and tailored to the individual animals involved.”

How scent swapping and gradual introductions can be useful

Adem pointed out that behavioural issues around resources can also make introductions more complicated.

He said: “This could include food, toys, sleeping areas, and even people in the home.

“In dogs, these behaviours often present as aggressive reactions should the other pet come near them during these times.”

To ease the transition, Mr Fehmi recommends scent swapping and gradual introductions.

He said: “For any introductions to other dogs or pets, it is important that both individuals are as calm as possible.

“One way to do this is to scent swap, which you can achieve by swapping bedding such as blankets, or swapping the room that each was in.

“This is often a good first step to introducing the animals to each other in a controlled and positive manner.

“It can also allow an owner to assess the initial reactions of each pet and form a positive and controlled plan for moving forwards.”

Create a safe space during the transition

Creating safe and familiar spaces is also important.

Adem said: “If your dog is not used to a safe space, such as a crate, pen, or even designated room, it is always best to introduce and build this in positively prior to the introduction to any other pets.

“This can avoid any added stress being placed on your dog.

“Make spaces familiar and comfortable and start your safe space training slowly – stay close initially and build up over time, working at your dog’s individual pace.

“Tools such as leads and stairgates can also be hugely beneficial, especially in the early stages.”

He also warned that dogs with separation anxiety may need extra support before a new pet is introduced.

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Adem said: “If your dog suffers from separation anxiety it is best to seek the advice of an experienced and accredited behaviourist to help you to overcome this issue prior to any other pets coming into your home, as otherwise keeping introductions safe and controlled can be much harder overall, and more stressful for all involved.

“It is important to ensure that the needs of all animals are fully met at all times, that all are allowed to exhibit natural behaviours, and any stress is kept to a minimum through careful planning and building positive experiences between each individual.

“The process can take time and patience is key.”

Have you had to introduce a new dog to an existing pet at home before? Let us know in the comments.

Greater Manchester Police said emergency services responded to an incident at a property on Reservoir Street in Salford over the course of two days.

Footage, released by the force, shows its Tactical Aid Unit officers gently resting a ladder against the roof of a back porch, with an officer then grabbing the man while he was sleeping.

A struggle then ensues and the man is pulled down the ladder, with his trousers appearing to fall down, before being arrested by officers in the garden of the property.

Two police officers suffered minor injuries during the incident.

Greater Manchester Police said the arrest attempt was tasked by another force for the man who was wanted on recall to prison for other matters.

The force said a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing public nuisance, criminal damage, public order offences, burglary and assaulting two police officers.

He remains in police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bagnall, of Salford district, said: “During two days of disruption to the local community, we worked continuously with our partners to bring this matter to a safe conclusion.

“This was an extensive use of vital policing resources and clearly demonstrates the dangers our officers face on a daily basis in order to protect the people of Greater Manchester.

“Two of our officers suffered minor injuries during this incident.

“I would like to reiterate my thanks to the people of Salford for their patience and understanding whilst emergency service personnel dealt with this incident.

“Some properties have been damaged as a result of this man’s actions. We will work with partners to ensure affected residents will be supported going forward.”

Actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36, her representative told several US news outlets.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement.

The details surrounding her death were not immediately available.

Panettiere was known for her breakout role in the hit TV series Heroes, and later went on to star in Nashville, along with films including Remember the Titans and Raising Helen.

Her father Skip Panettiere has asked for privacy “as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss”, in a statement issued through her representative.

Beginning her career as a child actor, Panettiere was just four years old when she was cast on the popular US soap opera One Life to Live.

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Several fire appliances, including an aerial platform were mobilised to Marsden Road earlier this afternoon.

The incident happened at around 4pm with around half-a-dozen fire engines on the scene, given the nature of the building.

Fire engines attended Marsden House on Sunday afternoon (Image: Phil Taylor)

However the incident was scaled down, leaving only two engines on the scene before the incident was deemed safe and closed, residents were allowed back within the hour.

The incident happened on the ground floor business.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said a fire alarm was set off by smoke from cooking food in a business on the ground floor of the building.

Firefighters remained at the scene to perform checks and make sure the building was safe.

Marsden House has a number of food businesses on the ground floor, with apartments making up the remaining floors.

Elaine Paige has admitted she was addicted to ‘dreadful’ sleeping pills during her years on the stage and lived on them for years.

The English singer and actress, 78, said that after a show she would feel ‘wired’ until the early hours of the morning and was left struggling to sleep.

She has confessed she relied on the sleeping tablets to help her get some rest and she only managed to kick the habit during the pandemic.

Speaking to The Sunday Times magazine about the bad habit, she said: ‘I go to sleep but seem to wake up after four hours. For many years in the theatre I lived on sleeping pills, otherwise you’re wired until 2am after a show. 

‘I called it my Judy Garland syndrome. They’re dreadful things to become addicted to, which I was. But since the pandemic I’ve managed to get off them and will not take one again. 

‘I say to myself that even if I don’t sleep well, I’ll be fine the next day. I’m not ready to take afternoon naps yet.’

These days, Elaine has moved away from performing on stage and has spent the past 21 years presenting Elaine Paige on Sunday on BBC Radio 2.

However, it does hark back to her thespian days as she talks about musical theatre, plays records and interviews people from the industry.

Elaine also just released her new album, Miscellaneous Paige, in July.

She told the publication she hadn’t performed since the first COVID lockdown and missed both the community and the creative side of performing.

In June 2025, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to music and charity. This year, she received a Special Award at the Olivier Awards recognising her contribution to theatre.

When she was 29 in 1978, Elaine was cast as the original West End Eva Perón in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita. 

The role transformed her from an experienced supporting performer into a major musical-theatre star.

Other memorable roles include Grizabella in Cats, Florence Vassy in Chess and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. 

Other memorable roles include Grizabella in Cats (pictured in 1981), Florence Vassy in Chess and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.

Despite her huge career success, Elaine previously revealed her height is her biggest insecurity because she feels her 4ft 11in stature has often caused her to be ‘overlooked’.

The West End star admitted she is ‘terribly shy’ and self-conscious about her height, and said it is something she has suffered from since she was a young girl.

She revealed that she feels her diminutive frame has caused her to be constantly ‘overlooked’ in the acting business.

Speaking in an interview with this week’s Radio Times, she said: ‘I’m not even five foot tall and I felt – and still do on some occasions – that no one takes any notice of you because you’re living life down here and a lot of the time ‘down here’ you get overlooked, literally.

‘This is all part and parcel of this insecurity, if you like, and terrible shyness because you’re not the same as everybody else and I was patronised a lot as a young girl.’ 

Elaine can trace the insecurity back to her childhood when her dream of becoming a professional tennis player was ‘crushed’ by her headmistress who told her: ‘But Elaine, dear, you can’t even see over the net.’

In June 2025, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to music and charitY

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‘I’ve never forgotten it because in one sentence that woman devastated my dream. I was absolutely crushed,’ she said. 

However, she believes playing the role of Evita in the West End show ‘saved’ her as Eva Perón was only five foot five herself. 

She reminisced on the opening night of Evita in 1978 when she received a nine-minute standing ovation, a life-changing moment which she says she remembers ‘so clearly’.

‘I did cry because it was completely and utterly overwhelming and I knew at that moment that my life had changed for ever, which it did,’ she said.

Elaine won the Laurence Olivier Award for Performance of the Year for the role and it elevated her to stardom.

A fisherman was rescued alive after spending more than two weeks trapped in an underwater sinkhole.

Erasto Crisanto Valdez, 31, disappeared on July 23 while fishing with his father in a cenote, a natural sinkhole, in San Francisco La Paz, Mexico.

It was only after an international effort 15 days later on August 7 that Mr Valdez was rescued from the sinkhole. 

Six days after he went missing, rescuers found a harpoon Mr Valdez had been carrying at a depth of around 65m (213ft).

And some 15 days after he first went missing, rescuers found the fisherman in a cave with an air pocket more than 100m (328ft) below the surface.

Explorers from Mexico, Germany, the US and the Dominican Republic had joined the effort to save him.

Mexican explorer Carlos Jimenez said the rescue was a ‘miracle’.

‘We were prepared to find his body,’ he said, adding: ‘But God had other plans.’

Six days after he went missing, rescuers found a harpoon Mr Valdez had been carrying at a depth of around 65m (213ft)

Mr Valdez was brought back to the surface on a stretcher and was suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition after more than a fortnight without food.

He was taken to hospital in his home town of Uxpanapa by ambulance.

Speaking to NMás, Mr Valdez said: ‘Thank you God for giving me another opportunity at life and letting me see my kids and family again. It was a miracle – an unbelievable miracle.’ 

Mr Valdez told Mexican officials that he became trapped after pursuing a robalo, or common snook, that he was trying to catch.  When he tried to return, he could no longer find the way out. 

‘I remained in shock because I couldn’t find the exit,’ he reportedly said after the rescue. ‘It was a lapse of time that was cut off, as if time had stopped.’

The man’s father unsuccessfully tried to find him before seeking help. 

The search was conducted by relatives, nearby locals, civil-protection divers and later Mexican Navy divers and international explorers.

Mr Valdez was formally reported missing on July 26. Four days later, authorities announced that the initial specialist phase was over, but a wider search would continue.

It was only after an international effort 15 days later that Mr Valdez was rescued from the sinkhole

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The cave Mr Valdez became trapped in was unexplored, with poor visibility and sharp rocks that jutted out, making the rescue effort particularly challenging.

Experienced American cave-diver Harry Gust, who participated in the search, told Divernet that the search for Mr Valdez was presented to him as a body recovery mission.

About 75 minutes into his first dive, Mr Gust found a spare air tank about 100 meters (328ft) inside the cave, he told the outlet.

That gave an indication of the route Mr Valdez may have taken, but provided no indication that he might still be alive. 

The next day, Mr Gust returned to the spot where he found the air tank and found ‘a large dry cave,’ he told Divernet. 

The diver called out asking if someone was there, then heard Mr Valdez reply: ‘Yes!’ 

The man had been trapped in the cave for the past 15 days waiting to be rescued. ‘I could not see him but assured him that I was coming back for him with more help,’ Mr Gust said. 

Mr Gust returned with another diver, and they gave Mr Valdez a breathing apparatus connected to an air tank. 

They then transported the severely dehydrated and malnourished man 100 meters underwater through the darkness back to the surface of the cenote. 

It is believed Mr Valdez was able to survive because of a river flowing out of the dry cave that he was able to drink from, according to Mr Gust. 

Mr Valdez said that while languishing in the darkness, all he did was drink, pray and sleep. He had lost all sense of time and said he thought he had only been trapped for about three days.  

The star of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ has died at age 36, her agent has confirmed, with her family issuing a statement to ask for privacy after they navigate their shock loss

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Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere has died, her representative confirmed to ABC News. She was 36 years old.

A statement from Panettiere’s father was shared with the American news network, asking for privacy as the Panettiere family navigates their grief.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement.

The details around her death are unknown.

In addition to Heroes and Nashville, Panettiere’s acting credits include the films I Love You, Beth Cooper, Scream 4 and Scream VI, and the TV movie Amanda Knox.

Actress Hayden Panettiere has tragically died at the age of 36.

Panettiere, known for her roles on the hit NBC series Heroes and musical drama Nashville, was remembered as ‘an incredible light and a force of nature.’ She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter.

Representatives for the former child star announced on Sunday: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. 

‘She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen.’ 

Her cause of death was not immediately clear.

But law enforcement sources have confirmed to TMZ that police responded to an incident involving the actress and an investigation is ongoing.

Sources also told the outlet that Panettiere had been recently complaining of back pain and that her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, flew from Los Angeles to see her just one day before her tragic passing.

The Hollywood star earned multiple award nominations across her career, most notably while playing cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville.

She also appeared in the Scream franchise as Kirby Reed, and lent her voice to the video game Until Dawn. 

The tragic news comes just months after her memoir, This is Me, became a New York Times bestseller. 

The tragic news comes just months after her memoir, This is Me, became a New York Times bestseller

Panettiere is remembered for her roles as Claire Bennet on the hit NBC series Heroes

In the book, Panettiere described how she contended with fame and handled the difficulties in her life. 

She had relinquished custody of her daughter to her ex, former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, while struggling with postpartum depression in 2018. 

Panettiere first started acting at just 11 months old when she appeared on screen in a commercial.

Her full-time acting career then began in 1994 when she played Sarah Roberts in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live until 1997. She then played Lizzie Spaulding in the CBS soap opera Guiding Light from 1996 to 2000.

For her role on Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, she was nominated for a Young Artist Award and Grammy Award, making her the fifth-youngest nominee for a Grammy. 

Her other credits include Remember the Titans, Ally McBeal, Racing Stripes, Ice Princess and I Love You, Beth Cooper. 

Panettiere also recorded a number of songs for the films and television programs she was in, including My Hero is You for the Disney Channel film Tiger Cruise and I Fly for the Disney film Ice Princess, which she co-starred in with the late Michelle Trachtenberg. 

Panettiere started out as a child star, with her first acting gig at just 11 months old

Panettiere leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter with ex Wladimir Klitschko

She played Juliette Barnes on the ABC show Nashville, releasing a number of her own songs

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Her first single not associated with an acting role, the reggae-infused Wake Up Call, was digitally released on August 5, 2008.

Clothing brand Candie’s announced it was premiering an ad campaign for the single in late July of that year, and provided additional promotion for the song with a television ad and a music video starring Sebastian Stan, who played Panettiere’s brother in The Architect.

More recently, Panettiere has come out as bisexual.

‘It’s sad that I had to wait till I was 36 years old to share that part of me, but better late than never, right?’ the Nashville alum told Us Weekly in May.

‘I’ve chosen to share it with the world, I’m comfortable saying I’m bisexual. I’m comfortable to confidently say that, yes, I am bisexual. I said it!’

Despite having little privacy due to ‘paparazzi always outside waiting for me,’ Panettiere still managed to secretly date women, whom she preferred to men from ‘a very, very young age.’

‘[I was] much more into women,’ the two-time Golden Globe nominee said.

‘But, yeah, I have explored it, but I don’t think I ever had the courage, because I hadn’t shared this with anybody. 

‘I didn’t really have the courage to throw myself fully, emotionally into it, because then if I did fall in love, that wasn’t something that I wanted to ever have to hide. I didn’t feel confident enough, and I was too afraid to really let that part of me explore that part of me.’

This is a breaking news story.