Householders have been warned not to empty their bins tomorrow, or they may face some consequences, and one woman has shared the reasons you’ll want to take heed
Danielle Kate Wroe Senior Social News Reporter
11:59, 16 Feb 2026
Households have been advised against emptying their rubbish bins tomorrow for a significant reason. Whilst it might be routine for you to put the bins out daily, you should refrain from doing so on Tuesday, February 17. Whether it’s your general waste, recycling, or paper collection, everything ought to remain inside your property for just one day.
This is because, according to Big Brother 2023’s Yinrun Huang, it’s considered unlucky to empty your bins on the Chinese New Year. There are also several other activities you should steer clear of tomorrow if you wish to begin the year of the fire horse properly.
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“Helping you start your Chinese New Year RIGHT,” Yinrun captioned her Instagram video, revealing “What you should not do on Chinese New Year”. Yinrun explained that if you “feel like you started 2026 on the wrong foot, this is your second chance to start again,” so you’ll want to follow her guidance.
1. Don’t sleep in
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Yinrun stated: “We need to start the first day of the year fresh and early to attract all of the good energy”.
2. Don’t empty your bins
“Don’t empty your bins because that symbolises throwing away all the luck and the wealth from your home,” Yinrun urged people, adding: “No! We don’t wanna do that. We wanna keep everything in”.
3. Don’t argue with people
Yinrun emphasised that you mustn’t become “angry and upset” with others and quarrel with them, explaining that you “don’t need that negative energy,” noting you want “happiness [to] come in, and sadness [to] go out”.
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4. Don’t wash your hair
Yinrun advised: “Don’t wash your hair. You can wash your hair the day before for a fresh start, but not on New Year’s Day, because washing hair on New Year’s Day symbolises washing off all your wealth and fortune”.
Therefore, if you’re in need, make sure to wash your hair today!
5. Don’t wear black or white clothes
It’s crucial that you avoid wearing black or white garments during the Chinese New Year, and instead, choose something red, as this is considered the luckiest colour to wear.
“People wear black or white for funerals in China,” she revealed, adding: “If you want to be discreet, red underwear is always a good option”.
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How were the animals chosen for the Chinese zodiac?
There are numerous myths surrounding how the animals were chosen for the Chinese zodiac. One widely known story involves a competition among the animals.
According to Lakeside Arts, “Long ago, in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday, he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race.
“The first twelve animals across the fast-flowing river would be the winners, and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.”
The animals subsequently gathered along the riverbank, arriving at different times.
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The 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac, which adhere to a cyclical 12-year sequence, are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (also referred to as Sheep/Ram), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal is associated with specific personality characteristics and relates to a year in the lunar calendar.
For example, people born under the Rabbit are considered to be gentle, compassionate, and elegant, whilst those born in the Monkey year are regarded as clever, witty, sociable, and energetic. After the Chinese New Year in 2026, it will transition into the Year of the Fire Horse. The Horse holds seventh place among the Chinese Zodiac animals.
According to China Highlights, “In Chinese culture, the Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolises vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent.”
Dave Watson, 73, died in February after receiving what his family claim was poor care at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
A Scots family have said they were heartbroken after being ‘robbed’ of time with their dad. Dave Watson, 73, died last month just two months after being admitted to hospital following a fall caused by a seizure.
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Dave’s family have claimed that he was ‘ignored’ and ‘failed’ after he was forced to wait hours for an ambulance and 13 hours in a corridor at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with broken ribs and a punctured lung on December 2, 2025.
Wife Elisabeth, a nurse with 43 years experience in the NHS, felt his care before his death on February 7 was not up to scratch following a litany of failures.
NHS Lothian have said that the family’s concerns are “being taken seriously” but can’t comment further while an investigation into their complaints is ongoing.
Speaking to our sister title Edinburgh Live, Elisabeth said: “I was there with Dave in A&E for hours and left to go and get him a bag. While I was at home I received a call to say Dave had fallen off the trolley in the corridor trying to go to the toilet – he was on his own for maybe an hour at most.
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“No one seemed to be looking after him. He had crawled all the way down his bed and managed to fall out of the end without anyone noticing. He was not being monitored and I want to know: did he have a buzzer? Did he shout or ask for help?
“They were worried he had broken his hip so he was sent to get a CT scan. His results came back confirming his broken ribs, so we knew he just needed time and rehabilitation to heal.
“But the hospital seemed like a chaotic mess. I had to ask a friend who worked at the hospital to come and give Dave his medication on time as I had received no assurances from staff.”
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In 2020, Edinburgh University physics graduate and music composer Dave, from the Comiston area of Edinburgh, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and later developed Alzheimer’s. Despite that, he was able to live a relatively independent life supported by wife Elisabeth, daughters Amy and Catriona and son Tom.
After his wait at A&E, Dave was moved to the hospital‘s major trauma ward where his care was said to be excellent. So much so that he was described as ‘a new man’ going into the weekend.
Daughter Amy travelled to Disneyland Paris with her kids and husband believing her dad would be back home by the time she returned. But this was not the case.
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Amy said: “I was so confident we would see him at home when I got back. He spent two days in major trauma but was then sent to surgical under the care of a cardiothoracic surgeon despite requiring no surgery or suffering from heart-related issues. Initially, dad had a lot of attention but it went downhill as the ward became busier.”
However, Dave developed sepsis from an intravenous cannula that had been left in for over 72 hours according to his family. Later that day, they were told he was unlikely to survive the night, forcing Catriona, a nurse in London, to fly home.
Amy said: “It was horrendous, I sat with my dad on our own for six hours while he was having seizures and hallucinating. They had no idea what to do.
“It took them hours to discover he had sepsis and then we were told he was not going to pull through. We had prepared ourselves to say goodbye.
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“But by the next day, he had bounced back and survived. Catriona kept saying he was in the wrong ward. We knew he was not in the right place. But I think they took advantage of the fact we were there all the time as a family caring for him.”
To recover, he needed physical rehabilitation and that he was awaiting a transfer to Ellens Glen community hospital. However, Elisabeth believes he was side-lined as he was seen as a bed blocker by NHS Lothian.
She said: “All I kept hearing is ‘he is for rehab.’ I knew that rehab had to start right away but it never happened.
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“It was imperative for his recovery to have physiotherapy and occupational therapy everyday and I worry this did not happen because he was not boarded in the right place. He was at a huge disadvantage. He was wasting away.”
Both Elisabeth and Amy describe a decline in Dave’s condition after initially rallying. They believe this was down to two factors: his medication not being administered properly and a lack of physiotherapy.
Amy said: “He was going stir crazy. During his time in hospital I witnessed first hand his medication not being given on time or at all.
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“It is absolutely vital that someone with Parkinson’s is given their medication on the dot. When mum got a call from staff at the Royal to say they had a restraining order in place as he had bit a member of staff, we knew something was wrong.
“He had never displayed this kind of behaviour in his life, he must have been so scared. We would get calls through the night saying he was distressed.
“This is when we discovered his long standing 8pm Parkinson’s medication was regularly not being administered. I witnessed first hand his medication not being given on time or at all.
“We were regularly called in to help him use the toilet. They were having him go to his toilet on his back, not even offering him a commode. The level of care was shocking.”
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Amy claims the lack of physiotherapy meant Dave was often hoisted up by nursing staff using their man power but the moment his blood pressure dropped, they abandoned treatment.
She decided to move her dad to his room chair to encourage recovery. After six weeks, Amy and her husband decided to get him up for a walk which left the nurses at the bay ‘freaking out.’
Amy said: “My dad was seven stone, so we knew we could support him. That evening, staff observed him walking out of the ward to the toilet by himself. This observation confirmed he never lost the capacity to walk; he was just sidelined and ignored.
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“I felt like the hospital was constantly passing the buck. No one was taking responsibility.
“Low blood pressure is a well-recognised and long-standing feature of Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, physiotherapy sessions were repeatedly abandoned due to drops in blood pressure. They just left him in his bed making no effort.”
Elisabeth was horrified when she discovered Dave in early January 2026, alone on a mattress on the floor in the foetal position hallucinating. She claims a staff nurse was sitting outside the room on a computer watching him.
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She said: “Enough was enough. I told them to get him on the chair and I stormed in and told them they have to get Dave out of here now.
“He should have been moved to Ellens Glen immediately but by the time he got there in the middle of January, it was too late. He needed intense care but was not given it, he would have been better off at home.”
Having decades of experience working as a nurse within the NHS, Elisabeth believes Dave’s treatment was emblematic of the crisis impacting NHS Scotland – long waiting times and not enough beds for reablement across the Lothians.
Dave was moved into Ellens Glen and sadly passed away on February 3. This was despite the family being assured throughout December and January that he was not at the stage of ‘end of life care.’
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Amy said: “The damage was done by the time we went to Ellens Glen. The minute he rallied in hospital he had to be moved there.
“The fact he deteriorated so severely away from us showed how good a job we were doing caring for him at home. I genuinely believe he would have died in the Royal if we had not been there intervening and caring for him. We were taken advantage of, and he was failed.”
Elisabeth believes the NHS is ‘finished.’ Having spent four decades working in the sector, she describes an environment riddled with bed blockage and a lack of rehabilitative care.
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She said: “Dave was failed by the system. If he had been given physio right away then we could have had longer with him.
“He is one of thousands who are being failed and dying in hospitals like the Royal. We have a capacity issue in Edinburgh.
“I’m appalled. I do feel that looking back and having worked with a lot of people, there is massive fragmentation.
“Senior members of NHS Scotland have no awareness of what is happening on the ground. The NHS is just firefighting now, it is panic management. The human level has gone.”
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The family have contacted various senior figures within NHS Scotland as well as cabinet ministers but say they feel ‘fobbed off and ignored.’ They currently have a stage two complaint being investigated by NHS Lothian.
Tracey Gillies, Medical Director for NHS Lothian, said: “We extend our sincere condolences to Mr Watson’s family and want to assure them that their concerns are being taken seriously. As we are currently investigating a formal complaint regarding his care, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
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Ambassador John Bolton spoke to Metro about the ongoing war in Iran (Picture: The Washington Post)
A former senior aide to Donald Trump has told Metro that the President is in a ‘vulnerable position’ with his war in Iran – and doesn’t know how to get out of it.
Since the US launched joint strikes in Iran with Israel more than two weeks ago, the oil industry has been thrown into chaos, neighbouring countries have been struck with missiles, and 13 US soldiers have been killed.
At the time, Trump said his reasons for the strikes on February 28 were he believed Iran was going to attack the US first – something that his own officials have since told Congress that there was no intelligence suggesting this.
Trump also said he hoped to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, something Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has also said, adding: ‘We didn’t start this war… but under President Trump, we’re finishing it.’
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When the conflict began, only 41% of Americans approved of the intervention – far lower than support for any other US conflict in decades.
Now, John Robert Bolton, Trump’s former national security advisor from 2018 to 2019, told Metro that there is a strong case for regime change in Iran, but Trump hasn’t made this clear to the American public – something which could come back to haunt him.
He said: ‘You’ve always got to be prudent, but when a country is seeking weapons of mass destruction—chemical, biological, or nuclear—and engaging in international terrorism while repressing its own people, it is a problem,’ he warned.
‘If you wait too long to deal with it, as we did with North Korea, it becomes a bigger problem. It goes to what Churchill said regarding appeasement: “This just confirms the unteachability of mankind.”
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‘You go through this over and over again; you don’t strike when it’s easy, you wait until it’s too late, and then you pay the price.’
Trump’s biggest mistake in Iran
Trump has ‘failed to make the case’ to the American public (Picture: AFP)
Having served under Trump for two years in his first administration, former US ambassador to the United Nations Bolton said the President needed to convince America why going after Iran would be to their benefit – but so far, he hasn’t.
‘Trump didn’t make it clear to the public, to Congress, or to the Allies. It’s not too late, but it’s getting close,’ he said.
‘By failing to make the case, he has put himself in a vulnerable position. He knows he’s in a difficult place, and he doesn’t know how to get out of it,’ Bolton added.
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This is a ‘war of choice’
Ambassador Bolton argued this is a ‘preventative war’ (Picture: AFP)
Ambassador Bolton told Metro that while Iran was not considered an ‘imminent threat’, its nuclear programme was getting ‘too close for comfort’.
‘People say this is a “war of choice.” It is. It’s a preventive war to prevent the need to do something else in much more dangerous circumstances,’ he explained.
Referring to the US’ Iraq War in 2003, he added: ‘By the late 1990s, Saddam didn’t have centrifuges spinning, but he had kept together approximately 3,000 scientists and technicians who could rebuild the program.
‘That was the point: they have the knowledge. Iran may not have centrifuges spinning today, but they know how to put them back together.’
When a country is ‘seeking weapons of mass destruction and engaging in international terrorism while suppressing its own people’, it’s a problem, he added.
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‘The lesson to us is: don’t be so patient. If a proliferator has enough patience and gets nuclear weapons, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to take its program out without grave risk,’ Bolton said.
‘If the US had attacked Iran 20 years ago, it would have spared the region ‘a lot of pain and suffering’.
Trump needs to work with the opposition in Iran
Iran’s opposition movement could prove key to Trump’s aim of ‘regime change’ (Picture: AFP)
The opposition movement in Iran is extremely widespread, but not organised, Ambassador Bolton points out.
Still, working with dissidents inside the country could prove vital for Trump’s goals of regime change in the country.
‘Dissatisfaction with the regime has never been higher. It is weaker than at any point since it took power in 1979,’ Ambassador Bolton argued.
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‘People age 30 and under—who make up two-thirds of the population—know they could have a different life. They can see it across the Gulf; they can see it on the internet when the government lets the internet operate.’
After the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman in Iran who was beaten and killed by police because she refused to wear the hijab, anti-government protests surged.
The murder of Amini prompted the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement, which Bolton said is significant, because: ‘Once you challenge the Ayatollahs’ legitimacy, in effect, you are challenging the state.’
Knock-on effects cripple the Middle East
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Gulf states are still suffering from missile and drone attacks after Tehran threatened to widen its campaign as the war in the Middle East entered its third week.
Iranian strikes have killed at least a dozen civilians in Gulf states, most of them migrant workers.
Yesterday, President Trump said he hoped allies would send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Arab Gulf neighbours during the war, but it has said it was targeting US assets, even as hits or attempts were reported on civilian ones such as airports and oil fields.
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As global anxiety soars over oil prices and supplies, Trump said on Saturday that he hopes China, France, Japan, the UK, South Korea and others send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz ‘open and safe’.
But Iran’s joint military command has reiterated its threat to attack US-linked ‘oil, economic and energy infrastructures’ in the region if the Islamic Republic’s oil infrastructure is hit.
The government is looking at scrapping a planned fuel duty hike in response to the rising energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East, the energy secretary has suggested.
Ed Miliband said he is “sending a clear message” that the government is “going to stand by people in this crisis” amid growing pressure on the government to protect consumers amid spiralling costs.
Fuel duty is currently frozen to help drivers with the cost of living, but that is due to end in the autumn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has so far resisted calls to cancel the planned hike in response to the oil price spike caused by Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
Asked whether plans to end the 16-year fuel duty freeze in September would be reversed because of spiking oil prices, he said: “Let me answer that by saying this, which is, I’ll be candid with you, we don’t know how long this conflict is going to go on and therefore, with five months to go until September, we will have to see where we are, obviously.”
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Ed Miliband told the BBC that ministers will ‘stand by people in this crisis’ (BBC)
He then spoke of the chancellor’s actions to reduce energy bills, before adding: “We will stand by the British people in this in this crisis, and we’ll do what it takes to do that.”
Pressed again whether this meant keeping the fuel duty freeze in place, Mr Miliband said: “You’re asking me to sort of speculate on what the chancellor is going to do on fuel duty… but look, I am sending a clear message, which is we are going to stand by people in this crisis.”
It comes as fears over a cost of living crisis similar to what happened in 2022 as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been heightened by the price of oil rising more than 20 per cent to above $100 a barrel and gas more than 50 per cent.
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The RAC’s head of policy said last week that diesel prices have already risen by nearly 9 per cent since 28 February. Meanwhile, petrol prices are on average 6 per cent more across the same period, RAC Fuel Watch said.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously insisted that the rise would go ahead in September. But ministers have since softened their stance, with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer last week telling MPs that the planned 5p increase would be “kept under review” before it is due to come into force in September.
The Chancellor has faced opposition pressure to scrap a planned increase in fuel duty as the conflict spirals (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)
Ms Reeves has also indicated that targeted support could be offered to households struggling with soaring energy bills as a result of the Middle East crisis.
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The chancellor said she would give support “to those who really need it”, with a package of help for people who rely on heating oil – which is not covered by the energy price cap – expected next week.
Gas and electricity bills are covered by regulator Ofgem’s price cap which is fixed until June, but if the conflict continues and Iran maintains its stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, then, households could face dramatic hikes at that point.
But about 1.5 million households relying on heating oil already face soaring costs, with the price per litre doubling since the start of the crisis.
It comes after Ms Reeves and Mr Miliband met with petrol industry representatives to warn against profiteering during the Iran war, with the latter saying that the government would not tolerate “unfair practices”.
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“It is our obligation as the government to ensure the consumers are treated fairly in this crisis”, he said.
Ahead of the talks, the chancellor wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), asking it to stay on “high alert” for “unjustifiable” price hikes, and insisted she would “not tolerate” firms exploiting uncertainty in the Middle East for financial gain, as concerns grow over the impact of the war on the cost of living.
But the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents large and small independent petrol retailers across the UK, hit out at ministers’ suggestions that there had been “rip-off” pricing and “profiteering” by fuel providers, accusing them of “incorrect and inflammatory language”.
From the birth of Adele Dazeem to the slap felt around the world, it’s fair to say the Oscars has given us its fair share of iconic moments over the years that extend far beyond just who won what.
Excitingly, the Oscars is one of the few US-based awards shows that we can tune into live on this side of the pond, meaning those who want to can follow all of the action as it happens.
Here’s where you can watch the 2026 Oscars – and what to look out for on the night…
How can I watch the 2026 Oscars red carpet live in the UK?
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For the third year running, Chicken Shop Date star Amelia Dimoldenberg is heading up all the red carpet action as the Academy Awards’ official correspondent and social media ambassador.
Alternatively, there’s also the option to watch Ross King and Angelique Jackson presenting live coverage of the red carpet as it happens on TV.
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What about the main event – can I watch the 2026 Oscars ceremony live in the UK, too?
Jonathan Ross will be at the helm over on ITV1 and ITVX, where you can watch the awards live for free.
ITV will be broadcasting the Oscars as it happens, with coverage promising “live commentary, interviews with celebrity guests and film experts, and on-the-spot conversations with the stars as they walk the red carpet” kicking off at 10.15pm on Sunday night.
Over the course of the night, Jonathan will be joined by a panel including presenter Elle Osili Wood, actor and writer Samson Kayo and TikToker Fred Asquith, to debrief on the biggest night in Hollywood.
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For night owls and/or the most devoted movie fans, the actual ceremony will kick off at midnight in the UK and will run until about 3am – so make sure you get the coffee in.
Alternatively, if you’d rather catch a few winks rather than following live, the ceremony – along with curated highlights – will be available to watch the next day on ITVX.
Jonathan Ross is once again fronting ITV’s coverage of the Oscars in 2026
ITV/Matt Frost/Shutterstock
And what about after the Oscars? Will there be live coverage of any after-parties?
While we’re sure the real after-parties take place well away from the cameras, you can check out Vanity Fair’s official 32nd annual Oscars after-party at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
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Celebrities will be seen arriving for the party on the red carpet on Vanity Fair’s website and YouTube channel straight after the ceremony, from around 2.30am on Monday.
Internet personalities and social media influencers Quenlin Blackwell, Brittany Broski and Jake Shane will all be presenting live from the red carpet as the stars arrive to celebrate – or commiserate – their Oscars experience.
Which nominees and stars should we be looking out for at the 2026 Oscars?
Sinners did well at the recent Actor Awards, picking up Outstanding Performance By A Cast, while Michael B Jordan came away with Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor.
Could he pip the hotly-tipped Timothée Chalamet to the post to win the Best Actor Oscar as well?
Elsewhere, Jessie Buckley seems like a sure bet to take home the Best Actress gong after cleaning up in the category at the Actor Awards, Baftas, Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes for her performance in Hamnet.
Oscars host Conan O’Brien rolls out the red carpet ahead of this year’s ceremony
Ariana Ruiz/PI via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
As for the coveted Best Picture, it looks like it will be Sinners vs. One Battle After Another after Hamnet lost momentum during awards season. Then again, who doesn’t love a total surprise?
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Holding it all together will be comedian and TV host Conan O’Brien, who is presenting the Oscars for the second year running.
Huntingdon residents share their views on the high street, calling for more variety on shops, better transport links to Cambridge, and solutions to traffic restrictions
Others highlight issues with transport links, traffic, and the pull of online shopping. The following views are taken from a recent comments thread.
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Residents feel that the high street in this Cambridgeshire town could “use a little more love”, as some perceive it to be “lacking” in terms of shop variety. Huntingdon is praised by people who live there as being “safe” and a nice place to raise a family.
Like many others nationwide, some individuals believe the high street could benefit from improvements. Sarah Gosling, who feels the town has a “nice family feel”, expressed that it would be “nice to have non-charity shops”.
She further commented: “It’s great to have them [charity shops], but we have a lot of them and it would be nice to have a lot of other stuff. Some of the restaurants are nice, but it would be good to have some more clothes shops.”
Sarah’s mother, Anne Monkman, also felt it would be “good to have more variety of shops.”
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Barry Graves said the high street could “use a little more love”. He said: “We have a few down the street that are boarded up or empty. It makes it look sad. It feels like it could be a good opportunity to bring in a few different shops. Maybe some independent places, and then we could support local businesses.”
Some readers believe the retail mix has been inadequate for years. One commenter, Calumen Nomen comments: “Traffic restrictions = closed shops. Not difficult.”
While Welshknight believes: “There’s not enough people in Huntingdon willing to pay the premium in money or effort compared with online shopping. They want shops sitting waiting for them to browse for free and then buy online, not sustainable.”
Rootintootinredux says: “Frankly, the choice of shops in Huntingdon has always been woeful even before the era of online shopping. But hey unless you want women’s clothing, charity shops, vape supplies, dodgy fried chicken and shoes then Huntingdon has you covered I guess!”
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Over on our Facebook page, Deniz O writes: “It needs a proper link to Cambridge. Crazy that it’s easier to go to London.”
Kerry-Jane Rose feels: “St Neots is worse for shops.”
Two motorists were banned at York Magistrates Court.
Tony Middleton, 65, of Healaugh, near Tadcaster, pleaded guilty to drink driving when nearly four times the legal alcohol limit in Tadcaster.
He was given a 12-month community order with six months’ alcohol rehabilitative treatment and 20 days’ rehabilitative activities, banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 statutory surcharge.
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Owen Precious, 22, of Westminster Road, Clifton, York, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the A1237 York Outer Ring Road, assaulting an emergency worker and drink driving.
He was given a 16-week prison sentence suspended for two years with 20 days’ rehabilitative activities and 200 hours’ unpaid work and must pay £150 compensation to the emergency worker and £85 prosecution costs.
He was banned from driving for two years and must pass an extended driving test before driving alone again.
Three motorists were banned at Harrogate Magistrates Court.
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Bryn Patrick, 22, of Cornelius Causeway, North Duffield, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance at Three Lakes Retail Park, Selby.
He was banned for six months and must pay a £80 fine, £90 prosecution costs and a £32 statutory surcharge.
Dale Toulson, 33, of Colescliffe Road, Scarborough, was convicted in his absence of driving without insurance and without a licence in Scarborough.
He was banned from driving for six months, fined £770 and ordered to pay £90 costs and a £308 statutory surcharge.
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Sean Copper, 19, of Heron Avenue, Woodthorpe, York, pleaded guilty to careless driving, driving without insurance and without a licence and failure to stop, all on Gale Lane, York.
He must pay £130 prosecution costs, a £56 statutory surcharge and a £140 fine and was banned from driving for 12 months.
Real Madrid have a big decision to make about Kylian Mbappe ahead of the Champions League second leg against Manchester City
Kylian Mbappe could be drawn into a club-versus-country row as Real Madrid weigh up fielding him against Manchester City.
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The French star missed Real’s Champions Leaguefirst leg victory over City with a knee injury, which has kept him out since the end of February. Mbappe is back in training with a view to returning to action in the second leg at the Etihad or in next weekend’s Madrid derby against Atletico.
Real are reportedly reluctant to release him for France’s upcoming double-header of friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States. However, as the French Football Federation’s biggest commercial asset, he is still expected to be called up.
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As a Nike-backed player, Mbappe is lined up to participate in various marketing initiatives ahead of the Brazil game. Nike are the kit supplier to both Brazil and France, making the match a prime commercial opportunity for all parties with the World Cup on the horizon.
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Real cannot bar Mbappe from joining up with the France squad unless he is injured. Therefore, if he appears against City and Atletico, they wouldn’t be able to play that card.
If he doesn’t play in those games, Real could conceivably submit a medical report certifying his injury, which would give him 10 days’ recovery time and rule him out of the national team games.
The international break is due to begin on March 23, with France playing Brazil in Boston on March 26 and Colombia in Washington DC on March 29.
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Real head coach Alvaro Arbeloa gave an update on Mbappe’s fitness ahead of Saturday league game against Elche. He said: “[Mbappe] is getting better every day.
“His development is progressing as it should. We made a plan. It depends on his progress, but I think he’s doing very well. He won’t be available tomorrow, but I expect he’ll travel to Manchester.”
Given Real will take a 3-0 lead into the second leg, Los Blancos may not feel the need to take any risks, especially with a crucial Madrid derby coming up.
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As City were toiling to a draw at West Ham, Real, without Mbappe, were beating Elche 4-1 to close to within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona, who host Sevilla on Sunday.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
The 87-year-old driver was taken to hospital following yesterday morning’s crash but sadly passed away.
A pensioner has tragically died and four other people, including two children, have been rushed to hospital following a horror crash on the A92.
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The alarm was raised around 10.40am on Saturday, March 14 when emergency services were alerted to a two car collision on the A92, north of Rathillet in Fife.
Mercy crews, including Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene of the incident involving a red Dacia Sandero and a blue Vauxhall Astra.
An 87-year-old man, who was driving the Dacia, was rushed to Ninewells Hospital, where he later died. The 88 year-old woman who was a passenger in the Dacia, the 32-year-old male driver of the Vauxhall and his two child passengers, aged seven and 13, were taken to Ninewells Hospital.
The extent of their injuries and current conditions are not yet known. The road was closed in both directions from Kilmany to Rathillet for around five hours for investigation work to take place and reopened around 3pm.
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Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area and find an alternative route. Images showed blue-lit emergency vehicles tending to two cars, one stationary in the middle of the road with all its doors flung open and another lying abandoned after seeming to have crash landed into the grass and dirt on the side of the road.
Locals reported traffic backed up from St Michael’s all the way past Piketillum in what they described as “chaotic” scenes. More images showed heavy congestion on the road, with a line of traffic winding as far as the eye could see.
Police Scotland say they are still trying to get to the bottom of what happened. A probe is underway and anyone who saw the crash or may have dashcam footage from the area at the time are urged to come forward.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this crash.“We are keen to speak to any witnesses to the crash or anyone who may have dashcam from the area around the time.”Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1055 of Saturday, 14 March, 2026.
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RSPCA animal welfare expert Lauren Bennett has issued the warning ahead of Mothering Sunday (15 March) to help pet owners avoid an unexpected trip to the vets this weekend.
Lauren says: “Flowers are a lovely gift for Mother’s Day, and I, like many people, love receiving flowers whatever the occasion.
“But sadly some flowers and plants can be toxic to our pets so it’s important to avoid these.
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“Lilies can be a particular problem because they are so popular at this time of year but people are not always aware of just how dangerous they are to cats.
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“Cats can actually die from ingesting even small amounts of petals from lilies, and the leaves, pollen, and water from the vase can be deadly to them too.
“It is very important that we get the message across that lilies can be lethal to cats and that even a small amount could kill them.
“Even cutting the stamens out once they have opened is not enough.
“A small smudge of pollen can be transferred to a cat’s fur, and once a cat starts cleaning themselves, they can quickly fall ill.”
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But the public can do their bit to help keep pets safe this Mother’s Day by choosing a different bouquet instead.
Lauren added: “Cats can really suffer after lily poisoning and it is so distressing to see and heartbreaking for pet owners.
“Thankfully, it’s really easy for the public to do their bit and help.
“We, of course, want to treat all the mums out there this Mother’s Day but if they are cat mums too please do not buy them lilies.”
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She adds: “Other flowers such as daffodils, tulips, holly and hyacinths can also be toxic to cats and dogs.
“However, even non-toxic plants may cause some stomach upsets if ingested so it’s always important to remember to place flowers out of reach of pets.”
The RSPCA also reports that chocolate poisoning is the most commonly reported type of animal poisoning – so the charity is reminding people to keep Mother’s Day treats out of reach of cats and dogs.
Lauren says: “If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, don’t delay in calling your vet first for advice on bringing them into the practice.
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“Your vet will want to know how much chocolate your pet has eaten and what type. If possible, keep any labels and have your pet’s weight to hand.”
Signs that your pet could have been poisoned
depression
lack of appetite
vomiting and diarrhoea
breathing difficulties and bad breath
twitching
seizures.
“Ahead of the Mother’s Day celebrations, and as we all strive to create a better world for every animal, we urge pet owners to ensure the occasion is as pet-friendly as possible and share this advice with others to help us spread the word,” Lauren adds.
Nothing is more of a turn-off than worrying you’re going to be overheard when you’re having some ‘alone time’.
With the laughably horrific London rental market and the likelihood of buying a property in the city ever-dwindling, the chances of having a neighbour, flatmate, or — heaven forbid — family member catching wind of the fact you’re getting down to business have never been higher.
Ever creative, Gen Z (who are living at home for longer) has turned to having sex in bathrooms, cars, and hotel rooms to avoid that awkward possibility entirely. But if you’re lucky enough to be having any sex at all in this economy and don’t fancy doing it al fresco, there are other options. Don’t let the housing crisis get in your pants! Whether you’re playing solo or with a partner, there are ways to do it without rattling the walls.
Quiet sex toys are a great way of getting off worry-free, resident sexologist at sexual wellness brand SheSpot, Emily King, explains. “Quiet sex toys are a great option for anyone with more limited privacy; students, those living with parents, parents living with children, even those living in flats who are mindful of walls on the thin side”.
While you have nature’s tools at your disposal, using them can come with limitations. We can all recognise the sound of a clapping cheek or a squeaking bed frame in an instant. And, let’s be honest, for most people with vulvas, penetrative sex is not always enough to get over the finish line.
But adding in a sex toy is almost pointless if it makes a noise so deafening that it distracts you from the task at hand. “The promise of a quiet toy helps people to experience more relaxed pleasure as they aren’t overly focused on loud noises,” King adds. “They can offer relief and help people stay in their bodies rather than their minds during sex. Louder toys can cause anxiety around being overheard and therefore can disrupt arousal.”
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We all have enough on our minds, so investing in a quiet (or best case, silent) toy could dissolve stress in more ways than one.
“Quiet toys often come with a lower buzz, even on higher/stronger settings,” King explains. “Silent sex toys offer even less noise, often described as ‘whisper quiet’ if they’re vibration or suction based toys. There are lots of non-vibrating toys which are completely silent.”
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For an added layer of reassurance, you can also experiment with switching up how and where you use your sex toy, King suggests. “Create an environment and space that supports your comfort and sense of ease as this will contribute to less anxiety around being heard,” she says. “Music can help to buffer any sound, and making sure your space is secured can contribute to increased relaxation.
Other rooms such as the bathroom can offer more privacy due to locked doors and sound buffers such as running water. Lots of toys are waterproof and can be used in the bath or shower. Look for toys that offer ‘whisper quiet’ or ‘discreet’ in their descriptions.”
As well as assessing for the obvious pleasure factor, I tested each toy for noise levels by using them in a variety of locations, including under duvets and blankets, and in the shower — both with a partner and alone.
To double check no one could overhear, I turned the toys on and left them over the covers on my bed before standing outside my room to see if I could hear them. Each toy has been given a ‘noise rating’, with one being inescapably cacophonous and 10 being undetectable to the naked ear.