As the hot weather continues, people should think twice before driving with the common fashion accessory

Motorists are being advised to remove a specific item before driving, as it could cause distractions or lead to serious injury in the event of an accident. Some drivers have narrowly escaped death because of wearing them, which has led to warnings for others to be careful.

Some accessories come with extra risks that could lead to serious injuries. With more hot weather forecast this week, many drivers with long hair will tie it back to stay cool and keep their focus on the road.

However, one common hair accessory could endanger your life if you wear it when driving. While hair claw clips are convenient, they could cause significant injuries if you happen to be in a car accident.

The danger of claw clips mainly comes from the distractions they cause, their sharp edges, and the material they are made of. When a driver adjusts or moves their claw clip while driving, they unknowingly divert their focus from the road.

In the event of an accident, hair clips can be dangerous, as they may fly through the air or dig into the back of the driver’s head. The Mirror has previously reported on incidents involving these hair accessories.

On January 24, 2023, Jeena Panesar put her hair up in a claw clip before getting into her car. However, she ended up terrified for her life when it cut through her scalp and got stuck in her head during a crash.

While driving home from work in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, her car collided with a tree in thick fog, skidded for 50 meters, and then flipped over. The impact threw Jeena against the roof, forcing the clip to be lodged in her head.

The doctors took out the clip at the hospital, showing a deep cut that was 30cm long and went from her left eyebrow all the way to the back of her head. This injury caused permanent muscle damage and led to her losing movement in her eyebrow.

After being discharged from the hospital after three days, Panesar took to TikTok to share her story and warn others about the risks of using claw clips while in a car. Medical professionals and road safety advocates have backed her up, pointing out that the hard design of claw clips can create serious pressure points in a crash or when the airbag deploys.

In March 2023, Paisley Riley also endured a serious accident in which the hard plastic claw clip she had on got stuck deep in the back of her head. She needed five staples to seal the injury.

Paisley’s TikTok warning video gained more than 59 million views. It ignited a huge online campaign where doctors and other accident survivors encouraged women to avoid using stiff clips while driving or being in cars.

Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that “drivers must not wear clothing that restricts their movement or interferes with their ability to operate the controls properly.” It is important that your outfit not interfere with your ability to drive safely.

Wearing tight clothes or the wrong shoes can make you lose control of your car or even cause an accident. If that happens, you might be charged with careless or inconsiderate driving. The worst-case scenario could lead to a fine of up to £5,000, and you could also get nine penalty points on your driving licence.

Remove stiff hair clips and keep them in the glove box or cup holder. Opt for soft, stretchy accessories such as elastic hair ties or scrunchies when you’re driving.

A woman has admitted being in charge of a dangerously out of control XL bully dog when it killed a teenager.

Kelcie Reed, 24, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.

The XL bully named Prince fatally injured Morgan Dorsett, 19, inside a flat at Cobhorn Drive, Withywood, Bristol, on February 26 last year.

Ms Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, suffered fatal bites to her neck during the incident.

The dog was put down afterwards.

Reed, of Barrowmead Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, spoke only to enter her guilty plea.

She was released on conditional bail until sentencing on July 9.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

Belgian tennis player Alexander Blockx voiced his frustration at the French Open shortly after being forced to withdraw from the tournament having suffered a sprained ankle during a practice session.

Blockx, the in-form world no 37 who achieved a career-best run to the Madrid Open semi-finals last month, said he twisted his right ankle and heard a “snap” after tripping over the rolled-up covers positioned at the back of the court.

The 21-year-old was due to face eighth seed Alex de Minaur but the Australian has now been handed a walkover into the third round after Blockx suffered the injury during a hit with fellow rising star Joao Fonseca.

He was seen hopping on one leg and with his right ankle wrapped in ice as he made his way through the grounds before his withdrawal was confirmed.

In a post on Instagram, Blockx took a swipe at the “really necessary covers” at the back of the court, tagging Roland Garros, before he edited the caption and removed that line.

“Unfortunately during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while I sprained it, which is why I had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that I was really looking forward to,” he said in the updated post.

“A lot of frustration but we move on.”

Blockx’s injury has striking similarities to a 2017 incident involving fellow Belgian David Goffin, the former world No 7, who was forced to retire from a third-round match against Horacio Zeballos at the French Open after suffering an ankle injury when his foot got stuck in the rolled-up covers stationed at the back of the court.

Goffin, who was the 10th seed and considered to be a dark horse for the grand slam, had to be helped off the court by tournament officials and retired from the match in the locker room. The covers are stationed at the back of the court to protect the surface in the event of rain.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has signed a four-year contract extension to keep him at the helm until 2032.

O’Neill had been appointed interim Blackburn Rovers boss in February and had been balancing this role with his position at Northern Ireland.

However, it was announced earlier in the month that he would not be taking on the Blackburn job on a permanent basis.

The 56-year-old has managed Northern Ireland for 104 games across two spells, including at the 2016 Euros, which was their first major tournament appearance in 30 years.

“This is a role that means a great deal to me,” O’Neill said.

“I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we are moving in.

“There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future.”

O’Neill will be aiming to bounce back with his young squad after their play-off defeat by Italy ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Northern Ireland play Guinea in an international friendly on 4 June before travelling to face France four days later as preparation for their upcoming Nations League campaign which starts in September.

O’Neill’s side have been drawn against Hungary, Georgia and Ukraine in Group B2.

Police say 60 Crystal Palace fans classified as “known troublemakers” were ordered to leave Leipzig city centre on Tuesday evening while two arrests were made following clashes between supporters of the Eagles and Rayo Vallecano.

Thousands of fans have travelled to Leipzig for the Conference League final between Palace and Spanish side side Vallecano on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

After videos appeared online of rival fans clashing in the German city on Tuesday, Saxon State Police confirmed two arrests were made and all individuals involved in the disturbance were ordered to leave the area.

Two officers, one from the Federal Police and one from the State Police, sustained minor injuries during clashes with both sets of fans.

“At approximately 20:00 (19:00 BST), around 300 Rayo Vallecano fans, considered to be at high risk of hooliganism, were gathered in the city centre,” read a statement from Saxon State Police.

Police say clashes “suddenly broke out” with Palace fans sat on the outdoor terraces of both Leo’s Brasserie and Dhillons.

“Bottles, beer glasses, and pub furniture were thrown at each other. Physical altercations also occurred,” added the police statement.

“Officers on the scene immediately intervened and separated the two groups of fans, checked the identities of more than 300 people, and issued dispersal orders.

“Known troublemakers from Crystal Palace moved to the area of the Penguin Ice Bar and approximately 60 individuals provoked passing Spanish fans and were surrounded by federal police.”

The police operation concluded at approximately 03:15 on Wednesday morning, with more than 320 fans involved.

Local police say the ‘fan fest’ in the market area of Leipzig remained peaceful throughout, with about 2,000 fans from both clubs present.

A tourist who is facing federal charges after allegedly throwing a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on a Maui beach was “brutally assaulted,” his lawyer claims.

The rock-throwing incident was captured on video and sparked widespread outrage.

Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Wednesday, accused of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal.

Lytvynchuk’s defense attorney, Myles Breiner, claims his client was trying to protect sea turtles, mistaking the monk seal for an aggressive sea lion.

“So his response was not to hurt this monk seal, but to get it away from the turtles,” Breiner stated. The attorney added that Lytvynchuk, a fisherman, was familiar with sea turtles from previous visits but not Hawaiian monk seals.

Since the video surfaced, Lytvynchuk has reportedly faced severe backlash, including death threats, doxing, and a physical assault.

Breiner told The Associated Press that a man “brutally assaulted” Lytvynchuk, though his client declined to file a police report. The attorney also suggested his client is being unfairly targeted as a “white outsider,” claiming, “The vast majority of attacks on monk seal and turtle are by locals.”

Prosecutors allege that earlier this month, a witness recorded Lytvynchuk throwing the rock at the seal, later identified by NOAA scientists as an adult male known as “R404.”

The video, which showed the rock narrowly missing the seal’s head, led to condemnation across Hawaii, including from Maui’s mayor. Lytvynchuk later arranged to surrender in Seattle as federal agents sought his arrest.

According to the criminal complaint, a state Department of Land and Natural Resources officer investigated the reported harassment in Lahaina. The witness confronted Lytvynchuk, who allegedly responded that “he did not care and was ‘rich’ enough to pay any fines.”

The incident has prompted calls for greater public education on protecting Hawaiian monk seals, a critically endangered species with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild. Hawaii’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat, emphasized the need for NOAA to do more in this regard.

Lytvynchuk is charged with violations of both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison for each charge, along with potential fines of up to $20,000.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California’s next governor — he’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year.

Steyer — a former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist — has spent or booked more than $195 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio with the tally still growing, according to data compiled by advertising tracker AdImpact.

His torrent of ads have opened the one-time presidential candidate to criticism that he is trying to buy the governor’s chair, and his ad total represents more than 20 times the amount spent by his nearest rival, fellow Democrat Xavier Becerra, as the two duel for a spot in the November election.

Nationally, no one is close.

In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson has spent about $83 million on advertising in his primary race for governor, which is headed for a June runoff, ranking him second. The third place spot is held by his Republican rival, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement and has spent nearly $31 million on ads, according to AdImpact.

Following Jones was Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, who spent over $28 million on advertising in a failed bid for U.S. Senate.

Trying to ‘buy the governor’s office?’

Katie Porter, a former U.S. House member who is among seven established Democrats in the California race, has repeatedly criticized Steyer for dipping into his personal fortune to keep ads in front of voters with scant competition from rivals.

“She isn’t spending hundreds of millions of dollars of personal wealth trying to buy the governor’s office,” her campaign wrote in an email to supporters.

In raw numbers, Steyer ad blitz has eclipsed the 2010 record set by Republican Meg Whitman, who spent $178.5 million in total on a losing bid for governor, much of it her own money. At the time, it was the costliest campaign for statewide office in the nation’s history. When adjusted for inflation, however, Whitman still holds the state record, but that represented spending for the full election, not just the primary.

A crowded field with no clear leader

Steyer’s record-level output has lifted him into contention in the crowded race but he’s not breaking away from the field. He’s among a leading group of several candidates — including Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — as the campaign heads toward a June 2 primary. Mail voting started earlier this month.

Still, Steyer’s cash advantage is giving him a publicity edge as the contest enters its crucial final days. He’s kept up a steady flow of advertising and online posts questioning Becerra’s credentials and record, with Becerra, a former state attorney general and Biden administration health secretary, lacking the funds to reply in kind.

One Becerra ad sought to connect with voters who might be getting bleary-eyed from the cascade of Steyer advertising. It used tranquil scenes of Joshua trees, waves curling on a beach and soaring redwoods with a gentle prod, “You can stop the endless Tom Steyer ads. Vote Xavier Becerra.”

Steyer’s financial edge has allowed him to stretch the boundaries of his campaign far beyond traditional TV and radio ads, with steady posts on online platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The New York Times reported that his campaign paid a progressive Texas influencer $100,000 to help Steyer win the election. The Sacramento Bee reported that Becerra, too, had hired an influencer.

Many voters have been slow to vote in a race without a star candidate and no clear leader. More than 50 names will be on the ballot. California uses a “top two” primary system that puts all candidates on one ballot, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to November, regardless of party.

“In a race this close, it all matters,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta.

Money doesn’t always make the difference

History shows that money doesn’t always translate into votes.

Billionaire developer Rick Caruso spent over $100 million in 2022 in his bid to become Los Angeles mayor, much of it his own money, but he was handily defeated by Mayor Karen Bass, who spent a fraction of Caruso’s total. Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent more than $1 billion of his own money on his 2020 presidential bid before dropping out. And Steyer’s money was unable to lift him into contention in the 2020 presidential contest, when he dropped out early in the year after a poor finish in the South Carolina primary.

Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s campaign for governor was supported by independent committees bankrolled with millions of dollars from tech leaders and venture capitalists, yet he failed to gain traction in the race.

Steyer has never held elected office.

In a 2019 interview with The Associated Press, Steyer was asked what he would say to people who think he’s trying to buy the presidency.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Steyer said at the time, before adding, “I’m never going to apologize for succeeding in business. That’s America, right?”

The contest is unfolding as California struggles with a long-running homeless crisis, wildfire insurance shortages, projected budget shortfalls and housing costs that are out of reach for many working-class families. Voters, meanwhile, are saddled with growing everyday bills for groceries, utilities and gas.

The AdImpact data does not include ads on some popular streaming services like Hulu and YouTube or mail advertising.

Paris St Germain are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League final on Saturday, guided by Luis Enrique, a manager who has cultivated one of modern football’s most formidable records in high-stakes matches over the past decade.

The Spaniard boasts an impressive tally of 11 victories from the 12 one-off club finals he has overseen, a remarkable sequence spanning two distinct eras, different football cultures, and two iterations of elite dominance.

His initial taste of European glory came with Barcelona’s constellation of individual talent, a feat he now aims to replicate with PSG’s collective might.

Luis Enrique’s approach to finals is particularly striking. His teams rarely just survive; they tend to seize control early, dictate the rhythm, and relentlessly wear down opponents.

His Barcelona side famously overwhelmed Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 Champions League final to secure the treble.

Months later, they outlasted Sevilla in a thrilling 5-4 Uefa Super Cup clash, a testament to their attacking prowess. Further Copa del Rey triumphs and a Club World Cup title against River Plate cemented the perception of his Barcelona team as a force in perpetual motion.

At PSG, the aesthetic has evolved. This iteration is less ornamental, more aggressive without possession, and more inclined to suffocate opponents through intense pressure and movement rather than relying solely on prolonged spells of possession.

Yet, the underlying philosophy remains constant: Luis Enrique’s teams approach finals as if any hint of hesitation would be fatal.

This mentality was vividly displayed last year when PSG dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final, a performance of precision and pressure that felt less like a tense European decider and more like an inevitable conclusion.

The sole blemish on Luis Enrique’s otherwise perfect record in one-off club finals occurred weeks later in the Club World Cup, where PSG suffered a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

However, this loss was attributed to exceptional circumstances at the culmination of an exhausting campaign, during which PSG had competed in every available competition, pushing a season of relentless intensity to its physical and emotional limits. Far from diminishing Luis Enrique’s aura, the defeat arguably reinforced it.

This season, Luis Enrique has successfully revitalised a squad that appeared to be running out of steam during the winter months.

Ivan Rakitic, who at the time had been dropped from Barcelona’s starting line-up in 2017, said: “If I had to throw myself off a bridge for him, I would do it without hesitation. With just a look or a smile, he gives you the confidence necessary to succeed.”

Now, another final awaits. Luis Enrique has told journalists that Arsenal are the best team in the world without the ball, while simultaneously informing his own players that they are the best with it.

PSG typically dominate possession, and their transition game is arguably among the most lethal.

For Arsenal, the challenge extends beyond technical or tactical considerations; it is also profoundly psychological. They face a team that has made finals feel routine under Luis Enrique, a coach who appears most dangerous precisely when the stakes are highest.

Across his tenures at Barcelona and PSG, through different squads, systems, and generations, one pattern has consistently endured: when Luis Enrique reaches a one-off club final, he almost invariably departs with the trophy.

The storage box is both practical and can beautify your garden

While many garden storage solutions are often large chunks of plastic or metal that can be an eyesore, there are alternatives out there that can complement the natural beauty of your garden. Throughout the spring and summer, you will no doubt spend plenty of extra hours refining your garden.

While adding extra storage to your front garden, though, having some additional utility alongside extra space for more plants or flowers could be just what you’re looking for. In comes the Parcel Store with Planter, reduced at Dunelm from £129 to £103.20.

This natural-looking storage solution is designed especially to help hold any parcels sent to your door safely, while also adding some extra beauty to your house. It helps to do this with its ‘easy lift lid’ and generous capacity of 0.048m3, allowing for even larger-sized parcels.

READ MORE: Dunelm’s ‘perfect thickness’ rug reduced by £48 has a ‘beautiful antique look’

READ MORE: Thrifty Bury mum uses 79p hack to turn clothes into ‘brand new’ outfits for her son

However, its crowning feature is the built-in planter in the Parcel Store’s front compartment. This smaller planter allows you to fit your favourite flowers or plants to beautify the storage solution.

This is emphasised by the sustainably sourced, slow-grown softwood, which provides a natural, light wood appearance throughout the Parcel Store. According to Dunelm, it can also be used to store other essential items, such as wellies or small garden tools.

However, if you want more storage space, you could grab the Keter Store It Out Nova, which is currently available on Amazon for £130. This storage shed is made of weather-resistant resin and has a generous 880L storage capacity.

Otherwise, you could grab the Aoxun Garden Cabinet, which is available on Amazon for £189.99. This comes with two adjustable shelves and is waterproof, helping to ensure that anything stored inside is protected from the rain and other turbulent conditions.

Many shoppers who previously used the Dunelm Parcel Store with Planter praised its functionality, with one writing: “Attractive by the front door. Ample planting area. Delivery couriers happy to place parcels in the box. Well made.”

Another added: “Arrived in good condition, went together quite easily and appears to be robust and weather resistant. Good value for money.”

A third said: “This is a really useful item for me. I didn’t have much trouble with the assembly. It looks great and I am trying to find a suitable planter to put in the trough.”

A fourth added: “I’m very happy with my Planter, it looks great & will be very useful when I next have a delivery.”

A fifth said: “Good quality and very big looks good next to my front door, haven’t planted it up yet.” While a sixth said: “Great quality planter and perfect for parcel storage.”

However, one customer added: “Very nice but there are no predrilled holes in the side pieces. I assumed all holes would be predrilled. I cant complete it as i do not have a drill. Disappointed.”

Another added that they struggled to put it together, noting: “I had to get a drill and an electric screwdriver to put this together.”