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Who Is Bad Bunny? Superstar set to headline Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Who Is Bad Bunny? Superstar set to headline Super Bowl Halftime Show

The Puerto Rican singer, 31, also known as Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, made history last week at the Grammys for being the first artist to win album of the year for a record sung entirely in Spanish.

On Sunday, he will be at the centre of one of the most-watched broadcasts in the world, performing at the Super Bowl half-time show in Santa Clara, California.

– Why is the show such a big deal?

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Despite it being an American sporting event, the half-time performance blows up online every year with many tuning in to the entertainment portion of the game.

Previous headliners include Sir Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Rihanna, Coldplay and most recently Kendrick Lamar who have each performed a medley of their hit songs, often bringing out surprise guests to the stage.

Performances have often sparked some controversy for political statements during the live broadcast, such as Beyonce’s 2016 references to The Black Panther Party or Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s 2020 performance, which also featured Bad Bunny, and depicted children in cages, allegedly condemning US president Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Ahead of taking the stage, Bad Bunny’s appointment has already been met with criticism, including from Mr Trump, for his outspoken opposition to US immigration policies.

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– Who is he?

Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican singer, rapper and producer who rose to fame following his hit single with rapper Cardi B and singer J Balvin titled I Like It.

The Latin American musician blew up internationally last year with the release of his sixth studio album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos.

The 17-track record fuses a number of genres including reggaeton, pop, salsa and house along with traditional Puerto Rican music such as plena, in what can be described as a love letter to the Island.

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The intimate homage to the singer’s home went on to become the first album sung entirely in Spanish to win the coveted album of the year award at the 2026 Grammys.

He also won the Grammy for best global music performance for his hit track EoO and picked up best musica urbana album award for the fourth year in a row.

The record was accompanied with an economy-boosting 30-day residency in Puerto Rico with the singer refusing to schedule performances in any mainland US cities as a way to encourage tourism to the island as well as to protect fans from possible encounters with US immigration officers.

Following his run of gigs in Puerto Rico, the singer set off on his world tour with dates scheduled in Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Japan and the UK, with two nights in London this summer.

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– What to expect

Sunday’s show is expected to be a “huge party” infused with Puerto Rican culture and full of dancing.

The singer recently told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden: “I just want people to have fun. It’s gonna be a huge party. I want to bring that to the stage, a lot of my culture.

“People only have to worry about dancing. I know I told people they had a month to learn Spanish, but they don’t even need to do that! It’s better that they learn to dance. There’s no better dance than the one that comes from the heart.”

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It is also expected that he will make some form of political statement following his call for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers to leave cities alone and opt for love during his Grammy acceptance speech last week.

Ice officers have been sent to US cities as part of Mr Trump’s mass deportation initiative, and have come under strong criticism over their aggressive approach, most notably in Minnesota and Minneapolis, where about 2,000 federal agents have been deployed.

Most recently, Ice agents fatally shot two people on the streets of Minneapolis: Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24.

Super Bowl 60 will be available to watch live on Channel 5, Sky Sports and DAZN, but the time difference means it won’t begin until 11.30pm UK time.

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With just a few hours to go until Bad Bunny’s history-making performance at the Super Bowl half-time show, here is what to expect.

The Puerto Rican singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, will take the stage in Santa Clara, California, during the NFL showpiece clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, with millions expected to tune in around the world.

The 31-year old is expected to perform the show entirely in Spanish – a first for the Super Bowl’s near 60-year history which has been overwhelmingly English-led.

Before his show, rock band Green Day will perform in the opening ceremony with popstar Charlie Puth tasked with singing the US national anthem.

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As with most Super Bowl half-time shows, Bad Bunny is expected to bring out a surprise guest or guests, with many predicting appearances by Shakira or Jennifer Lopez.

He has promised 15 minutes of dancing and Puerto Rican culture, turning Levi’s Stadium into a “huge party” as he sings a medley of some of his biggest hits.

He is expected to perform songs from his record-breaking 2025 album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, which won the album of the year Grammy last week – the first time a record sung entirely in Spanish has claimed the prize.

Blending Latin pop, hip-hop, salsa and reggaeton, the album is seen as a love letter to his home in Puerto Rico and a celebration of his heritage.

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The rapper told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden: “I just want people to have fun. It’s gonna be a huge party. I want to bring that to the stage, a lot of my culture.

“People only have to worry about dancing.

“I know I told people they had a month to learn Spanish, but they don’t even need to do that. It’s better that they learn to dance.

“There’s no better dance than the one that comes from the heart.”

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Known for his opposition to US immigration policies, he is also expected to make a political statement during his performance after he used his Grammy acceptance speech last week to call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers to leave cities alone and opt for love.

He said: “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.

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“I would say to the people, I know it’s tough to know not to hate on these days, and I was thinking, sometimes… the hate get more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”

Ice officers have been sent into US cities as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiative, most notably in Minnesota, where about 2,000 federal agents have been deployed.

They have been strongly criticised for their aggressive approach after Ice agents fatally shot two people – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – on the streets of Minneapolis last month.

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EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after being ripped off by her accountant

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EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after being ripped off by her accountant

FORMER EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after her accountant ripped her off during her time on the soap.

Cheryl, 60, who played Heather Trott from 2007 to 2012, said she needed the help after she was hit by a £500,000 tax bill.

Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after her accountant ripped her off during her time on EastEndersCredit: Splash

The mum — on a six-figure wage on ’Enders — said she turned to food banks two years ago and once more this year.

She told The Sunday Times: “I tell people to use services when you need them.

“I’ve claimed benefits when I’m not working because you’ve got to live.

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“It’s very difficult in our acting situation because things come in spits and spurts.”

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Cheryl said she hit hard times because her accountant did not file or pay her taxes.

She said: “I found out that I had been defrauded by an accountant who hadn’t filed or paid my taxes.

“They showed me false proof that they had sent everything to HMRC, but in reality they had taken the money.

“HMRC said it was still my responsibility to pay it and I lost between £400,000 and £500,000.

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“I had this massive pay cheque and I put it in the bank, but I had to take it out to pay the taxman. I’m still chasing my tail from it.”

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Long-term test of 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance – part 2

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Long-term test of 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance - part 2

Yes, this 2019 Performance model will still do 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and out-accelerate most things on the road. But the longer I live with it, the more it’s the small, thoughtful touches – the things you only discover in real life, with real people, on real trips – that make the biggest impression.

And few places test a car’s everyday usability like Buxton, Derbyshire, in the depths of winter.

Buxton FC’s stadium is the highest in England and, on the day we visited, felt colder than most domestic freezers. After the match, we trudged back through the icy streets, cheeks stinging and morale sinking. Every few minutes came the same plea from the kids: “Can you put the heating on yet?”

Normally, the answer would be no. But this is a Tesla.

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The clean lines of the 2019 Model 3 Performance are clear to see from this angle

Five minutes before we reached the car, I opened the Tesla app, tapped Climate, and watched the temperature inside begin to climb from sub‑zero to toasty. By the time we arrived, the cabin felt like stepping indoors.

And that’s the thing: while Teslas are often discussed in terms of range, Autopilot or acceleration, it’s moments like this where the tech really earns its keep.

Cold-weather heroics aside, this long‑term test has highlighted just how well this seven-year-old car’s cabin design has aged.

Against Tesla’s newer designs, this 2019 Model 3 has gained a surprising charm. The big 15‑inch touchscreen still dominates, and while newer models are sleeker, the original’s simplicity – the clean dashboard, the absence of physical buttons – now feels almost classic Tesla.

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The full-length tinted glass roof is one of the car’s best features. Even on grey winter days, it brightens the cabin and stops the whole place feeling claustrophobic.

The Model 3’s 425 litres of storage has already proved itself. The front boot swallowed muddy walking boots with ease, leaving the main boot free for everything else a family day out requires.

In terms of performance, it’s the nature of the delivery that impresses most. The instant torque can deliver gut-punching acceleration that leaves occupants breathless, but the car is equally capable of being completely silent and relaxing in slower traffic.

The sleek 2019 Model 3 Performance has a hint of retro charm

This dual personality – ferocious performance paired with refinement –represents the Model 3 Performance’s most compelling attribute.

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On slippery roads over the moors towards Buxton, the traction control system proved remarkably sophisticated. With a potential 490hp deployed through all four wheels, wheelspin remained virtually absent, with the car feeling very sure-footed.

As the name hints, the 2019 Model 3 Performance prioritises handling precision over comfort, a trade-off amplified by performance-oriented suspension tuning. It’s a firm ride, particularly on broken road surfaces, but that makes for a more engaging drive.

The minimalist interior of the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance

In terms of steering, Tesla calibrates the system with artificially heavy weighting. Whilst this creates an initial impression of precision and directness, the absence of tactile feedback can prove frustrating.

Despite this, body control felt exceptional on our outing to the Peak District, partly thanks to the supercar-low centre of gravity courtesy of the floor-mounted battery pack.

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It’s so far, so good for my long-term test of this used Tesla.

THE LOWDOWN: Tesla Model 3 Performance

YEAR BUILT: 2019

MILEAGE: 44,294

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ACCELERATION: 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds

TOP SPEED: 155mph

RANGE: Potential 329 miles (WLTP) when new

PRICE: Estimated £22k to £25k in today’s market

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Winter Olympics 2026: Team GB’s Mia Brookes through to snowboard big air final, and curling pair beat Italy

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Mia Brookes shows an expression of delight, with her mouth wide open as she wears a protective dark-coloured helmet and ski goggles while carrying a snowboard

Brookes was too young to compete at the last Winter Olympics, four years ago, but she has hit her sport’s greatest heights since.

In 2023, aged just 16, she became snowboarding’s youngest world champion with her slopestyle gold in Georgia, a victory sealed by landing the first Cab 1440 double grab in a women’s event.

Last month she won her second title at the X Games, the invitation-only holy grail of action sports.

“They see her as a legit one of the best to ever do it,” said BBC Sport commentator Tim Warwood before the Games. “She’s a purist’s dream.

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“When she’s strapped into a snowboard, you can tell that’s what she was put on this planet to do.”

Brookes’ team-mate Maisie Hill, also making her Olympic debut, placed 29th to miss out on the final.

But while Hill’s big air campaign may be over, she and Brookes will return for the slopestyle from 16 February.

Just becoming an Olympian marks an incredible achievement for 24-year-old Hill, after she nearly died in a training crash three years ago.

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She broke multiple bones, including her spine and pelvis, and suffered a grade three laceration in her liver that caused heavy blood loss after the crash into a wall of ice during a training session in Switzerland in January 2023.

“I was leaving hospital three years ago today. I’m pretty proud of myself,” Hill told BBC Sport.

Assessing her runs, she added: “I’m pretty upset, it was going so well all of practice.

“I’m so happy to be here. It’s been so fun. I’ve enjoyed it so much. I feel so blessed.

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“I’m better at slopestyle anyway.”

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Wayne Rooney says Arsenal should be ‘scared’ of Man City star after Liverpool win | Football

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Wayne Rooney says Arsenal should be 'scared' of Man City star after Liverpool win | Football
Man Utd hero Wayne Rooney analysing Man City’s win (Picture: BBC)

Wayne Rooney insists Manchester City’s comeback win over Liverpool was ‘huge’ for Pep Guardiola’s side and ‘deflating’ for Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

Man City looked to be slipping nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal as they trailed Liverpool at Anfield following Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick.

Arsenal continued their title charge on Saturday, beating Sunderland 3-0, and were ten minutes away from boasting a huge lead in the title race.

But Man City scored two late goals, Bernardo Silva with the equaliser and Erling Haaland with an injury-time winner, to produce an incredible comeback and keep Arsenal’s lead to a still healthy but not insurmountable six points.

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Rooney has urged the Arsenal players to ‘focus on themselves’ after a ‘deflating’ Manchester City win at Anfield as they bid to secure the club’s first Premier League title since 2004.

‘It’s an important one for Manchester City today,’ Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day. ‘It’s a tough place to go Anfield.

‘I thought Liverpool were really good second half, City were really good first half – then City have gone a goal down and dug in to get the three points.

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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Manchester City stunned Liverpool at Anfield (Picture: Getty)

‘If they slipped nine points adrift of Arsenal it would have been very difficult for them to win the league. But the confidence and belief that will give them is huge.

‘Arsenal can only focus on themselves. I’m sure they will have had an eye on the game, because if City lose, it does become difficult for them. But Arsenal just need to focus on doing their own job.

‘Having been there it is very difficult to do that because the Arsenal players would have been watching that game at home and thinking Man City are slipping up here.

Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League
Arsenal are battling Man City for the Premier League title (Picture: Getty)

‘It would have been deflating and you can waste a lot of energy hoping your rival are going to slip up.’

Rooney, who won five Premier Leagues at Manchester United, also believes Haaland’s return to form will be a ‘scary’ prospect for Arsenal.

Haaland scored a staggering 38 goals during the first-half of the season but had not netted in the Premier League in a month before his winner against Liverpool.

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‘I thought it was a bit of a strange performance from Erling Haaland, a performance I’ve never really seen from him,’ Rooney added.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Erling Haaland after Man City’s win over Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

‘Normally it’s about his power and pace and being ruthless in front of goal, but he was a bit deeper today and was trying to create chances for Man City rather than score them.

‘Then he creates the equaliser and scores the really high-pressure penalty which keeps them in the title race really.

‘It’s his first goal at Anfield for Man City and you could see the relief in his face. The confidence that will give him now will be scary for Arsenal in the next few weeks.

‘I think it’s been a confidence issue with Haaland because no matter what level you’re playing at if you’re not scoring week in week out it does get to you.

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‘Maybe it was getting to him a bit but that goal will raise his confidence levels again.’

Manchester City can cut Arsenal’s gap at the top of the Premier League to just three points when they face Fulham on Wednesday night.

League leaders and title favourites Arsenal return to action the following evening against London rivals Brentford.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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Identical twins with same DNA on trial in France for double murder

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Identical twins with same DNA on trial in France for double murder

FRENCH police are struggling to identify which identical twin is responsible for a horrific double murder.

DNA found on the murder weapon has baffled cops as to which brother pulled the trigger because they share identical genetic material.

NINTCHDBPICT001057510019
Tribunal Judiciaire in BobignyCredit: Wikimedia Commons

The 33-year-old twins, identified only as Samuel and Jérémy Y, are among five defendants on trial accused of the execution of two young men on September 14, 2020, Le Parisien reported.

The victims – Tidiane, 17, and Sofiane, 25 – were killed by multiple gunshots in a cellar in the Soubise housing project in Saint-Ouen.

The twins have also been accused of several attempted murders on October 3 of the same year, committed by an organized gang.

Both Samuel and Jérémy are suspected of conspiring to plot the double murder, but DNA found on an assault rifle can only be from one of the twins, the BBC reported.

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Currently on trial at the Bobigny Assize Court outside of Paris, investigators claim the brothers “exploited” their twinship to get away with the crime.

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The chief commander of the criminal brigade Commander Dumas told Le Parisien: “They exchange clothes as well as telephone lines and identity documents.

“For a very long time, they have exploited this twinship in their criminal careers.

“Only their mother could tell them apart.”

Genetic experts say the brothers are monozygotic twins – meaning they originate from a single fertilised egg before it divides into two identical embryos – sharing identical DNA.

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Investigators instead must rely on phone records, surveillance footage and wiretaps to determine which twin fired the murder weapon.

The brothers reportedly share identical pointed goatees and a leg ailment.

On Tuesday they were expelled from the court room for refusing to stand up.

The trial is due to end in late February.

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It’s not the first time a murder trial has been muddled by twin DNA.

In 2024, the identical Nightingale brothers were arrested for the murder of Yorkshire man Shane Boxall.

And in 2010, Jasmiyah and Tasmiyah Whitehead chillingly murdered their mom, Nikki.

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Arrest after student, 19, found dead in university of halls | News UK

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Arrest after student, 19, found dead in university of halls | News UK
A teenage student has tragically been found dead at her university accommodation in Preston
(Picture: MEN MEDIA)

A student has been found dead in suspicious circumstances in herUniversity of Lancashire accommodation.

Carla Georgescu, 19, was found dead at her accommodation in Victoria Street, Preston, on Thursday afternoon.

Officers attended the address after reports of a ‘sudden death’, which is being treated as suspicious.

Ms Georgescu was in her second year at the university studying clinical psychology.

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A 34-year-old man, who was known to Ms Georgescu, has been arrested and remains in custody.

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The force said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: ‘We know that news of this young woman’s death and the police activity will be concerning to many, but we want to tell you that we have a team of detectives and uniformed officers working hard to try and establish the circumstances.’

A University of Lancashire spokesperson said staff and students were ‘deeply saddened by the tragic loss’.

Their statement read: ‘The wellbeing and safety of our students and staff is our priority. Support is being offered to anyone within our university community who is affected by this devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with loved ones, friends and all those who knew our student at this incredibly distressing time.’

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Review: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280 shows electric emotion

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Review: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280 shows electric emotion

Boasting 280 horsepower, eye-catching design and an as-tested price of £48,605, this compact crossover aims to marry the Italian brand’s sporty pedigree with zero-emission motoring.

The Junior Veloce is undeniably a head-turner. Measuring 4,173mm in length, it remains compact yet projects genuine visual impact.

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280

The Arese Grey finish paired with a contrasting black roof (a £700 optional extra) proves an attractive combination, while the diamond-cut 20-inch Venti alloys also catch the eye. Nostalgic touches like the rear light bar echoing the classic Alfasud, plus the Progresso grille featuring the marque’s emblem etched into its surface, give the Junior real personality. Finishing the Veloce trim are red brake callipers, privacy glass and an aggressive body kit.

​Power is provided by a 207kW (280hp) electric motor exclusive to Alfa Romeo, pushing 345Nm of torque through the front axle. The 0-62mph dash is dispatched in exactly six seconds, with a top speed of 124mph. Beyond the stats, Alfa’s engineers have invested considerable effort in chassis development, fitting a lowered suspension, widened track, reinforced anti-roll bars, upgraded braking hardware, a quicker steering ratio and a mechanical Torsen limited-slip diff.

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A front view of the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280

​On a winding country lane, the car genuinely entertains the keen driver. It changes direction with enthusiasm, the steering relays useful information about grip levels, and the nose tucks into corners with precision.

Despite the considerable output, power is deployed progressively rather than aggressively, preventing the traction struggles that might otherwise hinder such a powerful front-wheel-driver. The battery pack mounted beneath the floor keeps the centre of gravity low, giving stability in corners.

​What sets the Veloce apart from its front-wheel-drive rivals is the behaviour of the rear axle. Ease off the accelerator as you approach a bend and the tail subtly rotates, helping to point the nose towards the apex, delivering genuine lift-off oversteer that feels deliberate rather than wayward.

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280

The Torsen differential further enhances this playfulness on corner exit. Apply power as you unwind the steering and the car noticeably tightens its line, the diff working to pull the Junior through the bend rather than pushing wide into understeer.

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The compromise appears in comfort. The suspension tuning that permits such dynamic ability means rough surfaces transmit noticeably into the cabin.

The cabin presents a mixed picture. The front sports seats deserve particular praise, delivering excellent lateral support. A 10.25-inch touchscreen manages entertainment functions, matched by an equally sized digital instrument display, while wireless smartphone connectivity offsets the absence of factory-fitted satnav.

​Plastics dominate, especially across the door trims and fascia, and the buttons and stalks will be recognisable to anyone familiar with recent Peugeots or Vauxhalls. Space for rear passengers is restricted, particularly for those with longer legs, reflecting the car’s B-segment foundations.

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280

​Range proves the Junior Veloce’s weakness against rivals. The 51kWh battery pack provides an official WLTP range of 200.1 miles, though everyday driving, especially involving faster roads, will diminish that considerably. Realistically, anticipate somewhere between 150 and 160 miles during typical mixed use.

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​Rapid charging reaches a maximum of 100kW, allowing a 20-80% charge in about half an hour. Using an 11kW domestic wallbox, a complete charge requires just shy of six hours.

The Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce stands out as a genuinely rewarding electric car that earns its badge. The dynamic abilities, visual appeal and driver involvement surpass what one might expect from a compact crossover. Nevertheless, the restricted real-world range, cramped second row and patchy cabin quality warrant careful thought given the nearly £50,000 price tag.

The Lowdown: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280

POWERTRAIN: Single electric motor,

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POWER: 280hp (207kW)

TORQUE: 345Nm

BATTERY CAPACITY: 51kWh

TRANSMISSION: Single-speed auto, front wheel drive

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0-62MPH: 6.0 seconds

WLTP combined range: 200.1 miles

PRICE: £48,605 as tested

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President Trump slams Olympic skier Hunter Hess for political remarks

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President Trump slams Olympic skier Hunter Hess for political remarks

MILAN (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said that it is hard to cheer for American Olympians who are speaking out against administration policies, calling one such critic “a real Loser” who perhaps should have stayed home.

It was the latest and most prominent example of U.S. Olympians at the Milan Cortina Games inviting online backlash with their words.

Reporters on Friday asked U.S. athletes at a news conference how they feel representing the country during the Trump administration’s heighted immigration enforcement actions. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess replied that he had mixed emotions since he doesn’t agree with the situation, and that he is in Milan competing on behalf of everyone who helped get him to The Games.

“If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it,” Hess said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

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Among those who piled on Hess were YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

“From all true Americans If you don’t want to represent this country go live somewhere else,” he wrote on X, where he has 4.4 million followers. Minutes later, he was photographed sitting beside U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the U.S women’s hockey game in Olympic host city Milan.

Trump said the next day that Hess’ comments make it hard to root for him.

“Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it,” he wrote on his Truth Social account.

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Hess wasn’t the only athlete voicing discontent — or facing blowback

At Friday’s news conference with the athletes, freestyle skier Chris Lillis referenced Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying he’s “heartbroken” about what is happening in the U.S.

“I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect,” Lillis said. “I hope that when people look at athletes compete in the Olympics, they realize that that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

And U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn said the LGBTQ+ community has had a hard time during the Trump administration.

In addition to Paul, conservative figures criticizing the athletes on social media include former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, actor Rob Schneider and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds — who Trump has endorsed for the Florida gubernatorial race in November. And there was a flood of vitriol directed at them from ordinary Americans.

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Glenn posted on Instagram that she had received “a scary amount of hate / threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel.” She added that she will start limiting her social media use for her well-being.

In response to questions from The Associated Press, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement Sunday that it is aware of an increasing amount of abusive and harmful messages directed toward the athletes and was doing its best to remove content and report credible threats to law enforcement.

“The USOPC stands firmly behind Team USA athletes and remains committed to their well-being and safety, both on and off the field of play,” it said.

Anti-ICE protests in Italy

Support for the U.S. abroad has eroded as the Trump administration has pursued an aggressive posture on foreign policy, including punishing tariffs, military action in Venezuela and threats to invade Greenland.

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During the opening ceremony, Team USA athletes were cheered on, but jeers and whistles could be heard as Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance, were shown on the stadium screens, waving American flags from the tribune.

In Milan, several demonstrations have broken out against the against the local deployment of ICE agents — even after clarification that they are from an investigations unit that is completely separate from the enforcement unit at the forefront of the immigration crackdown in the U.S.

Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE unit that focuses on cross-border crimes, frequently sends its officers to overseas events like the Olympics to assist with security. The ICE arm seen in the streets of the U.S. is known as Enforcement and Removal Operations, and there is no indication its officers were sent to Italy.

A demonstration on Saturday featured thousands of protesters. Toward its end, a small number of them clashed with police, who fired tear gas and a water cannon. That followed another one last week, when hundreds protested the deployment of ICE agents.

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Associated Press writer Graham Dunbar contributed to this report.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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New public toilets in city centre by 2028, councillor pledges

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The city is set to receive £1.5 million in funding over the next two years

Peterborough city centre will have new public toilets by 2028, says Peterborough City Councillor Mohammed Jamil (Lab). The Cabinet Member for Finance & Corporate Governance responded to recent calls by residents and fellow councillors alike that the lack of centrally accessible toilets was a “major issue”.

“I totally agree,” he said. “We think they are essential [and] crucial and we will go out of our way to make sure this happens. We hear the public’s message to us loud and clear and, as an administration, we are looking to bring public toilets back into use within two years.”

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When pressed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service on where the new facilities might be sited, Cllr Jamil said he hoped they would be located “in and around Cathedral Square”.

The Central ward councillor and deputy Labour leader said this was the right time for the City Council to address the absence of centrally located public toilets. “We now see a golden opportunity with the city centre funding,” he said. “The government has given us £1.5m.”

As part of the UK government’s Pride in Place programme announced last year, Peterborough city centre is set to receive funding of £750,000 this year and £750,000 next year. “What we’re looking at with colleagues is how we’re going to spend that money,” Cllr Jamil said.

Re-purposing the Guildhall, greening the Cathedral Square, and creating better infrastructure for markets have been some of the potential ideas explored by councillors and officers.

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“Public toilets are very high up on our agenda,” the councillor confirmed. Along with the option of potentially introducing standalone public toilets, Cllr Jamil speculated the new facilities could also be set within a re-purposed shop, in the corner of a shop or within a current council-owned building.

One possibility that is not on the table though is re-opening the old underground toilets which used to be behind St John’s Church.

“They’re not really an option,” the councillor confirmed. He explained: “A lot depends on what we’re going to do with the Guildhall – those [old] toilets were right behind the Guildhall; if we repurpose the Guildhall, say for example, as a restaurant [then] it may not be the best place for them.”

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Winter Olympics 2026: Skating coach Eteri Tutberidze at Milan-Cortina four years after Valieva scandal

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Blonde-haired coach Eteri Tutberidze in a black outfit against a black background

Tutberidze’s official coaching role is with the Georgia figure skating team and she was at Milano Ice Skating Arena for the team event to watch one of her longest-serving pupils, Nika Egadze.

Egadze stormed to victory at the 2026 European Championships in Sheffield, where Tutberidze shared a warm hug with her skater after a gold medal-winning performance, and other athletes spoke positively about the coach.

It was a different story at Milano Ice Skating Arena as Egadze endured two error-strewn routines, with Georgia missing out on a medal.

In the short programme he made two early errors, failing to land the triple toe loop in his first technical element.

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As he continued his performance, the TV cameras caught Tutberidze in passing – standing at rinkside, arms folded.

Egadze did enough to pull the performance around and help earn Georgia fifth place in qualifying, progressing to the final. When he came off the ice, the hug from Tutberidze seemed curt.

She joined the Georgian squad as they waited for the results. Generally, waiting teams will laugh and joke, even if they know elimination is coming.

Instead, the 11 skaters and team members sat stony-faced as the scores were announced.

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If this was an indicator of the atmosphere in the team, it is certainly not positive, but it may have just been a moment of nervous focus.

Perhaps Tutberidze was minding her body language on Sunday as Egadze struggled even more in the free skate. Three of his first four elements scored negative points, and he nearly tripped over during his triple axel.

His coach gave him a pat on the hand as the numbers came in. Despite Egadze scoring only 154.79 for the free skate – 27 points lower than his season best – there was no berating.

The attention comes at a Games which began for Georgia with their team being roundly booed in San Siro when they entered the stadium during the opening ceremony.

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