Gerhardus Burger's conviction in the Steinhoff insider trading scandal raises eyebrows. With a suspended sentence, was justice really served?
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Steinhoff scandal: Justice or slap on the wrist for guilty Gerhardus Burger?
WATCH: Limpopo premier celebrates ‘Skeem Saam’ actress’ 85th birthday
Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba
celebrates 'Skeem Saam' actress Koko Lydia Mokgokoloshi's 85th birthday at her home.
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Sokoto: PDP carpets information commissioner over boreholes, other contracts
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sokoto state chapter has described as an exercise in futility an attempt by the Sokoto state commissioner of Information, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, to water down a statement by the governor of Sokoto state on the expenditure of N 1.2 billion 25 boreholes repairs and fencing of streets in the …
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Actress Beverly Osu celebrates 32nd birthday anniversary with stunning photos
Nollywood actress/model Beverly Osu turned thirty-two today, and she took to Instagram to celebrate by sharing some stunning photos. For her birthday photoshoot, Beverly Osu wore a gorgeous red dress that pooled to the floor in a gentle cascade, while hugging her upper body perfectly, and creating an hourglass illusion. The most dramatic part of …
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School blaze victims mourned at mass funeral
Reuters – Grieving relatives and former classmates bid a solemn farewell on Thursday to 21 children who died in a boarding school fire in central Kenya earlier this month, laying nine of them to rest in small white coffins. Dozens of children carrying floral wreaths led funeral processions for the boys from Hillside Endarasha Academy […]
The post School blaze victims mourned at mass funeral appeared first on Zw News Zimbabwe.
Clive Everton updates – world of snooker pays tribute as legendary BBC commentator dies aged 87
Clive Everton, the celebrated snooker commentator, has died at the age of 87.
A fixture on BBC TV for over 30 years from the 1970s, Everton was highly respected as both a broadcaster and journalist.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Everton was also a professional snooker player, turning professional in 1981 and achieving a highest ranking of world No. 47 during his decade-long career.
The World Snooker Tour released a statement honouring him as “one of snooker’s greatest commentators and the voice of the sport.” They added, “Everton devoted his life to snooker and covered some of the sport’s most historic moments as a broadcaster and journalist.”
This week, players at the British Open in Cheltenham are competing for the Clive Everton Trophy, named in his honour two years ago.
Follow our live blog for updates on Clive Everton as tributes pour in…
How a common morning mistake ‘increases your risk of killer cancer by 50%’
YOU wouldn’t think brushing your teeth wrong could end up costing you your life.
But new research reveals that neglecting your gnashers could raise the risk of head and neck cancer.
Doctors have long known that nasty bacteria from gum disease can increase the risk of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Until now, experts weren’t sure which specific bacteria in the mouth were linked to cancer.
US scientists have now discovered over a dozen types of bacteria in the mouth that could boost the risk of the disease by 50 per cent.
They argue their findings highlight the importance of good oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular dentist visits.
But more than a third of British adults claim to never floss, according to a previous survey.
Study author Professor Richard Hayes, from New York University (NYU) said: “Our results offer yet another reason to keep up good oral hygiene habits.
“Brushing your teeth and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease but also may protect against head and neck cancer.”
There are around 13,000 new cases of head and neck cancer every year – or 35 every day – and numbers are increasing 30 per cent each decade, experts warn.
It kills more than 4,000 annually.
Symptoms can be subtle, meaning it is often diagnosed at a late stage.
There are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where tumours can develop, which can make it hard to spot.
Nine in 10 head and neck cancers start in squamous cells, Macmillan Cancer Support says.
Squamous cells are flat, skin-like cells that cover the lining of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid and throat.
And although most often diagnosed in older adults, oral cancers are becoming increasingly common in younger people.
Previous research has suggested human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus spread via sex and through skin contact, could be driving the surge.
For the study, published in JAMA Oncology, scientists analysed the diets, lifestyles and medical history data of almost 160,000 people in the US.
The volunteers were asked to rinse with mouthwash and provide saliva samples that were then preserved and tested for the number and types of microbes present.
At a follow 15 years later, 236 participants were diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Their oral microbe DNA was compared with 458 participants who had remained cancer-free.
Head and neck cancer in numbers
- There are around 13,000 new cases every year – or 35 every day
- It kills more than 4,000 annually
- It is the eighth most common cancer in the UK
- It is the fourth most common cancer in men in the UK
- It is the fifth most common cancer in women in the UK
- Incidence rates in the UK are highest in people aged 65 to 69
- Between 19 and 59 per cent of patients survive head and neck cancer for 10 years or more
- Between 46 and 88 per cent of cases are preventable
- Since the early 1990s, incidence rates have increased by 35 per cent in the UK
- There could be around 16,300 new cases every year in the UK by 2038 to 2040, projections suggest
- Nearly one in 96 UK women and one in 43 UK men will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer in their lifetime
Source: Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK
Smoking history, age and alcohol intake were also accounted for, so not to ruin the results.
The scientists said 13 species of different bacteria routinely found in the mouth were found to raise or lower the risk of cancer.
The group with high levels of these bacteria in their mouths had a 30 per cent greater likelihood of developing the disease.
In combination with five other species that are often seen in gum disease, the overall risk was increased by 50 per cent.
However, they added that the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect link between bacteria and cancer.
Study co-author and associate director for population research at its Perlmutter Cancer Center said: “Now that we have identified key bacteria that may contribute to this disease, we next plan to explore the mechanisms that allow them to do so and in what ways we can best intervene”.
The at-home mirror test
Find a large mirror with good lighting, then get as close as you can to it.
he early signs of head and neck cancer can be felt in and around the neck, throat and jaw,” Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK said.
“Check along the insides of your lips and look at your gums. Are there any lumps, bumps or red or white patches?
“Look at the back of your mouth. Stick out your tongue and move it from side to side.
“Don’t forget to look underneath your tongue too.”
Next, it’s time to assess the health of your neck by feeling under and around your jaw.
“This area can sometimes be a bit lumpy, especially if you’ve had a cold or other illness recently, so learn what’s normal for you,” OHNCUK said.
If you notice any of the following newly-developed symptoms, and you’ve had them for over three weeks, speak to your GP:
- Persistent mouth ulcers or patches in the mouth or on the lips
- Persistent sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing
- Hoarseness or a change in voice
- Persistent cough
- Lump or swelling in the neck, jaw area, nose or throat (with or without pain)
- Earache or ear pain
“A mouth check every month can really make a difference,” Michelle said.
“If you have any concerns or notice anything that doesn’t go away for three weeks, it is important to speak with a doctor or dentist to get checked out.
“The earlier you can catch cancer, the better your chances of successful treatment and recovery.
“If you look at other cancers as a comparison point, early detection rates for head and neck cancers are considerably lower than other cancers.
“Early-stage diagnosis for combined head and neck cancers is around 13 per cent and we want this to be at 75 per cent.
“Let’s work together to raise awareness of how to prevent these cancers and improve earlier diagnosis of disease.”
Male prostitute turns in ‘bombshell vid of Diddy “Freak Off” orgy’ to prosecutors & reveals drug-fuelled sex sessions
A MALE prostitute has turned in a videotape allegedly showing one of P Diddy’s “Freak Off” orgy sessions, a new report claims.
The sex worker’s claims align with the bombshell federal indictment claiming the disgraced rapper would orchestrate days-long, drug-fueled sex parties.
The sex worker and federal investigators met in New York on Wednesday as work on the sex trafficking case continues, TMZ reports.
He allegedly provided them with a bombshell copy of a “freak-off” tape that Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, made in May 2023.
The worker described to investigators how he traveled from Atlanta to Miami for the sex film and had to find another prostitute to join.
The “freak-off” allegedly involved Combs, the male prostitute and a female prostitute, TMZ’s sources claim.
The male prostitute alleges he and the female had intercourse while Combs orchestrated the act from behind the camera.
This sick description aligns with allegations made in the indictment which claims Combs forced his victims to partake in sex acts while he recorded sex acts while he masturbated.
He goes on to tell authorities that he kept a copy of the tape from that night – which is now in the hands of federal investigators, TMZ claims.
The escort also revealed what drugs Combs would prefer to take for “freak-offs”, according to sources.
He reportedly signed a proffer agreement that allows him to give testimony to federal investigators without incriminating himself.
Separately, an ex-Bad Boy executive told TMZ that she’d never stay past a certain hour at Combs’ parties and was “always on high alert”.
Dr, LaJoyce Brookshire spoke about her experience with the outlet – and “sensed” that horrific things would go on past a certain time.
She said: “My spidey senses were always on high alert. And I know that there’s no safety after a certain hour when you’ve got drinks flowing and people behind your back doing drugs in bathrooms, and 2 or 3 people walking out of a bathroom together.
“So could there potentially be? Absolutely. Did I see it? No. I never stayed at the party late enough to see.”
According to prosecutors, Combs threw wild parties he called “freak offs” where he would fly in sex workers for days of raucous sessions.
However once at the party, workers would be coerced through money and intimidated into performing sick nonconsensual acts, the indictment claims.
Combs organized and directed these parties in part, prosecutors allege, so he could record sex acts while he masturbated.
After days of non-stop drug use and drinking, participants were often mailed IV bags to help recover from the revelry, the indictment claims.
The indictment references key pieces of evidence federal agents found during their raids of the rapper’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida.
According to the indictment, the rapper had 1,000 bottles of lubricant and baby oil in his two homes alongside a stash of narcotics that were used during the sex parties.
Agents also found three AR-15s with their serial numbers defaced and a drum magazine, the indictment says.
What happened during Sean Combs' 'freak offs'?
Sean Combs' infamous drug-fueled freak offs, first revealed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura's lawsuit in November 2023, have become a central narrative of the indictment, which alleges:
- The music mogul “manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers.”
- Freak offs “occurred regularly, sometimes lasted multiple days, and often involved multiple commercial sex workers.”
- Combs “distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant.”
- He and the victims “typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use” after the freak offs.
- Cops “seized various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant” from his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
- Combs “hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims, at times, by their hair,” during and separate from the freak offs, which “often resulted in injuries that took days or weeks to heal.”
- He also used the “sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings” that he made during freak offs as “collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims.”
But Combs’ attorney has spoken out to claim the cops are targeting the sick rapper due to his race.
Lawyer Marc Agnifilo told TMZ that feds are just looking to take down Combs because he’s a “successful black man”.
He claims that investigators couldn’t find anything relating to his taxes or business so looked elsewhere – to his bedroom.
BLACKMAIL
Freaks offs were used in part so Combs could hold power over participants with his recordings of the degrading acts, prosecutors believe.
Using violence and coercion, Combs would allegedly threaten anyone working for his business The Combs Enterprise who wished to opt out of the sessions.
Those working for Combs helped plan freak offs, which happened often and usually lasted for days, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Combs’ employees booked the hotel rooms, gave the rapper wads of cash he allegedly used to pay off the sex workers, and cleaned up after the parties.
They often stashed the hotels with controlled substances, baby oil, extra linens, and lighting ahead of the parties, prosecutors allege.
In some instances, hotels charged Combs extra for damage sustained to couches and linens, the New York Post reported.
“It was like they had a party. The couch had oil stains,” a former employee of a New York City hotel told the outlet.
“In the room there was stains on the couches with body oils and the hotel needed to charge him for extra cleaning.”
The former employee also confirmed investigators were piecing together dates of Combs’ stays at the hotel.
“People had reached out to the hotel asking if he stayed at certain dates at the hotel. I don’t know if it was federal lawyers or Diddy’s lawyers but they were trying to coordinate the dates he was there,” the former employee told the Post.
Participants in the freak offs who were recorded would be blackmailed into attending future gatherings, prosecutors alleged, out of fear Combs would share the videos with others.
The bombshell allegations against Combs came less than a year after Ventura claimed in her lawsuit that she was forced to have sex with male prostitutes while the disgraced music mogul watched.
Ventura alleged that Combs plied her with drugs and alcohol to keep her compliant so she would participate in his sick game.
The rapper denied the allegations and the suit was settled out of court, but after this, a surveillance video surfaced that showed Combs beating Ventura in a hotel hallway.
In the video, Combs was seen chasing after Ventura and knocking her to the ground before he stomped her body.
Wearing nothing but a towel, he then sat close by while she lay motionless before throwing a vase at her, the footage revealed.
An incident that matches this video was mentioned in the indictment and was used as evidence of Combs’ alleged abuse.
Prosecutors claim a hotel staff member tried to intervene and stop the attack before Combs allegedly tried to bribe them with cash to keep them quiet.
Despite his previous denial, Combs acknowledged the video after its release and issued a public apology to his ex.
In a video, the rapper said, “I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it and I’m disgusted now.”
‘WE ARE NOT DONE’
In a press conference, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, said Combs was in custody and would appear in court that same day.
Williams publicly stated the desire to keep Combs behind bars until his trial, calling him a flight risk.
Combs, however, has reportedly proposed a $50 million bail package in exchange for his freedom until he faces trial.
He is willing to offer his $48 million Miami home, plus his mother’s $2 million Miami home, according to TMZ.
Combs is also willing to limit his travel, keep his private jet parked in Los Angeles, and wear a GPS tracking device, the outlet reported.
If Combs is convicted and receives a maximum sentence, he faces a combined 45 years behind bars.
The racketeering charge has a 20-year max, the sex trafficking charge carries a 15-year max, and the other charge has a 10-year max.
In addition, Williams said the investigation is ongoing, and further charges could be announced – both for Combs and his reported co-conspirators.
“We are not done,” he said.
Recent lawsuits against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
- November 17, 2023: Cassie, Combs’ longtime girlfriend, sued him, claiming she endured “a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking” until their relationship ended in 2018. Combs and Cassie settled the suit the day after it was filed.
- Combs was hit with two more lawsuits a week after he settled with Cassie.
- November 23, 2023: Joi Dickerson accused Combs of drugging and raping her and filming the attack when she was a 19-year-old college student in January 1991.
- November 24, 2023: A second unidentified accuser in a separate lawsuit claimed that Combs and another man sexually assaulted her and a friend in 1990 or 1991, then showed up at her apartment and beat her several days later.
- December 6, 2023: Combs was sued again by an unidentified woman who claimed he and two men gang-raped her in 2003 when she was 17 years old.
- February 26, 2024: Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones, who helped produce Combs’ most recent album, claimed that the mogul sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him from September 2022 to November 2023 as they worked together.
- May 21, 2024: Model Crystal McKinney accused Combs of sexually assaulting her after meeting at a Men’s Fashion Week event in New York City in 2003. McKinney claims she was drinking alcohol and smoking weed with Combs and several of his colleagues when she took a hit off a joint that she claims was laced with another drug. McKinney claims she felt woozy, and Combs ordered her to the bathroom, where he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him.
- May 23, 2024: April Lampros, 51, claimed in her lawsuit that she met Sean Combs in New York City in 1994 while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. Combs is accused of drugging and raping Lampros in a hotel after promising to help mentor her in the fashion industry.
- July 3, 2024: Adria English, an ex-porn star who went by Omunique, accused Combs of grooming her into sex trafficking in the early 2000s, according to TMZ.
- September 24, 2024: Thalia Graves sued Combs, alleging he and his former bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, violently raped her at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York City in 2001. Graves, who was 25 at the time, said Combs offered her a glass of wine, which made her feel “lightheaded, dizzy, and physically weak” before losing consciousness. Graves alleged when she awoke, she found herself tied up and restrained while Combs and Sherman raped her.
Millions of LG TVs to show adverts in standby mode with ‘unacceptable’ change that puts ‘billboards in your living room’
LG TVs will now display adverts on the screen when in standby mode, in a move that customers have branded “unacceptable”.
The South Korean company has called it a “significant milestone” as it looks to ‘capitalise on people’s downtime’.
The change, first reported by Flatpanels HD, pins an advert for LG’s own LG Channels service to screens.
In a blog post published in early September, LG’s Ad Solutions branch said the format of screensaver ads “capitalises on idle screen time, turning what may be perceived as a period of downtime into a valuable engagement opportunity”.
The post also suggested that it won’t just be LG-centric ads that appear on your LG TV, but potentially third-party ones in the future.
This even includes LGs premium OLED screens, which can cost around £2,000/$2,000 apiece.
Gone are the days of a standby TV screensaver indicating that viewers had left the room, according to Dave Rudnick, chief technology officer at LG Ad Solutions.
“Now, 93 per cent of viewers multitask while watching TV, engaging in activities like messaging, shopping, browsing social media, or playing games on their phones,” he said in the post.
“Through testing, we validated that Screensaver ads present a valuable opportunity for brands to be front and center on the largest screen in the room.”
Amazon Fire TV users were similarly outraged in November last year when a new update introduced full screen video ads that play automatically as soon as the telly is turned on.
“This is insane,” one LG customer wrote on social media platform X.
“You pay for a TV and it turns into an ad billboard in your living room. [It] should be unacceptable and LG should take all the flak.”
Another added: “Did someone say TV ads are annoying? Apparently, LG didn’t get the memo.
“Get ready to stream with a side of targeted advertising!”
The change appears to have quietly rolled out to customers in the UK and the US, though it looks to be a phased launch.
How to get rid of the ads
Fortunately, there is a way to turn off screensaver ads on your LG TV.
Simply go to Settings > General > System Settings > Additional Settings and then you should see the menu in the image above.
Navigate to the ‘Screen Saver Promotion’ option and turn it off, so the toggle next to it is no longer green.
Here are 8 ways to be a pillar of the community this Good Neighbour Day
NO matter where you live, you have neighbours. Whether they are near or far, it’s always better when you’re on good terms.
Saturday 28th September marks National Good Neighbour Day. It is a reminder of the importance of keeping harmony within your community.
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The day started in the US in the early 1970s but has been adopted by the States’ neighbour from across the pond, the United Kingdom.
Every year, 28th September marks a day to celebrate your neighbours and community.
Having good neighbours is vital to creating a peaceful and happy neighbourhood.
Bad neighbours can make your home, which should be a sanctuary, a living hell.
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The Good Neighbor Mindset
Good neighbours make great neighbourhoods.
With that in mind, Nationalgoodneighborday.com sites five pillars for “building great neighborhoods”.
- Connection. Introduce yourself and connect with others in your neighbourhood. It simply starts by saying “hello”.
- Invitation. Invite neighbours to join you for a meal or something fun. Gather around a table because the Latin word “communitas” means the spirit of community and it’s measured by the number of meals shared together.
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- Celebration. When it comes to birthdays, anniversaries or milestone moments in the lives of others, cheer them on and don’t miss out on congratulating them.
- Awareness. Keep your eyes and ears open. Stay attentive to the safety and security of the people and homes nearby. We are safe and stronger together.
- Availability. Availability is the highest benefit of good neighbours who truly care and look out for one another. When needed, show up to help and support others living around you.
Being a good British neighbour
In the UK, we also know the value of good neighbours.
However, the British attitude to getting involved within your neighbourhoods is more subtle than in the US.
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Sun Bingo has put together this list of eight ways to be a good neighbour, the British way.
- The bins. Is it recycling this week? Garden waste? What colour bin does standard rubbish go into? Sometimes, the bin collection feels as random as the gods throwing a dart at a bin chart and that’s what’s being collected this week. However, someone in the community has to stand up and take charge of the situation. Every neighbourhood has one. They are the unsung heroes. At the very least, if you see a neighbour with the wrong bin out, let them know! Maybe wheel the bin back for an elderly or disabled neighbour to save them the hassle.
- What’s App. Some neighbourhoods communicate perfectly without a word being spoken. A block of flats or small road could really benefit from someone starting a communal messaging group where stories or updates about the community can be shared. If you are already a part of such a group, be a good neighbour by not spamming the chat!
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- Help with shopping. If you know someone who has difficulty getting themselves out and about, why not check whether there’s anything you can grab for them next time you’re on your way to the shops? As the weather gets colder, road conditions could make it harder for vulnerable people to go shopping.
- Car pool. As well as being good for the environment, car pools are good for communities! You and a group of local parents could discuss sharing the job of driving kids to school each day. For those close enough to walk, consider walking as a group.
- Parcels. Your parcel will be vaguely thrown in the direction of your home. Good neighbours will take in parcels for you, sign for them and keep them safe until you can collect them. If you’re in a flat, let the delivery man into the building so that your neighbour doesn’t have to go to the local collection centre for their missed package.
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- Support new parents. Check in with neighbours who have just had a baby and see if they need someone to walk the dog or do other odd jobs while they find their feet. A freshly cooked, homemade meal could also go a long way for the exhausted new mum and dad!
- Keep an eye out. Just be generally aware of what’s going on in your community. Let your neighbours know if you think there’s something that everyone in the neighbourhood should know about.
- Warn about parties. If you’re planning a big party that might make a lot of noise, let your neighbours know in advance. Apologise for any inconvenience and give a rough time that the party should wrap up. That lets those in your community make their own plans and be prepared for any disruptions.
Being a good neighbour doesn’t have to take much time or effort, just be respectful and polite.
Be the neighbour you wish to have!
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
About the author
Katrina Vasey - Bingo Editor, The Sun
After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in English Literature, Katrina Vasey worked as a Content Editor for Law Business Research’s publication the International Law Office. Katrina joined The Sun in 2022 as the Bingo Editor, covering the four gaming platforms: Sun Bingo, Fabulous Bingo, Sun Vegas and Fabulous Vegas.