BRUNO Santos’ unwavering dedication to fitness and competitive spirit has propelled him to the top of the bodybuilding world.
He now stands ready to take on his biggest challenge yet: competing at the 2024 Mr Olympia.
Bruno Santos is a bodybuilder, who is widely recognized for his dedication to fitness and competitive spirit.
With a strong presence in the bodybuilding scene, Bruno has earned a reputation for his muscular physique, commitment to nutrition, and fitness coaching.
Bruno is from Brazil, a country known for producing top athletes in various sports, including bodybuilding.
His roots play a significant role in shaping his passion and approach to fitness, as Brazil has a strong fitness culture.
He is also both a nutritionist and a fitness coach.
His Instagram profiles, @ifbbprobruno and @probrunosantos, highlight his professional expertise in offering fitness advice, nutrition guidance, and personalized coaching.
As an IFBB pro, his social media content reflects his dual roles, where he educates his followers on proper diet, bodybuilding techniques, and lifestyle changes to achieve peak physical fitness.
Bruno has claimed victories in various bodybuilding competitions under the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness).
He achieved a major victory at the 2024 Europa Pro, held in London, England, on September 14-15, 2024.
The Europa Pro is one of the key qualifying events in the IFBB Pro League, and his win was a significant milestone in his bodybuilding career.
Here are the highlights of his competition history:
Other significant placements include:
Bruno’s victory at the 2024 Europa Pro secured his qualification for the 2024 Mr Olympia contest in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As part of the prestigious lineup, he is one of 18 athletes competing for the coveted Sandow Trophy at the 60th edition of the event.
The competition is set to take place over two nights, with pre-judging on October 11, 2024, and the finals on October 12, 2024.
He represents Brazil among this elite group, sharing the stage with top-tier competitors including defending champion Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda.
As one of the world’s biggest bodybuilding stages, Mr Olympia offers Bruno a chance to further solidify his reputation and compete for the $400,000 grand prize.
MICAH Richards is making a massive change to his £2million mansion – months after his neighbours moaned about the property.
The ex-Man City star and current TV pundit, 36, was previously met with neighbour moans after he submitted plans to extend his luxury five-bed pad.
Despite uproar, officials made a decision in his favour and allowed renovations to go ahead.
And now he wants to demolish an existing “poorly erected” conservatory to make way for a contemporary-style flat roof extension with steel cladding.
Richards submitted plans for works on the lavish property, in North Yorkshire, which already boasts a cinema room, to provide “additional space that meets the needs of the occupants”.
In an application submitted to the local council, Richards’ planning agent said: “The extension enhances the visual appearance of the existing building.
“It also enhances the visual impact of the surrounding environment.
“The extension also improves the functionality of the existing building, providing additional space that meets the needs of the occupants.
“This includes adding new living areas and outdoor areas that enhance the usability and convenience of the home.
“The proposals will also provide a high quality family home for modern living.”
And officials have now granted the ex-baller’s plans.
The council said: “In most cases, flat roof extensions will not be supported where they detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
“There have been many alterations and ‘domestification’ of the host dwelling… [but while it’s] of differing architectural style, it is of subservient portions and would not dominate the south elevation.
“Overall, the development will not detract from the appearance of the host dwelling nor character of the area.”
Richards bought his rural retreat for £1.3million in 2021 after hanging up his boots.
But it is now believed to be worth £2million.
Two years ago, he won his battle with neighbours to convert a home office outbuilding into an annex, and carry out internal alterations.
He also built extra accommodation on the first floor with two new dormer windows and five rooflights, despite objections about overlooking.
Richards’ agent added: “The proposed extension is intended to present as a subtle addition to the existing house, that also amends a poor previously erected extension, tying the house together.
“The design opens the ground floor internally to the rear with better access from the existing living spaces to the improved garden.
“This will provide a much higher standard of accommodation in line with the need of a growing family along with improved amenity through better access to the garden and increased natural light internally.”
Officials at the local council are expected to make a decision next month.
So far, there have been no objections from neighbours.
Richards has previously opened up about his big-spending while playing in the Premier League – and issued a warning to today’s superstars.
The pundit burst onto the scene at Manchester City in 2005 – signing a big-money contract in the same year – aged just 17.
Richards revealed he came into so much money overnight he impulsively spent it.
The fan-favourite pundit bought supercars, a luxury mansion in the footballers’ paradise of Hale and even splashed out over £100,000 on a single night out.
Speaking to The Athletic, Richards explained: “Imagine going from £500 a week to £5,000 a week… and then going from £5,000 a week to £50,000 a week.
“Then you’d get bonuses, appearance money, a signing-on fee that was spread over the length of the contract.
“I remember one pay packet was like “£250,000 for a month. I was at the training ground, just looking at my payslip, thinking, ‘Wow. How?’
“What can you do? I know what I did. I went straight out and bought myself a Ferrari.
“I already had a Range Rover and an Aston Martin, but I thought, ‘It’s time’. I bought myself a Ferrari, an F430. Then a 458 Speciale.”
But the spending didn’t stop with cars. Richards continued: “I started to look at houses in Hale.
“I bought this £3m, seven-bedroom house and I was living with two brothers, two cousins, my best mate.
“Where I was living was already more than enough, but this is what happens when you’re a footballer.
“It’s always, ‘Who has the best house? Who has the best car?’.
“You can never just be content. You’ve always got to want more.”
Richards’ reps have been contacted for comment.
A PREMIER League star in an intense row with his neighbour over a basketball court and firepit has won a battle to keep them.
Ben Chilwell, 27, became embroiled in the disagreement when he raised the back garden of his £5m Surrey mansion and erected a retaining wall for a new walkway.
But the Chelsea defender failed to get the go-ahead for the Ground Force-style makeover at his luxury five-bed pad which boasts a swimming pool, gym and two games rooms.
He needed consent from the local council for the “engineering operation” and faced a possible red card over the unauthorised development.
His next-door neighbour objected, citing loss of privacy and overlooking, but the council have now granted retrospective permission for the landscape alterations.
In his ruling, a planning officer said: “Despite the change in levels in this part of the garden, it is considered that the works do not significantly alter the overall land levels of the application site.
“Moreover, the works are located in the rear garden and would not be visible from the street scene and are therefore acceptable.
“The proposed development is considered in terms of scale, form, bulk, height, massing, spacing and design, and there would be no adverse impact on the character of the area or the visual amenities of the street scene as a result of the proposals.”
Chilwell wants to plant new laurel and yew hedges to provide screening with further soft planting in grey, green and purple – but no blue.
He also wants to splash out on a stone-stepped pool seating area with glass balustrade, and new paving at his home near Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
Documents submitted as part of the planning application reveal that building work on the sunken fire pit and basketball court started in April but has not yet been completed.
In a letter objecting, the neighbour wrote: “This increase in height means someone in this section of the garden or on the firepit walkway now has direct line of sight into our garden, terrace and kitchen area.
“This is a loss of amenity and the new levels mean we are now overlooked.
“We are keen to retain the privacy and amenity of our home, terrace and garden and whilst we would prefer the new ground levels not to be so high we appreciate that some mitigation through screening foliage has now been proposed.”
“dog whistles”
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PUTIN is offering a “safe haven” to “losers and misfits” in a bid to weaponise them against the West, a Russia expert has warned.
Russian-loving Westerners are increasingly turning up to Putin’s land – with the despot turning them into an enemy of the West as part of his propaganda warfare.
Most of them often find it difficult to remain in their own countries – either due to criminal charges they are facing or because of opposing ideologies frowned upon in Western societies.
And often Russia projects itself as a nation with traditional values that often go against the liberal societies of the West.
In the past, Westerners – especially those facing criminal charges – have been given political asylum as well as protection – and the lack of extradition laws and diplomatic relations between Russia and the West makes it a sweet spot for them.
Conservatives from the US and Europe with staunch orthodox beliefs have either sought asylum in Russia or expressed their willingness to move to Putin’s land.
Keir Giles, a Russia expert and senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, said Russia has been attracting many such foreign nations to come and live under Putin’s rule.
He told The Sun: “Russia has been very successful in selling itself as a particular idea of a society and it tends to attract people from other countries, particularly Western countries.
“These people like the idea of societal attitudes in their own country as they were 50 to 70 years ago, rapidly going in reverse.
“They come to Russia because they see it as a palace completely opposite of the West.”
Keir said that many pro-Putin people living in Russia are increasingly being used as part of the tyrant’s propaganda warfare against the West.
He said: “It is not just enlisting in the Russian armed forces, people are working for Putin’s media in Russia and the occupied territories in exactly the same way Nazi broadcasters attacked their own countries because they were made to feel more valuable by their country’s enemy.
“The way these people are used to wage a propaganda war against the West is just hardwired into how Russia does things.
“It is not a new phenomenon, it goes back to the Soviet times and is absolutely a core part of Russia to exploit these damaged people.
“The KGB manual for recruiting such agents and propagandists says to look for people who have miserably failed in life and think it is somebody else’s fault.
“It is just a way of weaponising losers and misfits and that has always been the way, it is standard Russian practice.”
Keir said many Westerners, including Brits, want to end up in Russia because of their “destructive mindsets and the failure to adjust to a normal society”.
It is a way of weaponising losers and misfits and that has always been the way – it is standard Russian practice
Keir Giles
This includes the British fighters who have joined the Russian army since Putin invaded Ukraine.
Keir said: “Failures, criminals, and sex offenders largely turn up to Russia because they feel they have been victimised in the West.
“They blame their own country where they were born and brought up – and they embrace their cause elsewhere and Russia offers that cause and will accept that embrace.
“There are lots of reasons why people end up in Russia, but the major one is that people find Russia a convenient place to avoid prosecution.
“Russia is increasingly offering them a safe place to stay and act up all their wild fantasies.”
Wilmer Puello-Mota, A US Air Force veteran facing charges of possession of child pornography, fled America only to join the Russian army – and take part in the Ukraine war.
He now serves as a reconnaissance drone operator fighting against Kyiv’s troops in Donetsk, NBC reports.
In a propaganda video for Putin, the former American soldier – dressed in Russian combat great – said: “I don’t consider myself a traitor.”
However, he did not mention the criminal charges he faced in the US.
The media outlet said that Puello-Mota was expected to plead guilty to all his charges in a US court in January 2024, before he fled to Russia via Turkey within days.
Meanwhile, Ben Stimson, 48, from Oldham, who the UK has previously convicted of terror offences, also joined Putin’s army to fight in Ukraine.
The Brit shared videos from the grim frontline where Ukrainian soldiers are giving up their lives to rid their country of Russian invaders.
Failures, criminals, and sex offenders largely turn up to Russia because they feel they have been victimised in the West
Keir Giles
Brazenly flaunting his Russian military gear in one clip, Stimson waves around the Kremlin‘s flag and gloats: “Yes, yes, I’m back in Russia. I’m back in uniform.”
He even produces an unexploded grenade, taken from a captured Ukrainian stockpile, taunting that he’s holding “British taxpayer returns”.
His “best British friend in the Russian army” is convicted felon Aiden Minnis from Chippenham.
A former National Front member who was jailed for a racist attack, he told the Mirror he is also now a “sapper in the Russian army”.
Both the Brits were branded “absolute disgrace” for fighting in Putin’s army.
Tyrant Putin has changed Russian immigration laws to tempt people to ditch the West and seek asylum in his country with “traditional values”.
He signed a decree to streamline the Russian immigration process – waiving off immigration quotas and the need for Russian language exams – for foreigners opposed to the Western idea of democracy.
The dictator recently passed a law allowing foreign nationals who fight in his meatgrinder war in Ukraine to seek fast-track citizenship in Russia – along with their entire family.
Moscow has said that many families in the West, including Brits, are answering Vladimir Putin‘s call to move to Russia.
Reports by the Russian embassy in London claim at least at least 34 people have requested to move to Russia from the UK after Putin signed the decree on August 19.
Those who applied have not had to prove they can speak Russian or have any knowledge of the “history and fundamentals of Russian legislation”, The Telegraph reports.
Putin’s new tactic has already paved the way for American citizen Leo Lionel, his wife Chantel Felice Haer and their three children, aged 16, 14, and 11.
Russia has been very successful in selling itself as a particular idea of a society and it tends to attract people from other countries, particularly Western countries
Keir Giles
Lionel said: “Personally I want to thank your President Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate.
“We intend to use this opportunity to benefit our family. I feel like I’ve been put in an arch of safety. And it’s very important.”
Canadian passport holder Arend Feinstra with his wife also left their country and moved to Russia with their eight children.
He said of his move: “We didn’t feel safe with our children there and for the future.”
The grandson of the French war hero Charles de Gaulle last year said he wanted Russian citizenship because the country offered “great possibilities”.
Pierre de Gaulle made headlines in the Russian media for his pro-Kremlin statements.
While attending a cultural forum event in St Petersburg, he said: “It would be an honour for me to acquire Russian citizenship.”
Since the start of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, de Gaulle has been starkly supportive of Putin – saying Russia was “fighting for traditional values”.
Appearing to welcome supporters with open arms, Putin and his pals are building a village outside Moscow for conservative Westerners, according to Russian state media.
Russian immigration lawyer Timur Beslangurov claimed that some 200 Western families wish to move to Russia for “ideological reasons”, the Moscow Times reported.
The lawyer further claimed, without offering evidence, that “tens of thousands” of foreigners would like to move to Russia for similar reasons.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s cooperation on extraditions with Western countries has practically ended since the Ukraine war began as wanted fugitives seek to hide out in wartime Russia.
Chad Hower, a former high-profile Microsoft employee, claims to have been wanted by the FBI and Interpol for more than a decade for alleged parental kidnapping.
The American citizen was eventually arrested in Bulgaria by federal agents and jailed.
The US tried to extradite him but failed as Bulgaria doesn’t recognise parental kidnapping as a crime.
Hower was eventually released – and that’s when he turned to Russia to seek asylum.
He told The Sun: “They saved my life.”
Hower worked in a senior position with Microsoft, allegedly working with high-level government officials from Pakistan as well as the Saudi Royal family.
After separating from his first wife, Hower married a Russian woman whose family had a high-security clearance with Russian military secrets, he claims.
“We are talking about senior people working with Russian military secrets,” he said.
“And we lived in the same house for several years so they’re very close to me.”
He speculates that the US government is trying to turn him into an intelligence asset using his contacts in Russia.
The Sun was unable to verify the claims independently.
American national Edward Snowden, who was behind the biggest intelligence leak in the history of the National Security Agency, was also given asylum in Russia.
He was found guilty of two counts: violating the US Espionage Act and stealing government property.
The former computer contractor, who is currently under indictment, was granted permanent residency in Russia before receiving Russian citizenship by Putin.
DURING the height of Cold War, many westeners secretly doubled up as agents for Soviet Russia.
Here we take a look at some of the worst traitors during the Cold War who betrayed their country
Ray Mawby – Ray was a Tory MP who served in the British parliament from between 1955 and 1983.
In 2012, the BBC revealed how he secretly worked in cahoots with the communists of the world and handed over sensitive intelligence information to Czechoslovakia – which was then part of the Soviet Union.
He allegedly provided the floor plans of the British parliament – and even details about the prime minister’s security team.
The Cambridge Five – Known as one of the most notorious spy syndicates, the Cambridge Five was accused of passing secret information to the Soviet Union during the Second World War and the Cold War.
The members of the group were highly influenced by Marxism-Leninism ideology in Soviet communism – and were almost convinced it was the best political system in the world.
None of the members of the group was ever prosecuted for their alleged espionage.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg – Julius and Ethel were an American married couple who were convicted of espionage in 1951. Both were staunch communists who allegedly formed and ran a spy ring.
On behalf of the Soviet Union, the couple leaked classified documents including top-secret information about American nuclear weapons as well as radar, and sonar technology.
Decrypted KGB messages released by post-Soviet Russia proved their espionage activities.
Klaus Fuchs – Klaus was a German theoretical physicist who was part of America’s Manhattan Project.
He spied and passed secret atomic information to the Soviet Union during the nuclear arms race – and was finally convicted of espionage in 1950, following which he served nine years in prison in the UK.
ROYAL Mail is increasing the price of stamps again in just a few days.
The price of first-class stamps will rise by 30p to £1.65, the second rise in a year, the delivery giant has confirmed.
Royal Mail said the price increase will come into force from October 7.
It comes after first class stamp prices increased by 10p to £1.35 in April and by 10p to 85p for second class.
The company has frozen the cost of second class stamps at 85p until 2029 in a bid to keep the sending of letters affordable.
Royal Mail says it has tried to keep price increases as low as possible in the face of declining letter volumes, and inflationary pressures.
When announcing the price rise earlier this month, it also cited the costs associated with maintaining the so-called Universal Service Obligation (USO) under which deliveries have to be made six days a week.
Postal regulator Ofcom declared in early September that Royal Mail could be allowed to axe Saturday deliveries for second class letters as part of an overhaul of the service.
Ofcom, which has been consulting on the future of the universal postal service since January, said it should keep first class deliveries to six days a week.
Under the plans being considered, second class deliveries would not be made on Saturdays and would only be on alternate weekdays, but delivery times would remain unchanged at up to three working days.
Ofcom said no formal decision had been made and it continues to review the changes, with aims to publish a consultation in early 2025 and make a decision in the summer of next year.
Royal Mail said letter volumes have fallen from 20billion in 2004/5 to around 6.7billion a year in 2023/4, so the average household now receives four letters a week, compared to 14 a decade ago.
The number of addresses Royal Mail must deliver to has risen by 4million in the same period meaning the cost of each delivery continues to rise.
Royal Mail said the universal service needs urgent reform, adding: “The minimum requirements of the universal service haven’t changed for over 20 years despite major changes to how people communicate.
“We have no certainty on regulatory reform and the rate of letter decline and ongoing losses means that Royal Mail has had to take the necessary steps within its power to address the very real and urgent financial sustainability challenge the universal service faces right now.
Nick Landon, Royal Mail’s chief commercial officer, said it always considers price increases “very carefully”.
However, he said, as letter volumes have declined by two-thirds since their peak, the cost of delivering each letter has inevitably increased.
He added: “A complex and extensive network is needed to get every letter and parcel across the country for a single price – travelling on trucks, planes, ferries and in some cases drones before it reaches its final destination on foot. We are proud to deliver the universal service, but the financial cost is significant.
“The universal service must adapt to reflect changing customer preferences and increasing costs so that we can protect the one-price-goes anywhere service, now and in the future.”
Royal Mail typically increases the price of stamps annually and this year the price rose in April.
Normally, it gives customers advance warning of around a month before pushing up prices.
This year the hike was announced in March.
Royal Mail said it is hiking the price of postage due to the decline in the number of people sending letters.
It blamed rising inflation for the increase too.
It also cited the costs associated with maintaining the so-called Universal Service Obligation (USO) under which deliveries have to be made six days a week.
Royal Mail has urged the Government and Ofcom to review its obligations, arguing that it is no longer workable or cost-effective, given the decline in addressed letter post.
In its submission to Ofcom in April, it proposed ditching Saturday deliveries for second class post and cutting the service to every other weekday.
Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s group director for networks and communications, said: “If we decide to propose changes to the universal service next year, we want to make sure we achieve the best outcome for consumers.
“So we’re now looking at whether we can get the universal service back on an even keel in a way that meets people’s needs.
“But this won’t be a free pass for Royal Mail – under any scenario, it must invest in its network, become more efficient and improve its service levels.”
Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), which agreed to a £3.57billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in May, said “change cannot come soon enough” to the UK’s postal service.
Royal Mail also ousted old-style stamps and replaced them with barcoded ones last July.
The business said the move would make letters more secure.
Anyone who still has these old-style stamps and uses them may have to pay a surcharge.
Royal Mail previously raised the price of first class stamps from £1.10 to £1.25 last October, before boosting them again in April.
Right now, a first class stamp costs £1.35, which covers the delivery of letters up to 100g.
Historically, the cost of stamps has seen a steady increase over the years, reflecting inflation and operational costs. For example, in 2000, a First Class stamp was priced at 41p.
A second class stamp is priced at 85p and also covers letters up to 100g.
The stamps can be bought individually if you buy it at a Post Office counter.
Otherwise, you can typically buy them in sets of multiple stamps.
The first class service typically delivers the next working day, including Saturdays, while the second class service usually delivers within 2-3 working days, also including Saturdays.
For larger letters, the cost of a first class stamp is £2.20 for items up to 100g, and a second class stamp for the same weight is £1.55.
Parcel delivery prices vary based on size and weight, starting from £3.69 for small parcels.
Additional services include the “signed for” option, which requires a signature upon delivery and adds an extra level of security.
The cost for first class signed for is £3.05, and for second class Signed for, it is £2.55.
The “special delivery” service guarantees next-day delivery by 1pm with compensation cover, with prices starting from £7.95.
Royal Mail periodically reviews and adjusts stamp prices, so it is advisable to check the latest rates on their official website or at your local post office.
The cost of a book of stamps has risen gradually over the past few decades.
First class stamps were worth 60p in the early 2010s and are now priced at £1.35.
Second class stamps were also worth 50p in the early 2010s but now sell for 85p.
First class stamps cost 95p at one point in 2023, before being hiked to £1.10 last April. They were then raised by 15p to £1.25 last October.
The latest hike on first class stamps to £1.65 in October means they will have risen by a staggering 43% since just last year.
Money guru Martin Lewis advised Brits to buy stamps in bulk before the new prices kick in to save a decent chunk of change for all their posting needs.
He said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance, as provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid after the hike.
“So you may as well stock up now, even if it’s just for Christmas cards for the next few Christmases.”
Do bear in mind though, if you stock up on stamps now, be careful to avoid fakes, he said.
Buy from reputable high street outlets and, where possible, hang on to your receipt.
Stamps are also available directly from the Royal Mail online shop, but you have to spend £50 to get free delivery.
Back in April, Royal Mail paused the £5 penalty for anyone who receives a letter with a fake stamp on it while it takes fresh action against counterfeits.
However, you could still be charged if you use a fake stamp when sending something.
To check whether a stamp is genuine, you can use Royal Mail’s new “fake stamp scanner” on the app.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
ELIZABETH Hurley has stunned fans in a little white dress while standing next to Patsy Kensit who can be seen flashing her knickers, in a throwback snap from their Kill Cruise days.
The glam pals posted the photo to celebrate 35 years of friendship, as they shared a look at their younger selves in a modelling shot from 1989.
Then, in the next slide, the beautiful ladies can be seen smiling for a very chic selfie as they joined together for a fund raising lunch this week, for Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Elizabeth penned: “5 years of friendship with @patsykensit First pic is the day we met and second pic is a few days ago,” before adding a caption that read “friends for life.”
The throwbacks sees 56-year-old Patsy as a then 21-year-old, modelling an orange dress and throwing a sultry look to the camera.
Stood next to her is Elizabeth, 59, who is 24-years-old at the time of the throwback, wearing a little white dress with her brown hair up in a florescent yellow scrunchie.
Elizabeth pouts at the camera as she grabs the hem of her dress and throws a look at the camera.
Fast-forward to the present day, and the actresses can be seen together in a radiant selfie, with Elizabeth in a popping pink gown and Patsy in a black dress.
The ladies showed off their timeless beauty as they celebrated their 35-year friendship – and fans were quick to notice it.
One person penned: “Good god how can you two still seem so young, you both look amazing..”
A second added: “Timeless queens, both still looking so gorgeous.”
The ladies met while starring in a movie named Kill Cruise which was released in 1990.
It’s about a “washed-out German sailor who, in a drunken state, agrees to take two British women from Gibraltar to the West Indies in his sail boat.”
Since Kill Cruise, both Patsy and Elizabeth have gone on to have impressive careers in acting.
Elizabeth has appeared in films and television shows, including Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Bedazzled (2000), The Royals (2015–2018), Runaways (2019), and Gossip Girl (2011).
And Patsy has had roles in Absolute Beginners (1986), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), and starred in soaps Emmerdale, EastEnders and Holby City.
