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JAKE PAUL says his passion for promoting women’s boxing stemmed from Amanda Serrano’s remarkable rise to riches.

Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions stable have become the premier platform for female fighters with a string of high-profile signings.

Rex

The Mega Agency

Serrano is now the highest-paid female boxer of all time[/caption]

Instagram / @serranosisters

She signed with Jake Paul in 2021[/caption]

Alycia Baumgardner, Savannah Marshall, Chantelle Cameron and Ellie Scotney have all been added to their increasing stable of late.

But it all started with Serrano in 2021, who came on board as Puerto Rico’s legendary seven-weight world champion.

At the time, Serrano was only earning £3,000 for her world title fights – now she is the highest-paid female boxer of all time.

Paul, with his promotional hat on, said: “It just came from the organic relationship that was formed with Amanda Serrano.

“Seeing how entertaining of a fighter she was and how talented – one of the best boxers of all time period male or female – and how underpaid she was and underserved and wasn’t getting the shine that she deserved.”

Serrano, 38, has had two bouts with Irish icon Katie Taylor, 36, losing both thrillers via razor-tight decisions.

And for her rematch – after making over £1million in the original – the New Yorker is believed to have banked over £5m.

The boxing pioneers now collide for a trilogy on July 11 back at New York’s Madison Square Garden as part of a historic all-women’s card on Netflix.

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Paul’s new top talent – including Brit trio Marshall, Cameron and Scotney – all fight in a showcase of MVP’s commitment to women’s boxing

He said: “I think It turned into this bigger movement and now you just see that all across sports, women shining the Caitlin Clarks, etc.

“And now it’s happening in boxing and women are getting their equal and fair shot and MVP proved that we can make mega fights happen with women.

“And, they’re arguably more entertaining than a lot of the recent men’s fights that we’ve seen.”

Serrano lost her rematch to Taylor on Paul’s undercard in November – when he beat 58-year-old Mike Tyson in their controversial Netflix clash.

Now Paul, 28, returns against ex-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, on June 28 live on DAZN PPV.

He said: “Chavez and I have been going back and forth for a long time and he’s always been a great opponent on the list of someone that I wanted to fight.

“And now it made perfect sense to go up against him as a former world champion and just continuing to further my resume and get more time under the lights.”

Reuters

SITTING in the driver’s seat of his Maserati, Ryan Thomas chuckles as he realises he’s got a pair of toddler’s pants stuffed in his jeans pocket.

“That’s dad life,” smiles the Coronation Street star, who has two children with his fiancée, former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh – recently-potty-trained Lilah, three, and son Roman, five.

Mark Hayman

Mark Hayman

Ryan Thomas Instagram

“When Lilah handed me a pair of pants today, it reminded me of when I was in a club and found a dummy in my pocket. I thought, ‘What’s my life come to?!’”

Of course, this Manchester-born family man wouldn’t have it any other way.

Within minutes of our chat, it’s clear that after playing Jason Grimshaw in Corrie for 16 years, and then Rafael Humphreys in Neighbours in 2018, before winning Celebrity Big Brother the same year, and dazzling on last year’s Dancing On Ice, fatherhood is Ryan’s most celebrated role.

Family man

“When I sit around the table with all my children and Luce, I think, ‘I made this’. It’s those moments when I really appreciate what I’ve got,” he says.

Ryan also shares 16-year-old Scarlett, his actress daughter, with his ex, fellow Corrie star Tina O’Brien. But don’t expect a fourth addition to his brood anytime soon.

“Never, never, ever, ever, ever, ever! I’ve got three beautiful children. I don’t need any more, thank you very much!” he laughs.

“It’s a full-time responsibility and really hard work for us parents, though it is the most rewarding job in the world.”

He dismisses the term “blended family” by explaining: “We’re just a solid family, and that’s how it will always be.”

The family relocated to Manchester in March, after seven years in Essex, largely to be closer to Scarlett, who lives up north with her mum.

“When I was in Essex, Scarlett was coming down frequently – she was there every weekend, school holidays – and then it wasn’t happening as much.

“You know when they get to an age when their friends are more important than parents? I was really missing the day-to-day stuff, so I was like, ‘We need to go home’.”

Ryan, 41, shares his “biggest worry” as a parent is his teen daughter: “I can’t visibly see her, [I don’t] wake up with her every morning or know what she’s doing,” he says, joking he’ll be poised when boyfriends inevitably come calling.

Biggest worry

“Have you ever seen Bad Boys II when Will Smith and Martin Lawrence come to the door and the boy asks to take the daughter out on a date? That’s what will happen.

“It’ll be me and my brothers standing there! It’s always going to be difficult when your babies leave the nest, because they’re always your babies. It doesn’t matter how old they are.”

Scarlett was 14 when she landed her first major screen role, playing Izzy Charles in BBC drama Waterloo Road alongside her uncle, ex Emmerdale star Adam, 36.

Mark Hayman

Instagram

ITV/Danielle Baguley/Shutterstock

There are now whispers she will bank “at least” £2million by her 18th birthday from lucrative TV and social media work.

“I’m here for it! This is the best news I’ve ever heard!” roars Ryan, before shutting down claims that Scarlett is a “nepo baby”, AKA a child who’s had a leg up into their famous parents’ industry.

“Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family, getting on Waterloo Road.

“But she worked damn hard to get that job, and people need to recognise that she’s a talented girl – she’s up against other people and she’s not getting a free ride.

Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family… she worked damn hard

Ryan Thomas on daughter Scarlett

“She has to go through the same process as everyone else – it was between her and somebody else. It wasn’t like, ‘This is a Thomas, she’s going to get this job’.”

Scarlett often features in the family’s hilarious YouTube and TikTok videos, alongside Ryan’s twin brothers Adam and Love Island star, Scott, and their families.

More than 903k fans follow the @Thethomasfam__ TikTok account, which has 14.8 million likes – popularity that has prompted some to label them the UK’s answer to the Kardashians.

“That’s what everyone’s screaming out for. Everything I see on socials, is like, ‘Give these guys a reality TV show’,” says Ryan, insisting that wasn’t the goal when they “fell” into TikTok last autumn.

But now there are “conversations being had with TV production companies”.

He says: “For me and my brothers, it’s become a bit of a full-time job. We’ve probably done every show in the country, but now I get stopped on the street for being a TikToker.

“We’re so lucky, it’s a real privilege to be able to work with your family and have fun.”

How does he feel about the tiniest Thomases having public profiles, specifically Scarlett who’s built a robust 179k following, but has had to deal with trolling since joining the platform?

“All the family have grown up in the public eye. Scarlett’s an actress, so this seems very much aligned to where she’s going.

“Plus, we never have the kids doing things they don’t want to do,” insists Ryan.

And how about the exposure Scarlett is getting online?

“It can be difficult being a 16 year old, but that’s what it’s like for most teenagers, right?

“They’re all looking at examples of how they’re supposed to be, what they do and how they dress. In the forefront of their vision is Instagram and TikTok.

“It’s frightening, but as long as you’ve got a loving family around you with a solid foundation, I think you can get through it.”

‘Mad time of life’

That said, he is all in favour of a ban on children using social media until they turn 16 – the age Scarlett set up her accounts.

“We all can be addicted to social media at some point, even in our adulthood, so to protect our kids, I think that’s a great idea.”

In 2021, Ryan announced he was turning his back on acting, after struggling to deal with being rejected for roles and experiencing social media trolling.

However, in March this year – the same month he and Adam launched their ITV game show 99 To Beat – Ryan was back on the Corrie cobbles filming the exit story line of his on-screen mum Eileen Grimshaw, played by Sue Cleaver.

He returned to screens two weeks ago in a storyline that saw Eileen quit the cobbles to run a bar in Thailand with her oldest son.

“When I was in Corrie, it was electric,” says Ryan. “There were only four TV channels when I started, so it was instant fame, a mad time of life.

“To revisit that world and all the crew and cast and going back into the make-up room with all the same make-up girls was bloody magical.”

While he has no desire to return full-time to Corrie, did picking up his soap scripts rekindle a passion for acting?

“I did get a bit of a bug for it again, and you never know what’s around the corner,” he replies, noting that he no longer cares about public opinion.

“I’m in my own world. I’ve got my own family now. I’m like, ‘Whatever’. I just presented a bloody game show and I don’t even know how to present.

I back myself as a dad, and I think that’s because of the mistakes my dad made. I learned from them

Ryan Thomas

“Adam and I were up for two [awards] at the National TV Awards – for Best Presenter and Best Game Show – and I’m like, ‘How did this happen?’ We don’t even know how to do it, but we’re giving it a go!”

Full of infectious positive energy, Ryan isn’t afraid to bare his soul, either, particularly as talk turns to his father, ’70s soul singer Dougie James, who died unexpectedly, aged 72, in November 2020.

“I haven’t talked about my dad for such a long time. God, I miss him every day.”

Ryan pauses for a few seconds, overcome with emotion.

“I think about him all the time. I’ve even got his ashes in my living room and he watches me every night.

“I haven’t got to the point where I’ve been able to bury him, because I can’t bring myself to not have him with me.

“I’ve asked the boys and they said they’re OK with me having him there.”

Ryan was 12 and his twin brothers six when his dad – lead singer of Dougie James And The Soul Train, who once toured with The Jackson 5 – left the family, severing contact for seven years.

During those years of abandonment, Father’s Day must have been really tough?

“Not Father’s Day, but in general,” says Ryan. “I was waiting for him to come back every day. I used to listen to a cassette [of him singing] in bed every night.

I was waiting for him to come back every day

Ryan Thomas

“It was very, very tough, but I wouldn’t change any of it. It’s made me who I am and made me a better father – stronger, more stable, responsible, present.

“I back myself as a dad, and I think that’s because of the mistakes my dad made. I learned from them.”

Dougie’s absence inadvertently gave Ryan a premature and unlikely grounding in fatherhood, as he stepped up to help mum Gail raise Adam and Scott, eventually financially supporting the family once he hit the big time in Corrie.

“Oh, I was their father, yeah,” he says. “They are my kids. I know it sounds weird, but I brought them up. I did everything for them – I was that father for them, the man about the house. I’m obsessed with my brothers.

“They look at me like a brother, but I look at them like my children, [no] different from the way I look at my own kids, because they’re just as important, just in a different way.”

Travelling to India in 2019 with his dad and brothers to film their ITV series Absolutely India: Mancs In Mumbai, where they unearthed their family’s Indian roots, set a benchmark for future TV projects.

Ryan says: “I’d love to do another project like that, where people get insight into us, but they also get insight into a culture, history, family and brotherhood.

“I would love to do a road trip with them. When we were kids, my nana drove us across Florida in a big red van and I remember it so vividly. I’d love to do that again, a big road trip with all the family.”

It was on another adventure, this time on a remote island in the Pacific in 2017, that Ryan met his wife, fitness and health entrepreneur Lucy, 33, while filming Channel 4’s Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls.

I absolutely love my time with Lucy. I fancy her and I still get that feeling inside my tummy

Ryan Thomas

The couple got engaged in the summer of 2019, shortly before Lucy realised she was pregnant with Roman.

Six years on, they are no closer to setting a wedding date.

“We are having the conversations and it will happen, but when? We’re always renovating and moving.

“When that stops and we stop enjoying ourselves, I think it will happen,” says Ryan – who celebrated his 40th birthday last June in Portugal with 80 of their nearest and dearest, an occasion that felt “like a bit of a wedding”.

He and Lucy, who found fame on Towie in 2010, are planning a child-free holiday to Ibiza and have regular Thursday date nights.

“On our last date, we just went out for dinner. It’s important to have a little time for yourselves amongst all the hustle and bustle. I absolutely love my time with Lucy. I fancy her and I still get that feeling inside my tummy.

“I absolutely adore her and love having time with her on my own. It’s hard sometimes, though, because she never switches off, it’s always just work or kids. So if I don’t plan these date nights, then…”

He doesn’t get a look in?

“It’s all for me!” laughs Ryan. “I need her all to myself!”

Father’s Day, though, is entirely about family time.

“As long as I’m sitting around the table with my family, that’s all that matters to me.

“And this year, I get to show off my two children on the front of Fabulous magazine. How cool is that?!”

• Follow Ryan on Instagram @RyanThomas84.

THOUSANDS of US troops flanked by battle tanks and advanced stealth jets will march on the streets as President Donald Trump kicks off a grand military parade – on his birthday.

Patriotic tunes will fill the air in Washington DC as the commander in chief turns 79 – with the grand military spectacle set to commemorate the US Army‘s 250th anniversary.

AFP

Soldiers dressed in Revolutionary war-era uniforms charge during the US Army’s Twilight Tattoo event[/caption]

Reuters

A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be used in the US Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration is seen near the US Capitol[/caption]

EPA

US soldiers stand beside IAV Stryker armoured vehicles that are staged ahead of a 14 June military parade in Washington, DC[/caption]

AFP

The main stage for the US Army’s 250th birthday celebration parade[/caption]

AP

Trump turns 79 today[/caption]

The grandiose military parade will showcase soldiers, sailors, airmen and US Marines marching in their uniforms in front of thousands of spectators.

As many as 7,000 troops and seven band contingents have reportedly been called to participate in the show.

They will be accompanied by at least 150 military vehicles and some 50 aircraft.

Some 2,000 civilians could also take march alongside the US military.

And the whole celebration will be enclosed with an 18 mile ring of steel to protect the parade.

Drones and a small army of cops will be on hand to keep order – with there expected to be protests across the country as part of “No Kings” day, a series of anti-Trump rallies by people objecting to the parade.

It comes after a week of unrest in many cities – with anti-immigration raid riots in LA and protests against ICE across the US.

June 14 this year marks the 250th anniversary of the US Army, also known as Army Day.

The day also coincides with Trump‘s 79th birthday.

To celebrate both things in style, Trump planned to throw a military parade to showcase America’s might.

For years, the president is said to have had his eyes on a full-blown military show, but has failed to put up a working plan – until now.

Plans are to roll down battle tanks, massive military equipment, and aircraft and missiles, just as Trump first envisioned the parade during his first term.

The president, who is expected to give a speech during the parade, has pitched the occasion as a way to celebrate US power and service members’ sacrifice.

The parade will also showcase antics from different eras of the Army’s history, right from the Revolutionary War in 1775 to the modern developments of the US Army.

Contingent members are expected to wear corresponding uniforms and carry equipment respectively.

Among the military equipment set to be flaunted are 26 M1A1 Abrams tanks, 27 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, two World War II Sherman tanks, a World War I-era Renault tank, eight CH-47 helicopters, 16 UH-60 Black Hawks and four WWII-era P-51 aircraft. 

While US officials have yet to release the cost of the planned parade, the figure is expected to reach up to a whopping $45million.

This includes the cost of transporting all the military equipment across Washington and putting up safety measures for the public expected to gather at the parade.

Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler said that the Army is excited about the plans for its anniversary.

He added: “We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us.

“We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers.

EPA

A US soldier works atop an Abrams tank that is staged in West Potomac Park ahead of a 14 June military parade[/caption]

AFP

Tanks rest on the back of a rail car before being used for the parade[/caption]

AFP

US Army soldiers on top of an M1 Abrams tank during a media preview of the Army’s Parade[/caption]

Reuters

A US Park Police officer poses for a photograph next to a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to be used in the US Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration[/caption]

“A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”

Trump appeared to tease the grand plan last month in a post on Truth Social, where he wrote: “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

He also vowed to rename May 8, now known as Victory in Europe Day, as “Victory Day for World War II,” and to change November 11, Veterans Day, to “Victory Day for World War I”.

Meanwhile, immigration rioters protesting against the Trump administration in LA could show up in Washington, experts fear.

But Trump warned protestors would be “met with very big force” if they attempted to sow chaos during the parade.

He told reporters from the White House: “For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force.”

Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday’s parade, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool revealed.

McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies across the country.

Iran’s foreign ministry has described further discussions as “meaningless”, after Israeli attacks on the country.

In comments carried by state television, spokesman Esmail Baghaei said: “The US did a job that made the talks become meaningless.”

However, he stopped short of ruling out the talks.

The Mizan news agency, run by Iran’s judiciary, quoted him as saying it is still “not clear what we decide about Sunday talks”.

A HUGE Irish actor has today emerged as the frontrunner to play the next James Bond villain.

Ever since Daniel Craig left the famous franchise the rumour mill has been whirring as to who will take on the iconic 007 gig – but now fans want to know who will play the next Bond baddie.

Alamy

Fans are keen to know who will be the next James Bond after Daniel Craig quit – but who will play his nemesis?[/caption]

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Irish star Cillian Murphey is being tipped to bag the iconic Bond villain role in the next movie[/caption]

BBC

The actor is best known for playing Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders[/caption]

Now, an actor who was previously in the running to play James Bond, is being tipped to now play the iconic villain role.

According to the bookies Peaky Blinders actor Cillian Murphy is the current favourite to be named as the next 007 baddie.

He is leading the pack with odds of 9/2.

The Irish actor – best known for playing Thomas Shelby – previously said he was “too old” to play the famous spy.

But thanks to being at the peak of his career, the Oppenheimer star could be the next Bond villian.

Bookmaker expert Jake Ashton said: “The villain role in Bond movies is just as iconic as Bond himself.

“With Cillian Murphy at the height of his powers and trusted by major directors, he’s a natural favourite.”

RACE FOR BOND

Meanwhile, the race for James Bond is heating up.

Stars including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy, have all been strongly tipped to replace Daniel Craig as the Secret Service agent.

The Sun exclusively told how Aaron had been formally offered the role of the Brit spy last year.

This came after we first reported the Marvel movie star had emerged as a surprise frontrunner three years ago.

The Sun previously revealed the handsome actor was in the running for the job after secretly screen testing for Bond movie supremo Barbara Broccoli at Pinewood Studios.

A source previously told us: “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it.

“The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.”

When asked previously whether he would step into Bond’s shoes, Aaron said: “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role.

“I take it as a great compliment.”

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Marvel actor Aaron Taylor Johnson has long been a frontrunner for the prestigious film role[/caption]

Alamy

Daniel played MI6’s most famous spy for 15 years[/caption]

BRIT BOND

It’s also been confirmed that Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to “woke” Hollywood streaming site Amazon.

Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007’s stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the spy would retain his nationality and gender.

Barbara, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal.

Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant – owned by Jeff Bezos – will turn Bond “woke”.

An insider told the Mail on Sunday: “Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male.”

Half-siblings Barbara and Michael took over the Bond franchise from their father and stepfather Albert “Cubby” Broccoli – who bought the film rights from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.

Since then there have been 25 movies – where Bond defeats villains bent on destruction, all while drinking martinis and seducing women.

A POPULAR holiday hotspot in Spain will reportedly ban 24-hours bars as it introduces a strict curfew.

Brits jetting to Alicante will be disappointed to learn that they have to end their nights out early.

Alamy

Alicante will reportedly introduce a new curfew forcing businesses to close early[/caption]

Holidaymakers flock to Spain for the hot weather, beautiful beaches and a fun night life.

Although Spaniards are known for their late dinners and partying till the early morning hours, it might not be the case anymore.

Alicante, a port city in Costa Blanca, is implementing a new curfew due to the noise complaints, according to the Olive Press.

Businesses will now be forced to close at 12.30am on weekdays and 1am on weekends.

Nightclubs and other night entertainment venues will also shut their doors earlier than before.

On weekdays, patrons will be asked to leave at 1am and on weekends parties will be cut short at 3am.

The crackdown on noise will be most severe in Old Town and the city centre close to Calle Castaño, also known as Acoustically Saturated Zones (ZAS).

Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in these impacted areas will also be prohibited from obtaining new licenses or permits in addition to the revised schedule.

This also holds true for any other location where tourist traffic can become unmanageable, like cafés, food and drink stands, newspapers, event spaces, and karaoke bars.

Even establishments that work around the clock will be forced to close their doors between 12.30am to 7am.

During these hours, local police is expected to patrol the streets to reinforce the curfew rules and check that restaurant terraces are neatly packed up.

But the curfew will reportedly ease up around Christmas and New Year time with the exact hours yet to be confirmed by the local council.

The new restrictions come as 18million tourists passed through the Alicante-Elche airport last summer.

A whopping 5million visitors picked Alicante as their vacation destination last year.

Spain has introduced a number of strict rules across the country as it battles overcrowding while resorts are packed with tourists.

Smoking is banned on a number of beaches in Barcelona and the Canary islands, with fines up to £1,700.

Some restaurants in Majorca ban any tourists who are wearing football shirts.

And alcohol limits are in place on destinations such as Magaluf and Ibiza.

Tourists at all-inclusive resorts will only be allowed to have three drinks in the day and three in the evening.

Meanwhile, anti-tourist demonstrations have been sweeping holiday hotspots with the next protest set to happen tomorrow.

Hundreds take to the streets in high foot traffic areas, airports and major landmarks to demonstrate against overtourism, blaming holidaymakers for spiralling prices, housing shortages, overcrowded city centres and environmental issues.

THIS is the dramatic moment a wing falls off a £15 million Russian warplane during a frontline mission over Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

The pilot miraculously cheated death by ejecting before the Su-25 aircraft came tumbling to the ground. 

East2West

An attack aircraft begins to spin uncontrollably over Ukraine’s Soledar city[/caption]

East2West

White smoke and flames are seen as the warplane falls to the ground[/caption]

East2West

Pictured: the fighter pilot under a parachute (circled), the warplane engulfed in flames and the aircraft’s detached right wing (black object on right)[/caption]

In the shocking video, the doomed warplane is seen spiralling out of control as it plummets from the sky over the Ukrainian city of Soledar.

The Russian aircraft’s right wing appears to have detached.

Flames engulf the warplane as it falls to the ground, crashing into a field.

A fighter pilot is visible descending under a parachute, having ejected moments.

It was initially assumed the Su-25 had been shot down.

Ukrainian media claimed the aircraft may have been downed by “friendly fire” – an unguided missile from its partner plane.

Others suggested the cause may have been heat trap flares and possible missiles from the Su-25.

But the absence of a large explosion – typically expected in the case of a direct missile strike – has led experts on both sides to propose a different theory.

Russia’s Su-25 fleet is outdated – with each aircraft averaging over 40 years old – and has experienced multiple technical failures in the past, as reported by the Kyiv Post.

The pilot was reportedly rescued by Russian forces on the ground while under fire from Ukrainian drones.  

An Mi-8 helicopter arrived at the crash site and evacuated him.

Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber cited “destruction of the wing” as the cause of the crash.

“The pilot is in the hospital with a broken arm,” the channel wrote.

It added: “A commission will investigate what went wrong and determine who is to blame.”

The visible “missiles” may be unignited heat trap flares designed to distract heat-seeking missiles away from the aircraft’s engines, according to some sources.

Ukraine has not made an official statement about the incident.

Ukrainian Militarniy media outlet ruled out the possibilities of friendly fire and an exploding missile.

The channel said: “The third possible reason is a defect in the aircraft’s power structure that arose due to prolonged intensive use of the aircraft in combat operations or a manufacturing defect.

“This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the wing broke off at the moment of the turn, when it is subjected to the greatest loads. 

“Another indirect confirmation may be that the operation of Russian attack aircraft, whose average age reaches 40 years, is associated with a significant number of emergency situations.”

Ukrainian war analyst Yury Butusov backed this theory, saying: “At first it seems that it was shot down by its own pilot, the pilot of another aircraft. 

“However, when viewed in slow motion, one can conclude that the Su-25’s wing failed due to excessive overload and exhaustion of the attack aircraft’s resources.”

The Su-25 is a Soviet, twin-engine, single-seat aircraft developed by Sukhoi in the late 1970s.

BBC RADIO 2 icon Jo Whiley has explained why her kids will “never be nepo babies,” despite her huge career success. 

The highly successful 59-year-old radio star has been a host since 1993 and presented her own show on BBC Radio 1 from 2001-2009.

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BBC Radio 2 icon Jo Whiley has explained why her kids will “never be nepo babies,” despite her huge career success[/caption]

Getty

The star has enjoyed a very successful career across radio and television[/caption]

Getty

Jo and Steve and two of their children[/caption]

In addition to her radio work, Jo is also an accomplished TV presenter and has covered many major music festivals. 

And over the course of her booming career, Jo has met and interviewed some huge names, even introducing her kids to some “very, very cool people” – from the actors playing Doctor Who to Liam Gallagher, and more.

The star married music executive Steve Morton in July 1991, and together they share their four kids – their eldest daughter India was born the year they were married before an eight-year gap for the birth of son Jude.

The couple also share son Cassius and daughter Coco Lux. 

But despite their musical connections and fame, Jo insists her four children will “never be nepo babies.”

Speaking alongside a new campaign with The Rail Industry, Jo told The Sun: “My kids will never be nepo babies. They are very determined never ever to make it because I’m their mum.

“It really horrifies them – the thought that anybody would ever employ them because of what I do. So they’re so determined to get jobs and do work on their own merits, and they will never take advantage of me at all.” 

Jo added: “They’ll never ever use my name to get somewhere.”

Jo says it’s actually her who ends up introducing her children to popular artists and modern music, as opposed to the other way around. 

“It works both ways for us, it really does,” she said, adding: “Coco really loves Lorde, and I’ve interviewed her in the past. 

“But also I’ve introduced them all to the likes of The Killers, Lorde, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish and beabadoobee. Just some amazing women, sensational females at the moment who are just slaying, and my 16 year old absolutely adores them all and I’ve loved being on the journey with her.

“The people I’ve interviewed over the years are now part of my kids’ lives, but they’ve introduced me to other artists who’ve come through as well.” 

And Jo’s passion for music isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

The DJ, who is often found in the booth at her 90s anthem gigs, turns 60 next month on 4th July, but she has no plans to slow down her career. 

“I’ve done so much over my career but I want to keep on keeping on, and playing music to people. I’m doing so much of what I enjoy at the moment, and I want to keep going with it.” 

But Jo hasn’t always been her confident self, able to interview huge music legends at the drop of a hat. 

In fact, the DJ admits she often feels out of her comfort zone, and will have to channel other famous faces to gain confidence at her gigs. 

Jo said she still gets starstruck if big Hollywood actors are next up for an interview with her – and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo in particular left her

She shared: “Whenever I have to learn lines to walk out on stage and say something, that’s my least confident moment because I just have a terrible memory. 

“I watch people on TV and I just think, ‘how do they know what to say?’ I always get really, really scared before I have to go out and deliver lines in front of an audience.

“When I was doing my nineties anthem shows or walking out onto a stage, it’s just not naturally me, you know.

“I’m much happier just talking to people on a 1 to 1 basis, so I kind of had to learn to act, and that’s what I did.”

She continued: “Now I think who am I going to channel and become a different person when I’m having to be confident. I think, what would Beyonce do? Or Michelle Obama for some reason. I think she’s invincible, and I, I think, right, how would Michelle deal with this?

“I think a lot of performers are the same – you just become another person. I go out there and I have some swagger, but I didn’t have that for a long time. I think seeing people’s faces and seeing how happy they were made me think, right, just get your act together and go out there and give these people a good time.”

Now, as well as juggling her bustling career, Jo, who says she’d love to own a flower shop in her part time, is hot on her fitness and recently took part in a triathlon, with another coming up in September. 

She’s also very content in her 34 year marriage to music executive Steve Morton, and says the key to their happy marriage is “still having fun together.” 

And away from her work duties, Jo has been on another musical journey recently, after teaming up with the rail industry to help promote a new study that has analysed the lyrics of every UK hit song since 1960 (songs that made the top 100 in any given year), finding that Camden is featured more times than anywhere else. 

Jo has been to various locations on her musical tour, from the likes of Taylor Swift’s ‘Black Dog’ pub in Vauxhall to The Smiths’ ‘Cemetery Gates’ in Manchester.

Talking about getting involved in the campaign, Jo said: “Because I’ve travelled around so much throughout my career, going to different music venues all around the country, I know the places where people live and grow up and where you experience music is really, really important. So joining this campaign was a natural fit. 

“It makes sense to shout about various locations that inspired different songs, whether it’s the Black Dog Pub in Vauxhall where Taylor Swift sang about, or Elton John’s song written on the roof on Denmark Street in Soho, because there’s that infamous line, ‘I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss’ and it’s like, ‘oh I can actually go.’

Jo Whiley has worked with National Rail to release a new series of audio guides exploring the connections between artists and the towns and cities that inspired them. You can find the guides on nationalrail.co.uk or Spotify. 

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Jo said her kids would ‘never use her name’ to get a job[/caption]

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The star is a mum-of-four[/caption]

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Jo has been on another musical journey recently, after teaming up with the rail industry to help promote a new study[/caption]

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The study has analysed the lyrics of every UK hit song since 1960[/caption]

A new patio in the UK typically costs between £80-£150 per square meter, but it depends on the materials and layout.

So a typical homeowner could end up paying a few hundred, to thousands to get a new one.

Amy on Facebook didn’t have that kind of money to sort her patio out.

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Amy’s patio slabs after sowing flower seeds[/caption]

Instead, she came up with a genius idea to transform her wonky slabs, into an area she would love.

Posting in the Facebook group Garden Makeover Ideas On A Budget, she said: “On a very tight budget, I couldn’t stretch to funding a new patio.

“So, last year, I bought some ground covering seeds and planted them between some of my wonky pavers.

“I’m thrilled with how they now look but, the amount of bees that have been collecting the nectar from them is incredible. I’m so pleased.”

She added a photograph of the results, showing her wonky patio slabs covered with gorgeous purple, white and blue flowers.

As for what flowers she sowed, replying to a comment, Amy said: “Mixed ground cover,” and said it “will bring new life to your garden/patio”.

She “added a little sand to the compost” which she was advised to do so by her local garden centre because “the sand stabilises the wonky pavers”.

Her post has received 11,000 likes so far and hundreds of comments.

One replied: “I absolutely love this idea! I have a horrible concrete area that I cover with benches and pots! Also have an old paved area all sunken forever taking out the weeds in between! Thank you for the great idea x.”

Someone else wrote: “I think that looks lovely & far nicer than a new boring patio, it looks how nature would have intended it to look with plants tumbling out if cracks & crevices.”

One comment read: “It looks so pretty! Love your solution and how nice that it’s attracted pollinators too.”

Another said they make a great replacement for pesky weeds: “Oh I love this. I’m going to pulled out those weeds and put in seeds.”

Someone else was keen to know if any weeds grew amongst her flowers. They asked: “That looks lovely. Do you have any problems with weeds pushing through too?”

Amy replied: “I have had a couple yes, but by and large, the flowers are winning the ‘cosy’ and limited space.”

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Close up of wood sorrel growing tenaciously in concrete cracks. Symbolic of resilience and beauty[/caption]

How to grow flowers between your patio slabs

1. Clean the area

Remove any weeds or debris from the cracks between your patio slabs. A weeding tool or a stiff brush can help with this. 

Make sure the holes are at least six inches deep to help roots develop.

2. Fill with soil and compost

Use a mix of soil and compost to fill the cracks.

3. Choose your plants

Opt for low-growing, spreading plants that can tolerate foot traffic. 

Some good choices are: thyme, chamomile, creeping speedwell, dwarf mondo grass, daisies.

4. Plant

If using seeds, mix them with a little compost and sand and push them into the cracks. 

For plug plants, carefully remove and gently plant them into the cracks. Fill any surrounding gaps with compost.

5. Water

Water the seeds thoroughly and continue to water regularly, especially during dry spells, until the plants are established. 

THE CLUB WORLD CUP is fast approaching as teams prepare to do battle in the US this month.

The expanded tournament will see 32 teams compete for the coveted trophy and a reported £100million jackpot.

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The Club World Cup is just around the corner and forgotten stars are ready to make their mark[/caption]

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The newly-expanded 32-team tournament takes place in the US[/caption]

The first-ever edition of the new Club World Cup format will take place in the US.

Chelsea and Manchester City are the sole representatives from the Premier League.

But there are a host of other big-name teams from around the world.

And as a result, there are numerous star players turning out — including those who have vanished from recent memory…

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Former Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris will be hoping to make an impact[/caption]

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He will turn out for LAFC, who play Chelsea in their group opener[/caption]

GK: HUGO LLORIS (LAFC)

Tottenham’s former captain, 38, joined LAFC at the start of 2024 and has already cemented his place as a fan favourite.

Lloris has clocked up 67 appearances in that short time, hot on the heels of his 447 outings in London.

The World Cup-winning stopper has even landed a trophy in the City of Angels, scooping the US Open Cup in September.

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And after helping LAFC win a playoff to replace Club Leon, Lloris will be between the sticks for the Group D opener against Chelsea on June 16.

But his presence is sure to reignite the Blues’ capital rivalry with Spurs.

CB: SERGIO RAMOS (MONTERREY)

Having led Real Madrid to four Club World Cups in the past, Ramos will be feeling confident he can help Mexican side Monterrey get far this summer.

The centre-back is already captaining the team just four months after joining following spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.

But at 39 years of age, Ramos has shown he has still got what it takes to boss a defence.

And he will need to be at his best to help Monterrey get past Inter Milan and River Plate in Group E.

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Ex-Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is in town[/caption]

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He is now captain of Mexican side Monterrey[/caption]

CB: THIAGO SILVA (FLUMINENSE)

Once a Chelsea icon, always a Chelsea icon.

Even at 40 years old, Silva would still likely walk back into the Blues’ XI.

Instead, he is king of the hill at Fluminense, saving them from relegation in his first season.

And Silva’s know-how should help the Brazilians get out of a group which includes German giants Borussia Dortmund.

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Thiago Silva became an icon at Chelsea[/caption]

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The veteran is starring for Fluminense[/caption]

CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI (BENFICA)

A two-time Premier League winner with Man City, Otamendi has gone on to win more trophies since leaving the Etihad.

Having now completed five seasons at Benfica, the 37-year-old has a Portuguese league title to boot.

And he even played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.

Otamendi is just one of several big forgotten names playing at Benfica, who are in a tough group with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.

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Nicolas Otamendi has won plenty since leaving Man City[/caption]

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He has spent five seasons at Benfica[/caption]

RWB: JOAO CANCELO (AL-HILAL)

Once regarded as the best full-back in world football, Cancelo’s fall from grace was swift after starring at giants including Inter Milan, Juventus, Man City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

He is now playing in Saudi Arabia, earning a fortune with moneybags Al-Hilal.

At the age of 31, Cancelo is still playing in his prime years.

And he will be looking to inflict damage when Al-Hilal come up against reigning champions Real Madrid in Group H.

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Joao Cancelo will be hoping to upstage old side Man City[/caption]

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The right-back plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia[/caption]

CM: ANDER HERRERA (BOCA JUNIORS)

It’s been six years since Herrera, 35, lit up Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.

His tenacity in midfield endeared him to supporters while raking in FOUR trophies including the FA Cup and Europa League.

After playing for PSG and a second spell at Athletic Bilbao, Herrera now finds himself in Argentina with Boca Juniors.

But just six appearances in all competitions since his January switch means Herrera may not be guaranteed a starting spot in the US.

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Ander Herrera won four trophies at Man Utd[/caption]

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He joined Argentine side Boca Juniors in January[/caption]

CM: RUBEN NEVES (AL-HILAL)

Why he was not snapped up by a fellow Premier League club while at Wolves remains a mystery.

Neves, 28, is only entering his prime now and continues to be a key player for Portugal.

Yet he finds himself playing in Saudi with Al-Hilal, completing a shock move two years ago before leading them to a Treble last season.

Neves would still walk into most European squads and could attract interest with some strong Club World Cup performances — but that’s only if he wants to leave the riches of the Middle East.

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Ruben Neves was a star man at Wolves[/caption]

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He has spent two years at Al-Hilal[/caption]

LWB: ALEX TELLES (BOTAFOGO)

A miserable time at Manchester United saw Telles, 32, fail to live up to the hype as one of Europe’s best left-footers.

After winning trophies galore at Galatasaray and Porto, he left Old Trafford empty-handed after just two years.

But he has enjoyed plenty of success since then, winning trophies at Sevilla, Al-Nassr and now Botafogo.

The Brazilian champs are coming in with a host of experienced homegrown talents and Telles’ deadly free-kicks are likely to cause some damage.

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It didn’t work out for Alex Telles at Man Utd[/caption]

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He has helped Botafogo win the Brazilian title[/caption]

CAM: ANGEL DI MARIA (BENFICA)

Man United’s flop winger is returning to boyhood Argentina club Rosario Central this summer — but only after he leads out Benfica for the final time at the Club World Cup.

Ignoring his duff sole season in the north west, Di Maria’s record means he will go down as one of football’s most talented and decorated wingers ever.

His two years at Benfica have not yielded any trophies, however.

And Di Maria, 37, will be desperate to make amends before leaving Europe for good.

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Angel Di Maria’s struggles at Man Utd are well documented[/caption]

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He is leaving Benfica for Rosario Central after the Club World Cup[/caption]

ST: EDINSON CAVANI (BOCA JUNIORS)

Another former United player, Cavani will feel he did not do himself justice during his two seasons in England.

Having also struggled at Valencia, the 38-year-old is now leading the way for Argentine giants Boca Juniors

20 goals in 39 games last year showed Cavani still has an eye for goal.

And although his pace may have gone, the experienced Uruguayan’s sheer physicality and clever movement will surely see him in the mix for the Golden Boot.

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Edinson Cavani had a mixed two years at Man Utd[/caption]

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He now bangs in goals for Boca Juniors[/caption]

ST: OLIVIER GIROUD (LAFC)

Last but not least, Giroud will face off against old side Chelsea later this month.

His extra-time assist helped LAFC book their place at the tournament ahead of Club America.

Giroud has already become a talisman for his Californian side, preferring the role of creator to goalscorer.

And his cunning know-how could help the experienced poacher nick a goal when he faces off against a young Blues defence.

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Olivier Giroud will face old side Chelsea in the group stage[/caption]

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He helped LAFC qualify for the tournament with a last-gasp assist[/caption]

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South Fremantle have survived a huge late scare from a fast-finishing East Perth to put themselves a game clear at the top of the ladder with a 10-point victory.