Sony has now confirmed that PlayStation 6 is “top of mind” and revealed that they are committed to delivering enhanced ways to play.
Read More »
Sony confirms they’re now focused on PlayStation 6
Lacy admits he’s only multistreaming for extra money as FaZe join Kick
FaZe Lacy has admitted he has only started multistreaming on Kick for the extra income as a number of FaZe content creators have made the move.
Read More »
Gears of War: Reloaded release date & everything we know
Here’s everything you need to know about Gears of War: Reloaded, a remaster of the classic sci-fi shooter.
Read More »
Underrated Black Ops 6 rifle “melts” the competition with insane TTK
This underrated Black Ops 6 rifle is capable of outgunning the game’s best weapons thanks to its impressive TTK.
Read More »
Iconic fizzy drink brand to launch alcoholic drinks for the first time
AN iconic fizzy drink brand is launching a range of alcoholic drinks for the first time.
Ka is known for its fruity, Caribbean-inspired soft drinks, often found in supermarkets and corner shops.
It’s now bringing out four new alcoholic mixed drinks which are sure to be popular over the summer.
They will come in the flavours Black Grape, Fruit Punch, Pineapple and Karnival Twist.
Each of the drinks will have Ka’s popular flavours mixed with Caribbean white rum.
The 330ml cans will be sold for £2.79.
The soft drink version is usually sold for between 60p and 80p. They launched in Wholesalers first and will be landing on convenience store shelves next week.
AG Barr, which owns Ka, said the new range was aimed at shoppers “looking to spontaneously grab drinks – whether en route to a social occasion, to be enjoyed at the park, or at a festival with friends”.
And with the weather heating up ahead of this weekend, it’s perfect timing.
Forecasters have said parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures reach 28C on Friday evening.
Numerous brands have been racing to bring out new alcoholic canned drinks for the summer.
Shoppers have been going wild for the latest collection of tinnies from M&S, which include favourites such as mojitos, pina coladas and cosmos.
There’s also a mint and elderflower Hugo Spritz and a Limoncello Spritz.
Meanwhile Lidl is selling pre-mixed cocktail cans for the bargain price of 89p.
They include flavours like the Bitterol Spritz, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito and Pina Colada.
Rival Aldi brought out a similar range starting at 99p.
Their tinnies include Hard Seltzers and Spicy Margaritas.
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing to make MAJOR AI change and it could lead to surge pricing on clothing
BIG names in fashion, including Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing, are making a major AI change and it could lead to surge pricing.
Debenhams Group brands are getting a tech makeover by using artificial intelligence to decide how much items will cost.
Brands owned by the group are now letting AI set prices in real-time, reacting instantly to trends, demand and what rivals are charging.
The retail giant has teamed up with AI firm Peak to make it all happen.
They reckon this AI system will mean more targeted discounts, so you’re more likely to see deals on stuff you actually want.
It also means the brands can avoid having piles of unsold clothes hanging around.
Dan Finley, chief executive of Debenhams Group, said: “We’ve totally changed how we do pricing.”
“AI helps us make faster, smarter choices, so we can give our customers better value.”
But experts are wary, warning that shoppers could be at the mercy of surge pricing, where AI algorithms automatically raise prices during periods of high demand.
Consumer champion Martyn James warns that “corporate-speak” can obscure the real purpose of these changes.
While the company talks about “automated pricing” and targeted discounts, James points out that “there is also nothing to stop the business increasing prices on demand either.”
He fears that without proper oversight, shoppers could be vulnerable to AI-driven “surge pricing,” as has been seen with hotels and Uber.
Echoing these concerns, consumer expert Scott Dixon believes this is about protecting profits first and foremost.
He said: “The use of AI clearly benefits Debenhams as they can protect profit margins, cut waste and implement surge pricing in-line with increased demand.
“Debenhams needs to show AI is working for its customers, not just shareholders.”
He also warns of potential price hikes during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas, stating that dynamic pricing is only fair if it works both ways.
Debenhams Group brands
DEBENHAMS Group (formerly known as Boohoo Group) has a whole stable of well-known brands under its umbrella:
- Boohoo: The original online fashion giant known for its trend-led pieces and affordable prices.
- PrettyLittleThing: Another fast-fashion favourite, offering a similar vibe to Boohoo but with its own distinct style.
- BoohooMAN: Bringing the Boohoo formula to menswear, with on-trend clothing and accessories for guys.
- Karen Millen: A more premium brand offering sophisticated and stylish clothing for women, often with a focus on occasion wear.
- Debenhams: The department store itself, now operating as an online marketplace selling a wide range of fashion, beauty, and home products.
The group also owns labels, including Nasty Gal, Coast, Misspap, Oasis, Warehouse, Burton, Wallis, and Dorothy Perkins.
Several retailers, including ASOS and Iconic London, are using AI to make online shopping more interactive.
One example is Nibble, an AI negotiation platform that lets shoppers haggle for discounts before adding items to their cart.
The technology enables a back-and-forth negotiation with a bot, and some users have reportedly secured discounts of up to 40% on ASOS Sample Sale purchases.
The option to negotiate only appears if it’s offered before adding an item to your cart.
In some cases, the feature is timed to pop up when a shopper hesitates over the buy button or seems ready to leave the site.
How to compare prices to get the best deal
JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn't mean it's always a good deal.
There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.
Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.
Here are some that we recommend:
- Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.
- Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock.
- Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one.
- CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of.
Exact mark to spot on ultra rare £1 coin that could be worth 500 times its face value – check if you have one
AN ultra rare £1 coin could be hiding in your spare change worth 500 times its face value.
The rare piece is worth the small fortune due to an engraving error which is almost impossible to spot.
New 12-sided £1 coins were struck and entered into circulation in 2017 but some were made incorrectly during the manufacturing process.
A small number have the date “2016” engraved in tiny markings on the rim of the coin instead of 2017.
It is not known how many of this type of error coin entered circulation, but find one and it could be worth up to £500, according to one coin expert.
In a recent video on TikTok, account Coincollectingwizard said: “These coins usually feature a tiny micro-engraved date on the rim as an added security feature.
“However, a small number of these coins were mistakenly engraved with the wrong year, showing 2016 instead of 2017.
“This subtle but significant error went unnoticed by many making these coins particularly rare.”
It’s worth bearing in mind, you might not fetch £500 for this coin if you find it in your spare change.
A rare coin is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it on that day, whether that be in auction, on Facebook or eBay.
It might also be worth getting this type of coin verified and valued through The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
We reveal more details on that service below.
How to spot a rare coin
A coin is usually classed as rare if it meets two criteria – a low mintage figure or it was struck in error.
The mintage figure of a coin relates to how many of it were struck and put into circulation.
For that reason, the less that have been struck the rarer and potentially valuable it is considered to be.
The Royal Mint has a list of some of the rarest coins you might be able to find in your spare change on its website.
For example, the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p is considered the rarest 50p piece, with only 200,000 minted.
In second is the Kew Gardens 2009 50p, of which 210,000 were struck and put into circulation.
How much you can get for either of these coins depends, but one Kew Gardens 50p recently went for £107 on eBay.
The other type of rare coin is an “error” coin, made when an issue occurs during the manufacturing process, like the rare £1 coin mentioned above.
Usually, there’s just a handful of these types of coins in circulation because they were made incorrectly.
One rare £2 error coin has been known to sell for £1,000 previously while another 2p coin is also worth over £1,000.
How to sell a rare coin
You’ve got three main options: in auction, on eBay or on Facebook Marketplace.
The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction. You can organise this with The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.
You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.
You will be charged for the service though – the cost varies depending on the size of your collection.
If you are selling on eBay, make sure you list the coin’s price accurately.
You can do this by checking how much other sellers have sold the same piece for.
It’s pointless listing a rare 50p for £100 if people have only been willing to pay £50 for it previously, for example.
Finally, you can sell on Facebook Marketplace, but be wary of scammers trying to get you to transfer money to dodgy accounts.
It can be easier to meet buyers in person and get cash for your coin, but only in daylight and in a public place.
In any case, if you’re selling on eBay or Facebook, decent pictures will help the coin sell for the best price.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
- Five rarest coins – do you have one?
- The 13 most valuable £2 coins in circulation
- How valuable are the rarest £1 coins?
- Most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation
- Rare and most valuable 20p coins that could be worth up to £750
- Rarest 10p coins in circulation
- Rare 2p coins revealed
- How to check if you have a rare and valuable banknote
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
Incredible list of ex-F1 drivers, celebs and nepo babies bidding to win one of sport’s most iconic prizes
THE iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race commences this weekend, with a stunning list of motorsport icons and ex-Formula One stars set to take part.
One of the iconic Triple Crown, alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500, winning the endurance event is one of the most sought after prizes in all of motorsport.
F1 stars have a strong recent history in the event, with Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg winning with Porsche in 2015 and two-time F1 champ Fernando Alonso won Le Mans in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019 with Toyota.
This years event sees 62 cars take to the grid, made up of 21 Hypercars, 17 LMP2 prototypes, and 24 LMGT3s and six teams making up the reserve list.
Among them, as many as 19 former F1 drivers are gearing up to compete, including former world champions, ex-Sky Sports F1 pundits and the relatives of three F1 race winners.
Jenson Button – who won the F1 title in 2009 – headlines the ex-F1 contingent on the grid as he teams up with Sebastien Bourdais, who raced for Toro Rosso in 2008/09, in the #38 Cadillac Hertz Team Jota.
F1 cult heroes including Kevin Magnussen, Antonio Giovinazzi, Robert Kubica, Kamui Kobayashi and Stoffel Vandoorne make up the grid, with Magnussen making his second appearance at the event and first since he was axed by Haas last season.
Paul di Resta is using his time wisely after being axed as a pundit by Sky Sports F1 in 2023 as he joins Jean-Eric Vergne in the 93 Peugeot Totalenergies.
Mick Schumacher and Eduardo Barrichello, sons of ex-Ferrari team-mates Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, make up the list of former F1 stars’ sons at the event.
Meanwhile, Pietro Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is making his third appearance at the event.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Stars who shone in F2 or F3 but struggled with the step up to F1 are also on the line-up.
These include the likes of Jack Aitken, Nyck de Vries and Will Stevens.
Former F1 star Felipe Nasr is teaming up with Pascal Wehrlein in the #4 Porsche Penske Motorsport, with the latter making his debut at the event.
Three ex-F1 stars are returning once again having won Le Mans multiple times.
Sebastien Buemi raced in F1 for two years but has gone on to win Le Mans a staggering four times to date, while both Brendon Hartley and Andre Lotterer have won the event three times.
An honourable mention for the event is MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, who is making his second appearance at the event.
UK petrolheads can watch the race on TNT Sports or the Discovery+ App.
It starts at 4pm on Saturday.
The little-known AC button that will help slash your fuel bill & keep cars perfectly cool as temps soar this weekend
MOTORISTS might have missed this air conditioning setting that is essential for keeping costs down as the weather heats up.
With a warm weekend ahead and temperatures hitting 29C today as Brits head into the summer months, drivers maybe unknowingly wasting money in the fight to keep their cars cool.
Many motorists might simply set their AC to full blast when trying to handle the heat, and while this will get temperatures down, it might be over-kill if you are travelling alone.
Instead, setting your vehicle’s air con to ‘driver only’ will make sure that all the energy will be used on cooling just you down, rather than refrigerating those empty seats.
A vehicle’s air conditioning can have a very negative impact on its fuel economy by putting a greater strain on its engine, according to The AA.
‘Driver only’ setting
The car insurance company has urged drivers to check if their motor has the ‘driver only’ AC option, and to make sure it is always in use when appropriate.
Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by between 8 and 10 per cent, amounting to an extra 0.2 and 0.4 litres per hours, according to Kwik-fit.com.
It is also advisable to reduce the increased strain on the engine by turning the flow rate down once the AC has brought your car to a comfortable temperature.
Drivers should also avoid travelling at speed with the windows down, if they are trying to be as fuel-conscious as possible.
Driving with open windows can increase the drag on the vehicle, making the engine work harder to maintain speed.
Getting the instruments in your car regularly serviced is also key to keeping everything working efficiently.
Kwik-fit recommends ensuring that your air-con system is regularly regasssed to keep it running as efficiently as possible while using minimal power.
It also lists ways in which drivers can cut down on having to use the AC at all.
Taking measures such as parking in the shade and opening windows when setting off can help keep the car cool without putting more stain on the engine.
Air Con not cold enough? Here are four checks you can do at home to save yourself hundreds
A CAR expert has revealed four checks you can do at home if your air-con isn’t cold enough.
Air Con expert, Andrew, from specialist firm Accelerate Off-Grid Touring says that these simple checks are essential to ensure your air conditioning is summer-ready – and it could save you a bundle of cash.
YouTube user @accelerateoffgridtouring, with more than 12,200 users on social media, explained that you should first check for any unusual noises in your motor.
Andrew explained: “On most cars, when you turn the air conditioning on, you should hear a loud click, and that’s the noise of the air compressor cutting in.
“If you hear a rumbly sound once your compressor cuts in, this means it’s on its way out, and you’d need a replacement.”
Second, the car expert recommends checking for any weird smells.
“If there is a musty or unpleasant smell coming out of the vents or your allergy symptoms are being triggered when the air conditioning gets switched on, there may be a bacterial or mildew buildup in the system.
“The other thing that can happen is it can be a sign that your evaporator’s leaking, so it’s leaking as in the car. That’s sort of an issue.
“The other thing you’ll notice if your evaporator’s leaking is the air conditioning will be low on gas, so it won’t be as cold as it should be and will have that uneven vent temperature.”
Andrew advises carrying out a performance test to make sure your air-con is in good condition.
He explained: “What we’ve done here is we’ve put a thermometer in the vent. You can just use any old thermometer.
“We’ve set the fan to first or second speed, and we’ve also got it on recirculate. That’s quite important.
“What we should see is a temperature of below eight degrees. The temperature will fluctuate as the compressor cuts in and out.
“This is a natural part of the air conditioning system.
“What it will do is the compressor gets colder and colder and colder, as it gets down to a freezing point, so out here at the vents, it will say six degrees to five and a half degrees, the compressor will cut out, the temperature will rise to about seven or eight degrees, and then it will cut back in. The cycle will continue. It’s called cycling.”
The expert insisted that if you see the temperature going below five degrees, that’s a sign that something is wrong.
He continued: “It’s either gonna be faulty thermostat or thermistor, or more commonly, a blocked cabin filter.”
Lastly, Andrew says drivers should be concerned if they see water under their car after driving with the air-con on.
The car expert added: “The air conditioning system was designed to drain the condensation to the exterior of the car. If you’ve driven for a long time, you pull up, and it will make a pool of water.
“The amount of water it discharges at the bottom actually depends on the humidity of the day and what setting you’ve got your air conditioning on, so don’t stress too much about having the pool. You just want to see it on the outside of the car.
“One thing to look for is if the air con’s cold, it’s a humid day, and you do not have water on the ground outside of your car, maybe just check the passenger floor of your car ’cause sometimes that drain tube can block up, the water can leak inside the car, and obviously, then you get a mouldy, stinky carpet.”
This comes after an expert mechanic revealed some of their top tips about air conditioning, including one which can cool down your vehicle very quickly.
Plus, an expert mechanic has revealed how to keep your car’s air-con blowing ice cold-free.
Danniella Westbrook in hospital for life changing op to rebuild her face after years of cocaine abuse
DANNIELLA Westbrook is back in hospital for long-awaited surgery to fix her face after years of cocaine misuse.
The former EastEnders star, 51, went in for a “very long” surgery on Thursday in the hopes to reverse damage caused by her infamous addiction to cocaine.
Danniella – who ros to fame as fresh-faced Sam Mitchell on the BBC soap, has undergone countless cosmetic procedures over the years after her septum infamously collapsed due to her drug use.
The actress shared an image of her in a hospital bed and holding the hand of her new boyfriend Charlie Symonds, as she updated fans about the procedure.
“Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face. Then I can get back to work and we can get on with our life together @chasarealtal. I love you x,” she wrote and Charlie reshared it saying he was “so proud” of her.
Danniella also shared Charlie’s post and thanked him for being beside her “every step of the way.”
“See you when I wake up,” she added.
Charlie, a boxer, shared a video to his Instagram stories to say “thank you to everyone for the support towards Danniella.”
“This is something that she wanted to do for herself, it’s been a long time coming,” he added.
“I love her for her, I met her for her.. She’s beautiful inside and out. This is something she wants to do for herself.”
Danniella has spent over £500,000 rebuilding her face and in 2023 travelled to Turkey for her fifth facial reconstruction surgery, undergoing a surgical thread lift.
The procedure involved them putting 1,200 threads into her face, and then liposuction to remove fat from her body and put it into her cheeks and lips to make her face more symmetrical.
She also had fat grafting on her chin and her jawline etched.
Following the surgery, Danniella opened up to The Sun that she regretted having it done.
She explained the operation “hasn’t worked” and they took “too much” fatty tissue from her stomach and she’s now “lost her six-pack”.
“I also have big lumps of fluid all over my belly. They’re like big tennis balls. It’s ruined my body,” she fumed at the time.
“I have never been in pain like it. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was hysterically crying every single day,” she admitted.
