Payne died Wednesday after falling from his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
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Simon Cowell postpones ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ auditions following Liam Payne’s death
‘Anthony Joshua paid for my brother’s funeral when family was stressed and emotional with mortgages’
EX-BRITISH champion boxer Kevin Mitchell has revealed the “unbelievable” gesture that Anthony Joshua did for him.
Mitchell, 39, held the British super featherweight title in 2008 and Commonwealth title between 2006 and 2008, while also twice challenging for the world lightweight title in 2012 and 2015.
However, the retired champion has now lifted the lid on an incredible move by Joshua relating to his brother’s funeral.
Mitchell’s younger brother and pro-boxer, Vinny, died at the age of 31 in 2019 after his motorbike collided with a tree.
Heartbroken Kevin recalled how he and his family were under immense stress when they were figuring out how they would pay for the funeral and manage their mortgage payments.
With tensions at their height, a phone call from Joshua came in as he wished to offer his condolences.
But after passing the phone over to mum, Alice, Mitchell revealed the stunning offer AJ made to the family.
Speaking to Josh Jamesy, Mitchell said: “He had so much pressure on him Josh, and let me tell you something – I’ve not said this to anyone before on podcast – but he paid for my brother’s funeral.
Asked whether the “unbelievable” gesture was made because he knew him or his brother, Mitchell continued: “Both. He knew my brother, he knew me, he knew my mum.
“He rung me up when we was in the chapel of rest in Dagenham East and he said ‘Kev, how are you? You’re a strong b****** aren’t you.’
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“I said, ‘You have to be Josh it’s life mate’. Then he was like, ‘Is your mum there? Can I speak to her please?’
“As we’re sitting around the table grieving – bad emotions and we’re all about to kick off – and we’re all worried about burying my brother, how will we get money, we got mortgages to pay, no one’s working but the bills have still got to be paid so we’re all aggressive and hot tempered, your emotions are like that (does a snake up and down movement).
“I was so stressed, I was under a lot of pressure and he went, ‘Alice, do you mind if I get it?’
“She said, ‘What do you mean?’ My mum didn’t quite hear him. And he went, ‘I’m going to pay for his funeral Alice if you don’t mind and he paid for it.”
Mitchell retired from boxing in 2016, having lost his last two fights by TKO.
Joshua, 35, lost the chance to become a three-time heavyweight champion after being defeated by Daniel Dubois in a fifth round TKO in September.
A Battle of Britain rematch is on the cards, but a deadline has been set on when that rematch can be.
Xbox Partner Preview showcases Yakuza, Alan Wake and more – all the announcements live
FOLLOWING PlayStation’s September State of Play, it’s now Xbox’s turn to showcase its upcoming games.
Xbox recently announced its Xbox Partner Preview, which will showcase third-party games releasing over the next few months.
We are expecting to see games that will be released towards the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
If you want all of the announcements as they happen, we’ll have everything you need to know here.
Follow this live blog for everything you need to know about the Xbox Partner Preview showcase.
Angel Reese sends blunt message after rival Caitlin Clark is named in All-WNBA First Team
ANGEL Reese isn’t letting the haters get to her after her rival was given a major award.
Caitlin Clark was named to the All-WNBA First Team following her spectacular rookie season.
Reese had a solid rookie season of her own, but it wasn’t enough to convince voters to name her to either the All-WNBA first or second teams.
Clark made the first team alongside Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collieer, New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas.
The second team consisted of Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale, and Liberty center Jonquel Jones.
Reese not only didn’t make the All-WNBA teams, but she also finished in second for the Rookie of the Year award, which Clark also won.
Clark and Reese have been attached ever since their time playing against each other in college.
The two rivals have gone back and forth defeating each others’ teams in March Madness and then in the WNBA, and the fans eat up their rivalry.
Clark got the better of the rivalry this season, going 3-1 against Reese’s Chicago Sky.
She also had a statistically better season, averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game.
Reese had a solid season too, averaging 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
While the media paints the two players out to be rivals on the court, they have both denied having any animosity towards each other.
The games they played in got physical and chippy, but they continue to speak positively about each other.
“Caitlin is an amazing player, and I’ve always thought she was an amazing player,” Reese said.
“We’ve been playing together since high school.”
Despite what she says, fans continually hate on Reese for being second to Clark, but she doesn’t pay attention to it.
Reese consistently shares how fans opinions don’t matter to her, and she emphasized that by reposting a message on X.
All-WNBA first and second team
THE 10 best players in the WNBA have been selected and named to the All-WNBA first and second team.
First team:
- Caitlin Clark – Indiana Fever
- Napheesa Collier – Minnesota Lynx
- Breanna Stewart – New York Liberty
- Alyssa Thomas – Connecticut Sun
- A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
Second team:
- Kahleah Copper – Phoenix Mercury
- Sabrina Ionescu – New York Liberty
- Jonquel Jones – New York Liberty
- Arike Ogunbowale – Dallas Wings
- Nneka Ogwumike – Seattle Storm
“Wanting validation from ppl who aren’t even valid is insane,” the tweet read.
While Reese wasn’t given any awards this season, she left her mark on the WNBA with broken records.
She broke the WNBA record for most rebounds in a season, but that record was rebroken by Wilson after she was sidelined with a wrist injury.
Reese does still own the WNBA record for most consecutive double-doubles with 15.
She was named to the All-Star team this season, was second in Rookie of the Year, and 12th in MVP voting.
I scored a $4,353 designer jacket at Goodwill for just $25 – no one believed me but a thread detail proves them wrong
A SHOPPER scored a $4,353 designer jacket at Goodwill for just $25, and no one believed her.
After snagging the fashionable find, Cory Lee called it one of her “best designer” thrift scores “ever.”
Cory, known as @coryleemusic on TikTok, bought an oversized funnel-neck jacket by high-end designer Rick Owens.
The black coat is perfect for winter, and since it only cost a fraction of the original price, Cory was ecstatic with her find.
She shared a video on her social media page, racking up over 35,000 likes.
Cory filmed herself wearing the coat while also sharing a screenshot of a website selling similar Rick Owens coats.
Many people rushed to the comments section to question if her jacket was really a replica of the more expensive brand.
One social media user wrote: “Bro said tags were matching so it’s not a rep.”
To which Cory replied: “Exactly!!! I did my research! It’s 100 percent real.”
Another added: “Defo a rep [replica].”
Cory quickly clapped back: “Posted the tags in my latest TikTok for my haters lol.”
In another video, the fashion fan spoke in more detail about her find.
Speaking to the camera, Cory said: “The reason why I said it’s real is because it matches exactly – even the janky stitching to ones I saw on reputable sites like Grailed and Vestiaire Collective.
“So do these sites authenticate reps?”
She also captioned it: “The tag is exact to ones online down to all the numbers.”
This video also gained a lot of attention, with many rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts.
Some were not convinced that it was the same jacket, but others were quick to defend Cory.
One wrote: “If it looks the same, it really doesn’t matter.
“If you need to look at a tag to tell if it is real enough.”
Dollar Tree dupes
Savvy shoppers have scoured Dollar Tree to find dupes of their favorite products
Shoppers found a perfect replica of a $150 set of Pottery Barn plates and bowls. Plus, Dollar Tree has matching mugs.
Dollar Tree also had dupes for the viral Starbucks tumblers.
Customers found dupes for Home Depot’s $39 outdoor solar lights.
Dollar Tree has a dupe for The Pink Stuff cleaning paste, too.
Dollar Tree shoppers spot viral $5 Christmas Tree selling out in stores – fans say ‘vintage look’ is the cutest ever
SHOPPERS are flocking to Dollar Tree after spotting a viral Christmas decoration hit store shelves.
The LED Lighted Ceramic Tree is from the Dollar Tree Plus section where customers see items in the $3 and $5 price range.
Kim Nuzzolo (@kimnuzzolo) first revealed the find on a recent Dollar Tree run and posted a TikTok saying its “vintage look” is the cutest ever.
Nuzzolo shared the tree was $5 and urged shoppers to run to their local store to scoop one up before it’s too late.
The tree measures 4.9 x 8.7 x 4.9 inches and is available in three colors: white, green, and gold.
It’s powered by 2 AAA batteries and does not come with the tree.
While the LED trees may be found elsewhere, it will likely be at a higher price point.
In fact, Target sells a tree nearly identical but a bit larger for $15.
For those pinching pennies, the Dollar Tree version is available online and in stores for just $5.
DOLLAR TREE CHANGES
Dollar Tree Plus is a section with in all of its 5,000 locations that provide shoppers with deals at the $3 and $5 price points.
Last year, Dollar Tree announced it would add frozen foods, bread, and other merchandise for $3, $4, and $5.
Shortly after, the company revealed the maximum price of any product at Dollar Tree would be increased to $7.
The CEO revealed that the price structure would allow stores to have an “expanded assortment” of products.
However, most merchandise will still cost the entry-level price of $1.25.
In addition to a newer price model, the discount retailer has combined spaces with sister brand Family Dollar.
The “Combo” store format brings both retailers under one roof for a “convenient shopping experience,” according to the Dollar Tree website.
As of the end of fiscal 2023, approximately 1,200 Combo stores were added with plans to add hundreds more in the coming years.
BARGAIN BUYS
SAVVY SAVINGS
While Dollar Tree shoppers are already scoring discounts, there are even more ways to save.
One way is by purchasing in bulk.
This is because customers shopping online may take advantage of free shipping – if orders are shipped to local stores.
Plus, buying in bulk online can sometimes get you deals like up to 50 cents per unit.
Here’s how their shipping process works:
- Place the items in your shopping cart, then proceed to checkout
- During checkout, select the “In-Store Pickup” shipping option, if available
- Next, choose your local Dollar Tree store
- Once your order is processed and received by the store, you’ll receive a notification via email telling you that your order is ready to be picked up
- When you’re ready, head to the store with the email confirmation, along with a state-issued photo ID or driver’s license
To avoid a cancellation, Dollar Tree suggests collecting items within six days from the receipt of your pickup email confirmation.
Ferrari launches its most powerful car EVER – ‘beautiful spaceship’ costs $3.9m & experts say it’ll still sell out fast
FERRARI have launched their most powerful car ever – a hybrid hypercar that will serve as the long-awaited successor to the legendary LaFerrari.
The F80, described as a “beautiful spaceship” has been unveiled by the famous brand just weeks after McLaren revealed the W1, reigniting the two manufacturers’ long–running rivalry.
Named to celebrate Ferrari’s 80th anniversary, although slightly prematurely as they only celebrated their 75th in 2022, the F80 follows in the tire tracks of the F40 and F50 models for their respective milestones.
Capable of hitting 0-62mph in a staggering 2.15 seconds, and just another 3.6 seconds to hit 124mph, the F80 will draw an eye-watering 1184bhp from its electrified V6 powertrain – making it the most powerful road car ever to come out of the gates of the Ferrari factory.
A chunk of this power is generated by the aptly-named ‘E-turbos’, which connect to an F1-derived ‘MGU-H’ heat recovery device, to essentially allow for more power at higher revs.
The Maranello marvel is said to be a result of technology fused from their Le Mans-winning 499P machine and that of its famous Formula One racing cars.
Despite coming in at $3.9million and limited to just 799 examples – which is 300 more than the production run of the LaFerraris – it’s thought that the F80 will be “snapped up the moment customers set their eyes on it”, say Pistonheads.
In terms of looks, the F80 couldn’t be further from the LaFerrari; as the new beast boasts aggressive, dramatic, and alien-like stylings.
This is reiterated by Ferrari’s design chief, Flavio Manzoni, who claims he wanted a look that was more futuristic than elegant, and describes the F80 as “a beautiful spaceship”.
Its black front visor certainly mirrors that of the recently released 12Cilindri, serving to reduce the “anthropomorphic” appearance of two headlights and a grille in the centre.
The back of the expensive vehicle is also a sight to see, with a diffuser that Ferrari claims has set a new record for the longest diffuser fitted to a production car – measuring 1,800mm in length.
Ahead of the car’s unveiling, Ferrari’s marketing chief, Enrico Galliera, revealed that a single-seater concept had been considered early in the car’s development.
However, this McLaren F1-styled design was ultimately scrapped, although the F80 has positioned the passenger seat slightly behind and closer to the driver – making the carbon fibre cabin asymmetric.
The unveiling of the F80 comes just months after the Prancing Horse all but confirmed that two popular sports cars were set to be axed, while two others are said to be nearing “the end of their lifecycle.”
This comes as the brand is also preparing their very first EV – as well as an electric supercar factory.
Elsewhere, a host of classic cars that have been sitting in a junkyard for decades are set to be sold off for millions of dollars.
The incredible collection includes retro Porsches, a trio of dilapidated Lamborghinis, and even a Mercedes that could sell for $1 million.
Famed auction house RM Sotheby’s is preparing to sell off the collection from the inventory at Rudi Klein’s Los Angeles junkyard.
And the hidden meanings behind 10 car makers’ iconic badges from Cadillac to Ferrari have been revealed.
Most car enthusiasts will be able to recognise which logo belongs to which brand – but what do their symbols actually mean?
Social Security is ‘lying’ claims economist who reveals government clawed back $304,000 from woman which left her broke
ONE of America’s leading economists has attacked the Social Security Administration, warning the agency is hurting people it is set up to help.
Larry Kotlikoff, a Professor of Economics at Boston University and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, has criticized the government for its attempt to claw back money from overpayments.
Kotlikoff accused the agency of going after the nation’s most vulnerable people, warning it is “putting people on the street” and has “adopted a culture which “is screwing people to the Nth degree.”
“It takes people years to get onto disability payments, and these clawbacks are putting people onto the street,” Kotlikoff exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
“It is unconscionable.”
Social Security overpayments occur for a range of reasons, including agency error, beneficiary fraud, and agency failure to properly record earned income by beneficiaries, which can lead to retroactively stopping benefits years later.
Overpayments by the agency are the subject of growing public scrutiny, with experts warning the SSA’s push to claw back funds is crippling vulnerable Americans and their families.
According to an SSA report released in August by the Inspector General, the agency made nearly $72 billion in improper payments between 2015 and 2022, or about $9 billion each year.
Social Security Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi told a congressional hearing in October last year that the agency sends about one million people overpayment notices annually.
However, there is also increasing concern about the program’s financial sustainability.
According to its annual report by the Social Security Board of Trustees, the program is projected to run out of money in 2035 due to the nation’s aging population reducing the amount of overall payroll tax used to fund the program.
The agency provides benefits to almost 64 million Americans, with nearly 90% of those aged 65 and over receiving monthly payments.
Policymakers will need to act to balance the program’s costs and revenues, or retirees and the vulnerable risk only receiving 83% of their full benefits.
BIDEN’S SOCIAL SECURITY SHAKE-UP
Releasing data to defend itself, the Social Security Administration said less than 1% of all payments are overpayments.
The Biden Administration last December also appointed former Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley as the new Social Security Commissioner.
He has been tasked with handling a litany of issues, including overpayments, delays in processing times, and claims of poor customer service.
Kotlikoff is calling on the government to review whether its push to claw back money from people is violating “equity and good conscience,” which underpins the Social Security system as a whole.
“We have a government which is to be feared, and Social Security is not to be trusted,” Kotlikoff told The U.S. Sun.
Kotlikoff is a New York Times best-selling author who was named one of The Economist’s 25 most influential economists in 2014.
FORMER SSA EMPLOYEE HITS OUT
The criticism comes after Social Security expert and former SSA employee Avram Sacks told The U.S. Sun that the Social Security Administration’s overpayments are now the worst they’ve ever been and warned the errors are damaging Americans and their families.
Sacks is a nationally acclaimed expert on Social Security who now defends people who have been unknowingly overpaid money, often thousands of dollars.
Sacks said many of the people impacted by these payment “clawbacks” cannot afford to pay them back, and many have limited savings.
“A VERY NASTY BUSINESS”
Kotlikoff, who has written a book called Social Security Horror Stories detailing some of the problems, said the worst case he has ever come across is a woman who was paralyzed in a wheelchair after she was hurt in an industrial accident and was forced to pay back $304,000 ten years after she received the funds.
The woman had earned money writing children’s books and was paid to speak at a public library about her work.
Each year, Kotlikoff said the woman asked the SSA whether she could earn money from giving talks about her books while receiving disability benefits, and claims the government said she was entitled to considering they initially classified the earnings as royalty income which is permitted.
However, ten years later, the SSA came after her for earning the money.
The woman appealed the case in court, but the judge rejected her case.
Kotlikoff said the judge took issue with her having “an expensive cable plan” and argued in his judgment that the woman could “not be poor” considering her television subscription.
Think of the cruelty of this
Laurence Kotlikoff
“This is a system which is short on money, and they have adopted a culture now which has changed, and it’s now to screw people to the Nth degree.
“It used to bend over backwards to give people every penny, and now it’s the opposite.
“It’s a very nasty business.”
Kotlikoff argued the system is now “screwing” people it was designed to help.
He said the SSA was also deliberately telling the public “wrong things or incomplete things on a routine basis” that is “learning to make terrible decisions.”
Experts have blamed some of the overpayment issues on a lack of transparency in the system, with recipients unable to decipher the rules surrounding receiving the payments and other income tests.
Kotlikoff called on the government to simplify the system, and help recipients better understand how it works.
The U.S. Sun approached the Social Security Administration for comment.
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SOCIAL SECURITY PAID
According to the Social Security Administration, the amounts are as follows
Ariana Madix could make ‘new demands’ for Vanderpump Rules’ next season as show is ‘desperate’ to keep her
ARIANA Madix is ready to return to Vanderpump Rules and could make specific demands for the next season, it has been claimed.
The Bravo show has been halted yet again, as it has reportedly become difficult for producers to hash out new contracts for the cast.
Ariana is said to make around $600,000 a season, and the stars are believed to get mandatory pay bumps each year.
The show peaked with Scandoval when Tom Sandoval famously cheated on Ariana with their friend, Rachel Leviss, and it has struggled to keep up momentum since.
The fallout from the breakup saw Ariana go on to thrive in hosting jobs such as Love Island USA, while she also landed the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.
She also competed on Dancing With the Stars last season.
SHE’LL BE BACK
It was believed Ariana was ready to leave the show to focus on her acting and presenting roles, but the author of a new Vanderpump Rules book has claimed that’s not the case.
Thea de Sousa is releasing The Unofficial Vanderpump Rules Ultimate Trivia Book after years of documenting the Bravo show on her popular Instagram blog, Your Moms Are Watching.
She told The U.S. Sun that Bravo is still planning to do another season of Vanderpump, but they are struggling to line up all the parts to secure the green light.
“Everybody wants the show to keep going, even Ariana wants another season of the show,” she said.
“I mean, squeeze that in between Love Island and whatever else she’s doing, but she would do it. It’s just a matter of getting the green light.
“She can set the terms, right? I mean, she set terms last season, ‘I won’t film with Sandoval. I won’t do this.’
HUGE PAYCHECKS
“So, I mean, she could make the same demands, but they’re not going to not do that with her.
“They’re going to want those Love Island viewers and those Dancing With the Stars viewers.
“So they’re going to do whatever Ariana wants. And I definitely know she wants to come back for a season.
“So, we’ll see. I mean, now it’s just up to Bravo.
“I know Ariana makes $600,000 per season, which is a lot. Her and Sandoval get paid the most right now.”
DEMOTING CAST
The only way to pay cast members less, Thea claims, is to “demote” them so they have less camera time and are not the main focus of the show.
Regarding the show becoming too expensive, a Bravo spokesperson said, “There is absolutely no truth to this reporting.”
Ariana reportedly refused to interact with her ex on camera for Season 11.
Although they still lived in the same house, they barely saw one another and communicated through an assistant.
In the season finale, Ariana found herself face-to-face with Sandoval who attempted to apologize to her at an event, but she walked away from him.
Ariana stormed over to a show producer and told him, “Him f***ing walking up on me talking to Scheana. He doesn’t give a f*** if I died in a ditch, or got a f***ing deadly STD, the way he was f***ing around behind my back.
“That is non-informed consent. He does not deserve to speak to me. He does not get access to me.
“It’s about a performance for the audience. He wants 30 seconds with the audience.
“Whatever it is that Tom is trying to get for me, it’s not for me, it’s for him,” she added in a confessional.
“I am the final boss in his video game of redemption and because he can’t get to the final boss, he’s f***ing pissed.”
She was highly criticized by other stars on the show, who want to make sure they give fans enough on-screen drama.
Scheana Shay and Lala Kent both made their feelings known after Ariana refused to film with Tom.
Thea feels the show needs to bring in new faces to keep it going, but hopes the cameras will role for Season 12 soon enough.
“I think it’s going to be tough to do another season with just this cast,” she said. “I think you would need to add some people in.”
The author would also love to see a spin-off focusing on Ariana and Katie Maloney’s sandwich shop, Something About Her.
“Obviously I love Ariana and I would watch anything she does just because I think she’s just such an iconic, strong character,” she said.
“So a spinoff at Something About Her would be amazing with her and Katie and see about that business and their lives.”
Molly Qerim’s First Take return date revealed and reason for ESPN absence after fans feared host had quit show
MOLLY QERIM has sparked major concerns after her mysterious absence from First Take.
The ESPN host has been missing from the flagship show for the past week.
The 40-year-old was scheduled to appear at their live event at Tennessee State last Friday.
But Qerim was nowhere to be seen, despite viewers being told she would be there.
Since then, she has been off air, with fans fearing there may be an issue behind-the-scenes.
The U.S. Sun can now reveal when she will be returning to our TVs – and the suspected reasons for her absence.
It is understood she will be out for the rest of the week on First Take.
And she is set to return on Monday, the October 21 edition of the ESPN program.
It is expected to have regular guests including Stephen A. Smith and Co on with her.
The reasons behind Qerim’s absence have remained a mystery all week.
Fans have speculated she might be fighting an illness, and taking time off to recover.
The U.S. Sun has been told she had always planned to have a break ahead of the NBA season.
Despite viewers worries, she is thought to be doing well, and is looking forward to a return.
Qerim is believed to have wanted a recharge ahead of the NCAA college basketball season beginning next month.
“Molly is a basketball expert first and foremost,” a source told The U.S. Sun.
“She wants to be fresh and ready for the intense season ahead.
Molly Qerim's life in the spotlight
Molly Qerim has risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest stars at ESPN.
The popular sports host began her media career in 2006 with ESPN and spent four years with the network.
She then covered college basketball and football for CBS Sports Network in New York.
Qerim balanced that with hosting duties for NFL Network in Los Angeles – fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.
The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took the role of First Take anchor.
And Qerim has been an ever-present, popular host of the daily sports debate show ever since.
“When she is off, she is off. Molly wants a clean break, she has complete downtime.
“She disconnects almost completely to rest and have a normal, basic life, like everyone.
“She likes to chill and do simple things. Shopping, sleeping in and cooking at home.”
It is understood Molly will be almost flat out on First Time until February 2025 after the break.
The NFL season is in full swing, the busiest time of the year for Stephen A. Smith and Co.
The NBA, NHL and MLB playoffs will also all be on at the same time this month.
She was again absent from First Take on Thursday, with fans quickly taking to social media.
One said: “Ok enough is enough. We want MOLLY back! ANSWERS!”
Another added: “I hope everything is ok with @MollyQerim.
“We haven’t seen her in a while.”
