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AN anonymous lottery player has won a whopping $1 million – but hasn’t yet claimed their prize.

The Mega Millions winner purchased their ticket at a Check Cash Depot in Brooklyn Park, Maryland on Tuesday, October 15.

But lottery officials confirmed on October 16 that the prize was still unclaimed.

The winning numbers that catapulted the player to millionaire status – assuming they claim the money in time – were 22-34-44-54-62 with a Mega Ball of 03 and a Megaplier of 3X.

The winner has 182 days from the date of the draw to claim their prize.

LUCKY LOTTO

They weren’t the only one to enjoy a stroke of lottery luck in the Mega Millions draw on Tuesday.

Another player picked up a ticket worth $10,000 from the store Briggs Chanel Deli in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Lottery officials confirmed that this prize had also not been claimed yet.

There were no jackpot winners for the Mega Millions draw, meaning the prize for next week’s draw leaps up to $185 million with an estimated cash option of $88.4 million.

The news comes as Powerball players were urged to check their numbers after a ticket worth $2 million remained unclaimed.

The ticket was purchased on October 12 at a fuel station in Windsor, Connecticut.

The same day, a lucky Powerball player scooped up a life-changing $1 million prize – with officials again urging the winner to come forward.

And in an even bigger lottery victory, a ticket worth $4 million was recently bought at a grocery store in Delaware.

MEGA CHANGES

Mega Millions has recently announced it will more than double the price of tickets next year as part of an overhaul.

Tickets will increase from $2 to $5 starting in April 2025, lottery organizers announced.

The increase will mark the second price adjustment since the lottery game launched in 2002.

Breakeven prices are also set to be scrapped in the spring.

Mega Millions said the overhauled game will result in jackpots that start larger, grow faster and are bigger more frequently, as well as better odds of winning the jackpot.

Joshua Johnston, lead director of the Mega Millions Consortium said: “We are creating a game that both our existing players and people new to Mega Millions will love and get excited about playing.

“We expect more billion-dollar jackpots than ever before, meaning creating more billionaires and many more millionaires as the jackpots climb, plus this game will continue the important legacy of supporting great causes everywhere Mega Millions is played.”

WINNING BIG

An expert recently told the Sun his top tips for winning big in the lottery.

Ashok Singh, a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Nevada and a gaming statistician, urged players to simply purchase as many tickets as they could afford.

A higher number of tickets increases the likelihood of choosing the right combination of numbers.

However, Ashok warned lottery hopefuls that the sheer volume of different numerical combinations still makes a win very unlikely.

Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing 
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.

KIM Kardashian has been pictured filming scenes for her new legal drama alongside Noami Watts.

Skims founder Kim, 43, exuded chic in leather thigh-high boots and a bold red coat trench coat while shooting for Hulu’s All’s Fair in Camarillo, California.

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Kim Kardashian has been pictured filming scenes for her new legal drama[/caption]

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Noami Watts is in the all-star cast too[/caption]

Accessorising with round sunglasses and a black leather clutch, she changed into her footwear after arriving on set in slippers.

The reality star-turned-actress also wore leather ruby gloves and silver earrings for the scenes.

Naomi, meanwhile, exuded elegance in a grey button-up jacket and oversized trousers in a different shade.

In the series, Kim plays a divorce lawyer at an all-female law firm with the likes of Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Niecy Nash and Teyana Taylor.

Ryan Murphy leads the show, who Kim previously worked with in the latest season of American Horror Story.

According to Variety, Kim is named All’s Fair’s executive producer opposite Glenn and her mother, Kris Jenner.

Just before her stint with AHS, Kim revealed she had been taking necessary strides to expand her resume.

In a conversation with People during the 2023 Met Gala, the entrepreneur revealed she took acting classes ahead of her AHS gig.

“I think it’s really fun to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new and grow,” she told the outlet.

“It’s a challenge — I like to challenge myself.”

This new gig hits close to home for the emerging actress, as she has been following in her father’s footsteps in pursuing a career in law.

During an episode of The Kardashians, Kim spoke about their plans for the legal drama and revealed she would be taking the bar exam in 2025.

Ryan floated the idea for the show’s catchphrase, “Not only am I a lawyer, but I play one on TV.”

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Kim exuded chic in a bold red coat trench coat[/caption]

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She changed into matching leather thigh-high boots before filming began[/caption]

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The reality star-turned-actress is an executive producer[/caption]

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Kim arrived on set in slippers[/caption]

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The Skims founder accessorised with round sunglasses and a black leather clutch[/caption]

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Naomi exuded elegance in a grey button-up jacket and oversized trousers[/caption]

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She had her face touched up by an make-up artist[/caption]

AT this time of year, damp and mould problems can go through the roof.

Wetter weather, lower temperatures and windows closed against the cold leave houses more at risk.

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Damp can cause serious damage to property if not tackled[/caption]

Around a quarter of renters have damp or mould in their homes, according to charity Shelter.

This week, Mel Hunter looks at the issue, how you can avoid it – and what to do if you see it spreading in your home.

COMPLAINTS ON THE RISE

THERE have been unprecedented volumes of complaints about damp and mould, according to Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway.

His service helps resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, mostly those living in social housing.

It received more than 6,000 complaints relating to damp and mould last year compared with over 3,100 two years earlier.

Richard says: “Historically, the issue has not been taken seriously and we have seen residents fobbed off without the landlord addressing the root causes.”

Whether you rent or own your home, as soon as you get any inkling of damp or mould you need to address it before it turns into a much bigger – and more expensive – problem.

Damp and mould may be caused by a number of different factors. The main culprit is condensation caused by cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors without adequate ventilation.

It’s made worse by a poorly maintained, cold house – and mould will spread if not treated. Where there is gappy insulation, mould-causing condensation will be drawn to the chilly, damp surface.

Richard adds: “If the landlord doesn’t take steps to address damp and mould in a timely way, the resident should raise a formal complaint with the Housing Ombudsman. It free and impartial.”

HOW TO PREVENT IT

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You must keep the property adequately ventilated and heated to minimise condensation[/caption]

BY keeping your windows open a crack – and open wider when showering – you stand a better chance of avoiding mould, says Heidi Phillips, an expert in deep-cleaning homes.

She adds: “If you’re in a windowless room or cooking, run the extractor fans.”

Heidi, owner of Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services in South Wales, whose biohazard training includes tackling mould, says that the problem can also breed unnoticed behind piles of clutter and in overstuffed wardrobes.

She says: “I often find mould behind furniture, especially if it has been placed against a cold external wall.”

Rising energy costs don’t help, either.

More than 1.7 million households won’t turn on their heating at all this winter, according to price comparison website Uswitch – double last year’s figure of 972,000.

Not heating your home enough can add to problems. Nicholas Donnithorne, UK technical services manager at Rentokil Property Care, says: “If you can, keep your house heated to between 18C and 20C, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

“It’s harder with the cost of energy – people shut the windows to keep any heat inside but then they lose the ventilation that is vital to let water vapour out.”

He advises opening a trickle vent or small window, even when cold outside.

“If condensation forms on windows, wipe them down to stop mould from forming and spreading, then dry your clothes outside or somewhere airy.”

WHEN TO TACKLE IT YOURSELF… AND WHEN TO CALL IN EXPERTS

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After cleaning mould, ensure you dispose of everything that may have come into contact with the spores in a sealed bag and change and wash your clothes[/caption]

IF you have a small patch of mould on wallpaper, behind furniture or in a wardrobe, you may be able to tackle it yourself for just a few pounds.

Firstly, ventilate the room and keep pets and children away. Then grab some rubber gloves and a face mask.

For a patch on wallpaper, Heidi advises: “Take any affected wallpaper off and bag it up securely.

“Then use a product that penetrates down to the roots of the mould spores.”

Heidi recommends HG or Kilrock mould remover. She adds: “Follow the instructions on the packaging.

 “Afterwards, dispose of everything that may have come into contact with the spores in a sealed bag and change and wash your clothes.”

Clean away any marks left by the mould, adds Nicholas, so that you can spot if it comes back.

“Think about where it is occurring and whether that might be linked to spots in your house that are excessively cold, which is where condensation will be automatically attracted. But above all, think of ventilation.

“Are you opening windows and using extractor fans to give condensation an escape route?”

It is generally agreed that a patch of damp or mould bigger than half a square metre to a square metre needs tackling by professionals. But this can cost thousands.

Nicholas adds: “If you get to the point where you are ventilating your home and you still can’t control it, then you should be asking for help.”

RENTERS’ RIGHTS

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IF you are renting, and poor maintenance is contributing to a damp or mould problem, then your landlord should act.

Substandard insulation, rotting windows, leaks, rising damp and broken extractor fans fall under your landlord’s responsibilities.

You must keep the property adequately ventilated and heated to minimise condensation.

For social housing, new legislation known as Awaab’s Law is due to come into force requiring landlords to act within a strict timeframe.

It follows the death in 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, from Rochdale, from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in his rented flat.

Campaigners hope measures for privately rented properties will come in with the Renters’ Rights Bill, currently going through parliament.

Jenny Lamb, from Shelter, says: “If you have a damp problem, report it to your landlord in writing, along with how long it has been going on.

“If no action is taken, contact your local authority, and they can carry out an environmental health inspection.”

But while many good landlords will act, some will unfortunately use a Section 21 “no fault” eviction order instead of carrying out repairs.

Jenny explains: “A tenant could find themselves in a scary position just for asserting their rights.”

The Government says Section 21 orders will be scrapped in the new Renters’ Rights Bill.

BUYBUY Baby has confirmed it will close all of its remaining physical store locations by the end of 2024.

The shocking development for the big-box retailer comes after it staged a strong comeback only a year earlier.

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BuyBuy Baby is getting rid of its remaining physical stores[/caption]

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Closing signs were spotted outside locations on Friday[/caption]

Now, it will be “transforming into a digital-first brand,” per a recent update to the FAQ page on its website.

The brand said it would instead be “focusing all our energy on providing an exceptional online shopping experience.”

BuyBuy Baby noted that it was after listening to feedback from partners and customers that it made the move to strictly e-commerce.

It also emphasized that the decision was not made “lightly” and understood it would be “disappointing news” for some.

Going out-of-business sales started on Friday morning, with signs and banners seen outside store locations.

BuyBuy Baby noted discounts of up to 30% off for baby furniture, toys, clothes, car seats, strollers, and more on its store locator page.

Only 10 are still operational across Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.

The retailer’s move to e-commerce is similar to the future of its bankrupt former parent company, Bed Bath & Beyond.

FUTURE SAVED

Bed Bath & Beyond made its Chapter 11 filing in April 2023, citing around $5.2 billion in debt.

As a result, 115 of BuyBuy Baby’s locations closed for good in the following months, per NJBIZ.

It was saved in June of the same year by baby product manufacturer Dream on Me for $15.5 million.

Dream on Me also bought the leases for 11 BuyBuy Baby stores and re-launched them in the fall of 2023, per Retail Dive.

With the axing of the remaining stores starting this month, BuyBuy Baby said it would put itself in a better spot in 2025 and beyond.

“By resetting now, we are positioning ourselves for long-term growth and success,” it told the publication.

“We’re excited about this new chapter and confident that our renewed focus will create more value for our customers, partners, and team members.”

MAKING MOVES

Other children’s retailers are also making significant moves this fall.

Toys R Us has been staging a comeback of its own over the past year, for example.

The brand filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after $5 billion in debt struggles and was later acquired by WHP Global.

In November 2023, WHP Global opened an 11,000-square-foot Toys R Us flagship store at the Mall of America in Minnesota and confirmed plans for at least 24 flagships in total.

Earlier this month, Toys R Us also opened its first store in partnership with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM).

Plans for several other openings on bases nationwide to offer products to military families are planned for 2025.

Defence Minister Bill Blair made the announcement at a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels where Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia was a key topic.

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The NDP say Saskatchewan Party's Moe needs to provide answers after a candidate's two children and their use of a school change room were brought up in the election campaign.

The education sector has had many discussion points over the last four years. Here's what's being called for heading into the 2024 Saskatchewan election.

Norbert Budai was found guilty of the first-degree murder of his estranged wife Henrietta Viski on Friday. The judge said he carried out the attack in 'a horrific manner.'

Toronto police say the pair are facing multiple charges, including the possession of an unauthorized loaded firearm and the discharge of a restricted firearm.