A GAME of Thrones legend is to star in the BBC’s The Famous Five as new pictures tease a first look at series two.

The Famous Five face a remarkable murder mystery in a brand-new, feature-length film, Mystery at the Prospect Hotel.

BBC

The BBC has released a first look at series two of The Famous Five[/caption]

Handout

Jack Gleeson played the sadistic Joffrey in Game of Thrones[/caption]

BBC

Now he is back in the Famous Five as the baddie Thomas Wentworth[/caption]

New pictures and a trailer have been released today, which teases fans on what to expect when this epic adventure hits screens.

The adaptation is based on Enid Blyton’s iconic stories, and is coming soon to the BBC.

Jack Gleeson better known as the sadistic Joffrey in Game of Thrones plays the evil Thomas Wentworth.

Famous Five fans will know he is also a nasty character hell bent on thwarting the five young explorers as they go on action-packed adventures and solving remarkable mysteries.

In film one of the second series, Mystery at the Prospect Hotel, it’s summer 1940 and the Five are reunited at a grand hotel on Cragstone Ridge. An old foe, Thomas Wentworth, awaits them as he needs their help.

Wentworth has seen into the future and foretells the murder of famous jazz singer Cab Vee, who is visiting the hotel.

With a host of likely suspects, each with their own motive, can the Five figure out who is trying to kill him?

Diaana Babnicova will play the role of George, Elliott Rose will play Julian, Kit Rakusen has been cast as Dick and Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne.

The final member of the five is the gang’s furry friend Timmy the dog, who will be played by Kip, a bearded-collie cross.

Maria Pedraza stars as Gabriela, Amir Wilson as Cab Vee, James Wilby as Mr Vincent, Rita Tushingham as Miss Clutterbuck, Jonathan Aris as Mr Standing, Jamie Andrew Cutler as Mr Crawford, Chloe Acland as Dilys and Jemima Rooper as Angela Clutterbuck.

Meanwhile, Ann Akinjirin and James Lance reprise their roles as Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin.

Mystery at the Prospect Hotel is directed by Asim Abbasi.

Moonage Pictures

The Famous Five will face their nemesis[/caption]

The first series of The Famous Five is available to stream now on BBCiPlayer. Film one of the second series is coming soon and film two will air in 2025.

“Puff took this white bird and threw it up in the air, and the bird just fell to the ground, boom, like it was a brick,” Gene Deal claimed.

Щоб підготувати виноградну лозу до зими треба знати, що укривати її варто не з осені. Тому що лоза може повипрівати, треба дочекатися морозів до 5-7 градусів, а потім робити укриття. Подробиці Для укриття виноградної лози можна взяти різні матеріали. Це можуть бути: руберойд, агроволокно, дошки, мішки, ялинові гілки, сіно та горіхове листя. Накриття роблять поверх […]

Листи в зошиті, в якому буде писати школяр, не повинні бути білосніжними і глянсовими, дала пораду лікар-педіатр Валентина Антонова. Одна з прикмет останнього місяця літа – у продажу з’являються товари для школярів. Лікар Валентина Антонова поділилася рекомендаціями про те, які зошити краще купити дітям-школярам. При виборі зошитів для школи краще уникати покупок виробів з яскравими […]

Якщо ви ще не бачили цей простий спосіб, який під силу навіть школяру, то читайте і починайте робити ліхтарик з 2 батарейок своїми руками. Подробиці Для такої корисної саморобки потрібно взяти: 2 пальчикові батарейки (АА) голка світлодіод на 3 В Батарейки з упаковування не виймайте, проте одну переверніть, щоб були “валетом”. Беремо білий світлодіод. Зверніть […]

AMAZON’S Black Friday sale hasn’t started yet, but the retailer has launched some surprise early deals.

One of the best is on Google’s former flagship mobile, the Pixel 8 Pro. It’s been reduced by 50% from £999 to £499.

Google Pixel Pro, £499 (was £999)

The Amazon Black Friday sale is due to start this Thursday (21st November).

But the online giant has just unleashed a wave of early-bird deals to draw in the punters.

Head to the Amazon website and you’ll find sweeping savings on Ring security devices, Sony headphones and a range of Android mobiles.

The entire Pixel 8 line has been slashed, but the biggest savings are on the flashiest phone in the range, the Pro.

Despite the advertised £999 RRP, we’ve seen the Pixel 8 Pro reduced £755 in a previous sale, and it’s been hovering around that price point for the past few months.

But this new discount brings the top-of-the-range Google smartphone down to an all-time low of £500.

This former flagship is now a credible mid-range option for shoppers spending on a modest budget.

The Pixel 8 Pro first hit the market in October 2023, and was positioned as a direct rival to other flagships of that year, the iPhone 15 (£678) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 (£499).

In contrast to the standard Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch screen, the 8 Pro has a beefier 6.7-inch display.

That’s a great size for anyone who’s into streaming or gaming on their phone.

The Pro is powered by Google’s mighty Tensor G3, and comes armed with a range of AI capabilities, largely in its image and video processing.

The Audio Magic Eraser tool will erased unwanted background noise from your videos, and the Picture Eraser – now three generations old – removes people from the background of your snaps.

Needless to say, if you own other Google devices like smartwatches or earbuds, these will link up with the Pixel 8 Pro like Romeo and Juliet.

Customers on the Amazon website have been leaving comments about this Android handset.

Some shoppers have complained about the battery life of this mobile (that’s top-end handsets for you: they go through power like sports car guzzle petrol).

But most reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

‘This is the best phone I have ever had!’ says one shopper. ‘[I’ve] moved from Apple to Android and haven’t looked back.’

‘The cameras are – as everyone says – absolutely superb,’ writes another customer.

Once Amazon’s Black Friday sale kicks off, there will probably be many further deals across smartphones.

But it seems highly unlikely the cost of this Google mobile will drop another further.

You’ll find all the best offers listed on our Amazon Black Friday deals page.

Google Pixel Pro, £499 (was £999)

Head to The Sun’s shopping tech hub for more news and Black Friday tech deals.

THERE’S a long list of health issues linked to COVID-19, from flu-like symptoms to serious heart problems.

But now a new study has discovered COVID-19 could offer something positive – with a link to cancer.

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Covid infection has now been linked to cancer regression – where the size of a tumour decreases[/caption]

Getty

Newly created immune cells were able to move into blood vessels and tumours – something typical immune cells are not able to do[/caption]

Researchers from Illinois in the US found COVID-19 infection was linked to cancer regression, where the size of a tumour decreases or the extent of cancer in the body shrinks.

Using animals and tissue from humans, they observed the ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for the disease.

They discovered the molecules, which are found in all living cells, triggered the development of a special cell in the immune system that has anti-cancer properties.

The newly created immune cells were able to move into blood vessels and tumours – something typical immune cells are not able to do.

Known as “inducible nonclassical monocytes” or “I-NCMs”, they could be used to treat cancers that are resistance to current therapies, according to Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute scientists.

Senior author Dr Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery at Northwestern Medicine, explained: “These killer cells swarm the tumour and start attacking the cancer cells directly, helping to shrink the tumour.”

This effect was activated by a severe COVID-19 infection, and was specifically seen to be effective against melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer and bowel cancer.

How the body’s response to Covid could help fight cancer

The researchers found during a COVID-19 infection, a special subset of immune cells can be stimulated in the body. This process begins when the RNA from the virus activates certain signals in the immune system.

These signals cause the transformation of common monocytes – an ordinary type of white blood cell – into I-NCMs.

These newly formed cells have the ability to move into both the blood vessels and the surrounding tissue where tumours grow.

Dr Bharat said: “What makes these cells so special is their dual capability. Typically, immune cells called non-classical monocytes patrol blood vessels, looking for threats. But they can’t enter the tumour site itself due to the lack of specific receptors.

“In contrast I-NCMs created during severe COVID-19 retain a unique receptor called CCR2, allowing them to travel beyond blood vessels and infiltrate the tumor environment. Once there, they release certain chemicals to recruit body’s natural killer cells. 

“These killer cells then swarm the tumour and start attacking the cancer cells directly, helping to shrink the tumour.”

Further research needed

Dr Bharat said this discovery opens up a new avenue for cancer treatment.

And while the research is still in the early stages, with effectiveness only studied in animals, it “offers hope that we might be able to use this approach to benefit patients with advanced cancers that have not responded to other treatments”.

More research is necessary and Dr Bharat added the next steps would be clinical trials.

Other bugs that could cure cancer

This comes after scientists found salmonella, a common bacterial infection that causes food poisoning, could be manipulated to help fight bowel cancer.

Experts have long known salmonella could help beat cancer by suppressing tumour cell growth.

But it also suppresses a part of the immune system which is essential to fight tumours.

New research on mice, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, offered a solution.

There’s currently no cure for cancer, but cancer screening can help to diagnose cancer or risk of cancer earlier, which can improve the likelihood of successful treatment. See the cancer screenings available in England below.

THE wait is over.

Ruben Amorim is set to take charge of his first game as Manchester United head coach this Sunday when he leads his troops to face Ipswich at Portman Road.

Fans of the Red Devils and neutrals alike will be intrigued to see how the Portuguese tactician fares in his first managerial outing on English shores but what should Dream Team managers expect going forward?

Dream Team

It’s all eyes on Amorim in Gameweek 12[/caption]

Erik ten Hag’s version of this Man United side was flawed in many ways but several players have thrived in Dream Team across the first eleven Gameweeks of the season.

Andre Onana (£4m), Noussair Mazraoui (£3.8m), Diogo Dalot (£4.2m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£4.1m) are all among the top seven assets in their respective positions at the time of writing.

But which players will flourish under Amorim’s watch?

The former Sporting CP coach is likely to employ his preferred 3-4-3 formation, making use of wing-backs.

If Mazraoui is deployed as the right wing-back then there’s every chance that will lead to increased attacking returns for the 27-year-old.

Getty

The Morocco international has racked up a whopping 91 points already this season via five clean sheets and an unmatched tally (in his position) of 55 tackles, not to mention 13 bonus points.

Add in more time in the final third with greater attacking responsibilities and he could go to another level.

Mazraoui is seemingly a lock at right wing-back but it will be interesting to see who fulfils the role on the opposite flank in the long run.

Dalot will be hopeful of a spot in his compatriot’s starting XI but it will be interesting to see whether Amorim eventually opts to convert one of the squad’s wingers into a wing-back.

It’s not unthinkable, for example, that Garnacho might get some minutes in the role in the near future.

Alamy

Such a move would mean more defensive duties for the Argentine youngster and perhaps a reduced goal threat, which would negatively impact his Dream Team viability.

However, if Amorim considers Garnacho worthy of a regular starting spot in his front three there could be plenty of points on offer.

Only superstar forwards Erling Haaland (£8.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.3m) have registered more shots on target than Garnacho so far this season; Amorim will surely want to maintain that level of threat in the final third throughout his first few weeks as Old Trafford boss at the very least.

Club captain Fernandes is currently Dream Team’s most in-form player having plundered 61 points across the last three Gameweeks!

The Portugal international generally operates best as a central advanced playmaker but such a role doesn’t really exist in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.

With the wing-backs encouraged to offer width high up the pitch, the two central midfielders are generally more combative types, tasked with recovering the ball and playing through the middle third.

The long-term vision probably features Kobbie Mainoo (£3.1m) and Manuel Ugarte (£2.8m) as partners in the middle of the park.

This would result in Fernandes being deployed in the front three but in what capacity remains to be seen.

It may be that he’s given a partial free role to create in more familiar areas, with a slight preference for the half-space closer to the right flank.

Broadly speaking, the 30-year-old should be one of the main beneficiaries if Amorim is able to spark improvements across the board – his individual creative output is up there with the best players in Europe in recent years.

Reuters

Dream Team’s form player[/caption]

One player Man United fans will desperately be hoping ascends to another level under the new regime is Rasmus Hojlund (£3.9m).

Viktor Gyokeres’ widely-heralded form up front was the defining aspect of Amorim’s successful Sporting side.

The former Coventry striker has scored 66 goals in 68 games since his transfer to the Portuguese giants, including a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City a few days before the international break.

Nobody is expecting Hojlund to suddenly morph into one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers but if Amorim is able to mould United into a dynamic attacking force then more and more Dream Team bosses will surely be tempted by the Danish focal point leading the line.

Injury problems may scupper some plans in Gameweek 12 but Amorin’s hand will be revealed to some extent and gaffers should pay careful attention.

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AN URGENT “get prepared” warning has been issued to Irish homeowners ahead of the forecasted ice and snow.

As winter sets in, Uisce Éireann is reminding everyone to take five simple steps to protect their water pipes from the cold.

Getty Images - Getty

With temperatures expected to dip well below freezing across the country this week, preventing burst pipes can save both hassle and money.

When water freezes it expands by nearly 10 per cent, which can cause pipes to split – even if they’re new.

To help you avoid the headaches of a burst pipe this winter, Uisce Éireann has shared a few practical tips.

First, make sure your water tanks and pipes are insulated as exposed pipes are especially vulnerable to the cold, and lagging can help prevent them from freezing.

Another important tip is to service your boiler.

A well-maintained boiler keeps your heating efficient and can even help lower energy bills throughout winter.

Uisce Éireann is also reminding homeowners not to remember fixing their dripping taps.

While it’s always a good idea, it’s especially crucial in winter as dripping water can freeze and create dangerous slippery patches.

It’s also worth checking your inside stop valve as knowing where it is and how to turn it off can be a lifesaver if a leak does happen.

Sealing gaps around windows and doors can also help keep the cold out, and it will reduce the chance of pipes freezing from draughts in winter.

Margaret Attridge from Uisce Éireann said that taking these simple steps now can prevent stress and unexpected costs later on.

She said: “There is no time like the present to get prepared, and following our five simple steps can help homeowners avoid stress and expense.

“It’s not only about saving money and preventing damages at home, but also about ensuring a sustainable water supply for everyone in our community.

“We know that the demand for water tends to increase significantly at this time of year so by following these simple steps homeowners and businesses can really make a difference and help ensure the taps keep flowing for all.”

Keep an eye on water usage

Along with preparing your own home for winter, Uisce Éireann encourages everyone to keep an eye on their water usage.

Simple actions like checking for leaks or reporting them can make a big difference in maintaining a sustainable water supply for everyone.

If you’re going away for a few days, consider getting someone to check your home regularly to make sure everything’s running smoothly.

And if you haven’t already, you can sign up for Uisce Éireann’s free text alerts to stay updated on any supply issues or outages in your area.

For more tips on winterproofing your home, visit Uisce Éireann’s website at https://www.water.ie/help/supply/winterproofing.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk fired off an optimistic post Tuesday about attorney general pick and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, declaring that he will bring the “hammer of justice” against President-elect Donald Trump’s foes — even as sex trafficking allegations against the ex-Florida Republican have clouded the confirmation fight. “Matt Gaetz has 3 critical assets that...