Swimmers were told to get out of the water at Bunker Bay Beach on Wednesday after a 3.5m tiger shark was spotted about 500m from shore.
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Bunker Bay beach closed after big shark spotted 500m metres from shore
Community feedback sought for City of Busselton short-term accommodation policy changes
The City of Busselton is looking for community feedback on changes to its local planning policy for short-term rental accommodation.
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I’m spiritually prepared for this role—John Jinapor on his appointment
Energy Minister nominee John Abdulai Jinapor has disclosed his preparedness for the ministerial position. However, he acknowledges that he needs support from industry experts and all other stakeholders. “Psychologically, physically, and emotionally, I am prepared, and even spiritually, I’m prepared. I can’t say I will do it alone; I will need support from the industry […]
The post I’m spiritually prepared for this role—John Jinapor on his appointment appeared first on MyNewsGh.
Dundee v Rangers LIVE SCORE: Nsiala STARTS at Dens with Propper captain as injury-hit Gers bid to fix away day woes
RANGERS boss brings young French defender Clinton Nsiala into his starting line-up as he faces another seismic away clash vs Dundee at Dens Park.
His side take a WOEFUL away record to Tayside on Thursday with Scotland in the grip of a big freeze – and his own team doing the same away from Ibrox this season.
They’ve won just THREE of their ten trips this term, drawing their last two away days at Motherwell and Hibs too.
And though they’re unbeaten at Ibrox domestically, they’ve lost FOUR on the road – at Celtic, St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
The Belgian boss simply NEEDS to see form improve away from home.
Last season’s late call-offs and pitch nightmare at Dens – officially known as the Scotfoam Arena – seem a thing of the past and the Dark Blues’ record at home isn’t much different from their away days.
They ran their Tangerine neighbours close on derby day – hours after Rangers stunned Celtic – but got back to winning ways in their big rivals clash with St Johnstone.
Sky cameras will be in attendance again, hoping for better fortunes than their two aborted trips for transmission last season.
The teams even met recently on league business – just 19 days between full-time at Ibrox and kick-off on Tayside.
Here’s how you can tune in – if, of course, the game gets the go ahead in the frosty January weather.
What time does Dundee v Rangers kick off?
- Rangers take on Dundee TONIGHT, Thursday, January 9, 2025.
- The match kicks off at 8pm UK time.
- It will be held at the ‘Scotfoam Stadium otherwise known as Dens Park.
- Referee for the match is Calum Scott, with Daniel McFarlane and Calum Spence.
- Greg Aitken is on VAR, assisted by Gary Hilland.
What TV channel is Dundee v Rangers on and can I live stream it?
- Sky Sports will show the big match live – that’s why it is on Thursday.
- The broadcaster has moved the game to avoid a clash with the Carabao Cup semi-finals this midweek.
- The game will be shown on Main Event and football channels.
- Coverage begins at 7.15pm on both.
- That means it can be streamed on Sky Go, the Sky Sports app or Now TV
- Highlights will also be available on Sportscene at 10.40pm on BBC One and on iPlayer.
- Dundee XI: Carson, Ingram, Astley, Robertson, Mulligan, Tiffoney, Sylla, Donnelly, Garza, Adewumi, Murray. Subs: McCracken, Sharp, Main, Braybrooke, Palmer-Houlden, Graham, Vetro.
- Rangers XI: Rangers team v Dundee: Kelly, Yilmaz, Nsiala, Propper, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Bajrami, Hagi, Cerny, Igamane. Subs: Munn, Cortes, Rice, Dessers, Matondo, McCausland, Dowell, King, Danilo.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Four pitfalls to watch out for with the gift cards you got for Christmas
YOU may have been chuffed to get a gift card for your favourite brand for Christmas.
It means you can buy exactly what you want, rather than ending up with something you are not fussed about.
But there are pitfalls to watch out for with gift cards or tokens.
Here’s what you need to know . . .
FLEXIBLE FAILS: Gift vouchers can come with certain stipulations on how they are used.
For example, you may not be able to use them as a part payment towards an item, so you have the task of finding a purchase that is as close to the gift card value as possible. Or you may be able to use in-store or online only.
TICKING CLOCK: Many gift cards have to be used within a certain time period, usually two years.
However, some have a shorter window of 12 months.
So be wary about stashing your voucher away — you might forget about it, only to realise that it has expired when you come to use it.
If you are not going to imminently use your voucher, check its expiry date and put a note in your calendar a month before to spend it before you run out of time.
SNEAKY CHARGES: Another reason to use your gift card sooner rather than later can be because some operators whack on “inactivity” fees after a certain period of time if the credit isn’t redeemed.
These charges can bite into the value of your gift.
BROKEN BUSINESSES: If a retailer goes bust, you might be unable to spend a voucher or gift card.
Sometimes you could use it if you act quickly but it will depend on the terms of the particular administration.
This gives another reason to spend a gift card shortly after you receive it as you never know when a business might collapse.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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Little known lender launches 3% deposit mortgages to help first-time buyers get on the ladder
FIRST-time buyers could find it easier to get on the ladder thanks to a new range of mortgages that require a deposit of only 3%.
The 97% loan to value (LTV) deals are offered by a specialist mortgage provider which usually caters to borrowers who have been rejected by high street banks.
Most mortgage lenders require borrowers to have a deposit of at least 5% and for some the minimum is 10%.
Vida Homeloans said its new range called ‘3 and easy’ will also help people such as long-term renters and is available to those with an adverse credit history, complex or second job income, as well self-employed or contract workers.
A 3% deposit based on the average house price of £297, 166 in December would work out as £8,914 whereas a 5% deposit works out as £14,858 or a 10% one is £29,716.
The new range includes five and seven-year fixed rate products with rates starting from 7.4%.
This is relatively high compared to 95% LTV products currently available.
For example, a five-year 95% LTV deal at Halifax or HSBC can have a rate as low as 5.14%.
However, it can be trickier to get a mortgage if you have a low credit rating or your job set-up is not straightforward.
This is where specialist lenders and smaller providers such as building societies can help – they will look at your individual circumstances and decide if you can afford the loan.
The payoff is that the rates are usually higher than what you would find with a high street lender.
If you think that you don’t need a specialist mortgage it could be better to save up an extra 2% for the deposit to access lower rates from high street lenders.
You also need to be sure that you won’t want to move within five or seven years if you take out the deals or else you will face hefty repayment fees.
Experts said Vida’s new deals were exciting for new buyers.
Nicholas Mendes, mortgage technical manager from broker John Charcol, said: “This initiative addresses a crucial gap in the market.
“Historically, individuals with adverse credit have faced significant barriers, such as the need for larger deposits, effectively locking them out of homeownership opportunities.
“Vida’s entry into the higher LTV space could serve as a much-needed lifeline for many prospective buyers, enabling access to the housing ladder for those who have struggled due to limited options in the past.”
The deal is only available through mortgage brokers so you will need to find an adviser to access the deal.
You can search for a well-rated local broker through unbiased.co.uk.
Helen Cawthra, head of intermediary relationships at Vida, said: “The 3 & Easy range can be game-changing for so many people.
“From those who feel trapped in rented accommodation to prospective first-time buyers still living with parents.
“They now have an option to buy their home sooner, with a smaller deposit of 3%. The products are also ideal for those young families looking to move on in life to a larger property to better suit their needs, without the need for a large deposit or savings.”
What other first-time buyer mortgages are available?
In recent months, more lenders have announced deals to give first-time buyers more help getting on the ladder.
These include small or no deposit mortgages, higher earnings multiples and more ways families can help get relatives onto the housing ladder.
For example, Skipton Building Society’s Track Record mortgage offers you a no-deposit option if you can show you have been paying rent for a year or more.
Another option if you only have a small deposit is Yorkshire Building Society’s £5,000 deposit mortgage.
It only requires a deposit of £5,000, which could mean borrowing as much as 99% of the property value as it is available on properties costing over £100,000 and up to £500,000.
The Helping Hand option at Nationwide lets eligible first-time buyers borrow up to six times their income – ideal for those on smaller incomes or looking to buy in pricey areas like London.
How to get the best deal on your mortgage
IF you're looking for a traditional type of mortgage, getting the best rates depends entirely on what's available at any given time.
There are several ways to land the best deal.
Usually the larger the deposit you have the lower the rate you can get.
If you’re remortgaging and your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) has changed, you’ll get access to better rates than before.
Your LTV will go down if your outstanding mortgage is lower and/or your home’s value is higher.
A change to your credit score or a better salary could also help you access better rates.
And if you’re nearing the end of a fixed deal soon it’s worth looking for new deals now.
You can lock in current deals sometimes up to six months before your current deal ends.
Leaving a fixed deal early will usually come with an early exit fee, so you want to avoid this extra cost.
But depending on the cost and how much you could save by switching versus sticking, it could be worth paying to leave the deal – but compare the costs first.
To find the best deal use a mortgage comparison tool to see what’s available.
You can also go to a mortgage broker who can compare a much larger range of deals for you.
Some will charge an extra fee but there are plenty who give advice for free and get paid only on commission from the lender.
You’ll also need to factor in fees for the mortgage, though some have no fees at all.
You can add the fee – sometimes more than £1,000 – to the cost of the mortgage, but be aware that means you’ll pay interest on it and so will cost more in the long term.
You can use a mortgage calculator to see how much you could borrow.
Remember you’ll have to pass the lender’s strict eligibility criteria too, which will include affordability checks and looking at your credit file.
You may also need to provide documents such as utility bills, proof of benefits, your last three month’s payslips, passports and bank statements.
Coronation Street bosses facing revolt as stars complain they’re ‘worked like dogs’ and panic about being axed
CORONATION Street bosses are facing a stars’ revolt amid a storm of shock exits.
Insiders told The Sun Weatherfield is uneasy, with mid-ranking actors and younger stars fearing they face the chop in a bid to save costs.
A source said: “There’s a WhatsApp group which has been pinging with messages about concerns of where the axe will fall next.
“It’s a tough time on the soap and it’s filtering down.
“There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P Shepherd on board.”
William Roache, 92, has played Ken Barlow since 1960.
Jack, 36, joined in 2000 as David Platt.
Insiders also said some of the cast had moaned about the long hours, with some threatening to jump ship.
The source added: “Filming is tough.
“One person moaned they were ‘worked like dogs’.
“With the grip on the purse being tightened by ITV, it’s not fun.
“The days of bumper pay are gone.
“Coronation Street used to be jewel in ITV’s crown.
“Now there’s a despondent feeling among actors.”
Charlotte Jordan, who played Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, became the fifth star to leave Corrie in just weeks on Tuesday.
Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Luca Toolan, (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) have all left the show.
Corrie legend Helen Worth, 74, who played Gail Platt, also had her final scenes on Christmas Day after 50 years on the soap.
Insiders said rising costs and falling advertising revenue has piled on pressure.
Cobbles boss Kate Brooks warned last month she is set to axe characters including “some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves”.
Hugely popular brand slashes price of 2 models by £1,000s after drop in sales in 2024 – with sporty hatch now under £30k
FOR those on the look out for a new motor to drive this year, Fiat has slashed the prices on two electric models.
After suffering a major decline in sales, the Italian brand has knocked thousands of pounds off the Fiat 600e Crossover and its Abarth 500e Hot Hatch stablemate.
It is hoped that the major discounts will help encourage drivers to switch to electric.
Fiat and Abarth’s UK marketing director, Giuseppe Cava, said the special prices would help customers who are put off by “the perceived high cost of EV purchase to make the switch more affordable than ever for all buyers.”
Both mini but mighty cars now have a starting price of £29,975 after up to £4,220 has been taken off their price tags.
Both models are now part of the Fiat E-Grant, an incentive to urge drivers to switch to electric which now applies to on-the-road prices.
The brand introduced the grant in 2023 for the 500e city car which saw the Fiat offer £3,000 towards the retail price of the vehicle.
All customers, both retail and fleet will be able to benefit from the grant.
The OTR price of the Fiat 6000e is slashed by up to £4,020 and the Abarth 500 e by up to £4,220.
This new pricing was made available to all customers from January 1, 2025.
Cava said: “We’re delighted to start the New Year by evolving the FIAT E-Grant.
“A year and a half after we became the first to launch this type of electric car incentive, we’re proud to be able to integrate the savings into our on-the-road pricing and thereby extend the savings to even more customers.
“Our own research has already revealed that many consumers are put off by the perceived high cost of EV purchase, so by integrating the E-Grant saving for Fiat 600e and Abarth 500e we’re helping to make the switch more affordable than ever for all buyers.”
“We are proud that both Fiat 600e and Abarth 500e are award-winning models and by integrating the E-Grant we hope to give more drivers across the UK an even greater reason to consider them,” he added.
It comes after Fiat saw sales drop by 14 per cent last year compared with 2023.
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders also revealed that across the whole market, just one in ten private buyers chose an EV.
But, positive news for Abarth is that its sales increased by almost 16 per cent last year and now with slashed prices, it is hoped sales will further rise.
SPECIFICATIONS
The Fiat 600E features three driving modes – eco, sport and normal and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 9.0 seconds.
It has an output of 115kW and 260Nm torque with a battery capacity of 54kWh giving the vehicle over 250 miles of range in real-world driving cycle (WLTP) and up to 375 miles in the urban cycle.
This makes the vehicle aimed at family the ideal car for urban living and getaways to the country.
Meanwhile, the sporty Abarth 500e can go from 0-62 mph in seven seconds accompanied with a sound generator that gives drivers that throaty exhaust sound of its traditional hot hatches.
The 42kWh battery alongside an e-motor makes 113.7 kW and 235Nm of torque giving it a range of up to 224 miles.
But the battery alone gives it only up to 157 miles of range.
The Sun previously reported on a little-known car brand that has released a £15,000 EV in the UK.
Wycombe and Portsmouth fans can watch their moved FA Cup clash in Kyrgyzstan or Papua New Guinea… but NOT in UK
THIRD ROUND weekend is upon us, with a seemingly endless list of FA Cup ties kicking off at different times over a five-day spell.
Starting with Thursday’s tie between Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Bramall Lane, there are some FOURTEEN different kick-off times.
While the BBC and ITV have a host of games between them, including glamour ties like Liverpool vs Accrington and Tamworth vs Tottenham, other matches were moved after being picked for overseas TV.
Among the slightly less glamorous ties moved are Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth on Friday night and Birmingham vs Lincoln on Saturday lunchtime.
Yet, despite being moved, many of these ties are NOT available to watch in the UK.
When League One Wycombe host Championship rivals Pompey on Friday, overseas fans in SEVENTY FOUR countries will be able to tune in.
Supporters in Kyrgyzstan can tune in for the 7:45pm kick off at nearly 2am local time time should they so wish – nothing screams finishing your Friday night out with an afterparty watching the FA Cup.
Likewise, any avid Pompey fans in Papua New Guinea can sit down and watch the game if they like – though it would mean a very early 5:45am start.
The decision to move many of these fixtures has been controversial with home and away fans alike, particularly ahead of Everton vs Peterborough on Thursday night.
The final third round tie at Goodison Park is available on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button, but the decision went down like a lead balloon with much of the Posh fanbase, who face a 300-mile round trip in icy conditions on a school night.
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When TV selections were confirmed, the League One club urged the FA to rethink the decision, saying: “There are no viable trains from Liverpool to Peterborough scheduled on the evening of the match meaning supporters must travel by car or coach.
“Supporters will be required to take two days off work to attend this incredibly important fixture and our younger fans will not be able to attend due to school commitments.
“We have never played a competitive game at Goodison Park and interest in the game is very high.
“An expected reduced home attendance would reduce the potential revenue for both Peterborough United and Everton.”
Ultimately, the match is a sell out, with both home and away fans coming out in their thousands for what looks set to be a strange night on Merseyside.
The Toffees sacked Sean Dyche earlier today, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman set to take charge, and David Moyes among the contenders to land the vacant job.
5 Things to Remember Before Watching Severance Season 2
Apple TV+’s incredible sci-fi drama series Severance returns for its sophomore season this week. After almost three years, some unanswered questions might finally be revealed after that incredible cliffhanger of a season finale. The trailer of the upcoming show hints at where the main Innies of the show ended up after their little rebellion. As […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire