Explainers

Hollyoaks actor Billy Price has revealed why his character Sid Sumner had to die, in a devastating twist to the County Lines storyline. Fans did not see it coming on Tuesday night when Victor managed to catch up with Sid, after learning he had recorded a confession of his crimes and planned to drop him in it with the police. But Victor managed to steal the USB containing the videos and audio, before stabbing Sid and leaving him to die in harrowing scenes. Sid had teamed with James Nightingale to try to free James' sister Juliet from prison, and take down Victor once and for all by recording his confession. Ste Hay managed to find Sid soon after the stabbing, and held him in his arms as he screamed out for help. But Wednesday's episode brought the tragic news Sid had died from his injuries, and Victor had claimed another victim. Viewers were in tears as the village reacted to the news, and speaking exclusively to The Mirror Sid actor Billy promised there was much more to … [Read more...] about Hollyoaks actor Billy Price explains decision to kill off Sid after teen’s tragic death

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are both highly effective at preventing over-80s from being admitted to hospital, according to a new study. Researchers in Bristol found that 14 days after one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, it was 79.3% effective at preventing people in that age group from developing symptomatic illness severe enough to be admitted. For AstraZeneca 's COVID-19 jab, the effectiveness was 80.4%. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world What EU leaders said about AstraZeneca vaccine - and the data forcing a rethink The study tallies up with the Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Public Health England (PHE) reports released in February and on Monday respectively. Advertisement Professor Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics and chief investigator of the study at the University of Bristol, said his team took a different approach, using a smaller geographical area and … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines ‘highly effective’ at preventing hospital admissions in over-80s, study finds

A MUM has defended smoking cannabis as she claims it makes her more patient with her two kids. Caitlin Fladager,  27, lives in Vancouver, Canada, where recreational and medicinal marijuana use is legal. But despite this the mum-of-two says that she is constantly subjected to judgement from other mothers. But Caitlin says that lighting up a joint is no different to winding down with a glass of wine, taking to Instagram to defend herself. “Yes, I have two kids. Yes, I smoke weed”, she wrote earlier this month. “It’s so funny to my how frowned upon marijuana is. No one looks twice when a mom says she enjoys “mom juice” aka wine, after her kids are in bed. “But when a mom says she smokes weed, it’s a huge shock.” Caitlin got pregnant with her high school sweetheart Noah when she was 18 years old and the married couple now share two children, Adriana and Jack. She says she wants to “raise awareness” of how marijuana can actually help up women become better mums to … [Read more...] about Smoking cannabis makes me a better mum – I was never the most patient with my two kids, now I am

A MUM was left fuming after her daughter's nursery changed her name because they said it was “too hard” to pronounce. Mahinarangi Tautu, five, had just started going when her mum Paris was told staff would call her “Rangi” instead, News.com.au reports. The name is traditional of their Ngāti Raukawa heritage, a Maori tribe from the central region of the North Island of New Zealand Because of this the New Zealand woman said she “will not let this happen” as it doesn’t respect and honour her daughter’s Māori heritage. “I am sad that in 2021, in Aotearoa, a 5-year-old girl has lost the pride that comes with her beautiful name,” the woman wrote in a Facebook post, The NZ Herald reports. She explained Mahinarangi’s name is often mispronounced and mocked by her peers, leaving the young girl “embarrassed” and lacking the confidence to correct anyone. “Can you imagine your child being too embarrassed to say their name because people won’t make a decent effort to … [Read more...] about Mum fumes after daughter’s nursery changed her name because it was ‘too hard to pronounce’

MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert is urging parents not to miss out on thousands of pounds of tax-free childcare. As part of the tax-free childcare scheme, you can get up to £500 every three months - up to £2,000 a year - for each of your children. For disabled children, the maximum amount you could get rises to £4,000. The scheme essentially works like a savings account where for every £8 you save towards childcare costs, the government tops up an extra £2. So if you put away £8,000 a year for one child, the government will give you £2,000 totally free. But MoneySavingExpert estimates fewer than one in five of the 1.3 million families eligible for tax-free childcare aren’t taking advantage of the scheme. What help is available for parents for childcard costs? CHILDCARE can be a costly business but here is how you can get help: 30 hours free childcare  - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week. To qualify you must … [Read more...] about Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert reminds parents not to miss out on thousands of pounds of tax-free childcare