Latest news with #Lyn
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Lee Rigby's mum backs Mirror campaign for monument to honour terror survivors
Lyn Rigby joined the growing band of survivors and families calling for a physical touchstone, saying: 'It is vital so people can keep on showing how much they care for the suffering of their fellow countrymen and women' The mum of murdered soldier Lee Rigby has backed our campaign for a memorial to honour all UK victims of terror. Lyn Rigby joined the growing band of survivors, grieving families and campaigners in calling for a physical touchstone. Proud Fusilier soldier Lee, 25, was murdered by two Islamic extremists in an act of terror that shocked the world exactly 12 years ago today. Last night Lyn, 58, said: "I back the Mirror's campaign 100 percent. One of my biggest fears has always been that Lee will be forgotten – but a national memorial [would] mean he and all the other victims will be honoured forever. "Every victim should be remembered as part of our nation's history – it's the very least we owe to the innocent who fall prey to heartless terrorist acts and their loved ones who suffer as a result. I know I would be so proud to honour Lee at such a place and it would bring me and so many others much comfort and healing." The Mirror-backed Place to Remember Campaign is calling on the government to erect a monument honouring all those affected by terror attacks in the UK. We are also demanding victims' calls for a National Remembrance Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism be urgently actioned. In March, security minister Dan Jarvis launched a consultation for a day of remembrance, which is due to close next month, but this does not include plans for a shrine. Lyn, who is also mum to four girls, said having a focal point for families to share their grief is "vital." She continued: "When Lee was murdered I became a member of a club that no one wants to join – I felt I had nowhere to run to [and] nowhere to bury my pain and my grief. "A memorial like this would bring those who are suffering together. It [would] bond people without words because everyone knows how fellow sufferers are feeling [and] how to bring comfort to one another. It's also so much more than just a place for victims and their families – it's a permanent reminder to the world what terrible suffering terror brings. It says we will never forget those who perished at the hands of evil and those who continue to suffer." Lee, who left behind his two-year-old son and devoted fiancée, was murdered by two Islamist extremists as he walked home to his army barracks in Woolwich, South East London, on May 22, 2013. He was off-duty and in civilian clothes when British-born Muslim converts Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale picked him out at random. They mowed him down from behind in a speeding car before hacking him to death in the street with knives and meat cleavers in front of hundreds of terrified onlookers. They tried to justify their actions as revenge for the deaths of fellow Muslims in wars such as Afghanistan. Lyn spent the anniversary on Thursday at home with family - where they have a little memorial in the garden - sharing memories and raising a glass to their beloved Lee. She added: "I wouldn't wish the suffering we have been through as a family on another single human being. But along with my amazing family, what got me through was knowing that people, often strangers, cared about what happened to Lee. "That's why a shrine is vital so people can keep on showing how much they care for the suffering of their fellow countrymen and women. It would stand as a symbolic and defiant gesture where, as a country, we could unite to stand against terror. Let's show that as a country we really do care."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Film star left disfigured by jealous friend who injected face with cooking oil
Lyn May, real name Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola, was once known to movie lovers for her staggering beauty - but then a jealous trickster decided to try and tear her down Once celebrated for her stunning beauty and commanding stage presence, Mexican actress and performer Lyn May issued a stark warning about the dangers of cosmetic enhancements after a series of botched procedures dramatically altered her appearance. Known in her prime as the "goddess of love," Lyn May - born Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola - rose to fame in the 1970s and '80s, captivating audiences with her exotic looks, flowing dark hair and magnetic screen presence. During her heyday, she was considered a sex symbol in Mexican pop culture, with admirers drawn to her striking features and confident allure. Lyn began her career as a cabaret dancer, but her talent and charisma quickly propelled her into Mexican cinema. She starred in several hit films, including Tívoli (1974), Carnival Nights (1978), and The Loving Ones (1979), solidifying her status as one of the era's most iconic "vedettes" - a term used in Latin America for leading female entertainers known for glamour and theatrical flair. However, Lyn's path took a tragic turn when she underwent unregulated cosmetic procedures that left her almost unrecognisable. Now 75, she claims that a "jealous" friend encouraged her to get unsafe facial fillers - an act she believes was intended to sabotage her appearance. Once adored for her beauty and success, Lyn now shares her story as a cautionary tale, hoping to prevent others from making similar decisions driven by pressure or misguided advice. In the 1990s, Lyn began considering how she could enhance her already gorgeous facial features, including her cheekbones and jawline. It was then that, as per OkChicas, she was persuaded by a con artist to undergo collagen injections, with the promise that this procedure would give her a fresher, more youthful appearance. Sadly, after putting her trust in the trickster, Lyn was injected with a grim cocktail of cooking oil, baby oil, and water, resulting in lumps and permanent, life-altering disfigurement. Although Lyn did attempt to undergo corrective plastic surgery, the surgeon was only able to remove a small amount of the oil, and the star still lives with the effects of the treatment to this day. As previously reported by The Sun, Lyn is believed to have also undergone additional surgeries, including Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and other procedures to shape her form. Recent reports suggest Lyn has begun working with a "legitimate doctor who is helping her reverse some of the effects of what happened to her". This comes as before and after pics of Lyn went viral, with many social media users expressing dismay on behalf of the film star while hitting out at the so-called 'friend' who deceived her into altering her face forever. One horrified person wrote: "Omg, it's awful that her 'friend' did this to her. What a horrible thing to do to someone. Another commented: "I hope her 'friend' is in jail. Who needs haters when you have friends?" A third person remarked: "Scariest thing about being pretty is the sickos out there who are jealous."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida man posing as bank worker, then FBI scammed senior out of $55K — what to know as these frauds spike
One phone call was all it took to jeopardize an elderly Florida man's financial security. Police in Pembroke Pines say the man was the victim of a brazen scam that drained $55,000 from his bank — the latest in a heartbreaking wave of scams targeting vulnerable older adults. Police say Terol Castel Lyn, posing as a Wells Fargo bank employee, contacted the victim and told him his account was part of an active criminal investigation. But instead of advising the victim to freeze his funds or visit a branch, Lyn instructed him to withdraw the money and meet Lyn to hand over the cash. Over two days in April, that's exactly what the victim did, and Lyn allegedly wasn't finished: Police say he warned the man the FBI would be contacting him for additional payments. The victim's son grew suspicious when he learned about the unusual bank withdrawals and reported it to local authorities. Working with the Pembroke Pines Police Department, they quickly set up a sting operation. When Lyn showed up to collect an additional payment, police moved in for an arrest. Lyn fled but was later caught in Fort Lauderdale. He faces charges of felony larceny on a victim 65 years of age or older, felony fraud and other charges, and police are exploring whether the scheme may have targeted additional victims. Police are now urging families in the area to closely monitor the bank accounts of elderly relatives and to be vigilant for similar scam attempts. Don't miss Scams target the vulnerable The Florida case is far from isolated. Scams targeting seniors are surging. Americans over the age of 60 reported approximately $4.8 billion in financial losses to internet-related crimes in 2024 — a sharp increase from previous years, with both the number of complaints and total losses for this age group rising by more than 40% from 2023, according to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report. Impersonation scams, where criminals pose as trusted institutions like government agencies, banks or law enforcement, were among the most common tactics, the report found. And the true numbers could be even higher: The FBI says many seniors are too embarrassed or confused to report scams once they've fallen victim. Scammers know exactly how to manipulate their targets. They exploit trust, fear, and urgency and they often strike when victims are most vulnerable or isolated. Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? How to spot a scam and protect your loved ones Stopping scams like this starts with education and vigilance. Here's what you — and your elderly loved ones — need to know to stay protected: **Watch out for requests for cash: **No legitimate bank or FBI agent will ever ask a citizen to withdraw cash and hand it over in person. If you get a call like this, it's a scam. Hang up immediately. Verify before you act: If you get a suspicious call, don't act on it right away. Look up the official phone number of the bank or agency and call them yourself to verify. Never trust caller ID, since scammers can spoof phone numbers to look legitimate. Beware of pressure tactics: Fraudsters often create fake emergencies. If someone says you must act "right now," slow down. Pressure to act fast is a huge red flag. **Set up account alerts: **Banks offer free tools to monitor accounts for unusual transactions. Set up text or email alerts for all major withdrawals or charges over a certain amount. **Talk to your family: **Have regular conversations with older family members about common scams. Make sure they know it's okay to call you before taking action on anything suspicious. **Help older adults with technology: **Teach elderly loved ones how to block unknown callers on their cell phones and report spam calls. Some apps even screen calls automatically to prevent scam attempts. If you suspect fraud, contact your local police department and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘One big dream': Bodø/Glimt's modern miracle built on history and humility
Nobody is sure precisely when the 'coffee table' tradition began, but consensus traces it back about 60 years. It would take a lot for one of the regulars not to show up. The time is almost 11am and cups are being laid out in the Aspmyra Stadion canteen for the Bodø/Glimt old boys' daily catchup. In walks Ivar Bakke, who can count himself as the group's elder statesman at 94. 'One of the oldest people in Norway!' he laughs before sitting down. Tall tales are retold, memories sharpened in delighting over past and more recent glories; however far those stretch, everyone here knows what it has taken to bring their club to the barely fathomable territory of a Europa League semi-final. The raconteur in chief is Jacob Klette, a sharp figure in his late 70s who made almost 400 appearances for a team that broke boundaries. 'The northern part of Norway has always had to fight for its rights,' Klette says. 'I played for Lyn, the best team in Oslo, in the late 1960s. You would open the newspaper and see adverts: 'We have an apartment for rent, but not for people from the north.' You felt disgusted to see it.' Klette and many of his friends at the table would turn convention and outright prejudice on their head. Clubs from all the way up here, 75 miles inside the Arctic circle, were not allowed to play in the Norwegian cup until 1963. They were regarded as poor relations on and off the pitch, the north's customs and dialect unwelcome in the supposedly more refined south. Promotion to the top flight was made possible for northern sides only in 1972, initially on condition of contesting an additional playoff. But in 1975 Bodø/Glimt, while still hammering at a glass ceiling from the second tier, travelled to Oslo and sensationally beat Vard in the cup final. 'There are eight champions from that year around this table,' Klette says. 'I scored the winner here in the quarter-final against the champions, Viking, right down in that corner of the pitch. After the match everyone swarmed on to the grass, all the children surrounded me. The next year we played Napoli in the Cup Winners' Cup and their own fans booed them. We showed you can be from northern Norway and play against anyone.' Across the room, the present-day fruit of those endeavours are visible. As Klette chats, the first team are filing in for lunch. They won a routine top-flight fixture against KFUM the previous evening and are three days from the most significant match of their careers; the biggest in Bodø/Glimt's history. This season's team went to Italy and knocked Lazio out on penalties to earn their last-four tie against Spurs. For five years that have brought four league titles and a string of European upsets, they have barely missed a beat. 'When they've done something special and come back here, we treat them like it's a normal day,' Klette says. 'The world keeps turning: been there, done that. But we're always here drinking coffee and the players tell us they appreciate the stability in this room.' As if on cue, the captain Patrick Berg wanders over to exchange greetings. Klette teases Berg, whose first-leg suspension is a significant loss, about the identity of his potential replacement in London. Berg's grandfather Harald, one of Norway's best-ever players and another hero of 1975, is sitting further down the table; they are just two parts of a dynasty that has left a profound mark on club and city. Beloved things are handed down here. 'We always connect the history to each player,' Klette says. 'They find it like a family.' The winter has, even by local standards, been rainswept and harsh. But when KFUM visit the sky is perfect blue; overnight the clouds cleared, darkness never quite shrouding a band of white arctic light that shimmered across the sea through the small hours. The walk past Hålogalandsgata's sturdy wood-panelled houses to Aspmyra is a picture. Yellow and black flags fly from every second property, the crooked peaks of Borvasstinden gleaming 20 miles in the distance. Everywhere is theoretically walkable in this city of 53,000 although anyone from further afield has it tougher. At least one fan has made the gruelling journey from Harstad, 250 miles further north; some still travel three hours each way by boat from the Lofoten archipelago. When Bodø/Glimt were allowing an entire region to walk tall 40 years ago people would drive for 15 hours from the country's most remote region, Finnmark, to share in the sense of pride. Now Bodø bursts with it again. 'This is basically one big dream,' says Magnus Vindenes, a member of the J-Feltet supporters' group. 'It's difficult to appreciate right now. But everybody here feels part of it. We still see our players out walking their dogs. A lot of them are local lads and feel the same way we do. It feels good to show the rest of the country that this is how you do it. Bodø/Glimt means something more than being just a good football team; they've always been a symbol of northern Norwegian self-esteem.' Vindenes has followed the club through multiple financial crises and three relegations since the millennium began. In 2017 it seemed an unsurpassable high to win 6-1 at Strømmen, a tiny club outside Oslo, en route to their top-flight return. 'There had been a few years where I made peace that we weren't going to be a good side any more and this was just our lot,' he says. 'So at the time it was: 'My god, we're going back up, this is massive.' Four years later José Mourinho's Roma are being thrashed at Aspmyra. It goes to show anything is possible.' Inside the stadium, Inge Henning Andersen is not inclined to argue. Bodø/Glimt's chairman uses the folk concept 'Askeladden', the underdog power of battling through using guts and ingenuity, to describe their rise. 'It means you came from nothing,' he says. 'The fact is that nobody has ever pumped money into this club. Whatever is here, we earned it. 'We haven't always even been No 1 in this city. But now we have come this far we'll do whatever it takes to stay there. Even at our AGM in 2018, our CEO [Frode Thomassen] said we might win a cup once in a while, but probably not the league. It never crossed our minds to be here.' Andersen sensed something had changed in 2020, when Bodø/Glimt followed a second-placed finish in Eliteserien with their first title. They had rarely strung together consecutive successful seasons. 'Have we cracked the code now?' he asked himself. It turned out they had. 'Vårres Måte' (our way) is the name of an action plan few, domestically or among their continental scalps, have managed to outsmart. It is Kjetil Knutsen's way too. The previously little-known 56-year-old has, in seven years as manager, created a machine by trusting in others' cast-offs and developing from within. Players have been sold but, in many cases, returned to shine again in a formidably high-functioning 4-3-3 system. Patrick Berg, who struggled at Lens, and the former Milan prodigy Jens Petter Hauge are obvious examples. 'They come back and thrive in the system we have,' says Roger Andreassen, who played for Bodø/Glimt in their embattled 1980s, receiving only a car and petrol money in return. 'And in most matches, when it gets to 70 minutes they can step up a gear and just overrun their opponents. Many just aren't prepared for it.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Andreassen looks on from the back of Aspmyra's oldest stand, built in 1966, as Bodø/Glimt initially struggle to breach KFUM amid a muted atmosphere. Patrick Berg will later, at that coffee table meeting, observe that well-wishers had been approaching him all week offering warm thoughts for the Tottenham tie without any mention of Sunday's league assignment. In a safe standing area opposite, J-Feltet run through their choral repertoire of songs about friendship and the north, which bring out goosebumps on a packed European night. KFUM, who represent Oslo's YMCA, do such an efficient spoiling job that thoughts drift to the prospect of their eight away fans performing the appropriate dance. In the end Bodø/Glimt slide up the gears again with three goals in the final 10 minutes. A weaving run by Håkan Evjen, another who must sit out Thursday's game with a ban, lets Sondre Sørli tee up Kasper Høgh's opener. Minds in tiny Aspmyra, far from full to its 8,270 capacity, are patently elsewhere. That does not apply to Knutsen, a pragmatist whose celebrations in Rome were tempered by his sense the team had not played well. He is asked after to savour their leap to the big time. 'No, it's too early,' he responds. 'Give me 10 years, and then maybe.' Runar Berg remembers walking out of the pub in 2010 and stopping for a late-night burger at Anna's, a small pentagonal institution close to the city's shopping district. He had recently retired from playing and Bodø/Glimt were close to bankruptcy, a fate with which they had flirted previously. Berg, the uncle of Patrick and son of Harald, had begun a collection with his brother Ørjan to stave off the club's extinction. Both men were club legends who rose to wider fame playing for Rosenborg's successful teams in the late 1990s. 'A guy in there had 200 kroner [£15] and threw it at me: 'Take it, you need it more than me, save the club!'' he remembers. 'It all built up. People sold hot dogs, ran lotteries, it was a big thing.' A local company donated batches of lutefisk, dried cod, so that the club could hold supper nights and sell it. The Berg family, club and community running through their veins, organised a concert that brought in an estimated £130,000. Bodø/Glimt pulled through. A decade later, the picture had changed unimaginably. Talking a few yards from his coffee-drinking seniors, Runar Berg runs through a lifetime of footballing stories handed down by Harald. There was the occasion in the 1960s when, unaware a game had been rescheduled, a group of players had to be hurriedly salvaged from a fishing trip in the mountains. Then there was the time when, looking for a grass pitch on which to train for a cup tie further south, the only local option was a campsite outside town. 'They turned up and found people with tents up,' he says. 'There was nowhere for them to go.' Before Aspmyra was constructed, Bodø/Glimt played on hard, gravelly ground. The climate dictates that nowadays they operate on artificial turf, which should still be little excuse for the multimillion-pound operations that have floundered here. The next step, should plans be realised, is to build a new 10,000-capacity venue a mile along the road. Andersen hopes construction can begin this year. There is a balance to strike: the club's workforce has trebled to 120 since 2017 but the region's remoteness limits crowd sizes. Whereas they could have housed 40,000 fans for the second leg against Spurs, a fraction of that figure would be willing to watch KFUM. Bodø itself has faced changes to the fishing and air defence industries that once formed its lifeblood, although it has reinvented as an IT hub. It would be difficult for the club to outgrow its home. Some day soon, the coffee table may have to move. 'I'm confident in the way this club is built and funded,' Klette says. 'In my day, if you asked a player from the south to come here it was: 'No way, it's too far and too cold.' But the people in every department now are so dedicated and know their jobs by heart. If we manage to get the new stadium, I think we can be in this position for the next two decades.' Klette breaks off to hail the previous day's gamebreaker Sørli, who is clearing his tray nearby. 'We always give the coaches a brilliant impression that we are selecting the team,' he says. Bodø/Glimt's elder statesmen cannot quite go that far nowadays. But, here in one of European football's remotest outposts, their decades-long cocktail of perseverance, community, legacy and sheer love is unbreakably entwined in modern miracle.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Shoppers race to Home Bargains for ‘adorable' garden decor that's actually ‘too nice to be outside'
HOME Bargains has been sending shoppers into a frenzy this spring with its adorable garden decor - from the viral hot air balloon solar lights to heart-shaped wreaths. But it appears that the discount retailer has outdone itself with an "absolutely gorgeous" new addition. 4 And it's so cute, in fact, that many people are displaying it inside their home instead of outdoors. The £24.99 Hattie the Highland Cow figure stands at around two feet tall and has been designed to survive the unpredictable UK weather. Its product description reads: "Bring a bit of countryside charm to your garden with our gorgeous Jardin Hattie The Highland Cow! "This adorable cow adds a fun, rustic touch to your garden, balcony, or even indoors. "Made to last, Hattie is built to handle the outdoors while still looking adorable. "Her unique design makes her the perfect conversation starter and a lovely addition to any spot in your home or garden." Unsurprisingly, shoppers have already been racing to get their hands on the cute cow. Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook, which boasts 2.6million members, delighted Lyn showed off her new buy as she said: "I couldn't resist buying this beautiful Highland cattle £24.99 at Home Bargains. "He's too nice to go outside so he's in my living room, looks pretty good." Other shoppers have agreed that the highland cow makes the perfect home decor. Aldi's Affordable Garden Gadgets: Potting Bench & More! One said: "I got mine for my birthday he sits nicely in my front room." "This would look lovely in your sitting room", someone else told a pal. A third gushed: "Omg S saw this yesterday, I def need one. I adore highland cows." "He'd look ace in the hallway", insisted a fourth. A fifth added: "I have one as well they are just fabulous." Meanwhile, a sixth chimed in: "Oh my gosh that's absolutely gorgeous." And if £24.99 is out of your price range, there is also a slightly smaller version available for £9.99. Both figures are currently sold out on the website, however, so you'll need to leg it to your nearest Home Bargains to pick one up. While you're in store, there's also a pretty garden solar you might want to keep an eye out for. Especially if you'd like your outdoor space to feel like "the cutest thing ever" in time for those BBQs and sunbathing sessions. And it will look perfect on your garden, pathway, patio, or driveway. Sharing pictures of the Highland Cow Crackle Ball Solar Light in action on Facebook, staff at one Home Bargains store said: "Sorry but are you actually ready for this? 4 4 4 "Our Highland Cow range just keeps getting better, Hattie the Highland Cow is ready to light up your garden this summer." The playful solar light features energy-efficient LED bulbs, and automatically turns on at dusk and off at dawn, offering long-lasting illumination without adding to your energy bill. Powered by the sun, the solar panel absorbs sunlight during the day to light up your garden, pathway, patio, or driveway at night - with no wiring or batteries required. And the best part? It's only £4.99. How to find gardening bargains Doing up your garden to enjoy on warm and sunny days needn't cost the earth. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a top deal on items for the garden… You can bag big savings on plants, shrubs and flowers, as well as gardening tools and furniture. Many retailers have flash sales across entire seasonal ranges – often these promotions tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout. Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. Use a price comparison site to search out the best value items. And keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items for your outdoor areas. If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart online and leaving it for a couple of days. Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount. And always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.
