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Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Hundreds of Apple fans snap up MacBook Pro for just £139 in fast-selling deal
MacBooks don't usually come cheap but Wowcher is currently offering a major bargain The MacBook Pro is the pinnacle of Apple's laptop offerings. It is the machine of choice for those who favour a portable device for serious work. However, these high-performance machines don't come cheap, with prices starting at £1,599 for the most basic new model and soaring to a whopping £7,349 for the top-of-the-range version. However, budget-conscious buyers can save over a grand on a MacBook Pro by opting for an older model. While it may not handle heavy video editing tasks like the M4 Pro, the older i5 chip is more than capable of managing everyday administrative tasks such as emails and document creation. This bargain can be found on Wowcher, where a refurbished i5 MacBook Pro is currently on offer for just £139. Since the deal went live, over 1,800 shoppers have snapped up the device, which comes with a 48-hour delivery option for those in a rush. With 256GB of storage, there's ample space for a few documents or some light photo editing. The 4GB of RAM might fill up quickly if you're running multiple heavy-duty programmes simultaneously, but it's perfect for ticking off basic tasks while on the move. This model even boasts several creature comforts that newer versions still feature, such as the MagSafe charger that stops the laptop from being damaged when someone trips over the cable. It also comes with a comprehensive range of ports, including multiple USB 3s, Thunderbolt and a full-sized SD card slot, reports the Manchester Evening News. Wowcher is selling these laptops as refurbished units, meaning they've been owned by other users beforehand. However, they've been restored by professionals so while they may still show some signs of cosmetic wear, they still function just as they did straight out of the box. If you are looking to get a brand new device, the most affordable MacBook that Apple produces is the Air M4, which you can presently snap up at Amazon for £899. Alternatively, a MacBook Pro featuring the M1 chip from 2021 will cost you £618 at BackMarket. Wowcher is flogging the refurbished MacBooks through Orion Computers, which boasts a 4.3 star rating on Trustpilot. One review states: "Purchased a refurbished MacBook Pro, minor issue with the screen, customer services sent a returns label promptly and replaced the machine within five days. Great value, will recommend." Another satisfied customer wrote: "Ordered a refurbished Chromebook. Honestly I wasn't expecting the very high quality I received! Amazing value for money and ready to start up. I cannot see where any repairs have been done, it is that good!" But not all customers had such positive experiences. One disgruntled shopper said: "Computer appears to be good. "However, the charger doesn't work and after emailing the company I've still heard nothing back from a week ago. Not quite the reaction I expected." Another lukewarm review read: "It's a real shame.. I bought a Lenovo chrome book from Wowcher. Arrived in great condition and worked fantastic. Only had it since October. All of a sudden it stopped working. I turn it on and all I have is a black screen." But an impressed five-star reviewer wrote: "Superb product and service. Both laptops look like new and are in excellent condition. Great packaging ensured safe arrival. Very pleased and will definitely use again." To get a refurbished i5 MacBook Pro from Wowcher for just £139, click HERE. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Friends claimed they'd been shopping in New York but their luggage said otherwise
There are some people who are not phased by the security checks and scanners and brazenly try to smuggle illegal substances through the airport - a number of them have now been nabbed Thousands of families will be jetting off to and from Manchester Airport for their summer getaways. While most holidaymakers are mindful of the 100ml liquid rule and removing large electrical items from their hand luggage, there are always a few who slip up. Yet, there are some travellers who seem unfazed by security measures and audaciously attempt to smuggle illegal substances in their luggage. A number of these so-called "tourists" were nabbed by vigilant security teams and police at Manchester Airport. Among those caught was a pair of friends who claimed their suitcases were brimming with shopping, a woman who flaunted her holiday snaps to staff before being apprehended, and a boxer who accepted an "offer he couldn't refuse". Below is a snapshot of some individuals arrested at Manchester Airport, as highlighted by the Manchester Evening News, though it's not an exhaustive list. They claimed they went shopping in New York - their luggage told a different tale Sophie Bannister, 30, hailing from Withington, and her mate Levi-April Whalley, 31, from Lancashire, appeared to have returned from a fabulous shopping spree in New York, touching down on British turf with suitcases that seemed to overflow with new purchases. Their suitcases, however, told a starkly different tale. Upon their return to the UK, the pair were caught with over 35kg of cannabis in their baggage. In April, seated together in the dock, the women clasped hands and wept as the court was informed of their attempt to smuggle the drugs into the country, reports Liverpool Echo. Both women pleaded guilty to the charge of fraudulent evasion of prohibition. Bannister's 20-month term was suspended for 18 months, while Whalley was given a 16-month sentence which was also suspended for the same duration. The court heard that both women were susceptible to exploitation due to their personal and financial struggles. The remorseful friends disclosed to the Mirror the series of events that led them to become entangled in a cannabis smuggling scheme, which seemingly began with a single message on social media. She flaunted her holiday snaps to staff - then they nicked her A mum who proudly presented her vacation snaps to officers at Manchester Airport found herself under arrest when they spotted a revealing detail. Larissa Lins, aged 27, insisted she had travelled to the UK to "research nice places" after transiting through France and Portugal from Brazil. Despite her claims of innocence regarding any illicit activities, the photo gallery she shared with the officials inadvertently revealed her time in France. While browsing through the images, they came across a snapshot of the "white pellets". Further investigation revealed that Lins had ingested, concealed, and stashed away a kilogram of narcotics both inside and outside her body. After admitting to her role in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on importing a class A substance, she was sentenced on October 17 last year. The court informed her that she will "almost inevitably" face deportation back to Brazil after completing 40% of her term. Boxer behind bars after irresistible offer A former pugilist and father of two found himself under arrest at Manchester Airport following what he described as "'an offer he felt he could not refuse". Edward Nesbitt, aged 36, was one of two drug mules imprisoned in May, alongside Yoke Woon, subsequent to the seizure of a suitcase crammed with 23 kilos of cannabis at the airport. Manchester Crown Court listened to accounts of how Uber driver Woon arrived with the contraband on a flight from Singapore in March. He abandoned the suitcase on the luggage belt in Terminal 2, where it was retrieved by Nesbitt, who had landed on a different plane from Amsterdam. Prosecutor Mark Pritchard detailed how Woon, aged 43, touched down at T2 just past 8:30 am on March 4 on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore, using a Malaysian passport. Friends admir 'you're going to see it' as luggage scrutinised Two school friends faced the music after a "naïve and stupid" decision following their three-week revelry in Thailand. Lewis Ellis and James Poutch jetted off in April to experience a festival dubbed as "the world's biggest water fight". Upon their return to Manchester Airport via Abu Dhabi, Ellis, 20, and Poutch, 19, were stopped for a luggage inspection. Ellis didn't hesitate to confess to customs officers: "I have cannabis in my bag, I may as well tell you because you're going to see it." The search revealed a staggering 37kg of cannabis stashed in their bags. Both Ellis and Poutch were handed suspended sentences at Manchester Crown Court.
North Wales Live
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- North Wales Live
Hair mask eliminates frizz in 'thee minutes' and leaves hair 'salon soft for days'
Frizz, dryness, and dullness are all common enemies for many individuals with textured, colour-treated, or heat-styled hair, a situation not helped by the recent hot and humid weather. However, shoppers have been lavishing praise on a £15 hair mask that delivers smooth, 'salon fresh' hair in just three minutes. The Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Mask is one of four new offerings from the brand's latest range, promising glass-like shine and 96-hour frizz control. The line also includes a shampoo, conditioner, and serum for a comprehensive haircare routine. But it's the mask that's been stealing the show for fans, described by users as a 'post-shower pampering' essential that's 'worth every penny'. This skincare-inspired range features hero ingredients squalane, often found in high-end facial oils to provide lightweight moisture, and omega-9, a fatty acid known for softening and conditioning hair. The moisturising hair mask promotes smooth, radiant-looking lengths, and is priced at £15.60 for a small 75ml tube, or £30.25 for the 150ml tub. Designed for weekly use, the Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Hair Mask rejuvenates the look and feel of dry, frizz-prone strands for results that reportedly last up to three days. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, and suitable for use alongside your existing shampoo and conditioner, although pairing it with the full Ultimate Smooth line, particularly the Miracle Oil Serum, enhances the benefits even more, reports the Manchester Evening News. If you're not quite sold yet, or just love options, there are a few other frizz-fighting hair masks worth considering. The Kérastase Discipline Maskeratine is usually £47 but is currently reduced to £42.30 at LookFantastic. The rich and luxurious mask is said to provide intensive conditioning, visibly repair hair and increase manageability. Alternatively, the Living Proof No Frizz Intense Moisture Mask is £28.50, down from £38. The silicone-free mask nourishes the hair's natural protective layer to defend against the effects of humidity, leaving strands silky and lustrous. Though recently launched, the Ultimate Smooth Hair Mask has already captured the attention of beauty enthusiasts, boasting a 4.86 star rating from devotees. One reviewer commented: "Amazing hair mask. A lovely post shower pampering of my hair. My hairs are definitely shinier and soft all within three minutes which is amazing. It smells amazing and is packaged beautifully too. Worth every penny." Another customer remarked: "I really enjoyed this product, not only did it smell incredible, it left my hair with that fresh salon soft for days, I also found that I wasn't having to wash my hair as often as if it still looked and felt clean." That said, several customers found the fragrance somewhat intense. One commented: "I used this on clean and wet hair a couple of times. I didn't like the scent at all but I can say it has left my hair feeling nourished and smooth with softness, my hair is normally a bit frizzy but this has left it feeling nice. "Lovely mask for dull, dry and frizzy hair," wrote a fourth reviewer. "Scent might feel a bit overwhelming. Nice texture and a small amount needed. Feeds hair nicely and leaves them shiny, manages frizz as well. Good value for money. I would recommend as does what it says." Another customer noted: "This hair mask smells lovely, plus it is lightweight and gentle on the hair, beautifully detangles the hair perfect for dry and frizzy hair."
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Daily Record
Firefighter apprentice sacked after boasting he was once hitman for Mexican drug cartel
Zac Gonzalez Rostro was sacked after bosses were told of his claims he was a cartel hitman. A trainee firefighter has been given the boot after boasting he was once a contract killer for a drugs gang. Zac Gonzalez Rostro was just six weeks into his training programme with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service when his wild claims sparked an investigation. He had been telling fellow trainees at the Bury centre about his podcast appearances where he alleged to have murdered more than 70 people as part of an LA gang. When quizzed by fire service investigators, he admitted his shocking stories were fabricated purely to earn cash from podcasts, reports the Manchester Evening News. During one podcast, he boasted of killing "more than 70" people and claimed that after one murder, gang members used a victim's severed head as a basketball. In another episode, he declared: "I was introduced to the killing game. You give me a pistol, you give me a rifle and I will do my job." He detailed how he was running with a gang in Los Angeles and moved up from "home invasions" - break-ins in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, to drive-by shootings. He alleged he used a revolver in his first shooting "as it does not leave a casing". He also spoke of "spraying" homes with bullets and claimed to have witnessed children as young as eight carrying firearms. He stated: "I like the adrenalin. I wanted to join the Marines but I joined something else." Speaking about his alleged "gang-related" youth, he added: "You basically stick with your own race. You are always looking behind your back. I have seen kids pull out guns at the age of eight. You start getting a full sense of the danger you are in from around the age of 12. I have seen young kids, they have nothing else but the gang you know. Their parents are dead, or dad's in prison, mom in rehab. They have nothing. "We would do a lot of home invasion, like rob. I've never been a fan of selling drugs, but I have been a fan of getting money." Rostro, who revealed in a podcast that his mother is Mexican, appeared before a disciplinary panel on Friday. Deputy Chief Officer Carlos Meakin explained: "We were recently made aware of serious allegations against an apprentice firefighter. "We moved quickly to suspend the apprentice while we investigated the allegations. Our investigation is now complete, and following a hearing this afternoon the apprentice has been dismissed. "Public safety is our top priority alongside the safety and welfare of our staff. Before recruiting the apprentice in question, we carried out enhanced national DBS checks, as we do for all potential recruits, as well as an international criminal records check. These did not flag any areas of concern. "We also checked the applicant's social media as part of our screening process, but as he used a pseudonym online, we were not aware of the content which came to light this week. "We hold our staff to the highest standards and will not tolerate attitudes or behaviours that goes against our values. Within 20 minutes of the allegations being reported to us we had launched an investigation, the apprentice firefighter was suspended the same day, and we concluded our investigation within 72 hours. "We're supporting staff who have been affected by this issue." The M.E.N. understands that GMFRS carried out an enhanced DBS check and international criminal records checks before employing the apprentice in question. These did not raise any red flags. Fire bosses said the apprentice "had the right to work in the UK and provided all relevant visas and documentation." The service maintains it "will always take swift action to investigate any reports of attitudes or behaviours that go against our values." An inquiry was launched within 20 minutes of the trainee's allegations. Rostro was amongst around 30 recruits participating in the programme.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Little-known 1p hack keeps pesky flies from your home for good
As Brits begin to enjoy the warm weather, it often comes with an influx of flies. However, an expert has shared a little-known trick to keep them away A nifty trick involving 1p coins is touted as the ultimate solution to banish flies from your home and garden 'for good' this summer. As Brits gear up for the sunny season, they're often greeted by an unwelcome swarm of flies. These pesky insects are not only annoying to eliminate but also pose a hygiene risk when they hover around food. The gardening gurus at have revealed that simply placing a few coppers in a glass of water can effectively repel these winged nuisances. This clever method exploits the reflective properties of light to disorientate flies, keeping them away from dining areas and guests. Just fill several glasses with water and pop about three 1p coins into each one. Strategically place these glasses around your barbecue and food serving zones, and you'll observe a noticeable absence of flies, reports the Manchester Evening News. Alternatively, half-fill a plastic bag with water, toss in five to seven pennies, and hang these bags around various spots in your garden. Other tactics include deploying potent aromas like citronella, lemon, garlic, and rosemary to ward off flies outdoors. Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, said: "There's nothing worse than when you're having a nice barbecue with friends and family and there's bugs flying about." He added that while insects can be incredibly bothersome, there are several low-cost strategies to keep them at bay. Chris added: "These tricks are really simple and a lot of them involve using things most of us probably already have in our homes." For those looking to fortify their gardens against insect invasions, consider planting natural insect repellents. Insect repellent plants Plants such as Lavender and Chrysanthemum not only add a splash of colour to your garden but also help keep pesky bugs at bay. Simply position a few of these near the barbecue to deter flies and insects. Citronella candles Citronella candles are an affordable solution for repelling mosquitoes and other bugs. Just light a couple, and you're all set. Lemon and garlic Certain foods can also help keep bugs and flies away from the barbecue. Cut a few lemons in half, insert a clove of garlic into each one, and distribute them around the barbecue area to keep insects at a distance. Brown paper bags Wasps tend to avoid other wasp nests, so this trick is ideal for keeping them at bay. Just take a brown paper bag, stuff it with some rubbish to make it look like a wasp nest, and hang it near the serving area to keep wasps away. Herbs Certain herbs are known to repel insects due to their strong scent. Toss some sage and rosemary on the grill while you're barbecuing, and the bugs will steer clear. Egg cartons To keep mosquitoes away, simply light an empty egg carton and place it in a safe spot away from your guests. The burning smell will prevent mosquitoes from invading the barbecue area. LED lights As dusk falls, you might notice that garden lights are attracting bugs. Consider swapping out your lights for LEDs, as these are less likely to attract bugs.
