disappears – USMAIL24.COM

Streaming service abruptly disappears weeks before ITV shuts down app forever

Jeffrey Bailey — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 09:49:47 +0000

VIEWERS who were late to the BritBox game – or just want to catch it before it disappears – can no longer subscribe.

BritBox, which launched in 2019 among the UK’s biggest broadcasters, was due to close in early February.

BritBox will end as a standalone service on April 30Credit: Alamy

While there was hope that it would stay alive in some of Amazon’s Prime Video, that dream quickly faded last week.

Now ITV has revealed to The Sun that Amazon has stopped new viewers from subscribing to the soon-to-be retired BritBox.

An ITV spokesperson said: “Amazon Prime has disabled the ‘Subscribe’ button and removed some promotional ad placements on the BritBox Prime Video Channel ahead of the service’s upcoming closure.”

BritBox will end as a standalone service on April 30.

From that date, BritBox content will only be available via ITVX or BBC iPlayer.

Although the date may be different for those who subscribe through Prime Video.

Previously, viewers could subscribe to BritBox through Prime Video, where they could combine their membership fees for both streaming services.

According to ITV, existing subscribers will “continue to have access to the service until closure”.

But customers will receive a message from Amazon “about channel closure and date later this week.”

‘I just canceled my membership,’ say furious Amazon Prime subscribers after TV quality ‘quietly’ deteriorated

Streamlining efforts

Last week, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said the move to ax standalone app BritBox was part of ITV’s plans to streamline its services.

“In 2024, the BritBox UK service on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the BritBox UK standalone app will close as we further simplify our offering,” McCall said.

“This will consolidate all our subscribers under one ITVX Premium brand and give us full ownership of the subscriber base.

“The closure of these services is expected to impact subscriber numbers and subscription revenues in 2024.”

It comes just days after ITV quietly axed its Catchup channel on Prime Video.

The ITV Catchup channel, formerly known as ITV Hub+, allowed Prime Video viewers to avoid ads at a lower cost.

For ad haters, the Prime Video version was cheaper than a full ITVX Premium subscription – and it gave them access to more content.

Now it seems all signs point to the ITVX app becoming the broadcaster’s only place to catch up on missed shows.

How can I watch ITVX?

ITVX is currently not available on some older TVs.

A range of Humax Freeview and Freesat boxes, as well as certain models of Samsung Smart TVs, cannot support the new ITVX app.

ITVX also does not work on some older iPhones and iPads.

For viewers with older television boxes, ITV Catchup on Prime Video was the only way to watch ITV without an Amazon Fire Stick or Google Chromecast.

ITV has more information on where you can watch ITVX here.

The post Streaming service abruptly disappears weeks before ITV shuts down app forever appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

TV fans are in for a big blow as the popular app disappears from screens in WEEKS

Jeffrey Bailey — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:04:27 +0000

Hopes for BritBox’s survival are quickly fading, as the popular TV app appears set to leave Amazon’s Prime Video.

BritBox, which launched in 2019 among the UK’s biggest broadcasters, was due to close in early February.

BritBox will end as a standalone service on April 30Credit: Alamy

But there was hope that it would stay alive in some form through Prime Video, where viewers could combine their subscriptions to both streaming services.

Now that ITV has announced that BritBox is set to disappear from Prime Video Channels, CordBusters first reported.

BritBox will end as a standalone service on April 30.

Meanwhile, the BritBox apps available on Amazon’s Fire TV, Roku and Smart TVs will no longer work.

From that date, BritBox content will only be available via ITVX or BBC iPlayer.

The BBC bought ITV’s 50 percent stake in BritBox for £255 million a week ago.

ITV streamlining

ITV’s CEO, Carolyn McCall, said yesterday that the move to ax standalone app BritBox was part of ITV’s plans to streamline its services.

“In 2024, the BritBox UK service on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the BritBox UK standalone app will close as we further simplify our offering.

“This will consolidate all our subscribers under one ITVX Premium brand and give us full ownership of the subscriber base.

“The closure of these services is expected to impact subscriber numbers and subscription revenues in 2024.”

Amazon Fire TV Stick owners warned of a new update that bans popular free apps – check settings now

It comes just days after ITV quietly axed its Catchup channel on Prime Video.

The ITV Catchup channel, formerly known as ITV Hub+, allowed Prime Video viewers to avoid ads at a lower cost.

For ad haters, the Prime Video version was cheaper than a full ITVX Premium subscription – and it gave them access to more content.

The move leaves ITVX as the broadcaster’s only destination to catch up on missed shows.

However, ITVX is currently not available on some older TVs.

A range of Humax Freeview and Freesat boxes, as well as certain models of Samsung Smart TVs, cannot support the new ITVX app.

ITVX also does not work on some older iPhones and iPads.

For viewers with older television boxes, ITV Catchup on Prime Video was the only way to watch ITV without an Amazon Fire Stick or Google Chromecast.

It appears to be another attempt by ITV to streamline its services and channels.

The post TV fans are in for a big blow as the popular app disappears from screens in WEEKS appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Shoppers are baffled as popular fruit disappears from supermarket shelves

Jeffrey Bailey — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 11:49:30 +0000

Britain has been hit by a banana shortage after supplies were hit by transatlantic storms.

Tesco shoppers have discovered that there are no stores in the UK, including Congleton in Cheshire, Flitwick in Beds, Milton in Cambridgeshire and Thurso, Dunfermline and Dundee in Scotland.

Britain is hit by a banana shortageCredit: Lidl

There is also a lack of availability online, with loose bananas and ripe five-packs showing as out of stock.

Asda has also been affected, with several branches missing fruit.

It is understood the shortage is affecting loose bananas and has been caused by sea storms that have delayed shipments of the popular fruit.

Multipacks are still available, although demand is increasing. Supply is expected to return to normal next week.

Shoppers have noticed the shortage, with one saying: “Tesco got hammered yesterday, except strangely no bananas.”

Another added: “Why are bananas so often out of stock at your (Tesco) Flitwick superstore? Regularly there are no bananas in the evenings.

“I just got back from the store and nothing at the moment, not even the organic ones or the bags.”

A third joked: “There are no bananas at Tesco so I bought a bottle of red instead.”

A customer from Edinburgh saw a sign in Tesco apologizing for the lack of bananas due to availability issues.

Tesco says bananas are one of its best-selling products, with the majority of products sold in Britain and Ireland coming from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia.

The supermarket has assured customers that multipacks of bananas are still available and that loose bananas should be back to normal from next week.

Smart shopper ‘never miss a thing’ and tells how to ‘read’ Tesco’s secret label codes to get the best deals

Dan Bebber, associate professor of ecology at the University of Exeter and a leading banana expert, said: “Storms can be an issue that affects supply, and production conditions have also not been great in many places due to El Niño.

“We do see fluctuations where sometimes not enough or too many bananas arrive.

“It takes 10 to 14 days to transport the bananas across the Atlantic Ocean and then another week to ripen them in a ripening warehouse.

“They can speed up the ripening process when there is a shortage, and when you see green bananas in the supermarkets you know there is a bottleneck and they are raiding the warehouses early.

“Companies do help each other to make sure stores have them in stock, and that helps smooth out the fluctuations.

“I expect levels to return to normal soon, but in the long term we are concerned about the impact of climate change on banana producing countries, especially Colombia, and about fungal diseases that pose a huge threat to the sector.”

The Sun contacted Asda for comment.

It comes just weeks after Sainsbury’s warned shoppers in some stores that there are ‘nationwide’ issues that could affect the availability of black tea.

Tea is produced largely in Asia and East Africa, with China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya producing about three-quarters of the world’s tea.

Freight transport from these regions has suffered major disruptions in the past two months due to attacks in the Red Sea.

Violence by Houthi rebels in the region caused most shipping companies to use the main trade route, which heads towards the Suez Canal, to divert their cargo around the Cape of Good Hope at the foot of Africa.

This adds roughly 10 to 14 days to shipping times, as well as higher costs for shipping companies.

Joint attacks from the US and Britain have been launched against the Yemen-based Houthis in recent weeks in an attempt to stop the recent wave of attacks.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

The post Shoppers are baffled as popular fruit disappears from supermarket shelves appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

‘It sucks that this could happen’ Xbox fans are furious after the feature disappears

Jeffrey Bailey — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:40:34 +0000

XBOX users recently discovered that one of their favorite features has disappeared.

The feature that allows players to receive notifications about the latest offers and sales of their favorite games appears to be no longer working.

Many Microsoft Store users have complained about the problemCredit: Kamil S via Unsplash

Hundreds of users have reported that their wishlists have disappeared, along with all the games they saved here.

Those who use the Microsoft Store can add items to their wishlist if they hope to purchase them in the future.

Then, when any of the games on the wishlist go on sale, players will be notified of the savings they can make.

However, players have noticed that when they log into their Xbox, their wish lists are now empty.

Some players even said that they had saved up to 300 games on their wishlist and now they are gone.

Not only are all their wishlist games gone, but players can’t add new games to their lists.

One Reddit user writes: “I’m having the same problem! Not only is the wishlist gone, but I can’t add new items to it.”

Another said: “Mine are gone too. I planned to see what games were available for purchase on the list. I think my wallet can finally be happy now.

Microsoft has not yet commented on the topic and it is unclear how far the problem has spread.

The most likely answer is that this is simply a bug and wishlists will be functional again in a few days.

Although less likely, some people suspect that Microsoft is discontinuing the wishlist feature.

Wishlists are popular with Microsoft and players alike, so we think it’s unlikely the feature will be removed.

If you want to read more about Xbox, check out the new custom Xbox console you can grab for free.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.

All the latest PS5 reviews from The Sun

Learn about the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers.

The post ‘It sucks that this could happen’ Xbox fans are furious after the feature disappears appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

'What is happening?' TV fans cry as Amazon Fire Stick rival disappears from stores

Jeffrey Bailey — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 11:11:33 +0000

According to reports, it's becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to get their hands on the POPULAR alternative to Amazon's Fire TV Sticks.

And it has left people with little choice but to opt for the rival Fire TV Stick.

It has raised fears that signal Roku's decision to withdraw the product from BritainCredit: Roku

They can usually be found in retailers like Argos, John Lewis and Currys, but all three of these stores list the Roku Express and Express 4K as out of stockCredit: Roku

While there's no shortage of Roku-branded smart TVs in stores, fans have flooded the company's social media and help forum with reports of a nationwide inventory shortage.

Like the Fire Stick, the Roku dongle is a USB-sized gadget that plugs into the HDMI port to deliver a range of streaming services to the television.

But according to customers in recent months, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Roku Express, and Roku Express 4K are all unavailable in physical stores and on most websites.

It has raised fears that signal Roku's decision to withdraw the product from Britain.

“I would really like to upgrade my Roku to a Roku with Dolby Vision, leaving the Streaming Stick 4K as my only option,” one customer wrote in a community forum on Roku's website in December.

“Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like any retailers are selling it anymore.

“Does anyone know if it's coming back or if there might be a new model in the works?”

They can usually be found in retailers like Argos, John Lewis and Currys, but all three of these stores list the Roku Express and Express 4K as out of stock.

Most read in Phones and gadgets

Even the store locator on Roku's website returns no results.

“@Roku, your devices are out of stock everywhere in the UK. Any chance they'll be back soon before I break down and get a Fire Stick? an user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

First look at Britain's brand new free streaming service Freely from BBC and ITV, set to shake up TVs next year

Another tweeted: “Your Roku devices have been out of stock in the UK for almost two months now. What is going on?”

However, a spokesperson told GBNews that more devices are on the way.

The US streaming brand said: “We are currently experiencing shipping delays on Roku Streaming Players, and they will be back in stock later this month.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and remain committed to providing customers in the UK with a seamless smart TV experience with Roku Streaming Players and Roku TVs.”

The post 'What is happening?' TV fans cry as Amazon Fire Stick rival disappears from stores appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Samantha Murphy's family hit with fresh grief as beloved dog Ruby disappears without a trace days after Ballarat mother was last seen

Albert Elence — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 03:31:28 +0000

The family of missing mother Samantha Murphy has been dealt another cruel blow by the disappearance of her beloved dog Ruby.

The three-year-old Vizsla breed is believed to have escaped from the family home – just off Eureka Street in East Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne – sometime on Thursday.

It is the same property where Ms Murphy disappeared on February 4 after a planned run in Woowookarung Regional Park.

A family friend, who asked not to be named, told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby had managed to flee the family home with the family's other dog, who later returned to the property.

'It's just heartbreaking. Samantha loved that dog. It was her baby,” the source said.

“She'd be crazy to know Ruby was out there lost and alone in the bush.”

The family of missing mother Samantha Murphy has been dealt another cruel blow by the disappearance of her beloved dog Ruby (pictured)

A family friend of Samantha Murphy (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby had managed to flee the family home with the family's other dog, who later returned to the property. 'It's just heartbreaking. Samantha loved that dog. It was her baby,” the source said

Ms Murphy had taken to social media in 2021 to ask for help to find Ruby after the then ten-week-old puppy escaped from the family's previous home in nearby Navigators.

The photo showed the cheeky puppy nestled on Mrs Murphy's bed.

Ms Murphy made no secret of her affection for the big-eared pup and provided constant updates on the search at the time.

'Thanks everyone. Still nothing but crossing everything,” she wrote at the time.

Mrs. Murphy could barely contain her joy when Ruby was found safe and sound.

“And Ruby just got back.” Filthy and frozen and in need of lots of cuddles!!,” she posted on Facebook at the time.

'Very happy family. A tired dog with her belly full now, sleeping wonderfully.'

In an ironic twist, the final image of Ms Murphy, shared with the public by Victoria Police, appears to show her throwing away Ruby's feces.

“She loved that dog like family,” the source said. “We think Ruby is probably looking for her.”

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Murphy's husband, Mick Murphy, for comment on Tuesday but received no response.

Police sources have told Daily Mail Australia that Ruby was not with Ms Murphy when she herself went missing.

Ms Murphy had taken to social media in 2021 to ask for help to find Ruby after the then ten-week-old puppy escaped from her family's previous home in nearby Navigators.

In an ironic twist, the final image of Ms Murphy, shared with the public by Victoria Police, appears to show her throwing away Ruby's feces.

On Friday, Detective Acting Chief Inspector Mark Hatt told reporters that detectives would now investigate Ms Murphy's movements and interactions with others in the days before she disappeared.

'Absolutely, that will be a big part of our investigation. “We are digging into the background, investigating Samantha's movements in the days leading up to her disappearance as well as the people who knew her,” he said.

Part of the investigation – now called Operation Primus – will see detectives search Ms Murphy's computers and devices in the hope of finding clues.

Chief Inspector Hatt said police were still working to establish who may have been in the area where Ms Murphy's phone lost communication with mobile phone masts.

Her cell phone had pinged in the nearby suburb of Buninyong before dark.

Detectives are still wondering where Mrs. Murphy went when she left her home.

CCTV footage showing Ms Murphy outside her home was the last confirmed sighting of her alive.

A smiling Mick Murphy was pictured at police last Friday – the day after his wife Samantha's dog Ruby went missing

It is believed that Ruby escaped from the Murphy home (pictured) sometime on Thursday evening or Friday morning

It is understood the cameras caught Ms Murphy running down the driveway before disappearing without a trace.

Family recalls she was reported missing after failing to attend brunch that morning.

Mrs Murphy's eldest daughter Jessica and her father desperately called for their loved one to return home that same day.

Through tears, Jessica urged the crowd to continue searching for her mother.

“Mom, we love you so much and we miss you and we need you home with us, please come home soon, I can't wait to see you,” Jessica told reporters.

“Mom is a very strong woman, and she is far too determined to give up this fight.”

Jessica's father thanked the community for their support as he demanded answers.

“People don't just disappear into thin air,” Murphy said.

'Someone needs to know something… whether it's something small that you think is relevant, just call the police and let them know.

“It will give us a little peace of mind if we get some hope.”

Anyone with information about Ms Murphy's disappearance can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Timeline of Samantha Murphy's disappearance

Sunday February 4, 7:00 am: Mother-of-three Samantha Murphy was last seen leaving her Eureka Street home in Ballarat East while she was running.

7:16 am: She is captured on a neighbor's CCTV footage wearing a brown shirt and black mid-length leggings.

11am: Mrs. Murphy doesn't show up to a planned brunch with family. She is reported missing to the police.

Monday February 5: Victoria Police launch a public appeal to find Ms Murphy. A search area has been established just outside the suburb of Buninyong, about 14 kilometers from where Ms Murphy was last seen and close to her home. Police revealed Ms Murphy's mobile phone had pinged in Buninyong

Tuesday February 6: Mrs. Murphy's husband, Mick, tells the media that things are “not going that bad under the circumstances.” He was pictured speaking to police as the desperate search continued. The search expanded to more than 100 specialist police officers, SES crews and teams from Forest Fire Management Australia and Parks Victoria.

Wednesday, February 8, 12:30 p.m: A Search party found possible evidence near a hiking trail in Woowookarung Regional Park

1:45 p.m: Mick Murphy shows up at the roped off area in Woowookarung Regional Park and appeared visibly stunned as he was turned away by officers. Police said the items found in bushland were not linked to her whereabouts.

Police later released what they initially believed to be CCTV footage of Ms Murphy leaving her property and heading north-east towards Yankee Flat Road near the junction with Warrenheip Road.

Thursday afternoon, February 8: A runner came forward to reveal that they are the person seen in the CCTV footage, ruling out a key line of inquiry.

Friday February 9: Victoria Police are stepping up their efforts with the arrival of officers from the Missing Persons Unit.

Saturday February 10: Researchers scale back the search, saying a full search will only resume if new information emerges.

Sunday February 11: As police scale down the search, local residents continue their own search by scouring the area in small groups.

Monday February 12: Cin Hobbs, administrator of the Facebook group 'Find Samantha Murphy' – which amassed thousands of members within days, announced she was removing the group because it had 'served its purpose'.

The post Samantha Murphy's family hit with fresh grief as beloved dog Ruby disappears without a trace days after Ballarat mother was last seen appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

The United States has been a bulwark for Ukraine. What happens if support disappears?

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 22:00:17 +0000

A year ago, when Washington and much of Europe were still awash with optimism that Ukraine was on the verge of expelling Russia from its territory, it seemed unthinkable that the United States would turn its back on the victim of Vladimir V. Putin's aggression would turn.

Even as Senate Democrats try to salvage an aid package for Ukraine, that possibility remains real. And the political moment seems a far cry from 14 months ago, when President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stood before a joint session of Congress, wearing his signature pale green sweater, and basked in a minutes-long standing ovation.

The turnaround took the White House by surprise. Even if the Senate succeeds in advancing military aid, there are still plenty of reasons to doubt that the money will materialize, including deep opposition among Republicans in the House of Representatives and former President Donald J. Trump's push for a more isolationist attitude.

President Biden's aides insist they are not yet looking for other options.

“We are not focused on Plan B,” Jake Sullivan, the president's national security adviser, said Wednesday in Brussels after a NATO meeting with his counterparts. “We are focused on Plan A,” which he said involved passing a bipartisan aid package that will allow Ukraine to “effectively defend and regain territory that Russia currently occupies.”

But behind the scenes, there is much discussion in Washington and Europe about other options, including seizing more than $300 billion of Russia's central bank assets stored in Western countries – a process that is proving to be a lot more complicated . than it first seemed.

Still, U.S. officials admit there is nothing on the horizon that could match the power of a new $60 billion Congress that would buy beefed up air defenses, more tanks and missiles and a huge influx of munitions.

And, they add, the symbolism of America's withdrawal now could be profound.

European officials who have feared the possibility of Trump being re-elected and making good on his promise to withdraw from NATO are beginning to wonder, at least privately, about the reliability of the United States, regardless of who is president.

If Republicans are willing to abide by Mr. Trump's demand to vote against continuing aid to Ukraine, a senior European diplomat asked in Berlin on Wednesday, why should they rely on Mr. Biden's assurances that the United States would defend 'every inch' of aid? NATO territory? Even some of Trump's former national security aides — with whom he parted ways long ago — have begun to say that the failure to finance Ukraine would amount to a huge strategic victory for Putin.

“The United States has a clear choice: arm Ukrainians with the weapons they need to defend themselves, or cut off aid and abandon democratic Ukraine in its struggle for national survival against Putin's aggression,” he said. HR McMaster, who served as second minister for a year. of Trump's four national security advisers, said Monday. He noted that as Congress debated, “abandoning Kiev would be a gift to the Moscow-Tehran-Beijing-Pyongyang axis of aggressors. Allies and partners would lose confidence in America if these aggressors are encouraged.”

Strangely, Congress's threat to derail aid comes just as Europe has pledged $54 billion to rebuild the country over the next four years, and countries from Norway to Germany are providing new arms aid. “It is remarkable how quickly Europe is moving towards a new and substantive multi-year support program for Ukraine,” said Christoph Trebesch, who leads production of the Ukraine Support Tracker at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in northern Germany. “For the first time, the US is now behind by a large margin” compared to European aid, he said.

“This is not charity; it is in our own security interests,” Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary general, said at the alliance's headquarters on Wednesday, appearing at a news conference with Mr. Sullivan. A Russian victory, he added, “is important for European security and it is important for American security.”

But this argument, that the West must push back Russia in Ukraine or face the possibility of fighting Russia on NATO territory, appears to be losing its effectiveness in Congress. And some Republican members of Congress still accuse Europe of not doing its part, even as the latest financial commitments change the equation.

But none of these arguments, say officials in the US and Europe, can overcome the reality: If the United States pulls the plug on its financial support for the war, many of the day-to-day military needs will disappear – starting with air defense against the almost daily barrage of missiles, drones and other weaponry targeting urban centers and critical infrastructure such as the power grid. And if the country's economy collapses, it will end a two-year effort to save a fledgling but seriously flawed democracy.

Anti-aid Republicans do not directly challenge that logic, though many insist that pouring billions into a country with a deep history of corruption invites abuse. Instead, their main argument is that the money should be spent at home, on the southern border, and not in Ukraine's border area with Russia. The most vocal opponents, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Matt Gaetz of Florida, argue that aid to Ukraine “puts America last.”

For months, the White House viewed them as a fringe group. But polls show that the percentage of Republican voters who think the United States has spent too much on defending the country is soaring. And now many Republicans have become resistant, aligning their own views with the long-held position of Mr. Trump, who said in the 2016 campaign that he did not want to defend Ukraine. Eight years later, he insists – without giving any details – that he would end the war within 24 hours.

Now the opposition has gained such a foothold that even Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who has stated time and time again that financing the war in Ukraine was one of his top priorities, appeared to be backing down.

Meanwhile, Mr. Biden's aides are trying to figure out how to pay for guns if Congress remains paralyzed. The plan to seize Russian assets has complications. It is not clear whether the reserves can be used to pay for air defense and artillery. Even that, administration officials say, could require congressional action — though there are likely more votes in the House of Representatives and the Senate for spending Russian money than for spending that of the United States.

There is also talk of carrying out complex arms swaps, similar to what Japan and South Korea have done, where they supplied their artillery shells to the United States, freeing Washington to give more to Ukraine. (Both countries have said they cannot export directly to a war zone.) Or perhaps European countries should pay for American weapons and ship them to Ukraine.

But Europe clearly does not have the capacity to supply much more ammunition itself. During the thirty years of increasingly uneasy peace with Russia, Europe has dismantled much of its productive capacity. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in a recent speech that “we will have delivered more than half a million artillery shells next month” and “more than a million by the end of the year,” but she acknowledged that “this is definitely not enough.”

Europe also has little to contribute to the production of drones. And Germany remains unwilling to hand over its most powerful air-launched cruise missile, the Taurus, for fear it will be deployed deep into Russian territory. Germany's role will undoubtedly take center stage during a meeting between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Mr Biden at the White House on Friday.

For his part, Mr. Sullivan insists that if the government sticks to its strategy, it will prevail. “Walking away from Ukraine at this time would be fundamentally wrong for the fundamental national security of the United States and also for our NATO allies,” he said on Wednesday. “And we think we'll continue to win that argument.”

Steven Erlanger contributed reporting from Oslo.

The post The United States has been a bulwark for Ukraine. What happens if support disappears? appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Vaucluse search: Talented musician James Paul disappears without a trace from one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs

Albert Elence — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 03:45:13 +0000

The talented musician disappears without a trace
James Paul last seen in the Vaucluse on Monday nice
Police are 'serious concerns' about his well-being

By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 8:31 PM EST, February 6, 2024 | Updated: 10:40 PM EST, February 6, 2024

An accomplished musician and choir director has disappeared without a trace from one of Sydney's wealthiest suburbs.

James Paul – who is highly regarded as a vocal coach for the Sydney Theater company, Opera Australia and several high schools – was last seen in Vaucluse, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, at around 7.30am on Monday.

The 49-year-old has not been seen since he left a property on Fitzwilliam Road just days after returning to work after his summer holidays.

A NSW Police spokesperson said they have “serious concerns for the welfare of James”.

Talented musician and beloved choir director James Paul has disappeared without a trace from one of Sydney's wealthiest suburbs

“He is of Caucasian appearance, is approximately 182cm tall, of a thin build, has gray hair, blue eyes and wears glasses,” he said.

“James is known to visit the Redfern, Bondi Junction, North Bondi and Vaucluse areas.”

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to come forward to contact the police area command in the eastern suburbs or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

The choir director and music educator has a singing career spanning more than 25 years and has led choral programs at Sydney Boys High School, Sydney Girls High School and St Vincent's College.

In addition to his work with top schools and top artists, he also had a career focus on using music to engage with the disadvantaged, from teaching young offenders in the NSW youth justice system to working in music therapy with people with disabilities.

A member of one of Mr. Paul's choirs publicly expressed the concerns many others had about his disappearance.

Police have 'serious concerns' about the welfare of James Paul since his last sighting in the Vaucluse at 7.30pm on Monday

“James is our beloved choir conductor who we all welcomed back last Thursday after the Christmas holidays,” she wrote on Facebook.

“We are all so concerned for you James and hope for your safe return.”

Others responded: “I hope he is found safe” and “pray James returns home safely.”

The Sutherland Shire Choral Society, where Mr Paul has been music director since 2018, said he was for many years a national touring performer of Spanish art songs and flamenco music.

He holds a Master of Music in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and his compositions can be heard on ABC Classic FM.

The post Vaucluse search: Talented musician James Paul disappears without a trace from one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

I landed on a beach! Travel expert investigates remote airport runway in Scotland, which disappears with the tide twice a day

Albert Elence — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 09:05:47 +0000

By Ted Thornhill, Mailonline travel editor

Published: 03:18 EST, December 6, 2023 | Updated: 03:26 EST, December 6, 2023

It’s the runway that’s disappearing.

And you’ll find it – if the timing is right – at the airport on the remote island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, 40 miles off the coast of western Scotland.

Nicky KelvinEditor at Large at The Points Guy, explores what must be the most unusual airport in the world in a fascinating video for a series he hosts called Airplane Mode.

The travel expert explains that the act of disappearing occurs because the airstrip is also a public beach, with the sand being lost twice a day by the rising tide.

Nicky’s video starts at Glasgow Airport, where he interviews two pilots for the airline that operates twice-daily flights to and from Barra Airport from Glasgow: Loganair.

Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy, investigates what must be the world’s most unusual airport on the island of Barra (above). Here the airstrip is also a public beach

Captain Laura Roper explains that there is “no relief or guidance” to land.

“It’s all done by our own judgment,” she says.

One bonus, though, is that the sand cushions the landing a bit.

The interview concluded, Captain Roper and First Officer Steven Cameron take the controls of their Twin Otter turboprop and Nicky jumps aboard for his first ever flight to Barra.

He fell over.

The sand on the beach at Barra Airport disappears twice a day due to the tide

Nicky’s video starts at Glasgow Airport where he interviews two pilots for the airline that operates twice daily flights to and from Barra Airport from Glasgow – Loganair

He told MailOnline Travel: ‘It has been a lifelong dream of mine as a diehard aviation nerd to travel to the incredibly unique Barra Airport.

‘It is the only commercial airport in the world with a beach as a runway and makes for a very dramatic setting, not only because you land on the sand, but also because the runway disappears with the tide twice a day.

‘The timing of the flights must be well planned so that there is enough space on the beach for the plane to land and take off again.’

Nicky (above) told MailOnline Travel: ‘It has been a lifelong dream of mine as a diehard aviation nerd to travel to the incredibly unique Barra Airport’

Barra Airport is located 64 kilometers off the coast of western Scotland

Loganair flies turboprop Twin Otter aircraft to Barra Airport

A still from Nicky’s video showing a Loganair flight landing in Barra

Captain Laura Roper (left) explains that there is “no relief or guidance” to land

The flight to Barra is spectacular, with Nicky revealing that the plane flies over ‘blue seas and white beaches that could be mistaken for the Caribbean’

He added: ‘It’s not just the concept that is dramatic and exciting, the actual landing is just as amazing as you might imagine.

‘You’ll pass low over some of Scotland’s most beautiful islands, with blue seas and white sandy beaches that you could mistake for the Caribbean.

“Barra is even known to some people as Barrabados.”

Once at the airport, Nicky meets Barra Airport’s crew manager, Steve Wilson, who takes Nicky on a security check on the beach/runway to ensure the area is clear of debris that may have been washed in by the tide and reveals that the airport also ensures that there are no runway incursions from cockle pickers.

Nicky meets Barra Airport’s crew manager, Steve Wilson, who takes Nicky on a safety check on the beach/runway to ensure the area is clear of debris that may have been washed in by the tide.

Nicky added: “It was an honor to work behind the scenes at Barra Airport and make my dream come true by landing, taking off and exploring all aspects of the airport operation.

“One of the most fascinating things is that many of the employees there have multiple roles, and the same person who might be checking you in at the check desk is also a firefighter, an air traffic controller and a baggage handler.”

To see the full video, click here. For more information from The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel.

The post I landed on a beach! Travel expert investigates remote airport runway in Scotland, which disappears with the tide twice a day appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Omid Scobie’s book Endgame disappears from Amazon’s top 100 list, ranking behind the Beano Annual and Diary of a Wimpy Kid – as copies disappear from High Street bookshop windows

Albert Elence — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:13:10 +0000

Endgame ranks 139th in the UK bestseller book list based on sales on Amazon
Drops more than 100 places in three days after ranking 14th last Friday

By Mark Duell

Published: 07:10 EST, December 4, 2023 | Updated: 11:20 EST, December 4, 2023

Omid Scobie’s new book Endgame has already dropped out of Amazon’s top 100 current bestsellers, despite a ton of publicity in the first week of its release.

The title currently ranks 139th in the UK bestseller book list based on sales on Amazon, which are updated hourly to reflect recent and historical sales of each item.

Endgame has fallen more than 100 places in three days, after being in 14th place last Friday. On release day last Tuesday, it ranked 77th.

The book is now listed in the table behind children’s titles such as the Beano Yearbook, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Stick Man; biographies of Britney Spears, Matthew Perry and Chris Kamara; and cookbooks by Mary Berry, Rick Stein and Tom Kerridge.

In the same US Amazon chart today, Endgame ranked 235th – below The Very Hungry Caterpillar; the danger! 2024 calendar; and a Paw Patrol sounds book.

A copy of Omid Scobie’s book Endgame was on display in a bookshop in London last Friday

Omid Scobie was interviewed about his new book on ITV’s This Morning last Thursday

Endgame ranks 139th on Amazon’s UK bestseller book list, which is updated hourly

Amazon says its listings are a “good indicator of how well a product sells overall,” but “do not always indicate how well an item sells compared to similar items.”

The book’s declining performance comes despite a huge amount of media attention and TV interviews Mr Scobie conducted for the BBC and ITV in Britain and ABC in the US.

The author has also given interviews to publications including The Times, Evening Standard, Independent, Tatler, People, Elle.com and Paris March.

Meanwhile, the book was not prominently displayed in London’s oldest bookshop, Hatchards on Piccadilly – with only one copy set aside to order, reported The guard.

The newspaper added that around 14 copies were stacked on a table at the entrance to nearby Waterstones, but there was ‘limited interest’ there too.

Scobie is widely described as Meghan Markle’s mouthpiece, but neither she nor Prince Harry have yet spoken out in defense of the royal family over particularly damaging allegations of racism.

The Dutch translation of the book is named after Charles and Kate, because the royal family is said to have asked what color Prince Archie’s skin could be before he was born.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend church at Sandringham in Norfolk yesterday

King Charles III is expected to consult Prince William this week to discuss their response to the storm, after Buckingham Palace said it is “considering all options” when it comes to a response.

The Sussexes have not commented publicly on the race, but a source close to Meghan said “it was not leaked to Mr Scobie by anyone in her camp.”

Yesterday it also emerged that the Dutch edition of Endgame quoted a source close to the Sussexes who branded William ‘heartless’ – another inflammatory passage not included in the British version.

Referring to claims that the Prince of Wales had secured a flight to Balmoral without Harry as the Queen lay dying, the translation quoted the following source: ‘It was callous to deny him the opportunity to go to Scotland to say goodbye his grandmother. This was not the time to be petty.”

A ‘family source’ also claims that William ‘deliberately ignored’ Harry when the Queen died and ‘didn’t want to help him’, according to the Dutch edition.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children Archie and Lilibet in December 2021

The original ‘racism’ claim was made in the Sussexes’ infamous 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey

William, Harry, Meghan and Charles speak together at Westminster Abbey in March 2019

It said: ‘He was and still is angry because Harry revealed private matters… He finds that unforgivable.’

The Dutch version also refers to the king’s ‘cash for honours’ scandal last year, with a ‘source’ saying that ‘people within the institution are concerned that ‘more stories will follow’.’

None of these claims appeared in the English version, The Sun reported on Sunday.

It comes after Meghan admitted under oath that she authorized a senior aide to brief Scobie about his previous book about the Sussexes, called Finding Freedom.

The post Omid Scobie’s book Endgame disappears from Amazon’s top 100 list, ranking behind the Beano Annual and Diary of a Wimpy Kid – as copies disappear from High Street bookshop windows appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.