The Sun Newspaper

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

The sun focuses on the positives in your career, and so should you.

Even if a dream is taking longer than you expect, it can still happen – meanwhile, enjoy the journey you are on, and the opportunities that every day can bring.

In love terms, too, what you have now can be all you need, when you choose to see it that way.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

A new ray of creative light shines through your chart – highlighting a unique skill you may never have rated.

This is your moment to take everything you can do, and start building it up into something special.

A family-minded moon reminds you feelings do not need to be obvious to be real – look a little closer.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

The right home for your heart might not quite match what your head expects – but you can be happy.

Acceptance is high in your chart, so show you value love exactly as it is.

How far a conversation has strayed off course might concern you, but it still says so much that’s worth hearing, and acting on.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

An open-air meeting can lift any sense of restrictions – and get to the result you need faster.

So don’t be bound by what everyone else assumes to be the “right way” to live, or love.

Cash calculations can get derailed when too many emotions are involved – ask a calm friend to help you out.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Pluto’s take on connections might be unexpected – and it can make you work harder to get a deal done or a decision shared.

But in the end, you can sense this was so worthwhile.

If you feel a friend or partner is putting too much distance between you, say something and act, rather than stay silent and hope.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

As confidence rises with the sun, so does your inner courage – no challenge is too great for you today.

But choose wisely, and marshal your energy well. Scoring points, or stoking rivalry, is not a good use of this.

In love? Mars’ heat is so strong, and attraction is irresistible. Single? Mistakes make you human.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You have X-ray vision when it comes to other’s motives today – and you can see through pretence of all kinds.

So conversations can get back on the right, shared, level that gets results.

If you start the day single, someone who loves to quote from a favourite TV show can be quite the catch.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

To have good friends, first be a good friend – today you get at least one chance to step up and offer your time, skills or care to someone who matters. Try to take it.

But it’s important, too, to care for yourself – and this can include making space in a schedule just to “be”.

The moon’s eye for The Next Big Thing is so sharp.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

With the sun at the top of your chart your enthusiasm flows – even for ideas that might have felt they were fading.

Your task is to choose a good team around you, even if this means letting familiar faces go.

When the time is right, you will do the right thing. Five o’clock can be your key prize-spotting time.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Words or pictures from someone’s sunshine break carry a message – from a location in your destiny, to a promise that will not be ­broken now.

When you accept the challenge, you can step back into the light.

You can’t change others, but you can change yourself – perhaps by taking a stronger dating line.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

You have a unique ability to see who you need in your life, and why.

This can spark identity switches, but if you have confidence they are right, they can work for you.

Your sign’s unsettled side can be hard to handle – but go with it and let yourself express disappointment or frustration. What’s next can be outstanding.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your chart sees the best in everyone – and believes in success. So recent doubts simply slide away.

In love, when you visualise the future you want, your dreams can turn real almost overnight.

If you are single, a fun-loving Gemini can ­surprise you every day in every way. Luck wears a deep, rich shade of red.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

A NEW phone uses AI to stop children filming and sending nude content.

The HarmBlock+ tech in Vodafone’s latest handset also prevents them seeing and saving sexual images.

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A study by the firm found one in five secondary pupils had felt pressured into sharing explicit pictures of themselves.

And of those who had, 63 per cent had them forwarded without consent.

Four in ten teachers reported explicit image-sharing as a growing problem.

Vodafone and Finnish firm HMD’s Fuse handset uses the AI developed by UK-based SafeToNet.

It is embedded into the operating system, including camera, so is impossible to bypass.

Creator Richard Pursey said: “Harmblock analyses what the camera sees, including live streams, every fraction of a second.

“If it detects sexual content it instantly blocks the recording.

“HarmBlock also analyses what’s being rendered to the screen. If harmful sexual content is about to appear, it’s blocked.

“It means children can’t be tricked into filming sexual acts, can’t stumble upon pornography nor be blackmailed.

“It’s ground-breaking.”

THE National Lottery Set For Life numbers are in and it’s time to find out if you’ve won the top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years.

Could tonight’s jackpot see you start ticking off that bucket list every month or building your own start-up as a budding entrepreneur?

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You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below.

Good luck!

The winning Set For Life numbers are: 03, 06, 07, 14, 18 and the Life Ball is 05.

The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778.

The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996.

Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool.

1. £1.308 billion (Powerball) on January 13 2016 in the US, for which three winning tickets were sold, remains history’s biggest lottery prize
2. £1.267 billion (Mega Million) a winner from South Carolina took their time to come forward to claim their prize in March 2019 not long before the April deadline
3. £633.76 million (Powerball draw) from a winner from Wisconsin
4. £625.76 million (Powerball)  Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts claimed the jackpot in August 2017
5. £575.53 million (Powerball)  A lucky pair of winners scooped the jackpot in Iowa and New York in October 2018

Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000.

Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300k – she intended to buy her usual £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, but came home with a much bigger prize.

The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders.

Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996.

The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million – BUT you’ve got to be in it to win it.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

There’s no space in your day for party-poopers or naysayers – so close out negative voices, even just for a while.

As your head clears, you see exactly what you need to do. A break from a long-standing group or relationship can be part of the process.

The sun’s last day in your creative zone makes your ideas dazzle.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Avoiding big tasks at home has become a habit – but it’s one you can break today.

Starting with the one you have put off the most, make an action list, then work through it.

So many planets focus on this to help you succeed, but the time is now while your chart drive is strongest. Passion talks in such an inspiring way

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

The influence of Uranus can switch routine words into an unusual form – that gets you attention. So do go with any new inspiration.

Even people who never seem to understand you, can get on board.

And something you write, from a document to a love vow, can make such a forever mark. Luck opens a powder blue door.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

What’s important to you, is important – no matter what anyone else thinks.

You have the right to the absolute trust you need, and to have your value appreciated. So don’t talk yourself out of this today.

When you stand strong, everyone will take notice. New love can start when your name or number is called out.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Your last day with the sun this year is your cue to make some lasting promises to yourself.

More fun can be one of them, but also more heat and light in your life.

This can link to a name you keep noticing in social media – and you know you need to know more. Moon insights help you choose perfect colour combinations.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

You are ready to take long hard look at old dreams and desires, and work out which to keep or chuck.

Your chart is a blend of practical approach and sensitive insight, to make the right choices at the right time. Trust yourself here.

As for love, a special date may not yet be ready to go public, so keep it private for now.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

The right deal can be travelling from north to south, or vice versa. Instead of waiting patiently, you are prepared to take action.

This can mean doing research, or gathering figures – and it’s better to do this alone.

The more people get involved, the less satisfied you may feel.

“6” numbers can be lucky.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Your ability to learn fast is enhanced by your chart positions – so even if a subject seems enormous, you can make a positive start today.

A moon of emotional strength asks you to commit 100 per cent to someone or something, rather than holding back.

Recently reunited couples can be the lucky ones.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Pluto’s plain-speaking and Saturn’s support make you the ideal spokesperson to share difficult truths.

This can be with a family, especially across generations, or at work, where you can say what everyone is thinking.

Make sure everyone is on the same wavelength, before you start. Passion is deep and satisfying

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

That wave of change you can feel stirring inside is ready to break through – pretending you feel little is no longer the best approach.

Only absolute honesty will get things changing for you.

The kind of home you’ve imagined can take a step closer to reality and TV or radio-based tips can be the creative catalyst.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Do other people truly accept and rate you, exactly as you are? This is your day to find out.

Your ruler Uranus adds a sprinkling of magic to all encounters, and artistic related efforts.

While a bonding moon makes sure you relate on the deepest levels to everyone you meet.

The luck factor lands on green squares.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

A two-way decision may feel more like a one-way drive, and this can have a cash connection.

But if you keep the conversation going just a little longer, everyone can get on board.

Even if pride, or time, tries to stop you, try to keep this going. In love terms, finding fun in every single day matters more than big gestures.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Sticking to an out-of-date view of who you are and what you can do, is not the best way to move mountains, or just make the day the best it can be.

You have such core stability in your chart, you can afford to risk a little.

hat’s stopping you? A long-time dream of a certain address can take a step forward.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Feeling you have to monitor everything you say, and tone your words down depending on who you are talking to can leave conversations unsatisfying.

This is your moment to harness moon insight and speak honestly.

This may mean a less smooth passage – but a more rewarding one.

Luck circles “MM”.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Any shadows, however fleeting, that hang over a love bond need to be tackled. Instead of letting imagination run riot, talk calmly with special people.

Or, if you’re in the dating field, go beyond flattery to seek something more substantial.

This applies in both directions. A “V” group can be winners.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Maybe it’s not in your nature to call a halt to a money flow – but if you feel you’ve given too much already, then you must do so.

Set limits around your cash, and your time.

Showing you value both equally can start a new phase of sharing.

Love is all about you in some green eyes – you just may be last to realise!

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

As Mercury confidence grows, your task is to use it wisely. Do so try to choose one goal at a time – and give it your full focus.

It may be only when you hear yourself talking that you realise what you really need to say – so recording your voice can be a game-changer.

The luck factor soars where strangers compete.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Love and luck both have a community connection – this can link to a group you’ve often considered joining, yet never have.

Or a face you see almost every day that you somehow can’t ignore.

Taking the next step is easier when you trust your intuition.

Numbers in scarlet can have a winning streak.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You may try to ignore it, but the fire of Mars is so strong in your sign right now.

This can lead to intense attractions that sweep your usual active mind aside. For people, yes – but also for projects or adventures you would usually resist.

The new you is more impulsive and sexy, and this makes for an intriguing day.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Stepping out of leadership shoes can show you where your true skills lie – and your chart suggests a more caring field of work could be part of this.

To seem strong, you may try to hide weaknesses, but these are what make you unique – so take a risk and share more with a partner.

Single? A hot Aries yearns for you.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

For you, the mix of the moon and Venus is such an important one – as it shows you can change, and how you can start this process.

You have such a happy-go-lucky side, but sometimes people need to see your serious self, the one that can be counted on.

A location to the south, and pastel colours, can be lucky.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

The combined chart power of the sun and Mercury is a real push towards at least one major personal change.

Everything may not be in place yet, but you can still make that one move that’s been on your mind for a few days.

Love-wise, connections that mean most to you may be less flashy – but more “real”.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Moving away from an atmosphere of blame or shame can free your inner self.

You may not realise how hard you have been on yourself, or how much you expect.

Accepting you make mistakes, yet still keep moving forward, can be a breakthrough.

Three names you love most in music, can combine in a prize entry.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your natural fashion flair is ready to show through – this can happen when you stop drying to dress, or behave, according to someone else’s rules.

Your own way is the right way, all day.

A shy Cancer, who seems so careful in what he or she says, has so much that’s special to share.

Pisces couples can re-create a special date.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

FEARS are growing that Rachel Reeves could slap a new tax on people’s homes to replace stamp duty and council tax.

The Chancellor is studying plans for a levy on houses worth over £500,000, according to The Guardian.

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The paper said the Treasury is looking at a “proportional property tax” which would be paid when owners sell their homes.

It claimed the shake-up could also pave the way for a new local levy to replace council tax, which is still based on 1990s property values.

But Treasury officials last night insisted that while tax reform is being explored, the details – including any threshold or rate – have not been decided.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “The best way to strengthen public finances is by growing the economy – which is our focus.

“Changes to tax and spend policy are not the only ways of doing this, as seen with our planning reforms, which are expected to grow the economy by £6.8bn and cut borrowing by £3.4bn.

“We are committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible, which is why at last Autumn’s Budget, we protected working people’s payslips and kept our promise not to raise the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, employee National Insurance, or VAT.”

The Sun reported yesterday that homeowners would be forced to hand over £82,000 to the taxman thanks to Reeves’ inheritance tax raid.

Inheritance tax is charged on all assets above the £325,000 threshold, which is called the nil-rate band.

Anything above this threshold is charged at 40%, but your tax-free allowance rises by £175,000 if you leave your home to a direct descendant, such as a son, daughter or grandchild.

Currently, pension pots are exempt from inheritance tax – but this will all change from April 2027, when they will suddenly be subject to the 40% levy, following a tax grab announced in last year’s October Budget.

The change is expected to increase the number of estates paying death duties from 4% to 9.7%, dragging thousands of people into the tax net.

New analysis by Quilter shows that grieving families could face a nasty bill sting following the changes.

WITH huge smiles, cheering crowds and an incredible ten-year career of hits under their belt, Little Mix went out with a bang in 2022 as they completed their biggest ever UK tour.

Backstage, Perrie Edwards knew she was about to enter an exciting new chapter of her life because, just as the girl group was preparing to go on a break, she was secretly expecting her second child.

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But in a devastating new interview, the singer revealed that, months later, she lost her baby at 24 weeks.

Perrie, 32, who now has son Axel with footballer fiance Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, said she had discovered she was pregnant again “not even a year” after his birth.

She recalled: “I was rehearsing for the last Little Mix tour, and I thought, ‘I don’t feel good’. Every symptom under the sun. I was like, ‘I think I’m pregnant’.”

But as her pregnancy progressed past the five-month mark, Perrie began to suspect that medics had spotted something wrong with her unborn baby.

‘Loved being pregnant’

She said: “We went for what was a 20-week scan, but we were actually 22 weeks, and that was just the worst day of my life. Like, horrendous.

“I just knew something was wrong in the scan. I’ve never experienced an out-of-body experience where everything goes in slow motion.”

Two weeks later, Perrie and Alex were given the heartbreaking news that there was no heartbeat. She said: “So then I remember sobbing. Alex was injured at the time and couldn’t really drive.

“He was struggling to drive, but I couldn’t see straight. I was just distraught. We basically lost the baby at, like, 24 weeks.”

Perrie bravely opens up about her anguish on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson, out this morning.

And she revealed Axel, who turns four on Thursday, was a “rainbow baby” — the term used for a tot born after a previous pregnancy loss.

The star explained: “I had a miscarriage very early on with my first ever pregnancy.

“I remember finding out I was pregnant. Obviously, I started bleeding not long after, and I went to hospital and I had the scan and they were like, ‘There’s no baby.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve made this up.

“Maybe I got a false positive or something’. I remember being on my own at the appointments.” Perrie said of the cherished son she went on to have in August 2021: “Axel’s a rainbow baby.”

In heartbreaking detail, she also recalled how she had already planned out her baby’s bedroom before her second miscarriage.

She admitted: “It’s weird, because the first time it happened, I think because it was so early, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s hard’.

“But I think when you’re 24 weeks and you’ve planned out that room and all these things, it’s really hard. And nobody knows other than immediate friends and family.

“I remember shortly after, friends would message and be like, ‘How’s the bump?’ And I’d be like, ‘There is no bump’.”

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The You Go Your Way singer said her first pregnancy loss had made her naturally apprehensive when she learned she was expecting Axel.

She explained: “When I was pregnant with him, I loved being pregnant, it was one of the happiest times of my life. I just love carrying babies.

“And it was lovely. But I was a bit on edge, thinking, ‘Oh gosh, I want to get past the 12 weeks. I want to get past this’. And when I get past every scan, that pregnancy was complete bliss, it was perfect.”

Thankfully, Perrie had former England midfielder Alex, 32 — who fans nickname The Ox — by her side. The couple have been together since 2017 and got engaged in 2022.

I didn’t even want to meet anybody. I was like, that’s me done. I don’t think I could bear that pain.

Perrie Edwards

Their relationship came two years after Perrie’s engagement to first love Zayn Malik, of One Direction, fell apart before millions of fans.

They had met in 2011, when X Factor stars One Direction returned to perform on the series of the singing contest that Little Mix won.

Months later, they were a fully fledged couple, but it was never plain sailing. Zayn was alleged to have cheated with an Australian waitress in a London club, and was later hit with more claims of infidelity.

In 2013, he demonstrated his commitment by getting a portrait of Perrie tattooed on his arm and even bought her mum a house in Dorset.

But in 2015, they split — and she was left devastated, with reports at the time that he had ended their almost four-year romance by text.

The ordeal inspired one of Little Mix’s biggest hits, the chart-topping Shout Out To My Ex.

‘Always the underdogs’

However, Perrie held a dignified silence on the ins and outs of their relationship and how it ended.

Reflecting on it now, she explained: “I think definitely, at the time, I thought everything we experienced in our relationship was normal. Because it was my first relationship, first love.

“I was like, ‘Oh, this is how it’s supposed to feel. It’s supposed to feel a little bit toxic. In some ways, this is probably normal, right?’.

“And then, when I became single, I was almost thinking, ‘I never, ever want to go through that again’. I didn’t even want to meet anybody. I was like, that’s me done. I don’t think I could bear that pain.

“But now, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, that probably wasn’t good’. And I’ve noticed it a lot.

“Like in the start of the relationship, I would handle things differently with Alex, and he’d come at it with such a level head that it would throw me.”

On what kind of man Alex is, Perrie continued: “He’s very mature. He’s very laid back. He’s very level-headed.

“He’s not the type to get mad or get angry or get funny about things. It might sound boring to some, but it’s so unproblematic.”

During her time in Little Mix, Perrie — alongside Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and, up until the end of 2020, Jesy Nelson — sold over 75million records, released six albums, had five No1 singles and became the first girl band in 41 years to win the British Group gong at the Brit Awards.

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Since then, she has signed a deal with Columbia Records, which has a roster featuring Adele, Beyonce and Harry Styles, and released a handful of solo singles, including Forget About Us, which peaked at No10 last year.

This Friday, Perrie is back with her latest single, If He Wanted To He Would. But she still feels like Little Mix were underestimated.

She said: “I still think they looked at us and thought it was four little girls in a pop group.

“I don’t think they really saw the graft and the dedication and the numbers and the success that we had. I still think people kind of overlook it a little bit.

“And we were always the underdogs. Like from the very beginning, it was like, ‘You won’t do very well. Bands don’t do that well and it won’t last’.

“That’s what gave us the fire in our bellies to want to work so hard to prove everybody wrong.”

Despite her later success, the Black Magic singer had a tough childhood as she was born with oesophageal atresia, a condition where the oesophagus doesn’t fully develop, and she was in and out of hospital as a youngster.

She told the podcast: “I was there every other week for an operation, so I was used to being put to sleep.

“Instead of counting down from ten, I’d be like, ‘Meet me downstairs in a van,’ (singing), off I went.”

It was Perrie’s passion and talent for singing which meant her mum Debbie was always confident she would make it in music.

She said: “I remember sobbing that I failed my GCSEs, and my mum was like, ‘It’s OK, darling, you’re going to be a singer’.

“I was like, ‘Why is she such an irresponsible parent? I’m never going to get a job.’ And she was like, ‘Well, you’re not going to need a job. You’re going to be a singer’.”

SOCIAL media slang words skibidi, tradwife and delulu have been added to the Cambridge Dictionary.

They are among thousands of new expressions, which also include the working from home term “mouse jiggler” and toxic “forever chemicals”.

Skibidi has different meanings, such as “cool” or “bad”, and can also be used with no real meaning, for example in: “What the skibidi are you doing?”

The term was coined by the creator of a viral animated video series called Skibidi Toilet on YouTube, Cambridge Dictionary said.

Tradwife — short for traditional wife — is a married woman who cooks and cleans and stays at home to look after her children.

And delulu means somebody who chooses to believe things which are not true — as in delusional.

Colin McIntosh, of Cambridge Dictionary, said: “Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary.

“We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power.”

The dictionary uses a database of more than two billion words in written and spoken English to observe how new words are used by different people, how often and in which context.

Remote working helped “mouse jiggler” — a device or piece of software used to make it seem as though a shirker is working — gain its place in the dictionary.

And “forever chemicals” are man-made substances which do not naturally break down and pollute the environment or the body.

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THE Defence Secretary has caused a row at the top of the Armed Forces by dishing out a senior command job in secret.

John Healey was forced to U-turn after Strategic Commander General Sir Jim Hockenhull found out Royal Marine General Rob Magowan was to get his job when he leaves the post next April.

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The news came in an email blunder sent by Mr Healey’s private office.

Healey had promised the post of Strategic Commander, which oversees cyber and special forces, to Royal Marine General Rob Magowan.

It is one of the most powerful posts in the military, on par with commands of the Army, Navy and RAF.

Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin forced Mr Healey to back down, defence sources told The Sun.

Our source said: “This was a spectacular own goal.

“Hockenhull was furious. He stormed out.

“Then Magowan was told the deal was off — he was livid as well.”

Hockenhull regularly briefed Sir Kier Starmer on Ukraine and was well liked in Downing Street

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SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL said: “Courage is rightly regarded as the foremost of the virtues, for upon it all the others depend.”

The truth of those words is highlighted by the heroics of RAF Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, who has died at the age 105.

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It was 81 years ago that he performed an extraordinary act of sustained bravery, as he defied the agony of multiple severe injuries to bring home his badly damaged plane after a lethal encounter with a U-boat off the coast of Norway.

For this deed he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

He was one of four Coastal Command airmen to receive this award, but his case was unique.

The other three had died in action and were honoured posthumously.

He had survived but it was a mighty close-run thing.

It was appropriate that this Scotsman of rock-hard resilience should hail from Aberdeen, long known as “the Granite City”.

He had left school in 1938 to become an apprentice in banking.

But the drumbeat of war was echoing across Europe so he volunteered for the Territorial Army, enlisting in the Royal Artillery.

Called up for service with this regiment in 1939, he transferred to the RAF two years later then went through initial flight instruction in Canada and the US.

Back in Britain, having won his wings as a pilot, he continued his training until March 1943 when he was assigned to 210 Squadron in Coastal Command, based at Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands.

Man of modesty

His squadron’s main duty was to protect Allied ships from U-boats and they were equipped with the rugged and reliable American-built twin-engine Catalina flying boat.

It was on July 17, 1944, soon after D-Day, that the incident occurred which lifted John Cruickshank into the record book, but almost killed him.

He was piloting an anti- submarine patrol off Norway when his radio operator John Appleton picked up a blip on the Catalina’s equipment.

John began to home in on the target, whose status as a U-boat was confirmed by fire from its 37 mm gun.

Appleton wrote in his memoir: “The skipper manoeuvred into a perfect attacking position astern of the submarine, just out of range of the enemy gunfire. He gave a blast on the klaxon and started the attack run-in from about two miles.”

As the plane got closer, flak from the U-boat intensified and was reinforced as its two pairs of 20mm cannon opened up.

The skipper manoeuvred into a perfect attacking position astern of the submarine, just out of range of the enemy gunfire. He gave a blast on the klaxon and started the attack run-in from about two miles

John Appleton

John flew on and appeared to have released the depth charges at the right moment.

But the bombs had hung up, so he then took the plane out of range of the U-boat, while his crew rearmed their own guns and checked the bomb-release mechanism.

“Everyone ready! Here we go again,” said John over the intercom.

Of the second attack, Appleton recalled: “This time all the flak was bursting much closer to us and I was surprised at how thick it could be.

“We seemed to be flying into a wall of black explosions.”

But again, John descended upon the target without hesitation.

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This time the depth charges hit their target with deadly accuracy. Seconds later, the U-boat began to sink. None of the 52 men on board had a chance of survival.

But by now John’s plane, caught by more enemy fire, was in serious trouble.

Flames and smoke began to fill the aircraft. The radar was wrecked and the nose canopy shattered.

One crewman was dead and four others were badly wounded, including John, who had been hit in his chest and legs and was bleeding heavily.

But all was not lost. With the use of extinguishers, some of the uninjured crewmen put out the fire.

As the co-pilot took over the controls, John was carried to the back of the plane.

Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the service

Citation from Victoria Cross ceremony

Lapsing in and out of consciousness, he was in tremendous pain but refused any morphine from the emergency safety kit because he wanted to keep alert so he could help bring the Catalina boat plane home to Sullom Voe.

With almost superhuman fortitude, he returned to the cockpit to oversee the final descent just as dawn was breaking.

After landing successfully on the water, he ran the shattered plane on to the beach.

He had to be given an emergency blood transfusion before being taken to Lerwick Hospital, where he was found to have suffered 72 wounds.

Yet, by September, he was fit enough to receive the Victoria Cross from King George VI in Edinburgh, the first time Holyrood House had been used for an investiture since the reign of Queen Victoria.

His citation read: “Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.”

From a generation that never sought the spotlight

Barney Crockett

But he was a man of profound modesty who hated talking about his exploits.

Even at his investiture, he crept out of a side door afterwards to avoid the attention of the press and public.

In the same vein, when he had regained consciousness in the stricken Catalina, the first thing he said was: “How are my crew?”

Though he had recuperated imp-ressively in hospital, the legacy of his injuries was too severe to allow him to return to flying duties, so for the rest of the war he held a staff job at Coastal Command HQ.

Later, on demobilisation at the end of the war, he resumed his career in banking, eventually working in international finance before he retired in 1977.

Happily married, he lost his beloved wife Marion in 1985.

In his final years, in sheltered accommodation, he disliked any fuss, whether about his VC or his birthdays.

Barney Crockett, the former Lord Provost of his native Aberdeen, once said John was “from a generation that never sought the spotlight”.

But it was also the generation that saved the world from tyranny.

HAVING a busy summer, with no time to whip up a tasty lunch?

These quick, easy, affordable recipes for batch cooking will keep you fed all week.

Store in freezer bags or old takeaway tubs for no-fuss dining.

Here’s how to do it . . . 

PASTA POWER: This no-cook wonder is perfect for hot days.

Simply boil 500g penne until al dente, then mix with two tins of drained tuna, four tablespoons of mayo, a handful of sweetcorn and some diced cucumber.

The creamy, crunchy combo makes four generous servings and keeps fresh in the fridge for up to three days.

For extra zing, add a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

SALAD SAVIOUR: Massage 200g of kale with olive oil to soften the leaves, then toss with 400g of fluffy cooked couscous, crumbled feta and charred roasted peppers.

Packed with Mediterranean flavours, this veggie bowl stays fresh for 72 hours — ideal for work lunches or lazy dinners.

Want more protein? Throw in some leftover grilled chicken or chickpeas.

BBQ BEANS: For a protein-packed staple, soak 500g of dried butter beans overnight then slow-cook with two tins of chopped tomatoes, a tablespoon of smoked paprika and a drizzle of honey.

The smoky-sweet beans can be frozen for three months and they are perfect with crusty bread or as a veggie BBQ side.

They can also make a great baked potato topping or a lovely addition to morning eggs.

COOL SOUP: Blitz two chopped cucumbers with 500ml of natural yoghurt, a garlic clove and handful of fresh mint for a refreshing, chilled soup that can be kept in a tub in the fridge until needed.

Serve with warm pitta bread for dipping.

For extra texture, add in chopped nuts or croutons made from stale bread.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers all subject to availability.

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THERE can be no cooler claim to fame than to be name-checked in one of the greatest pop songs ever written.

Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks, released at the height of the Swinging Sixties, featured a couple referred to only by their first names — Terry and Julie.

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Julie was Julie Christie, the drop-dead gorgeous actress, and Terry was Terence Stamp, her real-life boyfriend.

The accomplished actor died yesterday morning, aged 87, and last night his family led the tributes to him.

They said in a statement: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer, that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”

Along with a handful of other leading men from humble backgrounds such as Michael Caine and Albert Finney, Stamp epitomised a new breed of screen star.

Ruggedly handsome, uncompromising and from a tough working-class background, he shot to fame with his first movie.

But as the Sixties drew to a close, it looked as though the sun was also setting on his career — and it was almost a decade before he triumphantly reappeared.

The oldest of five children, he was born Terence Henry Stamp on July 22, 1938, in Bow, East London, to mother Ethel and father Thomas, a £12-a-week tugboat stoker.

‘I was in pain. I took drugs – everything’

That made him, according to the saying, a genuine Cockney — “born within the sound of Bow bells”.

His first home had no bathroom, only a tub in the backyard which he would be dragged into on Friday evenings.

He later remembered: “The first one in would get second-degree burns — and the last one frostbite.”

In 2016, he said of his childhood: “The great blessing of my life is that I had the really hard bit at the beginning. We were really poor.

“I couldn’t tell anybody that I wanted to be an actor because it was just out of the question. I would have been laughed at.

“When we got our first TV, I started saying, ‘Oh I could do that’ and my dad wore it for a little bit.

“After I’d said, ‘Oh I’m sure I could do better than that guy’, he looked at me and he said, ‘Son, people like us don’t do things like that’.”

As an 18-year-old, he tried to evade National Service — a year and a half of compulsory duty in the military — by claiming to have nosebleeds but was saved when he failed his medical because of fallen arches.

Determined to realise his dream, Stamp left home and moved into a basement flat on London’s Harley Street with another promising young Cockney actor — Michael Caine. The pair became firm friends and ended up in repertory theatre, touring around the UK together.

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Stamp’s performances soon brought him to the attention of acclaimed writer and director Peter Ustinov, who gave him the lead role in the 1962 historical drama movie Billy Budd. He was an overnight success.

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, he also won the hearts of millions of female fans. And with his first Hollywood pay cheque, the image-conscious actor celebrated by buying himself a Savile Row suit and bleaching his hair blond.

Stamp heeded the career advice Ustinov gave him — to only accept job offers when something he really wanted came his way.

That may explain why he made only ten movies between 1962 and 1977.

His most famous role was as Sergeant Troy in Far From The Madding Crowd in 1967 — where he met and fell in love with co-star Julie Christie.

While Stamp was fast becoming a screen icon, his younger brother Chris was making waves in the music biz.

I was someone who was desperately unhappy. I was in pain. I took drugs — everything

Terence Stamp

Stamp Junior managed The Who and Jimi Hendrix, and was friends with many music legends of the time.

Talking about The Kinks’ classic Waterloo Sunset, written by frontman Ray Davies, Terence said: “My brother was quite friendly with him.

“He asked Ray Davies about that lyric and Ray Davies told my brother that, yes, he was visualising Julie and me when he wrote the lyric.”

But by the end of the decade, Stamp’s career was on the wane — and he was devastated when his “Face of the Sixties” model girlfriend Jean Shrimpton walked out on him — beginning what he called his “lost years”.

He said: “I’d lost the only thing I thought was permanent.

“The revelation came to me then — nothing is permanent, so what was the point trying to maintain a permanent state?

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“I was someone who was desperately unhappy. I was in pain. I took drugs — everything.”

He clung on to a feeling that “the call would come” — but the wait was a long one.

It finally came in 1977 when he was offered the part of General Zod in Superman.

He took it — mainly because it gave him the chance to appear alongside his acting hero Marlon Brando.

The part brought him to the attention of a new audience — and last night fans paid tribute to his portrayal of the banished alien villain.

In a nod to his role as the evil leader who demanded his enemies show him deference, one fan wrote on X: “Thank you Terry . . . we will kneel today in your honour.”

Another wrote: “Terence Stamp was much more than Zod but at the same time one of the best comic book villains ever.”

‘My present was a box of Star Wars stencils’

Making up for lost time after the 1978 release of Superman, Stamp made dozens of films from then until 2021, showing off his huge range.

He won universal praise for his portrayal of an East End villain in The Limey (1999) and transgender woman Bernadette Bassenger in The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. Stamp also played Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum in Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace, although the director George Lucas did not give him a huge payday.

He once cornered a producer during the shoot and complained about the pay.

He recalled: “I said, ‘Listen, you’re not paying much money and it’s making hundreds of millions. What goes down? What happens?’

“She said, ‘If the actors are really good, George gives them a present’.

“I thought, ooh, that’s all right. So when I leave the studio I go into my dressing room and there’s a box. It was a box of Star Wars stencils.

“That was my present. I just couldn’t believe it. I thought, may the Force be with you, George. I didn’t keep my stencils. I left them in the dressing room.”

Around that time, he said: “I moved from England some time ago because I wasn’t getting any work.

“I’m getting work in America and my films appear in France but for some reason I’m not getting any offers in Britain.”

But he kept himself busy by launching a successful parallel career as an author, writing five bestselling memoirs and two cookbooks.

He continued to select interesting roles and made a series of memorable cameo appearances, most recently, in 2021, in Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller Last Night In Soho.

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Although he dated some of the world’s most beautiful women, including Julie Christie, Brigitte Bardot and sisters Joan and Jackie Collins, he married only once — to Elizabeth O’Rourke.

The pharmacist was 35 years his junior and the marriage lasted from 2002 to 2008.

He admitted he was upset by the split but added: “I always said I’ll try anything once, other than incest or Morris dancing.

“I’d never been married and I thought I would try it, but I couldn’t make a go of it.”

Looking back on his career, he once said: “I’d be lying if I said I was completely indifferent to the success of all my contemporaries. There are parts I would love to have had a stab at, but I see the decisions I made as invaluable.

“I’m not just chasing an Oscar. I am learning how to die — how to build something within myself that does not become dust.”

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.

VIRGO

AUG 24 – SEPT 22

🔵 Read our horoscopes live blog for the latest readings

You are the sign to watch, and to wonder at, this week – as power planets drive your own sign. 

You have an unspoken but unmistakable something special thanks to the sun, alongside the new optimism of the new moon. 

So even long-running situations can be revised, in your favour. 

A group that may have taken you for granted wakes up to your true potential.

DESTINY DAYS: Slow things down, and focus on calm, controlled breathing on Monday. 

Make a to do list on Tuesday – above all, make sure it is achievable.  Re-start a work journey on Thursday.

LUCKY LINKS: A TV or radio show that always gets you singing along. 

The friend who tells the silliest jokes.  A display of seven pictures.

NEW MOON NEW START: Set aside any stale ideas you may have of who you are, what you need, and where you’re going – as this week the new moon, with your input, can totally rewrite the lot. 

You’ll end the week with a set of goals that may be less obvious, but are a lot more unique and interesting. 

Only you really know “you”, and now you are ready to prove this, to yourself and others.  Number “1” marks your lucky dip.

Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions.

You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

AI is helping doctors write up medical notes to try to get patients out of hospital beds faster.

The tech means they spend less time filling in forms, cutting delays in discharging those fit to go home.

It creates a summary using information such as diagnoses and test results from medical records.

The document can then be reviewed by medical teams and used to send patients home or refer them to other services.

The technology is being piloted at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This potentially transformational discharge tool is a prime example of how we’re shifting from analogue to digital.

“We’re using cutting-edge technology to build an NHS fit for the future and tackle the hospital backlogs that have left too many people waiting too long.

“Doctors will spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients, getting people home to their families faster and freeing up beds for those who need them most.”

As part of their AI revolution, the Government has also announced tech is being given to all 12,000 probation officers.

A programme called Justice Transcribe will help them take notes in meetings with offenders after they leave prison.

It was found to halve the time officers spent organising notes between meetings and in their personal time.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This is exactly the kind of change we need, AI being used to give doctors, probation officers and other key workers more time to focus on delivering better outcomes and speeding up vital services.”

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OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

SCORPIO

OCT 24 – NOV 22

🔵 Read our horoscopes live blog for the latest readings

Your social self is in the chart spotlight and you ask yourself some key questions. 

Could you be a better friend, and are you using your ability to influence others in the best way? 

There is an audience out there waiting for your skills, if you are prepared to share.

In love? Partners are both learning, just in different ways. Single?  You could face a choice of fire signs. 

DESTINY DAYS: Let yourself be less selfless, more selfish, on Tuesday.  

Thursday is prime time for smart work moves and you can meet a fate mate on some stairs on Saturday. Look out for bright colours.

LUCKY LINKS: A recipe of six ingredients.  The same song played in 
two versions. A family who are all extremely competitive.

NEW MOON NEW START: It’s all about friendships and social contacts for you this week – as the new moon helps you shift away from needing approval or “permission” and start mapping out your own future. 

And yes, this can mean letting some names, who may be toxic, or just too casual with your feelings, go from your life. 

When you clear old obstacles from your friendship radar, you can see straight through to some great new possibilities.

Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions.

You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

A JUDGE who controversially allowed a knife-wielding drug dealer to stay in the UK was on the board of a pro-asylum charity.

Fiona Beach declared Christian Quadjovie, 26, was not a threat to the public.

The French-born crook had been locked up for a total of 963 days since arriving here aged ten in 2009.

But he was granted a reprieve by Judge Beach, an ex-director at Asylum Aid who represented migrants for free on behalf of the Bail for Immigration Detainees charity.

The decision has since been overturned after Government lawyers claimed her judgment was “made against the weight of evidence”.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said Judge Beach’s apparent conflict of interest “undermines confidence” in the courts.

He added: “This is the latest example of an immigration judge with open borders views.

“The similarity between her decisions and the political views she has broadcast totally undermines confidence in the system. Judges must be independent.”

Last night, in a letter seen by The Sun on Sunday, Mr Jenrick made a formal request to the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office to probe whether Judge Beach, 54, had declared her previous roles.

In 2005 and 2007, she was listed in a “thank you” section of the Bail in Immigration annual report, and named as a barrister volunteering to represent its clients in court.

Records show she was a director of Asylum Aid between September 2004 and February 2007.

Judicial sources insisted she stepped back from the group in December 2006 when appointed as a part-time judge.

In 2018 she was made a salaried tribunal judge. She first heard Quadjovie’s case in April 2024.

He was first convicted as a boy of 12 after sexually assaulting a girl under 13.

In 2016, he was given a nine-month referral order for carrying a knife in public.

Later that year, he was convicted of drug offences. He was detained for 30 months and caught with more drugs after his release.

The Home Office tried to deport him but he argued he would not be able to reintegrate in France.

A judiciary spokesman said all judges took an oath to remain impartial.

He added: “In each case, judges make decisions based on the evidence and arguments presented, and apply the law as it stands.”

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STRICKEN Ukraine will be forced to surrender large swathes of its eastern territory and forget about ever joining Nato under peace terms haggled by Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

The war-torn country’s desire to join the European Union is also in doubt after the two superpower presidents held controversial talks in Alaska on Friday.

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Ukraine would be outlawed from joining the Western defence alliance, but have its redrawn borders underwritten by its US and European allies in the terms suggested by the White House.

Allies have offered “ironclad” security assurances to protect Ukraine from future Russian aggression if a peace deal can be forged.

But it would stop short of Nato Article 5 status, which sees members of the alliance leap to the aid of any member that is attacked.

Ukraine’s desire to join Nato has been blamed as a root cause of President Putin’s invasion.

He has insisted “Nyet” — Russian for “No” — over the proposal.

But the future security of Ukraine is the number one condition of its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

British and other European troops could be committed to police the peace, with President Trump finally conceding the Americans would play a vital role in the future defence of Ukraine.

Last night, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly stated: “The good news is that America is ready to participate in such security guarantees and is not leaving it to the Europeans alone.”

And PM Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Trump’s “leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing” should be commended.

Calls for an immediate ceasefire were dropped by world leaders yesterday, after Mr Trump announced he was instead pursuing a more stable and lasting “peace deal”.

Plans haggled at Friday’s face-to-face summit are being circulated by the Americans after the US President and the Kremlin tyrant met each other in Anchorage, Alaska, for more than three hours.

The Sun has been told a surrender deal would see Ukraine forced to reject Nato membership and other “multinational deals”.

Negotiations would also begin about ceding control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Ukraine which are, in part, heavily occupied by Russian troops.

There was confusion last night over whether the talks would focus on territory currently held by the Kremlin invaders, or whether the wider regions were on the table.

Yesterday, EU leaders insisted: “Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and Nato.”

However, that does not rule out Mr Zelensky deciding to withdraw Ukraine’s stated aim to join both alliances as part of the wider deal.

He will fly to Washington DC on Monday to meet with President Trump at the White House — six months after their disastrous Oval Office bust up, which saw the leader of the free world savage Mr Zelensky live on TV.

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Russia has long claimed Donetsk and Luhansk are more loyal to Moscow than Kyiv, while Mr Zelensky has publicly ruled out giving up the land.

However, he is under massive pressure to concede and end the bloody three-and-a-half year conflict, which has seen more than a million deaths.

European leaders were locked in talks with the White House this weekend, as the world scrambled to catch up with what Mr Trump had offered Mr Putin to end the war.

Last night, UK government sources said the PM was playing a key role in selling the terms of the deal to wider Western allies in a series of calls following the talks between the Americans and Russians.

I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more

Sir Keir Starmer’s statement

President Trump yesterday insisted it is time for Mr Zelensky to choose whether to agree with the terms of the deal — as the pair prepared to meet tomorrow.

The White House has also offered to play host to a trilateral summit between the Russians and Ukrainians if the deal is within reach.

Speaking following Friday’s talks, where he met with his Russian counterpart for the first time in six years, President Trump insisted it was “a great and very successful day in Alaska!”

He wrote on his Truth Social website: “The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelensky of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of Nato.

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“It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up. President Zelensky will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin.

“Potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Last night, President Putin also welcomed progress made at the talks, after leaving the summit without taking questions from hundreds of assembled journalists.

In a televised address released by the Kremlin, he said: “The conversation was very frank, substantive, and, in my opinion, brings us closer to the necessary decisions.”

He added: “We have not had direct negotiations of this kind at this level for a long time. We had the opportunity to calmly and in detail reiterate our position.”

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and NATO

European statement

In a long statement, President Zelensky welcomed the offer of security guarantees outlined by Mr Trump, in a tentative sign he may be willing to sign up to the terms.

He wrote: “A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions. Killings must stop as soon as possible, the fire must cease both on the battlefield and in the sky, as well as against our port infrastructure.

“All Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians must be released, and the children abducted by Russia must be returned.

“Thousands of our people remain in captivity — they all must be brought home. Pressure on Russia must be maintained while the aggression and occupation continue.”

He went on: “In my conversation with President Trump, I said that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war. Sanctions are an effective tool.

“Security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with involvement of Europe and the US.

“All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine’s participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine. I thank our partners who are helping.”

Yesterday the PM was taking part in a round of behind the scenes diplomacy, speaking to the White House and European capitals.

He heaped praise on Mr Trump, saying his “efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine”.

He went on: “His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended.”

But the PM warned: “While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelensky.

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The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him. I spoke to President Zelensky, President Trump and other European partners, and we all stand ready to support this next phase.

“I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal.

“This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more.

“In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions, which have already had a punishing impact on the Russian economy and its people. Our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes.”

In a joint statement, Sir Keir and European leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, said: “We are clear Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries.

Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine‘s pathway to EU and Nato.

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Priti: Trump was right to set up meeting

By Sophia Sleigh

DONALD Trump was right to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table on Friday, says Dame Priti Patel.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary gave her support to the US President’s efforts — while adding that Britain must keep up “tightening the screws” on the Russian tyrant’s regime.

The Tory grandee told The Sun on Sunday: “It is right President Trump has brought Putin to the negotiating table.

“And we support his efforts in ending Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“Now is the time for the Euro-Atlantic partnership to be stronger than ever in supporting Ukraine, and forcing Putin to end his barbaric war.

“The British government must lead the charge, as we have done, in keeping pressure on Putin through sanctions — and demonstrate we can lead efforts to support Ukraine, and tighten the screws on Russia.”

But others had concerns that no ceasefire had been reached yesterday — even with Mr Trump having warned Putin of “severe consequences” if fighting did not stop.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “Trump has to tell him to agree to a ceasefire or he will up the ante on sanctions, secondary sanctions and weapons to Ukraine. Putin has to fear what Trump can do — more than his own generals and politicians who would come after him.”

He added that Trump “must understand who Putin is, a KGB man who has one purpose in life — to recreate the Soviet Union”.

Former PM Boris Johnson also said that Trump was right to make a move as Putin was weaker than he seemed owing to the war’s damage to Russia’s economy.

Most Labour MPs remained quiet on the talks. Crossbench peer and intelligence expert Lord Peter Ricketts said they were a “clear win” for Putin.

EX-England footie ace Andy Carroll has revealed he is back with girlfriend Lou Teasdale after a stormy split — and vowed to cut down on booze to save their relationship.

Opening up about his feelings for stylist Lou in an exclusive interview with the Sun on Sunday, Andy said: “I love Lou and I love her family. We row like any couple.”

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The pair have been dating since his split last summer from ex-wife and former Towie star Billi Mucklow, 37. They are currently divorcing.

The 36-year-old former Premier League star said: “Things have been difficult for me and I’m going through a divorce.

“Some of our rows have been about alcohol, as Lou has been teetotal for 14 years and I have a beer or wine at dinner and a drink after the game, but it’s not a problem in my life.

“I’m a professional footballer and that’s not the case. I play sport every single day so my level of fitness is really good. I play football every day so I’m fit.”

The Sun revealed on Wednesday the couple had split, with Andy unfollowing celebrity make-up artist Lou, 41, on social media.

But now he has told The Sun on Sunday that after a misunderstanding in Spain, he and Lou have patched things up.

Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy, who now plays for non-league Dagenham & Redbridge FC, said: “We’re better off together and we’re trying to work through our difficulties.”

In June, we reported Carroll was twice quizzed by police over bust-ups with Lou during a break on Greek party island Mykonos.

He was questioned about rows with her at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel.

He was taken to the police station after the second incident.

Speaking about the restaurant incident now, Andy — pictured with Lou, above, as he signed for his new club last month — insisted: “There was no alcohol involved. We argued about me having three coffees in the morning. She was worried I was addicted to coffee and it went from there.”

A joint statement from them at the time said: “Whilst having a private dinner in a restaurant on a quiet holiday in Mykonos, we had a heated discussion of the sort that most couples have had on occasion.

“It quickly became apparent to the police that there was no reason for them to be there.”

It added: “As far as we are concerned, the situation has been blown out of all proportion by an interested member of the public.

“No one was arrested and no one was charged with anything.

“We are very happy, in love and looking forward to our future together and we are disappointed that a private disagreement has become a public matter.”

I don’t want to be with Lou anymore… she gives me ultimatums about everything

What Andy told us last week

Andy returned to England last month, having left French fourth-tier side Bordeaux to play for Dagenham & Redbridge and to be close to his children, who live in Essex.

He said: “I just want to focus on my kids. They’re more important than anything. I’m loving life back in England.

“Obviously when I was working in France, I was there alone, and I was out with the lads a lot. Now I’m back home with the kids and it’s just a different way of life.”

Last September, the Sun on Sunday reported Andy and Billi, who have three children, were divorcing after two years of marriage.

The couple started dating in 2013, soon after he joined West Ham.
And he popped the question during a romantic holiday in Rome in 2014.

That year Billi said: “He is one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met.”

Gateshead-born Carroll, who has two children from a previous relationship, has often been in the news over his romps, brawls and court cases.

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He said meeting Billi turned his life around.

Carroll’s boyhood dreams came true when he began his professional football career with Newcastle United in 2006.

The big centre-forward was soon a hit with Toon fans, following in the footsteps of another local idol Alan Shearer.

In 2009-10, Carroll scored 17 goals in 39 games, and 11 in nine games the following season.

In 2011, he earned a £35million transfer to Liverpool, a then record fee for a British player.

At his peak he was picked for England in nine games between 2010-2012, including scoring against Sweden at Euro 2012.

I love Lou and I love her family, we row like any couple

What he told us this week

He was sold by Liverpool to West Ham but struggled with a series of injuries.

His career saw him moving on to a succession of clubs including back to Newcastle, later to Reading and then West Brom.

Carroll’s career, although full of ups and downs, has brought him enormous sums of money.

In May 2019, he was listed as the 14th wealthiest sports person aged 30 or under in The Sunday Times Rich List.

His fortune at the time was said to have increased to £19million.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in March 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Your money zone may feel more unstable than usual as the moon and Neptune link up.

But seeing flaws in spending or saving plans can be a positive push to seek advice, and make them even better.

As you hear information you might usually miss. Love-wise, romance can play out as you wish in your heart or hearts.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Any three-part process can be lucky – from meeting a love prospect three times, to contests with three stages.

But your chart also encourages you to offer yourself more chances – not just to change, but to commit.

Steer clear of strict deadlines. Private writing is ready to go public, with a surprise twist.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

A clock striking 12 midnight or noon can play a part in your personal destiny.

But it’s your mix of moon insight and Neptune caring that makes the biggest impact.

You do know who and what you truly need in your future and allowing yourself to admit this is a major step.

Lucky names link to a last-minute celebration.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

A contrary moon and Saturn combination may feel like it’s shaking up everything familiar to you, but keep your feet on the ground and you’ll find the freedom to let your mind fly free.

This can increase confidence. Passion is wide open, so you could get the chance to approach names normally out of reach.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

The go-getting side of Leo is focused and this takes an idea forward, fast.

Because instead of checking in with others at every stage, you trust your own judgment.

A friend who loves to drive has a travel idea to share that can speed up success.

Passion is deep and dreamy – get ready for a whole new level of love.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

The gentle touch of Neptune affects your transformation zone, and showing you can be vulnerable is a strong move to make.

You don’t always need to hold all the control – or have all the answers.

In passion terms, you’re the wild card today, intriguing and enticing.

Do follow up on all messages and calls.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Everything in your chart today is surprising – yet at the same time, a perfect fit.

There’s a sense of growing into the life you’ve always needed.

A re-connection with someone from your past, who can play a major part in your ideal future, can be the key.

Venus makes love feel like fun, and draws a shared goal closer.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

This is a day for deep feelings, including an acknowledgment that a bond may not be over yet, or moving on the way everyone assumes.

When you admit to yourself you need more time, you take steps towards getting it.

Venus casts a love spell over travel news, and a destination wedding can be part of this.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Time away from work, or study, can help you see a situation more clearly – and this includes your own approach to it.

If you are pretending on any level, today marks your moment to be 100 per cent genuine instead.

A white house next to water can be a future factor – you’ll spot it first today, maybe in a picture.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

A fitness moon mixes music and wellbeing together in intriguing ways.

Just letting yourself relax and listen to a favourite song can unlock feelings and words from deep inside.

And end a time of personal pressure.

In love terms, a music-lover can strike the right note – you’ll first meet very close to a circle of trees.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Friendships and relationships can’t stay the same, but this is what makes them special.

Changing together keeps people close – so resist Saturn impulses to dig your heels in and say no to something new.

The sun inspires warmth and humour, and this can start you off on a creative comedy trail.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

The sun’s strength in your career chart encourages you to plan and make personal moves.

Words you’ve rewritten many times over could work well just as they are – when you deliver them with honesty.

Self-belief glows bright and this time, when you face a challenging task or activity, success can favour you.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

A RIGGING row has erupted after Labour rebuffed Nigel Farage’s demand for Reform representation in the House of Lords.

The Brexiteer has no peers in the upper chamber and asked Sir Keir Starmer to grant some.

He sent a letter to the PM — who has ultimate say over appointments — arguing the “seismic shifts” in British politics merits some Reform seats.

Although they have just four MPs, Mr Farage’s party is leading national opinion polls.

He has in the past called for the Lords to be replaced with an elected chamber akin to that in the US.

Mr Farage said: “Whilst Reform UK believes in a reformed House of Lords, the time has come to address the democratic disparity there.”

But Defence Secretary John Healey told LBC: “This is the same Nigel Farage that called for the abolition of the House of Lords and now wants to fill it with his cronies.

“I’m not sure Parliament is going to benefit from more Putin apologists like Farage.”

While PMs technically have the final say on House of Lords appointments, they grant opposition parties some peers.

When Sir Keir nominated 30 Labour lords in December, he allowed six Tories to be elevated to the upper legislature.

Hitting back at Mr Healey’s remarks, Reform deputy Richard Tice last night accused Labour of not playing fair.

Denying they were “Putin apologists”, he told The Sun: “It’s a democratic outrage and another old-fashioned establishment stitch-up. They are essentially rigging the system against the new party, changing the rules of the game.”

In his letter, Mr Farage noted Lib Dems have 76 peers but received 600,000 fewer votes than Reform last year.

Sir Keir previously pledged to abolish the Lords but he is not expected to carry out plans before the next election.

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