PRINCE William begins a South Africa trip by playing touch rugby with kids — and renewing his acquaintance with “The Beast”.
Wills, 42, laughed when two lads grabbed him as he ran with the ball yesterday in Cape Town.
Also taking part in the game was 22-stone Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira — a former rugby star he first met after Wales played the Springboks in 2014.
Wills joked with the 6ft 6ins prop: “You’re still as big as you were — bigger!”
The Prince and rugby ace laughed as they recalled the last time they met in a changing room after the Springboks beat Wales a decade ago.
The Beast said afterwards: “He came into the dressing room and I was only dressed in my towel and I said it was nice to shake your hand now I’m fully dressed – as opposed to half-naked.”
The visit was held to support The Atlas Foundation charity which takes rugby to kids living in poverty.
William had arrived for a four-day visit, culminating in his fourth £50million Earthshot Prize.
He kicked off the trip at the Earthshot Prize Climate Leaders Youth Programme at Cape Town venue, Rooftop on Bree – with its stunning views of Table Mountain.
And told 120 future leaders from Africa and Asia “you are going to change the world”.
THE leader of the inquiry into the police shooting of Chris Kaba was warned of rioting had his team not probed it as a homicide.
An Old Bailey jury last month cleared Met firearms cop Martyn Blake of the 24-year-old gangster’s murder.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct and prosecution chiefs were accused of scapegoating the officer to ease community tensions over the incident in 2022.
Kaba was shot in the head through the windscreen of his car, which he had used to try to ram his way out of a police roadblock in Streatham, South London.
The IOPC launched a homicide inquiry and Sal Naseem, the watchdog’s former London regional director, said the investigation team were later told trouble would have flared had they not done so.
Mr Naseem told BBC1’s Panorama: “It was fed back to us . . . that if we hadn’t done it at that time then it’s likely there would have been a level of disorder.
“Things were on a knife edge.”
The IOPC has denied its investigation was influenced by outside pressures.
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year 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
Fireworks light up your chart as you gaze back into some amber eyes and feel the love-sparks fly.
If you’re already settled with someone, gazing at the stars together can rocket romance to the next level.
A long emotional journey, perhaps with a legacy link, can suddenly end when you make a decision.
Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
How far will you go to get the satisfaction you want? This is the question at the heart of your chart today.
If you face a work decision, make sure to include some options you may consider out of reach – as they could be anything but.
If it’s a love choice you’re making, a little more time and effort could reap rewards.
GEMINI
Teamwork tasks go well in the morning – but later you have the kind of intense, imaginative chart that lends itself to working alone.
Give all your ideas equal space to grow, and one will shine through.
Your personal Jupiter power gives you a special spark in any meeting, or chance encounter.
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
Deciding to love every part of your day – even the bits that are boring and challenging – is the sun’s life hack for you.
Taking a positive view of everyone and everything can free up spare emotional energy for new ideas and ambitions.
And what seems like a dead end can open into a new horizon.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
A starburst of ideas lights up your day – and it’s important to get them all recorded. It can be the least likely plan on paper that has the best prospects.
Your love zone is pure passion, mixed with a measure of practical planning.
Stopping a runaway romance long enough to share some sensible words, seals the future.
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Yes, you value security, but today you are ready to take a step into the unknown.
In career terms, this can mean seeing a job description that instantly appeals, even though it’s out of your comfort zone.
As for love – you realise the right person may seem so wrong for you at first. But your heart is sure.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
Family words have been forming for a few weeks now – this can be your day to say them out loud.
Making a few waves is necessary, so everyone can return to calm seas together.
Your boldest friend can be hiding some difficult feelings or news, so do be sure to ask those caring questions.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
Your sunshine self continues to dazzle – you may not realise yet just who is liking what they see.
But if you can sense tension loosening up deep inside, this can be your cue to say the first “sorry” in a family or relationship.
Counting cash again can come to a different conclusion – so do delay a decision if you need to.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
You’re the most loving and giving of signs, but today claim some time and energy for yourself.
When you take a step back from a demanding source, you can breathe again and really be yourself.
Pluto’s cash chances may seem unlikely, but you can make them work, when you trust your judgement.
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
Your zone of friendship and community is firing up and you can meet at least three people today with potential to restructure your future.
You may not realise straight away who these are, so give everyone an equal chance.
Taking control in health terms is easier when you swap “perfection” for steady progress.
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
Helping a team, or a family, to work together is your superstar skill today – because you see the future.
If you’re in love, keeping the fun, flirty side of passion alive can help a couple deal with the deeper decisions.
If you start the day single, this can change when you bump into a local sports celebrity.
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Looking for the best in everyone and everything today is your zodiac gift.
But it’s important to apply this generous gaze to your own plans and passions. It’s time to rate yourself and your talents.
If a work issue just seems to go round in circles, you can stop this by setting a deadline. But it must be kept.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
TWO popular models of air fryers have been caught spying on their owners, according to a Which? investigation.
Apps linked to the air fryers were found to be demanding permission to listen in on conversations, meanwhile sharing data with TikTok.
The app linked to an air fryer sold by popular tech brand Xiaomi is connected to trackers from Facebook, TikTok’s ad business Pangle, and fellow Chinese tech giant Tencent.
While an air fryer from Aigostar, also based in China, even wanted to know the gender and date of birth of the user when setting up an owner account.
Although, handing over that information was optional.
Both air fryers are currently being sold on Amazon.
However, the Aigostar air fryer is currently unavailable, and appears to be out of stock.
Smart device surveillance is a growing issue among apps, as many consumers simply tap away permission requests without realising what they have allowed.
Researchers found that these apps collected far more ‘risky’ data than what was necessary for the product.
The apps wanted to track the customers precise location, as well as the ability to record audio on the users phone.
The reasons why that data is necessary or wanted are not explained when permission requests pop up inside the apps, according to Which?
Extensive data collection, according to Which?, suggests that the information may be being passed on to third parties for marketing purposes.
Aigostar and Xiaomi fryers both sent people’s personal data to servers in China, the report added.
While this was flagged in the privacy notice, the vast majority of people fail to read these properly.
The UK’s information watchdog, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), is due to publish new rules on how consumers’ data can be used in spring next year.
Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency.
Harry Rose, Which? magazine editor
The guidance will also be used to dictate how transparent businesses must be in terms of what their data collection is for.
However, Which? is concerned that manufacturers based abroad may take advantage of the challenges of enforcing compliance.
“Our research shows how smart tech manufacturers and the firms they work with are currently able to collect data from consumers, seemingly with reckless abandon, and this is often done with little or no transparency,” Harry Rose, Which? magazine editor, said in a statement.
“Which? has been calling for proper guidelines outlining what is expected of smart product manufacturers and the ICO has confirmed a code is being introduced in Spring 2025 – this must be backed by effective enforcement, including against companies that operate abroad.”
In a lengthy statement, Xiaomi said that “respecting user privacy has always been among Xiaomi’s core values, which includes transparency, accountability, user control, security, and legal compliance”.
The Beijing-based company said that it adheres to all UK data protection laws, and “we do not sell any personal information to third parties”.
It also said that Tencent services are only used in China.
“The permission to record audio on Xiaomi Home app is not applicable to Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer which does not operate directly through voice commands and video chat,” Xiaomi added.
Aigostar was unreachable for comment.
WAITROSE has unveiled a star-studded “whodunnit”-style Christmas food advert which is bound to get shoppers talking.
The upmarket retailer has released the first instalment in a two-part series centring around the mystery theft of a festive pudding.
The clip features an ensemble cast including Matthew Macfadyen of “Succession“, comedian Joe Wilkinson from “Afterlife” and Rakhee Thakrar of “Sex Education“.
Sian Clifford from “Fleabag“, Dustin Demri-Burns of “Slow Horses” and Eryl Maynard of “Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple” also make an appearance.
The star-studded cast are left stunned 15 seconds into the 90-second ad after finding out a Waitrose dessert has gone missing.
Self-appointed detective of the crime scene Macfadyen goes about trying to solve the mystery as he interrogates and grills each member of the party.
But shoppers will have to wait to find out who pinched the dessert until later this month when Waitrose releases its second ad.
The 60-second clip will reveal the culprit behind the theft of the dessert, as Waitrose wraps up the campaign.
It will be the first time the retailer has released a two-parter Christmas ad series in its history.
Nathan Ansell, customer director at Waitrose, said: “For the first time, we’re keeping Waitrose customers guessing with a ‘whodunnit’ festive crime drama featuring a stellar cast for this year’s Christmas ad.
“Our Christmas Campaign is all about how Waitrose (Christmas) food is so good, you can’t wait to get your hands on it so we’ve showcased the very best of our delicious range while also adding a touch of festive fun and sparkle.”
Waitrose’s festive campaign will also be rolled out wider in stores as well as across social media.
A physical evidence board will be put up at London Kings Cross Station while partners in branches will be wear “suspect” t-shirts.
Franki Goodwin, chief creative officer at Saatchi and Saatchi, said: “We talk about culture a lot in this industry, but this campaign bridges the gap between Christmas advertising and big-audience entertainment.
“This is an entirely new direction for Waitrose at Christmas, one that we believe a brand as celebrated by British food lovers can only achieve, and it’s been a privilege to bring it to life.”
The latest campaign from Waitrose comes as John Lewis, also for the first time, launches a multi-part Christmas advert campaign.
The retailer, operated by the John Lewis Partnership which also owns Waitrose, kicked off the festive season in September with the first clip centred around John Lewis’ Never Knowingly Undersold pledge.
The second, released on Friday, focused on the motto “Give Knowingly”, chronicling the ups and downs of a pink jumper and its owner.
A third final Christmas ad will be released later this month.
Sainsbury’s has unveiled its festive ad for 2024, featuring iconic Roald Dahl character the BFG.
Meanwhile, Morrisons’ Christmas has singing oven gloves taking centre stage.
German discounter Aldi has teased a “super cute” ad, although shoppers have been left asking after Kevin the Carrot.
The Debenhams campaign features an all-star cast – Elizabeth Hurley, Leomie Anderson, Ellie Taylor, and Hannah Cooper-Dommett – as they embrace the ease of online shopping.
And the Argos Christmas ad stars the retailers’ much-loved mascots, Connie the doll and Trevor the dinosaur.
Retailers aren’t just releasing Christmas ads this year either – some are shutting up shop for two days over the festive period.
Home Bargains, Aldi and John Lewis and Waitrose have all said they will shut stores on December 25 and 26 to give staff time off.
They’ve been joined by Poundland, The Range and Wilko and Homebase.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
PROFITS at Ryanair have fallen by almost a fifth as the airline counted the cost of delays to new aircraft.
The budget flyer said they were down by 18 per cent in the first six months of the year to £1.5billion, despite it carrying a record 115million customers.
Ryanair said it could have flown an extra five million passengers had it received the new planes it is waiting for from Boeing.
Boss Michael O’Leary described the plane delays as a “pain in the backside”.
He is demanding more compensation from the US aircraft maker, claiming the current terms don’t reflect the number of passengers Ryanair could have flown this year and next.
Chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said: “The biggest issue for us at the moment is trying to get aircraft.”
He added that Ryanair had been due to receive 11 by the end of this year but so far had received just two.
He told CNBC: “I don’t think we’ll see any more this side of Christmas.”
Ryanair exclusively uses planes made by Boeing, which has been hit by a safety scandal ever since a door peg blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max mid-flight in January.
The grounding of aircraft and extra inspections have been made worse by seven weeks of industrial action at Boeing, called the “costliest strike of the 21st century”.
Factory workers voted last night on a 38 per cent wage increase over four years that could restart jet production.
Ryanair said that its profits were hit by having to discount fares by an average of ten per cent to stimulate sales after it blocked ticket site Booking.com and other ticket agencies from selling its flights.
Last week Mr O’Leary warned that UK passengers could see a reduction in flight routes after the Chancellor increased air passenger duty in last week’s Budget.
The outspoken boss accused Rachel Reeves of an “idiotic” and “anti-growth Budget that will damage UK tourism, jobs and economic growth”.
MINING giant Anglo American has struck a £830million deal to sell its 33.3 per cent stake in an Australian coal joint venture.
The move to sell its interest in Jellinbah Group is part of a defence strategy to boost its financial performance — after fending off a £39billion takeover proposal by rival BHP earlier this year.
It is now focusing on boosting its exposure to copper which is in huge demand because it is critical in wind turbines, solar panels and electrical vehicles.
THAMES WATER’S lenders are urging more firms to help foot the bill for a £1.5billion rescue financing designed to give the struggling company a temporary lifeline.
Their plea comes after a rival group of bondholders offered an alternative financing at a cheaper rate of interest and the row threatens its survival hopes.
The investment giants include Blackrock, Elliott, Abrdn and M&G.
A November 11 deadline is set for 75 per cent of creditors to approve the financing and avoid temporary nationalisation.
SHOPPERS face higher prices as retailers pass on a £5billion burden from the Budget, the British Retail Consortium says.
Retail is the biggest private sector employer and is particularly hard hit by Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £25.7billion tax hike on firms’ National Insurance Contributions.
Consortium chief Helen Dickinson said the Budget “will hold back investment and growth in the short term while further squeezing already-low margins and risking inflation”.
Retailers suffered a “disappointing” October after pre-Budget uncertainty and rising energy bills “spooked” consumers.
Total UK retail sales were up 0.6 per cent year-on-year last month against a 2.6 per cent increase last October, the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor found.
Barclays said there was a 2.2 per cent drop in essential spending, the biggest slide since the first Covid lockdown.
FAST-fashion giant Shein’s chairman is to be grilled by MPs amid concerns about the treatment of workers in its Chinese supply chain.
Liam Byrne, who chairs the Business and Trade committee, said he will invite Donald Tang to give evidence in an inquiry.
It will scrutinise how to protect against poor labour standards overseas, including concerns over forced labour.
Shein is still preparing a £50billion London stock exchange listing next year.
BURBERRY was back in fashion with investors yesterday amid speculation that Moncler, the maker of £1,300 puffer jackets, could consider a takeover.
Burberry’s shares rose as much as 7 per cent — having lost 40 per cent of their value this year on the back of profit warnings, trading woes and a boardroom upheaval.
The firm, which has used stars including model Cara Delevingne and actress Olivia Colman in promotional campaigns, has a £3billion price tag.
Moncler said last night that it did “not comment on substantiated rumours”.
TEMPLEGATE tackles Tuesday’s racing confident of firing in some winners.
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BELSITO (2.34, Redcar nap)
He ran his best race for a long time when beaten just half a length here eight days ago. Kevin Ryan’s flyer went nicely through the bottomless ground there and should have similar conditions today.
This six-furlong trip is ideal and the third home last time has since scored in a higher grade.
TOUCHWOODEXPRESS (4.10, Warwick, nb)
Took his form up a notch when winning by six lengths on handicap debut at Huntingdon last time.
He jumped well there and relished every yard of the three miles. This slightly longer trip will help and there’s more to come for in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies.
AL WASEELA (12.50 Redcar, treble)
Was an impressive winner on her last turf run at Yarmouth. She loved the testing ground there and the extra furlong is another plus for William Haggas’ filly.
GETALEAD (3.35 Warwick)
Completes the Lucky 15. He won an conditional jockeys’ race at Wincanton nine days ago and is back from the same handicap mark. He’s scored over this course and distance before.
REDCAR
12.15 Binhareer
Impressive winner here in soft ground last time out.
12.50 Al Waseela (treble)
Won well the last time she tackled soft ground.
1.25 King’s Scholar
Impressive winner in the mud at Catterick latest.
2.00 Liberty Coach
Has won two of past three and handles conditions.
2.34 Belsito (nap)
Good run in the mud here last time and on fair mark.
3.09 Ey Up Its Jazz
Went close at Donny last time and down the weights.
3.44 Glastonbury
Loved this trip when scoring at Yarmouth last time out.
WARWICK
12.40 Our Lil
Decent on Flat and starts hurdling for the Skeltons.
1.15 The Long Point
Impressive bumper winner who can strike on hurdles debut.
1.50 Rambo T
Just pipped on chase debut and doesn’t need a lot more.
2.25 Definite Dream
Consistent so far and should be right there again.
3.00 I’m Ravenous
Won over hurdles latest and should make a nice chaser.
3.35 Getalead
Back from same mark as last week’s win at Wincanton.
4.10 Touchwoodexpress (nb)
Had six lengths in hand when scoring on chase debut.
SEDGEFIELD
1.00 Clean Getaway
Won over fences latest and much lower mark hurdling here.
1.35 Kingston Narcissus
Went close at Sedgefield last time and right there again.
2.10 Charging Thunder
Won by nine lengths on hurdles debut at Fakenham last time.
2.45 Presenting Pete
Would have been a lot closer last time but for one mistake.
3.20 Selectivelistening
Went close on chase debut at Hereford last time out.
3.55 Apples Moon
Has really improved since going into handicaps.
NEWCASTLE
2.40 Bringbackmemories
Stays well and only 2lb higher than last success.
3.15 What A Question
Back in sensible grade after a break.
3.50 Ghostman
Went close here over 5f and longer trip should be ideal.
4.25 Wren Officer
Lots in hand when scoring at Wolverhampton last time out.
5.00 Zouzanna
Showed good pace to score at Newmarket over this trip latest.
5.30 Time Patrol
Knocking on the door and this looks a good chance.
6.00 Mr Heinz
Finished strongly when second here last time out.
6.30 Al Shabab
Just pipped at Wolver last time and every chance again.
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