A PETITION to protect stars’ mental health in the wake of Liam Payne’s death has gained more than 100,000 signatures.
The campaign for a Liam’s Law can now be debated in the Commons.
The petition calls on the entertainment industry to provide more support for its stars, including adequate rest periods and regular mental health check-ups.
It adds: “The increasing rate of musicians who die before age 35, is concerning.
“We need to act now!”
Liam, 31, fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last week.
The One Direction singer, who raised millions for charity, had been open about his mental health and battles with alcohol and substance abuse.
His family’s MP, Tory Mike Woods, said: “Liam’s passing is yet another reminder that anybody can suffer from poor mental health, no matter how famous or successful.
“If other families can be spared grief because the industry becomes more aware of the need to support artists then I hope it might bring some comfort.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport headed by Lisa Nandy, said: “We are very open to discussions, if and when raised, on how artists’ mental health can be better safeguarded.
“The Government is committed to recruiting 8,500 mental health workers to provide faster treatment.”
Liam’s dad, Geoff, is in Argentina and faces a wait to fly his son’s body home.
A source said: “He is living every parent’s worst nightmare.
“I know he has been so moved by the outpouring of love and the tributes from across the world.”
PLANNING a road trip on the Moon? There are some space-age motors you’ll want to consider.
Nasa is working with three companies to design, build, and test a new Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
This LTV is designed to shuttle astronauts around during the manned Artemis mission to the lunar surface.
And the final model is expected to handle on-Moon transport right through to 2039.
It will be tough enough to handle the “extreme conditions” at the Moon’s South Pole, according to Nasa.
On top of that, it will need to be able to drive itself around through the power of artificial intelligence.
“We will use the LTV to travel to locations we might not otherwise be able to reach on foot,” said Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at Nasa.
“Increasing our ability to explore and make new scientific discoveries.
“With the Artemis crewed missions, and during remote operations when there is not a crew on the surface, we are enabling science and discovery on the Moon year around.”
Part three of the Artemis mission – which is the first set to see astronauts descend to the Moon’s surface – is expected to take place as soon as 2026, though it could be delayed.
There are three companies vying to be Nasa’s LTV of choice on the Moon for Artemis V in 2030.
They are Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab.
The Intuitive Machines rover is called RACER, and it’s being developed by a partnership that includes Boeing, Michelin, and Northrop Grumman.
It has lunar wheels that can operate at temperatures above 100C and below -240C.
And they promise to “withstand exposure to solar and galactic radiation”.
It looks a bit like a giant go-kart, complete with bright headlights, slick illuminated Moon Racer branding, and what looks like very comfortable padded seating.
Next up is Lunar Outpost’s Lunar Dawn LTV, which is described as “an extraordinarily capable off-road robotic transportation system”.
It’s pitched as being able to carry crew and cargo on the Moon and Mars.
This one looks a bit more like a milk truck, and is being developed in partnership with tyre giant Goodyear.
“The LTV is capable of operating in the most extreme environments continuously,” Lunar Outpost explains.
The Artemis mission is designed to reestablish a human presence on the Moon.
The exploration program will involve a series of missions, including the create of a permanent Moon base.
As with all space missions, planned timings can be wildly off – but here’s what we’re expecting…
Artemis I (2022) – Successful uncrewed test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
Artemis II (2025) – Planned crewed test flight of SLS and the Orion spacecraft.
Artemis III (2026) – Crewed landing on surface of Moon – the first American landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Artemis IV (2028) – Second crewed lunar landing mission using Orion, as well as Starship HLS that will dock with Lunar Gateway station near the Moon.
Artemis V (2030) – Third crewed landing, including the delivery of Nasa’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle.
Artemis VI (2031) – Fourth crewed landing, integrating the Crew and Science Airlock with the Lunar Gateway Space Station.
“With minimal need for maintenance and a focus on Astronaut safety, the LTV will enable the Artemis campaign to thrive furthering critical Science objectives and enabling a sustainable Moon base.”
Third on the list is perhaps the most bizarre – looking less like a car and more like something from Mad Max.
It’s the Venturi LTV, and it can be piloted remotely from Earth, by astronauts on the Moon – or even drive itself around using AI.
“We have created much more than a rover for use on the Moon or Mars,” Venturi explained.
“Our rover is a logistics system capable of handling a wide variety of cargo.
“We believe that this approach will enable a permanent lunar outpost to be established on the Moon at a lower cost and in less time than expected.”
Venturi says that the vehicle will be able to operate between -240C and 130C, as well as resisting radiation.
And it can also “operate for a fortnight in the darkness of the South Pole of the Moon”.
Here's what you need to know...
SHE’S not even hit 30 yet – but Georgia Harrison has been through more heartbreak than most experience in a lifetime.
In 2020, the Love Island star became the victim of revenge porn when her ex-boyfriend Stephen Bear secretly filmed them during an intimate moment and shared the video online.
He was sentenced to 21 months in prison last March but was released early this January.
But things are looking up for Georgia, 29, who reveals she’s dating a new man – who’s not in the public eye.
She also battled through her pain and took part in Celebrity SAS last year, eventually winning the show in an emotional moment aired on TV earlier this month.
“I just felt so massively empowered,” she tells us. “I thought, after everything I’ve been through over the last couple of years, to go through the entire course and it just be me and one other female at the end; It gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
“It was the end of this massive journey that I’ve been on and it felt like things were meant to happen to get to that point.”
Georgia’s experience on SAS was all the more special, as the night before she flew out to New Zealand to film it, she discovered the Ministry of Justice were changing the law on image-based sexual abuse.
Thanks to her tireless campaigning, prosecutors no longer need to prove that the accused intended to cause distress by sharing photos without the victim’s consent.
“That’s the biggest achievement of my life so far,” she says. “It was the day before I got on the plane to go to SAS and I didn’t find out until the night before that it was changing.
“I was with my best friend and my mum, screaming in the kitchen when I found out.
“It was a massive contemplation moment of my life, and I was just getting my head around the fact the law’s changed, then the next thing you know, I’m at a glacier with Pete Wicks, doing SAS.”
Georgia was in SAS: Who Dares Wins with some huge sportsmen like Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo and former England rugby player Chris Robshaw.
But it was just her and female world boxing champion Lani Daniels who made it to the end.
“It was just so much harder than it looks,” she says. “It’s the living environment, it’s everything.
“You can’t go anywhere on your own, you can’t go to the toilet on your own, you barely sleep, you’re cold all the time.
“Your life is no longer in your hands for that small period of time, but it’s also something that builds you massively as a person and makes you feel strong.”
As well as her spirituality, Georgia believes it was her past trauma that pushed her through to the very end.
She says: “I feel like what I’ve been through has made me stronger, made me braver, made me more empathetic and just made me someone that really has compassion for other people, specifically women, who are going through any of the stuff that I go through.”
Since Bear, Georgia has had a few high-profile relationships, including Jake McLean, who tragically died in a car accident in 2022.
After getting together on Love Island All Stars earlier this year, she had a brief romance with Anton Danyluk too.
And Georgia tells us how she threw herself into dating after they split in May.
She says: “Before, I’ve always been concentrating on work or going out with my friends.
“But recently, I was thinking, I really am ready for a relationship now so I’m just going to start putting myself out there, and go on a few more dates.
New revenge porn rules came into effect this year on January 31.
These were introduced to make it easier for authorities to prosecute cases of revenge porn.
With the changes, prosecutors would not have to prove intent to cause distress when someone shares intimate images, according to Revenge Porn Helpline.
Sharing intimate images with the intention to cause distress, embarrassment, and humiliation is now considered a serious offence.
The offence is treated more seriously if the image was shared for sexual gratification.
Revenge porn is when sexually explicit images or videos of individuals are shared without their consent.
It has been an offence since 2015 and can carry a jail term of up to two years.
“If I like them, I like them. If I don’t, I might make new friends or it could end up being someone who’s a good business connection.
“I can’t just sit at home every night with my best mate on the sofa going, ‘One day, we’ll meet someone.’”
She continues: “I was open to dating people from all different walks of life and it just so happened that I’m dating someone who’s just got a nice, normal job and is out of the public eye.
“It’s really refreshing and he’s very grounded.
“It’s not something I’ve been shouting from the rooftops yet but it’s going really, really well, and I’m really enjoying my time with him.”
And it seems Georgia is happier than ever with her new fella.
She adds: “One thing I do feel when I’m with him is I can completely and utterly be myself and I think that’s what’s really important.
“For the first time in a while, I’ve met someone that I do think is a really good person and I enjoy being around.”
She’s even planning to spend her 30th birthday on a romantic holiday with him in December “because it seems like it’s going the right way”.
Having found her man, Georgia is now encouraging others to practice “empowered dating” like her.
She’s teamed up with Tinder and NGO NO MORE, who have opened a pop up nail bar, Nailing Dating, offering free manicures and dating tips.
“When I was younger, I would get really, really nervous, and overthink what I’m going to wear, what makeup am I going to get? Is he going to like me?” she finishes.
“But as I’ve got older, I’ve definitely learned that the most attractive version of yourself is the authentic version of yourself.
“And if you try and change yourself, try and be like someone else, or try and be someone that the date would want you to be, then further down the line, they’re going to be in love with someone that isn’t you.
“So now on dates, I try to put those thoughts in the back of my head and completely be myself.
“If they don’t like me for me, then it doesn’t matter. They’re just not the one for me.”
THE Department for Culture, Media and Sport told The Sun they are ready to talk about how to safeguard artists’ mental health following the death of singer Liam Payne.
The One Direction star passed away last week aged 31 after falling from his hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It comes as an online petition calling for new legislation dubbed “Liam’s law” is on the brink of hitting 100,000 signatures.
At 100,000 it is eligible to be debated in Parliament, with MP Mike Woods, whose constituency is home to Liam Payne‘s parents, telling us he is backing a discussion in the House of Commons.
Liam’s dad Geoff is currently out in Argentina working around the clock to repatriate his son’s body
A source close to Liam’s heartbroken family said: “Geoff’s sole focus is to get his boy home – he’s spent countless hours with the authorities in Buenos Aires and won’t stop until Liam can be brought home.”
In a statement to The Sun, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, headed up by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, expressed their condolences to Liam’s friends and family and vowed to continue to do better.
They said: “Our thoughts are with Liam’s family and friends at this difficult time following his tragic death.
“The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Secretary of State regularly meet with stakeholders in the music industry and artist unions.
“We are very open to discussions, if and when raised, on how artists’ mental health can be better safeguarded in future.
“The government is committed to giving mental health the attention and focus it needs by recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.”
Mr Woods, Conservative MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire added: “The reaction to Liam’s tragic death shows how much he was loved by millions around the world, but his passing is yet another reminder that anybody can suffer from poor mental health – no matter how famous or successful they appear to the rest of the world.
“Nothing will take away the terrible loss felt by Liam’s family, friends and fans, but if others can be spared that grief because the music industry and wider world become more aware of the need to support artists during difficult times then I hope it might bring some comfort to soften their pain.”
Liam’s dad Geoff immediately flew to Argentina after learning of Liam’s death.
He has been supported by fans of the singer, who have rallied around him in the country.
A source close to his family told The Sun: “Geoff is currently living every parent’s worst nightmare.
“He has been so moved by the outpouring of love and the tributes that have come in from across the world.
“Geoff’s sole focus is to get his boy home – he’s spent countless hours with the authorities in Buenos Aires and won’t stop until Liam can be brought home.
He has been unfairly photographed a few times in the city, but all he is doing is trying to get through the day – I don’t think anyone could be expected to stay locked inside a hotel room.”
Liam had been open about his previous struggles with his mental health and issues with alcohol and substance use.
The kind-hearted singer previously said he hoped speaking candidly about his troubles would help others and remind them “that they are not alone”.
Speaking in 2021 on the Diary Of A CEO podcast, Liam opened up about his struggles.
Liam said: “I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be.
“‘Where is rock bottom for me? You would have never seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. No one would have ever seen it.”
Liam’s Law has been trending on X, formerly Twitter, all week as fans team up to change the industry.
Online petition “Liam’s Law” calls for safeguarding of mental health for artists.
The petition reads: “We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry.
“Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career.
“It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents, reducing psychological distress.
“This would also include early interventions to protect and minimise before it’s too late.
Furthermore, the increasing rate of musicians who die before the age of 35, is concerning. We need to act now!”
Liam shot to fame as a contestant on Simon Cowell’s hit series The X Factor.
At the time the ITV series was at the height of its popularity with an average of 17 million people.
Liam first appeared on The X Factor in 2008 before being sent home at the judges houses stage of the competition.
He returned in 2010 when he was placed in boyband One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.
Despite only coming third, the group went on to dominate the globe.
They completed four sell out world tours – two of which were stadium tours.
By the time they split in 2016, they had sold a staggering 70 million records worldwide.
After the group went on an indefinite hiatus Liam embarked on a solo career – teaming up with Ed Sheeran for his debut single Strip That Down in 2017.
The track was the first of three solo top ten hits.
He went on to release his debut album, LP1, in December 2019.
Alongside his music, Liam helped raise millions of pounds for charities around the world, including volunteering at his local food bank during the pandemic.
MANCHESTER UNITED resume their Europa League campaign with a tough test TONIGHT against Fenerbahce – and Jose Mourinho is in charge of the Turkish giants.
Erik ten Hag‘s position at the club has been under threat but the United boss may have relieved some of the pressure following last weekend’s Brentford win.
However, ex-Red Devils boss Mourinho will be determined to magnify all of the Dutchman’s flaws with a victory for the hosts.
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A SIBERIAN city was almost completely wiped off the map after enduring years of brutality when a mine explosion forced its residents to abandon it.
The ruins of Kadykchan now haunt the landscape of Russia’s Far East – and has eerily been frozen in time since the Cold War.
The dystopian coal-mining town has been completely deserted for decades since its last bus load of residents shipped out.
Chilling footage reveals blackened and crumbling Soviet-era concrete apartment blocks, smashed up classrooms and rusting playgrounds overrun by nature.
Old-fashioned road signs are pictured, indicating the Kadykchan coal mine on the Kolyma highway.
Other images show books laying scattered around the desolate buildings, and windows punched out of buildings.
The remote and abandoned city is found deep into Magadan province, an area also known as “Kolyma” – a name that used to strike fear in the hearts of Russians.
It is only reachable along thousands of miles of a highway, referred to as the “Road of Bones” due to the amount of people that were worked to death or executed in labour camps.
The Soviet-era despot opened up the region in the 1930s in order to extract minerals, metals and gold from its uninhabited lands using forced labour.
Opened by communist Stalin, the dictator looked to access its mineral, metal and gold deposits in order to support the ongoing industrialisation of the USSR.
But the quickest way to exploit the land’s materials was to use forced labour – and it came at a cost.
Throughout the 30s and into World War 2, over a million prisoners suffered in the horrible conditions and -50C temperatures of Kolyma.
An unbelievable 200,000 people horrifically died.
After the war, two coal mines were opened in Kadykchan and prisoners were no longer cruelly kept.
Instead, civilians came under the impression they were to receive a good salary and a flat to live.
As the Cold War started and began to drag on, the city truly flourished in the 1970s, transforming into a place for young people to live and work, with music festivals put on and clubs opening.
But in 1989, the Soviet Union collapsed and the worker’s salary’s were no longer guaranteed.
The coal-mining city fell into depression, one of the mines closed and the future looked bleak.
A past resident, Tatiana Shchepalkin, told the BBC: “Salaries weren’t being paid and people couldn’t even buy basic things like food.
“Imagine your husband comes home from the mine and you’ve got nothing to give him to eat. The children are hungry.”
It didn’t seem like it could get any worse, until tragedy struck on November, 25, 1996.
A methane explosion ripped through the mine during a busy morning shift and six men were killed.
The last mine was closed for good and Kadykchan no longer had a reason to exist. The city was finished.
“Things were terrible…Things were so desperate people were shooting dogs for food,” Tatiana remembered.
Residents quickly began packing up their lives and getting out.
Soon the city had completely emptied. In turn, the local council moved in and torched most of the buildings.
There Kadykchan remains – blackened, crumbling and surrendering to nature.
A man who spent his entire life in the remote, freezing city watched the smoke burn as he left.
“Your soul refuses to believe it,” Vladimir Voskresensky told the BBC.
“But that’s how it is.”
Now the only people to walk amongst the rubble are intrepid explorers gripped by its dark history.
Elsewhere in Russia, in the shadow of the Ural mountains is a rusting, eerie site of a graveyard of trains built in preparation for World War 3.
The steel skeletons of dozens of steam locomotives betray a time when the spectre of the mushroom cloud loomed dangerously near.
During the Soviet era it served as a nuclear war base – ready and waiting to whisk Russians to safety if all other transportation failed or was destroyed.
Time progressed, the Iron Curtain lifted, diesel trains took over and the threat of nuclear war waned – leaving a cemetery on rusty tracks.
