Nabataea was annexed into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106 under Emperor Trajan
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‘Indiana Jones civilization’ 2,000-year-old temple found submerged off Italian coast
The exact date you can end the negative cycle you’ve been stuck in for 16 years, according to astrology expert
THE next few weeks could prove pivotal in changing the rest of your life.
An astrologer has revealed the amount of time you have to break a negative cycle you’ve been trapped in for 16 years.
In her viral video, TikTok user Amy (@amydemure) revealed the date which marks the end of this life-changing period.
She also explained the manifestation technique to use before this deadline to help “destroy negative karmic cycles.”
According to the astrology fanatic, the period between October 12th and November 19th could alter the rest of your life.
“You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end a 16-year-long life cycle and to destroy negative karmic cycles and stagnancy that you have experienced since 2008,” Amy told her followers.
She explained that Pluto has been in Capricorn for almost two decades now.
It is now in the process of moving out of the sign, which it will be completely clear of on November 19th.
Amy revealed how this transition period allows everyone to enter a new era of their lives.
She specifically singled out those with Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, and Libra placements.
According to the astrologer, Pluto represents how we evolve, whereas Capricorn tends to be more stationary.
This means that the past 16 years have seen people stuck in “repeating life cycles.”
While we are now on track to break these negative cycles we’ve been stuck in, Amy revealed a trick which can help the process.
She broke down a manifestation technique which can help facilitate the transition, bringing a “permanent end to your old life.”
Amy recommended taking time once a week between now and November 19th to carry out the manifestation process.
“All you have to do is reflect on the things you haven’t liked about your life since 2008,” she said.
She recommended focusing on the things in your life that you need to “put an end to.”
Horoscope traits
What does your star sign mean for you?
Aries – The best and worst characteristics of the head of the zodiac
Aquarius – The traits you need to know for the air sign
Capricorn – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Cancer – The key traits for the sign include a keen love of food
Gemini – The traits to be aware of for the sign with a symbol of twins
Leo – The best and worst characteristics of the fire sign
Libra – What does the seventh star sign mean for your personality?
Pisces – The key traits for the sign include an interest in the arts
Sagittarius – The traits you need to know for the fire sign
Scorpio – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Taurus – The best and worst characteristics of the earth sign
Virgo – The key traits for the sign include loyalty and kindness
As a final step, she advised her audience to “firmly” tell themselves they would put an end to these things.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the revelation in the comments section.
“Capricorn rise up! This is what we have been waiting fooooor, I really hope this is true now,” wrote one viewer.
“I’m a Capricorn that’s why I’ve been SO mad these days???? Jesus,” said another follower.
“Please let this circle end now. There were so much dramatic and hard life events since 2008, I‘m exhausted,” commented a third person.
How income tax freeze could hit YOUR state pension revealed
WITH just days to go until Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget – we look at how some state pensioners could end up paying tax and how to avoid it.
One move the Labour government have been rumoured to be considering is an extension on freezing income tax thresholds.
These determine how much you can earn before paying basic, higher, or additional rate tax.
The Personal Allowance – the amount you can earn before you start paying income tax – has been set at £12,570 since 2021.
It is meant to remain frozen until 2028, but the rumour is that Rachel Reeves could continue the freeze to 2030 or beyond.
Freezing tax thresholds – the point where you start paying higher rates of income tax are also frozen – is a stealth move that’s making us all pay more.
As wages rise, more of us are being dragged into higher tax bands.
A study by the London School of Economics found that by the 2027/8 tax year, the average person will hand over 13.6% of their income to the taxman, up from 11.6% in 2021/2 – all thanks to static tax thresholds.
It’s not just workers feeling the pinch. Pensioners are getting hit too, with the unmoving thresholds affecting their finances as well.
Your pension – including the state pension – isn’t exempt from income tax.
However, up until now, most pensioners have avoided paying it, thanks to the Personal Allowance shielding their income.
“Frozen tax thresholds are stealthily pushing up our tax bills and we face the very real prospect that in the coming years someone solely reliant on the state pension will have to pay tax on it,” says Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Thanks to the Triple Lock the state pension rises every year – it’s set to go up by 4.1% next April.
The Triple Lock guarantees that your state pension increases annually by whichever is higher: average wage growth, inflation or 2.5%.
It is a generous safeguard, boosting the full state pension from £9,339.20 in 2021 to £12,016.75 from April 2025.
But this could lead to a collision with the Personal Allowance, which is frozen at £12,570, just a few hundred pounds above the state pension.
How does the state pension work?
AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.
The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.
But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.
For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings.
The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.
Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.
You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.
If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions.
To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits.
You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension.
If the Triple Lock triggers a rise of 4.6% or more in April 2026 anyone receiving the full state pension will be liable to pay income tax on it.
With pension increases of 10.1% in 2023 and 6.7% in 2024, it’s highly likely the state pension could exceed the Personal Allowance soon.
“Rachel Reeves’ decision to brutally scale back the Winter Fuel Payment will see millions of pensioners taking a hit of up to £300 later this year,” says Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell.
“There could, however, be a silver lining coming in April 2025 in the form of a bumper state pension boost linked to average earnings growth figures.
Although even this could come with a catch.
“While the personal allowance remains frozen, more and more people are going to be dragged over the threshold, with millions of retirees just receiving state income at risk of being dragged into paying income tax.”
The idea of paying tax on a state benefit might sound crazy, but that’s exactly where we’re heading.
One option could be for the government to introduce a pensioner tax allowance – something the Conservatives dubbed the ‘Triple Lock Plus’ before the election.
This would keep the state pension below the tax-free threshold.
But Labour wasn’t having it at the time, calling the plan not ‘credible’.
Even if the government finds a way to shield the state pension from income tax, frozen thresholds will still drag millions of pensioners into paying tax during retirement.
Just a small private pension could be enough to push them over the Personal Allowance.
“The triple lock may increase state pensions, but with tax thresholds frozen, many will find themselves paying taxes on what should be a lifeline during retirement,” says Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter.
“For those with a combination of state and private pensions, the hit will be felt even sooner, eroding their incomes at a time when financial security is crucial.
“Compounding this pressure, Reeves’ decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment adds salt to the wound.
“Together, these policies threaten to squeeze pensioners from all sides.”
If you are worried about paying income tax on your pension, there are steps you can take to reduce what you owe.
Right now, most people who rely solely on the state pension for their retirement don’t pay any tax.
But if you’ve got the state pension and other sources of income in retirement you may face a bill from HMRC.
“Pensioners looking to manage their tax bills should plan their incomes carefully,” says Morrissey.
One trick is to make the most of your tax-free lump sum.
Most of us can take 25% of our private or workplace pensions tax-free, but you don’t have to grab it all at once.
You can take a small amount each year to top up your income, letting you take less from your taxable pension.
For example, if you need £15,000 a year to live on, and you’ve got the full state pension plus £60,000 in your private pension, here’s a trick.
After your state pension, you still need £3,500 a year.
Since you can take £15,000 of your pension tax-free, you could take £1,000 as income from your pension and £2,500 from your tax-free lump sum.
This way, you’ve got the cash you need, without handing any of it to the taxman.
Another option is to boost your pension income without a tax bill by dipping into your savings.
“Any money taken from an ISA is tax free so this could prove handy in keeping those bills down,” says Morrissey.
You can use your savings just like the tax-free lump sum, reducing how much you need from your private pension and keeping your taxable income lower.
But in the end, the Government needs to face up to the fact that we’re heading toward a crazy situation where pensioners are taxed on their state pension – and they need to act before it’s too late.
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
I got death threats for marrying a 51-year-old at 16 – then my MUM fell in love with him, says CBB’s Courtney Stodden
COURTNEY Staddon was just 16 when she wed 51-year-old Hollywood actor Doug Hutchinson – and while it sounds like the dream life for many, Courtney’s was a total nightmare.
Opening up about the death threats they received from the public for marrying someone 35 years her senior, Courtney revealed all to podcast host Alex Cooper.
Now Courtney, 30, who identifies as non-binary, is divorced from Doug, they had time to reflect on their relationship and what it was really like growing up in the world of stardom.
Speaking on the podcast Call Her Daddy, Courtney said they and Doug, famous for his role as the villainous cop Percy Wetmore in The Green Mile, met after a mutual friend put them in contact as Doug was offering acting classes, something Courtney was eager to try.
But the conversations over email allegedly soon developed to more than a teacher and student relationship, something Courtney says their mother was aware of despite her being underage.
Courtney explained: “She was aware she was like over my shoulder the entire time practically or having me print out the emails and she was reading them.
“And you know, nothing was sexual but it was definitely not about what it was supposed to be about which was about teaching me acting and you know all of that stuff that you know professionally you’re supposed to be doing and then as a child, I didn’t really see it as anything predatory.”
The aspiring actor had photos sent to Doug, which wasn’t uncommon in the profession, but said he claimed he didn’t know their age, something Courtney disputes as mum Krista had told him over the phone.
The pair spoke on the phone and over email for six months before finally meeting in person, which Courtney says was his ‘loophole’ to marrying them.
“I believe it was obviously to see his child in person,” they claimed.
“Verify the parents are on board. ‘I’m not gonna go to jail and I can get that free pass to molest a child. I just need that paperwork signed for me to get married because it’s a loophole right.’
“Then a week later we got married. So I basically just met him in person one week and then a week later I’m married.”
Going back to the day they met, Courtney remembers their parents picking Doug up from the airport – before they had even sat down for lunch, their dad had given his blessing for Doug to marry Courtney.
Courtney adds that their strict Christian upbringing was a drive for them to get married quickly instead of just date, and said Krista truly believed Doug loved Courtney and would take care of her child.
But that wasn’t the case, claims Courtney who claims they suffered years of emotional abuse from their husband.
Their dad, Courtney recalls, seems to have had some reservations, and after Doug and Courtney wed their parents split up and he disowned Courtney due to Krista wanting to follow along with Courtney’s new life.
Courtney and Doug's relationship timeline
Throughout their relationship, Courtney and Doug faced considerable public scrutiny and media coverage, largely due to their significant age gap and the circumstances of their marriage.
- May 2011: Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison got married. Courtney was 16 years old at the time, and Doug was 51. Their marriage attracted significant media attention and controversy due to their age difference.
- November 2013: Courtney and Doug announced that they had separated. Despite the separation, they continued to live together and maintained a close relationship.
- August 2014: The couple reconciled and decided to renew their wedding vows, reaffirming their commitment to each other.
- May 2016: Courtney announced that she was pregnant with their first child. However, in July 2016, she revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage.
- January 2017: Courtney and Doug separated again, with Courtney filing for divorce in March 2018.
- March 2020: Courtney finalised the divorce from Doug, officially ending their nearly nine-year marriage.
And it seems her mum wanted more than just to see her child’s marriage play out.
Courtney revealed that they was forced to do multiple reality TV shows to keep the money coming in such as Couples Therapy, Celebrity Big Brother and The mother and Daughter Experiment.
“Another misconception is people thought I was a gold digger. I married him for money. I’m the one who was taking care of him,” Courtney said.
Despite not talking to their mum for two years, the pair went on the reality show The mother and Daughter Experiment, where Courtney found out Krista and Doug were allegedly having an emotional affair.
It also was alleged that Doug had sexual fantasies about the three of them together.
On the show, Doug was later asked if he ‘had an emotional affair’ with Krista, he insisted ‘absolutely not’ and looked at her as he added: ‘I never felt that we were friends, obviously we were not lovers, and I think that that’s your delusion.’
And to hammer the point home, he told her: ‘I have never been attracted to you, I am not now and I never will be – sexually, emotionally or otherwise. Ever.’
Courtney admitted they had never heard Doug say these fantasies to them, but admitted Krista was in love with her husband.
“My mum has had her own experiences in life,” Courtney explained.
“I really, you know, have seen her fall in love with my husband through me. So it was like this.
“I mean she even told me, you know, we you and I are like Siamese twins Whatever you feel I feel.”
Courtney added that they had no idea if their mum and husband had a sexual relationship and wasn’t ready to find out more.
While the pair did split up multiple times until their divorce was finally finalised in 2020, Courtney says they always found their way back to him due to their trauma bond – a term described as a connection between an abusive person and the individual they abuse.
But abuse wasn’t just going on behind the scenes, in public, Courtney was hurled with hateful comments from other celebrities.
Courtney Love branded them a ‘wh**e’ while Chrissy Teigen publicly said Courtney should be dead.
They admitted the public hate was a lot to bare, but has since moved on from the whole ordeal and is now happily engaged and looking forward to starting a new life.
Doug previously said to Fox News he had no regrets about the relationship, which he described as a ‘bittersweet journey’.
“I don’t believe in living a life of regret,” he said. “I think that every choice we make, we make them for a reason… I have absolutely no regrets in my life.
“Do I wish I would have handled certain aspects of my life differently or said… some things differently? Yes — like everybody else. But my marriage to Courtney is not one of them. I regret none of it. It was a beautiful and powerful journey. A bittersweet journey with Courtney.”
The Sun has reached out to Doug Hutchinson for comment.
One-time retail behemoth Kmart has now shrunk to one outpost: A tiny store in suburban Miami
The last full-size Kmart in the 50 states closed Sunday in Long Island, New York, making the Miami store — now a fraction of its former size — the last operating in the continental U.S.
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Arsenal vs Liverpool tips: Get £30 in free bets to spend on Premier League football with talkSPORT BET
ARSENAL host Premier League leaders Liverpool in Sunday’s monster showdown at the Emirates Stadium.
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Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah looks to have a solid chance of being the first goalscorer on Sunday.
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
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- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk
Arsenal vs Liverpool: Back our 12/1 Bet Builder expert tips and get £50 in free bets with Betfred
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Arsenal vs Liverpool tips
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- Mohamed Salah to score: The Egyptian, 32, has by far the most impressive stats of any of his colleagues away from Anfield this season. He ranks top for most touches in the opposition penalty area, most attempts, most big chances and most shots on target – averaging an effort evert 28.5 minutes. He boasts an xG of 2.82 on the road, takes penalties and has 10 goals in 16 appearances against the Gunners – which is his fifth-highest goal tally against any opponent he’s faced.
- Kai Havertz carded: No Arsenal player has committed more fouls this season. The German international has committed 15 fouls without being carded – but does have three yellows in 10 games against the Merseyside outfit, which is the highest of any opponent he’s faced.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk
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Hollywood superstar goes incognito as he lands in LA – can you guess who the A-list actor is?
A HOLLYWOOD star looks almost unrecognizable with an abundance of bushy white facial hair as he touches down in Los Angeles.
The actor, who is 68, looked wildly different while going incognito after arriving at an airport in LA on Thursday.
Spotted arriving at LAX, the famous acting sensation looked rugged while sporting a very bushy white beard.
As well as his facial hair concealing his identity ever so slightly, the star also wore a baseball cap and some sunglasses.
Finishing off his low-key appearance, the actor donned a casual plaid button-up shirt with some loose-fitting blue jeans as he carried a jacket.
Can you guess who the actor is?
Some clues that might help are that he has starred in the likes of Mad Max, Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, What Women Want, The Passion Of Christ, and Edge Of Darkness.
The actor was born in New York in January 1956 and he has been the recipient of multiple accolades throughout his career, and is best-known for his action hero roles.
His most notable role came when he took on the breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the Mad Max franchise.
Yes, you got it! The incognito Hollywood star is the one and only Mel Gibson.
Mel’s appearance comes just days after Andrew Garfield voiced his support for the actor, which left social media fuming.
Speaking to People, Andrew, 41, who starred in the 2016 movie Hacksaw Ridge, which was directed by Mel, spoke about working with him.
MEL GIBSON’S ‘FOURTH CHANCE’
“I learned a lot, actually,” he gushed about working with the iconic Hollywood star.
“I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help. I learned that everyone deserves respect.”
Andrew then noted how he believes that people “deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances,” adding that “none of us are infallible”.
Andrew, who is Jewish, said he had “deep, important conversations” with Mel, who made antisemitic remarks in 2006.
Mel Gibson's most notable controversies
Mel Gibson has faced several controversies during his career. Here are some of the most notable in recent years.
2004
The Passion of the Christ, the 2004 movie starring Mel, was previously criticized for being anti-semitic.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) even released a statement ahead of the movie hitting cinema screens.
“The Passion could likely falsify history and fuel the animus of those who hate Jews,” the statement concluded.
2006
In 2006, Mel issued an apology to Los Angeles police officer who claimed the actor said “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” while getting arrested for a DUI.
“There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark,” the actor said in the aftermath to the New York Times.
2010
In 2019, unearthed audio from nine years prior was released where Mel could be heard arguing with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
“You go out in public and it’s a f***ing embarrassment to me. You look like a f***ing b**** on heat and if you get raped by a pack of n****** it will be your fault,” he could be heard saying in the audio recording.
2013
In 2015, Fox News reported that the Mad Max actor gave an interview two years earlier to Reader’s Digest where he downplayed the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust,
“I mean when the war was over they said it was 12 million. Then it was six. Now it’s four. I mean it’s that kind of numbers game,” he said.
The Mad Max star made the remarks when he was arrested for a DUI.
According to a police report, Mel asked the officer arresting him if he was Jewish.
He then said, “F***ing Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.”
ANTISEMITIC REGRET
Mel said at the time that there was “no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of antisemitic remark”.
Looking back at his antisemitic comments in 2014, Mel reflected and said, “All the necessary mea culpas have been made copious times, so for this question to keep coming up, it’s kind of like… I’m sorry they feel that way, but I’ve done what I need to do.”
Meanwhile, in his recent chat with People, Andrew continued, “He’s done a lot of beautiful healing with himself… he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films.
“He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.”
But some fans of the actor were fuming over Andrew’s comments about forgiveness, with some saying he was “making excuses” for Mel.
“I love Andrew — but no on Gibson. And I’m sad that Andrew is making excuses for him,” penned one person on X.
I’m a 23-year-old girl who can’t stop watching porn – it started when I was a teenager and now men can never satisfy me
A YOUNG girl has revealed that she is struggling to stop watching porn and masturbating.
The 23-year-old woman confessed that she started watching pornography when she was in her early teenage years, and now, almost 10 years later, is slightly concerned.
Not only this, but the anonymous woman explained that as a result of her porn addiction, she masturbates every night before bed.
As well as this, as a result of her regular masturbating, now men can never satisfy her.
Keen to open up on the situation, the woman took to social media to share her story, leaving many open-mouthed.
Posting on Reddit, on the r/NoFap thread, the woman, who writes under the username @fooxibutt, titled her post ‘I’m a 23 year old girl who is addicted to porn.’
She then wrote: “I’ve watched porn since I was about 14/15, and would masturbate a lot.
“It’s to the point where I can’t really sleep if I don’t masturbate, because I’ve masturbated every night before I went to bed, for so many years.
“Also I have never had an orgasm from someone else, I can only do it myself, when watching porn (or fantasising).
“I’ve never stopped for longer than four days or so, but I really want to stop.
“Also every time I’m done, I feel really tired and want to nap/sleep. It’s s****y.”
Eager for advice, she asked: “Where do I start? I don’t have the self control, I think..”
Recent statistics reveal the number of people addicted to porn in the UK has trebled since the start of the pandemic.
Figures released by the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT) show 60,000 people in Britain visited its online porn addiction support site in 2021, compared to 10,500 people in 2020.
I have a normal dating life and I’ve had enough kinky moments, but they never satisfy me as much as I do myself
Reddit poster
And in a study by Ofcom, of the 13.8 million who watch porn online, a fifth do so during the working day, with each visit averaging 55 minutes.
The woman went on and confirmed: “Also, it’s not like I watch it because I don’t have sexual partners.
Signs you are addicted to porn
There is no definitive or formal definition of ‘porn addiction’.
It is not a clinical diagnosis and is given only a mention in the World Health Organisation’s ‘compulsive sexual behaviour disorder’ description.
Classification of what constitutes an addiction to porn addiction has been contested.
Therefore, experts prefer not to use an ‘hours-per-day threshold’ to diagnose porn addiction.
They say consumption is considered problematic if it interferes with daily life.
Psychotherapist Dr Paula Hall, who set up The Laurel Centre for sex and porn addiction, says: “The International Classification of Diseases document [maintained by the World Health Organization] says it needs to have caused significant distress in your life for at least six months.
“If it’s fun and not causing any problems in your life, it’s probably not an addiction.
“But for someone who has developed an addiction, it’s not fun any more.
“People know in their heart of hearts, ‘I need to get a grip, and I can’t’. That’s when it has become a problem.”
On the NHS page ‘Can you become addicted to sex?’ it says sex addiction is “any sexual activity that feels ‘out of control’.”
Some say those with porn addiction neglect self-care and responsibilities, socially withdraw, potentially engage in illegal activity or other addictions and live a ‘double life’, seemingly fine to others.
Other issues include porn-related erectile dysfunction or a general lack of sexual desire in real relationships.
“I have a normal dating life and I’ve had enough kinky moments, but they never satisfy me as much as I do myself.
“I want to enjoy them, and I think I can’t because of my porn addiction.”
REDDIT USERS REACT
Reddit users were left stunned at the woman’s admission and flocked to the comments to share their thoughts and advice.
One person said: “You should regain control of yourself, do some activities so you won’t think about porn, when an urge comes, go for a walk outside or do some workout.”
This addiction has taken so much of you. I think you really should go to therapy, do some exercise or try meditation
Reddit user
Another recommended: “Whenever you feel like you’re about to give in, stay positive and keep your goal in mind because it will literally change your and your close ones’ lives.”
A third commented: “You’ll be on this journey for years. Addiction isn’t something that just goes away, even if you never masturbate or watch porn over those next couple years.
“Your neural network will be primed for a long time to slip back into old habits and gratifications. Be strong, find happiness, good luck.”
Whilst someone else advised: “This addiction has taken so much of you. I think you really should go to therapy, do some exercise or try meditation.
“Try to stay sober, it will get easier to beat the urge with time.”
Getting help with a porn addiction
IF you think you, or someone you know, is battling a porn addiction, here's everything you need to know.
Acknowledge the Issue:
– Recognising that you have a problem is the first and most crucial step.
Seek Professional Help:
– Consult a therapist or counsellor who specialises in addiction. They can provide tailored strategies and support.
– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often effective in addressing addictive behaviours.
Join Support Groups:
– Consider joining a support group, either in-person or online. Groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) offer a community of individuals facing similar challenges.
Establish Healthy Routines:
– Develop new hobbies and interests that can divert your attention and reduce the urge to watch porn.
– Regular physical exercise and mindfulness practices like meditation can help manage stress and reduce addictive behaviour.
Set Boundaries and Controls:
– Use internet filters and parental control software to limit access to pornographic content.
– Create a schedule to limit screen time and ensure you have a structured daily routine.
Confide in Trusted Individuals:
– Share your struggles with a trusted friend or family member. Having someone to talk to can provide emotional support and accountability.
Educate Yourself:
– Learn about the impacts of porn addiction on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Knowledge can empower you to make positive changes.
Stay Patient and Persistent:
– Recovery is a journey and may involve setbacks. Stay committed to your goals and celebrate small victories along the way.
Vinted app down leaving shoppers and sellers locked out of accounts
VINTED has crashed leaving shoppers and sellers locked out of their accounts.
Over 1,000 users have complained about being unable to use the second-hand marketplace this morning.
Reports on Downdector show over 71% of customers have been unable to use the app.
Meanwhile, another 21% have not been able to log into their accounts.
People have taken to X, formally known as Twitter to complain.
One user wrote: “Is Vinted App not working for anybody I’ve got the wheel of eternity but it’s not loading?”
Others said that when they try to log on the app on their phone they were met with a message stating that something has gone wrong.
The issue comes as it is payday for thousands of workers across the UK, with many looking to treat themselves to some online shopping.
Another user said: “It’s payday and Vinted isn’t working? Like… what else I meant to do all day.”
The Sun has approached Vinted for a comment.
Vinted has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, as it has become an easy way for households to flog their old items for extra cash.
It has become a lucrative business for many people, with some racking up £1,000’s each year by selling online.
Vinted has capitalised on this, launching a “pro” version of the app, which allows sellers to register as sole traders and be identified as professional sellers.
The upgrade is free to use and users can sell an unlimited number of of items for free.
However, The Sun revealed the second-hand seller had paused new registrations to its new professional selling feature after it made some users’ National Insurance (NI) numbers publicly available, putting them at risk of fraud.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) advises that you should not share your NI number with anyone who does not need it to prevent identity fraud.
The Sun has learned that the Independent Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is now investigating the breach after a number of sellers reported it.
Commenting on the issue a spokesperson for Vinted said: “For a small number of Vinted Pro members, their NI number was visible on their profile page.
“While our teams were working on fixing the issue completely, we temporarily halted the ability to upgrade accounts to Vinted Pro.
“We apologise to anyone that was affected and encourage members who have questions to reach out to our member support team.”
What can I do if my money isn’t paid out?
If you’re struggling to get your cash from Vinted, first get in touch with the app and let it know you haven’t received your money.
Provide evidence to show you haven’t received the money such as your latest bank statements.
There is also information on Vinted’s help page for users who haven’t seen their money hit their bank account. Visit: vinted.co.uk/help/73-my-withdrawal-has-failed.
You can contact the website’s member support team directly via the app if you are still experiencing issues.
If you’re still having issues or aren’t happy with how you have been treated, you may be able to complain to a third party dispute resolution service, such as Complain.biz..
Do you need to pay tax on items sold on Vinted?
QUICK facts on tax from the team at Vinted...
- The only time that an item might be taxable is if it sells for more than £6,000 and there is profit (sells for more than you paid for it). Even then, you can use your capital gains tax-free allowance of £3,000 to offset it.
- Generally, only business sellers trading for profit (buying goods with the purpose of selling for more than they paid for them) might need to pay tax. Business sellers who trade for profit can use a tax-free allowance of £1,000, which has been in place since 2017.
- More information here: vinted.co.uk/no-changes-to-taxes