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Michigan highway inferno kills at least 4 helpless motorists as semi truck slams into stopped traffic and explodes

A Michigan highway inferno killed at least four helpless motorists and left 17 others injured Saturday after a semi-truck barreled into blocked traffic and burst into flames. The semi driver didn’t stop the vehicle while approaching the jam on the westbound side of I-96 near Lansing around 11:40 p.m., according to Fox 2. The truck,...

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Love Island’s Gemma Owen looks incredible as she strips off to swimwear on £700 a night super-luxe family holiday

FORMER Love Island star Gemma Owen looked absolutely incredible as she stripped off to her swimwear.

The former reality TV personality put on a stunning display as she enjoyed the company of her family in the Maldives.

a woman in a black swimsuit is laying in a hammock overlooking the ocean
Instagram
Gemma Owen cut a slim figure as she stripped off to her swimwear[/caption]
a woman in a black swimsuit sits on a dock overlooking the ocean
Instagram
The former Love Island star put on a sizzling display as she enjoyed a floating breakfast[/caption]
a woman in a white dress stands on a pier overlooking the ocean
Instagram
In other snaps she was seen wearing a gold dress with a cream train[/caption]

Gemma, 21, looked sensational as she enjoyed a luxury holiday at the Avani+ Hotel.

The professional dressage rider took to her Instagram grid page with a series of snaps from the stunning getaway.

Her first snap showed the reality star posing on the picturesque island beach with her two sisters.

Gemma was dressed in a stunning gold bodycon dress with a sheer cream train.

Another snap showed the TV personality cutting a slim figure in a black sports bra with matching leggings.

Black seemed to be a favourite shade for the star as she flaunted her enviable curves in a black one piece cut out swimsuit.

She couldn’t help but soak up the sun as she donned huge round sunglasses while relaxing on an ocean lounger.

Another black ensemble was on show as she struck a pose in her infinity pool whilst enjoying a floating breakfast.

Looking out onto the Indian Ocean, she enjoyed a luxury display of fruit, toast and an assortment of delicate pastries.

Whilst relaxing at the five star resort, she made full use of the amenities that were on offer with her family.

To get around she could either go on an island bike ride, or she could drive the hotel’s golf buggy.

It seems her footballer father Michael Owen, 44, also joined in on the fun as he was seen in a blue polo top and pink shorts.

The tanned former England footballer beamed as he enjoyed the company of his wife and four children.

Meanwhile, Gemma captioned the album: “Last of the Maldives. Thank you @avanimaldives for the beautiful stay.”

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Also pictured was a behind the scenes sneak peak of her sprawling suite, complete with a priceless ocean view.

Fans flooded the comments section with gushing praise for the former ITV2 personality and her family.

One user wrote: “Wow that actually looks incredible.”

A second exclaimed: “This such a beautiful family photo hope u r enjoying yourself!”

“Such a beautiful family,” wrote a third.

And someone else gushed: “Gemma, you’re absolutely incredible and fabulous. The pictures are so beautiful, what an incredible place to visit.”

Adding: “I absolutely loved all your outfits they are always stunning and beautiful. You and your family are so beautiful.”

three women are posing for a picture on the beach
Instagram
Gemma Owen shares more pictures from her trip to the Maldives[/caption]
a woman wearing sunglasses and a black sports bra takes a selfie
Instagram
The TV personality flaunted her enviable curves in her revealing gym outfit[/caption]
a group of people posing for a picture on the beach
Instagram
Michael Owen also enjoyed the expensive hotspot with the entire family[/caption]
a golf cart has a sign on the back that says owen family
Instagram
Gemma made sure she made full use of the amenities in the resort[/caption]
a table and chairs on a deck overlooking the ocean
Instagram
She gave her fans a behind the scenes sneak peek of her huge suite accommodation[/caption]

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Russell Brand makes bizarre rant about ‘voting for God’ after it emerges he could be charged for sex offences

a man in a blue shirt that says new york squatting in the grass
TIMES GRAB, , Russell Brand baptised to ‘leave the past behind’ amid sexual assault allegations, , Picture: Russell Brand, , https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/1783793421049561130

RUSSELL Brand went on a bizarre rant about voting for God — as it emerged he could be charged for alleged sex offences.

The disgraced comedian, 49, warned US voters — ahead of the election tomorrow — about “dendrite synapses”.

a man with a beard is asking how do you vote for god
Russell Brand went on a bizarre rant about voting for God ahead of the US election

He said on Instagram: “The United States of America is on the precipice of a decision.

“Multitudes in the valley of decision for the day of the Lord is near.

“Do you feel that the world is on the precipice of a great choice?

“Do you feel you as an individual you have continual choices that you might imagine as unfolding dendrite synapses?

“Reaching out into your mind, occupied by neurological electricity comes from Lord alone knows where.

“Perhaps the act of creation continues still.

“On the precipice of an enormous election, I wonder Americans which particular choice you feel will bring yourself, your family, your community, your country closer to God?”

America will go to the polls tomorrow and vote to elect either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump — whom Brand has publicly supported.

His rant came on the day police investigating alleged sex offences said they had passed evidence to prosecutors.

Brand was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse dating back to 2006. He has denied all allegations.

a man in a blue shirt that says new york squatting in the grass
Brand’s rant came on day police investigating alleged sex offences said they had passed evidence to prosecutors

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How charity is saving phone-addicted Gen Z-ers from mental health crisis with many admitting ‘I don’t how to make pals’

IT seems almost impossible now to imagine a world without social media.

But Gen Z-ers who cannot recall a time before smartphones risk becoming the most isolated generation in history.

a girl sitting in a corner looking at her phone
Getty
The Generation Isolation report exposed the huge number of 11 to 18-year-olds who fear feeling left out, lonely and anxious when without their mobiles[/caption]
a man in a blue shirt stands in front of a green field
Jamie ­Masraff said young people ‘want to ditch smartphone dependency and socialise in person, but feel trapped’

Stark new statistics have revealed that the lives of Britain’s youngsters are dominated by hours spent alone in their rooms, scrolling on screens.

And while many actually want to kick their technology habit, they ­simply do not know how.

Now a charity is calling for action to help them develop social lives.

The Generation Isolation report, a study of 5,000 youngsters in England, exposed the huge number of 11 to 18-year-olds who fear feeling left out, lonely and anxious when without their mobiles.

Three in ten revealed they long to have real-life social experiences, affordable leisure ­activities and safe places to hang out with friends to improve their time outside school.

But for many, these are ­simply not available.

Youth charity OnSide says proper investment in youth clubs would give teenagers a chance to build in-person ­connections that are more compelling than the lure of devices.

The GI report showed that smartphone use is now the most dominant free-time activity for youngsters when they are not in class.

OnSide chief executive Jamie ­Masraff said: “The message from young people is overwhelmingly clear — they want to ditch smartphone dependency and socialise in person, but feel trapped in a habit that leaves them lonely, isolated and anxious.

“We are letting young people down by treating time outside of school as an afterthought and not creating enough opportunities in real life that are better than life on screens.

“Without the provision of affordable, safe places to flourish outside of school, we risk a generation becoming adults who struggle to exist in a real-world environment, riddled with social anxiety and lacking in social skills.

“Evidence shows that youth clubs offer rich and vibrant environments where young people, supported by dedicated youth workers, have fun, build confidence, develop life skills and become happy, healthy, thriving adults. Youth provision is the untapped solution to the challenges outlined in Generation Isolation.

“It must become a right and reality for all young people.”

Streamed content such as Netflix, YouTube, gaming and general phone use, along with TV viewing, are the main activities that dominate teenagers’ screens.

Overall, the time spent gaming and scrolling through social media has rocketed since the ­pandemic.

One in four youngsters quizzed claimed they have more friends to talk to on their phone than in reality, and one in 20 insisted that being on their mobile is better than real life.

‘Making friends’

Alarmingly, half of those polled revealed that they feel very high levels of anxiety and loneliness, and spend most of their free time in their ­bedroom.

But Generation Isolation is clear about the solution.

The research shows that youth clubs can play a vital role in enabling youngsters to build face-to-face connections and develop skills and resilience.

The vast majority of teens who attend such a club say it has made a positive difference to their lives, with “making friends and social interaction” being the most popular reason for this.

Yet despite these clear benefits, just 15 per cent of young people attend a youth centre, and almost half do not have a youth club available near them.

Another report by The Education Committee, published in May, found there had been a 52 per cent increase in children’s screen time in the UK between 2020 and 2022 — and nearly 25 per cent of kids and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction.

a graphic shows that young people spend most of their free time on screens a poster that says ' youth centre ' on it a pie chart shows the percentage of people who enjoy their time outside school

Other countries are taking action to tackle this growing problem.

Sweden’s Public Health Authority recently issued new guidelines stating that children under the age of two should not use digital media at all, and that older kids should not have more than one to three hours per day.

In the UK, campaigns such as one promoting a smartphone-free childhood are growing in popularity.

And more parents are questioning their child’s screen usage — along with the short and long-term affect it has on them.

On the right, we hear how getting out of the house and finding real-life friendships has helped three teens.

'It’s like an addiction'

MARIA, 13, has been a member of OnSide’s Legacy Youth Zone in Croydon, South London, for a year.

Before she joined, she would spend all her free time on her phone.

She says: “MY phone is my baby. I feel anxious if I don’t have it.

If I ever lost it, I would be so sad. How would I speak to my friends?

It’s like an addiction. I would like to spend less time on it so that I could do other things.

I know I spend hours on TikTok, but don’t remember a single thing that I’ve watched afterwards. It’s like fast food for your brain.

I come to Legacy as many nights as I can now so that I can meet new people.

You can use your phone here, but you don’t because there is so much going on.”

OUR YOUTH CLUB BOOST

ANTHONY OGBORNE, 39, is a worktop fitter, married to Hayley, 35.

They have two daughters, Chloe, 16, and Isabella, 13, and live in Wolverhampton.

a man and a girl are playing a game of foosball on a table that says neaster on it
Supplied
Playful kids find fun at the youth club[/caption]
a man and a woman holding a book titled " don t follow the crowd "
Supplied
Rocker  Chloe with dad Anthony Ogborne[/caption]

He says: “CHLOE was bullied at primary and two different secondary schools.

Friends she made turned out to be bullies. They were putting things in her hair and even hitting her.

By 13, when she told us what was happening, Chloe was lacking in confidence and had no trust in others.

The schools didn’t take action, so we had no choice but to home-school her.

But that meant Chloe had no chance to make new friends and felt lonely.

She started learning guitar and turned to TikTok. She built up quite a following, but she wasn’t making real-life friendships.

We persuaded her to go to Onside’s The Way Youth Zone near us. Chloe was so nervous, but once she was inside the door, she loved it.

She felt safe and encouraged. She gravitated towards the gym, where a youth worker put a fitness programme together for her, and the music room.

Now she is in an all-female heavy metal band with friends from The Way.

They are called Dying Addiction and they are gigging across the Midlands.

I’ve written a graphic novel called Don’t Follow The Crowd, about Chloe’s story, to help other parents and young people not feel alone.”

'Made me more anti-social'

Abbie, 16, joined Warrington Youth Zone in Cheshire two years ago, which boosted her confidence.

She says: “BEFORE I started coming here, I was very quiet.

I would spend a lot of my free time in my bedroom on my phone.

But I found that made me more anti-social.

Joining up has done so much for my confidence.

I discovered a love of performing arts and singing – now I want to be an actress or drama teacher.

I never used to put myself forward, but the youth workers there have given me lots of  encouragement. ” 

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Watch JB Gill’s touching tribute to Amy Dowden after avoiding dance off with new partner Lauren Oakley

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left gushing over JB Gill’s touching tribute to Amy Dowden.

JLS star JB was left without his pro partner Amy this week – following her hospital visit last Saturday.

a man in a red jacket is standing next to a woman in a black jacket
BBC
JB Gill left Strictly fans emotional with a tribute to Amy Dowden[/caption]
two men are dancing in front of a sign that says theatre
PA
Lauren Oakley stepped in to partner JB for Icons Week[/caption]
a man in a red jacket is pointing at a woman in a black jacket
BBC
JB gave a shout out to Amy as he and Lauren got through[/caption]

He instead danced with fellow pro Lauren Oakley – who had not been allocated a partner this series.

After learning he’d gotten through, JB left fans in tears with a touching gesture towards Amy.

The singer could be seen saying “For you, Amy” while pointing at the camera.

Viewers watching the BBC show at home took to social media to share their reactions.

One fan wrote: “Why am I crying at JB saying Amy? Because I cry at everything but still. #StrictlyComeDancing.”

Another added: “Much deserved and brilliantly through and Amy will be so happy.”

While a third simply penned: “for you amy”.

JB and Lauren’s Couples Choice dance in Icons Week was very well received by the judges.

They scored an impressive 39 out of 40 altogether after impressing the panel.

Meanwhile, fans were left demanding that Lauren receive her own partner next series.

Praising her talent, they called for the star not to be “benched” again.

Taking to X, one wrote:  “NEVER and I mean NEVER not give Lauren a partner again! Love her.”

Another remarked: “Lauren Oakley is SO SO good.

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“Its an absolute crime she was never given a partner this year.”

A third said: “Dear strictly. never bench lauren oakley again. thank you.”

Yet another commented: “lauren better get a partner next year i will start a riot if not #strictly.”

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.

a group of people posing for a picture with bbc in the background
BBC
The pair had reunited with a proud Amy in the Clauditorium[/caption]

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