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AN axed Love Island star has slammed online death threats after being kicked off the show for racist slurs.

Yulissa Escobar, 27, was cut from the villa off-camera in just the second episode of the season, before any of her fellow Islanders had even woken up.

Instagram / @yulissaaescobar

Former Love Island USA star Yulissa Escobar has fired back at online trolls[/caption]

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She had been an original islander for season 7[/caption]

She had been an original islander on season 7 of Love Island USA, which launched earlier this month.

Her exit came after old podcast clips emerged on Reddit, showing Yulissa using the N-word while talking about her ex-boyfriends.

The former islander has now fired back at online trolls, in an Instagram post titled “Accountable, Not Erased”.

She penned: “People swear cancel culture is about accountability… But now it’s just viral hate.”

Continuing, Yulissa explained how she had received death threats along with “messages saying I should kill myself”.

She added: “That video doesn’t define me. This isn’t “woke”. It’s abuse.”

Yulissa also reiterated her determination, telling followers “this is NOT where my story ends.”

She said: “One mistake does not define a human. And that moment? Was four years ago. I’ve clearly grown and I’m just getting started.”

One person commented: “All the playbook move to become the victim after owning it people truly cannot resist this move, hilarious and so predictable.”

Another remarked: “But why were you saying the n word in 2021? You’re grown enough.”

Others showed support towards Yulissa, as one shared: “Love you yuli. No one deserves this kind of hate, those who know you love you PERIOD.”

Another chimed in: “I felt every word of this. I can definitely relate!

“The way online hate can consume and distort reality is terrifying. Thank you for speaking out with so much honesty and courage.”

After the podcast clips resurfaced, furious fans flooded her Instagram, vowing to get her booted off Love Island.

Yulissa issued a lengthy apology, posting under the caption: “Owning my mistakes, speaking my truth.”

She wrote: “First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using.

“Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly.

“In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it.

“I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.

“At the time, I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn’t take away from how wrong it was.

“The truth is, I didn’t know better then, but I do now. I’ve taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment.

“I’ve changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I honor the experiences of others.

“Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.

“There have also been fake statements circulating, things written or said by others that don’t reflect me or my heart. I want to clarify that this is my voice and my words. I don’t need anyone to speak for me.

“I’m choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions. Do not listen to the fake statements. This is my official statement. This is me, speaking directly to you.

“To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry.”

yulissaaescobar/Instagram

The real estate professional was removed from the villa after resurfaced podcast clips showed her using racial slurs[/caption]

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Yulissa with fellow contestant Ace Greene[/caption]

A HOST of major car brands have been banned from selling their vehicles directly to consumers in certain US states.

Car manufacturers such as Tesla and Rivian cannot sell cars directly to consumers after a state law was passed requiring automakers to sell through third-party dealerships.

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Tesla are banned from selling their cars directly at their own dealerships – in contrast to more traditional automakers like Ford or GM (stock)[/caption]

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The issue also affects Rivian, another major EV maker in the US (stock)[/caption]

This law, dating back to the 1990s, applies to all automakers, not just Tesla.

However, Elon Musk’s brand is known for its direct-to-consumer sales model – which directly conflicts with these laws, in contrast to more traditional automakers like Ford or GM, who already operate within the dealership model.

Tesla bypasses dealerships entirely, meaning the law disproportionately affects them.

According to Slashgear, these laws exist to protect dealership franchises by preventing automakers from competing directly with them, although Tesla does have a work around on the rule.

In Wisconsin, where this ruling is prominent, Tesla instead uses loopholes like having galleries to guide customers to purchase online or in other jurisdictions.

And in some states, Tesla uses service centers or partnerships with Native American tribes to legally sell vehicles.

Indeed, over a dozen states, including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, have similar bans, while others allow limited direct sales.

Naturally, Musk has been trying desperately to change this law by investing millions in political campaigns to overturn them in states like Wisconsin.

Tesla, currently the most successful electric car manufacturer in the US, with multiple models among the best-selling EVs in the country, would likely be even more popular if the company had a greater number of dealerships.

Like Musk, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe also finds the ruling abhorrent.

In the past, he told reporters that direct sales laws are a “horrific state-by-state level of rules that are as close as you can get to corruption.”

Scaringe also vented his frustrations at the statutes existing in the first place.

He said: “I think you essentially have, like, lots of dealers [that] have paid for laws that make it really hard for us to interact directly with the consumer.”

CYBER-GRAVEYARD

The news comes after Tesla made headlines in Michigan recently with a graveyard of over 100 unsold Cybertrucks causing issues for other drivers.

The US firm is under significant pressure from authorities after a host of unsold Cybertrucks were discovered parked at a shuttered shopping center.

Several local residents and social media users have posted images and videos showing rows of Cybertrucks lined up at Hunter’s Square shopping center on Orchard Lake Road.

Speculation is rife, with many believing the site, which is near a Tesla service centre in West Bloomfield, is being used as an overflow site to manage unsold inventory.

Meanwhile, a popular Ford dealership has closed down for good to make room for a major auto shop chain with over 220 locations across the country.

It comes as another auto brand has filed for bankruptcy.

The CEO has revealed what the final nail in the coffin was for the business and his fears of a domino effect.

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Tesla and Rivian are both known for bypassing dealerships entirely, meaning the law disproportionately affects them (Stock)[/caption]

RUSSELL Westbrook has declined his $3.4 million player option for next year.

The veteran point guard will be a free agent from June 30.

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Russell Westbrook is leaving the Denver Nuggets[/caption]

Westbrook, 36, signed for the Denver Nuggets 12 months ago after leaving the Los Angeles Clippers.

The former MVP carved out a big role under former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

He appeared in 75 regular season match ups, averaging 13 points, six assists and five rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

Malone, 53, was fired with just three regular season games remaining.

One contributing factor was said to be the former championship-winning coach’s tendency to lean on Westbrook, rather than recent Nuggets draft picks Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther.

Nevertheless, Westbrook continued to feature heavily in the playoffs under David Adelman.

The nine-time NBA All-Star produced some productive performances in the Nuggets’ seven-game round one series victory over the Clippers.

But he struggled as Denver fell valiantly to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semi-finals.

In recent years Westbrook, who has earned around $345m during his NBA career, has largely had to embrace a bench role.

But last season he started 36 games, his most in three seasons.

Westbrook played through significant hand injuries during his time with the Nuggets.

Following his team’s playoff exit, Westbrook underwent surgery to fix “multiple” ligament tears.

Despite going under the knife, the NBA veteran is anticipated to return to full health during the offseason.

Westbrook is a two-time NBA scoring champion.

He joined the Clippers as a free agent in February 2023, having been waived by the Utah Jazz following a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In July 2024, the Clippers traded Westbrook back to the Jazz in exchange for Kris Dunn.

Ironically, this led to the 2017 league MVP being waived AGAIN by Utah.

Westbrook was then free to sign a two-year, $6.8m deal with the Nuggets, including a player option ahead of the second season.

The decorated star appeared to strike up a good rapport with Denver superstar Nikola Jokic.

But despite this, he will now be entering the open market once again on June 30.

AMERICANS can get an automatic cash bonus from the Bank of Montreal if they take this specific action over 90 days.

Customers can receive this bonus for a limited time if they open a BMO Smart Advantage Checking or BMO Smart Money Checking account.

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The Bank of Montreal is offering a cash bonus for a limited time with just three simple steps[/caption]

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Customers have to open an account and do these simple actions for 90 days[/caption]

To receive the bonus, the accounts must be opened by September 8 with at least $25 in the account as a minimum opening deposit.

When opening an account online, a unique promo code will automatically be applied to your application.

However, if you’re applying for a checking account on the phone or at a branch, you’ll have to get a promo code from BMO’s bonus landing page first.

Customers can begin an account application online and scroll to the bottom to find the promo code needed to open the account.

After this, customers can receive a $400 bonus for opening the account using the promo code and receiving at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days.

Customers can also earn up to $60 in savings rewards with a Savings Builder account.

A Savings Builder account gives customers a $5 reward every month, helping them grow their balance by $200 for the first year.

The account has no monthly maintenance fee, and customers can automate the savings with recurring transfers from their checking account.

Other details to consider are that your account must be in good standing to receive the bonus.

The bonus will be deposited into the person’s checking account 100 days after account opening if they’ve met all the requirements.

All bonuses are subject to being reported to the IRS for tax purposes, according to Forbes.

Also, customers can only qualify for one checking account bonus, and whichever checking account is opened first will be the only eligible account.

Qualifying direct deposits can include salary, paycheck, pension, Social Security, or government benefit payments.

SO MANY OPTIONS

The Smart Advantage Checking account comes with no monthly maintenance fees; however, other fees are associated with this account.

There are $3 fees for non-BMO ATM transactions, to get paper statements, and to receive check images.

There is also a $15 overdraft fee or $0 with a Smart Money Checking account or Overdraft Protection Line of Credit.

Customers can also open a Smart Money Checking Account comes with a $5 monthly maintenance fee for account holders who are 25 or older.

There is also a $2 paper statement fee and no overdraft fees.

There is also the BMO Relationship Checking account, an interest-earning account that comes with benefits dependent on a customer’s tier — Silver, Gold, Patinum, or Premier.

Benefits can include fee rebates, higher interest rates on deposit accounts, credit card bonuses, and loan rate discounts.

AS THE weather heats up, iPhone users have been warned to look out for an important notification on their devices. 

Temperatures are set to reach 30C today, which could mean that it becomes more difficult to use your iPhone. 

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iPhone users have been warned about an important notification[/caption]

When an iPhone becomes too hot, it may begin displaying a notification which blocks users from accessing their device. 

The notification reads: “Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it.”

iPhones can normally operate as normal  between 0C to 35C, but leaving them in sunlight can cause them to become exceptionally hot. 

The notification is designed to protect your device’s battery life. 

On Apple’s website, the company warns against leaving your device in your car on a hot day. 

The brand also warns against leaving your device in direct sunlight or for using GPS devices or graphic-intensive games in hot conditions. 

Users are advised to store their devices in temperatures between -20C and 45C.

Devices can be stored in more extreme temperatures because they will not be in use, allowing the iPhone to regulate its internal temperature. 

The news comes as the UK prepares for a heatwave over the weekend. 

Friday evening saw a wave of thunderstorms across the UK, with 30,000 lightning strikes hitting the country.

Businesses in Dorset battled with major flooding, with 80mm of rainfall washing through the streets.

Now, temperatures are set to rise to 30C. 

Ahead of the temperature rises, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “As temperatures rise this week, it is possible heatwave thresholds could be reached in some parts of the UK, particularly the northwest Midlands, northwest England and northeast Wales, however it is very dependent on cloud cover later this week, so it is not a certainty.”