A COUPLE who claimed they were on their honeymoon were caught smuggling £99,000 worth of cannabis at a UK airport.
Jeng Chow, 30, and Ley Wat, 25,were recruited as mules to carry the drugs for just £800 each in cash.
The engaged pair had travelled from their native Malaysia with 28 vacuum-packed bags of cannabis stuffed in their cases.
But they were stopped at Terminal 2 of Manchester Airport by Border Force officials.
Chow and Wat shared a hug and kiss in the dock as they were jailed for a year and three months at Manchester Crown Court.
They pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug.
Prosecutors said Wat was in debt when he and Chow were recruited by smugglers to bring the drugs to the UK.
The couple were provided with the cannabis and promised cash following a successful handover.
They left Malaysia on April 16 and flew via Qatar before landing at Manchester.
After they were caught with the drugs, Chow and Wat claimed they had travelled to the UK for their honeymoon.
The court heard the drugs were worth £99,000 at wholesale prices but the street value would have been “much higher”.
When she was interviewed by police, Wat told officers she believed her suitcase contained alcohol.
She also revealed she and Chow were in contact with a third party and that someone was going to pick up the drugs at the airport in exchange for money.
The couple will be deported back to Malaysia once their sentences have been carried out.
Their sentencing comes amid a spate of similar drug mule cases – with around 13 Brits currently kept in hellhole jails abroad.
Three Brits are facing the death penalty in Bali accused of trafficking more than £300,000 worth of cocaine onto the island.
A Brit couple were charged with smuggling £1million of cannabis from Thailand a mere few days ago.
While several young women have been arrested trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand.
A “MANDATORY” update is going out to some mobiles after reports of fires breaking out when charging.
While the update is important for safety, affected users will notice a knock to their battery’s capacity as a result.
Google has confirmed to The Sun that a “subset” of Pixel 6a devices will receive it “to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating”.
It comes as a number of unverified reports online that the phone caught fire when on charge.
One user shared pictures of his destroyed Pixel 6a which they say began to “shoot out hot gas” in the middle of the night as it was on charge.
“Luckily, I was able to smother the fire, then throw the still-smoking phone into the toilet before the fire spread,” Reddit user zaliver claimed.
“My wife and I are pretty shook up about it.”
A small number of other users have reported similar issues.
“The update will enable battery management features that will reduce capacity and charging performance after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles,” Google said.
“We’ll contact impacted customers next month, with all the information they need to address the issue.”
It comes only a few months after another update impacted the batteries on the Pixel 4A, though this incident affected all models and wasn’t a result of safety concerns.
Owners were offered a free replacement battery to solve the problem.
Get the most out of your Android smartphone with these little-known hacks:
DUCK Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson’s love child filed a paternity case in court two years before his death.
Phil died at 79 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday, May 25.
In 2020, Phil revealed he has a secret daughter named Phyllis who was conceived during an affair while married to his wife Kay.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Phyllis filed paternity court papers in March 2023.
The court papers explain how Phyllis was born during her mother’s marriage to her then-husband, as his name is listed as the father on her birth certificate.
“Phil Alexander Robertson is the biological father of Petitioner. Mr. Robertson and Mrs. Harvey had a sexual relationship in late 1974, early 1975, which resulted in the conception and birth of Phyllis Annette Harvey, although Mr. Robertson did not know about the pregnancy or birth.
Phyllis’ mother’s then-husband “raised the child as his own” and the true paternity was discovered when she submitted her DNA to Ancestry DNA, which indicated Phil may be her biological father.
According to the court filing, Phyllis contacted Phil and a DNA test was conducted on January 31, 2020, indicating a 99.99 percent probability that he is her biological father.
The filing read, “They have since developed and currently enjoy a close, father/daughter relationship.
“Phil invited Phyllis and her husband to move to West Monroe to live near him and their family.
“Phyllis attends church and all family functions, and celebrates all aspects of family with them. She has great love and affection for her father and for the rest of her newfound family.”
Phyllis requested for her new birth name to be Phyllis Annette Robertson and for her birth certificate to list Phil as her father.
In Phil’s Acknowledgment of Paternity filing, he wrote, “Appearer herein has developed a father/daughter relationship with Phyllis Thomas and he has welcomed her into the family.
“Appearer acknowledges the great love and affection he has for his daughter, and he desires for her to have his full name on her birth certificate as her father and for her to have her maiden name changed to Robertson.”
The court approved her request to have Phil listed on the birth certificate and to have her birth name changed.
In May 2020, Phil revealed his daughter on his Unashamed podcast.
“It’s a pretty cool explanation of redemption, reconciliation, love,” Phil said. “As it turns out, 45 years, you have a daughter that you don’t know about, and she has a father she doesn’t know about.
“Forty-five years, that doesn’t sound like very long but you say, that’s a while. So finally, after all those years, we come together.”
Phil’s son Al, who received a letter from Phyllis, said “Well once we get into that and start looking at it a little more deeply, I’m like, ‘Oh whoa, whoa, there might be something to this.’”
“I started thinking, there’s a 45-year-old woman out there who doesn’t know who her dad is, and she’s looking. And I thought, even if it’s not dad, she needs to know it’s not dad.”
When the results came back, the family, including his wife Kay, welcomed her with open arms.
Phil has been open about his affairs on Kay before he converted to Christianity in the 1970s.
The son said Kay, who shares Alan, Jase, Jules and Willie with Phil, “always wanted a daughter.”
Recalling the moment they first met, Phil said he told his daughter, “Girl, you’re the best thing that ever came out of my past.
“All I have to say it, welcome aboard.”
But Phil and Phyllis’ final years were plagued by his battle with Alzheimer’s.
The Alzheimer’s diagnosis was first revealed in December on Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast.
Jase explained how the Alzheimer’s is “accelerated” and “causing problems with his entire body.”
He added that he’s “not doing well” and “struggling.”
He ultimately passed away just one week before the family returned to A&E with Duck Dynasty: The Revival.
Willie and Korie wrote in a joint Instagram tribute of the patriarch’s passing, “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.
“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life.
“We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. We’re having a private service for now, but we’ll share details soon about a public celebration of his life.”
Phil’s son Jase wrote on social media, “My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!”
Duck Dynasty: The Revival is returning to A&E and will follow Willie, Korie and their family. Go inside the Robertson family's family tree.
Patriarch Phil and matriarch Miss Kay Robertson’s children:
-Son Al, who is married to wife Lisa, and share daughters Anna and Alex
-Son Jase, who is married to Missy, and share children Reed, Cole and Mia
-Son Willie, who is married to Korie, share six kids Sadie Robertson Huff, John Luke, Rebecca, Will Jr., Bella and Rowdy
-Son Jep, who is married to Jessica, and share Lily, Merritt, Priscilla, River and Gus
Uncle Si: Phil’s brother
The popular A&E show aired for 11 seasons and ended in 2017.
Duck Dynasty: The Revival follows Willie and Korie Robertson as they plot the future of their Duck Commander company.
The show also features their children, as they help their kids tackle adulthood and take over the family dynasty.
A DRIVER has been forced to pay a $2,000 repair bill after a thief stole the gas from his vehicle.
Marco from San Diego, California, revealed to reporters that he immediately discovered a bizarre issue with his truck’s gas tank after he attempted to take his children to school.
It’s since been revealed he’s one of many residents in the same neighbourhood who have been forced to foot the bill on fixing their cars – after crooks drilled holes in the fuel tanks.
Recounting the moment he discovered the issue, Marco told Fox 5: “My computer dashboard said zero miles to empty, which is strange.”
He then looked under his truck to find drill shavings on the ground, before smelling gas and noticing the hole.
He added that the cost of replacing the damaged plastic gas tank is expected to be over $2,000 – as newer polyethylene tanks can’t be patched due to their expanding and contracting properties.
He said: “It’s infuriating and frustrating. I work in South County, my spouse works in North County, our kids go to school in the middle.
“It’s just not easy to live on one car.”
Marco also posted about the incident on the Nextdoor app after learning a neighbor had something similar happen to them.
Others soon came forward, sharing that they had also reported gas thefts on the same day, with some incidents dating back to March – all in the same area.
Lia Conrath, another resident, told reporters she hadn’t heard about the thefts until recently.
She said: “I usually park right outside of my house and we do have a big dog, so it helps keep people away.
“But I don’t know – we might put up surveillance cameras, we don’t have any at the moment.”
Marco, too, is considering installing cameras.
Despite admitting high gas prices have been a strain in recent times, he said the damage caused by the thefts is far more severe than the small amount of fuel being taken.
“It’s so little reward for so much damage,” he said, adding that around three gallons of fuel was likely taken.
San Diego police claim they have received at least two official reports so far.
Many more victims are expected though, with authorities encouraging anyone affected to contact the police.
Dwanye Saunders, the owner of Genuine Automotive & Diesel in Austin, Texas, said the common mix up isn't as dire as people think.
He told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview there are things drivers should look out for at the pumps to avoid putting the wrong fuel in your tank, and what to do if it happens.
The first thing he noted is that most gas stations make it very difficult to fill a gas-powered car with diesel. At the pumps, size does matter.
“The nozzle for the diesel pump is usually much bigger than a gasoline pump,” he said.
“So, it’s pretty hard to put diesel in a gas tank, it’s actually easier to accidentally put gasoline in a diesel engine.”
If the wrong fuel type is used, drivers will know right away, as the engine will run incredibly rough before shutting off. When that happens, it’s important to not try and start the vehicle again, as it pushes the fuel further into the system. Forcing the wrong fuel through an ill-equipped engine can cost thousands in repairs, or even merit an engine replacement.
Instead, it’s best to have your vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic, where they’ll begin repairs.
“A good mechanic would drain the fuel tank and flush the lines with fresh gasoline, maybe run some fuel system cleaner through it and it’s usually not detrimental,” said Saunders.
Read more here.
STEPHEN A. Smith confronted Riley Gaines over her trans sports feud with Simone Biles.
And the ESPN star appeared to be aligned with the college swimmer’s view on transgender athletes.
Smith, 57, welcomed Gaines, 25, onto his self-titled show Wednesday.
The former college swimmer is an activist campaigning against trans women competing in female sports.
She posted on X last week about the matter and drew an angry response from Biles.
That led to an exchange where the pair accused the other of being a “bully.”
Gaines shared a post from Minnesota State High School League which celebrated a new softball champion.
Champlin Park girl’s team won the title and their team posed for a picture.
Gaines claimed comments were turned off on the post.
And she added, “To be expected when your star player is a boy.”
Smith confronted Gaines on the post during the interview Wednesday.
She said, “This case in Minnesota that you’re referring to, this was a boy who pitched five games straight in Minnesota who pitched five games straight, 35 consecutive innings, only allowed two runs of those 35 innings.
“Of those 35 innings, I think he pitched 21 shutout innings.
“They won the state championship,
“It was his team’s only ever even making the state tournament.
“Of course, they went on to win.
“He led his team in a way that I would describe as not very valiantly.”
Gaines added, “Nonetheless, to be very clear, this boy is following the rules that were in place by local leadership, state leadership.
“Of course, at the interscholastic level, but it nonetheless violated federal law, that federal law being Title IX.
“So I was quick to call this out, as I have done for years after experiencing personally the effects of competing against a man.”
Smith listened intently to Gaines’ view on transgenders and gave his own thoughts.
“Now see, I am liberal when it comes to living and let living,” Smith said.
“But when you are talking about women competing in sports against transgender women, men transitioning to women, I side with you 1,000 percent.
“I have no problem with your position whatsoever.
“I am not scared to say it, and I have never been scared to say it. I think that is absolutely the right thing to do.
“Women should be competing against women. Men should be competing against men. And transgenders should be competing against transgenders.
“I have no problem with it whatsoever. I don’t know why that’s controversial.”
DRIVERS have been warned about a auto discount that could be scamming people at the DMV.
Scammers have been able to tailor their messages using information that is publicly available.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles informed drivers about the new online scam that allows drivers to renew their vehicle’s registration for cheap, as reported by Fox affiliate KUSI.
Scammers are using social media platforms to draw people in.
The posts claim that drivers can save up to 50% off vehicle registration fees if they use this discount.
Unassuming consumers who click on the link are then asked to give up personal and financial information.
Scammers can retrieve the victim’s license plate, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and payment.
Individuals are usually asked to make the payment through an online platform like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle.
DMV scams are popular because they effectively exploit psychological vulnerabilities and leverage the trust people place in official government agencies.
California’s DMV asked drivers to be hyper-vigilant about scams that ask for sensitive or personal information.
The department also urged drivers to make transactions through trusted and official state or government sites, not unverified channels.
“The safest way to renew your vehicle registration is directly through the official DMV website,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a release earlier this month.
“We do not offer discounts, and we never conduct official business through social media or other unofficial channels.”
Drivers were also asked to conduct any auto business through their state’s DMV website or with an authorized business through the Business Partner Automation Program.
The DMV provides a list of businesses that are enrolled in the program.
“Social media gives scammers an edge in several ways,” the Federal Trade Commission reported.
Here are some ways to streamline your DMV experience:
“They can learn to tailor their approach from what you share on social media. And scammers who place ads can even use tools available to advertisers to methodically target you based on personal details, such as your age, interests, or past purchases.”
There are steps that drivers can take to avoid falling victim to one of these scams.
The department noted that it does not provide discounted prices or deals through third-party sites or on social media, so drivers should never entertain those offers.
Texts or messages that claim to be from the DMV should also raise a red flag.
Drivers who are concerned about unpaid bills or services should contact their state’s DMV for updates on their specific situation.
In general, drivers were asked to double-check their sources if they believed they had received a scam text.
Officials prompted California drivers to contact their department’s customer service team at 800-777-0133.
BEN ASKREN’S wife has given another update on the former MMA champion’s condition as he battles pneumonia.
The 40-year-old was “unresponsive” after being hospitalised last week.
Askren remains in a critical condition after contracting pneumonia following a staph infection.
A false rumour began to circulate a few days ago that he had sadly passed away.
But his wife Amy has shut down these claims, telling TMZ Sports that he is “definitely still fighting” for his life.
Former fighter-turned-commentator Daniel Cormier revealed Askren has been transferred to a hospital in his hometown of Wisconsin.
He said: “Everybody is just kind of praying that Ben gets better and we can start moving forward with life for Ben.
“It’s so sad. I don’t know how things like this happen to someone who is so good because Ben is a good guy.
“Pray for Amy, guys. Pray for the kids. Ben, we love you, buddy. We are constantly thinking about him every single day.”
Askren’s partner Amy, who he married in 2010 and has three kids with, released an emotional statement on Tuesday.
It read: “Feeling so incredibly thankful for our friends and community.
“It’s times like this that remind you how truly blessed you are.
“I feel God moving through the love and support we have received.
“I’m sorry if I haven’t had the chance to respond to you, but know I’ve seen your messages, and each one has meant so much to me.
“Please keep praying for Ben.”
Former Bellator welterweight world champion Askren retired from MMA in 2019 after three UFC fights.
He fought Jake Paul in a boxing clash in 2021, losing via a first round knockout.
A MAJOR bill that has just passed forces Sam’s Club to overhaul all of its home brand items by the end of the year.
The retailer is being forced to get in line with legislation spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr about toxic chemicals.
The Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is launching its initiative called “Made Without”, which looks to eliminate over 40 ingredients from the private label brand Member’s Mark.
The removals have been seen across 96% of the Member’s Mark items.
The ingredients being removed from items include things like artificial colors and aspartame, a sweetener that is roughly 200 times wetter than sugar.
One of the other reasons is thought to be the changing health preferences of the younger generations, who are becoming more conscious about what they eat.
Sam’s Club recently surveyed its members and found that 72% are “actively seeking minimally processed foods.”
While 90% said that they “either live or aspire to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Many food companies are working on their existing products and introducing new ones without these artificial dyes.
Sam’s Club has already rolled out cookies and snacks without artificial colors.
The retailer had already pledged to remove them in a 2022 press release.
Sam’s Club Chief Merchant Julie Barber said then: “We take pride in the high-quality ingredients that go into our products, but what truly differentiates us are the ingredients we consciously leave out.”
Prathibha Rajashekhar, senior vice president of private brands, added: “The Sam’s Club member is at the center of everything we do, so as we continue to evolve the Member’s Mark brand, we intend to develop items that are reflective of the ingredients, processes, and materials they want – and don’t want – in their products.”
It comes as Kennedy has called for the end to synthetic food dyes in US food, in his move to address health conditions and obesity in Americans.
The US Sun reported on the popular products like Gatorade, Skittles and M&M’s that fell under Kennedy’s announcement.
In an April press release, the Health Secretary said: “For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent.
We take pride in the high-quality ingredients that go into our products, but what truly differentiates us are the ingredients we consciously leave out
Julie Barber, Sam's Club Chief Merchant
“These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end.”
Kennedy also hinted that this is a top priority for Donald Trump after he spoke to the heads of some top food and drink brands.
In attendance at Kennedy’s meeting were CEOs from General Mills, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo North America, JM Smucker, Tyson Foods, WK Kellogg, and the Consumer Brands Association.
Some of the notable dyes being taken out includes Red Due 40, which is commonly used in things like sports drinks and chips.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary cited a study from The Lancet science journal.
It found that artificial colors could “result in increased hyperactivity” among children when consumed.
Makary said: “Now, there’s no one ingredient that accounts for the child chronic disease epidemic.
“And let’s be honest, taking petroleum-based food dyes out of the food supply is not a silver bullet that will instantly make America’s children healthy, but it is one important step.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals.”
LOVE Island USA has gone viral after two girls shared an extremely passionate kiss in front of their housemates.
Chelley Bissainthe and Cierra Ortega’s wild snog has been viewed around the world millions of times after a clip of the moment was shared online.
The pair locked lips during a game in the villa and the boys in particular were left gobsmacked.
Austin Shepard, who is coupled up with Chelley, was left wiping his eyes in disbelief before saying, “Chelley and I haven’t even kissed like that.”
The intense girl-on-girl snog happened during a game of Pucker Or Pie in the US series of Love Island, which is filmed in Fiji.
Cierra was stood in front of the Islanders and read out a card that said, “Which Islander gives you red flag vibes?”
Giving her answer to the group, she had a twinkle in her eye as she said, “I’m going to say… Chelley.”
Chelley, who was wearing a blue denim mini dress, looked delighted to have been picked – despite the “red flag” comment.
Cierra was then required to toss a giant pink coin, which featured a picture of lips on one side and cream pie on the other.
She made zero attempt to spin it and ensured it landed lips side up.
Chelley rushed to the front and the girls immediately grabbed each other and began kissing frantically.
Cutting to a clip in the Beach Hut, Cierra said, “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to get my lips on Chelley?!”
A clip of the moment has now taken the internet by storm, with many viewers delighted to see the girls sharing a smooch.
Fans of Love Island USA have noticed a growing chemistry between Cierra and Chelley – despite them both being coupled up with men – and are now hoping they can recouple with each other.
Commenting on the kiss, one fan said, “WHEN CIERRA SAID SHE HAD BEEN WAITING TO KISS CHELLEY I NEARLY DIED. they have more chemistry than any of these couples do.”
Another added, “Ughh the HUNGER BEHIND THAT KISS!!!! ‘Chelley and i havent even kissed like that” is sending me sb. Poor Austin he was literally ab to cry.”
And a third remarked, “All I want is a recoupling where girls pick the guys… then Cierra stands up and picks Chelley leaving the men in the duuuuuust!! Please it’s what we need.”
Chelley, who works as a trader, came out as bisexual early in this season’s Love Island USA, which airs on Peacock.
She even told her fellow Islanders that she previously dated two girls at once, seeing one in the morning and one in the evening.
Cierra, meanwhile, has played her cards closer to her chest and not openly said whether she is also attracted to women.
She is currently coupled up with Nicolas Vansteenberghe.
In her video intro as she entered the villa, content creator Cierra said, “I’m the full package: brains, beauty, and boobs.
“I don’t care whose toes I have to step on. If I can take your man, he was never your man in the first place.”
