USA Update

FOUR men accused of torching a Ukrainian-owned firm in the UK did so on behalf of Russia’s Wagner Group, a court has heard.

Goods including Starlink satellite equipment were being sent out to Kyiv from the targeted industrial estate unit.

Around £1million in damage was caused when it was set alight in Leyton, East London, in March last year.

Paul English, 61, Nii Kojo Mensah, 23, Jakeem Barrington Rose, 23, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, are said to have started the blaze.

The Old Bailey was told that CCTV placed them driving to the scene in English’s Kia Picanto.

Jurors heard Rose and Mensah were seen climbing a wall to approach the warehouse, while Mensah also livestreamed the arson.

Prosecutor Duncan Penny, KC, said they were paid agents motivated by “good old-fashioned greed”.

He added: “They did not act alone . . . they were recruited by and directed by two others who have since admitted their role in the aggravated arson.

“This was deliberate and calculated criminality at the behest of foreign influence.”

Mr Penny said “they may have been ignorant” that they had been recruited on behalf of the Vladimir Putin-controlled Wagner Group.

The four deny aggravated arson.

The trial continues.

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Four men accused of torching a Ukrainian-owned firm in the UK did so on behalf of the Putin-controlled Wagner Group, a court has heard[/caption]

FORMER fire-breather Sophie Lee said she’s going to prove that Love Island is not just about looks after being left scarred for life following a terrifying accident.

The brave star, 28, hopes to use her time in the villa to spread awareness about body positivity. 

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The influencer was left scarred for life after a fire breathing accident[/caption]

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Sophie revealed the ‘real reason’ why she turned down Love Island in the past[/caption]

Sophie’s life was changed when she was just 22, after a fire-breathing accident left her with significant burns. 

The incident took place whilst she was performing in Chicago, when an air-conditioner blew the flames she was expelling back towards her. 

Sophie told The Sun and other press that the ITV2 dating show is more than just about bikini bodies and glam looks.

She said: “[It should be about] all beauty. Even my Mum, she asked me, ‘What if this bombshell comes in? How you gonna feel about that?’ I’m like, ‘Well, this is what I signed up for, love!’ They’re gonna be stunning.”

The influencer revealed the real reason why she turned down the opportunity to appear on Love Island in previous years.

She shared: “Body confidence for me has been something I’ve worked on.

“This is a show, which is why I had to make this a big choice of mine, in terms of thinking about all these things: am I ready? Am I in a part of my life where I’m confident? That’s why previously, when I’ve been approached to do the show, I said no, because I wasn’t ready.”

Motivational speaker Sophie said she has spent the last few years working on herself and rebuilding her confidence.

“I didn’t feel good in myself. I still had a lot of inner work to do on me,” she continued.

“Now, I’m in a part of my life where I feel like I’m the woman that I’m meant to be.

“I’m proud that I can say, ‘I’m confident, I feel beautiful.’ I think beauty is not just about what you look like.

“You can wear a bin bag but feel beautiful.

“It’s more about how I’m feeling on the inside, and right now, I feel like I’m at my best.

“I feel like I’m in a part of my life where I can handle rejection. I can handle if things aren’t for me, because they’re just not my person, that’s OK.”

The star, from Manchester, previously opened up to The Sun about the terrifying incident. 

She said: “The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. It set me on fire. I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It’s crazy.

“It happened in front of everyone and I had to get on with it as professionally and quickly as I could. As soon as I got into the ambulance, I was in bits.”

She added: That was a scary, scary time. I couldn’t breathe by myself, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t really see, it was scary. I was pretty out of it but on day two I looked in the mirror and just cried.”

Sophie spent a month in an intensive care clinic in America, before battling with a tumour which began growing on the side of her face. 

Becoming an activist 

Sophie has used her own experiences to become an activist, spreading awareness about unfair beauty standards and the importance of body positivity.

She said: “Life since the accident is definitely something I didn’t expect because I just see myself as someone who went through something and thought my story could help others.

“My aim was never to get awards or receive that type of attention. With the platform I have now, I feel like I have not only a responsibility to others but a responsibility to myself to be a better person everyday and to always be evolving.

“If people were to take a message from my story I’d say that beauty is always skin deep and your life is perfect just as it is.

“You just need to be yourself and accepting of life’s roller coaster so love your perfectly imperfect life.”

She has worked extensively with Katie Piper’s charity and even wrote a book entitled In My Skin. 

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IF your garden is looking a bit of a mess and you want to ensure it looks fresh, you’ve come to the right place. 

It turns out that there’s a nightmare pest that may be living in your garden – and it could be the reason why your grass and plants are ruined.

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You may spot aphids clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular[/caption]

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Pollyanna Wilkinson, right, shared how to banish the pest without harming your garden[/caption]

Aphids are extremely common and can impact plant growth.

They have tiny soft pear-shaped bodies, and are usually green or black.

You may spot them clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular – or may find a sticky substance on your plants that gives away aphids have been there sucking at the sap.

But while there’s no need to be alarmed, it’s best to identify the problem as soon as possible – and luckily, a gardening whizz has come to rescue with a wallet-friendly solution.

Speaking on her podcast, The Ins & Outs, Pollyanna Wilkison responded to a listener who had written into the show how to banish the common pest from their birch tree.

The gardening designer said: ”We’re getting a lot of questions about how to get rid of aphids and it’s a tricky one.

”Because on the one side, I want to say to you aphids are actually amazing forage for loads of really important insects – ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitoid wasps all eat aphids.

”They will be eaten by these guys if you leave them alone.”

However, if you’re dealing with ”an absolute infestation”, there’s something you can use – and it’s already in your kitchen.

According to Pollyanna, green-fingered Brits can use washing-up liquid – which you can snap up for around 65p from your local supermarket.

She explained in the podcast: ”The best thing you can do is put some washing-up liquid in a spray bottle and spray everything.

”That’s not going to hurt anything.

”Whatever they breathe through, it blocks it and then they die.”

”We’re not here for the pesticides – the washing-up liquid will do it absolutely fine.”

The gardening whizz also recently shared the common decoration she hates – hanging baskets.

“Hate them. I effing hate hanging baskets. 

“And the reason I hate them is much the same reason that I hate small pots.”

She shared the first reason for this is that she doesn’t think they are “very attractive as a vessel.”

Pollyanna explained on the episode: “You can tend to see the plastic inside because it’s got a plastic liner, because otherwise, obviously the water is going to go through. 

“And I don’t like seeing plastic in the garden.

“And also the body of soil that a hanging basket holds – unless it’s those amazing ones outside the Ritz, which are just the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen, but those are the sides of a beach ball –  it’s just, it’s this tiny little dish of mud.”

TWO men who said they were bitten and left disfigured by bed bugs during a one-night hotel stay have won a $2 million payout after taking the matter to court.

The guest claimed the infestation left them disfigured and traumatized, and that hotel staff did nothing despite knowing about the issue.

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Two guests at a hotel in California won a lawsuit for $2 million[/caption]

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The guests said they were bitten and left disfigured by bed bugs during a one-night hotel stay (stock image)[/caption]

The incident happened on February 7, 2020, at the Shores Inn in Ventura, California, just over an hour from Los Angeles.

According to court records, Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez checked into the beachside hotel and were immediately “massacred from bed bug bites.”

The pair said they endured physical and emotional distress from the attack.

“The bed bugs latched onto the Plaintiffs while they slept, sucked their blood until they were gorged, and resisted eradication,” the lawsuit alleged.

On May 23, a jury ordered the Shores Inn to pay a combined $2 million in damages to the guests, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Gutierrez was awarded $400,000 in compensatory damages for pain, disfigurement, grief, and emotional distress.

Sanchez, meanwhile, received $600,000 for similar injuries.

Each of them were awarded an additional $500,000 in punitive damages.

Court filings claimed the hotel’s management knew about the infestation but failed to act on it.

Several online reviews had also warned of bed bugs at the property, the complaint noted.

The lawsuit, filed in December 2021, stated that management ignored those reviews and allowed guests to remain at risk.

Attorney Brian Virag, who represented the two men, said the hotel had a long-standing bed bug problem.

“The management was not taking good care of the place,” Virag said. 

“Turns out, they had experience with bed bugs at that hotel dating back a long time.”

The men left the hotel after one night and sought medical care for their injuries, the attorney said.

Shores Inn has typically promoted its proximity to the Ventura Pier and Ventura Harbor for guests.

The property sits near the 101 Freeway and offers easy parking, according to its website.

Following the verdict, Shores Inn hired appellate attorney Wendy Lascher.

She said the owners may challenge the ruling.

“There’s unusual factors that go beyond the initial facts of the case,” Lascher told the LA Times.

Court records show that after the trial, a note was found in one of the juror’s notebooks.

It claimed two jurors had been near the hotel during the trial.

The note also alleged that one juror told others the hotel was “an eyesore & should be torn down.”

“I just need to clear my conscious,” the note read.

Virag said the note didn’t affect the facts.

“It is not uncommon that the losing party will attempt to appeal the decision of 12 members of the community,” he said.

“We will let the courts handle that.”

Virag specializes in bed bug-related cases and said this is the largest jury award he has seen involving the issue.

Shore Inn didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.

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Several online reviews had warned of bed bugs at the property[/caption]

AT least 30 new stores are coming in just months for a popular discount chain.

The Dollar Tree rival is continuing to expand its operations after hundreds of additions nationwide last year.

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Five Below opened more than 200 stores in 2024.

At least 55 have already popped up across 20 states so far this year, and 30 more are on the way throughout summer, according to comments from COO Ken Bull during a Wednesday earnings call.

By the end of 2025, Five Below expects a total new store count of 150.

Currently, there are over 1,800 Five Below locations in the United States.

That means the discount chain is coming very lose to 2,000, still a bit far off Dollar Tree’s over 8,700.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

TRAVIS KELCE has pinpointed the Kansas City Chiefs star set to take the NFL by storm.

The 35-year-old returned to OTA practice last week after a few months on vacation.

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Travis Kelce was at an event with his NFL legend brother Jason recently[/caption]

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Kelce is looking to add a fourth Super Bowl ring in the upcoming season[/caption]

He has been spending time with pop sensation girlfriend Taylor Swift down in Florida.

It comes after the Chiefs suffered a humiliating end to the 2025 season.

They were smashed 40-22 in the Super Bowl in February down in New Orleans.

Kelce has now picked out the Chiefs player he spotted in practice that impressed him.

The Hall of Fame-bound named 2025 NFL Draft first-rounder Josh Simmons as the one that caught his eye.

The 22-year-old offensive lineman was picked at number 32 out of Ohio State.

And despite facing injury problems, Kelce told his New Heights podcast how impressed he was.

“I was just back there last week,” he said.

“Got to see a lot of the rookies, get to jump on the field with the helmets and jerseys.

“Run around and see what this new fine-tuned offense is going to look like.

“At least set the tone for the rest of the offseason and going into mini camp here in a few weeks.

“Josh Simmons, first of all great dude, seems like he’s embracing his situation.

“He’s working hard to make sure that he’s ready by the time season comes around or as healthy as he can be.

“I’ve seen him over there working some pass sets and things like that.

“When you see the guy move, he’s so balanced, and he’s such a big athlete, he doesn’t seem like he’s ever top heavy.

“His legs are strong, his feet are in the ground, he’s very precise with his movement.

“He puts on pads and he’ll probably get a little meaner and really bring a lot to the table for us.”

Simmons has been battling a quadriceps tear following the Chiefs rookie training camp.

But head coach Andy Reid still saw enough in the youngster to grab him in the first-round.

Kelce’s brother Jason told New Heights that he believed the Chiefs offensive line was a “major struggle” last season.

But both believe the 6ft 5inch 320lbs star can help push them towards another run at the Super Bowl.

Simmons signed a $14.6 million rookie contract with the Chiefs last month.

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Kelce picked Josh Simmons as the one who caught his eye in Chiefs practice[/caption]

Mackenzie McKee has given birth to twins with her fiance Khesanio Hall, The U.S. Sun can report.

The Teen Mom star and the soccer player, both 30, announced the big news on Instagram today and revealed the unique names they chose for their baby girls.

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Teen Mom Mackenzie McKee and her fiance Khesanio Hall have welcomed twins[/caption]

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Mackenzie struggled through her twin pregnancy[/caption]

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Mackenzie gained 20 pounds of water weight as she struggled with preeclampsia[/caption]

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Mackenzie and Khesanio celebrated their twin girls in a big gender reveal party[/caption]

Following 31 weeks of pregnancy, the MTV star gave birth to daughters Ja’Kharie Angie and Ja’Meikah Angella Hall on Monday, June 2.

Ja’Kharie was the first twin to arrive at 7:08 p.m. EST, and weigh 5 lbs.

Her sister, Ja’Meikah, was just a few minutes behind her and arrived at 7:11 p.m. EST, weighing 5 lbs., 2 oz.

They shared photos of the milestone occasion from the delivery room, where the couple can be seen cuddling near each other in a hospital gown and hairpiece.

In another sweet snap from the hospital, the babies can be seen lying in an incubator as their mama reaches in to hold their hands.

Khesanio can be seen on the other side of the bassinet, grinning ear to ear at his newborn babies.

The couple gushed about the exciting news shortly after welcoming their bundles of joy, with Mackenzie telling People: “I can’t even put into words how magical this moment is for us!

“I am so thankful to have just given birth to two beautiful and strong girls.

“And I can’t wait to see them grow into the queens that God desires them to be.”

Her husband-to-be added: “Mackenzie has done so well with our beautiful girls and I’m super proud of her!

“Ja’Kharie and Ja’Meikah came out so smoothly and all three of them are doing well, thank God! This is easily the happiest day of my life!”

Mackenzie first revealed her pregnancy on Drew Barrymore‘s talk show in March.

“No one knows I’m pregnant, but I am!” she laughed on the couch, as the audience broke into applause.

“And there’s two in there.”

Mackenzie, who is already mom to Gannon, 13, Jaxie, 11, and Broncs, 8, with ex Josh Mckee, revealed her IVF journey on the most recent season of Teen Mom: Next Chapter.

She and Khesanio held and over-the-top gender reveal party on the show.

The former pro athlete kicked two soccer balls, and pink dust burst out of both.

“Two girls!” Mackenzie gushed. “I’m so excited.”

“And you’re the best girl dad, even though I know you wanted a boy,” she told Khesanio.

“I’m just happy,” he responded.

ROUGH PREGNANCY

As a type 1 diabetic, Mackenzie struggled through the high-risk pregnancy.

During the last week of May, she gained 20 pounds of water weight in just two days.

“Over the past 48 hours my body has taken a rapid turn of preeclampsia symptoms. I have gained 20 pounds in 48 hours of water weight,” she said on Snapchat on Wednesday, May 28.

“So I was looking at my feet, ankles and legs and I just started seeing them get bigger and bigger and bigger throughout the day. And then it got to a point where I can’t walk.”

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Mackenzie struggled with pregnancy complications in the final days of her pregnancy[/caption]

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Mackenzie is already a mom to three kids[/caption]

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Mackenzie and Khesanio live in Florida with her three kids[/caption]

KHLOE Kardashian’s ex-husband Lamar Odom has reportedly been evicted from Los Angeles mansion.

This is due to the former Los Angeles Clippers player ‘failing to pay $45k in rent.’

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Khloe Kardashian’s ex-husband has been kicked out of his home[/caption]

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Lamar Odom was ordered to vacate his huge megamansion in Claifornia[/caption]

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He was sued by the sublessor for ‘failing to pay $45k in back rent’ over three months[/caption]

As well as his career in the NBA, Lamar is known for his high-profile relationship with Khloe Kardashian, 40.

After getting married after just one month after meeting, they starred in their own reality show in 2011.

Only two seasons aired on E! Entertainment before it was cancelled in 2012.

After they split, Odom was rushed to hospital in a comatose state after he was discovered unconscious at the Love Ranch brothel in Nevada in 2015.

However, his life is apparently still just as tumultuous as The New York Post reports that he has been ordered to vacate his mansion.

The outlet has reported that the former reality star has been kicked out of the rented home after he failed to pay $45,000 in back rent.

In March, Executive Recovery Group, Inc. -the sublessor of the Studio City megamansion – sued Lamar.

The company claimed that the Mavericks star agreed to pay $15,000 a month to stay at the sprawling home.

Lawsuit documents allege that the fair value of the property is “is $500 per day.”

As part of the oral agreement for the month-to-month tenancy, the money would be due on the first day of every month.

According to the publication, Executive Recovery Group, Inc has claimed that the former Lakers player did not pay any rent for three months between January and March.

The company also alleges in court documents obtained by The Post, that it gave the media personality several notices.

This included a three-day notice to either pay or leave the premises that was posted on the property on March 11.

It warned Odom that he was “required to pay said rent in full within three (3) days.”

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They went onto launch their own self-titled reality series which focussed on their relationship[/caption]

The notice in the lawsuit explained: “If you fail to perform or otherwise comply, Landlord declares the forfeiture of the lease or rental agreement under which you occupy said premises.”

According to documents: “At the time the 3-day notice to pay rent or quit was served, the amount of rent due was $45,000.”

The documents state that Executive Recovery Group, Inc. included an “election of forfeiture” in its filing.

According to the filing, the sublessor allegedly terminated its lease agreement with the basketball star on March 17.

It is also suing Lamar for forfeiture of the agreement, attorney fees and damages as well as the past-due rent.

According to the publication, Lamar did not respond to the lawsuit and the court sided with Executive Recovery Group, Inc. back in April.

The court awarded possession of the property to the company as Odom was ordered to vacate the premises.

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The duo later split up when Khloe filed for divorce in 2013[/caption]

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He was rushed to hospital in 2015 after he was discovered unconscious in a legal brothel in Nevada[/caption]

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Now it’s been alleged that the star failed to pay the lease on his rental manion for three months between January and March[/caption]

JUSTIN Bieber is struggling to come to terms with his wife Hailey’s stunning business success, two well-placed sources have told The U.S. Sun.

Model Hailey was brought to tears last week when her Rhode makeup company was bought by e.l.f. Beauty in a deal that will eventually reach an incredible $1 billion.

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Justin and Hailey Bieber are reportedly continuing to have problems[/caption]

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Two sources have told The U.S. Sun that Hailey’s recent business success hasn’t been welcomed by husband Justin[/caption]

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Hailey was reduced to tears last week when her Rhode make-up brand was bought out in a deal which will eventually total $1 billion[/caption]

FRESH TURMOIL

However, two insiders close to the Biebers say the struggling Canadian pop star is not happy about not being the center of attention right now.

The U.S. Sun has extensively reported on the state of their marriage, with close friends claiming their relationship is at “breaking point.”

Hailey, who gave birth to baby Jack Baby Blues last August, denied there were issues in a recent Vogue interview.

Yet the first source says tension between the pair is at “an all-time high” since the Rhode contract was signed.

Justin, added the insider, is “obsessed with being the dominant figure in their relationship” and is “jealous” of his wife.

“It feels like a blow to his ego,” the friend and confidant told The U.S. Sun. “Justin is becoming incredibly selfish, and that deal has deeply upset him. He cannot stand the idea of being the ‘number two’ in their relationship now.”

Bieber’s erratic behavior and gaunt appearance have been worrying his fans for months.

The U.S. Sun revealed that staffers at a recent SZA gig said the singer “looked like a ghost” when he took to the stage for a surprise cameo.

But now, continued the source, he is “behaving like a spoiled teenager” and is refusing to support his wife during her moment of glory.

“It’s disappointing to see him act like this,” added the insider.

JEALOUSY AND ANGER

According to those close to the couple, there is a feeling that Bieber, who has reportedly been forced to deny using hard drugs, does not want to play a secondary role in the relationship “regardless of what Hailey achieves.”

“Justin has been dreaming of similar deals for years but has not achieved them,” said a fashion consultant who is close to the couple.

“He resents that she is a better businessperson than he is, and her success makes him feel inadequate as a businessman.”

While Hailey, according to a business consultant who knows them both well, is unselfish and not bothered about being the center of attention, her husband’s reaction has been “disappointing.”

There are claims of him being selfish, childish, and sour.

“She wanted him to show her love, support, and pride, but instead, she has faced coldness and jealousy,” he said.

His inner circle – which The U.S. Sun revealed earlier this year has shrunk, with some close confidants being frozen out – are urging the Sorry hitmaker to change his attitude and back his wife.

The requests, however, have so far fallen on deaf ears.

“He has withdrawn and is behaving like a sulky child who has been reprimanded, shutting down and acting foolishly for days,” added the business consultant.

“This kind of behavior is not what you would expect from a married man or a father. He is acting like a selfish teenager, and if he does not change, Hailey might become fed up and make the best decision for herself.”

The U.S. Sun contacted Bieber’s representatives for comment but is yet to hear back.

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Close pals stress Justin isn’t on hard drugs despite some erratic behavior in the last few months[/caption]

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Hailey told Vogue magazine recently that her marriage wasn’t in trouble[/caption]

CUSTOMERS of a popular restaurant chain can enjoy free drinks this summer, including Pepsi, Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew.

Panera Bread is handing out free beverages for the next three months to new Unlimited Sip Club members at participating US locations – but only if they sign up before the deadline.

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Panera Bread is offering free drinks for the next three months to Unlimited Sip Club members[/caption]

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Athlete Ilona Maher promoted the special on Panera’s Instagram page[/caption]

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The offer includes hot and iced teas, coffees and popular fountain drinks like Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew[/caption]

The ‘Summer of Free Sips’ offer was launched in partnership with Pepsi and Starry soda brands.

Athlete and Dancing With the Stars contestant Ilona Maher promoted the special on Panera Bread’s Instagram page.

The company said: “From being a star athlete to a social media sensation, Ilona Maher is a member of many clubs that people only dream about joining.

“For Maher, however, there’s only one that quenches your thirst for great value and unbeatable variety: Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club.”

The offer includes hot and iced teas, coffees and popular fountain drinks like Pepsi, Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew.

Customers can claim free drinks by signing up anytime between today and June 30.

They can sign up online or through the Panera app after creating an account.

The plan costs $14.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

Once having joined the club, customers can get a new drink every two hours, as per the terms and conditions.

Founded in 1987, the popular American fast-casual restaurant chain is known for its freshly baked breads, soups, salads, sandwiches and coffee.

The chain has a strong digital presence, with an app and subscription services for coffee and other menu items.

Panera has recently made a series of changes to its menu, including axing its controversial Charged Lemonade in May last year.

Two people allegedly died after drinking the highly caffeinated lemonade which drew criticism over health concerns.

The families of both individuals filed lawsuits against Panera.

Dennis Brown, 46-year-old grocery store worker with multiple health conditions, died in October 2023.

Brown allegedly suffered a cardiac event while walking home from Panera after consuming three cups of the unlimited Charged Lemonade, according to the lawsuit.

Speaking to The U.S. Sun, Brown’s lawyer Elizabeth Crawford said that Brown went to Panera for a meal after work around three days a week as he trusted “their food and drinks were safe”. 

Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student with a pre-existing heart condition, had a cardiac arrest in September 2022, after drinking a Charged Lemonade.

A settlement was reportedly reached in the lawsuit filed by Katz’ family, though the details have not been disclosed.

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Panera Bread has rolled out a new drinks offer[/caption]