And it was an emotional moment for the duo, as mum Caroline broke down in tears on the big reveal that the all-important guest book was empty on their arrival.
Celebrating their win, Caroline broke down in tears in emotional scenes, telling her son: “We must never doubt ourselves, ever, ever, ever again.”
Tom added: “I’m lost for words, I can’t believe it.
“Fifty one days racing through countries I never thought I’d go to.
“I never thought we’d come this far, I never thought we’d achieve so much, and I’ve never been prouder of my mum – she got me through it.”
Caroline and Tom were closely followed by sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, who arrived at the finish line just shy of 20 minutes later.
Forty five minutes behind the winners, Fin and Sioned arrived in third place, while brothers Brian and Melvyn took a further three hours to reach the end.
On their way home from the series, the duo revealed that while they had sworn themselves to secrecy about winning the cash, it didn’t take long to spill the beans.
Caroline revealed: “[We told] my husband, in the car on the way home – we couldn’t hide it!”
Tom added: “We had made a pact on the plane not to tell anybody, but within minutes of seeing him we let that one go, it was so hard to keep it in.”
However, the mother and son duo still haven’t decided what they’re going to do with the cash.
Tom concluded: “I haven’t really thought about what I’m doing with the money yet.
“I don’t want to be stupid and waste it. Mum and I want to go backpacking again, so some of it will be used for that.”
The reunion episode of Race Across The World airs June 18 at 9pm on BBC One and you can catch up on all episodes on BBC iPlayer.
BBCThe duo will feature on a reunion episode next week[/caption]
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Buy-now-pay-later Reeves is bribing voters with baubles as Labour’s debt clock racks up and up
GOODBYE the Iron Chancellor, hello the Klarna Chancellor.
Rachel Reeves’ spending splurge yesterday may have some eye-catching purchases. But it’s buy now, pay later as Labour racked up the debt even further.
Rachel Reeves stuck another £113billion on the borrowing tabAlamyAlamyIt’s buy now, pay later as The Klarna Chancellor racked up the debt even further[/caption]
You could hear Nigel Farage breathing down the neck of her Spending Review that saw the Treasury shovel billions out of the door on the never never.
Clearly designed to see cranes in the sky and spades in the (electoral battle) ground, Reeves stuck another £113billion on the borrowing tab to try to see off the threat of Reform in the next crucial three years ahead of the election.
The £7billion prison-building project should be welcomed, as long as the judges actually fill them with violent thugs rather than online mums publishing stupid tweets.
Bribe and cajole
But voters will be wary of the £16billion in transport upgrades outside of the South East — what you might call levelling up — having heard these promises before, only to see them paused, scrapped and delayed again and again.
And let’s hope none of the above projects over-run on their budget — like pretty much every other major government infrastructure initiative has in the past 40 years.
I couldn’t help thinking Reeves’ speech yesterday was the most she had ever sounded like Gordon Brown, torturing a dreary mantra that these were “Labour choices” as she sought to bribe and cajole voters with baubles while the debt clock racked up and up.
But we all know what happened to Brown when the music stopped . . .
While the bond markets were steady last night after Donald Trump struck a trade deal with China, these things can go south very quickly, so it’s far from clear if this spending gamble will pay off for Reeves.
He warned: “Just like when you’re at home and you’ve got your credit card or your mortgage, you have to pay for that debt.
“So the debt interest that we’re paying on the nation’s credit card, if you actually put it out like it was a government department, it would be one of the biggest government departments by spending.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies put the extra borrowing Reeves has undertaken since taking over at No11 at £140billion, with more than £105billion of taxpayers’ cash alone this year going on interest payments.
To tackle this, Case directly urged Reeves this week to “put the squeeze” on public spending or face a debt crisis and a lack of confidence in the UK’s financial system with horrific effects.
The Chancellor’s speech was the most she had ever sounded like Gordon BrownPA:Press Association
So were there any cuts, or restraint of any real note yesterday?
Of course there was the obligatory three per cent rise in NHS spending over the next three years as more pound notes poured into that seemingly indeterminable black hole.
While NHS chiefs were crowing yesterday that they had “done well” out of the settlement, they were already pumping out mood music that it might not be enough.
Yet by 2029, the NHS annual budget will be just short of a quarter of a trillion pounds a year at £226billion.
When will it ever be enough?
And where are the promised reforms to the system that would rid us of this endless gimme, gimme, gimme cycle?
Also, £9billon in efficiency savings for the NHS were proposed yesterday, with scarce details on the how, but already experts are pouring cold water on even that small sum being hit.
Labour promised to get a grip on the NHS, and warned that more money would not be the answer.
Another election promise that has turned to dust.
As has Labour’s pledge to end the use of migrant hotels within 12 months of taking power.
That has now been downgraded to “by the end of this Parliament” — at a cost of nearly £5billion until then.
Smoke and mirrors
Even by 2029, the Government will still be spending more than £2billion a year accommodating visitors, just not in hotels.
So behind the smoke and mirrors of Reeves’ speech to MPs, that isn’t really a cut.
And the continued costs of the heaving asylum bill dwarfs any of the departmental savings unveiled yesterday.
Reeves was keen to stress no return to the days of austerity, and her tinkering on Whitehall budgets was about the only part of her speech yesterday that matched her rhetoric.
The £1.5billion to be shaved off total departmental spending in the next three years pales in comparison to her extra spending elsewhere.
Just over £14billion being spent this year, down to £12.6billion in three years’ time.
Hardly putting on the squeeze.
Meanwhile, the UK’s national debt stands at more than 100 per cent of GDP at 2.7trillion . . .
Let’s hope the Chancellor doesn’t need a major rainy day fund anytime soon, or she really will be the new Gordon Brown.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Love Island viewers beg producers to add subtitles as they struggle to understand ‘mumbling’ boy
LOVE Island viewers have called for subtitles to be added to the show as they struggle to understand one of the islanders.
Ben – a private hire taxi driver and model from Gloucester – has raised eyebrows for mumbling his way through various conversations.
Viewers have struggled to understand what Ben has been sayingErotemeShutterstock EditorialThe boys have all been accused of mumbling[/caption]
One person moaned: “I need subtitles to understand Ben he’s so mumbly.”
A second said: “Can we have subtitles for Ben while he decides on what accent he will be using.”
While a third added that it wasn’t just Ben they couldn’t hear, writing: “Why do so many men mumble nowadays? You’re not emasculating yourself by opening your mouth more when you speak.”
Another said: “Lived in England my whole life and I don’t understand some of these accents. Where’s the subtitles.”
In tense scenes on tonight’s Ben calls it quits with Toni after admitting she gave him the ‘ick’ after her reaction to Sophie Lee being sent home.
It quickly turns sour and he tells her: “I don’t feel like me and you have got that spark if I am being honest.”
Looking taken aback she replies ‘okay’ as he continues: “That is just me being honest but I know when I have got it with someone. That I feel it straight away. But yeah I don’t feel like you and me have got it.”
Toni tells him: “I mean I don’t think that technique is going to work for you here.”
He asks what she means and she replies: “Right away off the bat.”
Smirking, he responds: “You’d be surprised. I feel like sparks have already been made.”
A very unhappy Toni hits back: “Good luck pal.”
Love Island 2025 - current couples
LOVE Island's 2025 cast have already undergone a shake-up, here are the latest couples:
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Love Island fans beg bosses to axe islander after ‘cruel’ comment to one girl
LOVE Island fans have begged bosses to axe Ben Holbrough after his cruel comment to Toni Laites on tonight’s show.
ITV2 viewers were left open-mouthed when Ben told some of his fellow Islanders that US Toni had given him the “ick”.
Love Island fans have begged bosses to axe Ben after tonight’s showErotemeThe taxi driver stormed off during a clash with US Islander ToniErotemeBen cruelly dumped Toni after he admitted she gave him the ‘ick’Eroteme
It came after he snapped at her when she told him to “not make it all about himself”.
He then told Shakira in the kitchen that Toni had given him the “ick” and that there was no spark between them.
After Shakira told Toni what Ben had said, the Connecticut based beauty pulled Ben aside for a chat, where he brutally ended their romantic connection.
But those watching at home were gobsmacked at his brutal approach and have begged for him to be axed next.
One wrote: “Ben is a loser, get him off Love Island.”
A second posted: “Ben is unnecessarily cruel, it’s giving negging & all the red flags.”
A third said: “I feel so bad for Toni, Ben is VILE.”
“I wish I could vote Ben off right now,” a fourth commented.
The fallout came after Ben admitted she gave him the ‘ick’ after her reaction toSophie Leebeing sent home.
As the Islanders are still reeling about Shakira Khan choosing Harry Cooksley, Toni said: “Boys, it’s your turn, just saying – I don’t think you’re gonna be safe.”
Ben replied: “Are you saying me in particular?”
Toni added: “No it’s about boys, not everything is about you.”
Her comments didn’t go down well with Ben and he walked off – leaving the others surprised by his reaction.
Meg later told him: “That was a bit much…I don’t get what she said that was really offensive?”
Ben replied: “She said, ‘Not everything is about you…’ I just got the ick.”
Ben then told Shakira he’d got the ick with Toni and Shakira lets Toni know about this and suggests she pulls him for a chat.
Toni does exactly that and asks Ben: “I’ve heard from people you said I’m giving you the ick?”
It quickly turned sour and he told her: “I don’t feel like me and you have got that spark if I am being honest.”
Looking taken aback she replied ‘okay’ as he continued: “That is just me being honest but I know when I have got it with someone. That I feel it straight away. But yeah I don’t feel like you and me have got it.”
Toni told him: “I mean I don’t think that technique is going to work for you here.”
He asked what she means and she replied: “Right away off the bat.”
Smirking, he responded: “You’d be surprised. I feel like sparks have already been made.”
A very unhappy Toni hits back: “Good luck pal.”
Ben asked Shakira to join him in the Hideaway for a chat, where he admitted he fancied her.
Toni was surprised when Ben told her he already has ‘sparks’ elsewhereEroteme
GettyJacksonville Jaguars two-way rookie star Travis Hunter works out during the team’s OTAs on June 2[/caption]
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersHunter recently bought a $3.275 million home in Deerwood Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida[/caption]
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersAerial view of the large mansion that has 13 rooms and a pool, among other features[/caption]
Travis Hunter has been tasked with participating in rookie minicamp, OTAs, and now mandatory minicamp for his new Jaguars squad.
The Colorado Buffaloes product will be a Jaguar for the foreseeable future after penning his rookie contract, which is for four years and $46.6 million with a fifth-year option.
That means Hunter will have to buy a home near the Jaguars’ team facility as well as EverBank Stadium, the home of the Jacksonville squad.
So the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner has paid $3.275 million for a 13-room home in the gated Deerwood Country Club in Jacksonville.
Hunter bought the house on May 30.
The 8,125-square-foot mansion has two floors and consists of five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
The home, which was built in 1995, also has a four-car garage.
The property also has a poolnext to an open patio and a tenniscourt.
Hunter bought the home through Angela Evangelista Stringfellow.
She revealed Monday that Hunter, his new wife, Leanna, and brother toured 16 homes in Jacksonville the weekend after the NFL Draft.
The house was the 16th and final house toured.
“It was really special,” Stringfellow said. “He took the time to appreciate the home and the family that lived there.”
The $3.2 million sale is a record for the Deerwood Country Club, she revealed.
Hunter’s home is in a Deerwood Estates community that has a few houses on the street.
“I hope he finds it as wonderful as [my husband and I] have for 15 years,” Stringfellow added.
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersA photo of Hunter’s spacious wine cellar with brick walls[/caption]
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersHunter can play tennis at his new gated property[/caption]
Hunter will be part of a Jaguars team that is coming off a disappointing 4-13 season in 2024.
He will play cornerback and wide receiver for a team that is led by new head coach Liam Coen.
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersA view of a backyard pool from a covered patio for Hunter and his wife to enjoy[/caption]
Angela Stringfellow, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic PartnersThe property also features a game room that has a pool table[/caption]
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Rapper Silentó gets 30-year sentence for murdering own cousin after getting felony charge dropped despite video evidence
RAPPER Silentó will spend 30 years in prison for shooting his cousin to death in 2021.
Silentó, real name Ricky Hawk, is best known for his viral 2015 song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).
DeKalb County Sheriff’s OfficeRicky Hawk in his mugshot at DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office[/caption]
APSilentó in July 2015, shortly after his song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) was released[/caption]
Hawk, 27, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another.
The Atlanta rapper was originally indicted on a felony charge of malice murder, but took a plea deal for lesser charges.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Hawk shot his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, dead in the legs and face early on the morning of January 21, 2021.
It is still unclear what led up to the shooting.
Home security camera footage from the scene caught several cars speeding away and captured at least one gunshot, cops said.
Hawk admitted to the shooting in an interview with investigators several days after it occurred, according to the DeKalb district attorney.
Bullet casings found at the scene also matched a gun Hawk had when he was arrested.
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.
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Three killer holes at Oakmont including one that cost Tiger Woods a US Open as Rory McIlroy and Co face savage test
WELCOME to the torture chamber hosting golf’s top stars for the next four days, as the US Open comes to Oakmont for a record tenth time.
Some holes are as notorious as the players are famous, with hot favourite Scottie Scheffler calling it “probably the hardest golf course that we’ll play – maybe ever”.
AlamyEnglish ace Justin Rose gets down to business in practice[/caption]
AlamyScottie Scheffler is the favourite after three wins in four tournaments[/caption]
ReutersBryson DeChambeau asked for patience as he signed autographs[/caption]
It’s three and far from easy for players at Oakmont this week
Back in 2007 legend Tiger Woods took one look at the notorious Church Pew bunker that splits the third and fourth fairways – a 100 yard long stretch of sand featuring 12 three foot high grass ridges – and decided he wanted nothing to do with it.
However, reigning champion Bryson DeChambeau will hope to find big-hitting answers.
And world no.2 Rory McIlroy aims to build on his maiden Masters triumph.
But here’s a look at three of the toughest holes any golfer could face – plus the verdict of leading players on the ominous Oakmont course.
Hole 3 (par 4 – 462 yards)
THIS difficult par-four provides the first sight of the massive Church Pews bunker down the left-hand side of the fairway.
And if you steer too far wide of it, there is a row of deep bunkers down the right waiting to gobble up balls.
Rated as one of the toughest holes on the course — just ask Tiger Woods. He made his only double-bogey here in 2007 and ended up finishing one shot behind eventual winner Angel Cabrera.
APDeChambeau hailed his US Open glory at Pinehurst last year[/caption]
GettyTiger Woods famously found trouble at Oakmont in 2007[/caption]
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Hole 4 (par 5 – 611 yards)
ONE of only two par-fives and considered a must-birdie hole as it is shorter than the 12th — which can play anything from 632 to 684 yards. Church Pews bunker is in play down the left. Going for the green in two means taking on a long, blind shot.
Hole 8 (par 3 – 289 yards)
THIS is where The Beast — as Oakmont is known — really shows its teeth.
It usually plays into the wind, so most will have to reach for the driver.
Johnny Miller made his only bogey when he shot a course-record 63 on his way to the 1973 US Open here. He said it felt like a par!
Scheffler’s “hardest ever” verdict on the course is more than matched by the assessment of fellow superstar players.
Double UPSGA champ Justin Thomas says “you can look stupid pretty fast” at the US Open venue, and reckons it will “psyche a lot of guys out before they hit a shot”.
But another double Major winner, Xander Schauffele – regarded as a robot at churning out great US rounds after finishing inside the top 15 in all eight attempts – confessed: “Maybe I’m just sick to enjoy the challenge.”
GettyDeChambeau watches his practice putt on the 14th green[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialScheffler putts on the same hole on the tournament eve[/caption]
But is all the talk about this 7,531 yards par 70 being the toughest course on the planet justified? In the words of Dustin Johnson, who won here in 2016: “Hell, yeah!”
Johnson finished four under par nine years ago, on a course playing much easier than usual, because so much rain fell it was nicknamed ‘Soakmont’.
But only three other players in the 156 man field finished below par – all on one under – and 14 of the 18 holes played above par. Eight of them featured in the top fifty hardest holes among the 990 used on the PGA Tour that year.
That did not compare to what happened at the previous US Open at Oakmont, in 2007. That year all EIGHTEEN holes played over par.
Angel Cabrera won at five over, a shot clear of Jim Furyk and Woods, who felt he played great that week.
Meanwhile, Woods’ Pew peril led to caddie Steve Williams suggesting he should throw a few balls in there so Woods could practice escaping from the trap.
Woods shook his head and replied: “No way. I don’t practice negativity. I’m just going to avoid it. I’ll hit away from it every day.”
The hole that strikes most terror in competitors’ hearts is the 289 yards par three eighth, which is likely to be pushed back beyond 300 yards at least once this week.
He did, but still only managed to break par once on his way to runners-up spot.
But the hole that strikes most terror into the hearts of the competitors is the fearsome 289 yards par three eighth, which is likely to be pushed back beyond the 300 yards mark at least once this week.
World No 4 Collin Morikawa did not realise it was a par three the first time he played it in practice.
He explained: “I completely forgot that that was the long par three, and I honestly asked Joe, my caddie, and everyone in the group, do you go for this par four or do you lay up?
“Now that I know it’s a par three, I recommend going for it! I’ll probably hit driver or three wood and hopefully hit the green. If not, make up-and-down.
“Honestly. it’s a hole I’ll take four pars right now, and walk away.”
Schauffele reckons some players will have bruised egos about using a driver on a par three, but said they had to “suck it up” to give themselves the best chance of making par.
And he reckons TV viewers will love the carnage they are likely to witness over the next few days.
He explained: “I don’t think people turn the TV on this week to watch some of the guys just hit like a 200 yard shot onto the green, you know what I mean?
“I think they turn on the U.S. Open to see a guy shooting eight over, and watch him suffer. That’s part of the enjoyment of the U.S. Open for viewers.
“My attitude is that you have to stay as calm as possible because we’re all going to struggle at times. Maybe that’s why I’ve done so well in this tournament.
Shutterstock EditorialSam Burns is a figure of focus as he practices[/caption]
“I think I look pretty level-headed when I play, but internally I might be absolutely just thrashing myself. That happens to me more than you might think.
“I think truly having a good attitude is accepting what just happened, and allowing yourself to be pretty much at zero to hit the next shot.”
Thomas believes most of the field will not be able to handle the setbacks as well as the top players.
He said: “Being perfectly honest, and very selfish, I hope it psyches a lot of players out. This course requires tons of patience and discipline, and not everyone can get a handle on that.
“Above all else, Oakmont tests the mental aspect of your game. But with tight fairways, deep rough, difficult bunkers and lightning fast greens it also tests you to the limit technically too.
“If you just get lazy – like on any drive, any wedge shot, any chip, any putt – you can look stupid pretty fast.
“But I understand this place is hard. I don’t need to read articles, or I don’t need to hear horror stories. I’ve played it. I know it’s difficult.”
So sit back and enjoy the ride. It is going to be a bumpy one.
ReutersCollin Morikawa took a snap of Gary Woodland’s club[/caption]
AlamyWill Chandler spent time on the driving range[/caption]
1 week agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Major US airport loses 7 airlines as they abandon city completely – eighth carrier faces immediate bankruptcy
A MAJOR US airport has lost seven airlines in just a few years, leaving locals of a massive city with limited options to fly.
And just as the latest carrier was pulled, yet another announced it had filed for bankruptcy.
GettyPLAY Airlines will exit the US market entirely by October 2025 (stock image)[/caption]
GettyPLAY cuts all flights to cities like New York, Boston, and Baltimore (stock image)[/caption]
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has been hit by a wave of airline exits in recent years.
The departures include Allegiant, Contour, Condor, JetBlue, Air Canada, Air Senegal, and most recently, PLAY Airlines.
Some, like Allegiant and Contour, moved their operations to Dulles, which is a massive 90-minute drive away.
Others, including Air Senegal and PLAY, have pulled out of the US altogether.
Icelandic budget airline PLAY will axe all of its US routes starting October 2025, marking a full retreat from the North American market.
The move is part of a broader shakeup triggered by a planned shareholder takeover and exit from the Nasdaq Iceland exchange, Aviation A2Z reported.
The airline has already set the final departure dates for three US cities it still serves.
Its farewell flight from Baltimore is set for October 24, the same airport where it launched US service in 2022.
The airline will also shift its air operator certificate to Malta and stop flying under Iceland’s aviation authority.
PLAY said the restructuring will allow it to focus on high-margin European vacation destinations and expand its aircraft leasing business.
The company will remain branded as PLAY and keep its red aircraft livery, with Icelandic flight crews continuing under existing labor terms.
PLAY said passengers won’t see major service changes despite the back-end overhaul.
Full list of airlines that have left Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Allegiant
Contour
Condor
JetBlue
Air Canada
Air Senegal
PLAY Airlines
The airline will continue flying from Iceland to Southern Europe and will lease out six aircraft to other carriers globally.
“We are not changing who we are—we are simply focusing on what works,” Olafsson said.
SHOCK BANKRUPTCY
Meanwhile, a potential eighth blow looms as Silver Airways, a regional US carrier, announced it is shutting down all operations after a failed asset sale during bankruptcy proceedings.
The airline, which had filed for Chapter 11, ceased flying on June 11, 2025, citing financial collapse.
