USA Update

AARON JUDGE has been seen flashing a snazzy new necklace.

The silver chain and pendant is a bold fashion statement for the 33-year-old New York Yankees captain, who is usually far more low-key with his accessories.

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Aaron Judge could be seen wearing a $20,000 necklace during his latest MLB game[/caption]

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The details of the stunning piece have been revealed[/caption]

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It includes a nod to his family and MVP awards[/caption]

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It turned out to be a gift from teammate Giancarlo Stanton[/caption]

But there is certainly more than meets the eye with it, too.

And those secrets have been revealed by the New York Post.

According to the outlet, the necklace cost a cool $20,000 to make.

The designer of the bespoke piece of jewelry was AJ Machado at AJ’s Jewelry in Miami.

They confirmed the jaw-dropping price covered the arrangement of the VVS-grade diamond count and the three bands of amethyst.

Everything is set in 14-karat white gold, with 12 more than 12 carats in top-quality VVS-graded diamonds.

However, it was not a piece bought by 33-year-old Judge himself.

Instead, it was a gift from Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton’s request for the piece saw him ask the jeweller for something, “custom and nothing too big, something he can wear during the game”.

The bauble also features a few personal notes for Judge.

It contains the name of Judge’s daughter, Nora, and her birthday, 1/27/25.

This goes alongside the name of his wife, Sam, short for Samantha.

And then there is also a nod to his two dogs with their names, Gus and Penny, and even his two MVP titles with a “2x” engraved on.

To top it all off there is a rose made of rose gold, mixed in with white diamonds.

Machado shipped the impressive custom job to Stanton, before the 35-year-old presented the gift to Judge at the beginning of a training session.

He eventually messaged his Miami man to tell him “Judge loved it”.

Machado was in attendance at a Yankees game while in New York City last weekend to attend a Jazz Chisholm Foundation fashion event.

While there he said it was “pretty cool” to see Judge wearing the necklace.

He first opened his jewel store in 1992 before he started making pieces for several University of Miami football players, with his work spreading for him to become a top dealer for pro athletes.

JOSH ALLEN’S ex-girlfriend showed just how unbothered she is by the NFL superstar’s marriage to Hailee Steinfeld.

Allen, 29, and Oscar nominated actress Steinfeld, 28, tied the knot last weekend in an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara.

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Brittany Williams has sent a message after ex Josh Allen’s marriage[/caption]

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Williams posed for some pictures on her Instagram[/caption]

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She sported a purple set as she posed in New York[/caption]

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Williams shared the photos alongside the caption ‘I like this little life’[/caption]

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Fans loved her upload[/caption]

And the Buffalo Bills quarterback’s ex Brittany Williams appears to be unshaken by their marriage, posting an Instagram to show how little she cares.

Williams, who dated Allen between 2017 and 2023, took to social media to tell her adoring fans that she’s happy as she is.

Alongside a carousel of snaps of her posing in New York City, she wrote: “I like this little life”.

Williams’ 139,000 followers were quick to jump to the comments section to show their support and shower her with compliments.

One wrote: “This little life looks good on you”.

While another added: “Just keeps getting better and better”.

A third gushed: “What a babe”.

And a fourth commented: “Full steam ahead living your best life”.

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Josh Allen and Williams dated between 2017 and 2023[/caption]

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Williams was regularly supporting the Buffalo Bills quarterback[/caption]

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Allen started dating Hailee Steinfeld in 2023 after his breakup with Williams[/caption]

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The pair married last weekend[/caption]

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Steinfeld is a Hollywood superstar and Oscar nominee[/caption]

Allen and Steinfeld will be pretty unbothered too as they enjoy life as a newly married couple.

The pair shared their special day with big name celebs and football stars.

Curb Your Enthusiasm actor Larry David was amongst the attendees, while Bills’ tight end Dawson Knox and offensive tackle Spencer Brown were both part of Allen’s chosen groomsmen.

Allen, who signed a new $330m six-year deal with the Bills in March, has been loved up with Steinfeld since 2023.

The happy couple have attended red carpets together and regularly share snaps of their life away from the spotlight on Instagram.

TAKE A PEEK INTO BRITTANY’S GLAMOROUS LIFESTYLE…

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Brittany Williams has over 130,000 Instagram followers[/caption]

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She is regularly giving her followers a glimpse into her life[/caption]

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Brittany previously dated Josh Allen[/caption]

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She hasn’t been public about any new relationships[/caption]

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Williams works as a model[/caption]

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Williams splits her time between New York and California[/caption]

AN ICONIC discount retailer that some believe is cheaper that Dollar Tree is set to re-open 219 stores following its bankruptcy filing.

Since April, more and more locations have been reappearing, in a remarkable case of a retailer bouncing back.

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Since April, more and more locations have been reappearing, in a remarkable case of a retailer bouncing back[/caption]

The US Sun reported on one of the most recent waves of re-openings at Big Lots, which saw over 70 stores come back.

It saw the return of Big Lots spots in 13 states across the US from May 15.

This included in states such as Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

As the waves have continued, overjoyed employees have shared their experiences of coming back to work.

The US Sun covered the first wave to happen back in April, which saw the initial return of nine stores.

Social media was treated to pictures of delighted former employees who were now back in a job.

The caption on one post said: “WE’RE BACK!!!! The first 9 stores opened today with 210 more to open over the next few weeks.

“So great to see so many smiling faces!”

Big banners can be seen in the pictures that read: “THE COMBEBACK STARTS NOW!”

THE FINAL WAVE

Now, all 219 stores acquired by Variety Wholesalers have reopened.

The final wave welcomed back 78 additional Big Lots stores across nine states, which re-opened on Thursday, June 5, per USA Today.

Now that all of the 219 locations bought in the deal have been re-opened, Big Lots is getting ready for a celebration in the fall to mark the occasion.

Variety Wholesalers CEO Lisa Seigies said back in April as the comeback kicked off: “We’re thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family.

“We’re opening stores quickly so we can serve the community.

“We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build toward the grand opening celebration in the fall.”

OTHER BUYERS

Variety Wholesalers weren’t the only group to scoop up Big Lots locations, however.

The US Sun reported on the discount retailer Ollie’s, which grabbed 40 stores for itself back in February.

It has now purchased a total of 63 properties of its bankrupt competitor.

It was not immediately clear how many of the 50 locations the company has announced were once Big Lots stores.

The company believes that minimal changes need to be done to the Big Lots spots.

CFO Robert Helm said: “The Big Lots locations were generally well maintained, and have required limited build out expense to open thus far.”

Ollie’s opened 25 new stores in the first quarter of the year, and plans to open 75 by the end of 2025.

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The final wave welcomed back 78 additional Big Lots stores across nine states, which re-opened on Thursday, June 5[/caption]

DONALD Trump has been invited to visit China after a “very good” phone call with his Beijing counterpart Xi Jinping.

The calls comes amid weeks of escalating trade tensions after Trump announced especially bruising tariffs on China.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump during his first term[/caption]

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Trump gestures to Xi during a business leaders event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing[/caption]

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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida[/caption]

Trump took to Truth Social to share his reaction to the one and a half hour long call between the two leaders.

He said the conversation led to a “very positive conclusion” for both the US and China.

“During the conversation, President Xi graciously invited the First Lady and me to visit China, and I reciprocated,” Trump wrote.

“As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing.”

Trump added that their conversation was focused “almost entirely” on trade, and that “nothing” was discussed regarding Iran or the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The president added: “There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.

“Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined.

“We will be represented by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer.”

Xi Jinping said that a “consensus has been reached” following the call – which comes following weeks of bitter exchanges over trade.

The Chinese president said “both sides should make good use of established economic trade consultation mechanisms” and that “dialogue, cooperation is the only right choice for China and the US.”

However, the precise details of any agreement settled between the two presidents is yet to be confirmed.

US tariffs on China have stood at 30% since a trade reprieve last month – before which Trump had raised them to a bruising 145%.

The stand-down saw China lower tariffs on US imports from 125% to 10%.

But China said on Monday that the US had “severely violated” the truce.

Trump visited China during his first stint as US president in 2017 – within a year of assuming office.

But Trump has long deployed fierce rhetoric towards Beijing, which saw relations worsen considerably during the Covid pandemic.

Joe Biden never visited China during his one-term presidency, although he did as vice president under Obama.

Under his first presidency, Trump also ignited a trade war with Beijing when he announced a round of tariffs on China in early 2018.

It is unclear at present when Trump’s visit to China will take place.

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.

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T-MOBILE customers hit by a massive data breach are finally getting cash compensation – with some cheques worth up to £20,000.

The payments are part of a $350million (£275million) settlement after hackers accessed private information of around 76 million users in a 2021 cyberattack.

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Payout amounts vary by state[/caption]

Victims in the UK and across the US had names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and even driving licence details exposed.

The breach, which occurred in August 2021, triggered a class-action lawsuit in the United States, where affected customers accused the mobile giant of failing to protect sensitive data with adequate cybersecurity measures.

While T-Mobile admitted no wrongdoing, it agreed to the multi-million dollar settlement to avoid further legal costs.

Customers eligible for the settlement were notified some time ago and had to file claims by the January 2023 deadline.

Those who provided documents proving identity theft or significant financial loss as a result of the breach could claim up to $25,000.

However, not everyone qualifies for the top payout.

Most customers who didn’t suffer direct financial harm – or couldn’t prove it – are receiving much less.

“People who had to pay money to clear their name or their credit are getting much more,” said Bentley University professor Steve Weisman.

“Everyone else is only getting a pittance.”

Payout amounts vary by state.

California residents are receiving $100, while those in Rhode Island are getting just $25.

And with so many eligible claimants, some people may only see cheques as low as $4.50 once the money is divided.

Even so, there’s a chance for some customers to receive a bit more.

“After these initial payments are made, if there is money left, everyone who was a victim of the scam will get an additional amount spread out equally among the victims,” Weisman explained.

The money is now being distributed following months of delay.

Payments, originally promised for April, were pushed back without a clear explanation.

Now, cheques and direct deposits are finally reaching bank accounts, depending on how claimants chose to be paid.

T-Mobile customers are urged to be cautious.

Scammers are already using the settlement news to try and trick people.

Weisman warned: “If you receive an email or a text asking for additional information in relation to this settlement, it’s likely a scammer trying to capitalise on the news.”

As part of the agreement, affected customers were also given two years of free identity protection services via Pango.

These include TransUnion credit monitoring, dark web tracking, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.

The settlement doesn’t just offer cash – it’s a sharp reminder for major companies to invest more heavily in cybersecurity.

At the time of the breach, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert admitted the company had failed to live up to expectations.

“Knowing that we failed to prevent this exposure is one of the hardest parts of this event,” he said.

Although the deadline to file a claim has passed, consumers should remain alert.

Identity protection services are still active, and anyone who suspects their data may have been affected is advised to monitor their accounts and credit reports closely.

For full details, and to check the status of your claim, visit the official T-Mobile settlement website.

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Wilson, NC / March 29, 2018: A T Mobile wireless service location is open in Wilson, North Carolina.[/caption]

DORIS BURKE’s future with ESPN is reportedly in major doubt.

Burke has been part of ESPN’s main NBA broadcast team following the network’s ditching of Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy after the 2023 NBA Finals.

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Doris Burke has been part of ESPN’s NBA booth since 2023[/caption]

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But she reportedly could lose her job due to an imminent shake-up[/caption]

But her time in the NBA booth could soon come to an end, it’s been claimed.

The Athletic claims the veteran analyst could be on her way out of the network due to an imminent shake-up.

It’s also said her spot on their broadcasting team is “not guaranteed for next season”.

Burke, however, isn’t the only member of ESPN’s NBA team facing an uncertain future.

The network is reportedly evaluating its “ENTIRE ROSTER“.

Richard Jefferson’s current deal is set to expire in the coming months, but he’s likely to sign a new contract.

Burke and Jefferson’s on-screen colleague Mike Breen is likely to remain with the broadcaster as he’s tied down to a long-term deal.

Questions have been asked about Burke’s role on multiple occasions this season, particularly during the Western Conference Finals.

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Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke, and Mike Breen will call their first NBA Finals together over the coming weeks[/caption]

A series of bizarre on-air references to the First and Second World Wars from the 60-year-old stunned viewers.

And she caught flak from basketball fans for branding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a “free throw merchant.”

Breen, Burke and Jefferson are just hours away from calling their first – and potentially last – NBA Finals together.

The 2025 NBA Finals is the third straight series in which ESPN has had a different broadcast booth for the championship games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will battle it out over the next two weeks for the title of 2025 NBA Champions.

The Thunder will bid to win their first Championship since 1979, while the Pacers will look to win their maiden title.

A POPULAR steakhouse chain is drastically cutting its footprint around the United States this year.

Consumers looking for a higher-end fine dining experience will be forced to head elsewhere soon.

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A popular high-end steakhouse chain is closing locations (stock image)[/caption]

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Nusr-Et is removing at least five US-based restaurants (stock image)[/caption]

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Celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe (pictured) owns the chain[/caption]

The restaurant reduction was confirmed by Nusr-Et Steakhouse in a press release on Wednesday.

Nusr-Et Steakhouse is notably owned by celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe (aka Salt-Bae).

Gökçe became known as Salt-Bae after a viral video in 2017 that saw him sprinkling salt on meat in a unique fashion.

Guests at Nusr-Et Steakhouse also get a special experience typically different than a standard steakhouse, with high-energy music through an on-staff DJ as steaks are cut in front of them, per Restaurant Dive.

It’s a mixture of entertainment with fine dining.

The chef’s steakhouses had grown to seven locations in the United States as of 2023.

DISAPPEARING ACT

Except, in January, some started slowly closing down.

This included a Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Dallas and Las Vegas.

At the end of last year, locations in Boston and New York City also shut their doors.

Now, it’s shuttering a Beverly Hills spot, leaving it’s last two locations in Miami and New York City.

Nusr-Et noted in the release that it’s focus is shifting to international openings instead.

Specifically, it’s continuing a “commitment to evolving its footprint in line with guest demand, travel trends, and regional opportunities.”

Rome, Italy, and Ibiza are international areas where Nusr-Et plans to go next.

As of 2024, it had 31 restaurants globally and plans to reach 40 by the end of this year, according to what the steakhouse chain told Restaurant Dive.

There’s even a move for the chain to open more SaltBae Burger restaurants in some major global airports.

At least one is already open in the iGA Istanbul Airport.

CASUAL OPENINGS

Some casual dining chains like Outback Steakhouse are instead expanding operations in the United states this year.

Bloomin’ Brands, parent company to the restaurant, confirmed the move to build up to 50 new spots throughout the year on a February earnings call.

CFO Michael Healy confirmed that around 18 to 20 would be corporate-owned and 30 franchised.

In 2026, Bloomin’ Brands also plans to put $40 million into its restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, for renovations and menu updates instead of openings.

“Particularly for Outback, we need to focus on getting the guest experience right before we can earn the right to grow units,” Healy explained.

Bloomin’ Brands fine dining brand, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, was also the only one that didn’t record sales dips at the time.

Several brands have also filed for bankruptcy in the past year.

TGI Fridays filed at the end of 2024 and recently scrapped 85% of its menu in a massive comback attempt.

Hooters also went under earlier this year after weeks of rumors and is now abruptly shuttering 30 locations.

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