Chandigarh, Feb 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a step towards digital transformation, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday inaugurated three IT-based financial modules, aimed at bolstering financial transparency and efficiency, besides ensuring the welfare of...
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New Delhi, Feb 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chamari Athapaththu will miss the final phase of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 for UP Warriorz (UPW) as she is set to join the Sri Lankan team for...
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Ймовірні домовленості американського президента Дональда Трампа з російським диктатором Володимиром Путіним можуть мати тривожні наслідки не лише для України, а й для всієї Європи. США можуть вивести війська НАТО і залишити уразливою для російської армії. Про це пише оглядач Financial Times в галузі міжнародних відносин Гідеон Рахман. Автор вважає, що виступ віцепрезидента США Джея Ді Венса на […]
Часто городники скаржаться на те, що овочі, а саме морква й буряк, мають гіркуватий присмак та зовсім не солодкі й не соковиті. А висіваючи насіння, завжди мріють про гарний та смачний урожай, як на картинці. Щоб виростити такий урожай, треба знати ще й секрети догляду за овочами. Подробиці Якщо на вашій ділянці кислий ґрунт, то […]
0 Далеко не всі чоловіки щедрі на подарунки. Це не обов’язково має бути щось дороге, але кожній жінці хочеться отримувати знаки уваги. Психологи розкажуть, чому чоловіки не дарують подарунків і як це виправити. Чому він не дарує подарунки Він просто скупий. У нього може бути на рахунку сума з шістьма нулями на кінці, але це […]
SEVEN in 10 smokers and vapers admit they’ve had a “cheeky puff” in banned zones – from the cinema to the gym.
A poll of 1,000 adults who smoke or vape revealed 71 per cent have sneakily inhaled nicotine where they shouldn’t have – with 25 per cent of them doing so at train stations.
And 19 per cent have done so at a park or playground, potentially putting children at risk.
Vapers are slightly more likely than smokers to do this (37 per cent compared to 31 per cent), but despite 57 per cent feeling guilty, they admit they simply cannot help themselves.
The research was commissioned by nicotine pouch retailer Two Wombats, whose spokesperson said: “The smoking ban has been in place for decades, yet many still struggle to break old habits.
“It’s not just about rules—it’s about respecting the health and comfort of others.
“Lighting up where you shouldn’t puts more than just your wallet at risk through fines; it impacts everyone around you.”
The study also found 28 per cent have had a puff on the beach, while 17 per cent have done so while wandering a shopping centre.
More than one in 10 (11 per cent) have done it on a bus, and the same figure have even had a cheeky smoke or vape inside a gym.
Of those who do smoke or vape in restricted spaces, 24 per cent do it a few times a week – if not every day.
Three quarters feel confident they won’t get “caught”, while 70 per cent will do this if they can’t find a designated zone.
However, 18 per cent have been fined after being spotted – and although 32 per cent felt anxious when doing it, 23 per cent got “a sense of thrill”.
It also emerged 58 per cent claim they are led by others and have decided to smoke or vape in a restricted area after seeing someone else do it first.
But 72 per cent reckon it’s “easier” to get away with doing this if you’re a vaper, rather than a smoker, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
It also emerged Yorkshire smokers were most likely to break the rules with 33 per cent admitting to lighting up in restricted areas a few times per year.
This stands in stark contrast to the North West, where just 18 per cent confess to sneaking a forbidden puff.
And Northern Ireland appears to harbour the most conflicted nicotine users, with 70 per cent feeling guilty about smoking where they shouldn’t but being unable to help themselves – while Yorkshire shows the least remorse at just 39 per cent.
Hospital grounds proved particularly popular for a forbidden smoke in Northern Ireland, with half of all respondents admitting to lighting up there, while across most regions, pubs, hotel rooms and beaches were the preferred spots for an illicit puff.
There was also a notably higher rate of workplace smoking in Wales, where 34 per cent admitted to breaking the rules – significantly higher than the West Midlands’ 23 per cent.
While in London, where 20 per cent of smokers regularly break the rules, 66 per cent report feeling guilty about their illicit habit, with hotel rooms and public toilets emerging as the capital’s top spots.
Two Wombats’ spokesperson added: “We’re living in a time where there are better, smarter options.
“The fact that people are still risking fines and social disapproval shows how strong nicotine cravings can be.
“Other options, such as nicotine pouches, can offer a discreet, smoke free, legal and a hassle-free way to manage the cravings without the consequences.”
THIS is the chilling footage that shows a “dangerous” predator following a woman moments before he attacked her in a “violent” robbery.
Edward Ampeh, 33, robbed two lone women in London on separate occasions just one month apart.
Ampeh was described as acting in a “predatory and violent manner” resulting in his victims being left with a “lifelong impact” by the Investigating Officer.
DC Tom Bolton continued to describe the attacks as for Ampeh’s “own gain”.
On one occasion Ampeh hit one of the women around the back of her head at the top of the platform stairs before robbing her.
Video released by the British Transport Police shows a woman walking from the platform as the train departs from the station.
The 33-year-old man can be seen wearing a rucksack with his hood up as he follows closely behind.
Moments before the violent struggle, Ampeh remains just a few steps behind his victim as she descends down some stairs.
The first incident just after midnight on May 6 2022 started when Ampeh began to “verbally abuse”, “swear”, and “threaten” one of his victims before “forcing her” towards the platform railings, a court heard.
As she turned away, he “struck” her from behind and continued to follow her.
He then demanded to know what was in her bag to which she responded by handing over a phone charger and some money.
Ampeh then asked her where she lived before requesting her phone number and Instagram.
Around a month later on June 5 2022, Ampeh approached another woman from behind at Limehouse DLR station grabbing her handbag strap and pulling hard.
She screamed before the ensuing struggle resulted in her being swung down the staircase, landing on her leg and twisting it.
Ampeh rifled through her bag before discarding it on the floor outside the station.
He has been described as showing “no remorse” as he continued to deny any involvement to either incident.
Investigating Officer Detective Constable Tom Bolton said: “I am extremely pleased with the outcome in this case. Ampeh acted in a predatory and violent manner, targeting lone women for his own gain.
“His actions will have a lifelong impact on his victims, and I hope this result will bring them some closure.
“Violent and abusive behaviour will never be tolerated on the railway, and we will ruthlessly investigate these sorts of dangerous offenders and hold them to account before the courts.
“Anyone who witnesses this sort of offending, or any other crime on the railway, is urged to text us on 61016 or call 999 in an emergency.”
The video was released by the British Transport Police with the warning that “violent and abuse behaviour will not be tolerated”.
It continued: “We will ruthlessly prosecute those who target and rob others on the railway network.”
Ampeh was jailed for eight years at Inner London Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of robbery.
He was sentenced on February 7.
OCHE ace Vincent van der Voort says there was a family heartbreak behind his decision to “retire” from the PDC.
The Dutch Destroyer relinquished his Tour Card at the start of the year and said goodbye to professional darts after three decades.
Few fans, however, realised the truth behind his plummeting ranking in 2024 – he was frequently visiting his dying sister Leomi, 50, in hospital and was also comforting her three children during these tough times.
Speaking to Sunsport, the former UK Open finalist said: “The most important reason I left was in my personal life.
“Two years ago, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away in July.
“Once you get diagnosed with that, then you try everything to get better. It’s sometimes a fight you cannot win.
“I took a lot of responsibility for that. For her kids, who are between the ages of 12-15. To take care of a lot of stuff.
“I underestimated that and what it does to you. To your head, your life and your mindset.
“In the beginning, I thought: ‘I can do that – when I’m playing a tournament, I can park that’.
“But at one point, I noticed that I couldn’t concentrate anymore. The further you go, you lose your confidence and you don’t want to be there anymore.
“You don’t want to play. So, I said a year off is now the best thing for me to do.”
Van der Voort – who is close pals with the Netherlands’ three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen – is known for his speaking his mind and ruffling feathers with the authorities.
It was last summer before a key football match in Germany when the 49-year-old received a phone call that would change his life – and accelerate his departure from the PDC ranks.
The two-time world championship quarter-finalist said: “I was going to ProTours, then coming back to the hospital every day, sitting there with my sister.
“I was invited to Holland versus France at the European Championships.
“I was there and then I got a call: ‘You have to come back’. So my wife drove to Leipzig.
“We drove back in the middle of the night. Then I had my last conversation with my sister.
“But a week later, you have to go to the ProTours again. And you have to perform. At one point, I noticed: ‘I cannot do this’.
“Once you mention something like this, there are always people who say: ‘Oh, he’s looking for an excuse or something’. Life can be very hard and very confronting.
“I know I have a big mouth! I say whatever I want and say how I see it. But this is something you cannot prepare for.”
Van der Voort – who has a history of back problems and also suffers “from gout and a sagging foot” – will play this year on the MODUS Super Series, which will be screened on Pluto TV.
On Thursday evening, he faces Neil Duff in the first round of the four-day BetGoodwin World Seniors Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern in Essex.
His walk-on music will be the popular “Give it up” by KC & The Sunshine Band – but while the crowd love it, he famously thought “it’s a s*** song”.
He said: “I don’t think I’m the favourite for the World Seniors. There are plenty of good players in it.
“The likes of Simon Whitlock, Mervyn King, Steve Beaton and John Henderson.
“I haven’t played a tournament in three months. I’m playing someone who is a really good player. He’s playing every week. I have to get fully focused and prepare myself as best as I can.
“Hopefully I’ll miss that feeling of competing and want to be better than somebody else.
“If during the year the hunger doesn’t come back to perform, I’ll quit. But if it comes back, then I’ll give it a go. I’m 49. I don’t think I’m too old. ”
