BRITAIN’S busiest motorway used by thousands of drivers everyday is set to close this weekend.

A section of the M25 will close from 9pm today until 6am on Monday March 10.

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The closures are on junction 10 of the M25, near Wisley in Surrey where the motorway meets the A3, and junction 11, near Woking, in both directions.

Junction 10 is the busiest section of the M25, which sees more than 300,000 vehicles pass through each day.

National Highways has told drivers to expect delays and has urged them to complete their journeys in other ways.

British Airways has urged passengers travelling to Gatwick or Heathrow to allow extra journey time.

The closures are part of a £317m improvement works to add extra lanes.

National Highways have said this set of M25 closures will be the final ones for this project.

Last year, National Highways closed part of the motorway three times as it undergoes the multi-million pound upgrade.

The infrastructure project began in 2022 but “extreme weather” has pushed back the expected completion date to spring 2026, said National Highways.

Some elements of the project have already been completed, including the new Wisley Lane and four gyratory bridges.

National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade said: “We were grateful to drivers who listened to our advice during the three weekend closures last year and I’d again urge them to only use the motorway if their journey is absolutely necessary.

“Unfortunately, it’s simply not possible to carry out this scale of infrastructure improvement, which will benefit millions of people in the long-term, without there being some degree of short-term disruption.

“We have spent months planning these closures, but they will still cause significant congestion and delays, so we are asking road users to allow extra time and use alternative routes where possible.

“Please follow our official diversion routes and not information from satnavs.”

Drivers will also face closures on the same stretch of motorway from March 21 until March 24.

The final weekend closure as part of the project is scheduled to take place in a fortnight.

Following this, the A3 will be closed northbound between junction 10 and the A245 at the Cobham roundabout between 11 and 14 April.

RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Without careful planning, drivers could face some really lengthy tailbacks.

“We expect diversion routes, especially along the A3, to become heavily congested.

“Those that do decide to drive on either weekend should prepare to spend much longer on the roads and make sure they have plenty of fuel or charge for their trips.”

The March 2024 closure was the first planned daytime shutdown of the M25 since it opened in 1986.

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Former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, has strongly rejected claims of last-minute mass recruitment in December 2024, describing the recent dismissals of newly appointed public sector workers as a political witch hunt meant to discredit the previous administration. “These actions are nothing but pure political witch-hunting and a way to paint a negative picture […]

The post GRA hiring process started in July, not December – Dr. Alex Ampaabeng appeared first on MyNewsGh.

The battle of the warehouses is not new, but in 2025, it's certainly heating up.

Costco and Sam's Club have been in fierce competition to offer shoppers the best selection and deals on bulk purchases, groceries, electronics, home items, and more. In 2024, Costco announced changes to its membership dues and securtiy protocols to make being a warehouse member feel more exclusive. Meanwhile, Sam's Club has been laser-focused on innovation to speed up its shopping experience with advancements like its app, AI-powered exit archways, and a brand-new Grab & Go food section. Add to this the fact that both chains are competing in discounts and perks, and what you're left with is a tough call between the two.

Here, you can compare the offerings, pricing, and unique features of both Costco and Sam's Club to figure out which membership will offer you the best value.

RELATED: Shoppers Say Sam’s Club Is Better Than Costco Now: "Stepped Up Their Game Tremendously"

​Battle #1: ​Membership Fees and Tiers

Both warehouses provide tiered membership options catering to different needs, but prices have recently changed.

As of September 2024, Costco increased its membership dues to:

- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year
- Business Membership: $65 per year
- Business with Affiliate: $65 per year
- Executive Membership: $130 per year

Sam's Club, which is owned by Walmart, provides two main membership tiers:

- Club: $50 per year
- Plus: $110 per year

There are several different perks and benefits depending on the tier you pick.

Battle #2: Additional Perks

Specifically, each warehouse provides its members with a special array of perks and benefits.

Costco's member benefits include:

- Savings on travel and vacation bookings
- Costco gas station savings
- Tire center services
- Tech support for electronics and appliances
- Same day and 2-day grocery delivery services
- Pharmacy
- Optical & hearing centers
- Insurance, home, auto or business services
- Sampling events

For Executive Members, there's also an annual 2% reward program with the potential to earn up to $1,250 on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases.

Sam's Club member benefits include:

- Savings on travel and vacation bookings
- Sam's Club gas station savings
- Tire center services
- Photo department
- Pharmacy
- Optical & hearing centers
- Insurance, home, auto or business services
- Sampling events
- Scan & Go shopping through the Sam's Club app for faster checkout

Sam's Club Plus members get several more perks, including free delivery on orders over $50, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and a 2% Sam's Cash reward program, which has a limit of $500. The warehouse also has a Mastercard credit card, which offers additional perks and rewards.

RELATED: 9 Costco Insider Secrets Ever Member Doesn't Know—But Should

​Battle #3: Store Locations

A huge factor that's going to influence your decision is whether or not you have a Costco or Sam's Club warehouse nearby.

While both companies have plans for expansion in 2025 and beyond, currently:

- Costco has 626 warehouses in the U.S.
- Sam's Club has 599 locations in the U.S.

Both chains offer an interactive list of all of their locations on their websites.

Battle #4: Product Selection and Quality​

The reason why everyday shoppers love both of these warehouses is because of the ability to buy food, toiletries, and more in bulk. For large families or big households, this is a convenient draw. However, there are plenty of arguments over which warehouse's in-house brand is better:

- Costco is famous for its Kirkland Signature brand, which makes everything from vodka to popcorn and clothing, at steep discounts compared to well-known name brands.
- Sam's Club features the Member's Mark brand, which makes everything from snacks to desserts and golf balls, and is often praised for offering a broad selection of items.

Some shoppers have observed that Sam's Club provides a more straightforward shopping experience, with products being easier to locate and often at more competitive prices.

RELATED: 10 Sam's Club Shopping Secrets From Experts

​Battle #5: Member Services and Technology

Here's where things start to get controversial and a bit frustrating. When it comes to your shopping experience in these warehouses, customers say you can have a very different experience at each:

- Sam's Club offers a Scan & Go feature through its mobile app, allowing members to bypass traditional checkout lines—a convenience some Costco shoppers have expressed envy over.
- Costco has faced criticism for longer checkout times, with some members describing the process as "chaotic" compared to Sam's Club's more streamlined approach.

​Battle #6: Dining Experience

Adding to the controversy and heated debate between the two warehouses are their fresh food offerings.

- Costco's Food Court is an icon in its own right for its delicious food and low, low prices. You can get a hot dog and soda for only $1.50. Other items include pizza, a chicken & bacon sandwich, ice cream cups & sundaes, chocolate chip cookies, soda, and more. Food Court items are only for members and hasa traditional checkout process.
- Sam’s Club Café offers low prices on pizza, soft pretzels, cheeseburgers, chicken bites, ice cream sundaes, soda, and more. It also recently launched a new Grab & Go food section offering freshly made deli and bakery items in single servings. Food items are available to non-members and can be purchased at self-checkout kiosks or through Sam's Club Scan & Go app.

RELATED: New Sam's Club Grab & Go Food Section Has Fans Saying "Sorry, Costco"

Closing Arguments

At the end of the day, if you need to make a choice between signing up for a Costco or Sam's Club membership, your decisions is going to be unique to you, your location, and your everyday shopping needs.

That said, consider some of these final points about each warehouse:

- If you value a slightly lower membership fee, a broader selection of name-brand products, and technological conveniences like Scan & Go, Sam's Club might be the better fit.
- If you prefer a trusted private-label brand, a potentially higher annual reward, and a larger number of locations, Costco could be a smart choice for you.

Hopefully, after weighing the above pros and cons of each warehouse, you know the membership that's going to offer you the best value.

FAMILIES booking trips to Morocco for the Easter break are urged to “check with their GP” first, following an outbreak of a highly contagious disease in the country.

There were thousands of measles cases and several deaths in just one week in the popular winter sun hotspot, figures from last month suggest.

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Measles is a highly contagious disease that usually starts with cold-like symptoms before developing into a blotchy rash.

It can cause serious complications if the virus spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain – sometimes leading to lifelong disabilities and even death.

Babies, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable.

According to local media quoting the Moroccan Ministry of Health, 3,365 confirmed measles cases and six deaths were reported across the country between February 10 and February 16, 2025

A large chunk of these infections – 21.1 per cent in fact – were reported in Fez, with 713 cases that month.

Fez is one of Morocco’s ancient cities, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage site – and cheap flights from the UK.

Marrakesh reported 225 cases, accounting for 6.7 per cent of the country’s total.

Other areas affected by the outbreak include Tangier, Casablanca, the Atlas Mountains, Oujda, Agadir, and Merzouga.

It comes as the US reported a major outbreak of measles, marking its first death from the disease since 2015.

“Travelling abroad may increase your risk of measles,” it says on the NHS’ Fit for Travel website, highlighting the outbreak in Morocco.

It said: “Your risk of exposure may be higher if you will be visiting friends and relatives and/or mixing with the local population during your trip.

“Check with your GP before travelling to ensure you have received two doses of MMR vaccination.”

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella and it is recommended that all babies and children get two doses for maximum protection.

Approximately 15 per cent of five-year-olds in the UK haven’t yet received both doses of the vaccine, according to the most recent data, with significantly lower coverage in some communities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says at least 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to prevent measles outbreaks.

Children are offered their first dose at age one and their second at three years and four months, just before they start school.

However, if they, or anyone else, miss any jabs, they can catch up at any time at their GP surgery.

Unvaccinated children who come into contact with the disease are currently being advised to stay at home for 21 days.

People should also avoid shopping and public transport including planes if they fall ill, experts have said.

This is because measles is highly contagious, with a patient typically passing the infection on to 20 others.

AN ignorant OnlyFans content creator travelled to Afghanistan last week to secure some controversial clicks on social media. 

But porn star Whitney Wright risked barbaric Taliban punishment – which could have included a public whipping or lengthy prison sentence – in the process. 

Instagram / whitneywrightxo

Instagram / whitneywrightxo

Instagram / whitneywrightxo

The 33-year-old has been working as a porn actress since 2016 and as a porn director since 2019.

She visited Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, among other areas, and shared a series of selfies, pictures of architecture and city skylines. 

The Taliban has maintained control over the country since it took over in August 2021 with an oppressive regime – which severely restricts women’s rights, including bans on education, employment and freedom of movement. 

The ongoing human rights violations, along with the threat of violence from militant groups and internal conflict, make the country particularly dangerous for women and foreign nationals to travel to. 

Afghanistan also has very strict laws regarding adult content and internet usage.

X-rated star Whitney, who is from Oklahoma in the US, ignored her government’s official advice regarding travel to the country. 

The US Department of State warns its citizens: “Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and limited health facilities.

If her pornographic career had been found out, Whitney’s safety could have been compromised while on her travels. 

That’s because, in Afghanistan, the legal consequences for being involved with adult content (such as OnlyFans material) can be severe, given the country’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Pornography is classed as a “moral crime” in the eyes of the Taliban, and is considered as ‘bad’ as adultery, robbery, prostitution and gay sex.

Women accused of such crimes have been flogged in front of thousands of onlookers in recent years.

Flogging, also known as whipping, is a barbaric punishment including beating a person’s body with whips, rods or other implements.

During its rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban was condemned for regularly carrying out such savage punishments in public, which included floggings and executions at the national stadium in Kabul, where Whitney visited. 

When the Islamic group took control again in 2021, bosses said they would not repeat the brutal repression of women. 

However, women’s freedoms have once again been severely curbed and a number of women have been beaten for demanding rights over the last four years. 

Porn star Whitney has been slammed for promoting tourism to the country on her social media channels.

Following her selection of pictures posted to Instagram, people expressed their outrage in the comments.

One critic wrote: “It just makes me so frustrated seeing you spend your money on tourism in these oppressed countries where women are hardly allowed to breathe outside their homes because that is considered to be ’too sensual’. 

It just makes me so frustrated seeing you spend your money on tourism in these oppressed countries where women are hardly allowed to breathe outside their homes

criticinstagram

“Why would you EVER want to promote and give money to these governments? You are giving a huge misleading picture of what countries like Afghanistan and Iran really are like for the WOMEN who live there.”

Another slammed: “How could you go there and promote it knowing what happens to women there?”

A third warned: “It’s not safe for a woman with an occupation like yours.”

Whitney even claims that a local man tried to set her up with his son. 

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AFP

She wrote on Instagram: “A nice older man in Herat tried to set me up with his son who lives in Germany when he found out I was single. 

“But when he called him, his son asked if I spoke any German. I do not – so it was not a match.”

This is not the first time Whitney has travelled to a controversial country and shared it online.

In February last year, she visited Iran, where women are facing similar struggles of oppression and violence. 

Iranian actress Setareh Pesyani condemned the government for allowing Whitney into the country on the basis of pornography being illegal there. She claimed that the visit could have even put Whitney at risk for the death penalty. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied having known of her involvement in pornography at the time that her travel visa was issued.

A SAVVY home renovator has shown how he managed to nab a stunning kitchen worth £6,000 AND appliances for just £250.

Money-minded Michael Quadri posted to his TikTok account (@_mikeslife), clueing his followers in on his budget hack.

TikTok / @_mikeslife

TikTok / @_mikeslife

In his video, Mike showed off the gorgeous cream kitchen he’d scored.

The units looked sleek and modern, with wood-effect counters and a swanky induction hob.

Mike had found the knock-down Wren kitchen on Facebook Marketplace, where it was listed for just £250.

“Guys, Facebook Market is an absolute plug,” he told viewers.

With the cost of new furniture so high, Mike had resorted to buying second hand and ex-display items to give his home a major makeover for less.

He’s not alone with the struggles of forking out for home renovation – as thousands of us across the nation hunt for ways to update our house on the cheap.

Mike said he’d even kitted bedrooms out for £200-£300 thanks to his thrifty finds.

Incredibly, his bargain kitchen even came with all the appliances he needed, including a double oven and dishwasher.

But after reevaluating the aesthetic he was going for, Mike decided he wanted to shift the kitchen and buy a different one.

He managed to list it back on Facebook Marketplace and sell it for a mega £750 – securing a £500 profit in the process.

“I reckon I could have got way more,” he told viewers, “but because I needed it gone in, like, two days, I was in a rush of time.”

Users in the comments couldn’t believe Mike’s luck.

One person wrote: “Facebook marketplace has some serious gems!!!”

A second person said: “Bargain!!”

Somebody else asked: “What do you normally search up to find this stuff?”

Mike advised: “I search for ‘full/whole kitchens'”

What is Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is a part of the social media website where users can buy and sell items with other users.

It’s similar to eBay or Vinted.

Sellers list their unwanted items, along with a picture and price.

Buyers then browse and bid on items they like the look of.

Buyers and sellers can message each other to arrange transactions, using the chat function.

A WOMAN who embarked on a side hustle with her friend in a bid to make a bit of extra cash has admitted the attempt was a total disaster.

Ellie and her pal thought they were going to be “Del Boy and Rodney” – the Only Fools and Horses money-making favourites – when they made the decision to fork out £195 on a returns pallet of shoes.

TikTok/@ellieivyrose

TikTok/@ellieivyrose

TikTok/@ellieivyrose

She explained in a video on TikTok that the listing had stated the size 3 shoes included pairs of Vivienne Westwood Melissa flats.

So she and her friend Danielle took the gamble, and drove two hours to pick the pallet up.

But when they opened it up, they realised it was a huge mistake – and the pallet was full of individual, single shoes.

“There’s no pairs whatsoever,” Ellie sighed, as she wrote over the video that their money had gone “down the drain”.

“Absolutely hundreds of single shoes – no pairs.”

She then showed that her entire car boot, and the back seats of the vehicle, were completely covered by single shoes of all variety.

“So yeah, if anyone knows anyone that’s only got one leg or any other ideas where I can give them away,” Ellie concluded.

“Then just let me know! Thank you.”

She jokingly added in the caption that she and Danielle were “business ladies in the making”.

People were quick to comment on the video, with one writing: “They haven’t mis-described it.

“They said assorted shoes, not pairs of shoes.

“It’s an auction. you can go to the site and view the pallet – the terms are clear on the auction site.”

“‘Vivienne Westwood Melissa SANDALS’ – sandals plural,” Ellie replied.

“I bought a pallet of what was advertised as joggers and jackets to get a pallet of women’s Chinese military suits ,” another wrote.

“I had to skip them all, £280 down the drain.”

But Ellie revealed she wouldn’t let the pallet situation put her off buying another in the future, as she replied: “Nooo way, win some lose some.

Quick guide to buying return pallets

Here's where to buy the most popular return pallets:

• Where to buy return pallets in the UK?
• Currys return pallets
• eBay return pallets
• Argos return pallets
• John Lewis return pallets
• Amazon return pallets
• Very return pallets
• Screwfix return pallets
• Beauty return pallets
• Wholesale return pallets
• Electrical goods return pallets
• Clearance return pallets
• Liquidation return pallets
• Can I return a return pallet?

“Hopefully our next pallet is a winner!”

“First rule of auctions, buyer beware,” a third commented.

“This is the risk to blind bidding and not viewing the lot in person or asking the auction house for more photos,” someone else insisted.

John Pye Auctions has been contacted for comment.

@ellieivyrose

When Uzumaki anime was announced, it took the internet by storm. Like most readers and viewers, I too was excited to see how it’d play out. However, to my disappointment, the anime was reduced to a comedy and failed the manga tremendously. This is precisely why some series are better left alone. Yes, I’m talking […]

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Daredevil: Born Again started out with one of the biggest upsets that fans never saw coming. The first scene in the first episode of Born Again saw Benjamin Poindexter aka Bullseye, fatally shoot Foggy Nelson, leading to his demise. The show quickly established this as the status quo with a one year time jump, which […]

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