A WORLD-famous UK city is planning to introduce a congestion charge in a move that has led to a civil war between local authorities.

Oxford is famous for its gothic spires and picturesque bridges, which attract sightseers from around the world.

But new plans are now underway to force drivers to pay £5 to access some areas of Oxford’s historic city centre.

The congestion charge, proposed by Oxfordshire County Council, would be the first new levy of its kind introduced in a British city in two decades.

However, the other local authority in the region, Oxford City Council, slammed the scheme as elitist.

They say there has been “no engagement” on the proposals and that the congestion charge “only allows people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets.”

Speaking to The Telegraph, Susan Brown, the leader of the city council, said: “There has been no engagement with businesses, residents or the city council until today – yet again the city is being done to rather than engaged with in preparing transport proposals.

“We are concerned that this scheme allows people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets. Those who can’t will struggle.”

Oxfordshire County Council called comments from the city authority “disappointing”.

Campaigner Clinton Pugh, the father of Hollywood starlet Florence Pugh, told The Telegraph that the proposed scheme risked turning Oxford into a Singapore-like location in which only the wealthy could afford to drive in the city.

The former restauranteur also claimed that the County Council were trying to turn Oxford into a ‘cycle-only city’ which would have a destructive impact on local businesses in the area.

He added: “You have got no one in the council who has any business experience and understands the impact of doing this.”

In a statement, Oxfordshire County Council said: “Proposed options to manage congestion in and around Oxford will be discussed by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on 17 June.

“Options will include a temporary congestion charge for the city.

“The council has committed to addressing congestion in the short-term, after its plan to implement six trial traffic filters was postponed due to the ongoing closure of Botley Road, now expected to reopen in August 2026.

“The council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the start of a public consultation on a temporary congestion charge.

“The scheme would improve bus services and make it easier for those with permits, including carers, traders and blue badge holders, to travel by car into and around the city.

“If approved, a public consultation would start on 23 June, with a view to implementing the temporary scheme in autumn this year.”

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, told The Express: “We urgently need to see improvements to travel around the city; better bus services and less traffic overall, to help people get around.

“We must take action for our residents, businesses and visitors while Oxford’s Botley Road remains closed and I look forward to discussing the options with cabinet colleagues.”

NOBODY on Earth has lived to see 150-years-old – but that doesn’t stop people from trying to push the boundaries of ageing.

Kayla Barnes-Lentz and her husband spend six figures a year on a range of pricey tools and treatments as part of their reverse-aging quest but claim there are eight ways to biohack your body on a budget from home.

Kayla Barnes-Lentz

Kayla Barnes-Lentz, 33, aims to live to 150 by using biohacking treatments[/caption]

Kayla Barnes-Lentz

Kayla Barnes-Lentz

Barnes-Lentz and her husband spend six figures a year as part of their reverse-aging quest[/caption]

Biohacking is the viral buzz phrase behind making small, strategic changes to your lifestyle that can slow down your biological clock.

For Barnes-Lentz, a 33-year-old longevity clinic owner, it means “having agency over your health and… getting more vested in how you feel on a day to day basis”.

“The industry definitely is kind of defined by being a really wealthy person’s game – or only for people with the means,” she adds.

“But the honest truth is that the practices that move the needle the most are quite basic, and they are low cost or free.”

Humming

Barnes-Lentz recommends “humming for improving vagal nerve tone”.

Vagal nerve tone, the activity of the vagus nerve, is linked to numerous health benefits, particularly in regulating the so-called “rest and digest” system.

A high vagal tone is associated with better cardiovascular health, smoother digestion, reduced inflammation, and a calmer nervous system.

Sunlight exposure

Natural light is a potent biohacker, according to Barnes-Lentz.

It can affect everything from sleep quality to your mood.

“We’re very dysregulated from that these days because of blue light, staying up late watching television, and not really getting natural sun exposure early in the morning,” she explains.

But getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight within the first half an hour of your day can help your circadian rhythm and boost serotonin – the happiness hormone.

“And then additionally, you can also view the sunlight later in the day as the sun sets, because it further anchors your circadian rhythm,” says Barnes-Lentz.

“It essentially signals to your body like, ‘OK, here’s the sun in the morning. I’m trying to wake up’.

“And then we see sunset, the colour range of the sun while setting is very different. So it signals to our body, ‘OK, sunset, it’s time to start winding down’.”

Blue light

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You can get blue light blocking glasses online for between £50 and £100[/caption]

Cutting down your screen time before bed is critical for limiting your blue light exposure, according to Barnes-Lentz.

Blue light at night suppresses your natural melatonin production – the sleep regulating hormone.

This in turn can upset your circadian rhythm.

You can get blue light blocking glasses online for between £50 and £100.

Although you can DIY them, buying cheap orange or amber safety glasses.

Wearing these for between one and two hours before bed can block blue light spectrum from screens and blue-toned bulbs.

You can also change your phone settings to make the screen glow a warmer tone later in the evening.

Electrolyte and mineral water

You can also make your own electrolyte and mineral-rich water at home just by adding salt – although Barnes-Lentz urges you make sure your salt is free of pesky microplastics.

To replenish electrolytes, add about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of salt per liter of water. 

This provides roughly 300mg to 600mg of sodium, which can help your body retain fluids without overloading on sodium. 

Home-based cryotherapy

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Cold showers can help you de-stress, as well as lower inflammation[/caption]

You can indulge in cryotherapy at home, according to Barnes-Lentz, without splashing the cash on fancy, specialised chambers.

Ice baths or cold showers can help you de-stress, as well as lower inflammation and support immune system functions – three things that can potentially extend your lifespan.

“Cold showers can be beneficial for some people,” explains Barnes-Lentz.

“As a woman, I do mine more in the follicular phase [of the menstrual cycle] – that can give you a boost of dopamine and energy in the morning.

“Then I dial it back a bit after ovulation… because we have higher levels of stress and we’re recovering a little bit.”

Dunking your face in cold water – or applying a cold pack – for one to two minutes can also activate what’s known as the diving reflex.

This is a physiological response that slows the heart rate, diverts blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart, and slows breathing.

While it is our body’s attempt at conserving oxygen while underwater, studies suggest it calms the nervous system via the vagus nerve.

Detoxing

Barnes-Lentz suggests dry brushing or even trampolining for eliminating toxins from organs like the liver, kidneys, and skin.

So you don’t need expensive diet plans or supplements.

Dry brushing involves using a bristle body brush all over your body.

It not only helps to unclog pores in the exfoliation process – but it can detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage.

It supports the flow of lymph fluid, which can lead to reduced swelling, improved circulation, and a boost to the immune system by removing waste and toxins.

It’s the same reason why massages are good for you – only much cheaper.

And trampolining does the same thing, according to Barnes-Lentz.

“I also like a small rebound or trampoline,” she says. “Which is good for removing the lymph fluid, which can also enhance detoxification.”

Your lymphatic system relies on muscular contraction to move fluid around the body.

So the simple act of brushing or bouncing on a trampoline can help clear toxins from the body.

10,000 steps

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Exercise has been called ‘the miracle drug’ when it comes to longevity[/caption]

Physical activity is a cornerstone of health – but it doesn’t have to involve a gym membership or expensive equipment.

Walking, or mastering your own body weight, is one of the best ways to ‘hack your health’.

“If there was one pill for longevity, it would definitely be exercise,” says Barnes-Lentz.

The benefits span from boosting blood flow, adding muscle, strengthening bones, improving brain health – and longevity as a whole.

So getting in those 10,000 steps or more is worth it, according to Barnes-Lentz.

“Exercise can be done pretty much free or low cost,” she continues.

“I actually just moved from L.A. to Austin and we’re not near gym. 

“So I’m doing at home workout programming with essentially just a couple of weights and mostly body weight.”

If there was one pill for longevity, it would definitely be exercise

Kayla Barnes-Lentz

Dr Kambiz Alavian, of Imperial College London and an associate professor adjunct of medicine at Yale University, agrees.

“In the longevity field, there are no magic bullets – but exercise might come as close as it gets to biohacking,” he tells The Sun.

“It’s still being called the miracle drug.

“That said, the science behind the effects of metabolic health, muscle mass, and cardiovascular health – and any interventions that can improve those – in extending health span is strong.”

Bed before 10pm

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Something as simple as a sleep mask can be a good low-cost tool for optimising your sleep[/caption]

Another trick that doesn’t require expensive gadgets is improving you sleep cycle.

Simple changes like establishing a sleep schedule and calming bedtime routine can make a significant difference.

And Barnes-Lentz reckons you should be going to bed before 10pm every night, in a cold, dark room.

“A routine can be something such as, eating earlier, so stopping eating three hours prior to bed to really allow your melatonin to produce naturally and to optimise circadian rhythm,” she says. “That can be really helpful.”

Something as simple as a sleep mask can be a good low-cost tool for “optimising” your sleep.

Even a few restless nights can weaken your immune system, increase your blood glucose and increase your hunger hormone, ghrelin, so you’ll have more cravings, according to Barnes-Lentz.

It can also “decrease motivation so you won’t be as motivated to work out or eat healthy,” she continues. “So sleep is a game changer.”

A BEACH on one of Britain’s favourite sunshine getaways was turned into a danger zone after the world’s most dangerous jellyfish washed ashore.

The Portuguese Man O’War was discovered in Cala en Porter, a popular beach in Menorca after a beachgoer spotted the bizarre-looking blob on the sand.

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A Portuguese Man O’War jellyfish washed ashore on one of Britain’s favourite holiday hotspots[/caption]

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The dangerous creature was found by a beachgoer in Cala en Porter, Menorca[/caption]

Lifeguards then quickly retried the deadly drifter, cordoning off a wide section of the beach before local cops swooped in to take over.

The creature – which isn’t technically a jellyfish but a colonial organism – is rarely seen outside the open Atlantic.

It can cause permanent scars or even kill people with allergies.

Even if you are not near its head, the trailing tentacles can give you a painful sting when you least expect it.

Highlighting its deceptive beauty, authorities warned: “It has an intense poisonous colour in purple, blue and pink.”

The appearance follows a jaw-dropping jellyfish invasion in the Canary Islands.

The popular Playa del Cura in Gran Canaria turned blue after a storm dumped tens of thousands of stinging jellyfish onto the sand.

In an incredible video, the popular beach looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie, blanketed in vivid blue jellyfish that left stunned tourists steering clear.

Experts say the jellyfish surge is linked to warming seas and rising pollution, as jellyfish thrive in low-oxygen zones where other marine life can’t survive.

Back in Menorca, the man-of-war is a stark reminder that beachgoers must stay alert.

“Touching the mollusc can cause permanent scars and, in extreme cases, even lead to death in people with allergies,” beach officials reiterated.

Local authorities are monitoring the waters and warn tourists not to approach any strange blobs they spot on the sand – no matter how pretty they look.

Last year, thousands of venomous jellyfish were found on the beaches of Cornwall.

Mauve Stingers, also known as Pelagia noctiluca, were found both in the water and dead in the sand.

While their stings are not lethal, they are known to be quite painful.

The Mauve Stinger can grow up to 10cm across while its tentacles can be up to 10 feet long.

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The creature has dangerous tentacles that can stretch up to 30 feet[/caption]

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In rare cases, the Man O’War’s sting can even cause death, especially in people with allergies[/caption]

The jellyfish are purple or blue in colour, hence the name Mauve, and were spotted on a 30-mile stretch of coastline between Falmouth and St Austell.

Rachael Edmans, the beachgoer in Falmouth who spotted the apocalyptic scene, was shocked to see just how many had been washed up as she went for a paddle in the sea.

“I was very surprised to see so many mauve stingers,” she said.

“Usually we see lots of compass jellyfish. But never that many.”

Alison Wilcock spotted thousands of the sea creatures on the beaches of St Austell.

“We usually get a few every year but nothing like this,” she said of the thousands of dangerous blobs scattering the beach.

“The whole of St Austell is teeming with them.”

Shea Mannings and Remell Mullins are the latest bombshells to enter the Love Island UK 2025 villa, each bringing a distinct energy that’s already shaking up the show. Shea stands out for his grounded nature and emotional maturity. As a proud father, he’s searching for a partner who can connect with both him and his […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Brandon Nimmo launched a pair of solo home runs, walked and scored three runs in the Mets’ 5-0 win over the Nationals on Wednesday night.

A popular K

Жовте листя на огірках — проблема, з якою стикається майже кожен городник. Причини можуть бути різними, але перш ніж робити висновки, варто уважно оглянути грядку і зрозуміти, що саме відбувається. Перше, на що варто звернути увагу – це полив. Огірки люблять воду, але не терпять застою. Важливо знайти золоту середину, поливати регулярно, але не надто […]

Втомились від забруднень та плям на килимі? Спробуйте цей дієвий засіб із доступних кухонних інгредієнтів, який легко замінить будь-яку хімчистку та залишить у домі неймовірно приємний аромат! Виявляється, очищення килимів вдома може бути справжнім мистецтвом, особливо якщо використовувати доступні та ефективні засоби, які видаляють не лише плями, а й бруд, залишаючи неймовірно приємний аромат. Так, […]

LOVE Island fans have begun turning on one Islander after accusing her of making “snide” comments towards a rival.

Viewers of the ITV2 reality show have claimed the female singleton has made one too many “b****y” remarks for their liking.

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Love Island fans are not impressed by Helena’s behaviour towards Shakira[/caption]

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They have accused Helena of being ‘b****y’ towards the pretty brunette[/caption]

Fans are convinced Helena Ford is deliberately stirring the pot by some of the things she has said to Shakira Khan in the villa.

There is a growing chemistry between Helena and Shakira’s man Harry Cooksley – and the blonde beauty appears to be enjoying every second.

But taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan complained: “I wanted to like Helena but she’s made one too many b****y comments about Shakira. It’s giving insecure babe, give it a rest.”

Another added: “Helena is giving nasty girl b****y vibes and I’m not here for it.”

A third chimed in: “Helena i defended you but I’m feeling there’s a little underlying grudge against Shakira i can’t lie.”

And a fourth said: “Helena’s snide comments about Shakira and Toni needs to stop. you’ve known the girls for 3 days…”

Shakira is in a couple with semi-professional footballer Harry due to Love Island’s first massive twist.

The arrival of bombshell Toni Laites saw Shakira lose her man Ben Holbrough and she was tasked with finding a new connection in 24 hours.

Several of the lads stood up to show their interest in Shakira the following day and she chose to recouple with Harry – which saw his lady Sophie Lee sent home.

But in Wednesday night’s show, Helena began turning Harry’s head.

During a dare game around the fire pit, he then gave Helena a lap dance before sitting back down and putting his hand on her leg.

He also whispered “Hideaway” to her before they sneaked off for a quick moment together.

Helena appeared delighted when Shakira learned about the leg grope after the game had finished and giggled about his cheeky move.

Moments later, Blu Chegini asked Shakira if he could have a chat with her and took her to The Hideaway.

Outside, Helena laughed as she told Harry: “Your bird is in The Hideaway!”

This comment also didn’t go down too well with fans of the show.

“Helena is a rat. ‘Your bird’s in the hideaway’. She’s jealous. Period. And clearly not a girl’s girl,” one viewer blasted.

Another added: “Getting a weird vibe from Helena. Like she’s going for cool girl, but it’s coming across as a bit mean? Referring to Shakira as his “bird” and then implying she’s too cool to care if he’s touching someone else’s leg at the same time as hers.”

Unbeknown to Helena and Harry, Shakira ended up kissing Blu in The Hideaway.

• Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2/ ITVX

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Helena was quick to tell Shakira’s man Harry that she was in The Hideaway[/caption]

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Harry’s head has been turned by Helena[/caption]

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Shakira ended up kissing Blu in The Hideaway without anyone knowing[/caption]

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