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SEXTORTION is soaring with the number of victims at an all-time high, figures show.

Cases of criminals posing as potential lovers to trick people into sending intimate images before blackmailing them rose to 37,907 last year.

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Sextortion is soaring with the number of victims at an all-time high[/caption]

It compares with 16,000 in April 2020 - March 2021 when Covid lockdowns saw many stuck indoors on computers.

Last year’s total is also more than ten times that of a decade ago, according to analysis by The Sun.

Police are having mixed success in halting the scams, most of which are perpetrated online from abroad.

In the year to March 2024 fewer than one per cent of offenders — 178 — were charged and hauled before judges.

Two thirds of police investigations — 24,790 — failed to identify a suspect. Another 10,000 were binned over difficulties securing evidence to nail a blackmailer in court.

Many cases will not have been reported out of shame.

Dozens of young people, mostly men, have killed themselves in the past five years having fallen prey to plots.

Last year, Scot Murray Dowey, 16, took his own life after being targeted by someone posing as a young woman keen to strike up a friendship.

Wayne Webb, of charity Scam Survivors, said: “Because this is such a common and successful scam, the number of groups doing it is always increasing. We have found organised groups from Nigeria.

“If you are contacted out of the blue, always be suspicious, and if someone is unable to actually speak to you then you know something is amiss.

“They are always using pre-recorded videos, so the easiest way to establish if it’s fake is to ask them to do something unusual like the YMCA.

“People who have been affected should know help is out there and they can contact charities for assistance.”

TOTTENHAM’S clash with Liverpool made unexpected history – as for the first time ever a referee explained directly to the crowd why a goal had been ruled out.

Stuart Attwell used the PA system to announce Dominic Solake’s Carabao Cup semi-final opener for Spurs was offside.

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First, VAR reviewed the striker’s finish after he sped through to slot home a long through-ball from Pedro Porro.

 Then Attwell said to the stadium: “After a review Dominic Solanke was in an offside position.”

Solanke late helped tee up Lucas Bergvall’s 86th minute breakthrough for Tottenham.

And Liverpool were fuming as, shortly before that, Bergvall escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas.

But the contest will mainly be remembered for Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur being taken to hospital after landing horrifically.

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LUCAS BERGVALL was the unlikely hero for Tottenham as they edged a narrow victory over Tottenham.

The youngster bagged his first goal for the club five minutes from time to give Spurs hope of reaching Wembley.

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Pedro Porro missed a golden opportunity for Tottenham[/caption]

It looked like both teams would be heading to Anfield next month with the tie goalless after a cagey affair in North London.

But Bergvall produced a wonderful finish after Dominic Solanke had carved out an opportunity using his pace and strength.

Tottenham overcame an early injury scare to Rodrigo Bentancur and contained the visitors – something they failed to do in a 6-3 defeat to the Reds last month.

They came close to scoring through Pedro Porro when Alisson had to ball taken off his toe, while they also had Radu Dragusin to thank after he blocked a goalbound effort off the line.

Spurs even had the ball in the back of the net 15 minutes from time but Solanke was deemed to be offside following a review by VAR.

RODRIGO BENTANCUR is in hospital after he suffered a horror injury that left him needing lengthy treatment and oxygen on the pitch.

The Tottenham midfielder appeared to slam into the turf after going for a header at a corner, with his arm also bending the wrong way as he landed.

Following treatment by medics inside the Liverpool box, Bentancur was carried off the pitch after a worrying seven-minute delay – Tottenham later wrote on social media: “We can confirm Rodrigo is conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks.”

Spurs went on to record a battling 1-0 win as Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for the club, while new keeper Antonin Kinsky kept a clean sheet on his debut after being thrown straight into the mix.

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EATING, exercising and even having sex at specific times of the day could help you clock up health benefits.

We revealed yesterday how research has shown your morning coffee could slash the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

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But it is not the only activity that can give you a boost if carried out at the right point in the day.

Here we bring you a timeline that is proven to be the best one for your body.

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Research shows that drinking your caffeine-filled brew first thing in the morning may reduce the risk of death from heart-related issues by up to 31%[/caption]

6.50am: Wake up and sip the coffee. Drinking your caffeine-packed brew first thing could help cut risk of death from heart-related issues by up to 31 per cent, research shows.

But that is only if you have it at the start of the day, the study from Tulane University in New Orleans, found.

Consume it after noon and you will lose the benefits.

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The optimal time to have breakfast is 7:11am, though anytime between 6am and 9:45am is good[/caption]

7.11am: Breakfast time. Eating within 30 minutes of waking is best to boost metabolism and provide energy for the day ahead.

Somewhere between 6am and 9.45am is ideal but if you can, have it at 7.11am precisely – it is the optimal time to eat breakfast, according to boffins in Spain.

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Experts say exercising between 7am and 9am is the most effective time to help you lose weight[/caption]

8.15am: Work up a sweat. Exercising before 11am is associated with the lowest future risk of stroke and heart disease.

And when it comes to weight loss, a 2023 study published in the journal Obesity found exercising between 7am and 9am was the most effective time to help you shed pounds.

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Sun exposure helps your body produce Vitamin D, crucial for teeth, bones, and muscle health[/caption]

11.55am: Seek the sun. Getting outside before noon for at least ten minutes should help you nod off at night as it aids your body clock.

Being exposed to the sun also helps your body make Vitamin D, which is essential for teeth, bone and muscle health.

Consider supplementing with a daily 10microgram of vitamin D in the autumn and winter.

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Having lunch 4-5 hours after breakfast helps maintain steady blood sugar levels, reducing afternoon slumps[/caption]

12.38pm: Eat lunch. From 12.30pm to 12.40pm is ideal for lunch with the best time being 12.38pm, according to research at University of Murcia, Spain.

Eating four or five hours after breakfast keeps blood sugar levels steady to help minimise afternoon slumps.

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Take an early afternoon stroll and enjoy a cuppa to stabilise blood-sugar levels[/caption]

1.08pm: Daily stroll followed by a cuppa. Getting your steps in 30 minutes after eating helps stabilise blood-sugar levels and regulate it for the day ahead and also improve digestion.

Enjoy a cuppa when you get back, too. Drinking tea in the afternoon can assist with boosting your immune system and help prevent you succumbing to those winter cold and flu viruses.

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Pumping iron between 4pm – 6pm is the optimal window to boost or maintain strength and muscle[/caption]

5.12pm: Pump iron. This precise time was the best for peak performance, a recent study of Olympic medal-winning swimmers showed.

So get lifting those weights! Strength and endurance, as well as body temperature, typically peaks for both men and women between 4pm and 6pm, making it the optimal window to boost or maintain strength and muscle.

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Eating dinner around 6pm, especially at 6:14pm, boosts overnight fat burning by 10%[/caption]

6.14pm: Dinner time. Eating your evening meal earlier than you might expect could be the best option for your health.

Chowing down at around 6pm – with 6.14pm precisely shown to be optimal time – led to a ten per cent increase in fat burning overnight.

But if that is not realistic and you can’t eat until later on in the evening, don’t worry.

Most scientists agree the main thing to aim for is clearing your plate at least three hours before bedtime.

This allows your body adequate time for digestion before your head hits the pillow.

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Bedtime sex can reduce stress and boost heart health[/caption]

10.20pm: Have sex. The key time for nookie varies depending on age.

But for the average fortysomething in the UK, just after 10pm is best for intimacy, according to Dr Paul Kelley from Oxford University’s Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute.

Benefits of a bedtime bonk include stress reduction and improved heart health.

While the happy hormones that are released should also help you to fall asleep more easily.

LOVE Island: All Stars is set for a few changes as it nears its second-ever series – and we have some exciting information for fans of the show.

The iconic All Stars series will return to ITV2 on Monday, January 13.

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The all-new Love Island: All Stars villa looks more lavish than ever before[/caption]

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There are plenty of new features within the new villa – and a producer has now said that there will be ‘big twists’ coming in week two[/caption]

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The All Stars will likely feel right at home[/caption]

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The iconic firepit will likely see a lot of explosive action very soon[/caption]

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With a star-studded cast of ex-Islanders who are all looking for love and hoping their second stint will be a lucky one, we can now reveal that there are some big twists coming.

Yes, that’s right.

There is something “really fun” happening in week two, a producer has spilled to us.

Chatting with The Sun ahead of the new series airing on Monday, executive producer of the show Mike Spencer lifted the lid on what’s being axed, and what’s going to be “lit”.

“Remember that little guy, that treehouse?” he asked, “It didn’t work. We didn’t do it last year either,” Mike said, confirming that the treehouse would not be making a comeback this year.

He then spoke about something else they don’t usually do for All Stars – Casa Amor.

“We don’t tend to do Casa Amor for this one,” he said.

Casa Amor is an alternate villa used in Love Island that was first introduced in season three and has been used in the show ever since – bar the spin-off series.

‘BIG TWISTS’ EN ROUTE TO THE VILLA

“We didn’t last year, because it’s only five weeks,” he added, before revealing something incredibly exciting.

“But we’ve got something really fun,” he teased, “probably week two.”

Worried he had spilled too much tea, Mike added: “I’ve already said too much,” before gushing, “but week two is going to be lit.”

This comes as a whole host of former Islanders prepare to head into the South African villa on Monday night.

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Curtis Pritchard from series five will be back for the All Stars series, as well as season three’s Gabby Allen, series four’s Kaz Crossley, and Nas Majeed from series six.

ITV has also confirmed Scott Thomas from series two, Olivia Hawkins from series nine, Catherine Agbaje from series 10, and Ronnie Vint from series 11, all as returning to the show.

Gemma Owen’s ex Luca Bish from series eight will also be back, as well as series five alumni Elma Pazar and India Reynolds, and series three’s Marcel Somerville.

And earlier this week we reported the exciting news that Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has signed up for the brand new upcoming series of Love Island: All Stars.

BOMBSHELL PENDING

Insiders told The Sun that fiery Ekin-Su, 30, is now in hiding in South Africa ahead of the show’s launch on Monday.

A source said: “ITV bosses have long wanted Ekin back in Love Island and she’s finally agreed.

“After she split with Davide last January bosses immediately put her on their wish list.

“It took a lot of back and forth to persuade her to go back into the villa, especially after Ekin had such a tough time on Celebrity Big Brother.

“But she wants to use this new stint on Love Island All Stars to redeem herself and remind the public why they love her.

“ITV bosses haven’t decided if she’ll be a day one star, or a bombshell, but whatever happens she is telly gold and is going to be an incredible addition to the line up.”

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The All Stars cast is full to the brim with famous former Islanders[/caption]

A TOTTENHAM mascot urged Virgil van Dijk to quit Liverpool for north London while admitting “we haven’t got any good defenders!”

The hilarious moment occurred before the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash between Spurs and Liverpool on Wednesday.

A late goal from Lucas Bergvall gave Tottenham the win, with the match overshadowed by a worrying injury to Rodrigo Bentancur.

But before kick-off, there was a light-hearted moment as Spurs’ kid mascots prepared to make their way onto the field.

The children were all excited to see some of football’s biggest names walk by.

And the biggest cheer appeared to be reserved for Liverpool defender Van Dijk.

The Dutchman is one of the best in the business, having won a Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield.

But one Tottenham mascot reckons the time is right for Van Dijk to quit Liverpool and sign for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Indeed, the whipper-snapper didn’t hesitate to issue the offer out loud as Van Dijk high-fived him and other mascots.

And he even admitted Tottenham “haven’t got any good defenders” in amusing scenes.

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Fans were left tickled by the brilliant incident on social media.

One said: “You’ve got to admire children’s honesty.”

Another declared: “Made my day.”

One noted: “Class this.”

Another added: “Looks like these mascots haven’t got any media training yet!”

Hadi Nazari, 23, went missing Dec 26 in Kosciuszko National Park.

The head honcho of the city’s election board is clinging to his job two months after a watchdog agency recommended he be fired over claims he creeped on female staffers — allegedly asking one “how young is too young” for an older man to date a younger woman. Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan...

Shedeur Sanders is no longer the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.