The 21 most anticipated movies of the summer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots kids 'heartbroken' by flood of fake Labubu dolls as counterfeit craze spirals out of control
Advice Direct Scotland said counterfeit Labubu dolls – the latest toy craze – were duping collectors, draining wallets and disappointing kids. Scots kids have been left "heartbroken" by a flood of fake Labubu toys as the counterfeit craze spirals out of control, a top consumer charity has revealed. Advice Direct Scotland said counterfeit Labubu dolls – the latest toy craze – were duping collectors, draining wallets and disappointing kids. The quirky, wide-eyed Labubu - a mischievous forest creature from the cult-favourite Pop Mart 'Monsters' series - have been spotted with celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Cher. But the toys have now become the latest victim of global counterfeiting. Originally designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu has exploded in popularity, with some rare editions fetching up to £135,000 at auction. And fakes are now pouring into Scotland. Hazel Knowles, consumer project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'We are concerned by the surge in fake Labubu toys flooding the Scottish market. 'These counterfeits are not only deceiving collectors and draining hard-earned money from families, but they're also leaving children heartbroken. 'We urge consumers to be vigilant, buy only from trusted retailers and report suspected fakes. 'No child should be disappointed by a counterfeit toy made with inferior materials. 'We've had reports that the counterfeit goods are of very poor quality and are not made to last at all.' Funny memes and TikTok videos have made the Labubu toys go viral turning the dolls into ultra-desirable collectibles. One dad, who turned to Advice Direct Scotland for support, said: 'After closer inspection, I noticed several discrepancies that indicated these products were not genuine. 'The packaging and branding differ from authentic Labubu collectables. I have also verified that the QR code on them does not go to the correct website of the manufacturer.' The telltale signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours, incorrect teeth count, with authentic Labubus having exactly nine. Counterfeits also have missing UV authenticity stamps, introduced in 2024. The surge in fake goods has been traced back to factories in China, where production lines churn out thousands of knockoffs priced as low as £4 each. Chinese authorities have recently shut down several plants and seized more than 20,000 fake Labubu toys in a single day. Despite the crackdown, many of these fakes had already slipped through customs and into the hands of unsuspecting UK buyers. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. East Ayrshire Trading Standards also issued a warning on Tuesday, saying it was "aware of concerns of safety and counterfeiting" of the popular dolls, urging potential buyers to "please take care". Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy giant behind Labubu, has yet to comment publicly on the UK counterfeit wave. But insiders say the company is reportedly working with international customs and IP lawyers to stem the tide. Hazel Knowles added: 'To be on the safe side, only purchase Labubu toys from verified retailers. If the deal looks too good to be true - it probably is. 'With Labubu mania showing no signs of slowing, collectors are being urged to stay vigilant. 'It's like Pokémon in the '90s but with shoddy counterfeits flooding the market. These fakes are all over the place now.' With official supplies out of stock at many US Pop Mart branches, enthusiasts there have also turned to resale sites. On one resale website, Labubus originally priced at around £37 are being sold for anywhere between £105 and £229. If you have a complaint or concern about goods or services, you can contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000. The helpline is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. You can chat to an advisor online or contact them via social media.
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Comedian and singer/songwriter Garron Noone cancels tour for remainder of the year
Comedian and singer/songwriter Garron Noone has cancelled his nationwide tour for the rest of this year due to ill health. The Mayo man posted a statement on his official Facebook page, Garron Music, on Tuesday evening, where he said he had 'very sad to have to make the difficult decision to reschedule' all of his gigs for this year. Advertisement He became a TikTok/Instagram sensation with his sketches and catchphrase "follow me, I'm delicious' in 2023. He now has more than two million followers on Instagram alone. The comedy content creator added: 'I'm very sorry to have to post this, thank you all for everything. 'Many of you will be aware of some of the issues I've dealt with in the past and unfortunately, over the last few months I have been dealing with a lot of these issues again. It has gotten to a point where I really need to put all of my energy into getting back on track.' The 31-year-old explained that he is 'disappointed' that he is not going to be able to see gan, but, said he would 'hopefully' see them 'in 2026 for the rescheduled shows.' Advertisement He said that if fans preferred a refund, then they should contact their ticket provider. 'If you had tickets to one of my shows thank you so much, you should have received an email this evening with more information.' He had been due to perform in Killarney on Saturday, with other shows planned for Mayo, Dublin, Belfast and Milwaukee in Wisconsin. Last March, he deactivated his social media accounts following backlash over a video in which he discussed immigration. Advertisement Mr Noone normally discusses light topics in his videos and he received a lot of criticism over his comments, while others defended him. He returned to social media following a public outcry. Over the past few months, the funny man has spoken openly about his struggle with agoraphobia, a type of anxiety disorder that involves fearing and avoiding places or situations. On New Year's Eve, he posted a video, where he expressed his gratitude to his followers for transforming his life, while also sharing that two years ago, he was predominantly confined to his house and barely able to go outside. Thousands of people have reacted to the decision to cancel the upcoming shows, with one saying that five years from now, 'all that will matter is that you are ok and healthy and took care of yourself today.' Advertisement They continued: 'Nothing else you do today will matter. You likely won't even remember the rest of it. So, please take the best possible care of yourself now. The world only has one of you, and we need the joy you'll bring five and 50 plus years from now. Please take good care'. Mr Noone's agent has been contacted for comment.
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Lorraine Kelly's verdict on strawberries and cream sandwich
The Glasgow presenter, 65, tried the unique sandwich on her ITV show Lorraine. In a clip uploaded to TikTok, the TV legend could be seen preparing herself to try the sando. READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly pictured at East Kilbride restaurant READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly shares heartfelt message to husband in touching post READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly 'left shaking like a leaf' after venture @itvlorraine Lorraine tries the viral strawberries and cream sandwich! Have you tried it? 🍓 ♬ original sound - Lorraine Lorraine said: "I'm going to try this. "I can't imagine a strawberries and cream sandwich. And there's no way to eat this in a delicate fashion." The TV star then pulled the fruit-filled sando apart before trying a bite. After trying the sandwich, the Gorbals-born star revealed how she enjoyed it. The television host said: "It's actually okay. It's more than okay."
