Latest news with #HungerGames
Metro
7 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
These estate agent's demands are ‘ridiculous' — but are they legal?
'Is this the Hunger Games?' This was the reaction of a young woman after reading an email from an estate agent regarding a flat viewing. And, while the rental market doesn't involve interviewing with Stanley Tucci (sadly) or a fight to the death, it doesn't feel too far removed from the experiences of those in District 12. TikToker Harriet (@harriet.d.h) shared the email which offered 'hilarious tips' to increase her and her friends' chances of securing the apartment they were going to view. 'Estate agents are out of control – absolutely out of control,' she said in the video, which now has more than 230,000 views. Apparently we need to put an offer in literally as soon as we see it, if we want it. Otherwise there's no chance of us getting it.' She then showed the email which asked for an offer form to be filled out, along with a bio, then offered some 'tips' which would 'increase the chances of your offer being accepted'. These included: You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Offering over the asking price A long contract length Sticking to the move in date or sooner Paying upfront (offering three to 12 months rent) Offer a voluntary rent increase each year Harriet was floored by the list of demands, saying: 'Do you think I'd be viewing a flat at this price if I could afford a flat over?' Speaking of the upfront rent suggestion, she said: 'This one really got me. Sorry let me just get this £27,000 and give it to you upfront – why didn't I think of that sooner? F**king idiots.' Others in the comments were equally as annoyed by the 'tips' in the email. 'Who in their right sane mind would offer a rent increase?' commented TikToker Abigail Parker. 'Being told your rent is increasing is one thing, why would I willingly give away more money for the same exact property I'm already in?' added another. 'The 12 month thing is the most annoying one in my opinion. If I had 12 months rent upfront, I'd get a mortgage,' said Hannah Ridge. Others called the suggestions 'ridiculous' and 'appalling'. Offering over the asking price While frustrating, this stipulation is currently 'common in competitive markets', according to Marc von Grundheer, director of Benham and Reeves Estate Agents. However, that's all about to change. This will soon be a no no under the Renters' Rights Bill. Instead, agents and landlords will have to agree an average market price in advance, and will be unable to accept offers over the set price. The fine for breaching this rule could be up to £7,000. A long contract length If a landlord accepts a longer contract length, it could be a red flag. Cordelia Smith, residential property associate at Hunters, tells Metro she'd be 'very cautious' about offering a long contract length, as 'responsible landlords' will know that changes are coming. Cordelia says: 'The changes proposed by the Renters' Rights Bill will, when they become law, completely overhaul tenancy arrangements, and responsible landlords will know that – for them, it's unlikely to be an effective bargaining chip.' Sticking to the move in date or moving in sooner This one isn't illegal, and is actually advised by our experts. 'No landlord is going to want a rental property sitting empty, so any offer to move in sooner than the advertised date is bound to be appealing,' says Cordelia. Marc agrees: 'Being flexible on move-in dates may be used as a negotiation tactic.' Paying upfront (offering three to 12 months rent) Currently, while asking for rent upfront isn't illegal, Marc says it's 'controversial'. He says: 'It risks discriminating against lower-income renters, pricing others out, and generally increasing inequality.' And, when the Renters' Rights Bill comes in it, it'll be banned. The new rules will stop landlords from being able to ask for more than a month's rent upfront – if they do, it could mean a £5,000 fine. Offer a voluntary rent increase each year According to Marc, this is 'virtually unheard of' among renters. 'It's also arguably counterproductive, since it can drive inflation and raise affordability concerns long term,' says Marc. 'It's not illegal, but it's certainly not standard practice and would be seen by many as reckless advice.' More Trending Including a bio description This one is what Marc calls a 'grey area'. 'While not illegal, it does open the door to unconscious bias and discrimination, which the Equality Act protects against,' he says. View More » 'If an agent or landlord chooses a tenant based on their ethnicity, gender, religion, or family status, even indirectly, it could become legally problematic.' Some of the perks of Labour's Renters' Rights Bill, which will likely coming into effect in early 2026, include: An end to rental bidding – Landlords and agents will be required to publish an asking rent for their property and it will be illegal to accept offers made above this rate. – Landlords and agents will be required to publish an asking rent for their property and it will be illegal to accept offers made above this rate. Only a month's rent can be asked up for upfront . . Stopping backdoor evictions – Tenants will be able to appeal above-market rents designed to force them out the property. – Tenants will be able to appeal above-market rents designed to force them out the property. Giving tenants more right to have a pet in the property – A landlord can't unreasonably refuse this, although they can request pet insurance to offset any damage to the property. – A landlord can't unreasonably refuse this, although they can request pet insurance to offset any damage to the property. Stopping landlords from discriminating against those on benefits or with children – advocating for fair treatment in the rental market. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Mum who fell down Tube platform and hit by two trains 'contributed to her own injuries' MORE: Woman pulls out huge knife and lunges at young reveller in London park MORE: Hottest tube line forecasted where passengers face 32°C carriage hell
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
New Hunger Games book is free in pre Prime Day deal
The internet goes into a frenzy every time a new cast member is announced and there's a way to find out about Haymitch's games, in Sunrise on the Reaping, for free Suzanne Collins' Sunrise on the Reaping was launched earlier this year and has brought the topic of the franchise back to centre stage online. The book follows Haymitch's game, the Second Quarter Quell, where twice as many tributes were reaped. While the book has been a smash hit, it's the franchise's Instagram account that's sending fans into a frenzy every time a new casting is announced. Joseph Zada, who is currently starring in Prime's We Were Liars, has taken on the role of Woody Harrelson's Haymitch Abernathy and there's been enough stars cast that fans online have been questioning the budget. While some characters, like Elle Fanning's Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes' President Snow and Kieran Culkin's Caesar Flickerman, are returning from the original trilogy, there are many who are new. Readers have been tight lipped on why there appear to be five tributes from District 12 with Wyatt, Maysilee, Haymitch, Louella and Lou Lou and why squirrels seem to be setting off the waterworks. For those who want to know what happen before the November 20, 2026 movie release date, there's actually away to get the entire book for free. Audible is offering a three month free trial where subscribers can listen to the latest Hunger Games book for free. There are other audiobook services on the model, Spotify gives their subscribers a set number of hours to read each month while BookBeat gives 20 hours for £6.99 a month. The book is also available to buy from retailers like Amazon and WH Smith. Our resident bookworm has listened to the Audible audiobook of the latest Suzanne Collins hit and said: "This is easily one of the best books of the year, Collins has knocked it out of the park again. I've read it twice, first as an audiobook where I got all the pronunciations down and again as a hardcover when all of the castings were announced. Although we know how his games end, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. "The series was already brutal but Collins holds back nothing in this one. Every chapter is more harrowing than the last and months after first reading it, I still can't look at squirrels the same way. I anticipate the film will do an incredible job but for fans looking to avoid spoilers and to understand why it's sent the internet into a frenzy before next November I'd strongly recommend reading this one." The free trial comes with a total of three credits across three months, meaning that readers can snap up The Hunger Games and Catching Fire as well before paying for Mockingjay. There's an additional prequel with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also up for grabs. The book itself has a very strong 4.7 out of 60,401 reviews on Amazon. One reviewer said: "I couldn't put it down, it's an absolutely phenomenal work from Suzanne Collins; the symbolism is spectacular, the character voice is unbelievably clear - she's made Haymitch simultaneously stand out more than ever; while staying true to him as we saw in the trilogy and as a mirror of Katniss. "The themes and motifs are incredible - it's kept the mythological depth of the series going and brought its own themes to the table, to the point where it's in my opinion surpassed its predecessor books." However, a less impressed reader wrote: "I struggle to get into this. Song verses were overused, and it was so tragic, but I suppose it explains why Haymitch was as he is in the Mockingjay trilogy. It was also satisfying to get some backstory on other survivors. But it feels like something is missing, and the arena concept while fascinating, never really took off for me this time." Following the three month free trial it will cost subscribers £8.99 a month to maintain their Audible subscription, with there also being access to a Plus Catalogue giving readers the chance to read a massive range of books at no extra cost.
Refinery29
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
These 6 Netflix Treats Are Worth Watching In July
The start of summer means that most people are out and busy, soaking up the sun, enjoying BBQs and planning last-minute beach getaways. If you're like us, however, you're most likely still locked into all your favourite movies and shows, eagerly scrolling the internet for more news of upcoming cinema releases and streaming drops. Over the last month, Hunger Games fans rejoiced as they announced that Glenn Close would be starring in the latest instalment as the cruel custodian of District 12, Drusilla, alongside Billy Porter as drug-addled stylist, Magno. For musical theatre heads, the release of the Wicked: For Good trailer had everybody buzzing with anticipation for the closing chapter of the box-office smash hit. Plus, The Materialists press tour gave us enough content to keep us smiling for weeks to come. Still, as we head into July, we've got our eye on a new slate of content heading our way, with Netflix rolling out plenty of must-see dramas, documentaries and more. To discover all our favourite upcoming shows and movies coming to the platform this month, read on ahead… Our Netflix Star: Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel For those paying attention to fashion in the 2010s, American Apparel was known for giving wearers serious social currency. Becoming one of the most successful US fashion brands, the disco-pant producers were a Tumblr style blogger staple, with sexually promiscuous ad campaigns making them globally famous. But as the new Netflix documentary details, the brand that so many young people wanted to work at was actually crumbling on the inside. Exposing the actions of CEO and founder Dov Charney, the doc discusses the sexual harassment claims, financial mismanagement and toxic work practices that brought about the end of American Apparel. The Old Guard 2 If there's one thing Charlize Theron knows how to do, it's kick ass. Returning for a second instalment, The Old Guard 2 follows Andy (Theron) and the gang on their continuing mission to save the world. As immortals, the group have spent thousands of years trying to do good, but this time they must go up against the first of their kind, Discord (played by a sword-wielding Uma Thurman). Enlisting the help of Tuah (Henry Golding) to try and understand the mystery around their immortality, the warriors must face their biggest challenge yet. The Sandman (Season 2) Split into two parts, The Sandman returns for its final season with 11 new episodes. Based on the award-winning comic book series, the second instalment promises to bring the story to a fulfilling close, following Dream as he embarks on a mission to save the realm, himself and the conscious world from his past actions. Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones), Indya Moore (Pose) and Freddie Fox (The Great) join the fantasy epic alongside the original cast, including Gwendoline Christie, Stephen Fry and Joely Richardson. Trainwreck: The Real Project X For those old enough to remember the Project X movie, it was a pop culture moment like no other. Based loosely on the plot of a real-life teenager who threw an out-of-control house party, the term 'Project X' subsequently entered the cultural lexicon for Tumblr teens. Now, for the first time, the real Dutch teenager who created an open Facebook event in 2012 speaks about how things went so wrong so quickly when tens of thousands of people signed up to attend. Ending in a full-blown riot and an estimated £15,000 in damages, the doc details exactly how one teenage girl from a tiny town threw the most viral party of the 2010s. Untamed Thinking about heading into the great outdoors this summer? Well, this new Eric Bana-fronted series might have you feeling differently. Set in Yosemite National Park, this mystery thriller follows a National Parks Service agent as he attempts to enforce the law across the sprawling forests and mountainscapes. From the writer behind The Revenant and American Primeval this is a series that examines what happens when humans and the wilderness go up against each other. Happy Gilmore 2 In 1996, Adam Sandler gifted Happy Gilmore to the world, a beloved comedy about a down-on-his-luck hockey player who turns to golf in the hopes of saving his family from bankruptcy. Now, 29 years later, Happy returns to the course, this time a father having to find money to fund his daughter's dance school tuition. With a star-studded cast including Ben Stiller, Julie Bowen, Margaret Qualley, Bad Bunny, Eminem, Post Malone, Rory McIlroy and even Sandler's real-life daughter, Sunny, this promises to be a sports sequel with some substance.
Buzz Feed
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Wattpad Guilty Pleasures That Haven't Aged Well
Don't deny it—we ALL have had an embarrassing Wattpad phase in our lives, where we gave into the FOMO of fanfics and erotica and found ourselves giggling at narratives that, honestly, would get cancelled today. 15-year-old me was having the time of her life on that website. I get why my parents were so pissed with me for spending HOURS on the website, reading words that should have never been written. And yet, every teenager was blushing under the covers reading those imaginary stories. It definitely was a phase of puberty I do not want to remember! Given that, there were a lot of tropes and narratives that Wattpad is famously known for—and a lot of them are questionable, to say the least. So here are 8 things we all have either read or come across on Wattpad that were sooo not normal!* *Disclaimer: some of the tropes mentioned below include sexual content and other controversial subjects. 1. "(Y/N), I'm so sorry. Steve wholeheartedly apologized as he rushed forward and embraced you from behind. You twisted in his arms and buried your face in his chest." - Avengers x Reader Y/N refers to your name. A good and cute romantic y/n like this excerpt does no harm to anybody. Except for when, Wattpad always goes the extra mile and has us imagining ourselves falling in love with inanimate objects, having weird powers, begging the BIGGEST red flag to love us back, and other extremely weird stuff. 2. "Taehyung had a girlfriend, Yuri, who cheated on him only for money. Taehyung was so madly in love with her that he couldn't see that she was just using him. When his girlfriend left him with another man after taking his money, he was furious. He loved her so much, but at the end, he got nothing. From that day on, he became a cold-hearted mafia and killed his girlfriend and her boyfriend and never trusted in love or relationships ever again." - Arrange Marriage with the MAFIA! This excerpt is just one example of the thousands of fanfics on Wattpad, which cater to every genre and audience. You have One Direction (of course), Star Wars, BTS, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, actors, actresses, singers, and even Donald Trump (Yeah, you read that right.) And trust me, nothing about these fanfics is normal. 3. "Harry just wrapped his arms around me and leaned his head on my shoulder, closing his eyes. I sighed, breathing in his comforting scent." - This Is More Than A Bromance: Larry Stylinson Speaking of One Direction, fans have gone ahead of "Harry x Y/N" and taken it up a notch—we now have "Harry x Louis" because, to fans, it's more than bromance. The trope of setting up band members with each other is so normal that fans don't bat an eye, but once you start reading the details, you can never erase it from your mind. 4. "Damn it! I know it's forbidden, but you're so tempting." - Touch Me Sir And of course, you have smut. And as always, it is unhinged, which makes me want to throw not about the extreme detail, but rather the characters involved. From a Monster energy drink can to Voldemort, Wattpad writers really leave nothing to the imagination. 5. "He looks around the classroom, and his gaze abruptly stops on me. I could see a small sort of smile work its way into his face." - Falling For My Teacher Okay, this one just crosses all ethical bounds. The staggering number of romance plots between a teacher and a student is seriously CONCERNING. It's not a romantic trope; it's a major problem, which should not be turned into a plot twist. Do better!Whoever has written this should really get their laptop privileges revoked. 6. "Girls weaker than her would probably be reduced to a puddle. That dark hair and dangerous smile would be able to convert even the saintliest of nuns." - Dominantly Yours This is where the fictional dominant alpha male, mob boss, and mafia characters come to life. There are tropes of the shy girl meeting the 'alpha male' and falling deeply in love, letting him do whatever he wants. Yeah, I'm having none of that! No controlling, no possessiveness, just none of this! We have to be better than this as a society. 7. "As she gazed back at the TV, I couldn't help inspecting her legs and feet. My foster sister had a pretty awesome-looking pair of legs: slim, long, flawless pale of sexy." - Foster Bond This is simply WRONG. I do not want to see anything with FAMILY in it. I cannot emphasize enough how deeply incorrect and wrong this is. Please stop. 8. "Before becoming a breeder mouse, this rich, half-blood snake bought me for a high price, especially as a male mouse. Now I'm sitting here in a car for the first time in my life, nervously staring at this snake's hot face." - Love Uncaged Hybrid mouse, snake, and human? This trope of the main character being EVERYTHING except a human can only be found on Wattpad. All stories copy Beauty and The Beast, where the 'not like other girls' girl falls in love with this hybrid animal/beast, and in return he protects her from the evil forces of the world. It's just downright creepy. After going through all of these, it is pretty much established that Wattpad does not contain too many normal reads. And to those who have been traumatized by these fanfics, you are not alone. There is an entire generation who has gone through it and somehow made it through as a better person (I can only hope). To people who do not know about Wattpad, I am so happy for you.
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Review of newly renovated Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay, Hawaii
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Renowned for its elegant take on modern luxury, Ritz-Carlton took over management of the renovated Turtle Bay Resort in July 2024, making it the brand's third resort in Hawaii. The location The original Turtle Bay Resort was built in 1972, before laws regulated development close to the ocean, which means the property enjoys unrivalled beachfront along O'ahu's northern coast, a one-hour drive from Honolulu. Naturally, the blockbuster location caught Hollywood's attention and the property's 1,300 acres have appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean, Hunger Games, and Jumanji II. The lowdown The resort underwent a US$250M facelift during the pandemic that included adding a new club lounge, fitness centre, spa and restaurants. In the lobby, which was once a darkened casino, the west and east walls were blown off to flood the space with natural light, accompanied by blonde timber flooring and sheer white curtains. The resort underwent a US$250M facelift during the pandemic Pulling up a seat at the west-facing lobby bar, you can sip cocktails overlooking the three different pools that cascade down the hill to the beach where wobbly surfers are taking lessons. Each pool is designed for different guests, from adult-only submerged lounges to kid friendly pools with disabled access. To the east, guests lay down a towel or lounge on spacious cabanas at family-friendly Turtle Beach. The property's 1,300 acres have appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean, Hunger Games, and Jumanji II The hotel is Y-shaped, so after the lobby area you reach a fork with boutique shops, a high-end restaurant, and private lounge to the left, and casual café and mini market to the right. For a hotel that can host nearly 1,000 guests at a time, there's a surprising number of places where you can find privacy, from sunken circular fire pits thrust into bar-side infinity pool, to smaller nooks and lounges tucked between the pools. The tranquility pool in an ocean bungalow The rooms All 462 rooms, counting 408 in the main building and 64 villas and bungalows a short buggy ride away, have waterfront views. I'm staying in a 43 sqm premium veranda room with king bed. The calming warm timbers and crisp white linen contrasts spectacularly with a wall-to-wall print of a crashing wave splashed above the bed, which propels me out onto my private balcony to watch the sunset. I have a coffee machine, (empty) mini-fridge, lounge and mounted flat-screen TV. Charging points are plentiful, including bedside USB and USB-C ports. The bathroom and walk-in shower provide plenty of space to hang all my clothes and store my suitcase, with complimentary amenities from eco-friendly beauty care brand OLAS. I'm staying in a 43 sqm premium veranda room with king bed Food and drinks When it comes to filling your plate, guests have five options ranging from burgers and salads at poolside Sunset Bar to light breakfasts at Ho'olana café, and poke bowls at Beach House on Turtle Beach. The resort's pride and joy is Alaia, a beautifully presented restaurant with a menu focused on locally sourced ingredients. It is the kind of place where a main-sized bowl of pasta will set you back AUD$65 (not including tips and taxes), or you can tuck into an AUD$300 tomahawk steak. If you want to eat for less, Holoholo Market sells Hawaiian souvenirs alongside supermarket goods like packaged sandwiches and sushi. An optional upgrade also gives you access to The Club, a private lounge area with a self-service bar and buffet with rotating menu three times a day. Even if you're not in a snacking mood, it's a great place to sit and watch the waves. The Alaia breakfast spread Shopping and fitness Scattered across the resort are four shops catering to different tastes and budgets. The Shop stocks Ritz-Carlton branded merchandise, while neighbouring Breeze offers premium coastal chic for men and women. Surf House showcases local, eco-conscious designers with bright and boldly patterned surf wear, including lines developed by three-time world champion surfer and local legend John Florence. You can pick up beach gear, like snorkels, masks and games for the kids, at Watershed. If lounging by the pool leaves you restless, the gym is one of the best equipped I've ever seen in a hotel and enjoys some of the resort's best views. The terraced pool at the Ritz-Carlton O'ahu The extras The resort offers an impressively stacked roster of experiences, which change every day of the week, ranging from lei making and hula lessons to stargazing, canoe tours, sound bathing, surf lessons and night snorkelling. Helicopter tours are expected to start this summer. Most activities need to be booked in advance, with some included in your room rate and others attracting an additional fee. Every Wednesday night, Ritz-Carlton hosts a Hawaiian Cowboy LÅ«Ê»au featuring cultural music, dancing and buffet. Snorkel at night to explore Kuilima Cove What's hot Ritz-Carlton has partnered with local environmental organisations to help restore Kahuku Point, a vital monk seal habitat and green turtle nesting site. What's not Like with many American resorts, check the fine print of what is and isn't included in your stay to avoid any surprises. Know what is, and isn't included in your stay The verdict: 9/10 For a destination crowded with beautiful beachfront hotels, Ritz-Carlton has crafted a showstopping stay that caters just as well to families as it does honeymooners. Rooms start at $U799 (about $1200). The writer was a guest of the O'ahu Visitor Bureau, Hawai'i Tourism Oceania and Qantas. Originally published as Review: The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay just had a glow up
