Oliver Marmol and the St. Louis Cardinals will be adding a sixth arm to their rotation in Matthew Liberatore. The 25-year-old pitcher will make his first start of the season on April 19th against the New York Mets. The Cardinals are including Liberatore in an effort to prevent future injuries to Sonny Gray and company. […]
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PARENTS have been on the lookout for a new nappy cream after the popular Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment vanished from shelves.
Described as a “miracle” product by many, Metanium Yellow was beloved for its ability to treat nappy rash and is sorely missed by mums and dads who swear by it.
Usually available at major retailers like Superdrug, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Savers, and online through Amazon, Express Chemist, and Lloyds Pharmacy, the ointment is now completely sold out.
Thornton & Ross said: “Thornton & Ross has taken the decision to discontinue Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment.
“This is due to constraints that have impacted our ability to guarantee consistent supply and maintain the high standards of excellence we strive for in all our products.”
They added: “We understand Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment was a valued product and we assure you this decision was not taken lightly.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the discontinuation may cause.”
However, a new contender has appeared, and it’s catching the attention of parents across the UK.
Boots, a high street retailer known for its wide range of health and beauty products, is now stocking an anti-fungal cream that some are claiming works just as well as the discontinued Metanium.
The product, Clotrimazole, priced at just £1.99, is marketed as an effective treatment for fungal nappy rash and even ringworm.
One mum, sharing her thoughts on the product, said: “This stuff is like magic!!!
“My little one suffers with nappy rash so badly when he’s teething! This clears it up every time!”
Despite rave reviews, the product has sparked mixed reactions in online comments.
Some parents are concerned about its long-term use.
One user pointed out: “NO, this can’t be used every day!! It’s short-term use only.”
Others were more specific about its intended purpose, with one saying: “It’s a thrush cream.”
Another adding: “For fungal rashes.
“This stuff thins the skin if used too much.”
Still, many parents are convinced that the Clotrimazole cream is a must have in their nappy-changing routine, with one comment saying: “It’s the thrush cream!
“Very similar to what causes nappy rash so it works so good.”
It is not uncommon for manufacturers to axe products in they are underperforming or because of issues in supply.
Earlier this year, Pampers axed its popular night nappy pants and told shoppers to buy its Baby-Dry nappy pants instead.
In May, M&S also scrapped its own brand nappy range, causing upset amongst parents who said they were one of the best brands for babies.
Parents have also faced shortages of baby formula from major brands such as Kendamil.
Kendamill’s classic and organic powder formula was missing from stores due to supply issues, but the problems have since been resolved.
WE'VE put together six top tips to cut costs, nab freebies and to make sure you're not fined.
GAMERS in Bristol are crushed as the city’s beloved gaming store shuts its doors for the second time in a year – and this time, it’s game over for good.
Geek Retreat Bristol manager, Liam, shared on social media the “tough decision” to close the hub for card fans, Pokémon enthusiasts and gamers looking to connect.
Liam explained he was closing down Geek Retreat Bristol to focus on the Geek Retreat Newport store, which he also manages.
He wrote: “After a lot of thought, I’ve made the tough decision to close the Bristol store.
“When I took on both Bristol and Newport, I genuinely believed I could give both sites the time and attention they deserved – even with 30 miles between them.
“But life changes, and trying to manage both stores across two cities while handling personal things has become too much to do well.
“This isn’t a reflection on Geek Retreat or the brilliant communities we’ve built – it’s a reflection on what I can realistically manage right now.
“I believe in the Geek Retreat model and what it brings to local communities, which is why I’ll be focusing all my energy on making Newport the very best it can be.
“To everyone who supported Bristol – thank you. Your community spirit meant everything, and I’m hopeful we’ll be back in the city in a new format very soon.”
Liam added: “In the meantime, your nearest Geek Retreat stores are in Cardiff and Newport, both home to friendly teams and welcoming communities.
“You can spend your £’s at either store, or with selected retailers through the Geek Retreat app.”
Gamers took to Facebook to express their disappointment.
“Totally understandable. I will miss our chats,” wrote one person.
“Always sad to see a community space close up in Bris, big love from the Hoard café team and best of luck with your other space,” one user said.
Another commented: “Hire me I’ll manage the store for you.”
Both Geek Retreat Bristol and Greek Retreat Newport first opened their doors in 2022 as part of the UK-wide chain of franchised shops and board game cafés.
The Bristol store’s closure comes just a year after it temporarily shut down when the previous managers left.
It was given a second life last July when manager Liam took the reins.
But the Bristol shop is not the only Geek Retreat location to close its doors – dozens across the UK have shut down in the past few years, including in Leeds, Liverpool and London.
Geek Retreat opened its first store in Glasgow in 2013 and grew to as many as 57 outlets in 2022.
But that number has since dropped to just 21, according to the Geek Retreat UK website.
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
FANS slammed Jude Bellingham for his gamesmanship before Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss.
The Arsenal star, 23, was in the thick of the action at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
He scored the crucial first goal, chipping beautifully over Thibaut Courtois to put Arsenal 4-0 up on aggregate.
Vinicius Junior pulled one back for Real Madrid immediately before Gabriel Martinelli capped off a famous victory over the reigning Champions League holders.
But earlier on, Saka saw his Panenka penalty easily saved.
Referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot after a VAR review for Raul Asencio’s pull on Mikel Merino.
Martin Odegaard picked up the ball and looked to be preparing to take the penalty.
But Saka was lurking inside the D, ready to take the ball off him and shoot.
As he waited, though, his England team-mate Bellingham, 21, whispered something in Saka’s ear and put his hand on his shoulder.
The Arsenal hero seemingly gave no reaction to the Real Madrid midfielder, who appeared to carry on chirping away with the mind games.
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And fans on social media were far from impressed with Bellingham’s antics – as others gave their own hilarious suggestions for what he might have said to Saka.
One said: “He maybe needs to concentrate on his own game for a bit. Barely saw him tonight.”
Another wrote: “Boy, he’s gone down in my estimation. Really not all that.”
A third added: “‘I wish I could turn up for the big games . How do you do it?'”
A fourth commented: “He said, ‘Please let me win.'”
A fifth typed: “‘Give us a chance please.'”
And a final user replied: “‘Can you let me know how I can escape from Declan’s pocket, Bukayo?’”
Whatever Bellingham did say, though, may well have got inside Saka’s head as he produced the nightmare spot-kick.
Bellingham also got into a tussle with another Three Lions pal, Declan Rice, as his frustrations threatened to boil over on a miserable night for Los Blancos.
ARSENAL'S heroes dumped the Kings of Europe out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion.
The Gunners went to the Bernabeu with a 3-0 lead after the first leg at the Emirates.
Bukayo Saka missed an early penalty, but made amends by chipping over Courtois to make it 4-0 on aggregate on 65 minutes.
Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior pounced on a dawdling William Saliba to fire into an empty net and give Real a glimmer of hope.
But not only did Arsenal hold on, Gabriel Martinelli scored on the counter-attack in injury time to round off a famous 5-1 aggregate win over the reigning champions.
Read how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arteta’s men from his seat inside the Bernabeu…
As for Saka, who was cheered on by girlfriend Tolami Benson, he was confronted by injured Dani Carvajal in a furious half-time bust-up.
But the winger and his Arsenal team-mates enjoyed the last laugh by recording the famous 5-1 aggregate victory to set up the semi-final with PSG.
They will be without Thomas Partey for the first leg, however.
The Ghana international knew a yellow card would see him suspended – but needlessly picked up a booking for getting into a row with Antonio Rudiger.
DEMI Moore looks pretty laid back after losing out on the Best Actress Oscar last month.
The American star, 62, reclined in an all-black outfit for a TIME100 shoot.
She recalls telling her manager: “I think it’s going to Mikey.”
She continued: “I didn’t feel gutted.
“I didn’t feel any of those kinds of things.
“I just trusted, and am in trust of, whatever is going to unfold.”
Demi previously said she had a ‘very vulnerable experience‘ filming nude scenes for The Substance.
She explained: “It was a very vulnerable experience, and we had a lot of conversations around it, but it was taking you to the raw place that you needed to [go].
“On my end, I felt it wasn’t sexualised since so many of my scenes were about the experience of being with yourself, and often we are with ourselves nude and it’s those moments of our own personal gaze, and self-judgement.
“I think the depth of the vulnerability and where it took me is, in a way, what was needed to help me tap into my own vulnerability.”
The TIME100 is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, with rapper Snoop Dogg, tennis ace Serena Williams and Brit singer Ed Sheeran also in it.
The 2025 TIME100 list is live now on Time.com and the issue will hit newsstands tomorrow.
