Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger

UK Passport Application Fees Increase April 2025, adults and children’s passport fee changes

In a move set to impact many British travelers, the UK government will increase passport application fees from April 2025. The official government announcement details the changes here: Changes to Passport Application Fees. The Home Office has announced that the cost of both standard and premium services will rise for adults and children, including applications submitted online, by post, and overseas. This increase is expected to be around 7% across the board. Here’s everything you need to know about the new fees and what they mean for your passport application process.

Photo of Teyana Taylor

$7-figure payouts, four houses, and $8K NBA star Iman got hit hard in her divorce settlement when it comes to child support.

Iman Asante Shumpert, a basketball player, and Teyana Taylor, an actress, are said to have reached a multimillion-dollar divorce settlement.

The Express Tribune says Shumpert has finalized a legally binding deal that requires him to pay Teyana a seven-figure sum all at once.

Teyana also got four expensive homes worth more than $10 million, a $300,000 Maybach, and a $70,000 Mercedes Sprinter.

Besides that, the ex-Brooklyn Nets player will have to pay $8,000 a month in child support and share custody of their two daughters.

After being married since 2016, the couple split up in 2023. Multiple reports say that Iman broke their prenuptial agreement, but the exact reason for their breakup is still unknown.

Late in the first half, Duke first star Cooper Flagg suffered a left ankle injury and will not be returning to the No. 1 Blue Devils' ACC tournament game against Georgia Tech on Thursday.

At halftime, Flagg was spotted wheelchair-bound, being transported to the X-ray room, then returning to the bench on his own strength early in the second half. Duke clarified, though, that he will not be playing for the remainder of the game.

Duke was behind 26-17 late in the first half, so he sustained an injury. Flagg ascended for an uncontested rebound, but he landed badly on Georgia Tech's Darrion Sutton's foot and fell to the ground. Bent over with his hands on the seats, he hobbled back to the bench in obvious discomfort and hammered a chair in rage.

Two teammates helped Flagg get to the locker room for additional assessment after he had a few minutes of rest on the bench.

With a shoulder injury, Duke also lost Maliq Brown in the first half; the team decided to rule him out for the rest of the game.

Before this matchup, everyone expected Duke, who ranked first this week, to be the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Completing the regular season 28-3, the Blue Devils had won eight straight games.

Throughout the regular season, Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

Source: ESPN.


Hey everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to address the recent incident off the coast of Hull, where a cargo ship collided with an oil tanker, leading to a significant fire and environmental concerns. 

As travelers and nature enthusiasts, it's essential for us to stay informed about such events, as they can impact the destinations we love and the environment we cherish.

The North Sea, a region many of us have explored or dream of exploring, is currently facing potential ecological challenges due to this accident. The spill involves jet fuel, which, while it evaporates faster than crude oil, still poses risks to marine life. 

It's a stark reminder of how interconnected our adventures are with the health of our planet. As we plan our future travels, let's remain conscious of the environmental footprints we leave behind and advocate for responsible practices that protect these precious ecosystems.


I want to talk about an event that recently happened at a Nigerian university. I’m sure similar incidents have occurred in different parts of the world, but because Nigeria is a very religious country and this was caught on camera, it has now become the talk of the internet.

A lady was making a TikTok video, which unintentionally included her lecturer. As the lecturer was passing through the hallway, she was moving backward without noticing him approaching. Gently, he tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to leave the hallway. Instead of complying, she responded loudly, "Can you imagine?" She then confronted the lecturer for interrupting her video and proceeded to assault the lecturer by fighting with him, which was seen in the video that is trending online.

Many young women and people nowadays believe that being rude and arrogant makes them a "big girl," but that is foolishness at the highest level. I can't stress enough how undisciplined the Gen Z generation is. They talk carelessly, react impulsively, and often behave as if they have no home training—always defensive and speaking a lot without making sense.

I have a younger sister who is Gen Z, and I’ve had to caution her about certain behaviors. Why would a lady in a university think it’s acceptable to fight a lecturer simply because he said, "I don’t want to be in your video"? The government is beginning to consider regulating or even taking away social media due to its out-of-control nature.

The level of disrespect among Gen Z, their lack of accountability, and their disregard for basic respect are alarming. The lady in question has been expelled, and whatever she was thinking—whether she was trying to trend or prove a point—I hope she realizes that these videos stay on the internet forever.

Working with Gen Z can be frustrating; they struggle to handle conversations without cursing or getting defensive. They are always on edge, and there is absolutely no excuse for being rude or unkind. You go online, and they are constantly preaching about positivity while exhibiting bad behavior. Everyone online seems wise until you speak to them in person and hear their views on real-life matters.

The Metropolitan Police have launched a major crackdown on organised phone theft, leading to the recovery of 1,000 stolen devices and the arrest of 230 individuals. The operation, which took place across key areas of London, is part of a wider effort to tackle the rising wave of mobile phone-related crimes in the capital. (BBC News | Sky News)

A Growing Crime Wave

Phone theft has become a massive issue in London, with organised gangs targeting pedestrians, commuters, and tourists in broad daylight. Criminals use methods such as moped snatches, distraction tactics, and even violent confrontations to steal devices. According to police reports, many stolen phones are quickly sold on the black market or shipped abroad to avoid detection. (Metropolitan Police)

How the Crackdown Happened

The operation involved plainclothes officers, surveillance teams, and rapid response units working together to identify and apprehend suspects. Several hotspots, including busy transport hubs and shopping districts, were targeted. Officers were also able to track stolen phones in real-time using advanced digital tracing techniques, leading to significant breakthroughs in recovering stolen property.

A spokesperson for the Met Police stated, "This operation sends a clear message that phone theft will not be tolerated. We are committed to protecting Londoners and ensuring criminals face justice." The police also urged the public to take precautions, such as enabling phone tracking features and staying vigilant in crowded areas. (Crime Prevention Advice)

The Grenfell Tower fire was one of the most tragic events in modern British history, a disaster that exposed deep failings in safety regulations, accountability, and social inequality. Now, years after the fire that claimed 72 lives, plans have been announced to demolish the remains of the tower—a decision that has sparked an emotional and heated debate among campaigners, survivors, and the local community. (BBC News)

For many, Grenfell stands as a powerful symbol of injustice. Its charred frame is a stark reminder of the lives lost and the systemic failures that led to the tragedy. Campaigners argue that demolishing the tower risks erasing the memory of those who perished and the ongoing fight for justice. They see it as an attempt to move on from an issue that has yet to be fully resolved, with many survivors still waiting for real accountability.

On the other side of the debate, authorities and some members of the community believe that the tower’s presence is too painful, a haunting spectre looming over those who lost loved ones. They argue that keeping it standing prolongs the trauma for residents who have to see it every day, a constant reminder of loss and devastation. The government has cited safety concerns as a key reason for demolition, stating that the structure is unstable and could pose a danger if left standing. (Grenfell Tower Inquiry | UK Government Statement)

But campaigners remain sceptical. Many have accused the government of trying to erase the legacy of Grenfell without fully addressing the systemic failures that led to the fire. There is still widespread frustration over the slow pace of justice—cladding companies, landlords, and policymakers have yet to be held fully accountable. Survivors and bereaved families have long demanded criminal prosecutions for those responsible, yet progress remains frustratingly slow.


It is appalling, infuriating, and beyond disgusting to hear about acts of cruelty like those committed at the Henrico Doctors’ Hospital NICU. How can anyone look at a newborn—fragile, innocent, and utterly dependent—and cause deliberate harm? And for what reason? The thought is chilling. These are infants we’re talking about—babies. The very notion that someone in a position of trust, like a nurse, could be so depraved is both heartbreaking and infuriating.

For those who do not know, the NICU, or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is a specialized area in a hospital dedicated to caring for newborn babies who require extra medical attention.

Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman, a nurse from the United States arrested for allegedly causing fractures and injuries to NICU babies, has shaken me to my core. The fact that this is even a possibility shows the depth of the systemic rot within certain parts of the healthcare system. And yes, I’m going to say it—there’s a racial element here that we cannot ignore. When I hear stories like this, I cannot help but wonder about the role that racism plays. Racism isn’t just hateful words or discriminatory policies; it’s baked into the very fabric of systems that allow individuals to harm the most vulnerable without facing immediate accountability.

There’s a long history here. My grandmother always said that racism hasn’t decreased—it’s just that laws make it harder to act on openly. But give a white person the opportunity, and their true colors will show. Stories like this are a haunting reminder of that truth. If a white nurse can allegedly harm Black newborns, targeting them deliberately, what does that say about the depths of her cruelty? About the system that enabled her? About the unchecked biases that fester behind the smiles of people claiming, "I have Black friends"?

Let me be clear: having friends of another race doesn’t absolve anyone of prejudice. True decency is not about performing kindness; it’s about seeing every person as fully human, equal in worth and dignity. And when stories like this surface, it becomes clear that many people still fail this basic test of humanity.

It’s also important to note that this isn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a larger pattern. The health system, like the police force, is supposed to protect and serve. Yet, we see time and time again how some individuals within these systems weaponize their positions against Black people. Babies in a NICU! Could there be a more vulnerable group? And what does it say about a society where such an atrocity can occur, not once, but repeatedly?


By now, I’m sure most of you are aware of the recently concluded Miss Universe competition. I followed the show closely, and in my opinion, Miss Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, truly deserved that crown. She was the clear standout, but of course, the judges made their choice, and she ended up as the first runner-up.

Chidinma answered all her questions with poise and intelligence, and she’s an absolutely stunning woman. I’m not just saying this because she’s Nigerian—I genuinely believe she was the best on that stage.

For those who may not know, Chidinma is a dedicated law student who has faced considerable backlash from some in South Africa due to her mixed heritage. Despite this, Nigeria has embraced her wholeheartedly, and she’s made us incredibly proud.

Congratulations to all the participants. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.





Two days ago, I attended the conference at the Center for Contemporary Art, marking the end of the Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group (AIGG) and the sharing of their recommendations for the vision, mission, and structure of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland.

It was very insightful, and people had the opportunity to ask many questions. Racism hasn't been adequately addressed in many countries and has often been taken lightly. A great-grandmother from India, who has lived in Scotland for a long time and has three generations here, shared accounts of how racism hasn't shown significant improvement for a long time.

Another person spoke up and said if there were not significant changes and accountability for those who engage in racist behavior, then she didn't want to be part of this movement.

Individuals from diverse racial backgrounds were in attendance and poured out their heavy hearts.

The event was attended by the Minister for Equalities, Migration, and Refugees, Emma Roddick, and provided an opportunity to hear from them, ask questions, and engage in conversation with the Co-Chairs of the AIGG.

The event also marked the publication of the AIGG community research report, which contributed in various ways. The community research mapped to the AIGG’s work.

Here is the significant question people want answers to:

Observatory Accountability

We would like to know who will be held accountable for how the anti-racist strategy is implemented.

What are your thoughts?

#AntiRacismConference #EqualityInAction #AIGGEvent #InclusiveScotland #RacismAwareness #CommunityResearch #EqualityAdvocacy #AccountabilityMatters #AntiRacistStrategy #EmpowerChange

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