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Supreme Court hears Mississippi case on late-arriving mail ballots

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Supreme Court hears Mississippi case on late-arriving mail ballots

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Monday in a case from Mississippi over whether states can count late-arriving mail ballots, a target of President Donald Trump.

The outcome of the case could affect voters in 14 states and the District of Columbia, which have grace periods for ballots cast by mail, provided they are postmarked by Election Day. An additional 15 states that have more forgiving deadlines for ballots from military and overseas voters also could be impacted.

A ruling is expected by late June, early enough to govern the counting of ballots in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.

Forcing states to change their practices just a few months before the election risks “confusion and disenfranchisement,” especially in places that have had relaxed deadlines for years, state and big-city election officials told the court in a written filing.

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California, Texas, New York and Illinois are among the states with post-Election Day deadlines. Rural Alaska, with its vast distances and often unpredictable weather, also counts late-arriving ballots.

Lawyers for the Republican and Libertarian parties, as well as Trump’s administration, are asking the justices to affirm an appellate ruling that struck down a Mississippi law allowing ballots to be counted if they arrive within five business days of the election and are postmarked by Election Day.

The court challenge is part of Trump’s broader attack on most mail balloting, which he has said breeds fraud despite strong evidence to the contrary and years of experience in numerous states.

Last year, the Republican president signed an executive order on elections that aims to require votes to be “cast and received” by Election Day. The order has been blocked in pending court challenges.

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At the same time, four Republican-dominated states — Ohio, Kansas, North Dakota and Utah — eliminated grace periods last year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and Voting Rights Lab.

The issue at the Supreme Court is whether federal law sets a single Election Day that requires ballots to be both cast by voters and received by state officials.

In striking down Mississippi’s grace period, Judge Andrew Oldham of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that the state law allowing the late-arriving ballots to be counted violated federal law.

Oldham and the other two judges who joined the unanimous ruling, James Ho and Stuart Kyle Duncan, all were appointed by Trump during his first term.

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Channel 4 fans are utterly flummoxed after 33-year-old reveals he’s a grandad

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Channel 4 fans are utterly flummoxed after 33-year-old reveals he's a grandad

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A Channel 4 reality show contestant, 33, has shocked viewers after revealing he is a grandfather. Yes, you read that correctly.

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The new series, The Hunt: Prey Vs Predator, drops a group of 10 into the ‘vast, unforgiving forest’ where they are pitted against one another in a game of ‘cat and mouse’ all for the prize of £100k.

During introductions among our group of adventurers, ex-military man-turned-dentist Nathan revealed he was a ‘father of six’, which was already a shock to his co-stars, including prison officer Marc.

Nathan, married to his wife Carly, then casually added: ‘And a grandfather of one’, although he quickly caveated that ‘we don’t use the word grandad because it’s really uncool, so we use Papa’.

In a separate chat to the camera, he joked: ‘Life is always on the go. This is a break, this is a holiday.’

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Nonetheless, the grandfather revelation left fans gobsmacked.

The Hunt star Nathan, 33, has dropped a shocking fact about his family life (Picture: Channel 4)

‘He’s 33 and he’s a grandad!?,’ X user Tom James Clark wrote.

‘Surprised no one had follow-up questions for Nathan being a grandad at 33!?,’ MishyMoo added.

‘Nathan. A grandad, at 33?!!!’ Millie echoed.

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Shedding more light into his hectic life, he shared ahead of the series premiere: ‘Me and my wife run a casting agency and two private drama schools. Life’s busy. I’m a normal lad from the north and I’m just up for a bit of a laugh.’

Discussing what motivated him to sign up for the show, he said: ‘I really want to do this to prove to myself that I can.

A still of The Hunt: Predator vs Prey cast
Ten contestants must prove they are the ultimate predator (Picture: Channel 4

The Hunt review

Metro contributor Adam Miller shares his three-star review of the show…

Channel 4’s The Hunt: Prey vs Predator is the first reality series I’ve seen in this tedious post-Traitors era that actually feels like it’s carving out its own lane – harking back to a time before we collectively decided that Claudia Winkleman gliding around a Scottish castle with three cloaked murderers was the absolute peak of British television.

The show has been described as ‘as savage as The Hunger Games’… minus the slaughter. Personally, that doesn’t quite do The Hunt justice.

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Instead, it feels like a welcome throwback to the golden age of competition TV in the 2010s – blending Phillip Schofield’s one genuinely brilliant contribution to broadcasting, The Cube, with Channel 4’s criminally underrated surveillance thriller Hunted.

Read full review here.

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A still from The Hunt: Prey vs Predator
The show is the ultimate survival strategy game (Picture: Channel 4/ Pete Dadds)

‘I’ve got a condition called FND [Functional Neurological Disorder], which means that I have seizures and I also get weakness in my left-hand side, so it’s a personal challenge to see whether I can still get up and run around a forest.’

In order to win, he’ll have to be the last one standing after a cutthroat game of ‘action-packed hunts’, and ever-shifting allegiances.

More generally, fans have gotten behind the strategy-based new show.

‘Between this and handcuffed, Channel 4 is kind of bringing back good reality competition shows,’ luke praised.

‘I really enjoyed tonight’s The Hunt prey vs predator premiere, like the format of this new game,’ Darrennpassey agreed.

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The Hunt: Prey vs Predator airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.

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If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

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MOMA Foods recalls porridge items due to mouse contamination

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MOMA Foods recalls porridge items due to mouse contamination

MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachet products because of possible mouse contamination at the manufacturing site, making them “unsafe to eat”.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers “do not eat” the affected products and instead return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Full list of MOMA Foods porridge products being recalled

The nine MOMA Foods porridge products included in the recall, according to its website and the FSA, are:

  • MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Pot 55g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5296, M5297, M5303, M5304, M5315, M5339, M5342 (batch codes)
  • MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5261, M5328, M5329, M6026, M6027
  • MOMA Banana & Peanut Butter Protein Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5248, M5251, M5304, M5307
  • MOMA Blueberry & Vanilla Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5283, M5284, M5285, M5335, M5336, M6027, M6028
  • MOMA Cranberry & Raisin Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295, M5321, M5322, M5329, M5330, M5331
  • MOMA Golden Syrup Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5241, M5244, M5245, M5261, M5293, M5311, M5314, M5346, M5349
  • MOMA Plain No-Added Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 12pk) – M5279, M5280, M5281, M5308, M5309, M5310, M5311, M5345,
  • MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Sachets 7x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5289, M5290
  • MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Sachets 6x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295

MOMA Foods added: “Even though the chance of contamination of any of the above products being affected is low, we have taken this precautionary step to ensure the safety of our consumers.”

The company confirmed that no other products are affected.

MOMA Foods and FSA issue “do not eat” warning

Both MOMA Foods and the FSA have both warned consumers “do not eat” the nine porridge products mentioned in the recall.

MOMA Foods said: “Any consumers who have purchased affected MOMA porridge products are asked not to consume them.

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“Instead, they should return the products to the store where they were purchased and a full refund will be issued.”



Shoppers can also email getintouch@momafoods.co.uk for more information.

The FSA added: “Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products and on their website.

“These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.”

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RECOMMENDED READING:


What is a product recall?

If a food product has a problem that makes it unsellable, it may be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to inform consumers and local authorities about food safety issues.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

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This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

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AAPI adults broadly opposed to Trump immigration approach: new poll

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AAPI adults broadly opposed to Trump immigration approach: new poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders believe President Donald Trump has done more harm than good on the issue of immigration and border security in his second term so far, according to a new AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll.

About 6 in 10 AAPI adults say Trump has hurt immigration and border security “a lot” or “a little,” according to the survey from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, compared with about 4 in 10 U.S. adults in a January AP-NORC survey. About two-thirds of AAPI adults — who are generally more likely to be Democrats than U.S. adults overall — also say Trump has “gone too far” when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, compared with about half of Americans in general.

Trump’s administration has instituted sweeping immigration measures since he took office, but the past two months have been especially tumultuous. This past January, Trump suspended processing immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. Arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border have fallen dramatically, but the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and detentions have soared. In December 2024, daily detentions averaged just under 40,000. Last month, they numbered about 70,000.

The survey was conducted on the heels of the January fatal shootings by ICE agents of two U.S. citizens and their detainment of a Hmong American man — clad only in his underwear — in freezing temperatures.

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These immigration crackdowns hit close to home for Jeff Ugai, who lives in Hawaii. On his island, Kauai, nearly four dozen people were arrested in November in immigration raids.

“It seems like the current administration’s efforts have been more almost about cruelty than they have about actually establishing an immigration system that makes sense to this country,” said Ugai, 39, who is a Democrat.

Most AAPI adults believe Trump has crossed a line with deportations

AAPI adults, one of the fastest-growing demographics in the U.S., broadly don’t support Trump’s tough tactics on immigration, the poll found. A separate AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey last fall found that unhappiness about Trump’s immigration approach had risen from earlier in the year.

“We’re also seeing opposition to policies that may not involve violence or violations of due process, but still involve things like banning immigrants from entire countries where there is a history of visa overstays or deporting immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data.

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In this poll, around 4 in 10 AAPI adults say deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally should be a low priority for the U.S. government, an increase from about one-third just after Trump took office. About one-third of AAPI adults now say these deportations should be a moderate priority, and only about 2 in 10 say they should be a high priority.

Fran Peace, 75, of Oroville, California, still sees deporting immigrants here illegally as a high priority. But the Japanese American retiree disagrees with stopping people based on “stereotypes” like their looks or if they have an accent. She also is open to a citizenship path for those who’ve lived here for years and haven’t committed a crime.

“I don’t think you should just have to go back automatically, but the laws don’t say that,” Peace said. “If you’re illegal you go back. But I think there should be some concession made for the people that have been here a long time.”

Most AAPI adults are unhappy with immigration enforcement tactics

Most AAPI adults, 73%, have a “somewhat” or “very” unfavorable opinion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE.

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AAPI Republicans have a much less negative view of the agency than AAPI adults overall, with only about one-third saying they view ICE negatively. But only about one-quarter of Republicans overall had an unfavorable opinion of ICE in a February AP-NORC survey.

There’s also widespread opposition to several hardline immigration policies, with about 6 in 10 saying they oppose large-scale immigration enforcement operations in neighborhoods with high populations of immigrants, and about 7 in 10 against allowing immigration enforcement agents to cover their faces when arresting people.

Prohibiting face coverings would be like body cameras, “helping keep people accountable,” Ugai said.

AAPI adults divided over whether illegal immigration threatens US workers, welfare

The AAPI adult population is split on whether immigrants here illegally have a large impact on social welfare resources and crime. About 4 in 10 AAPI adults think immigrants in the U.S. illegally pose a “major risk” of burdening welfare and safety net programs. A similar share see this as “a minor risk.” Only about one-quarter see “not a risk at all.”

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On the question of whether immigrants here illegally will commit crimes, about one-third of AAPI adults see this as a “major risk,” while about half think it’s a “minor risk.” Only 15% say it’s “not a risk at all.”

Peace credits Trump with driving down crime like drug trafficking because before his second term, the U.S. “practically had open borders.”

But Daniel Kim, 65, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, thinks that immigrants pose little risk in terms of crime.

A Democrat and Korean American, he previously volunteered at a church to assist refugees with food and donations. He stopped going to his own evangelical church over church leaders’ insistence on remaining apolitical.

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“The church leadership just could not make the connection or could not find it in their hearts to think (about) the issues involved with the treatment of foreigners in our country,” Kim said.

___

The poll of 1,197 U.S. adults who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders was conducted Feb. 2-9, 2026, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based Amplify AAPI Panel, designed to be representative of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.6 percentage points.

This poll is part of an ongoing project exploring the views of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, which are usually not highlighted in other surveys because of small sample sizes and lack of linguistic representation.

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What does Cobra mean as Keir Starmer to chair new Cobra meeting today | News UK

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What does Cobra mean as Keir Starmer to chair new Cobra meeting today | News UK
The meetings take their name from a room in the Cabinet Office headquarters on Whitehall in London (Picture: EPA)

When there’s a major crisis in the UK, you may hear the name Cobra being mentioned in the news.

It sounds very ominous – and to a large extent it is, when you find out more about why Cobra meetings are held.

They’re essentially emergency briefings which are called when there’s a national or regional crisis, or during events abroad with major implications for the UK.

The name comes from where these meetings are held – in the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms, which can be abbreviated to COBR.

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You might be able to tell where this is going – one of the rooms is designated the letter A, leading to the handy acronym Cobra.

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The rooms are located at 70 Whitehall, which is the Cabinet Office main headquarters just behind 10 Downing Street.

There has only been one – rather blurry – photo released of Briefing Room A, which was sent out after a Freedom of Information Request in 2010.

A glimpse inside the room (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)

Those involved in briefings can include security and intelligence officials, civil servants, military chiefs, senior government ministers and leaders of emergency services, depending on what sort of crisis has taken place.

The Prime Minister will usually chair Cobra meetings, especially if the crisis at hand is more severe. However, this isn’t necessary, and another person can be nominated to chair.

It is roughly equivalent to the White House Situation Room, which became famous during the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

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A meeting was first called to respond to the miners’ strike of 1972, and has since covered events including 7/7, the Paris attacks, the 2017 Westminster attacks, and the Covid pandemic.

19/03/2026. London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a call with Emmanuel Macron, President of France and Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Keir Starmer typically joins officials and ministers at the meetings (Picture: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Str)

Among the more recent Cobra meetings was prompted by the Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last year, which led to the so-called Twelve-Day War.

Iran was to be the focus of a Cobra meeting again today, with Keir Starmer gathering ministers and officials to discuss the conflict in the Middle East.

Measures to keep fuel prices affordable and avoid an escalation in the cost-of-living crisis would likely be discussed.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Moment baby killers arrested for murdering 13-week-old son after lying 999 call

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Daily Mirror

Klevi and Nivalda Pirjani were jailed for life after murdering their tiny son Miguel Pirjani in November 2024 after being “systematically abused” by his parents

This is the harrowing moment a couple were arrested after murdering their 13-week-old baby.

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Klevi and Nivalda Pirjani were jailed for life after murdering their tiny son Miguel Pirjani in November 2024 after being “systematically abused” by his parents. Police have now revealed shocking bodycam footage showing the sick parents’ attempts to feign ignorance over the murder.

The video also included the 999 emergency call, where it was revealed the baby had stopped breathing, and had already starting turning a different colour. Mum Nivalda Pirjani tried to appear confused when police told her the baby had a fractured skull, whereas dad Klevi burst into tears on the floor.

Little Miguel was left with numerous broken bones and a bleed on the brain, after being subjected to repeated assaults during his short life. The husband and wife later blamed one another for his death, with the mum claiming the dad had “lost control” before headbutting and kicking their son.

READ MORE: Baby killer claims her freedom is being blocked – because she refuses to admit her guiltREAD MORE: Heartbreaking moment woman weeps over body of Brit drowned on dream holiday

Both were sentenced to life in prison earlier today at Liverpool Crown Court. Nivaldi Pirjani was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of at least 15 years and three months behind bars.

Klevi was told he must serve at least 19 years before having any chance of release. He appeared to be wiping away tears as he learned his fate, closing his eyes and hanging his head at one stage before taking of his glasses and rubbing his eyes.

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Nivalda meanwhile showed no reaction, sitting with her arms folded as she was jailed for life. Klevi also looked to his left towards his wife at once stage before he was taken down to the cells, while she remained facing forwards.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Baker, the High Court judge who presided over their trial, told them: “The best of medical science could not save Miguel Pirjani. He died from the irreversible effects of severe trauma to the head and neck.

“Migel was 13-and-a-half weeks old when he died. You were his parents, and you killed him by what must have been an act of appalling violence, intending him to suffer really serious harm. It is possible that you intended to kill him to be rid of him, but I am not sure that was your intention.

“I am sure that the fatal trauma Miguel suffered involved a heavy blow or series of blows to the right side of his head. Precisely how that was inflicted, I cannot say. Whether there was a single blow to head or several, I cannot say.

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“Whether Miguel’s head was battered onto a hard surface or some blunt object was battered onto his head, I cannot say. I cannot even say which of you did that. I think it is more probable that it was you Klevi.

“I cannot say precisely when or how Miguel was fatally battered or even be sure about which of you fatally battered him. Only you two know. You have chosen not to tell anyone. What exactly happened to Miguel that morning remains the guilty secret of a warped relationship where you came first to one another. The interest of Team Klevi and Nivalda came first.

“The jury were sure it was encouraged by the other of you, both of you intending Miguel to suffer at least grievous bodily harm. The fatal assault was not a one off incident that came out of the blue.

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“There must have been an escalation in the violence against Miguel in the final few days, culminating in the assault on the 24th of November. It did not matter which of you launched the final fatal assault. You were in this together, encouraging each other and intending that defenceless infant boy to suffer really serious harm.

“It was an abuse of power and gross abuse of trust of the bond between a baby and parents. I consider there to be no mitigation available to you Klevi. I acknowledge the difficult start you had in life, affected by armed conflict and the deaths of your father and young sister. However, I do not believe that offers any reason to reduce the sentence.

“In your case Nivalda, you were of previous good character. You were suffering from post natal depression and estranged from your own family.

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You have shown a measure of remorse through your parting words to Miguel and through some of what you said to the jury. That is rendered a little shallow by your determination to fight your trial, which extended to trying to limit your criminal responsibility.”

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UK wholesale servicing Morrisons shuts down amid liquidation

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UK wholesale servicing Morrisons shuts down amid liquidation

Localist – The Food Merchant, based in East Kilbride, launched in 1994 (as Food From Scotland Ltd) with the aim of helping independent food businesses in Scotland grow.

Over the years, the company has expanded and begun helping local food suppliers across the UK get their products to major retailers, including Morrisons, Co-op, and Waitrose, and food services.

Localist delivered 4,000 products per week to more than 2,500 retail stores and 1,000 contract catering units, according to The Grocer.

Co-op was one of the major retailers Localist – The Food Merchant used to provide products to. (Image: PA)

The company changed its name to Enterprise Foods Ltd in 2001, before rebranding again in 2025 to Localist – The Food Merchant.

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Localist – The Food Merchant shuts down after entering liquidation

Now, after 32 years, Localist – The Food Merchant has ceased trading after entering liquidation, according to Companies House.

The closure of the wholesaler has resulted in the loss of 71 jobs.

George Lafferty of BTG was appointed liquidator by Hamilton Sheriff Court on March 18.



Managing partner of BTG in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Thomas McKay, speaking to the Glasgow Times, said: “The directors had made efforts to restructure the debt of the company in order to save the business and rescue the jobs, and the loss of the jobs was sadly inevitable when this was not successful.

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“There are many small suppliers to the business that are owed money, and the loss of this route to market will also have a serious knock-on effect on these food producers as well. 

“We are working to assess all claims and establish whether there will be any dividend paid to unsecured creditors, but it is not likely to be significant, given the level of secured debts in the business.

“Regrettably, the failure of the company has resulted in 71 redundancies and we are working closely with those affected to help them access the financial entitlements and support available to them, including assistance from Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) and the Redundancy Payments Service.

“Our priorities now include ensuring these employees receive the guidance and advice they need during this process, and that we maximise the return from the sale of assets to the benefit of creditors.”

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Turbulent start to 2026 for UK high street

It has been a rough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have already been forced to close stores in 2026, while Revolution and BrewDog have shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.



Several other retailers have fallen into administration recently, including:

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Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in the opening weeks of 2026:

EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, has also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.



UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

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Tesco also recently revealed plans to cut 380 jobs in stores across the UK, while it’s been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Which of these recent insolvencies or closures has affected you the most? Let us know in the comments below.

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Prem Rugby: Finn Russell prevails, Marcus Smith toils and Leicester tear it up

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Marcus Smith, Finn Russell and Izaia Perese

Bonus points caught some flak at the end of the Six Nations.

Had champions France drawn their high-scoring game against England in the final round, rather than winning it by one point, they would have finished top of the standings despite having won one fewer match than second-placed Ireland.

However, the concept came good at the end of Leicester’s win over Bristol on Sunday.

With the clock in the red, Leicester 28-19 up and each team having scored three tries, the Bears were attacking hard deep inside the host’s half.

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Bristol couldn’t win the game, but a try would deliver them two bonus points and keep them within one of Leicester in the table and the race for a top-four finish.

When replacement Tigers’ hooker Finn Theobald-Thomas turned over the ball, it seemed Leicester would take the money and kick to touch.

Their coach Geoff Parling certainly thought so.

“Could you not hear me at the end? I wanted us to kick it off,” he said later.

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Instead, despite the rest of the backline standing flat and fatigued and the left-hand touchline invitingly close, Izaia Perese flung a long pass the other way.

Freddie Steward caught it, kicked a pinpoint bomb across to Billy Searle, who fed inside to Gabriel Hamer-Webb to streak in to secure Leicester’s own four-try bonus.

It was a sensational finish.

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Four problems Liam Rosenior must fix at Chelsea as pressure builds after Everton defeat

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Four problems Liam Rosenior must fix at Chelsea as pressure builds after Everton defeat

The international break arrives at a good time for Chelsea.

This is their worst slump of a disappointing season, with four straight defeats in all competitions seeing the Blues knocked out of the Champions League and damaging their hopes of making it back into the competition next season.

Here, Standard Sport assesses four problems Rosenior needs to fix if Chelsea are to make a success of their difficult seven-game run-in and qualify for the Champions League.

Cut out individual errors

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When Rosenior spoke in his post-match press conference at Everton and talked of “lapses in concentration” happening “too many times recently”, he was referring to the unforced errors that have dogged Chelsea for weeks.

It has been a period full of individual mistakes. Filip Jorgensen’s errors against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg, Mamadou Sarr’s slip-up in the second, Robert Sanchez’s howler at Everton – errors are a part of football but rotten moments have been all too common for Chelsea of late. They have contributed to their form nosediving.

Robert Sanchez made another mistake at Everton

AFP via Getty Images

There is not a great deal the head coach can do to prevent more of them. Instead, players must take personal responsibility and maintaining in-game focus is a must. Huge games await Chelsea and they cannot afford to keep being punished from their own unforced errors.

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This is something Chelsea absolutely must improve if they are to finish in the top four or five.

Their four defeats on the bounce against PSG (twice), Newcastle and Everton have come with an aggregate score of 12-2 to their opponents, and yet, incredibly, it is Chelsea who won those matches on aggregate on the xG metric.

While that implies positives about their ability to reach the final third and make chances, what it means for the quality of their finishing is damning.

Chelsea have slipped to sixth in the Premier League

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For the first time since September 2023, Chelsea have now gone three consecutive games without finding the net, and they have lacked a cutting edge and a decisiveness in front of goal. Matvei Safonov in the PSG second leg and Jordan Pickford at the Hill Dickinson both put in outstanding performances, but it was up to Chelsea in both cases to be more ruthless and give the goalkeepers no chance.

The most damning statistic of all was doing the rounds in the aftermath of their battering at Everton and understandably commanded a mention on Match of the Day. Chelsea, it has been confirmed, have been outrun in every single Premier League game this season.

For a team hopeful of being back in Europe’s premier competition next season, that is such a poor look. It is a run that spans no fewer than 31 matches and the tenures of two head coaches, signifying something endemic within the team.

How can Chelsea expect to achieve want they wish to if they are being outfought by everyone they come up against, teams better than them and teams far worse? It feels reductive to suggest that a team must work harder, as if to simplify more complex issues. And yet for Chelsea it is clearly the case.

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Improve defensive organisation

Rosenior has chopped and changed his back four (or three) for almost every game of his 19-match tenure, sometimes enforced by injury but often not.

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Who is Bea in EastEnders and what else has Ronni Ancona been in? | Soaps

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Who is Bea in EastEnders and what else has Ronni Ancona been in? | Soaps
Bea is determined to stay where she is after finding a place to stay at Honey’s (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes / Kieron McCarron)

Bea Pollard has made quite an impression on EastEnders fans since rocking up in the Square earlier this year, introduced as an old acquaintance of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

The newcomer made a memorable and uncomfortable entrance in January when she encountered Linda at a high school reunion.

Having only recently returned to Walford at the time, Linda was clearly unsettled by the idea of revisiting her past, and she even considered pulling out altogether.

However, her mum, Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) was determined not to let her hide away, convincing Linda that she needs to get herself out there.

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Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) was left thrilled at the prospect of attending the reunion and eagerly volunteered to go along for moral support and a night out.

Together, Linda and Honey headed to the event, but things quickly take an unexpected turn when Bea rocked up – and this led to a series of events in the months since as Bea will and truly made her presence felt.

Who is Bea in EastEnders?

Bea is an old school friend of Linda’s. Her debut appearance came in January when Linda improvised at the school reunion and handed Honey a name tag which said ‘Bea’ to get her into the event.

The real Bea Pollard subsequently turned up at the reunion, exposing the lie and setting the stage for an explosive confrontation.

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Bea struck up a conversation with Honey, she began to share her version of events from their school days, and it paints a very different picture of Linda to the one viewers might expect.

Ronni Ancona as Bea Pollard in EastEnders, looking at the camera outside of Walford East Tube station.
What does Bea have in store for Walford? (Picture: BBC)

According to Bea, Linda was far from innocent at school and allegedly bullied her, a claim that leaves Honey shocked and Linda visibly rattled. It’s clear that Bea and Linda remember their past very differently, and the uncomfortable exchange forces Linda to confront aspects of her younger self that she’d rather forget.

Though Linda disputed her version of events, she decided that she should make amends for what Bea felt during their time at high school and thus invited her to stay at Peacock Palace after she was kicked out of her home.

TX DATE:12-02-2026,TX WEEK:6,EMBARGOED UNTIL:03-02-2026 00:00:00,PEOPLE:Bea (RONNI ANCONA),DESCRIPTION:***EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2026***,COPYRIGHT:BBC Public Service,CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Bea has got her feet under the table (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

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Bea was thrilled but it soon became clear that there was more to her than meets the eye.

After feeling like she was getting under Elaine’s feet, she decided to move out of the B&B, instead taking up residence at Honey’s home while she, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and the kids headed away on a trip.

Billy returned home last week and found Bea’s presence unsettling as she grew closer to the Janet and Will. When Honey returns home this week, the situation escalates further, making for some intense scenes along the way.

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Who plays Bea in EastEnders?

Bea Pollard is played by Ronni Ancona, a hugely recognisable face to British TV audiences.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Ronni Ancona attends
Ronni takes on her first soap role (Picture: Getty Images)

Best known for her work on sketch shows such as ‘The Big Impression’, Ronni has built a career on sharp comedy, uncanny impressions, and memorable character performances. She’s also appeared in hit series, including Still Game and Skins, making her a familiar and respected figure across the industry.

Ronni’s casting was announced in early December, when it was revealed she would be joining EastEnders for a short stint as Bea, one of Linda Carter’s old school acquaintances.

Initial details were deliberately vague, teasing that Bea and Linda would come face-to-face at a high school reunion in the new year, with hints that their shared history wasn’t as straightforward as it first appeared.

At the time of the announcement, Ronni said: ‘I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life.’

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Linda and Honey talking to Lindas old school mate 'Bea'
Linda and Bea got off to a rocky start (Picture: BBC)

This role marks Ronni’s first appearance on EastEnders, but the soap holds a special place in her career history. She famously spoofed the show and its characters in sketch shows, including a well-known parody filmed on the very bench in Albert Square where her first EastEnders scene takes place.

‘Stepping onto the actual set for the first time was an especially strange experience,’ Ronni admitted. ‘My first scene was on the bench in the middle of Albert Square, exactly where Alastair and I once filmed our sketch The Bench of Tears.

She also shared a surreal moment filming inside The Queen Vic, recalling her much-loved impression of the late Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell. ‘I couldn’t help remembering my impression of Peggy, which mostly involved me shuffling around on my knees in padded knee guards because Barbara was so much shorter than I am,’ she laughed.

Thankfully, the current cast have embraced her arrival, with Ronni revealing that Jessie Wallace even did Ronni’s own impression of Kat Slater back to her on set.

As for what’s next, Ronni has teased that viewers should expect ‘lots of twists and turns and lots of unexpected developments’ as Bea settles into life in Walford.

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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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VetMedi moves to new purpose-built premises near York

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VetMedi moves to new purpose-built premises near York

The expansion by VetMedi.co.uk aims to meet a growing demand for affordable pet healthcare.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate accredited dispensary has recently created three jobs, with further rolers in dispensary, warehouse and office teams expected in the coming year.

The new premises allows the online pharmacy, founded in 2021, to triple its daily order capacity. More storage space and better vehicle access will help fuel future growth.

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Dr Charlotte Inness of VetMedi UK reaches £1m milestone

This comes has the company reports 85% year-on-year growth in medicine sales as pet owners seek better value during the cost-of-living crisis.

Founded by North Yorkshire veterinarian Dr. Charlotte Inness, the business has transitioned from a home-run operation into a million-pound enterprise.

After hitting the seven-figure mark in just its second year of trading in 2023, VetMedi continues its upward trajectory, with revenues projected to reach £8million in 2026.

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Today, VetMedi operates a nationwide digital platform delivering prescription veterinary medicines, nutrition and supplements and health supplies directly to doorsteps across the UK. This is complemented by a local dispensary, providing a personal touch and immediate service for the local community.

VetMedi founder Dr Charlotte Inness said: “Moving to our new space in Sutton-on-the-Forest was the natural next step in our journey. We are incredibly proud of our Yorkshire roots. These larger premises allow us to deliver expert support not only to our local community, but to a rapidly expanding customer base nationwide.”

Dr. Inness – whose 14 year veterinary career has seen her care for animals in the UK and Australia – added: “Looking back at how VetMedi started at a kitchen table, progressed to a garage, and has now moved into this professional office space and dedicated warehouse, it feels like an absolute privilege.”

“It is particularly rewarding to know we are providing a vital service. While we are a national player, we remain committed to our local customers, offering a fast delivery service and the option to collect directly from our premises to save on postage and further reduce growing animal veterinary care costs.”

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