Wales’ World Cup hopes ended in the cruellest of fashions as they lost to Bosnia on penalties on Thursday night
Wales’ hopes of making it to this summer’s World Cup crumbled to dust on Thursday night as they lost their qualification play-off semi-final to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.
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Dan James’ sensational long-distance strike had given Craig Bellamy’s side the lead early in the second half, but Edin Dzeko’s 86th-minute header drew Bosnia level and took the game to extra-time. But when the two teams still couldn’t be separated after a further half an hour, it came down to the dreaded spot kicks.
Karl Darlow’s fine stop from Ermedin Demirovic’s attempt handed the hosts in Cardiff an immediate advantage in the shoot-out, but Brennan Johnson skied his effort before Neco Williams’ kick was saved as Wales’ World Cup dreams were extinguished in the cruellest of fashions.
At the full-time whistle, Wales captain Ethan Ampadu said his side were “lost for words” about the result, with Darlow adding that they were “devastated”.
A gutted Bellamy, meanwhile, said his “heart hurt” over the result but vowed that his team will only continue to improve, adding that “there will be a solution” and “the sun will rise tomorrow”.
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However, the Wales manager has been criticised by fans in the wake of the heartbreaking defeat, with many pointing the finger at his choice of second-half substitutions.
As the hosts pushed for a crucial second goal, Bellamy brought on Liam Cullen for Jordan James and Mark Harris for David Brooks, but the decision has been blasted as “criminal” and “a disaster waiting to happen” by disappointed supporters.
With both players struggling to make any impact after their second-half introduction, fans pointed to Josh Sheehan and the in-form Nathan Broadhead who were left on the bench, while Cardiff City star Rubin Colwill was left out of the matchday squad altogether.
Speaking after the game, Bellamy dismissed suggestions that his substitutions were to blame for the full-time result, saying: “I don’t think that’s fair. No, we make changes all the time and we have to.”
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However, fans disagree, with one taking to X to write: “Bellamy has done a lot of good things since being manager, and is undoubtedly a very good coach but can’t help but think tonight is on him.
“Subs KILLED us, Mark Harris and Liam Cullen coming on… have a day off. Been here before with Wales.. and hurts all the same.”
Another added: “Got a lot of time for Bellamy, but Harris and Cullen over Broadhead is criminal,” while a third wrote: “No way we should be losing that. Shocking.
“Wales threw it away after getting complacent. Bellamy had to be questioned here for his game management and subs.”
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One fan said the defeat was “100 per cent on Bellamy” for his “very, very, very bad subs”, while another commented: Craig Bellamy has absolutely murdered us with those subs tonight! Embarrassing decisions from him.”
“Crying out for Broadhead,” said another. “[But] he puts on Cullen and Harris. Unbelievable by Bellamy.”
Everything you need to know as car crashes off the M6 into water shutting motorway for over nine hours – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
One casualty was rescued by firefighters
The empty southbound carriageway of the M6 in Cheshire this morning during the closure
M6 closed for hours after car crashes into water near Greater Manchester
A stretch of the M6 in Cheshire was closed for more than nine hours this morning (Sunday, March 29) after a car left the motorway and landed partially in water
The serious crash was reported at around 12:40am between junction 19 for Knutsford and junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were responding to “a road traffic collision where a car has left the M6 south carriageway and come to rest on the edge of a brook with the rear of the vehicle partially in the water.”
One casualty was rescued around 45 minutes later and handed over to paramedics. Their condition is not yet known.
A fire service technician was deployed into the water to help rescue the casualty and stabilise the car, which was then winched to a fire engine.
The carriageway was shut for more than nine hours whilst the vehicle was recovered and repairs carried out to the barriers before it eventually reopened at around 10:30am
The iconic character was first the hero of children’s books before making it onto television
Over the generations, there have been numerous iconic children’s TV shows, stories, and characters – like Iggle Piggle, Postman Pat, SpongeBob SquarePants or Bob the Builder. Each of these famous characters really takes people from all ages on a trip down memory lane and back to the good old days when our biggest concern was whether Bob the Builder could really fix it.
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One small village, nestled in the middle of some lovely countryside, happens to have played a part in creating a very popular children’s character. Elsworth is a small village located around nine miles southeast of Huntingdon.
At first glance, it may look like any other village in the county, but it has a unique claim to fame. It is not only home to some gorgeous cottages but it also played a part in creating a much loved children’s character, Thomas the Tank Engine.
Reverend Wilbert Awdry OBE, was born in Hampshire but had later moved to the village in 1946 when The Railway Series, featuring iconic Thomas, was published. Reverend Awdry served as a rector from 1946 to 1952.
According to Cambridge Past, Present & Future, Awdry had just become rector of the parish of Elsworth when the success of his first two books led the publisher to ask Awdry to write a new book for the Railway Series every year. He did so for the next 24 years, writing five titles at Elsworth before moving to serve another parish.
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A blue plaque commemorating the Reverend was unveiled in December 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of his first children’s books. Cambridge Past, Present & Future put the plaque on the old rectory to mark the books he wrote there.
You may be wondering what else makes the village so special. Well, a pub, two schools, and a church are just a few reasons why Elsworth is lovely.
The George and Dragon, situated on Boxworth Road, is a popular gastropub with a focus on fresh fish and seafood from local suppliers as well as high-quality meats such as dry aged beef.
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The village is also home to two schools – Elsworth C Of E Primary School, and Elsworth Pre School – making it an ideal location for families with young children.
The village, complete with many thatched cottages and farmhouses, is home to a 14th century church, the Holy Trinity Church (where Awdry was a rector), along with a local shop run by villagers to offer the basics including fresh bread, sweet treats, and meat.
According to Rightmove, properties in this village had an overall average price of £707,500 over the last year. The majority of properties sold in Elsworth during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £781,000. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £340,000.
What followed was an unlikely journey. He went to film school, spent time in India chasing creative opportunities, then returned to the UK. He also helped a YouTube channel grow to 70,000 subscribers in just a year. In a more unexpected turn, he found himself running a surgical supply company after a surgeon discovered his content online.
Doting mum Segen Ghebrekidan’s 17-year-old son Solomon was brutally murdered. She tells of his bravery, his heroism, and how he’s not just another victim of knife crime
When a 17-year-old lad from the next road gave Segen Ghebrekidan a hug as she returned home at midday, something felt strangely unsettling. The teenager had happily tucked into a Sunday roast with her family before now and mucked around on the PlayStation with her 18-year-old son, Solomon. But as he walked back to his house on August 15, 2019, Segen, 41, recalls: “I had a strange feeling something wasn’t right.” Her intuition was spot on, as less than two hours later, her life changed forever.
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Until her encounter with the youth, Segen’s day had been full of hope. After years working as a carer, she had just completed the final registration process to start a four-year course in health and social care – hoping to build a brighter future for herself, Solomon and his sister Angel, who was just three at the time. She says: “I had an interview that day and everything seemed positive.”
But Segen never got to start that course. For, at around 1.30pm, Solomon was walking through Brixton, where they lived in south west London, with a female friend, when they passed the same lad near a kebab shop. Exchanging a fistbump greeting, before leaving him and turning into another street, they realised the teenager was following them.
Catching Solomon and his friend up, the youth confronted them, leading to an argument that turned violent. Protective over his female friend, Solomon tried to shield her – pulling the lad away. But, as they struggled, the 17-year-old pulled out a knife and stabbed him repeatedly — six times in the chest, neck and arms. Three witnesses watched in horror as Solomon collapsed onto the pavement and a friend raced to fetch his mother.
Segen doted on Solomon, who was born on June 26, 2001 at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south west London, a few years after she moved to Britain from Eritrea. Sociable and caring, he made friends easily. Segen says: “He lit up any room he walked into. People just loved him.”
A devoted Manchester United fan, Solomon loved playing football and hanging out with friends on their estate. Studying painting and decorating at nearby Lambeth College, he hoped to have a career in the trade. Raised as a Rastafarian, following the beliefs of his father, who lives in Ethiopia, Solomon was active in the Ethiopian World Federation and regularly helped out at his church.
Segen says: “He played the drums during gatherings, helped prepare food and drinks and was always volunteering. He did charity work and was very well known in the community. He would come with me to community events and help people. If neighbours needed shopping carried upstairs, he would help them. Everyone spoke well of him. He was respectful, kind, always smiling and he adored his little sister. He would do anything for her.”
But as Segen raced to Solomon’s side that August day, she could see that she was losing him. Surrounded by paramedics and police officers, all fighting to save him, Segen recalls: “They were pumping blood into him. There were ambulances, police cars and even a helicopter.”
Doctors worked frantically for 45 minutes, performing emergency treatment behind red medical screens. But his injuries were too severe and he died at the scene. “My world stopped,” Segen whispers. “Half of my heart went with my son that day.”
The killer fled, but was tracked through CCTV and DNA evidence recovered from burnt clothing discovered during police searches. Five days later, on August 20, the 17-year-old handed himself in to police, accompanied by his mother. During interviews he repeatedly answered “no comment”.
But the girl Solomon had protected – who now lives under witness protection – testified in court. And six years ago, in March 2020, following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, a jury found him guilty of murder. His identity protected because of his age, he was sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure – the juvenile equivalent of a life sentence – with a minimum of 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Angela Moriarty from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Solomon was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack.” Semen says: “My son died a hero. He stepped between the blade and the girl walking beside him, shielding her as violence erupted.
“’Run,’ he told her. She escaped. Solomon did not. That bravery has never really been acknowledged, but I am so proud of him. He was so selfless.” Since Solomon’s death, Segen has been forced to refute rumours that he was part of gangland culture. She says: “That simply wasn’t true. He had friends everywhere, but he wasn’t part of that life.”
To her horror, Solomon’s grave has been vandalised repeatedly, and threatening videos linked to gang culture appeared online, mocking his death. “It was incredibly disrespectful,” she says. In fact, Segen was so worried about knife crime and the risk of her son becoming involved that she regularly searched his room and pockets. She says: “He used to joke and call me ‘the police officer’.”
Nine days after his murder, Segen organised a memorial gathering at Brixton Town Hall for Solomon, attended by 500 people. Galvanised by her grief, since her son’s murder, Segen has poured all her energy into fighting knife crime. According to the latest government statistics, in the year ending March 2025, there were just over 50,000 police-recorded knife offences in England and Wales – 205 of them were murders.
A voracious campaigner, she organises marches against knife crime, under the banner ‘Brixton Says No to Knife Crime’ and has protested outside Scotland Yard. She’s also created support groups for women whose lives have been shattered by youth violence.
Through community fundraising events and selling donated clothes and books at stalls, she has raised thousands of pounds, funding several bleeding control kits, which are installed around the community in places like shops and chip shops, to help treat victims of knife crime or accidents. She says: “I even carry one myself now. I show people how to use them. If it saves just one life, then something good has come out of this tragedy.”
At the Baytree Centre – a social inclusion and educational charity in Brixton – she runs weekly workshops for women and girls whose families have been touched by knife crime, offering everything from exercise and baking classes to open discussions about grief and trauma.
She says: “It’s a safe space where women can talk about what they’ve been through. Before this, nothing like it existed.” Where knife crime is concerned, Segen believes education is key, as the police cannot stamp it out alone. She says: “The police cannot control everything. Parents and communities need to be involved.”
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Meanwhile, Segen says the home she shares with Angel, now nine, feels empty without Solomon. She says: “He was brave. He thought about someone else before himself. My son was a hero. He was not just another victim of knife crime. And I will spend the rest of my life making sure people remember that.”
*Follow Segen’s campaign on Facebook at Solomon Legacy, and on Instagram at Solomon_Legacy_18
“The car boot sale is of substantial social and economic importance to Seaham and the wider area,” a planning statement read.
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“On a typical Sunday, around 230 sellers and over 4,500 buyers attend, generating significant spend that benefits local traders, catering outlets, and the visitor economy.
“It is more than a market: it is a valued community meeting place, supporting social interaction, affordable opportunities for families, and the re-use and recycling of goods.”
In January, it was revealed the ITV presenter, 34, and Gillingham footballer, 32, were ‘over for good’ after a 10-year relationship, shocking fans.
Both parties initially remained silent on the split, but sources soon alleged that there had been a ‘breach of trust’ from Bradley, leading to Olivia ending the relationship.
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Now, however, more details have surfaced about their split, shedding light on the reasons why they never actually made their marriage legally binding.
In June 2023, Olivia and Bradley held a lavish wedding at the five-star Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge, for which she stunned in a £30,000 Galia Lahav gown and adorned the venue with 25,000 individual flowers.
Their wedding was documented on an ITV reality show (Picture: ITVX)
The pair had reportedly intended to formalise the marriage weeks later, but Olivia is said to have decided against it after uncovering issues that caused concern.
Now, recent reports claim that multiple women have accused Bradley of being unfaithful during his relationship with Olivia.
In one alleged incident, he is said to have spent the night with a woman he met on a night out while Olivia was reportedly out of the country.
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The Sun reported that Bradley spent the night at the woman’s house in Wythenshawe, before leaving the next morning and never contacting her again.
But it was reportedly never legally binding (Picture: ITVX)
The couple were married in 2023 (Picture: @bradleydack1)
The source continued, saying: ‘Olivia was ringing his phone all night and couldn’t get hold of him’.
Last week, Olivia hinted at more infidelity being revealed, writing on a selfie posted to Instagram in which she appears visibly emotional: ‘And reading “hey girly” texts on my break, gals come to the front today please and then I’m moving on with my life ty x’.
After Bradley and Olivia’s split was first revealed, she later took to Instagram as she updated her followers on the move into her new London pad, which she hadn’t ‘expected’ to be living in alone now.
The Kiss FM radio presenters and podcast co-hosts were out with friends at the Flute Bar in Soho, where they were seen locking lips, appearing to confirm that they were now more than friends, having previously shut down speculation that there was a spark between them.
Sources claimed Bradley felt ’embarrassed and upset’ upon seeing the snaps, which led to him unfollowing Olivia on social media.
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Brenda Fielding, from Atherton, marked the milestone by visiting the mill where she was employed in her younger years, bringing with her memories of its industrial past and sharing stories from her time on the mill floor.
Ena Mill welcomed Brenda and her family for the celebration, including a birthday cake provided by the team on site.
Reflecting on her return, Brenda joked about being “young and good looking” during her time working at the mill.
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The visit offered a link between the building’s heritage and its present-day role, with Brenda’s story highlighting the mill’s place in the local community across generations.
Holidaymakers can now book direct flights with EasyJet to Seville, with operations starting on August 2, 2026.
Flights are scheduled to run twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, serving both city break enthusiasts and holidaymakers seeking stays of a week or more.
Noted for its flamenco heritage, sun-soaked plazas, iconic orange tree-lined streets, and rich festival calendar, the Andalusian capital presents travellers with an array of attractions.
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This new route comes as part of EasyJet’s ongoing expansion efforts around Liverpool.
The airline is adding another aircraft to its Liverpool base, leading to greater flexibility for passengers booking flights and package holidays across Europe and North Africa.
EasyJet’s new direct flights to Seville push their portfolio to 41 destinations in 18 countries, offered from Liverpool.
Public transport will be made free in two Australian states because of rising petrol shortages due to the Iran war.
Commuters in Victoria will be able to travel on trains, trams and buses free of charge for a month starting from 31 March, in a move described as a “temporary measure” to offset rising petrol prices.
Meanwhile, in Tasmania fares on buses and ferries have been waived from 30 March to 1 July.
Since the outbreak of the Iran war, the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has been greatly restricted and fuel prices have soared in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
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Petrol prices in Australia have skyrocketed from an average of $1.70 a litre (£0.88) before to war to about $2.50 a litre at some bowsers, local media reports.
Image: Grattan Street in Melbourne. Pic: iStock
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said on Sunday that offering free public transport would make it more affordable for people to choose public transport over driving.
“This is a temporary measure to help with the cost of living – it will take pressure off the pump and help you save,” she said.
“This won’t solve every problem, but it’s an immediate step to help Victorians right now while we keep working on new solutions to make Victoria more affordable.”
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Image: A bus in Melbourne, where public transport will be free for a month. Pic: iStock
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the state’s residents were increasingly choosing public transport over driving, with a 20% increase seen in the last week.
“We know the rising cost of fuel is impacting the family budget, and that’s why we have again taken strong and decisive action to protect Tasmanians,” he said.
“We are stepping up to support Tasmanians when they need it most, delivering one of the state’s most significant cost-of-living measures.”
Image: Hobart in Tasmania. Pic: iStock
Across Australia, some fuel stations have run dry due to panic buying and shortages particularly in remote regions.
The country has also been releasing petrol and diesel from domestic reserves to ease shortages affecting rural supply chains, mining and agriculture.
With 80% of Asia’s oil and LNG travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, the region has been particularly hard hit by fuel shortages and price hikes.
Spike in energy prices cause panic across Asia
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China has banned refined fuel exports to pre-empt a potential domestic fuel shortage.
Rising fuel prices have sparked protests in the Philippines, with government offices now open just four days a week. Bureaucrats must also limit the use of air conditioning to nothing cooler than 24C.
The Indian government had given households priority over businesses in its allocation of liquefied petroleum gas, used primarily for cooking, and has been absorbing most of the price increases to keep costs low for poor families.
The shortages have forced some restaurants to shorten hours and stop serving foods that absorb a lot of energy to cook, such as curries and deep-fried snacks.
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In Thailand, public workers have been told to take the stairs instead of elevators.
The First Minister has been accused of failing to respond six months ago to a plea by a North Lanarkshire councillor.
John Swinney failed to respond to a plea six months ago to investigate the SNP’s complaints process linked to sex offender Jordan Linden.
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The First Minister instead backed a probe on Friday despite being sent a letter in September by councillor Greg Lennon.
Linden, a former rising star in the SNP, was last week convicted of 10 separate offences following a trial at Falkirk Sheriff Court, including five sexual assaults.
The 30 year old was also convicted of directing unwanted sexual communications towards seven teenagers, the youngest aged 14.
His victims were five young men and boys aged 15 to 22 and the offences took place between 2011 and 2021.
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The SNP was last week accused of ignoring complaints at the time and protecting the former senior SNP figure.
It has now been claimed Swinney had been urged to investigate the complaints process last year but ignored the call.
Correspondence shows Lennon, who now sits as an independent in North Lanarkshire, wrote last year “on behalf of affected former SNP councillors” outlining concerns.
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The letter, dated September 11, was emailed to the first minister and copied to his predecessor Humza Yousaf the day after.
It stated that in 2022, “eight [then] SNP councillors repeatedly raised safeguarding concerns in relation to the alleged sexual misconduct of Cllr Jordan James Linden”, adding:
“Thereafter, those councillors were subjected to prolonged suspension, exclusion, bullying and harassment and a series of unfounded or mishandled complaints. As a result, all eight councillors subsequently left the SNP and formed Progressive Change North Lanarkshire.”
Paul Di Mascio, another North Lanarkshire councillor who now sits as an independent for Airdrie South, said Swinney ignored the call.
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Speaking to the media on Saturday, Swinney issued an apology to Linden’s victims.
“The first thing I want to say is that for anybody who has suffered as a consequence of the behaviour of Jordan Linden, I’m very, very sorry for what they have experienced,” he said.
He also backed a probe into his party’s complaints process: “I want to make sure the SNP has the strongest possible complaints handling process in place in all circumstances.
“This process was reviewed in 2022 but I want to, in the light of the trial that (has been) completed, make sure that some independent scrutiny is applied to that complaints handling process so that we have the strongest arrangements in place.”
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An SNP spokesman said: “We have undertaken a comprehensive review of our complaints procedures since 2016, but in light of this case [Swinney] has instructed that an independent review of these procedures be conducted.
“This will ensure people are protected and our complaints procedures are as robust as they can be.”
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