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The 8 candidates to replace Richard Collier-Keywood as WRU chair

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Wales Online

The WRU will soon start the search for a new chair

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The announcement that Richard Collier-Keywood will step down as chair of the Welsh Rugby Union in July has surprised many.

A divisive figure, Collier-Keywood sought to drive through radical reform but attracted significant criticism over his approach. The WRU board must now focus on identifying his successor.

Unlike in the past, the WRU board appoints the chair rather than the member clubs.

The board’s first decision is whether to pursue an internal or external appointment.

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Should it opt for a new candidate from outside the current set-up, that individual would initially need to be appointed as a non-executive director, with subsequent elevation to chair being a formality.

Here are eight potential candidates.

David Buttress

The appointment of David Buttress would prove an immensely popular choice among some supporters.

Buttress has been a prominent figure in Welsh rugby for the past nine years and, as chair of the Dragons, played a central role in securing the club’s survival by assembling a consortium to purchase it from the WRU.

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A co-founder of Just Eat, he ranks among Wales’s most accomplished entrepreneurs and merits serious consideration for the role.

Buttress has previously expressed frustration with Welsh rugby’s governance and would represent a breath of fresh air within the governing body, bringing a markedly different perspective.

He is a committed advocate for retaining four professional sides and has argued that the WRU ought to be capable of generating greater funding for the pro game for an organisation with a turnover of £107 million.

Responding on the social media platform X this morning to a question on Welsh rugby’s strategic direction, Buttress said: “The strategy is clear: four professional teams, stable and secure funding for three years, and a focus on directing key investment into player development and facilities.

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“An urgent agreement must be reached with private owners, with the aim of establishing a genuine partnership to attract investment and sponsors.”

The only barrier would be he’d have to step away from the Dragons if he was to become WRU chair.

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Phillips has experience in Welsh rugby, having previously been CEO of the WRU for five years.

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The man from Pembrokeshire, a former boss of retail giant B&Q, saw his tenure coincide with Wales reaching a World Cup semi-final and winning another Six Nations Grand Slam on the field.

Off the field, there were record turnovers for the union, while there was a rare period of success at regional level with the Scarlets winning the old PRO 12 and Cardiff lifting the Challenge Cup.

As CEO he put a huge amount of emphasis on building relationships with the four professional clubs and healing old wounds following the tumultuous reign of Roger Lewis.

Phillips is currently the chair of PRL and would be a decent person to come back to guide the CEO.

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Carwyn Jones

The former First Minister for Wales is a huge rugby fan and has previously been interviewed for the role of chair but missed out to Collier-Keywood back in 2023.

Jones is thought to be hugely popular with many community clubs and many within the game favour the former First Minister becoming WRU chair.

The 59-year-old has no experience in elite rugby but could help improve the WRU’s reputation with the Welsh Government.

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Moving forward, many would argue it is essential that the WRU works with the Welsh Government to improve the game at all levels.

Clearly Jones could help the WRU in this regard, but whatever happens next some tough decisions need to be made to fix the men’s professional game.

Andrew Williams

The former Cardiff board member is a serious operator and is heavily respected throughout the game.

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Williams is currently an independent non-executive director on the WRU board who understands the professional game and what needs to be done to put it on a firm footing.

The wider Welsh public does not understand how much of a coup it is to have an A-lister like Williams on the board.

He was the longest serving FTSE 100 CEO in the UK at Halma PLC, where he stayed for 18 years.

Williams helped Halma grow from a business worth £500m into a company worth £10bn.

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He would have the respect and trust of all key stakeholders, and he is also the right man to drive change.

Gareth Davies

The appointment of the former Wales outside-half would bring one of the most respected administrators in the game back to the fore. He previously served six years as chair of the WRU.

During his tenure, Davies worked diligently to modernise the WRU’s governance, reducing the board from 24 members to 12 and appointing high-profile non-executive directors, including Amanda Blanc.

He also sought to streamline the structure by reducing the nine districts to four in a further effort to modernise governance, but was ultimately forced out amid what many regard as the archaic and self-serving culture within Welsh rugby.

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Davies combines deep rugby knowledge with a strong grasp of business, making him a compelling candidate.

He is also a figure capable of rebuilding trust.

Jennifer Mathias

The appointment of Jennifer Mathias would represent a credible and financially astute option.

Mathias, who hails from Pembrokeshire, has served on the board of the Welsh Rugby Union as an independent non-executive director since October 2023.

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She previously held the role of group chief financial officer at Rathbones Group, a £1.2 billion wealth management business listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Mathias has also worked at Lloyds TSB Group, where she occupied a number of senior management positions.

In 2013, she was named in the PAM Top 40 Under 40.

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She is well placed to succeed Richard Collier-Keywood and would represent a strong choice were the priority to improve the WRU’s financial position.

Critics of the WRU’s proposals to reduce the number of professional clubs to three have frequently argued that the governing body has lacked sufficient transparency in its financial dealings.

Whatever structure Welsh rugby ultimately adopts, it will be dictated by financial realities, and Mathias would constitute a compelling option.

Hayley Parsons

Parsons is arguably Wales’ most successful female entrepreneur and was previously on the Cardiff Rugby Board.

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She founded Go.Compare and has helped build many successful Welsh businesses.

Parsons is a vocal critic of current chair, Collier-Keywood, so you can expect her approach to be the polar opposite if she were his successor.

“The Chair is extremely skilled in the world of government, consultancy and law, but that’s not what the WRU needs at the moment,” wrote Parsons in a letter sent to community clubs.

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“We need people who understand how to engage with people – with WRU staff, community and regional rugby fans and stakeholders to bring them along on this journey.

“Spending millions of pounds on unnecessary consultants and legal fees will not repair the reputational damage this is causing Welsh rugby.

“This money should be ploughed back into the game. I believe we have some extremely credible and talented people on the WRU board who are more than capable of safeguarding the future of Welsh rugby.

“When you run a business, you have to make tough decisions and, what is crucial to the success of any strategic change is how you follow the process and treat the people affected.”

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That’s a flavour of what to expect if Parsons was chair.

Rob Regan

The former chief operating officer at Principality is hugely passionate about Welsh rugby and has been meeting a number of key stakeholders within the game.

Along with a number of prominent figures, Regan has worked hard to put together an alternative plan for Welsh rugby.

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Regan’s key principles would be built on repairing relationships and regaining trust with the key stakeholders in Welsh rugby.

He would certainly be a popular appointment.

Alison Thorne

If the WRU board want to go for continuity, then Thorne would be a serious contender given she is currently the Senior Independent Director.

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Thorne has been on the WRU board for nearly three years so understands the pitfalls of Welsh rugby along with the true financial position.

Away from rugby Throne is the chair of the National Dance Company Wales and Barcud Housing Association.

Thorne has also been a chair of leading equality charity Chwarae Teg and is the lead in Wales for Women on Boards.

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‘My teen son stepped in front of knife to save girl – I hugged his killer’

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Daily Mirror

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.”

READ MORE: Church leader ends affair with lover with devastating consequences

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

READ MORE: Mum-of-five goes on surprise date night before the unthinkable happens

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Seaham car boot sale cancelled due to ‘high winds’

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Seaham car boot sale cancelled due to 'high winds'

Seaham car boot sale, ran by Nobles Promotions Limited, took to social media this morning (March 29) to share the news.

The Facebook post said: “Unfortunately due to the high winds forecast for today the car boot fair at Seaham is cancelled for today.

“We will see you all next week.”

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The car boot sale usually operates on Sundays between 12pm and 5pm, from the last Sunday in March to the third Sunday in October.

It is located north of the existing parking area at Seaham Hall Farm, off the B1287 road.

The seasonal event has previously been praised for its positive impact on the local community. 

“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.”

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Bradley Dack accused of cheating on Olivia Attwood with ‘multiple women’

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Bradley Dack accused of cheating on Olivia Attwood with 'multiple women'
Sources have now claimed Bradley Dack cheated on Olivia Attwood with ‘multiple women’ (Picture: Pat Scaasi /MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Olivia Attwood’s split from Bradley Dack has taken another turn as new allegations emerge that he cheated on her with ‘multiple women.’

The new claims come in the wake of reports that Olivia was never legally married to Bradley after all.

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.

Olivia Marries her Match S3: E4 - Episode 4 ITV Olivia Attwood and Bradley Dack get married. Grab from Show Credit ITVX
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.

Olivia Marries her Match S3: E4 - Episode 4 ITV Olivia Attwood and Bradley Dack get married. Grab from Show Credit ITVX
But it was reportedly never legally binding (Picture: ITVX)
Bradley Dack gets back with his ex after ?cheating? on Olivia Attwood
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.

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Still, she insisted that she ‘wanted Brad to be happy’.

Since then, Olivia has begun opening up on her podcast, Olivia’s House, where she recently reflected on her engagement.

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Speaking about the proposal in Dubai, she admitted her feelings have shifted since the breakup.

She said: ‘Don’t judge me, I think we were one of the first couples on my Instagram to do Dubai on the beach.

‘Now if someone did Dubai on the beach I’d say no, because it’s just… if I see one more Burj Al Arab engagement, I’ll vomit.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood attend The BRIT Awards 2025 at the Intercontinental Hotel on March 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images)
Olivia was seen kissing Pete Wicks after her split from Bradley (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty Images)

‘But when we did it, it was early enough it wasn’t. I loved it. I thought it was coming, but I didn’t know it was that day.

‘Getting engaged is great, you get told how great you are, you get a diamond ring. What’s not to like? It’s a great day out.’

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As for where things stand now, Olivia made headlines with her best mate Pete Wicks last week, having been papped smooching on a night out.

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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Former Ena Mill worker celebrates 100th birthday at the site

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Former Ena Mill worker celebrates 100th birthday at the site

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.

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Liverpool airport launches new EasyJet route to Seville

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Liverpool airport launches new EasyJet route to Seville

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.

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Public transport fares waived in two Australian states to combat rising fuel costs | UK News

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Trams, trains and buses will be free for a month in Victoria. Pic: AP

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.

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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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A bus in Melbourne, where public transport will be free for a month. Pic: iStock
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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.”

Hobart in Tasmania. Pic: iStock
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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.

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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.

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John Swinney ‘ignored’ call to investigate Jordan Linden complaints process

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Daily Record

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.

READ MORE: Malcolm Offord admits ‘shame’ and ’embarrassment’ over homophobic George Michael jokeREAD MORE: Reform UK’s Holyrood campaign in meltdown as fifth candidate quits

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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UFC brings Trump-approved sports violence and fighting to the White House

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UFC brings Trump-approved sports violence and fighting to the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cage-match fighting is coming to the White House to fete President Donald Trump, a proud proponent of cage-match politics.

In the coming weeks, crews will erect a 6-foot (1.83 meter) wire-mesh fence shaped into an octagon on the lawn, where UFC fighters will use a combination of kickboxing, jiujitsu, wrestling and other martial arts in a June 14 mixed martial arts show timed for Trump’s 80th birthday and as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The celebration of bloody, brute force dovetails with Trump’s gleefully combative charisma and extreme ideological masculinity — a brawling, no-holds-barred approach to the highest office in the land.

“I have respect for fighters, you know, when you can take 200 shots to the face and then look forward to the second round,” Trump told podcaster Logan Paul as he campaigned for his second term.

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Trump was the first sitting president to attend a UFC show, taking in a 2019 fight that was stopped because of a cut over the loser’s eye that left blood pouring down the fighter’s face.

To the uninitiated, the sport celebrates violence. It is wildly popular with young men.

“A lot of people don’t understand fighting and they think fighting is about anger. It’s not. If you’re angry when you fight, you’ll lose,” said veteran MMA referee and commentator “Big John” McCarthy.

“Fighting is about technique and style, and understanding how to make your opponent make mistakes while you don’t,” McCarthy said.

“I totally understand why he likes it,” he added of Trump. “Because I do.”

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Friends with UFC and broadcast executives

It is hard to find a phrase more Trumpian than Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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A committed devotee of hyperbole, Trump relishes grand descriptors that can elevate anything to its “ultimate” version. He also proudly fancies himself a fighter: “Fight! Fight! Fight!” became his 2024 campaign mantra, one crystalized after an assassination attempt that summer.

Then there is “championship,” another thing close to the heart of a president who constantly professes love for winning and those who do it frequently.

All of that means Trump giving UFC its largest-ever platform “is calculated. He knows what he’s doing,” said Kyle Kusz, a University of Rhode Island professor who studies the connection between sports and the far right.

Trump “uses UFC to portray himself as a manly sportsman,” said Kusz, who said he sees parallels between the sport’s style of masculinity and Trump’s approach to policy and politics.

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The league is planning to issue 85,000 free tickets for the event. Trump said UFC boss Dana White, a longtime friend, will build “a 5,000-seat arena right outside the front door of the White House” and eight large screens in a nearby park for ticket-holders to watch from afar.

The show falls on a Sunday, deviating from UFC’s usual Saturday night time slot, and will be carried live on Paramount+, which is controlled by the Ellison family, also close allies of Trump. France even pushed back the Group of Seven summit it is hosting so as not to conflict with Trump’s birthday festivities.

Criticism of White House fight card

Trump has boasted that the event will feature “all top guys.” But fans online have panned the card for lacking top talent such as former two-division champion Jon Jones, who requested his release from the UFC immediately after being excluded from the White House show. Also absent is MMA icon Conor McGregor, whose first bout since 2021 would have been a seismic moment for the sport. The UFC’s White “knows the White House card sucks,” said former champion Ronda Rousey, who is mounting her own MMA comeback outside the UFC because she says the promotion would not meet her financial expectations.

Rousey, who is close to White, says the White House show “fell extremely short of expectations.”

While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights. Brazil’s Alex Periera will meet France’s Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Then Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria takes on interim champ Justin Gaethje, one of just two Americans who currently hold even a share of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.

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The White House did not answer questions about criticism of the card or the event’s aggressive politics. Instead, communications director Steven Cheung, said, “This will be one of the greatest and most historic sports events in history.”

Cheung, a UFC spokesman before joining Trump’s 2016 campaign, called Trump’s event “a testament to his vision to celebrate America’s monumental 250th anniversary.”

A UFC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump helped reinforce UFC’s mass appeal

Once famously derided as “human cockfighting” by late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., UFC has been a major sports league in the United States since signing a media-rights deal with ESPN in 2018, said Patrick Wyman, a historian and host of popular podcasts on the subject who is also a former longtime MMA journalist.

Trump, a fixture at heavyweight boxing matches in the 1980s, gave UFC a boost a generation ago by hosting early bouts, including 2001’s “Battle on the Boardwalk,” at his casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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Wyman said that even as Trump and White have remained close, UFC has deliberately prioritized building the league’s brand over that of its individual fighters. That has kept most stars from achieving crossover appeal.

As a result, Wyman said UFC remains most popular with men in their mid-40s to early 60s — a demographic already inclined to be Trump supporters.

“I think it’s a pretty perfect encapsulation of the way that Donald Trump thinks about politics,” Wyman said of the White House event, citing its “transactional nature” and “how impossible it is to draw firm lines between business and politics.”

In 2014, Trump invested in his own, short-lived MMA league. A decade later, his reelection campaign enhanced his UFC ties, seeking to reach voters who do not usually engage in traditional politics.

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Two days after he was convicted on 34 felony counts in a hush money case in June 2024, Trump went to a UFC bout in New Jersey, strolling out into the crowd with White while Kid Rock’s “American Bad Ass” blared. Trump’s campaign used footage of the raucous ovation to help launch its TikTok account.

Then, after his election victory, Trump triumphantly appeared with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and a large political entourage at a UFC fight in New York. He also attended UFC bouts in Newark and Miami last year.

Trump, who has built a large portion of his domestic travel around sporting events, is not unique among presidents using sports to appeal to voters.

Republican George W. Bush zinging a pitch in from Yankee Stadium’s mound during the 2001 World Series is remembered as a moment of resilience after the Sept. 11 attacks. Republican Richard Nixon so publicly embraced his football fandom that aides worried it might alienate some voters, said Chris Cillizza, author of “Power Players: Sports, Politics, and the American Presidency.”

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Such worries are gone today, though, since sports “now tends to self-select by political affiliation,” he said.

“In an era where people feel like politicians are mostly weirdo aliens,” Cillizza said “sports — playing them, having knowledge about them — represents one of the best ways to prove to voters you are actually a human being.”

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Associated Press writers Greg Beacham in Los Angeles and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

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Worth checking out if you’re a Sky TV customer

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Worth checking out if you’re a Sky TV customer

Our survey revealed most Sky Mobile customers are content with the value they’re receiving, with 77 per cent declaring themselves satisfied.

As I stated earlier, the best deals are on offer to customers who already take other Sky products, as on a standalone basis, they aren’t always great value. For example, Sky’s cheapest tariff is only £5 per month for 1GB of data, but Lebara will offer you five times that amount of data for 5p less per month.

You need to do your sums when comparing Sky tariffs, as it often offers discounts for the first six months of a deal. For example, at the time of writing, it’s offering 40GB for £18 a month and 50GB for £20 a month, but the 50GB tariff is half price for the first six months. That means it’s £36 cheaper over the course of the year to plump for the 50GB contract than it is the 40GB. How confusing.

Sky also offers different discount offers on airtime if you’re buying a phone at the same time, so check the deals carefully if you’re in the market for a new mobile.

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Speed

Score: 3.5/5

The Sky Mobile customers we surveyed gave the network a 72 per cent satisfaction score when it came to speed. That largely chimes with the experience of other companies that use O2. Giffgaff had a higher speed satisfaction score of 89 per cent, while O2 itself had a score of 73 per cent. Of the three main networks (O2, VodafoneThree and EE), it seems O2 has the most customers satisfied with their speeds.


Reliability

Score: 4/5

Again, there’s little to worry about when it comes to reliability on Sky Mobile. Overall, 83 per cent of Sky Mobile customers were happy with the reliability, with similar scores for Giffgaff (95 per cent) and O2 (84 per cent).

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According to Ofcom’s latest figures, the O2 5G network reaches between 70 and 76 per cent of UK premises outdoors, which is some way behind the coverage offered by EE.


Support

Score: 3.5/5

Sky’s a big business, so you would hope its support is up to scratch, but generally, our survey revealed a few problems here. Seven out of ten Sky Mobile customers said they were happy with the ease with which they could contact the support team, while 73 per cent were happy with the quality of that support.

Those scores are better than those recorded by other big beasts, including BT Mobile, Vodafone and EE. However, they’re significantly down on the scores registered by Tesco Mobile.

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Roaming

Score: 2.5/5

Roaming is something of a sore point for Sky Mobile customers. For many countries, you can use your contracted allowance of data, minutes and texts when travelling, but you must pay £2 a day for the privilege. Many destinations, such as India, Israel and Saudi Arabia are not included in that deal, meaning you must pay a ridiculous £2.16 per MB of data when you’re travelling. You’d be mad to even switch roaming data on in those countries. Opt for a travel SIM instead.

Little wonder Sky Mobile customers don’t rate the roaming value, with only 56 per cent satisfied.


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Find out why this mobile network is the UK’s best

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Find out why this mobile network is the UK's best

Tesco Mobile is right up there with some of the best-value deals you’ll find from any mobile network. If you’re a data fiend, you might want to check out joint value award winner, Lebara, but Tesco has a wide spread of deals, particularly on SIM-only.

Note that Tesco offers its best prices to customers who are part of its Clubcard loyalty scheme, so if you’re ordering online, you might want to sign up for the free Clubcard first. You can also use Clubcard vouchers gained from supermarket shopping to pay your phone bills. More details on this in the FAQs below.

Pay particular attention to those Clubcard deals, because they can mean a one-year contract is cheaper per month than a two-year deal, the latter of which might also include an annual price rise.


Speed

Score: 4.5/5

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The data speed performance of the Tesco Mobile network is right up there with the best, according to the Telegraph readers we surveyed, with an 89 per cent satisfaction score for speed. That score was only matched by Giffgaff, which also piggybacks on the O2 network.

Tesco Mobile includes 5G and 4G coverage in all of its plans. 5G coverage for O2 (Tesco Mobile’s parent network) is some way behind that of EE, with the regulator Ofcom claiming O2’s 5G network has outdoor coverage to 70-76 per cent of UK premises. EE, by comparison, reaches 86-89 per cent.


Reliability

Score: 5/5

The Tesco Mobile customers we surveyed were happy with the reliability of the network. It achieved an 89 per cent satisfaction score for the reliability of voice and text, and 81 per cent for data coverage. Overall network reliability, covering issues such as outages, was up at 93 per cent.

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Customer service

Score: 5/5

Tesco Mobile is head and shoulders above its rivals when it comes to customer service. A healthy 94 per cent of customers were satisfied with the ease of contact and 93 per cent were impressed with the quality of support. Those scores are at least 12 percentage points better than the next closest rival.

Tesco Mobile does, of course, have the advantage of in-house staff in many of its supermarkets, potentially making it easier to reach than other virtual network rivals that may rely on phone/online support alone.


Roaming

Score: 4/5

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All of Tesco’s SIM-only contract deals include free EU roaming, although you should check the terms carefully on phone contract and PAYG deals. Of the Telegraph customers we surveyed, 80 per cent were satisfied with the roaming value on offer.


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