Durham Police were called at about 9.40am this morning following reports that shots were fired at a house on Featherstone Drive, in Newton Hall.

The two occupants of the house were uninjured and have been safeguarded by officers.

An investigation into the incident is now underway.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Fuller, who is leading the investigation, said: “We understand that this incident will have caused a great deal of concern and alarm in the local community.

“From our enquiries conducted so far, we believe this was a targeted attack. There will be increased neighbourhood policing patrols in the area to provide reassurance to local residents.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to please report it, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“We’d also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the Featherstone Drive area at the time of the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 58 of February 6. Durham Police can also be contacted online at www.durham.police.uk.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

SIR DAVID BECKHAM’S free-kick record could be at risk with an England star tipped to make his long-awaited return to first-team football.

James Ward-Prowse‘s free-kick for Burnley U21s has shown he’s still a set-piece specialist.

The 31-year-old though has been starved of opportunities to show it.

He was forced to the fringes of the West Ham team after Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Graham Potter as Hammers boss.

But now, Burnley manager Scott Parker has revived his chances of adding to his free-kick haul by signing him on loan until the end of the season.

And Parker has backed Ward-Prowse to break a major record too.

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Beckham currently holds the Premier League record of 18 goals scored directly from free-kicks.

Ward-Prowse has netted 17 in the top flight – only one fewer than the Manchester United legend.

And he’s already strides ahead of the likes of Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer.

Parker told ESPN that he is an “absolute expert”.

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He added: “Let’s hope he breaks that!

“I think we’ve seen it over many, many years – in and around the edge of the box, his delivery from wide areas, corners as well, it’s an absolutely huge, huge threat.

“His quality in and around the edge of the box, to get a ball up and down at speed, to beat keepers.

“It’s probably world-class really in terms of the set-piece.

“Hopefully he can break that record with us because it would mean one has gone in!”

In the video from the U21s game, Ward-Prowse angled himself perfectly and locked his eyes on the target.

He fired the ball with his right foot over the wall to beat the goalkeeper to the near post.

Three years after his £30million move to West Ham from Southampton, it almost seemed as if his talent was going to go to waste.

But that could be about to change.

Friez & Burgz, which has built a strong following for its quick and affordable smash burgers, has become a favourite for foodies after launching four years ago.

The company, run by Alex Lucas, is renovating its store in Chester-le-Street after the building was completely stripped back to bare walls.

The new venue, at 54 Front Street, will be the latest addition to its growing portfolio, which already includes sites in South Shields, Byker, Forest Hall, Whitley Bay and its most recent opening on Newcastle’s Percy Street, opposite the Haymarket.

Founder Alex Lucas, 27, from Newcastle said progress will be shared online for their followers.

Originally from the Ukraine, Alex said he is excited to open a new venue in the County Durham town.

He said: “We do everything ourselves, from taking the building back to nothing to getting it ready to open, it’s all our own people and contractors we’ve worked with since the beginning.

Owner Alex Lucas from Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“We’ve just opened our fifth shop in Newcastle, and this will be our sixth location.

“Everything was removed and rebuilt from scratch. It’s a really good location on Front Street and we’re excited to bring something new there.”

The unit was previously occupied by Greggs, which has since moved to a larger premises across the road.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

Work is expected to take around ten weeks, although Alex said the final opening date is yet to be confirmed.

The popular burger chain launched four years ago, with its first shop opening in South Shields.

The owner, who moved to the UK 15 years ago, said the idea came from his experience working in the restaurant industry and noticing how expensive burgers had become.

He said: “We wanted to be the best from day one, but also very reasonably priced.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“When we worked out the food costs, we realised we could offer really good quality burgers without charging what everyone else was charging.”

Despite the rising costs of food, Alex said the business has tried to keep prices low.

The 27-year-old said: “Everything has gone up, but we still try to keep good value for customers, especially with how difficult things are for people right now.”

Alex said the main selling point for the business is the speed the burgers are served, taking on average seven minutes.

He said: “All the burgers are smashed fresh, the buns are baked daily, and we aim to have food ready in around seven minutes.

Friez & Burgz (Image: Friez & Burgz)

“It’s quick, it’s high quality, and it works really well for people who want something fast but still made properly.”

Rather than expanding purely for growth, Alex said opening new locations is about creating job opportunities for staff who have been part of the journey since the beginning.

He said: “The biggest reason for opening more shops is to give our team a chance to grow and to give hardworking people opportunities.

“People who work hard and are passionate deserve the opportunity to run something and I want to provide the space for them to do that.”

An official opening date will be announced in the coming months.

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione spoke out in court Friday against the prospect of back-to-back trials over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, telling a judge: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.”

Mangione, 27, made the remarks as court officers escorted him out of the courtroom after a judge scheduled his state murder trial to begin June 8, three months before jury selection in his federal case.

Judge Gregory Carro, matter-of-fact in his decision after a lengthy discussion with prosecutors and defense lawyers at the bench, said the state trial could be delayed until Sept 8 if an appeal delays the federal trial.

Mangione’s lawyers objected to the June trial date, telling Carro that at that time, they’ll be consumed with preparing for the federal trial, which involves allegations that Mangione stalked Thompson before killing him.

“Mr. Mangione is being put in an untenable situation,” defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. “This is a tug-of-war between two different prosecution offices.”

“The defense will not be ready on June 8,” she added.

“Be ready,” Carro replied.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, both of which carry the possibility of life in prison. Last week, the judge in the federal case ruled that prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty.

Wearing a tan jail suit, Mangione sat quietly at the defense table until his outburst at the end of the hearing.

Jury selection in the federal case is set for Sept. 8, followed by opening statements and testimony on Oct. 13.

As the trial calendar began to take shape, Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann sent a letter to Carro asking him to begin the New York trial on July 1. The prosecutor argued that the state’s interests “would be unfairly prejudiced by an unnecessary delay” until after the federal trial.

When Mangione was arrested, federal prosecutors said anticipated that the state trial would go first. Seidemann told Carro on Friday that Thompson’s family has also expressed a desire to see the state trial happen first.

“It appears the federal government has reneged on its agreement to let the state, which has done most of the work in this case, go first,” Carro said Friday.

Scheduling the state trial first could help Manhattan prosecutors avoid double jeopardy issues. Under New York law, the district attorney’s office could be barred from trying Mangione if his federal trial happens first.

The state’s double jeopardy protections kick in if a jury has been sworn in a prior prosecution, such as a federal case, or if that prosecution ends in a guilty plea. The cases involve different charges but the same alleged course of conduct.

Mangione isn’t due in court again in the state case until May, when Carro is expected to rule on a defense request to exclude certain evidence that prosecutors say connects Mangione to the killing.

Those items include a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors say matches the one used to kill Thompson and a notebook in which they say he described his intent to “wack” a health insurance executive.

Last week, Garnett ruled that prosecutors can use those items at that trial.

In September, Carro threw out state terrorism charges but kept the rest of the case, including an intentional murder charge.

Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he walked to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s annual investor conference.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police say “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate from a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan.

Trills Ladies Choir gets together with Corus Brass Ensemble to present Voices and Valves.

This afternoon of uplifting music features a balance of popular favourites from these two well-known groups.

The choir was established in 2022 and is directed by Rachel Little, a versatile soprano known for her clear tone and expressive musicianship who has a passion for community music.

Bolton pianist Jacqueline Tinniswood will be accompanying the choir.

Corus Brass was formed in 1985 and is a Bolton-based ensemble which has gained a reputation as one of the country’s finest.

Tickets for the event at 3.30pm are £8, £4 for 16 years and under, and available on the door.

As a garden writer, I spend much of my time looking at flowers – most recently for my book Wonderlands – and as a gardener I grow flowers and arrange them too. When ordering a flower delivery, I ask myself: how fresh and well-conditioned are they? How long will they last? Where and how are they grown?

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ve been reviewing the UK’s best delivery services. I was helped by a panel of 40 Telegraph readers, who were each sent a bouquet from a range of florists. Each of us rated flowers on the same metrics and we’ve combined our findings to create the list you see below.

At the top are eight great services tested both by me and readers. (Prices you see are for the cheapest available flowers.) Beneath that, I’ve added some of my own reviews, including specialists that I rate very highly. Finally, there’s a selection of reader reviews of better-known flower delivery services.

At the very end you’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five.

The best flower delivery services: At a glance

1. Best Buy Flower Delivery Service: Flowerbx

Mouhamadou Fall denies murdering his dad Sidy Fall and passer-by Norman Scott

The mum of a man accused of murdering two people – including his father – has told of the last moment she spoke to her son.

Mouhamadou Fall, then 23, allegedly stabbed Sidy Fall to death in Moss Side on November 17, 2024, prosecutors have said.

Moments later, as another man – Norman Scott – cycled past, Mr Fall ran after him before repeatedly striking him to the body with the a knife, jurors previously heard.

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Mr Fall then went into the Alfurqan Islamic Centre, on Great Southern Street, where he was later arrested, a court has heard. Mr Fall, now 24, of Milverton Road, denies two counts of murder and is on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Umu Cisse, the mother of Mr Fall, still lives in the family’s native Senegal. Providing a statement to Greater Manchester Police, she said she married Sidy Fall in 1998 and a few years later, her son was born. A year after, they divorced, she said.

“Mouhamahou was a lovely child, he had no problems growing up or during his childhood. He was doing well at school, and Sidy wanted to take advantage of the UK’s education system,” she said.

“He was my only boy, and it would be better for him. I have not seen my son for nine years.”

Ms Cisse said that she would speak with Mr Fall over videocall or WhatsApp every other day. “As far as I knew, their relationship (Sidy Fall and Mouhamadou Fall) was good. They loved each other. Mouhamadou loved his parents, he was a calm, loyal and good son,” the statement continued.

“Two weeks prior, there was a problem with my son. He had lost all good reason. My son had lost his mind. He was not in possession of normal mental faculties. It was really painful for me.”

Ms Cisse said her son became ‘incoherent’ and ‘agitated’ and said to her that people were ‘evil’.

She said: “I thought ‘what has happened, this is not my son’. I said, I really hope – God willing – you will come to Senegal. If not, I can come to see you. He had much hope – such a courageous boy.

“On November 12, I was left a voicemail by Sidy and he said ‘we need to talk, there is something wrong about our son’. He said things are not well and he was going to bring him back to be better cared for. November 13 was the last time I spoke to Mouhamadou.

“He appeared agitated, just talking rubbish and he was shouting. I was trying to calm him down. He lost his mind. My son seemed to have gone mad and completely lost all reason.”

Jurors also heard evidence from Dr Ross Mirvis, a consultant psychiatrist based at Ashworth Hospital. He said over his many conversations with Mr Fall, who has resided at the hospital since his arrest on November 17, 2024, the defendant said he believed his dad was the Shaitan, the devil, and Mr Scott was the ‘devil’s son’.

“There is this delusional belief he is the Mahdi [a prominent religious figure in Islam] and he was going to bring some redemption to the world,” he said.

The court heard Mr Fall said during one interview: “My dad wasn’t my dad, that’s His nature. War is not going to end until he died. It was not my dad, it was the devil himself.

“God has given me a purpose. I’m not scared of the devil because the devil is dead. His son is dead. The only people left now are the jinns (ghosts). That’s why I have done what I have done. I had to kill the devil himself.”

He said he believed that jurors could reach an insanity defence verdict due to Mr Fall’s diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Mr Fall, of Milverton Road, Manchester, denies two charges of murder.

Proceeding.

MCDONALD’S has brought back a nostalgic 90s favourite for six weeks only – check how you can get it.

In the past, the fast food chain sometimes gave out special cups in Happy Meals – previous items have included Coca-Cola glasses and movie cups.

These were all limited-edition and only available in McDonalds but fans haven’t seen them for many years.

But The Metro reports that the cups are finally coming back to the fast food restaurant.

As part of its brand new Friends design, McDonald’s has new mugs for customers to collect. 

If you have the McDonald’s App you could elevate your morning drink with this major friends upgrade – but there is not a way to just buy them.

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As the only way to nab the four exclusive mugs is to win them when you purchase the McDonald’s friends meal using the app.

Each mug features an iconic friends design and there are 4000 available.

One mug shows off the orange couch, another has Monica’s yellow peephole frame, the third features the fountain from the opening credits, and the final one is adorned with the Central Perk logo.

These will have you saying, “How you doing?” to your morning coffee. 

The new McDonald’s Friends Meal launched in the UK on February 3, 2026.

This limited-time promotion includes six unique figurines with one random character from the smash-hit show,

This means you cannot buy the statuettes separately, and each meal comes with one surprise character packed at random.

Heart Radio presenter and Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden made the admission, while also expressing hopes of welcoming a new addition to her and her husband’s family

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Amanda Holden has amusingly opened up about the numerous innocent activities she has done behind her husband’s back. The 54-year-old’s admission came earlier this week after her colleague Jamie Theakston informed listeners about his wife’s choice to rescue two additional cats, while he was away.

Having encountered the same scenario before, Jamie quipped that he can no longer take holidays for fear his house will become a “cattery”.

“She smuggled two in when I was away last time,” he told listeners on the Heart Radio Breakfast Show. “What she does is uses the cover of me going away so that I can’t stop her.”

After Amanda suggested that his wife Sophie must meticulously plan her actions while he is out at work, Jamie agreed.

“Yeah, she’s got a whole double life that she leads,” he joked.

“And then if I’m on a golf weekend or away with my mates, she feels, ‘Well if he’s doing that, I’m going to get more kittens’.

“So now, I can’t now go away or she’s going to have a cattery.”

Amanda then confessed that she had a comparable approach, acknowledging the frequent times she has performed a task while her husband, Chris Hughes, is away.

“I love that she does that, it makes me feel better because when Chris goes away, I decorate a room or clear out his awful t-shirts, burn the crocs,” she shared.

“I do so many things behind his back like that, innocent things, but things where he’d get cross if he was at home or he’d say, ‘We don’t need to do that’.

“I really do want to rescue another puppy you see, but Chris is putting his foot down at the moment,” she added, before joking: “When is he going away?”

Later on in the show, she added: “I think he thinks he’s alone and that I’m just this wife that does all this stuff behind his back and he’s not alone Jamie, you’re there with him.

“There must be loads of people whose husbands and wives that do this sort of thing,” she added.

Looking back on previous choices, which have included her rescuing their latest furry addition from Greece, she continued: “Chris always says, ‘I don’t know why you’re asking me because you’re going to do it anyway’.”

Last month, Amanda informed listeners she was eager to welcome another puppy into the household.

The couple already have a bustling home with their two daughters, Hollie and Lexie, rescue dog Rudie, and cats Muffy and Bolt.

And while her husband has made it clear he doesn’t want any additional pets, Amanda isn’t giving up.

In a light-hearted on-air appeal during a recent episode, she said: “[We’ve got] lots of furry babies, I’m going to have to talk to Chris because I really want to rescue another puppy and if he’s listening and it goes out on air, it’ll be very difficult for him to turn me down.”

Trying to persuade him further, Amanda added: “Darling, I love you.”

Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will perform in Wolverhampton, alongside Glasgow and Manchester, as part of The Night Blooms World Tour.

This follows the previously announced show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which is set to be a 50+-piece orchestra extravaganza.

The tour celebrates Goldblum’s forthcoming album, Night Blooms, which is released on June 5, 2026.

null (Image: Chuffmedia)

This comes after the success of his previous album, Still Blooming, which topped the Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart in 2025.

Goldblum will not only play the piano but also sing on some tracks.

He has teamed up with a variety of famous faces, including Ariana Grande, Scarlett Johansson, and Charlie Puth, for this album.

The Night Blooms World Tour promises to bring the album to life on stage.

Fans can expect a unique evening of jazz and storytelling with a touch of Hollywood glamour.

Goldblum’s passion for music spans 30 years and is now a flourishing parallel career alongside his acting.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday 13 February.

For more information, please visit https://jeffgoldblum.decca.com .

These are the dates and venues for the Night Blooms World Tour:

• April 24 — Melbourne — Palais Theatre
• April 28 — Perth — Riverside Theatre
• April 30 — Brisbane — Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
• May 2 — Adelaide — Festival Theatre
• May 5 — Sydney — Sydney Opera House
• May 28 – Wolverhampton – UW At The Halls
• May 30 – Dublin – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
• June 1 – Glasgow – Theatre Royal
• June 3 – Manchester – Palace Theatre
• June 30 — London — Royal Albert Hall
• July 2 — Madrid — Venue TBA
• July 5 — Barcelona — Auditori Fòrum CCIB
• July 7 — Antwerp — Queen Elizabeth Hall
• July 9 — Paris — Salle Pleye