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Pete Hegseth ‘emboldened’ by firing of top military officials as he moves to ‘consolidate control’: report

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Pete Hegseth ‘emboldened’ by firing of top military officials as he moves to ‘consolidate control’: report

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become “emboldened” after ousting some of the military’s most senior officials as he moves to “consolidate control” at the Pentagon, according to a report.

The firing of Navy Secretary John Phelan and the Army’s chief of staff Gen. Randy George was part of Hegseth’s reported pursuit to “consolidate control” of the Pentagon, leaving him “more confident than ever in his job,” The Washington Post reports.

Despite concerns from those in President Donald Trump’s inner circle, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Hegseth appears to have secured his standing within the administration amid a turbulent first year in office, the newspaper reports.

“All the power has been taken away from the uniforms and 100 percent gone to the political appointees,” one official told the Post.

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Phelan was removed on April 22 shortly after voicing concerns to lawmakers regarding what he characterized as a “land grab” by Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, according to the newspaper.

Once weakened by the ‘Signalgate’ security investigation, the former Fox News personality has now outlasted several Cabinet colleagues to become a central figure in the administration’s military overhaul
Once weakened by the ‘Signalgate’ security investigation, the former Fox News personality has now outlasted several Cabinet colleagues to become a central figure in the administration’s military overhaul (Getty)

Phelan reportedly alleged that the Pentagon’s top leadership had usurped the Navy’s authority by imposing rigid control over shipbuilding and submarine procurement.

According to people familiar with the matter, word of Phelan’s private protests reached Hegseth almost immediately. Hegseth and Feinberg subsequently presented a case for Phelan’s removal to Trump, who approved the decision.

A person with direct knowledge of the dismissal told The Post that the move was orchestrated within minutes of the leadership becoming aware of Phelan’s criticisms.

The Independent has contacted the Pentagon and the White House for comment.

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Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell touted Hegseth for “focusing on executing President Trump’s America First agenda without hesitation” in a statement to the Post.

“From day one, he has moved decisively to restore the warrior ethos, remove [diversity, equity and inclusion] ideology from the military, and refocus the force on lethality and combat readiness,” Parnell added.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the outlet that the president appreciates Hegseth’s focus on “readiness” and “lethality,” citing military operations in Iran and Venezuela as successes.

Wiles, who reportedly did not dispute her concerns about Hegseth to the Post, praised him in a statement for bringing “clarity, strength and leadership” to the Pentagon “at a critical moment for our country.”

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Despite concerns from those in President Donald Trump’s inner circle, Hegseth appears to have secured his standing within the administration
Despite concerns from those in President Donald Trump’s inner circle, Hegseth appears to have secured his standing within the administration (Getty)

The support from the White House comes after Hegseth remained defiant under nine hours of questioning before Congress this week. During his testimony, he refused to elaborate on the reasoning behind high-level personnel decisions, including the forced retirement of the Army’s chief of staff.

He faced backlash from lawmakers after he called those questioning his optimistic take on the Iran war “reckless, feckless and defeatist.”

Phelan’s exit marks a turnaround for Hegseth. Following a series of early missteps, including a security investigation known as “Signalgate,” speculation was once high that the former Fox News personality would be the first Cabinet member to be replaced.

Instead, Hegseth has outlasted several colleagues, including former Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who were recently removed by the president.

An administration official told the Post that the status of Trump’s Cabinet members was akin to “that of a grizzly bear chasing a group of hikers.”

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“As long as you don’t run the slowest, you’re safe,” they said. “And Pete is not the slowest right now.”

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Darlington Dr Inks re-opened beer garden after major revamp

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Darlington Dr Inks re-opened beer garden after major revamp

Dr Inks, on Coniscliffe Road, has reopened its outdoor space under new ownership, with a dramatic redesign featuring bold colours, upgraded facilities and new entertainment features.

The garden has been completely reworked following the removal of a dividing wall to create one large outdoor area, with the space levelled and fitted with pink Astroturf.

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

New furniture has been installed and painted in blue, alongside blue and pink décor throughout the venue.

The revamp also includes a new sound system, additional televisions, improved lighting with floodlights and festoon lighting, upgraded heaters, and brand new guest WiFi both inside and outside.

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Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

A large Dr.inks mural has also been added to the space, described by the owners as a key visual feature that must be seen in person.

Scott Barratt and Tom Cullen owners of Dr.inks which has reopened (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The reopening comes after Scott Barratt, 27, from Darlington, and Thomas Cullen, 26, originally from Richmond, took over the venue earlier this year in March and began an extensive refurbishment shortly after gaining the keys.

Dr Inks first opened in 2018 and quickly became a popular nightlife spot known for its vibrant atmosphere and beer garden. However, in recent years, its popularity had declined and the venue was placed on the market.

A before and after in the Dr Inks Darlington beer garden following the major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Look inside the brand new beer garden that has re-opened at Dr Inks following a major revamp (Image: DR INKS DARLINGTON)

Speaking about the reopening and plans for the venue, Scott Barratt said: “When I used to work here, I thought I would always want to run it, but left for better opportunities. When I saw the price slash for it on sale, I knew now was the time to start.”

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He added: “We want to take it back to how it was a couple of years ago. We are completely closing the garden to fully renovate it so that in the near future we can have garden parties.”

Scott also said: “We want people to come back and give us a try as it will be a completely different vibe now.”

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Criminal Record: Child killer and trans prisoner jail wedding axed and man ‘stabbed’ on Glasgow street

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Daily Record

Criminal Record has brought together a round-up of today’s biggest crime stories.

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Every day on Criminal Record we will be bringing you a round-up of the biggest crime stories of the day.

If you love to read about crime in Scotland – this is the place to be every day.

Here’s what has been making the news across the country on Saturday.

Child killer and trans prisoner wedding axed

A child killer and trans prisoner who were engaged to be married inside HMP Greenock have called off their engagement.

It is understood Alex Stewart and child killer Nyomi Fee split before Stewart was accused of a sex attack on a female prisoner at the prison two weeks ago.

Fee, 37, and biological male Stewart, 38, announced their engagement in 2021. Anger grew among female prisoners after persistent claims that the couple were given preferential treatment and were able to access each other’s cells.

A court case last year heard they had been able to enjoy sexual relations in the jail shower block and a communal area. But the couple are now telling prisoners they are “just friends”.

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Fee subjected her two-year-old stepson Liam to appalling abuse before murdering him in 2014. She is serving a life sentence. Stewart, born Alan Baker, has been a main focus for prison policy reform campaigners.

READ MORE: Jail wedding between child killer and trans prisoner called off

Murder of two gangster pals remains unsolved

The murder of two gangster pals found dumped in a scrapyard remains unsolved 25 years later. In October 2001, the bodies of two men were next to a burned out black Volkswagen Golf car at the spot in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.

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Both victims had been shot and were quickly identified as small time Lanarkshire criminals John Hall, 45, from Carluke and David Macintosh, 33, from neighbouring Wishaw.

Strathclyde Police launched a major inquiry led by Detective Superintendent John Carnochan. A team of more than 50 police officers were involved in the hunt for the killer or killers.

However door-to-door inquiries, CCTV checks, and numerous witness appeals failed to provide any significant leads or evidence leading to an arrest. Twenty-four years later no one has ever been charged.

READ MORE: Murder of two gangster pals found dumped in a scrapyard remains unsolved 25 years later

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Man rushed to hospital after ‘stabbing’ in Glasgow

A man has been rushed to hospital after reportedly being stabbed on a busy street in Glasgow. The incident took place shortly after 8pm on Friday, May 1 when officers were alerted to a serious assault on Maryhill Road.

Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene in Maryhill in the north of the city.

A 32-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering serious injuries. His current condition is not yet known. An investigation has been launched by Police Scotland.

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Detective Constable Scott Moran said: “This was a violent assault on the victim, and it is vital that we find out what happened, and trace whoever is responsible.“

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after ‘stabbing’ on busy Glasgow street

Teen found seriously injured on Scots street

A teenager has been rushed to hospital after being found seriously injured on a street in the early hours of the morning.

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The alarm was raised at around 3:45am when police were alerted to a man seriously injured on John Wood Street in Port Glasgow on Saturday, May 2.

Emergency services, including Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service, raced to the Inverclyde town. A 19-year-old man was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after suffering serious injuries.

An investigation has been launched to get to the bottom of exactly what happened and officers remain in the area so anyone with information or concerns can speak to them directly.

READ MORE: Teen found seriously injured on Scots street as cops lock down area

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Reform candidate ‘attacked’ on Glasgow campaign trail

A Reform candidate has allegedly been attacked while campaigning in Glasgow. Councillor Thomas Kerr, one of the party’s candidates in the city, is said to have been assaulted while leafleting in Shettleston on Friday, May 1.

Police Scotland said it was made aware of an assault on a man at Strowan Road in the east end around 2.15pm on Friday. The force said that another man will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

A Reform spokesperson dubbed the alleged incident “unacceptable” and “no politician should be subjected to violence while out campaigning.”

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Police Scotland said no-one was injured and another man will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

READ MORE: Reform UK candidate ‘attacked’ while campaigning in Glasgow

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Nine attractions to visit in the North East in the rain

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Nine attractions to visit in the North East in the rain

From big‑ticket museums to soft play classics, these ideas all work whether you’re planning ahead or salvaging a soggy afternoon at the last minute.

Always check websites before you travel, as opening times and prices can change, especially on bank holidays.


Hopetown, Darlington

Darlington’s new railway attraction celebrates the Stockton & Darlington Railway with locomotives, interactive galleries and under‑cover play spaces – ideal when the rain sets in.

Entry to the site, including the North Road Station Museum, Goods Shed, café and outdoor areas, is free, with some exhibitions and activities carrying a separate charge.

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Hopetown is generally open 10am–4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and is also open on bank holiday Mondays and during Darlington school holidays.

Pre‑booking a free site ticket online is recommended to manage capacity.


Locomotion, Shildon

Locomotion brings together an impressive collection of historic engines and railway vehicles in huge indoor halls at the birthplace of the railways.

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Museum admission is free, with visitors encouraged to make a voluntary donation, and there is no need to pre‑book except for selected events.

It’s a solid choice for cost‑conscious families looking for a full day under cover when the weather is foul.

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The bank holiday weekend sees a whole host of activities including mini steam engines on display, carousel rides and a film screening.


Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle

The Great North Museum: Hancock offers dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, natural history and hands‑on science exhibits, all in one free, family‑friendly space close to Newcastle city centre.

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As with many Tyne and Wear museums, general admission is free, with possible charges only for some temporary exhibitions or special events.

Expect plenty to fill a wet afternoon, from interactive displays to family trails that keep primary‑age children busy.

Check Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums listings for latest opening hours and any bank holiday variations before you set off.


Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Sunderland

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens combines local history, art and natural history with an indoor tropical garden under a glass dome.

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Admission to both the museum and Winter Gardens is free, with donations welcome and occasional charges for specific exhibitions or events.

Typical opening hours are 10am–4pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm–4pm on Sundays, though visitors are advised to confirm details, especially around bank holidays.

It’s an easy, low‑stress option when rain interrupts seaside or city‑centre plans.


The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

The Bowes Museum delivers a grand “day out” indoors, with galleries dedicated to art, fashion, ceramics and decorative arts inside its landmark French‑style building.

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Currently, a standard adult day ticket costs £20, or £22 with Gift Aid, while under‑18s, full‑time students and carers can visit for free.

Membership options are available for regular visitors and can offer better value over the year.

With family trails and activities, it works well for mixed‑age groups looking for something a bit more special than soft play on a wet bank holiday.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)


Life Science Centre, Newcastle

Life Science Centre in Newcastle is a hands‑on science attraction with changing exhibitions, a planetarium, play zones and making studios, particularly strong for under‑12s.

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Current ticket prices list adults (18+) at £15 with a voluntary donation or £13.60 without, and children aged 3 and over at the same price; children aged 2 and under go free.

All exhibits, shows and activities in the science centre are included in the ticket price, making budgeting straightforward. Pre‑booking online is advised during busy periods such as school holidays and bank holiday weekends.


The Hullabaloo, Darlington

The Hullabaloo is a theatre and creative play space designed specifically for babies, toddlers and younger children, offering imaginative indoor play installations and performances.

Ticket prices vary depending on the show or activity, but many family performances and play sessions are kept low‑cost, with occasional free or pay‑what‑you‑decide events.

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Sessions often need to be booked in advance, especially at weekends and in school holidays, so it is worth checking the current programme and prices online before heading over.

Its compact scale makes it a gentle, manageable rainy‑day option for families with very young children.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)


Fun Shack, Seaham

Fun Shack Seaham is one of County Durham’s largest indoor play centres, packed with a giant play frame, slides, trampolines, go‑karts and a dedicated toddler village.

Recent price guides suggest toddlers (1–4) from around £5.49, children 5–12 from around £6.49 and adults or over‑12s from £1, with babies under 12 months free with an older sibling or around £2.50 otherwise.

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Prices vary between term‑time, weekends and school holidays, and it’s best to check the website for up‑to‑date rates before you go.

Pre‑booking often secures the cheapest tickets and helps avoid disappointment on wet bank holidays.


Bowling, mini‑golf and arcades: Lane7 Durham / NAMCO Funscape

For older children and teens, an all‑in‑one bowling or arcade venue can rescue a rained‑off bank holiday plan. Lane7 Durham offers boutique‑style bowling and games, with bowling prices starting from about £9.50 per person, depending on time and day.

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NAMCO Funscape at Metrocentre combines bowling, arcade games, dodgems and soft play, with family offers and deals available online.

One current guide price lists soft play at around £7.95 per child, with bowling and other activities bookable through their deals pages.

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‘Devastated’ Mark Allen believes he didn’t deserve to reach world snooker final

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Belfast Live

The Antrim man looked in pole position to reach the Crucible final, but missed a black off the spot to win

A ‘devastated’ Mark Allen suffered Crucible heartbreak as he lost a final frame shootout in the World Championship semi-final.

The Antrim man looked in pole position to reach the world final for the first time after taking a 16-14 lead in the first to 17 clash against Wu Yize.

He potted the final pink in the penultimate frame of the night and set up a straight black ball on the spot to claim victory. However, the tension and pressure of the occasion appeared to get to Allen who narrowly missed and gifted his Chinese opponent the frame.

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Yize then took advantage in the deciding 33rd frame of the match to book a final date with England’s Shaun Murphy – Crucible champion in 2005.

For Allen, it’s another world final near miss – his third semi-final defeat at the Crucible – and that black on the spot will haunt him for some time.

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“You don’t deserve to be in a world final if you are missing a ball like that, it’s just pure pressure,” said Allen right after the match. “I had two or three good chances to close out the match but didn’t do it.

“Even though I’m devastated to lose that match, I think the right person is in the world final. I wished him good luck, said he played very well. I think he’s going to be a world champion.

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“All credit to Wu, if he doesn’t win it this time, he is going to win world titles in future. It’s a sore one for me.”

Yize, 22, will appear in his first world final tomorrow, looking to emulate country man Zhao Xintong who became the first Chinese player to win snooker’s biggest prize 12 months ago.

Even he had sympathy for Allen, considering the nature of the semi-final victory.

Yize told BBC: “I feel sorry for Mark. I was losing the match but I was able to catch the opportunity.”

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The final is played over two days, starting on Sunday May 2nd and ending on Monday.

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Xbox has only two options for the future and Microsoft won’t like either of them – Reader’s Feature

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Xbox has only two options for the future and Microsoft won’t like either of them - Reader’s Feature
Is it time for Xbox to give up on hardware? (Microsoft)

With Xbox console sales at a new low, a reader suggests that Microsoft needs a major change of plan, and it doesn’t involve releasing a new console.

It seems this whole generation we’ve been watching the collapse of Xbox in slow motion. It was obvious the Xbox Series X/S was a flop from the first moment and I think most people were surprised by that and just how badly it did. I know I was but then it started to make sense when you realised that people are already locked into the PlayStation ecosystem and they’re not going to give that up for the sequel to the Xbox One, that has no decent launch games.

I was still shocked at how quickly things fell apart though, especially the failure of Game Pass and how buying Activision Blizzard, or really any of the companies they bought, didn’t even move the needle for them. I don’t think it was their fault but to spend all that money only to have Call Of Duty have its worst year ever is a terrible bit of luck.

Not that I’m going to shed a tear for a giant corporation but as much as other people have a go at him, I do feel Phil Spencer had his heart in the right place. Whether he was a good person to be in charge I’m not sure, but I think circumstances were definitely against him. Whether it was bad luck or bad management doesn’t really matter though because I think it’s time to admit that the Xbox experiment has failed.

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The new boss keeps talking about bringing Xbox back to what it was and even hinting at exclusivity but either she’s a crazy person or she’s just having people on. There’s no way they can bring back exclusives. Who’d buy them? There aren’t enough people with only an Xbox to cover the cost of making a game and there’s no way they’d make money just on PC. There’s a reason big budget PC exclusives died out in the 90s.

As far as I see, there are only two options for Microsoft right now and none of them involve releasing a console (if the new console is basically a PC then fine, but that means it’s going to be so expensive it’ll never be more than a niche). There’s just no point. They lost the rest of the world over a generation ago and I don’t think even anyone in the US cares all that much about being an Xbox fan now.

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So option number one is to just admit that you’re a third party developer like EA or Take-Two and just make games and release them on every format possible. This is the most obvious thing to do I don’t understand why they haven’t done it already. I mean they kind of have, because nobody’s buying the Xbox right now, but going on about Project Helix and the new boss, they act like there’s a way back to the good old days of the Xbox 360.

There’s not though, I dare anyone to describe any scenario where Xbox comes in at anything more than a distant third this or next generation. Maybe they can be relevant again if video game streaming takes off but even then I wouldn’t bet on it. The name Xbox won’t attract anyone, only the quality of the streaming and at the moment, as far as I hear, it’s not very good.

Catalogue of Xbox video games organised in a grid formation
Game Pass hasn’t worked out as planned (Microsoft)

Option two is a lot of bother but I suspect it’s actually more likely they’ll go for this, and that’s to sell off their games business. The big problem is that considering how badly Call Of Duty is doing at the moment, there’s no way that line is going to go up any time soon. It makes a lot of revenue, sure, but that number is going down.

All a company like Microsoft cares about is making more profit than the last year and that is not going to happen with Call Of Duty, Activision in general, or Xbox as a whole.

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My preference would be to have Activision Blizzard go independent again abut I don’t know of any way that can happen, given the money involved. They can’t afford a management buyout given what Microsoft paid for them, so unless there’s some legal thing I’m not aware of they’ll have to sell them to Amazon or Apple or someone.

It’s not ideal but at least one company wouldn’t own half the Western game publishers anymore and Activision would have their undivided attention. It’s not perfect but the mess Xbox has put the whole games industry in is just terrible and I’d much rather Activision and Bethesda survived it than Xbox.

Microsoft has been in the games industry for 25 years this year and barely five years of that was anything but a complete disaster. At some point you’ve just got to accept things haven’t worked out and call it quits.

By reader Xane

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Project Helix logo of a double helix
Project Helix is the next gen Xbox (X)

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

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Manchester Airport announces major new route to Africa

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Manchester Evening News

‘It will make a huge difference to thousands of people’

Manchester Airport has announced a major new route to Africa bosses said would ‘make a huge difference to thousands of people’.

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Algeria will be added to the list of more than 60 countries the airport offers direct flights to.

Air Algérie has announced a new twice-weekly service to the capital Algiers starting this summer, with the inaugural flight pencilled in for Sunday, June 14.

The airport said it would be the first ever direct flight from Manchester to the country in North Africa, and Manchester will become the only UK airport outside of London with a direct link to Algiers. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Sundays.

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Air Algérie will be the fourth African airline operating from Manchester, joining Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair and Ethiopian Airlines. The service will be operated on its fleet of Boeing 737s.

Algiers is a popular tourist destination in its own right, but also serves as a key connecting hub for onward travel to detinations around Africa including Johannesburg in South Africa, Abuja in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal and Douala in Senegal.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We are proud to connect the North to the world and our new partnership with Air Algérie really epitomises what we mean by that. This new route doesn’t just connect people with a new destination for holidays – it connects African communities in the North to friends and families all over the continent.

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“It will make a huge difference to thousands of people and we are very excited to welcome the first passengers in the summer – and, of course, all of those who follow. Those flying to Algiers from Manchester this summer will also benefit from the use of our outstanding new facilities in Terminal 2, fresh from a £1.3bn investment.”

Madjid Terghini General Manager UK&EIRE at Air Algérie, said: “We are delighted to launch this new direct service between Manchester and Algiers, a significant milestone in the continued expansion of our international network. This route holds particular importance for the Algerian community in the United Kingdom and further reinforces our commitment to delivering seamless connectivity between Algeria and key global markets.

“Through our hub in Algiers, customers will benefit from enhanced access to a wide range of destinations across Africa and Asia, supporting both leisure and business travel with greater convenience and efficiency.”

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Return fares start from just £263.43 for Manchester–Algiers–Manchester. Return fares start from just £881.73 for Manchester to Johannesburg via Algiers.

British nationals are required to secure a Visa before travelling to Algeria.

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I tried the UK’s ‘worst beers’ but are they secretly good?

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I tried the UK's 'worst beers' but are they secretly good?

There are many options to suit a wide range of tastes, and on a personal level, I don’t think you can go wrong with something like a Peroni or Asahi.

What I tend to enjoy are rather crisp-tasting and refreshing beers, but some may prefer the ones with more bitter-tasting notes.

However, the conversation about what is considered to be the worst for sale got people talking on the r/AskUK Reddit thread.

The UK has a huge number of beers you can find in pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and more (Image: PA)

A user posted: “What is the worst beer you can think of in the UK, whether at the pub or at the shop?

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“I don’t mean necessarily one that is objectively bad – I mean that beer that when someone brings it to your house party, you wish your friends never came; the beer that makes you wonder if water or Stella is a better option; the beer that elicits some plain sad feelings in you.”

With more than 1,000 comments left in response, there were plenty of different answers given, but a few popped up more than most.

I decided to try a few of the drinks that got mentioned the most to see if they truly deserved their reputation.

I tried the ‘worst beers’ for sale in the UK

Based on the responses, Carling had the most mentions at more than 200, while Fosters was also up there at more than 130.

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I ended up trying Carling, Fosters and Budweiser from the beers mentioned on the Reddit thread (Image: Newsquest)

After that, plenty of drinks had a similar number around the 30 mark, but I ended up going for Budweiser out of those.

With the cans assembled from various corner shops near me, it was time to try them out and see if they deserved their reputation.

All three drinks were bought as cans and were in the fridge for a few hours before being consumed.

Budweiser

The first one on the list I tried was Budweiser, which I had had on numerous occasions in my student days.

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The Budweiser was quite watery and flat (Image: Newsquest)

I think I had it back then because it had a relatively low ABV (alcohol by volume) and was probably quite cheap.

I always used to have it in bottles, but as there was the option to buy a single can of it in my local corner shop, I decided to get that.

When poured into a glass, it looked alright at first, but went quite flat relatively quickly.

Upon tasting it, I remembered why I eventually grew out of it, as it was just so watery.

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What little flavour there is gets drowned out, and it’s not pleasant once it loses its coolness.

Fosters

Fosters wasn’t something I believe I had drunk before, and it noticeably kept a head of foam for a long time after being poured into a glass.

The Fosters was surprisingly okay (Image: Newsquest)

Considering it had the second-most mentions of any drink on the Reddit post, I was surprised to find it perfectly okay.

It might be because I didn’t find it to be too bitter, but I drank it with no issue, and it avoided going flat for a long while.

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I can see the argument that it might be too carbonated for some, but I think its reputation may not be fully deserved.

Carling

As Carling had the most votes on the Reddit thread, I wanted to save it until last.

The Carling wasn’t an especially pleasant drink (Image: Newsquest)

The initial taste of it is actually fine, but it’s the aftertaste where the damage comes in.

I couldn’t put my finger on what the flavour actually reminded me of, but the unique bitterness of it was not pleasant at all.

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Like Budweiser, it also became harder to drink once it stopped being cold, so it was another mark against it.

The verdict

Overall, I think Carling sadly might deserve its reputation as being a subpar beer offering on the UK market.


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While it is obviously hard to definitively say what is the ‘worst’ one, it is not something I will be hurrying back to drink again.

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Budweiser didn’t improve in my mind from the last time I drank it, and Fosters actually ended up being okay.

Granted, it’s not something I’m likely to pick from an option on tap at the pub, but you can arguably do far worse.

What is your favourite and least favourite beer on sale in the UK? Let us know in the comments.

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Greater Manchester Police patrols go on amid ‘severe’ threat

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Greater Manchester Police patrols go on amid 'severe' threat

The UK terrorist threat level was officially raised earlier this week on Thursday April 30 to severe meaning that an attack is “highly likely”.

On Saturday morning Greater Manchester Police announced that they will be continuing to deploy extra patrols to maintain a high visibility presence.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The safety of everyone within our communities remains our highest priority, and Greater Manchester Police will continue to work, day and night, to keep you safe.

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“Following the terror attack in Golders Green, London, earlier this week, extra patrols were deployed around the city-region, with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities, and this will continue.

“We will work closely with our partners, and the approach will be continually reviewed in light of the change in threat level.

“Our neighbourhood policing teams will remain visible and accessible in your area, and we will continue to engage with all our communities across Greater Manchester.”

Officers have urge members of the public to always call 999 in the event of an emergency.

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Town near Cambridge loved by royals home to 3,000 horses and 800-year-old market

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Cambridgeshire Live

The town’s roads are even tailored for horses

The UK is a country full of animal lovers. Whether it be dogs or cats, or something smaller like a hamster or fish, there are a wide range of animals admired by people across the country.

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In the town of Newmarket, only 30 minutes by car from Cambridge, horses are the most important animals. The town is regarded as the home of British horse racing.

While the number of residents, which is around 18,000, is far higher than the population of around 3,000 horses, the town is well-equipped for horses. Across the town, the roads have even been tailored for horses.

There are around 40 miles of turf gallops, 17 miles of artificial gallops, and 30 miles of traffic-free walking tracks for horses and riders. The town is also home to two public equine swimming pools, two highly-rated veterinary practices, and a research centre dedicated to the animals.

The town’s love for horses first blossomed in the town in the 17th century, when King James I found that the land was ideal for galloping his horses. From there, the tradition was carried down by his grandson Charles II and he made the town “truly fashionable”, according to the Newmarket Racing Club website.

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Newmarket was also loved by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had a passion for horses. She made countless visits to the town, as well as the National Stud.

Beyond its equine offerings, Newmarket has much more for humans to enjoy, too. The 800-year-old market, which is one of the oldest in Suffolk, is not to be missed.

The market is considered the perfect place to pick up your essentials, with traders selling a range of goods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as scrumptious cake. Newmarket is also a good place for spa breaks and to explore beautiful green spaces.

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Miami Grand Prix: Lando Norris says drivers ‘thrown in deep end’ for expected wet race

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Oscar Piastri during a wet sprint race in Miami in 2025

His team-mate Oscar Piastri added: “It’s obviously going to be a voyage into the unknown for everybody. When it rains here, it normally is pretty torrential, so it could be an interesting day.

“It’s just going to be what happens with the power-unit, how you get power, where you get power is in a computer’s hands.

“Just making sure that that does roughly what we expect. Obviously, the margin for error when it’s wet is significantly smaller.”

The forecast is for wet weather on and off through the day, with occasional thunderstorms. Commercial rights holder F1 and governing body the FIA are meeting on Saturday evening to decide whether to change the race timetable to give them more chance to hold the race, which is scheduled to start at 16:00 local time (21:00 BST) on Sunday.

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The inclination will be to leave things as they are because of the disruption caused to television schedules by moving the start of the race.

But because the cars will not be able to run if there is heavy rain, and US laws will prevent the race taking place if there is a thunderstorm, it might be moved forward.

There is the additional complication that authorities will not allow the crowd in the grandstands to stay out in the open if there is an electrical storm near the venue.

Verstappen and both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who start third and sixth, both drove in the wet in pre-season testing, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar crashed when he did so.

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The rest of the drivers from the leading teams have no experience of the new cars in the rain.

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