Rory McIlroy struggled on the opening day of the US PGA Championship 2026, with the Northern Irishman finishing four over par after a bogey-laden first round

Rory McIlroy described his opening round at the US PGA Championship as “s***” after closing with four consecutive bogeys.

The 37 year old teed off early at Aronimink Golf Club in south-west Philadelphia and looked to have recovered following an initial bogey.

He clawed back with a birdie before producing 10 consecutive pars. However, his back nine – the opening nine holes on the course – wrecked his round with five bogeys and just one birdie, leaving him four over par.

When asked to sum up his round, McIlroy said: “S***.

“I started missing fairways. I missed the fairway right on four, the fairway right on six, the fairway right on seven, fairway right on nine.

“I made that birdie on five to get back to even-par after the soft bogey on four, then I just got on that bogey train at the end.”

Approaching the end of day one, there were six players tied for the lead on -3 – including defending champion Scottie Scheffler. Stephan Jaegar, Min Woo Lee, Justin Thomas, Rio Hisatsune and Aldrich Potgieter were the other co-leaders at that stage.

Holywood ace McIlroy admitted driving difficulties have plagued him throughout the season, saying: “I’m just not driving the ball well enough. It’s been a problem all year for the most part. I just need to try to figure it out. I honestly thought I’d figured it out.

“Just sort of, once I get under the gun, it just seems like it starts to go a little bit wayward on me.”

McIlroy is pursuing a seventh major championship following his Masters title defence last month. Although he curtailed his first practice session due to a troublesome toe problem, he confirmed this hadn’t impacted his performance.

Despite McIlroy’s earlier assessment that the layout was a “bash driver down, figure it out” course, several competitors struggled after finding themselves off the fairway. McIlroy conceded that straying off the fairway proved more costly than he had anticipated.

“There certainly is a penalty for missing the fairway. Probably more than what I anticipated after being here, whatever it is, two Fridays ago,” McIlroy said.

The Northern Irishman received tremendous backing from the sizeable crowds following his high-profile group, which also included Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth – the latter chasing a victory to complete his own career grand slam.

Both Spieth and Rahm concluded their rounds at one under par.

The Spaniard endured a mixed outing, though a pitch-in eagle and a chip-in birdie on the back nine provided a welcome boost.

Pre-tournament speculation that Aronimink would pose little challenge to the world’s elite proved wide of the mark, with the clubhouse lead standing at just three under when the trio wrapped up their round.

“There was some chatter where people thought 15 to 20 under was going to win. And I think that got to somebody in the PGA and they did something about it!” Rahm said.

“Because if the golf course stays like this and it keeps firming up, yeah, obviously it’s not going to be anything like that.”

Rahm was also full of remorse after striking a volunteer with a divot during a moment of frustration.

“Just out of frustration, I tried to make an air swing, just over the grass, and I wasn’t looking, took a divot, and unfortunately, I hit a volunteer,” he added. “I couldn’t feel any worse. That’s why I was there apologizing. I need to somehow track him down to give him a present because that’s inexcusable and for something that could be completely avoidable.”

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The Eurovision Song Contest was founded 70 years ago as a way for Europe, divided after war, to come together by celebrating its music. Every year, several dozen countries across the continent – and, more recently, far beyond – compete in what is considered the world’s most viewed non-sporting event.

As a cultural institution that last year attracted around 166 million viewers, the results of Eurovision have a big impact – not least by deciding the venue of the following year’s event. Yet the issue of bloc voting, where countries tend to vote more favourably within regional or cultural blocs, has long been a controversial aspect of the contest.

In 2008, the BBC’s Eurovision commentator Terry Wogan spoke out against bloc voting by Eastern European countries, saying: “You have to say that this is no longer a music contest. I have to decide whether I want to do this again.” He didn’t – it was his final show in the commentary hotseat.

On occasion, suspiciously friendly voting has strayed into something even more troubling. The 1968 contest, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, saw a major upset when home favourite Congratulations, sung by Cliff Richard, was pipped by the Spanish entry La, La, La.

Forty years later, Spanish Eurovision host Jose Maria Inigo claimed that the vote had been rigged at the behest of Spain’s military dictator, Franco. His claims were later supported by an Irish TV investigation.

The modern, expanded Eurovision features two semi-finals as well as the grand final, held this year in Vienna on May 16. Its scoring combines a jury panel with a public vote, reducing the impact of each jury. But that didn’t stop another major voting scandal emerging in 2022.

The 2022 scandal

During the 2022 grand final in Turin, Italy, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that six juries’ scores from the second semi-final – Azerbaijan, Georgia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and San Marino – had been nullified after “certain irregular voting patterns were identified in the results of [these] countries”.

The countries’ votes were replaced with an aggregate score “based on the results of other countries with similar voting records” for both the semi-final and grand final. This process was acknowledged by Eurovision’s Independent Voting Monitor.

The countries’ broadcasters strongly denied any wrongdoing, with Georgia even suggesting their first-place vote in the final had been wrongly allocated as a result of the imposed system. Among online audiences, there was immediate speculation of a cover-up. After the final, the EBU issued a long explanation for their decision.

So had there really been collusion? Colleagues and I from the University of Stirling, including Riley Uttley, have re-assessed the 2022 voting scandal using applied statistical methods.

Each five-member Eurovision jury selected their ten favourite songs, with 12 points going to their favourite, ten points for second, then eight down to one for their tenth-best song. A similar points system was used to reflect each country’s public vote, doubling the total number of votes awarded by each country.

The jury results prior to the EBU’s intervention are shown below. The six juries whose scores were nullified – marked in red – awarded each other a total of 251 points. This is just seven points shy of the absolute maximum they could have given each other: 6 x (12+10+8+7+6) = 258 points.

Eurovision jury scores, 2022 second semi-final

If the scores were allocated randomly, the odds of the six countries awarding each other 251 points would be less than 1 in 10,000. Such a low probability provides strong objective evidence that the six juries were indeed colluding.

But applied statistics can precisely quantify the strength of this collusion – using a version of the Bradley-Terry (BT) method of paired comparisons, first published in December 1952.

Calculating the strength of collusion

Say we have two songs, a and b, and want to know the probability that a is judged better than b. Using the BT method, this probability is:

p(a) / p(a) + p(b)

where p(a) and p(b) are the respective strengths of the two songs.

This idea can be extended to the ranking of any number of songs. If we observe, say, that a ≻ b ≻ c ≻ d ≻ e (that is, song a is the best, then b, down to e), the probability of this voting decision is:

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This is known as a Plackett-Luce likelihood function. While calculating each value is difficult, we can use standard optimisation techniques to maximise this probability, and thereby estimate the strengths of the songs.

When it comes to identifying the strength of collusion in the 2022 contest, my own technique known as reified Bradley-Terry can be applied to this likelihood function.

The unfair advantage of collusion is represented by adding an extra strength term to any competitor who benefitted from collusion. In the equation below, S represents the strength of the collusion effect, and is applied to song b. So, we replace every occurrence of p(b) with p(b)+S. Then, the probability of a ≻ b ≻ c ≻ d ≻ e is now:

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The Eurovision 2022 semifinal had 18 songs and 21 juries, leading to a probability equation like the one above – but with a total of 220 terms. While this is a lot for a person to work with, it can be easily handled by the R programming language, an open-source statistical tool designed to handle masses of data and produce graphics and visualisations.

The removed juries all appeared to have very similar behaviour, so we represented the strength of the collusion of all six as a single number S, which we calculated to be 0.262. We then calculated the probability of S being as high, or higher, than this value on the assumption of no collusion.

We calculated this probability to be one in 58,000. Put another way, if you have 2.5km of matchsticks laid out end-to-end and burn one, it’s the probability of picking the burnt one. We can, therefore, confidently conclude that collusion did take place.

A final quirk

The 2022 Eurovision voting scandal had ramifications beyond the nullification of the six collusive scores. Jury voting for semi-finals was discontinued from 2023 until this year’s contest. Perhaps perversely, this made the juries carry more weight in each grand final.

With the semi-finals decided purely by public votes, which tend to be more dispersed and unpredictable, this meant the juries’ more concentrated voting patterns played a more significant role in deciding the ultimate winner.

Jury voting was reinstated for the semi-finals of this year’s contest. However, the juries are larger (seven members rather than five) and chosen from a more diverse background.

The clear favourites, Finland, will hope this is another step towards eradicating the controversial voting patterns that have haunted past contests – and made Eurovision a focus of keen interest for some applied statisticians.

If you’re the kind of person who gets a kick out of discovering exciting new flavours, there’s a place you need to hear about.

Pittsburgh is a culinary powerhouse that doesn’t do half measures. Forget beige and boring – this is a city of big, bold tastes that linger long after you’ve returned home.

With its legendary industrial history, Pittsburgh was built on innovation. Stroll or cycle around its streets today, and you’ll see this spirit lives on in chef-led restaurants crafting creative, adventurous dishes using fresh local produce.

It’s also worth leaving time to explore the city’s thrilling arts and culture scenes. But wherever you go, you’ll never be far from exceptional food at refreshingly reasonable prices.

And getting there couldn’t be easier, with direct, year-round British Airways flights from Heathrow in addition to Icelandair services from London, Manchester and Glasgow. Aer Lingus will also offer direct flights from Dublin from 25 May offering pre-clearance.

Read on for our top tips – then go and forge your own culinary adventure.

Bold flavours

The good folk of Pittsburgh are justly proud of their city’s foodie transformation. And the world is increasingly taking notice, with local eateries gaining national and international recognition.

When it comes to American culinary honours, they don’t get bigger than the James Beard Awards.

Pittsburgh now boasts more than a dozen semi-finalists, such as Nik Forsberg of fet-fisk, a Nordic seafood restaurant and oyster bar that began life as a pop-up.

Others include Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski of European-inspired vegan hangout Apteka, and Wei Zhu from Chengdu Gourmet, a wildly popular Chinese restaurant specialising in Szechuan cuisine.

Take a taste of the city home with you by attending a pizza-making class at Enrico Biscotti, where a lead pizzaiolo will guide you through the whole process, from dough making to baking. Or grab one of 30 different varieties of handmade, traditional Italian biscotti.

Their flavours range from classic anise almond to creative options like coconut chocolate chip, fig pecan, and black pepper walnut.

If you feel thirsty afterwards, you’re in luck. Pittsburgh has a booming bar scene, from trendy cocktail joints to friendly neighbourhood bars serving craft beer, wine and cider. Cheers!

Food meets fun

In Pittsburgh, food isn’t all starched collars and seriousness – this is a city that knows how to have fun.

After all, where else would you find a whole four-day-long festival dedicated solely to pickles? 

Every year, a whole swathe of downtown is set aside to celebrate this delicious, yet humble ingredient, which has played a key role in the city’s culinary history.

Head along for themed food galore, from pickled peppers in hot sauce to pickle cocktails and (wait for it…) pickles covered in chocolate!

You can also try your hand on the ‘Mechanical Pickle Ride’, or watch contestants compete in the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest – a fan favourite.

This year, Picklesburgh runs from July 16–19, joining a packed calendar of events across the city, with many local businesses offering specials or themed activities. Why not try your hand at Pittsburgh Glass Center’s pickle-shaped glass blowing, for example?

Highlights include PrideFest, Oktoberfest Pittsburgh, and Ribfest – where BBQ classics are served alongside live music and sports-themed entertainment. Keep an eye out too for the Little Italy Days festival in Bloomfield. Running 13-16 August this year, it celebrates authentic Italian-American cuisine, local businesses, artists and bands.

Foodie culture

Food and Pittsburgh’s culture are intrinsically linked. Make the most of this and take one of Burgh Bits & Bites famous tours as a unique way to explore several Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Offering eight different tours, each will immerse you in a local area, connecting you to its community, culture, history and spirit through its unique cuisine.

And it isn’t only food that runs through the city’s history. The legacy of the the Whiskey Rebellion (1791–1794), against the government’s attempt to tax the spirit, has lead to a thriving distillery scene in the city. Small-batch distillerstaking on the legacy of the rebellion, creating craft spirits using local malt and grains, and many local bars and breweries offering immersive experiences for enthusiasts and novices alike.

Pittsburgh’s Appalachian roots have inspired a unique farmer-to-table dining scene across the city, which can be really felt in its network of farmers markets. Serving up local farm fresh produce including eggs, cheese, homemade baked goods, jams and honey.

A meal is only as good as the ingredients used to make it, and these are the places to buy them!

Given its creative approach to food, you won’t be surprised to hear Pittsburgh hosts a thriving arts scene.

The city was the birthplace of legendary pop artist Andy Warhol and today the Andy Warhol Museum stands in his honour as the largest single-artist museum in North America.

For more contemporary art, go to the Mattress Factory, which is known for its immersive, room-scale installations.

Another must-visit spot for arty types is the Pittsburgh Glass Center, which serves as a creative hub for the city’s community of glass artists. And keep an eye out for all the street murals – Pittsburgh is famous for them! Including tributes to iconic Pittsburghers, from rapper Mac Miller to humanitarian and legendary Pirates baseball player, Roberto Clemente.

With so much to see, do, and eat, plus regular flights from the UK and plenty of affordable hotels to choose from, there’s never been a better time to visit this incredible slice of urban America.

If you’re considering a trip, why wait?

Get inspired at visitpittsburgh.com 

Cheer on the black and gold!

Known as the City of Champions, Pittsburgh is home to three top sports teams who all wear black and gold kits.

So why not catch a top-class game while you’re in town? Fans of American football can cheer on the Panthers and Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field.

Alternatively, mix sport with sightseeing by visiting PNC Park, where the Pirates play baseball in a beautiful ground with gorgeous views of the city’s skyline.

For a chance to learn more about the team’s most famous player, Roberto Clemente, pop over to The Clemente Museum – which celebrates his fascinating life on and off the field.

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Northumbria University, based in Newcastle, formally signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration at Durham Cricket Ground on May 10.

The signing took place during the England Women’s One Day International against New Zealand.

The declaration is a global pledge supported by more than 600 representatives from approximately 100 countries.

It promotes equal opportunities for women and girls at every level of sport and physical activity, from grassroots to elite performance.

Professor Louise Bracken, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at Northumbria, said: “Signing the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration is a proud moment for Northumbria, and one that feels absolutely right.

“We are not starting from scratch.

“We have dedicated researchers, talented athletes, committed coaches, and passionate students who are already living these principles every day.

“What the Declaration does is bring all of that together under a shared, internationally recognised commitment.

“It sends a clear signal to our students, our staff, and our partners across the region that gender equity in sport is not an aspiration for us, it is a responsibility we take seriously.

“To sign alongside so many outstanding North East organisations, in the presence of Mayor Kim McGuinness, made this a genuinely significant day for the region.”

The original Brighton Declaration was first established in 1994 and updated in Helsinki in 2014.

It now covers both organised sport and wider physical activity, aiming to remove barriers and increase representation, access and support for women in every sporting context.

Northumbria’s signing builds on work already underway at the university.

Its Women’s Sport and Wellbeing Interdisciplinary Research Team (IDRT) is focused on evidence-based improvements in women’s health, sport, and wellbeing.

The team addresses issues such as menstrual health, menopause, and barriers to participation.

A cross-university group will oversee Northumbria’s progress against the declaration, with updates reported through the university’s gender equality forum.

The declaration carries no legal obligations, but signatories are encouraged to report on progress.

Dr Heather Robson, interim pro vice-chancellor for education and senior sponsor for gender equality at Northumbria, said: “Signing the Declaration is about a meaningful and public commitment, embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into all sport and physical activity strategies at Northumbria ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to participate in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment, regardless of their background, ability or circumstances.”

The declaration’s principles cover a wide spectrum of support, including leadership, research, education, high-performance sport, facilities and grassroots access.

Northumbria’s women’s rugby league team has seen consistent success in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) programme.

The team has won every league and cup competition since joining the league.

The university also introduced a new intramural netball league this year, engaging more than 160 students across 12 teams and nine academic schools and broadening participation for women in sport.

Annamarie Phelps, co-chair of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, said: “The North East is a region defined by its passion for sport, and today it becomes a region defined by its commitment to equity.

“To see this cross-sector collective join our global movement is a testament to the power of collaboration and cooperation to ensure that every woman and girl has an environment she can thrive in.”

After scaling the 4,413 feet up the UK’s highest peak, the trio spent over 11 hours building their huge igloo – working through the night and finishing at 4.24am.

Three pals have built “the UK’s highest igloo” following a tough climb up Ben Nevis.

Stewart Thomson came up with the idea while hiking in the Mourne Mountains, in Northern Ireland. While on the hike, Stewart wondered what it would be like to build an igloo up there in the snow – and so he set about a plan.

Following a trial run on the summit of Slieve Donard, Stewart and his two friends Paul Cox and Donnacha Kimber mac Fhionlaoich – who are all from Northern Ireland – headed across to Scotland in April.

After scaling the 4,413 feet up the UK’s highest peak, the trio spent over 11 hours building their huge igloo – working through the night and finishing at 4.24am.

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Speaking to Belfast Live, Stewart said: “After building an igloo on Slieve Donard I felt that we could build one somewhere higher and thought why not do Ben Nevis so it would be the highest in the UK.

“Although the additional height, 495 metres, proved to be a bigger challenge than we originally thought as we were carrying up our equipment as well and it really took it out of us with the climb itself taking five hours. The snow was also a bit different than the snow on Donard felt icer and heavier.

“If it wasn’t for these special sleds my mum made for us out of parachute material to move the snow blocks around I don’t think we would have had the energy to complete the igloo. In the end the three of us finished it in 11 hours and 38 minutes at 4.20am in the morning!”

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The trio got some much-needed kip in the cosy igloo before inviting seven other hikers in to join them the following morning.

Stewart said: “Inside the igloo is actually very peaceful because the snow insulates all the sound and we slept through until 11am the next day.

“In the morning we got talking to hikers who were arriving and coming over to look at the igloo and we managed to get 10 people inside it at one point.

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“We think this is the highest igloo that has been documented in the UK and it has been a great way for us to challenge ourselves, which is something that we all enjoy doing.”

To follow Stewart on his adventures, follow his Instagram page, here.

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Gabriel, scorer of 26 goals in 29 games, pipped Lamb to the Premier League’s under-18 player of the year award this week but his first involvement was to be booked by Tom Nield for simulation, moments after City’s Dante Headley was cautioned for the same offence in a feisty first half.

Jon Rahm accidentally hit a volunteer with a grass divot during an incident on the 7th hole at the PGA Championship when he angrily smashed his club into the ground

Jon Rahm has apologised to a volunteer after hitting them with a grass divot during an angry reaction to a poor shot at the PGA Championship. Rahm shot an opening round of 69 at Aronimink, with the lowest moment coming on the 7th hole.

The Spaniard played a poor shot out of the rough, sending his ball way over the back of the green on the par four hole. In frustration, he then swung his club once more, taking a big chunk of grass out.

Rahm didn’t immediately notice that the grass had been propelled straight into the face of a nearby volunteer. He then recognised what had happened and apologised to the elderly gentleman he had struck – and reiterated things after his round.

“Thanks for reminding of that,” Rahm told Today’s Golfer. “I got a flier on my second shot that went long . It’s not a good spot. Just out of frustration, I tried to make an air swing just over the grass, and I wasn’t looking, took a divot, and unfortunately I hit a volunteer.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy drops expletive in blunt response to PGA Championship moderator after horror finishREAD MORE: PGA Championship star punished for breaking rule as announcement made

“Unfortunately it hit him in the shoulder and then the face. I couldn’t feel any worse. That’s why I was there apologizing. I need to somehow track him down to give him a present because that’s inexcusable and for something that could be completely avoidable. Whether it was my intention or not, it was just not good.”

It remains to be seen whether Rahm will land himself in hot water with the PGA. But the PGA’s chief championships officer, Kerry Haigh, recently explained that there is a newly-introduced code of conduct that players are expected to abide by.

“The player code of conduct is something that has been a collaborative effort among all the majors and the major tours … We had a number of meetings to discuss the issue and how we could come up with a program that we feel is fair and effective,” Haigh said before the tournament.

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“From our standpoint, which is all I can speak from the championship way, we have adopted the code of conduct … If a player does something sort of egregious, unfortunately, we would give a warning to that player, and if they were to do it again, there would be a two-shot penalty.

“And there’s a sort of number of sort of examples in the code that sort of gives us some guidance.”

The two-time Major winner could therefore find himself issued with a warning for his conduct, regardless of his apology and promise of a gift for the volunteer.

Rahm player alongside Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth and finished his round with back-to-back birdies to finish one under-par following a difficult rollercoaster round.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The results of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2026 are in the history, with the final line-up for the Grand Final confirmed just days before a new champion is crowned.

This year’s edition of the annual song competition is being held in the city of Vienna. Austria won the right to host the Eurovision for the third time after singer JJ won last year’s event in one of the tensest finals of recent memory.

Heading into the week, 35 counties turned up at the Wiener Stadthalle seeking to book their spot in the final. This year’s final is scheduled to take place on Saturday night (May 16).

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Due to only 25 countries competing in the final, a number of iconic Eurovision nations have departed before one of the most watched TV events of the year.

On Tuesday night (May 12), viewers saw Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia, and Sweden book their spot in the final.

The second semi-final was held on Thursday night (May 14). On presenting duties once again was Austrian stars Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, with the pair showcasing their banter.

What made the second semi-final interesting for UK viewers was that they got to vote for their favourite acts. On top of this, UK entrant Look Mum No Computer performed their song Eins, Zwei, Drei.

As is tradition, the UK got sent through to the final automatically due to being part of the ‘Big Four’ with Germany, France and Italy. Spain is normally part of this group, but chose not to compete in this year’s Eurovision in protest against Israel’s inclusion.

Full list of countries and songs in the second semi-final

• France: Monroe – “Regarde!” (Big Four)
• Austria: Cosmo- “Tanzschein” (Hosts)
• United Kingdom: Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” (Big Four)
• Bulgaria: DARA – “Bangaranga”
• Ukraine: Leléka – “Ridnym”
• Norway: Jonas Lovv – “YA YA YA”
• Australia: Delta Goodrem – “Eclipse”
• Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu – “Choke Me”
• Malta: Aidan – “Bella”
• Cyprus: Antigoni – “JALLA”
• Albania: Alis – “Nân”
• Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – “Før Vi Går Hjem”
• Czechia: Daniel Zizka – “CROSSROADS”

It means Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Armenia, Switzerland, and Latvia did not qualify for the final.

A former imam pretended to be a ‘possessed’ Jinn spirit to sexually abuse girls as young as 12 for years.

Abdul Halim Khan, 54, told his victims that harm would come to them through so-called black magic if they reported him, leaving them feeling unable to come forward for years.

Khan was an imam at a mosque in east London and used his position as a trusted religious leader within the community to gain access to his victims and manipulate them.

He arranged meetings in isolated locations, and even their own homes, where he sexually abused victims under the false pretence of being possessed or disguised as a jinn (supernatural spirit).

Melissa Garner, Specialist Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘Abdul Halim Khan abused his position as a trusted religious leader to prey on women and girls over many years, manipulating and controlling them for his own sexual gratification.

‘He used their deeply held beliefs to instil fear and silence them, making them believe their families would be at risk if they ever spoke out.

‘I hope this prosecution sends a clear message that the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly to protect women and girls and bring anyone who commits these appalling crimes to justice.’

During the investigation, further victims were identified after the initial reports were made.

Prosecutors worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to build a case spanning more than a decade of offending.

To support the jury’s understanding of complex evidence involving spiritual beliefs – including references to jinn and black magic – the CPS instructed a cultural expert to provide essential context central to the case.

Khan was sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum term of 20 years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday 14 May.

He was convicted of 21 offences, including rape, sexual assault and child sexual offences, against seven women and girls between 2004 and 2015.

DCI Jennie Ronan, whose team led the investigation, said: ‘Abdul Khan presented himself as a respectable man who could be trusted. However, this was far from the truth, and he instead preyed upon and took advantage of others.

‘Today, I want to focus on the victim-survivors, who have shown remarkable bravery in reporting Khan and great strength throughout the trial.

‘We hope that today’s outcome provides as a measure of comfort as they continue to rebuild their lives and serves as a reminder to anyone who has experienced sexual violence that support is available.

‘We remain absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls, targeting dangerous offenders and removing them from London’s streets.’

The 25 countries that will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 have finally been officially confirmed ahead of this weekend’s grand final.

Vienna, the capital of Austria situated on the Danube River, is the host of the 70th world music event, with the city also having hosted the contest back in 1967 and 2015.

This year’s song contest has already seen a total of 33 countries take to the stage ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday (May 16), which will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle. The top ten countries from each Semi-Final, which took place on Tuesday (May 12) and Thursday (May 14), have made it through.

As one of the Big Five countries – the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy – the UK’s Sam Battle, aka Look Mum No Computer, had already guaranteed a place in the Grand Final and host country Austria was also guaranteed a place in the Grand Final thanks to Nemo’s victory in 2024.

As already mentioned, the UK is represented at this year’s contest by Look Mum No Computer, an English musician, YouTuber, electronics enthusiast, and composer who posts videos about making pro audio gear and synthesisers, as well as original music tracks, with his track, ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’.

For this year’s show, Austrian stars Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski will be presenting the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, while here in the UK, as ever, viewers will also hear Graham Norton’s legendary commentary.

But who has officially made it through to this year’s Eurovision Grand Final? Here is the full list of countries taking part:

• Italy: Sal Da Vinci – “Per Sempre Sì”
• Germany: Sarah Engels – “Fire”
• Greece: Akylas – “Ferto”
• Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”
• Belgium: ESSYLA – “Dancing on the Ice”
• Sweden: FELICIA – “My System”
• Moldova: Satoshi – “Viva, Moldova!”
• Israel: Noam Bettan – “Michelle”
• Serbia: LAVINA – “Kraj Mene”
• Croatia: LELEK – “Andromeda”
• Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – “Sólo Quiero Más”
• Poland: ALICJA – “Pray”
• France: Monroe – “Regarde!”
• Austria: Cosmo- “Tanzschein” (Hosts)
• United Kingdom: Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei”
• Bulgaria: DARA – “Bangaranga”
• Ukraine: Leléka – “Ridnym”
• Norway: Jonas Lovv – “YA YA YA”
• Australia: Delta Goodrem – “Eclipse”
• Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu – “Choke Me”
• Malta: Aidan – “Bella”
• Cyprus: Antigoni – “JALLA”
• Albania: Alis – “Nân”
• Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – “Før Vi Går Hjem”
• Czechia: Daniel Zizka – “CROSSROADS”