Chaotic end to Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Hearts saw pitch invasion before final whistle – while Jambos were left devastated after missing out on title.

Celtic fans clashed with riot police last night following their side’s victory over Hearts in one of the most dramatic title deciders in living memory.

The season finale showdown saw the Hoops beat the Jambos 3-1 in the dying minutes of the match, ending the Edinburgh side’s dream of a first league win in 66 years. The game ended in chaos after Celtic fans invaded the Parkhead pitch before the final whistle and confronted players from both teams.

It came after Callum Osmand’s injury-time goal sealed the title. Jambos captain Lawrence Shankland appeared to be targeted aggressively by rival fans, with other Hearts players and manager Derek McInnes escorted down the tunnel by police and security, in scenes likely to be probed by cops.

Police later said they were taking “decisive action” to disperse crowds in Glasgow city centre after being pelted with bottles and other missiles while assisting a medical emergency. A spokesman said officers faced “significant levels of hostility” in the Trongate area and advised people to leave the area.

After the match the Hearts team, many in tears and still wearing their matchday kits, arrived back at Tynecastle to greet fans following a heroic campaign that had seen them lead the league since September.

Meanwhile, Hoops fans celebrated as Celtic secured their fifth consecutive league crown – and 14th title in 15 years – defying pleas from the club and council not to gather in the city centre.

After the final whistle, thousands poured on to the streets of Glasgow, amassing in the Merchant City and Trongate to party. Out in celebration were mother and daughter Angie and Debbie-Jo Mullen, from the Gorbals, who had been at odds during the nail-biting match.

Angie said: “I was saying to her all day, ‘We’re gonnae win, we’re gonnae win.’ She didn’t believe me.”

Debbie-Jo said: “I didn’t think we were going to do it. Nothing compares to this win, it’s the best. Better than the treble treble, the quadruple treble.”

Jason Kearney, also from Glasgow, said: “This is the sweetest win. We’ve had a terrible season so to go down to the wire, and to see it delivered on the last day against a team that’s been top since Sep-tember, we’re on cloud nine.”

Chanting crowds kept gathering into the evening at Trongate amid a boozy party atmosphere, with pyrotechnics set off, fans ­clamb- ering up lampposts and traffic lights and police keeping a watchful eye. PJ Brown, from Uddingston, Lanarkshire, said: “I’m feeling fantastic. Two months ago, I did not see this coming.”

Hoops diehard Stan Frontczak told how he’d travelled up from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, to be in Glasgow for the match. He said: “I swear one day they’re going to give me a heart attack. You’ve just got to hang in there. Anything’s possible.” Families with young kids could also be found soaking up the atmosphere.

Mum Megan, who was there with young son Jack and his dad Gerry, said: “We’re ecstatic, buzzing. It’s amazing to make memories like this. We’ll never forget it.”

There was a heavy police presence in Glasgow for the match and ahead of kick-off as officers erected a cordon in the Gallowgate to protect the Mercat building.

As a precaution, glass was removed from bus stop shelters, while the club urged supporters to avoid mass ­gatherings that could have a “high impact” on the city.

Celtic had faced criticism from Police Scotland over the lack of an organised event and concerns about possible disorder.

For Hearts, either a draw or a win would have delivered the Jambos their first league title since 1960 and brought it back to Edinburgh. No team from outside Glasgow has lifted the trophy since Aberdeen 41 years ago.

The final-day showdown was confirmed last Wednesday after Celtic defeated Motherwell in a match that included a controversial VAR-awarded penalty in the 99th minute. Yesterday afternoon, Hearts fans headed home to Edinburgh devastated despite their exceptional season.

Pubs near Hearts’ Tynecastle stadium were also full long before kick-off as fans poured in filled with hope, with queues out the doors. The Haymarket Bar was filled to capacity with maroon shirts, with some fans watching through the windows.

Removal men Connor Orphant and Ciaran Foulsner watched nervously only to be left gutted – but still proud – at the final whistle. Connor, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, said: “Hearts made us believe. It wasn’t to be but I’m convinced this is only the start for this team. I’m actually the proudest I’ve ever been. It’s onwards and upwards for Hearts.”

Fellow Jambo Chris Thomson, from Kinross, said: “I’m speechless after watching that. We deserved a lot more after the season we’ve had.”

Fraser Donaldson, who lives in Glasgow, travelled to Edinburgh and brought his Rangers-supporting son to the pub in the hope of converting him. Fraser said: “Before this season, I never thought I’d see Hearts win the league. We got so close. It was VAR again. C’est la vie.”

Plant machinery dealer Richard Rose said: “We’ll drown our sorrows today then come back stronger next year. We’ve been phenomenal.”

Twins Alan and Iain Gray, both ­lifelong Hearts fans and season ticket holders, celebrated their 77th birthday together watching the match in Iain’s home in Edinburgh.

Hearts later branded scenes at Parkhead “shameful, menacing and threatening”. A statement added: “Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing.”

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Today, Saturday, May 16, four vehicles were involved in a collision along the M60 between junction 12 and Junction 13 (Swinton).

According to National Highways, earlier in the day one of the four lanes were closed along the stretch of motorway while recovery took place.

Motorists faced delays of up to 45 minutes and at around 5:30pm the congestion began to clear.

Four fire engines attended the scene at around 3:25pm, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS) said.

One male casualty was assessed at the scene and firefighters left after around 45 minutes.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 3.25pm on Saturday 16 May, four fire appliances from across Greater Manchester were called to attend a road traffic collision involving four vehicles on the M60 between junctions 12 and 13.

“Crews arrived quickly and made the area safe. One male casualty was assessed by North West Ambulance Service at the scene.

“Firefighters departed after approximately 45 minutes at the scene.”

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) have been contacted for comment.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said injuries appeared to be ‘walking wounded’ aside from ‘a suspected fractured ankle’.

Fans of cosy crime are in for a treat when Midsomer Murders – The Killings at Badger’s Drift makes its theatrical world premiere at Darlington Hippodrome.

The stage adaptation of the much-loved TV drama runs from Tuesday, May 19 to Saturday, May 23, with evening performances from 7.30pm.

The production brings the very first Midsomer mystery to the stage, revisiting the seemingly tranquil village of Badger’s Drift where the death of well-loved spinster Emily Simpson shocks the community.

Her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to believe it was an accident, prompting DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy to dig beneath the village’s picture-postcard surface.

As their investigation unfolds, they uncover hidden passions, long-buried secrets, and simmering rivalries that turn this corner of rural England into the deadliest county in the country.

Audiences can expect eccentric villagers, red herrings, and a string of twists leading to an unforgettable reveal in a classic whodunnit that promises to keep them on the edge of their seats.

The show aims to capture the wit, charm, and slow-burn suspense that have made Midsomer Murders a staple of Sunday-night television while staying true to Caroline Graham’s original novel The Killings at Badger’s Drift and the long-running ITV series.

In a particular coup for fans, the cast is led by Daniel Casey as Inspector Barnaby, returning to the world of Midsomer after originally starring as DS Gavin Troy on television.

For tickets visit the Darlington Hippodrome website or contact the box office on 01324 405405.

Humberside Police are investigating a report of a burglary that took place in Goole earlier this week.

The incident occurred in Woodfield Road between 8.15pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday (May 13).

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“Offender(s) approach the property and offer to fix some loose tiles. Whilst completing the work suspects have then stolen money from within the property,” said a spokesperson for the force.

If you have any CCTV footage (including video doorbell), saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around this time or have any information about the offenders, please contact Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101

Alternatively, you could call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their website.

Please quote occurrence ref: 26*000065519 when providing information.

Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march has been trolled by anti-Brexit political campaign group Led By Donkeys.

The group, founded in 2018 by four dads who all have links to Greenpeace, shared a video that revealed they ‘sneaked’ the electronic screen into today’s march.

Police estimated that around 60,000 attended the central London march, organised by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who told crowds to prepare for the ‘battle of Britain’ on Parliament Square.

Unbeknownst to the crowds, Led By Donkeys, whose politics are opposed to Robinson’s anti-immigrant rhetoric, was about to unfurl their own satirical stunt.

It came in the form of an electronic screen, which at face value appeared in keeping with the day’s patriotic, British-first mantra.

And while projecting a Union Jack flag drew little notice initially, pro-migration messages began gradually appearing.

One statement said: ‘Immigration makes Britain brilliant.’

This drew double takes from several passing Unite the Kingdom protesters, especially as the word ‘brilliant’ repeatedly flashed.

The video then featured a series of British stars who have were born abroad or have foreign heritage, like the late singer George Michael, whose father was a Cypriot immigrant, Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, who was born in Somalia, and singer Dua Lipa, whose Kosovan Albanian parents came to the UK in the 1990s after Yugoslavia fell apart.

At this point, more protesters realised what was going on and started to jeer as the screen cut to Star Wars actor John Boyega, who is of Nigerian descent.

England cricketer Moeen Ali, whose grandfather was from Kashmir, Luther and Wire actor Idris Elba, whose parents emigrated to the UK from Sierra Leone, and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, whose parents were Indian Gujarati, also made an appearance.

Other stars included singer Rita Ora, who was born in Kosovo, Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill, whose father is Jamaican, and Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, a second-generation British Bangladeshi.

British Indian actor Ben Kingsley and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who has Kenyan heritage, were the final stars featured on the screen.

As the crowd’s outrage grew in volume and venom, it ended with the message: ‘If you go back far enough…

‘We’re all immigrants.’

At this point, a line of police officers stood in front of the screen as images of various famous Brits, including Queen Elizabeth II, Three Lions captain Harry Kane and wartime leader Winston Churchill, appeared.

One man can be heard to scream ‘smash it up’ as the screen was filled with various famous Brits of all colours and creeds before it went back to just displaying the Union Jack.

At this point, police officers can be seen looking at the screen for a way to switch it off in an apparent attempt to pacify the situation.

They were without success, initially at least, which prompted the increasingly angry crowd to chant ‘off’.

When the montage ended, the screen mockingly told protesters to ‘stay hydrated’.

This message lasted for several seconds before the original message about immigration making ‘Britain brilliant’ began again before the recording cut.

It is not currently known how long the video played for before it was switched off.

The Met deployed around 4,000 officers to police this event as well as a counter-demonstration, which was attended by Stand Up To Racism, and the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Before the speeches, crowds waved flags with pro-Trump slogans, and ‘Jesus is the way of life’.

A strong smell of cannabis was observed and many appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, Metro saw.

When he addressed the crowd, Robinson endorsed Reform, Restore and the Conservative Party.

He said: ‘I’m going to tell you that you have to join a political party.

‘I don’t care if it’s Reform, if it’s Advance, or it’s Restore, or it’s the Conservative Party. We have to locally get involved in politics.’

Photos of Donald Trump also received widespread applause.

However, when Robinson mentioned embattled Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s name, loud boos rang through the crowd.

In a statement at 7.30pm, the Met said there were 43 arrests at the two protests and an additional 22 at the FA Cup Final.

‘Four officers were assaulted today, fortunately, none seriously,’ it said.

‘A further six officers were subjected to hate crime offences.’

London mayor Sadiq Khan thanked the Met officers for all their hard work as the protests appeared to wind down.

In an apparent barb at Robinson’s march, he added: ‘Londoners will always reject those who seek to divide our communities.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — A Rwandan suspect charged in connection with the 1994 genocide died in a hospital while in custody in The Hague, Netherlands, a U.N. court said Saturday, three years after the court declared him unfit to continue standing trial.

Félicien Kabuga, 91, was accused of encouraging and bankrolling the mass killing of Rwanda’s Tutsi minority. His trial began in 2022, nearly three decades after the 100-day massacre that left 800,000 dead.

In 2023, the judges declared him unfit to continue standing trial because he had dementia and said they would establish a procedure to continue hearing evidence without the possibility of convicting him.

On Saturday, the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals said in a statement that Kabuga died while hospitalized in The Hague, and the medical officer of the U.N. Detention Unit was notified immediately.

An investigation into his death has been ordered to establish the circumstances of how he died, the statement said.

An arrest warrant for Kabuga was issued in 2013, and a $5 million bounty was announced. He was arrested in 2020 in France, and his trial started in 2022.

Kabuga was charged with genocide, incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, as well as persecution, extermination and murder. He pleaded not guilty. If he had been convicted, he would have faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

After the court declared him unfit to stand trial, he remained in detention, pending the resolution of the issue of his provisional release to a state willing to accept him on its territory.

His lawyer had said that he wouldn’t return to his home country, Rwanda, which had offered to take him, as he feared he would be mistreated.

The declaration that he was unfit for trial angered many genocide survivors in Rwanda, who felt his crimes deserved the maximum sentence.

The genocide was triggered on April 6, 1994, when a plane carrying President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down and crashed in the capital, Kigali, killing the leader who, like the majority of Rwandans, was an ethnic Hutu. Kabuga’s daughter married Habyarimana’s son.

This year’s event is taking place in Austria, following the country’s win last year.

With 25 countries taking part, viewers in the UK can vote for any of the other 24 countries involved.

Here is how those watching in the UK can vote in tonight’s contest.

How to vote in Eurovision 2026 in the UK

In the UK, you can vote online and can vote up to 10 times.

You can also vote using the Eurovision app, which can be downloaded on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.

All votes cost 15p each to cast, whether you use the website or the app.

As the UK is a participating country, instructions on how to vote will be on screen during the broadcast.

Viewers in the UK cannot vote for their own country, and any votes from the UK for the UK act will not count.

Voting will open just before the first song is performed and will stay open through all the performances, and for approximately 40 minutes after the last song has been performed.

How does scoring work in Eurovision?

In the final, the scores for each country are calculated on both the results of the public televoting and the results of the national juries.

For the national jury vote of each country, the score of each song in each country is 12 points for the top-ranked country, 10 points for the second country, eight points for the third country, seven points for the fourth country, and down to one point for the song having obtained the tenth-best rank.

The points awarded from the public vote from each country for each song works by adding 12 points to the song that obtained the highest number of votes.

From here, 10 points go to the song with the second most votes, eight to third, seven to the next, down to one for the tenth-highest.

Look Mum No Computer is the UK’s entry for Eurovision this year (Image: BBC/EBU)

The audience in each participating country will award a total of 58 points, and the audience voting online from non-participating countries will also award a total of 58 points.

The jury in each of the 37 participating countries will also award a total of 58 points.

The winner is the act with the highest combined points.

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What is the running order for the Eurovision 2026 final?

Denmark will open the show, with Austria performing last.

The UK’s entry, Look Mum No Computer, will perform his song, Eins, Zwei, Drei, 14th.

Here is the full running order for Eurovision 2026:

1. Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før Vi Går Hjem
2. Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire
3. Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle
4. Belgium: ESSYLA – Dancing on the Ice
5. Albania: Alis – Nân
6. Greece: Akylas – Ferto
7. Ukraine: LELÉKA – Ridnym
8. Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse
9. Serbia: LAVINA – Kraj Mene
10. Malta: AIDAN – Bella
11. Czechia: Daniel Zizka – CROSSROADS
12. Bulgaria: DARA – Bangaranga
13. Croatia: LELEK – Andromeda
14. United Kingdom: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER – Eins, Zwei, Drei
15. Monroe – Regarde!
16. Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova!
17. Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
18. Poland: ALICJA – Pray
19. Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Sólo Quiero Más
20. Sweden: FELICIA – My System
21. Cyprus: Antigoni – JALLA
22. Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per Sempre Sì
23. Norway: JONAS LOVV – YA YA YA
24. Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me
25. Austria: COSMÓ – Tanzschein

Are you watching Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comments.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new guidance explaining what banks and financial institutions may be asked to check under new benefit Eligibility Verification powers

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued fresh guidance outlining what banks and financial institutions may be required to examine under new benefit Eligibility Verification powers.

The new framework is part of the UK Government’s broader effort to tackle fraud and error within the welfare system and will initially cover people receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Through the Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM), banks may be obliged to review accounts in receipt of certain DWP benefits and flag cases where accounts display particular “eligibility indicators” connected to benefit regulations.

The DWP stated the reviews are intended to help detect incorrect payments resulting from fraud, claimant error or official error, while also stopping people from accumulating substantial overpayments that subsequently require repayment.

According to the new Code of Practice on Eligibility Verification Notices, banks could be requested to highlight accounts where savings surpass benefit thresholds, reports the Daily Record.

For Universal Credit, this might involve accounts containing more than £16,000, which represents the upper capital limit for the benefit.

The guidance also indicates the DWP may seek information relating to evidence a claimant has remained abroad longer than benefit rules typically permit.

Nevertheless, the DWP emphasised there are stringent legal restrictions on what banks can disclose. The Code stipulates that financial institutions are forbidden from disclosing transaction details, which means the DWP is unable to access what people are purchasing, where they shop, or their individual spending patterns.

Banks are equally prohibited from sharing “special category data”, including details relating to political opinions, religious beliefs, ethnicity, or health information.

The guidance states: “DWP is prohibited by law from sharing personal data with financial institutions under this power, and from requesting transaction information and special category data.”

What banks cannot share

The document further clarifies that the DWP is not permitted to request banks to search for named benefit claimants.

The code also repeatedly stresses strict limits apply to the information banks can provide.

DWP said financial institutions are prohibited by law from sharing:

• Transaction histories
• Spending information
• Financial statements
• Special category data such as political opinions, religion or ethnicity

Rather than this, financial institutions would apply eligibility criteria across their own systems, returning only limited information where accounts satisfy the indicators outlined in an Eligibility Verification Notice (EVN).

The information that may be passed on to the DWP includes account details, names and dates of birth associated with accounts, and particulars demonstrating how an account met the eligibility indicator.

Examples might include confirmation that savings surpassed a certain threshold, or evidence that an account had been regularly used outside the UK.

The DWP emphasised that information returned by banks does not automatically indicate that an individual has acted improperly. The Code states: “No decisions about benefit entitlement will be made automatically on this information alone.”

Rather, the DWP must examine the information alongside existing evidence held within a claim before determining whether further investigation is warranted.

The guidance further confirms that a “Test and Learn” rollout phase will take place, initially involving a limited number of financial institutions prior to any wider expansion.

Throughout this period, the DWP has stated it will evaluate the system’s effectiveness, the reliability of the data, and whether protective measures are functioning as intended before proceeding with broader implementation.

The DWP estimates that benefit fraud and error led to £9.6 billion in overpayments during the 2025/26 financial year.

VIENNA (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest reached its sequin-drenched final on Saturday, with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of fans, or the opposition of critics who think Israel shouldn’t be invited to the party.

After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries are taking to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event.

The campy, colorful contest has been likened to the World Cup with songs instead of soccer. And like global sports, it often becomes entangled in politics. The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotting in protest.

Israeli competitor Noam Bettan was cheered as he performed “Michelle,” a rock ballad in Hebrew, French and English. Earlier in the week, four people were ejected for trying to disrupt his semifinal performance. Then came “Dancing on the Ice,” a techno-ballad by Belgium’s Essyla.

Ukrainian singer Leléka offered the ethereal, beautiful “Ridnym,” and Australian star Delta Goodrem showed what a diva should be like with her slick midtempo ballad “Eclipse” — and a bravura performance that sees her raised into the air above a glittery piano. A European country would likely host for Australia next year if she wins.

Serbian metal band Lavina provided a dramatic change of pace with the angsty “Kraj Mene.”

Newcomers looking to grasp the eclectic essence of Eurovision and its interplay of pop and politics should look no further than two of the fan favorites to emerge during a week that saw two semifinals ahead of the grand finale.

Rapper Satoshi’s ebullient “Viva, Moldova” is a bouncy, pro-European song from a country moving toward the European Union after decades in Moscow’s orbit. Greek artist Akylas’ song “Ferto,” or “Bring It,” provides a playful take on conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis.

Both are likely to score highly with viewers, though national juries, which tend to be more impressed by technical excellence, may be less impressed. Winners are chosen by a mix of votes from the two, translated into points by a system confusing even to Eurovision fans. The act with the most points wins, and their country gets to host the competition next year.

Finland is the favorite in betting odds with “Liekinheitin,” or “Flamethrower,” a fiery duet between the singing of pop star Pete Parkkonen and the fiddling of classical violinist Linda Lampenius.

But Eurovision often produces surprises.

Street protests opposing Israel’s inclusion over the conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza have been smaller in Vienna than at the 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland.

Hundreds marched near the contest arena before Saturday’s final, some holding placards saying “Block Eurovision.” Pro-Palestinian groups also staged an outdoor concert on Friday under the banner “No stage for genocide.”

“Inviting Israel on such a beautiful stage as the Eurovision Song Contest stage is an affront to all the people who believe in humanity, who believe in love and togetherness,” said Congolese-Austrian artist Patrick Bongola, one of the organizers.

The five-nation boycott is a revenue and viewership blow to an event that organizers say was watched by 166 million people around the world last year. This year’s field of 35 contestants is the smallest since 2003.

Still, Eurovision is eyeing expansion, with a spinoff Eurovision Song Contest Asia due to take place in Bangkok in November.

Eurovision director Martin Green urged viewers to put politics aside and enjoy the “brilliant, wonderful, heartfelt show” that is the competition’s grand final.

Vuletic says political controversy is nothing new. The first Eurovision boycott was in 1969 — ironically, by Austria, which refused to send a delegation to Spain under dictator Francisco Franco.

“We’ve seen very politicized editions of the contest in the recent past,” Vuletic said, including the 2009 contest in Russia, Azerbaijan’s turn as host in 2012 and the 2024 competition in Sweden, marred by protests and the expulsion of a competitor after a backstage altercation

“All of them were very much mired in political controversy, yet Eurovision continues,” he said.

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Viewers in participating countries can vote up to 10 times by phone or text message during and for a short time after the show, but aren’t allowed to vote for their own country’s act. Viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote online at www.esc.vote.

___

Associated Press writers Hilary Fox and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this report.