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NewsBeat

Two rushed to hospital after car flips on its roof and fuel spills across major motorway

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Two rushed to hospital after car flips on its roof and fuel spills across major motorway

TWO people have been rushed to hospital after a horror crash saw a car flip on its roof and fuel spill across a major motorway.

The emergency services were called just before 9pm to the eastbound carriageway of the M62 on Sunday evening.

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The eastbound side of the M62 motorway completely closed due to the accident Credit: National Highways
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A car flipped on its roof in the horror crash, with two people being taken to hospital Credit: National Highways

The motorway was closed between J21 for Milnrow and J22 for Denshaw following the incident.

Two people were taken to hospital by paramedics.

Their condition is not yet known.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just before 9pm on Sunday 17 May, fire crews were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the M62 eastbound between junctions 21 and 22.

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“Two fire engines from Rochdale and Hollins stations were quickly mobilised to the incident.

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“Firefighters helped right one of the vehicles, which had overturned onto its roof, and made the area safe.

“Two people were taken to hospital by North West Ambulance Service.

“Fire crews were at the scene for about an hour.”

Diversions were put in place following the accident, with the eastbound side of the motorway completely closed.

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Highways officers managed the traffic with a number of police vehicles in attendance.

A statement from National Highways said: “The M62 in Greater Manchester is closed eastbound between J21 (Milnrow) and J22 (Denshaw) due to a single vehicle collision which occurred shortly before 21:00 on 17th May.

“As a result of the collision, a large amount of fuel has spilled across the carriageway.

“Emergency services are in attendance, along with National Highways Traffic Officers who are assisting with traffic management.

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“Traffic caught within the closure is in the process of being released past the scene of the incident on the hard shoulder.

“Service providers are in attendance to assist with the clean-up of the carriageway and recovery services are also in attendance to recover the vehicle involved.”

In an update from National Highways, it said the J21 eastbound entry slip road had now re-opened.

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Outrage as picture shows trans jail lover Alex Stewart and child killer girlfriend Nyomi Fee

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Daily Record

Nyomi Fee and long-time partner Alexandra Stewart smiled for the picture inside HMP Greenock.

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Scotland’s most controversial jail couple posed for a gay Pride celebration behind bars.

Child killer Nyomi Fee and long-time partner Alexandra Stewart – a biological male who murdered a man in 2013 – smiled for the camera inside Darroch Hall at HMP Greenock.

The photo was taken in happier times for the pair, as the Daily Record revealed recently that they have broken off their engagement.

Fee, who is dwarfed by her hulking fiancee in the photo, is said to still be on “good friends” terms with Stewart, who was formerly known as Alan Baker but chose to live as a woman before being jailed for the murder of John Weir, who he met via a gay dating app.

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Last month, the Daily Record revealed that Stewart, 38, had been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a female prisoner in the hairdresser at HMP Greenock.

We cannot show Stewart’s face for legal reasons but one former prisoner said: “This photo will speak 1000 words about the reality facing women in jails, who are forced to live ­alongside men. Alex is not just a man but a very large and strong one at that.”

The source added: “Women are told that these trans prisoners are women and they are told they have to refer to them as women and they have to address them by their women’s name or they will be in trouble over hate crimes. It’s stark raving mad.

“The madness of it all is only compounded by the fact they were celebrating a Pride event. Women prisoners have been gaslit for years, forced to acknowledge the supposedly gay relationship between Nyomi and Alex.

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“We know ­sexuality can be complex but plenty of people were asking how exactly a sexual ­relationship between a man and a woman could be a gay one.”

The presence of Stewart in a women’s prison has been a thorny issue for years, leading to a focus on the policy of the Scottish Prison Service, which allows people who declare themselves to be trans female to be regarded as such after a risk ­assessment.

A UK Supreme Court ruling last year backed the contention of the For Women Scotland group, which argued that a woman is defined by biology.

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FWS director Susan Smith said the photo of Stewart will be jarring for many, as they believe it clearly displays a large man in a women’s jail.

The group claims the visual impact is similar to another photo of Isla Bryson, who turned up to the High Court in Glasgow wearing tight leggings that clearly revealed his biological gender to be male.

Bryson, born Adam Graham, opted to declare himself a woman after being accused of two rapes, for which he was convicted in 2023, leading to an eight-year jail sentence. The case made world news and a decision to house the rapist in a women’s jail, HMP Stirling, was reversed.

FWS’s Smith said of the Stewart-Fee picture: “This photo shows the reality faced by women inside HMP Greenock and other establishments, where they have been forced to say a man is a woman just because the Scottish Government said that was the case.

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“Looking at that picture, it would seem quite obvious that this is a man – and a very large man at that. And when someone like that is around women who often have backgrounds of trauma and abuse, they are going to feel unnerved and frightened.

“That will be compounded if the women are being forced to pretend that this is a woman just like them. We know from previous reports that women were being punished for supposedly misgendering prisoners, and one case featured a woman who was put on trial for not using the right pronouns and names and making comments about somebody being male.

“So not only are these women then going to be intimidated by someone like this, they’re going to be ­frightened that anything they say out of that upsets them or that they think is out of order will end up with them being punished – it’s quite ­outrageous.”

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Smith said 70 per cent of women in prisons have suffered head trauma and the majority of them are the victims of domestic violence.

She said: “They’re often in prison because of issues around addiction or due to abusive relationships. They deserve to be protected and to be given a proper chance of ­rehabilitation.

“They can’t just be used for some mad expert social experiment and Scotland should stop this mixing of men and women in jails immediately.”

The Record revealed last month that Stewart was being held in segregation in the female wing of HMP Greenock since being accused of a sexual attack there, which led to their arrest and subsequent charge. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

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Scissors killer Jayney Sutherley, 52, was accused last year at Greenock Sheriff Court of waging a transphobic hate campaign against Stewart and “misgendering” him.

The case was found not proven but evidence presented to court included claims that Fee and Stewart had a sexual relationship behind bars. In that case, Sheriff Thomas Millar stated that referring to trans women as men is not transphobia.

In the Supreme Court case last year, three senior judges ruled that when the term “woman” is used in the Equality Act it means a biological woman, and “sex” means biological sex.

The Scottish Government said it respected the ruling but argued it did not override the upholding of ­protections set out in the European ­Convention on Human Rights.

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There were a total of 19 transgender inmates in Scotland’s jails last June. It is believed only two trans women remain in the female estate. Fee is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of her two-and-a-half year old stepson Liam at his home in Thornton, near ­Glenrothes, in 2014, as is her then partner Rachel Fee, or Trelfa.

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Bikes and power tools stolen from Temple Hirst in burglary

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Stolen motorhome located by police drone in Hartlepool

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after a burglary from a barn on the main road in Temple Hirst, near Selby, that took place over the weekend.

It took place between 9pm on Friday, May 15, and 12.30pm on Saturday, May 16, and saw ‘a number of high-value items’ stolen – including two bikes and power tools.


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“We are particularly interested in any footage that may show two unidentified males in the area during the stated times,” said a spokesperson for the force.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, or who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to come forward.

If you have any information, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12260088860.

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Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg with Maggie Innes

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Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg with Maggie Innes

The Sun’s world famous Mystic Meg horoscope column has entertained readers for decades with predictions for their love lives, money and careers.

Read on to see what Mystic Meg with Maggie Innes has written in the stars for you today. 

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

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You say goodbye to the Mars side of you that never wants to wait – and there’s a new peace that’s possible as a result, right through your chart.

MYSTIC MEG

You will start, and stay, in control if you remember what and who you value most

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MYSTIC MEG

Single? Your soulmate walks with such a confident style

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So if you need more time for a decision or a date, you can ask for it now.

Your communication sector thrives on the unusual – find your unique way to express ideas.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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Your weekly horoscope for Monday

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

You can be so patient and strong – but sometimes, you need to say: “Enough!” This could be one of those days.

If someone has been pushing your buttons, now you can push back.

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At work, step forward for a role you may not be 100 per cent qualified for, yet.

A time of waiting in the wings is over – your spotlight awaits.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

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May 22 to June 21

As Mercury takes the reins in your personal affairs, you start to see ways through cash and communication barriers.

Nothing is out of your reach when you turn panic into logic and work through the options.

In love, feelings are the foundation of a bond, but it’s shared honesty and generosity that shelters them.

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Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

There’s a real sense of nostalgia in your chart today – so it’s worth looking back at dates and faces from the past and checking if there’s anything you’ve missed.

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Your heart could be hinting at a second chance.

If you feel forced into a community or career role, you do have the planet support to refuse.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

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July 23 to August 23

Your success sector is red- hot with potential – so how will you use this for the next few weeks?

First up, refocus on a work dream you have shelved lately – as the perfect moment can be coming.

You also have the ability to start, or restart, special love connections. But this time, do match a partner’s passion pace.

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Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

If the future has felt muddled for a while, your Mercury-based clarity helps you see a clear path ahead.

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This may mean swapping around some goals, and trying a new timetable.

But the moment you make a plan, it can feel so right. As for love, there’s one more day of Venus ambition – so will you make a move by tonight?

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

As for love, fling your heart open to new experiences Credit: Getty

♎ LIBRA

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September 23 to October 23

You could be surprised by deep feelings that show themselves under your usual sunny exterior, but they do demand your attention.

Mars is stirring up all kinds of things, from ambition and lust, to risk-taking – your whole attitude can be up for reinvention.

So be ready to make some big choices.

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Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

List of 12 star signs

The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.

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♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Tune into the emotional depths of the moon today – and find the final energy you need to push a change forward.

Yes, you may worry about how your actions affect others, but this should not stop you doing what is right for you.

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Family plans may twist and turn, but judge only what people do, not who they are.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

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It’s so tempting to make a big gesture, at work or at home. But long-term, it’s better to stick to dull talks than try exciting action.

You are much closer to an agreement than you may imagine.

In love, however, let your imagination fly free – make those couple suggestions, or give an unlikely date a chance.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Everything that’s spontaneous in your chart is suddenly on high alert – not always comfortable for such a plan-ahead sign as yourself.

But the planets are clear on one thing today – whatever comes your way, you can cope.

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Even better, you can triumph. So face the future with a confident smile.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Facing a choice between two cash sources, or demands? Listen to instincts Credit: Supplied

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

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Instead of looking the other way in a family, face any differences head on today – and seek a shared solution.

You need to know you have tried. You have such a creative moon chart, ideas may surprise you, both in their subject matter and their strength.

Today can be a turning point for love, as you break from the past.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Your Mars-inspired direct approach can be a gift – but it’s one to use carefully.

Saying exactly what you think, at work or at home, may not be the best way to keep discussions going, so do keep some of that special Pisces understanding in the mix.

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A sexy whisper with “P” can turn into something wild.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

  • Our much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column has been kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

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Britain’s cheapest places for first-time buyers revealed

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Britain’s cheapest places for first-time buyers revealed

BRITAIN’S cheapest locations for first-time buyers have been revealed – with average house prices from just £147,353.

The average age of first-time buyers in some of the most affordable spots in the UK is as low as 27, according to a new research by Lloyds bank.

East Ayrshire in Scotland was identified as the least expensive location, looking at the average price paid by people buying their first home.

The average price for first-time buyers there is £147,353, Lloyds said, adding that the area is well connected to Scotland’s central belt, with routes into Glasgow and nearby employment hubs.

It was followed by another Scottish location – Iverclyde – with average prices at £149,929.

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Blackpool came in third place, with the average first-time buyer paying £150,780 for a property.

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These are the most affordable areas for first-time buyers in each UK region:

  • East Midlands, Bolsover, £191,564
  • East of England, Great Yarmouth, £236,447
  • London, Barking and Dagenham, £363,748
  • North East, South Tyneside, £157,551
  • North West, Blackpool, £150,780
  • Northern Ireland, Mid and East Antrim, £175,308
  • Scotland, East Ayrshire, £147,353
  • South East, Gosport, £228,617
  • South West, Plymouth, £216,166
  • Wales, Merthyr Tydfil, £156,498
  • West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, £171,569
  • Yorkshire and the Humber, Kingston upon Hull, £151,171

Lloyds also looked at the places with the youngest first-time buyers in the country, where Gen-Z are getting on the property ladder.

The Ribble Valley in Lancashire came out on top, with an average first-time buyer age of 27 – five years younger than the average age across the UK of 32.

Homes here cost an average of £219,980.

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South Staffordshire in the West Midlands also has an average first-time buyer age of 27 (with homes costing £259,678 on average) as well as Pendle in the North West of the country (at £188,136 for an average home).

Thee are the top 10 areas with the youngest average UK first-time buyer ages:

  • Ribble Valley, North West; average age: 27.0; average first-time buyer house price: £219,980
  • South Staffordshire, West Midlands, 27.8, £259,678
  • Pendle, North West, 27.9, £188,136
  • Rutland, East Midlands, 28.1, £281,130
  • Cannock Chase, West Midlands, 28.3, £213,399
  • North Norfolk, Eastern England, 28.4, £242,318
  • Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands, 28.5, £219,616
  • Chorley, North West, 28.7, £221,232
  • Mid Suffolk, Eastern England, 28.7, £289,372
  • Westmorland and Furness, North West, 28.8, £212,848

Lloyds head of mortgages Amanda Bryden said: “Our research shows there are still genuine pockets of value for first‑time buyers, particularly for those with an open‑mind who are willing to be flexible on location and property type.

“With ongoing cost of living pressures and wider economic uncertainty, it’s completely understandable that some people are feeling cautious.

“But there are opportunities out there, and for many buyers, that flexibility can make a real difference.”

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The research is based on Lloyds Banking Group’s housing statistics database, drawing on mortgage approval data from customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

Average house prices were calculated covering the 12 months to February.

It comes after Lloyds announced it is launching a new low-deposit mortgage today that could help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a deposit as low as £5,000.

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Horwich Wanderers Run Club strengthens safety as numbers rise

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Horwich Wanderers Run Club strengthens safety as numbers rise

Wanderers Run Club, with a subtle nod to Bolton Wanderers and the wandering nature of runners, is becoming a regular fixture on Bolton’s streets.

The free club was set up by friends Toby Minion and Matt Sharrocks.

Since launching in February, it has attracted significant interest, gaining over 1,000 followers on Instagram (@WanderersRC).

Due to growing demand, Toby and Matt have become first-aid trained to ensure safety is a top priority.

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Toby said: “From the very beginning, runner safety has been at the heart of what we do.

“As this community continues to grow, that responsibility only becomes more important.

“We host a weekly run that regularly attracts 60-plus runners, and on alternate weeks we also put on a 10k run and a Sunday 5k.

Wanderers Run Club“We’re not elite athletes, just everyday runners who wanted to create a welcoming environment where people can run and socialise” (Image: Supplied)

“On those weeks, we welcome well over 100 runners across the club, which makes preparation, care and safety a top priority for us.

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“That’s why today we completed a full-day first aid course, gaining the skills needed should a worst-case scenario ever arise.

“Hopefully we never need to use them, but we want every runner, new or old, to feel confident knowing they are in safe hands.

Wanderers Run ClubDozens of runners attend each week (Image: Wanderers Run Club)

“A huge thank you to Alliance Learning in Horwich, who saw the positive impact this community is having and generously offered us this course completely free of charge to support the safety of our runners.

“They were amazing throughout, and Jane, our instructor, was excellent.”

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The best way to keep up to date with the runs and locations is through the club’s Instagram page.

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This SNP Government will get on with the work of delivering what we promised

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Daily Record

In his first column for the Record since his party’s election victory on May 7, the First Minister says there is “clear momentum” behind Scotland’s “right to decide our own future”.

I want to speak directly to Record readers today, to thank you for putting your trust in me to serve for another five years as your First Minister.

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Because it is clear – from where and who voted for the SNP – that Record readers emphatically supported us. So let me say today – we will not let you down.

The landslide SNP win – and the fact that the people of this country have elected the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in the history of the Parliament – show me two things.

It shows the clear momentum that is building behind Scotland’s right to decide our own future. Westminster can no longer simply say no – and it is welcome that this is now being accepted by Labour MSPs and by the Prime Minister himself.

It also shows me that people want a Scottish Government working for Scotland that will take action on the things that matter most to them.

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Over the election campaign, I made clear that I would put the cost of living at the top of my agenda – and that is exactly how I will govern.

I know that people are struggling as costs just seem to go up and up. Energy bills, petrol, the weekly shop and so much more are causing people real hardship.

READ MORE: Scottish Labour MP claims ‘no mood’ among members to force out Anas Sarwar as party leaderREAD MORE: ‘Independence not impossible but Scotland is currently like a bust company’ says Labour donor

So where we have powers, we will act quickly. This week, I will appoint the new SNP ministerial team and we will immediately be getting on with the work of delivering what we promised.

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In the first 100 days of the new government, we will open the scheme offering up to £10,000 in support to first time buyers struggling to afford a deposit for a house.

We will reduce the cost of the commute, extending the £2 bus fare cap to Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, and Inverclyde – before we roll it out across Scotland.

And on food prices, we will publish the draft law to put in place a legal price cap on essential food items like bread, eggs and chicken in big supermarkets – making good food more affordable.

But other costs – like electricity and petrol prices – are still under the control of a Westminster government that is doing nothing to support people.

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People are seeing that contrast – and coming to the conclusion that these decisions should be taken in Scotland as well with the fresh start of independence.

Labour is focused on itself and not the concerns ordinary Scots

My government will be hitting the ground running after the election. In the first 100 days, we will take concrete action on the cost of living, improving the NHS and delivering the fresh start of independence, just as I promised we would.

What a contrast with the absolute chaos unfolding at Westminster, as the Labour party and the British government tears itself apart.

At a time when people are struggling and they need help, they have a Labour government at Westminster that is focused on itself, rather than focused on you.

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It is obviously true that Keir Starmer has been a disaster in office. But this goes beyond one weak Prime Minister and one incompetent Labour government.

It gets to the heart of the problem with a whole Westminster system that has spent over a decade engulfed in non-stop scandal, chaos and infighting. Westminster is simply not designed to work for ordinary people – and it is not designed to work for Scotland.

There is a better way than the constant melodrama of Westminster. With the fresh start of independence, we can have all decisions taken by a Scottish Government working for Scotland rather than Westminster governments for whom Scotland is an afterthought.

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From escaping child marriage ‘to an old pervert’ to becoming Sierra Leone’s first lady

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From escaping child marriage 'to an old pervert' to becoming Sierra Leone's first lady

It is this accessible, aspirational image – a fresh face for Sierra Leone, where international narratives have long centred on child soldiers, British colonial rule and blood diamonds – that has won her millions of likes on social media. She posts regularly, often dancing and engaging directly with her followers.

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We joined the Bolton Ramblers on a scenic Horwich hike

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We joined the Bolton Ramblers on a scenic Horwich hike

The Bolton Ramblers has been facilitating accessible walking routes in and around Bolton for more than 50 years.

Part of Britain’s walking charity, The Ramblers Association, Bolton’s branch is led by a small but dedicated team of volunteers.

The group offers a range of walks for all abilities, from midweek and weekend rambles of roughly five miles to much longer hikes locally and further afield.

To discover more about the Bolton Ramblers, The Bolton News attended a two-hour circular walk on Thursday morning (May 14).

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We were met by Judith Heale, publicity and information officer, outside Horwich Leisure Centre.

Every Thursday, a walk takes place from there at 10.30am, except for the third Thursday of the month, when a different starting point is used.

Setting off outside Horwich Leisure CentreSetting off outside Horwich Leisure Centre (Image: NQ)

Judith shared fascinating information about the history of the Bolton Ramblers and the extraordinary volunteers whose drive has kept the group thriving.

The walk leader for the day was Tony Hough, 71, who is also the membership secretary and walks co-ordinator.

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Tony from Blackrod has been with the Ramblers for the past 12 years and is a walking encyclopaedia on routes around the area.

He confidently leads the walks and even scouts out the journey beforehand to ensure everything is as it should be.

Tony Hough, Bolton RamblersTony Hough (Image: NQ)

The midweek walk typically draws around 30 participants, making it a scenic and sociable way to spend the morning.

Once the friendly group had arrived, Tony shared a few welcoming words and reminders about upcoming events before we set off.

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The route first took us up to Wilderswood, a small strip of native woodland following a brook that flows down from the moorland above.

It was especially relaxing not having to worry about directions, as Tony led the way.

Despite a brief spell of light rain, the sun soon began to shine and the beauty of Horwich in late spring could be fully appreciated.

Lambs grazing in a nearby fieldLambs grazing in a nearby field (Image: NQ)

Along the way, we met Sean Lovell, 63, from Smithills.

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Sean has been part of the Ramblers for the past three years, joining after working from home left him keen to get out and about.

“It’s been a great way to socialise, with flexibility through the number of different walks on offer,” he said.

“The exercise, connection with nature and social contact are all brilliant for mental health, which is the field I work in.”

As we hiked further up the hill, we were greeted by lambs grazing and even some Huacaya alpacas from Poppywood Alpacas.

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On the hills, there were wonderful views of Rivington Pike Tower and a historic trackway buried in the fields, which Tony pointed out.

Rivington Pike TowerRivington Pike Tower (Image: NQ)

We then made our way towards Tigers Clough, a charming woodland featuring the River Douglas, and onwards to the Liverpool Castle replica.

Lord Leverhulme commissioned a replica of Liverpool Castle to be built on his Rivington estate at Lever Park, Tony explained.

Walking by Lower Rivington Reservoir, we chatted with Sue Farrell, 71, from Horwich.

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Sue has been on the Bolton Ramblers committee for 18 months but has been walking with the group for years.

She is a walks co-ordinator and occasional walk leader, putting together the programme for the short Sunday walks.

These four-mile walks enable ramblers to explore the network of footpaths around Bolton.

Liverpool Castle replicaLiverpool Castle replica (Image: NQ)

Winding back round through picturesque woodland and past more sheep, Annie Turner, 68, shared why she joined the Bolton Ramblers.

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Annie said: “I lived in Chester for 25 years and walked in Wales a lot with an outdoor group.

“I’ve always loved being outdoors, and when I moved over here I wanted to carry on, so I joined The Ramblers.”

Annie has completed training to become a walks leader and successfully led her first walk.

She is now looking forward to leading her next walk this summer.

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Stunning woodlandStunning woodland (Image: NQ)

As the ramble drew to a close, and before the group went for a well-deserved drink, Tony shared news of an exciting project he has been working on.

On behalf of the Bolton Ramblers, Tony has put together Our Favourite Local Walks, the group’s first publication.

Featuring experienced walk leaders, the handy A5-sized book includes 11 handpicked walks around Bolton.

“The leaders shared why it’s their favourite walk, points of interest, step-by-step directions and photographs,” said Tony.

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Tony guided us along a winding route that had been thoughtfully plannedTony guided us along a winding route that had been thoughtfully planned (Image: NQ)

The book has already received a great response from group members, and copies can be obtained directly by emailing boltonramblers@hotmail.co.uk.

For £6.99, all proceeds go back into the Bolton Ramblers.

As well as offering a huge variety of walks, the Bolton Ramblers are also at the heart of helping to maintain local footpaths in the area.

Its footpath liaison officer works with Bolton Council to scrutinise planning applications involving issues with local rights of way.

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The Ramblers Association is committed to keeping these routes open and in good condition.

Bluebells set the woodland ablazeBluebells set the woodland ablaze (Image: NQ)

To volunteer on the monthly footpath maintenance programme, email boltonramblers@hotmail.co.uk.

To join the Bolton Ramblers, visit the Ramblers Association website at www.ramblers.org.uk and select “Join The Ramblers”, specifying the Bolton Ramblers group.

Visit www.boltonramblers.org.uk for more information.

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If you’re looking to make new friends while enjoying the beauty of Bolton’s countryside, we can’t recommend the Bolton Ramblers highly enough.

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Food banks risk becoming ‘permanent’ fixture in poorest Scots communities unless alternatives given backing

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Good Food Scotland works with housing associations and local charities to open stores in neighbourhoods which often lack regular retail outlets.

Food banks risk becoming “permanent” fixtures in the poorest Scots communities unless investment is made in alternatives like community-run shops, a charity has warned.

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Good Food Scotland works with housing associations and local charities to open stores in neighbourhoods which often lack regular retail outlets.

Former Glasgow South West MP Chris Stephens said greater investment was now required in affordable community food models to help prevent families from reaching a “crisis point” in the first place.

The charity already runs nine affordable food spaces in Glasgow and is planning more. A new survey of its 3,000 members found access to affordable food helped them people feel less anxious about food and skip meals less often.

Almost a third of respondents said their use of food banks had reduced or stopped altogether since accessing Good Food Scotland’s affordable food clubs.

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Customers typically pay a small monthly fee to sign-up for access to community shops, which offer a range of discounted provisions and household items.

Stephens, chair of Good Food Scotland, said: “Food banks were never meant to become a permanent part of life in communities across Scotland, yet for many families emergency food aid has become normalised.

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“What this survey shows is that there is another way. Investing in affordable community food models can help prevent people reaching crisis point in the first place.

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“When nearly a third of members say they have reduced or stopped using food banks, policymakers should pay attention to that. This is about dignity, prevention and long-term community resilience.

“We need to move beyond emergency responses and invest in approaches that give people consistent access to affordable food while connecting them to wider support in their communities.”

Scott McFarlane, director of Good Food Scotland, said: “These findings reflect what staff and volunteers are seeing every day across our affordable food spaces.

“People are coming to us feeling under huge pressure from the cost of living, but what they find is more than affordable food. They find somewhere welcoming, somewhere local and somewhere they can access support without stigma.

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“We are seeing people eat more regularly, feel less anxious about food and become more connected to their communities. The fact that so many members are also accessing wider support services shows these spaces are becoming trusted community hubs.

“For many families, having reliable access to affordable food is helping prevent problems from escalating into full crisis.”

Almost 220,000 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship across Scotland last year, according to figures from the Trussell Trust.

The charity’s community of foodbanks in Scotland are providing the equivalent of 600 food parcels a day – or one parcel every two and a half minutes.

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But Trussell eported a 13 per cent drop in the total parcel numbers provided in Scotland compared to the previous year of 2024, largely due to easing inflation – reflecting a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs.

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Aaron Rai of England wins the PGA Championship for his first major title

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Aaron Rai of England wins the PGA Championship for his first major title

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rai was just another name among a dozen others who had reason to believe the PGA Championship was theirs for the taking Sunday at tough Aronimink.

There was Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, with 10 majors among them, all ready to seize the moment on a stage that was unfamiliar to Rai.

Justin Thomas was the clubhouse leader for nearly four hours after a 65 before the course turned hard under a hot sun.

What followed was a master class from golf’s newest major champion.

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Rai made six birdies over the last 10 holes, taking the lead for good on the 13th and pouring it on with a 70-foot birdie putt across the 17th green that evoked a roar so loud everyone else on the course must have realized it was over.

He closed with a 5-under 65 for a three-shot victory to become the first English-born player in more than a century to capture the PGA Championship.

“To be here is outside my wildest imagination,” Rai said.

Three shots behind as he approached the turn, Rai got back in the game with a 5-wood up the hill and a 40-foot eagle putt. His 40-yard bunker shot was sublime and set up a 6-foot birdie on the 13th hole, the reachable par 4 that moments earlier gobbled up McIlroy and Schauffele.

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And then the 31-year-old Rai — who wore Ferrari shirts at junior golf tournaments because he once dreamed of being a Formula 1 driver — hit the gas with a back nine that ranks among the best in major championship history.

The previous two players to go 6 under or better over the final 10 holes of a major were Cameron Smith at St. Andrews when he won the 2022 British Open, and Jack Nicklaus when he won the 1986 Masters.

Rai now takes his place in some exclusive company.

Those chasing him with a better golfing pedigree — even Alex Smalley and Matti Schmid, who also took turns atop the leaderboard while going for their first win — were undone by untimely mistakes or failure to get good looks at birdie.

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McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par 5s in even for the week and he chopped up the reachable par-4 13th for a bogey. He also glared and softly cursed at a fan who said “USA!” after McIlroy hit a wedge from the rough to the bunker on the par-5 16th. It was an indication McIlroy knew his hopes were all but gone.

Rai, who finished at 9-under 271, is the first player from England with his name on the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919, the second edition of this major and the first after World War I.

Rahm and Smalley tied for second, a big deal for both of them.

Rahm had his best finish in a major since defecting to LIV Golf at the end of 2023. He was slowed by a pair of bogeys on the front nine, and managed only one birdie on the back nine for a 68.

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Smalley lost the lead with a messy double bogey on the sixth hole, and his best golf was too late. Rai already had his eye on the Wanamaker Trophy when Smalley made birdie on the 18th for a 70. The runner-up finish gets him in the next four majors, including the Masters.

Thomas made a 16-foot par putt on the final hole to post at 5-under 275, one shot behind as the final group was only in the second fairway. For the longest time, as Aronimink got tougher and the pressure got tighter, it looked like Thomas might have a chance.

Like everything else on this final day, Rai ended those hopes, too.

So concluded a most remarkable week in the Philadelphia suburbs when no one could separate themselves at Aronimink. The 22 players within four shots of the lead going into the final round was a PGA Championship record.

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From that pack emerged the 31-year-old Rai, with one PGA Tour title, three on the European tour, and no finishes inside the top 15 at any of the majors.

He might not be well known among casual observers, but he is a star in the eyes of his peers for his humility and gracious personality.

“You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said.

“Super pumped for him and his team,” Schauffele said. “All-world gentleman, no doubt.”

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He wears two gloves, a habit he started as a kid in England to battle the cold winters when he was practicing — and he was always practicing. Even more unusual for Rai is the plastic covers on each iron, a reminder of his roots.

He once said his father sacrificed to buy the nicest golf clubs and then would clean the grooves with baby oil after his son was done playing. Rai has left the iron covers on since then “to remember where I came from and to respect what I have.”

“Anybody that uses head covers in his irons because he coveted his irons when he was a kid so much that he wanted to respect the equipment and to still do it? Yeah, it shows a lot about a person,” Rahm said. “What he did today is nothing short of special.”

Rai had seven straight one-putt greens, the last one a 6-foot birdie putt on the 13th that made him the first player all week to reach 7 under. And then he kept right on going.

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Thomas wound up in a for fourth with Ludvig Aberg (69) and Schmid, whose 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole gets him into his first Masters next year. Smith, who didn’t drop a shot until the 17th hole, had a 68 to join McIlroy and Schauffele (69) another shot back.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole and twice missed 3-foot par putts on the back nine in his closing round of 69 to tie for 14th, his first time out of the top 10 at a major since the 2024 U.S. Open.

Rai now has a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, and into the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open. He can play the PGA Championship for life.

“Golf is an amazing game,” Rai said. “It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game.”

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Nothing was given to him Sunday. Rai simply outplayed the strongest field in golf and won it.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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