LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A joint operation against Islamic State fighters by Nigeria and the United States has killed 175 of the fighters over the past few days, the Nigerian military said Tuesday.

Military spokesperson Samaila Uba said in a statement that the strikes also destroyed weapons, checkpoints and financial networks of the militants across the northeastern region of the country.

The gains against the militants followed the killing late last week of the group’s local chapter deputy, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, in the first successful targeting of a senior militant in more than a decade of insurgency in the country.

The Nigerian military on Tuesday reported the killing of another senior leader, Abd-al Wahhab responsible for coordinating finance and attack planning and logistics.

The U.S. Africa Command confirmed the attacks, saying no U.S. or Nigerian troops were harmed.

In February, the U.S. sent troops to Nigeria in what was deemed a mostly advisory and training role, but the joint operation in recent days signals more active U.S. involvement.

Hell hath no fury like Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) in EastEnders, which is something that twin brother Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan) and boyfriend Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) could be set to find out the hard way.

The struggle of resisting temptation proved too much for Oscar and Josh and thus they succumbed to their desires, sharing a passionate kiss at the Prince Albert, before heading into the toilets to take things further.

The pair have been fighting for their feelings for one another ever since their first meeting, which saw Josh accidentally spill Oscar’s banana milkshake all over the market trader.

Passion soon followed and it looked like the duo were set to make a go of things – that is, until they realised their shared connection to Jasmine.

Jasmine, who was locked up for her role in Anthony Trueman’s (Nicholas Bailey) demise, previously dated Oscar. Josh, meanwhile, is none other than Jasmine’s estranged twin.

Bit awks, right? Josh and Oscar thought so too and thus when Jasmine was released from prison, they resolved to keep quiet about their passion for fear of hurting her.

Jasmine’s return led to her rekindling things with Oscar, who – despite his evident love for her – remains drawn to Josh, who reciprocates such feelings.

The past week has seen Josh join Jasmine on numerous outings with Oscar, allowing the estranged twins to bond for the first time in decades, but Oscar has found it challenging to be around Josh, given that his feelings for him are getting stronger.

Oblivious Jasmine, meanwhile, struggled to hide her hurt when she found out that, after she was taken away as a child, Josh had played the game they invented together with his adopted mum Sandra (Dawn Steele). This discovery drove a wedge of sorts between the siblings, making their attempt to get to know each other somewhat difficult.

Oscar, meanwhile, found himself stuck in the middle and, despite his best efforts to stay away from Josh, the feelings he has for the young lad consumed him and thus he kissed him at the close of Tuesday’s (May 19) episode.

The question is: just where does this leave Jasmine? Has Oscar made his choice?

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And what’s more, how will Jasmine react when she finds out? It’s clear that the barmaid is jealous of the life Josh had in comparison to her own so it’s safe to say she won’t be too pleased about her sibling having slept with her boyfriend.

From what we know about her past, plus her terrifyingly brutal campaign against mum Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) – which included locking her in a burning building, by the way – to her cruel threats against Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who she pushed down the stairs and left for dead (not to mention her claims that Max Branning tried it on her with her), it’s safe to say that Jasmine isn’t someone you should cross.

Josh and Oscar had better watch out!

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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MORE: EastEnders sex scandal as Oscar is torn between two siblings

MORE: EastEnders confirms who discovers the truth about Oscar and Josh’s sex secret

MORE: Walford local deflated as EastEnders legend stages return

An incredible £80 million jackpot is up for grabs in tonight’s Euromillions draw. The Euromillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday and a ticket costs £2.50. That includes automatic entry into the UK Millionaire Maker draw which creates new UK millionaires every week. The overall jackpot can rise to €190m (approximately £167m).

If you bought a ticket you can check your numbers below. Good luck!

The Thunderball game also takes place tonight. The winner will claim £500,000 if they match five numbers from one to 39 as well as the all-important Thunderball number from one to 14.

How many numbers do you need to win?

If you have got two numbers or one number and two lucky stars or better then you are a winner. Players must match all five main numbers and two lucky star numbers to claim the jackpot. The Thunderball draw is also made tonight and the results will also be displayed below. The Thunderball draw takes place at 8pm and the Euromillions draw takes place at around 8.15pm.

In May 2022 Joe and Jess Thwaite, from Gloucester, became the UK’s biggest-ever Euromillions winners after netting £184m with a lucky dip ticket. Their record did not last long, though, after another UK winner came forward in July 2022 to claim a jackpot of £195m. However they have not gone public.

Prior to Mr and Mrs Thwaite’s win the previous record was held by an anonymous winner who scooped £170m in October 2019. On June 4, 2021, a ticketholder in the UK scooped the £111m jackpot in the Friday-night draw, matching all seven numbers to become the country’s ninth-biggest lottery winner ever at that stage.

In June 2019 a single ticketholder in the UK won £123m in the Tuesday night Euromillions draw. It was the third-biggest Euromillions jackpot in the UK since the draw launched in 2004. It meant they instantly became as rich as Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James (£127m) and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page (£125m). June 2023 was a lucrative month for UK players with a ticketholder bagging a £117.1m jackpot on June 2 while another winner scooped the £55m jackpot on June 20. Euromillions is played in nine European countries.

Get the results:

Red Lobster’s oldest restaurant, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is set to permanently close its doors after 56 years of business.

On Tuesday, a representative for the seafood chain confirmed toThe Independent that the branch’s final day of operation Sunday, May 24. The restaurant, located on North Monroe Street, initially opened in October 1970.

“This restaurant holds a special place in Red Lobster’s history and has been a meaningful part of the community for decades. We’re grateful to the guests and team members who have supported it over the years,” the company said.

“As part of the normal course of business, Red Lobster continuously evaluates restaurant performance and lease terms and may, from time to time, choose to close or relocate select restaurants. This decision reflects individual business circumstances specific to this location.”

The store closure could be part of Red Lobster’s revival plan, after it filed for bankruptcy in May 2024. In February, CEO Damola Adamolekun told The Wall Street Journal that management had been reviewing restaurant leases and closing underperforming sites to sharpen the company’s focus on stronger markets.

The chain shuttered more than 100 restaurants across dozens of states during its 2024 Chapter 11 process and laid off hundreds of workers.

The company then escaped bankruptcy in September 2024 after being acquired by RL Investor Holdings LLC and receiving approximately $70 million in fresh investment. At the time, Adamolekun became the CEO and brought new ideas to Red Lobster’s menu and marketing.

“There’s a lot of positive signs, but we inherited a very damaged brand, so there’s still work to do to repair all of that,” Adamolekun, the former CEO of P.F. Chang’s, told the WSJ.

Under Adamolekun’s leadership, Red Lobster has overhauled its menu, launched a happy hour to attract more customers and refreshed its marketing strategy. To improve the in-restaurant experience, the company introduced a “red carpet hospitality” program, directing hostesses to acknowledge guests from 10 feet away and engage with them when they are within four feet.

In April, the chain announced the return of its popular all-you-can-eat Endless Shrimp promotion for dine-in customers. Guests can choose between five shrimp dishes, including Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp and a new “Marry Me Shrimp” inspired by the viral online recipe, with tiered pricing from $24.99 to $29.99. Customers start with three dishes and can order up to two more at a time.

“This is about putting our guests first and bringing back something they truly love,” Adamolekun said in a statement. “Endless Shrimp has been a part of Red Lobster’s legacy for 20 years and our guests have never stopped asking for it. We’re excited to bring it back, for a limited time, in a way that works for our business today and honors what made it special from the beginning. Because when our fans talk, we listen.”

The promotion was extremely popular in restaurants in 2023 and reportedly caused Red Lobster to lose about $11 million in just three months.

Headlam Hall Hotel & Rural Retreat, near Darlington, has extended its wellness facilities with a new outdoor area designed to “strengthen the spa’s connection to the landscape, bring in even more restorative benefits of water, and offer a flexible relaxation space for guests all year round”.

The terrace features an expanded hydrotherapy spa pool with upgraded massage jets, a shaded relaxation area with loungers, and a retractable canopy for use in all seasons.

Headlam Hall Hotel & Rural Retreat has opened a new extension to its spa facilities (Image: Dave Cooil)

Headlam Hall Hotel director Thomas Robinson said: “The vision behind the terrace spa renovation was to enhance the outdoor side of the spa and make even more of the wonderful views around us.

“We wanted to create a space that feels calm, comfortable, and closely connected to the surrounding countryside, while also giving guests greater flexibility to enjoy it throughout the year.

“It’s a simple but meaningful upgrade that gives guests a beautiful new space to relax as part of their spa visit.”

Headlam Hall Hotel & Rural Retreat has opened a new extension to its spa facilities, giving guests even more space to unwind and enjoy the surrounding scenic views. (Image: Dave Cooil)

The covered design means guests can stay sheltered during cooler or wet weather while still enjoying the rural surroundings.

Existing spa facilities at Headlam Hall include a swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms, treatment rooms, gym, exercise studio, brasserie café, and a garden exercise zone.

The new terrace is part of Headlam Hall’s ongoing investment in its spa experience, with plans for an additional spa garden set for 2027.

For more information about the hotel and its spa offerings, visit www.headlamhall.co.uk.

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A total of 13 extra places are set to be created at Haxby Road Primary Academy following a City York Council decision to award £7,800 in funding.

Council officials stated the grant would be funded from £333,000 the authority had received from the Government to help increase the amount of local ‘wrap-around’ places.

It comes after the council’s executive approved using a total of £922,800 in September 2024 to expand early years and childcare places.

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The Labour executive heard at the time an extra 390 places in breakfast and after school clubs could be needed so York families could get the care they are entitled to.

Officials forecast up to new 304 places would need to be created so parents and carers could claim their 30-hour-a-week allowance of free childcare by the September 2025 rollout date.

Education Secretary Bridgett Phillipson said in March free childcare hours meant families were now better off after research showed they had saved families an average of £8,000-a-year for every child.

An annual Coram Family and Childcare survey found the cost of a full-time 50-hour-a-week place for a child of two had fallen from around £305-a-week in 2024 to £149.

Education Secretary Bridgett Phillipson said extra free childcare hours were saving families money (Image: PA)

The secretary of state said: “Childcare costs have weighed on working families for too long – pushing parents out of work and stretching household budgets to breaking point.

“We are giving working families the real, practical cost of living support they need to get on.”

In January, the council approved grants worth a total of £51,000 to create extra breakfast and after school club places in three other York schools.

Clifton Green Primary School received £30,000 for 35 breakfast and after school club places, while Dringhouses Primary School received £15,000 for 25.

Wheldrake with Thornganby Primary School got £6,000 to create eight new places for its pupils following the decision.

Andrew Husband, Reform leader at Durham County Council, urged the government to protect “valued landscapes” and change its planning policies to create a “fair and balanced” approach to solar farm applications. 

The Chester-le-Street councillor wrote to Luke Akehurst MP after plans for a large-scale solar farm near Burnhope were overturned at appeal last month.  

Durham County Council initially turned down the application due to its size and impact on the landscape after hundreds of objections and a High Court appeal in July last year.  

But in a new ruling in April, the government’s Planning Inspectorate said the need to tackle climate change and achieve Net Zero targets outweighed the concerns.  

Cllr Husband said it is “very frustrating” that the concerns were “set aside as a result of the government’s overly permissive policy approach to solar development”. 

In a letter to the North Durham Labour MP, he added that other parts of the region are also at high risk of being used for similar schemes. 

He said: “I would invite you to now support your residents by using your undoubted influence in Government to request that urgent action is taken to review the currently overly permissive National Planning Policy Framework policy wording to ensure a more fair and balanced approach to solar development is applied. 

“Until government policy is amended in this manner – to introduce a more balanced approach to include one which seeks to protect valued landscapes and respect residents’ quiet enjoyment of the same – I fear that we will be subjecting our communities to yet more unwarranted commercialisation of our splendid countryside.”

Up to 14 fields near the County Durham village will be overlaid with panels, including areas near the Chapman’s Well nature reserve. 

Lightsource bp, the applicant, added that the solar farm would have “a significant positive impact on the surrounding area, both environmentally and economically”.  

The Planning Inspectorate conceded that the development would “harm” the local area, but the solar farm will only be working for up to 40 years. 

Its report concluded: “The adverse landscape impacts identified would be temporary, reversible and highly localised.”

Are solar farms changing the countryside too much? Let us know in the comments.