Mandi Murray’s heartbroken children paid tribute to their mum after her tragic death just a day after she flew out on holiday.
20:01, 29 May 2026Updated 23:00, 29 May 2026
A Glasgow mum has tragically died after suffering a heart attack on holiday in the Canary Islands. Mandi Murray passed away in Lanzarote on Thursday, May 28, only one day after flying out.
The 46-year-old, who worked as a door steward at The Ferry music venue in Glasgow, was a big supporter of Celtic and Scotland. Her family paid tribute on social media today, with a GoFundMe page also set up to help Derek – Mandi’s husband and dad to their children.
Her son, Steven, shared an emotional post online paying tribute to Mandi. He said: “Today, I woke up thinking about my mum and realised that she wasn’t just my biggest critic – she was also one of my best friends.
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“She was a family woman through and through and would have gone to the ends of the earth for the people she loved. She was a friend to many and was known for being incredibly outspoken – which is probably the biggest understatement I’ll ever make.
“Some of my favourite memories are the nights we spent sitting chatting, laughing and putting the world to rights until three in the morning. Then, the minute I said I was heading to my bed, I’d be called a lightweight.
“Tonight, I’ll be raising a vodka to her memory, and anyone who knew and loved her is welcome to join me. Sleep tight, Mum. You’ll be missed every day, but you’ll never be forgotten. Love always, Steven.”
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Her daughter McKenzi, shared a touching picture of her mum and friends and family lined up to pay tribute. Ann Kelly said: “Lovely photo, Mckenzi. Fly high with the angels, Mandi.”
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Elaine Mcmanus commented: “I am in shock, I dont even have words. I am so sorry. I have wonderful memories of mum and dad. R.I.P Mandi.”
Kayden Stevensonn said: “The most beautiful soul in the world. Kenzi, I love you so much. She was the best ever.”
Nikki Carby added: “What an amazing mum. She always has been, you were very blessed to have her. I hope you are okay. I am here if you need anything.”
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Daughter, Courtney, created GoFundMe page to her dad Derek financially. She said: “My mum flew out to Lanzarote a couple of days ago for what was meant to be a holiday and a break for her.
“But, unfortunately she had a heart attack while she was out there and she passed away peacefully on the 28/05/26. We are looking for any donations to help with any financial struggles and support for my dad during this time, any help will be appreciated and thank you for anything given.”
My hack to reduce holiday stress is a no-brainer to reduce travel anxiety
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As a travel writer, I often find it surprises people to learn how disenchanted I am with airports. You may well think of Gatwick as the gateway to an adventure to sunnier climes, but when you travel as much as I do, it’s another stressful dash to make your flight by the seat of your pants.
Admittedly, my discontent stems from leading a disorganised life and always imagining I had more time than the Gregorian calendar allows.
This delightful personality quirk has previously led to booking buses that arrive as the gate is about to close, prompting a frantic dash through the airport, with so much adrenaline coursing through my veins that I thought my heart might burst through my chest, like a scene from Alien (seven coffees probably didn’t help).
As I age disgracefully, I have come to realise that I can no longer tolerate this level of stress (and frankly, neither can my long-suffering husband), so I decided to spend a little extra to make my trips a lot less stressful and reduce my chances of having to live alone as a spinster above a chip shop.
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My hack in recent years to reduce holiday stress is simply to book an airport hotel for the night before my morning or early-afternoon flight.
I appreciate that it sounds like a no-brainer solution, but after years of backpacking and budget travel, I always try to cut costs and find the cheapest way to travel.
However, as I am now old and tired, I’ve found the additional cost of booking an airport hotel the night before an early flight is the ultimate stress-free travel hack.
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You eliminate morning traffic anxiety, get extra sleep, and, in some cases, gain access to ‘twilight bag drop’ services, where you check your bags the evening before so you can breeze through security the next morning.
I cannot tell you how much travel stress has been reduced by simply booking an affordable hotel close to the airport so that I can wake up and be at the terminal in a flash, without worrying about traffic jams, train strikes, or my car breaking down on the M5 again.
With more early-morning departures than ever and airlines continuing to push ultra-early take-off times, getting organised and planning ahead is the key to travelling like a pro.
If you’re savvy, you also don’t have to spend a fortune; you can get some great deals on airport hotels on sites like Booking.com or Hotels.com.
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If you book your airport hotels via a cashback site like Quidco, you can even get money back on your purchase to put towards another trip. Read more about my favourite Cashback hack here and make sure to follow me on TikTok for more travel tips and destination advice.
Data shows that UK airport hotels are becoming even more affordable due to off-peak pricing, increased budget-chain competition, and bundled “park-and-stay” packages, which are helping to offset general inflation.
A quick search on the Booking.com app shows that for next week, you can bag decent hotels near Heathrow Airport for as little as £62 per night for two adults. You can go even cheaper, but obviously, the quality might be dubious.
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Now, I concede that for a family of five, my hotel hack might not be as cheap, but I did spot a Holiday Inn family deal with a free kid’s stay for just £143.
One of my favourite stays near Heathrow is the ibis London Heathrow Airport, which is super close to Terminals 2 & 3 and is on the Hotel Hopper route and on local bus routes to the airport.
It’s a wallet-friendly stay, typically costing around £70 for a double room, decor is fresh and contemporary with nods towards music, and there is air-con (a scarce commodity at most budget Heathrow hotels).
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It’s got all the amenities you might expect from a three-star hotel, including free wifi, toiletries, a hairdryer, TV and fan. Connecting rooms are available if you are travelling with your whole family or as part of a group.
Downstairs, there is a restaurant and bar, so you can have dinner in the airport if you wish and a buffet breakfast in the morning, which I particularly enjoyed. Why yes, I will have a full English, fruit, yoghurt and some pastry chasers, I’m not paying airport prices for food.
The main sell (other than the bar) is that for me, it’s actually cheaper to get the bus from Cardiff the night before and book a night here (or equivalent – the Best Western is also around £70) rather than pay for petrol and parking at the airport. Leaving more money for treats, which is the kind of girl math I can fully get behind. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
Of course, I don’t always fly from Heathrow; many of my trips start from Gatwick, and my preferred stay there is BLOC Hotel Gatwick.
These sleek, soundproof rooms are ideally situated for both terminals, just a few short steps from the South Terminal departure lounge, so you can hop out of bed and be in the security line in mere minutes, allowing for a longer lie-in.
A welcome bonus: you’ll also bag a complimentary Fast Track Security pass if you book your stay directly on the Bloc Hotel website, letting you beat the queues.
At Bristol Airport, I have yet to find a good deal on their only on-site hotel, Hampton by Hilton, but there are several reasonably priced off-site B&Bs and hotels. If you are travelling without a car, I would try to find accommodation along the A1 Bristol Flyer route that takes you to the airport.
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Alternatively, book a stay in Bristol city centre and get the A1 bus in the morning. My personal favourite is the Moxy Hotel, which has a 24/7 lobby bar where guests check in and receive a complimentary welcome drink, a game zone, a fitness space, and modern rooms equipped with Chromecast TVs.
With a trip looming where I’ll be departing from Birmingham this time, I’ll be scouting for hotel deals to once again avoid the same-day departure stress and instead have a lovely kip, knowing I’ll be waking up near the airport all nice and smug.
Unless I forget to set the alarm, that is. If anyone knows any alarm hacks, please send them my way. I would be most grateful.
Many years ago, it began. I noticed tiny, flesh-coloured bumps on my fingers ― they itched so badly I was tempted to bite my hand (no, really), an urge which only subsided when the little blisters finally burst and flaked.
Then, a month later, the process started again. It’s happened about once every six weeks since.
If that sounds familiar, you might be struggling with a condition called dishydrotic eczema, or pompholyx.
The writer’s finger with bumps on it, left: with cracked skin at a later stage, right
They’re very small, extremely itchy, and might leak fluid for the first couple of weeks (oh, good).
After the blisters burst, people with the condition are usually left with dry, scaly, potentially broken skin. This is when the risk of infection is at its highest, as the skin barrier has been broken down.
The whole process usually takes about two to three weeks, the NHS says.
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According to the National Eczema Society, “This condition can occur at any age but is usually seen in adults under 40, and is more common in women.”
We don’t know exactly what causes it, but some people think it could flare up during times of stress, due to excess heat and sweating, and/or sensitivity to metals like nickel, cobalt or chromate.
Half of people with the condition either have atopic eczema or a family history of it too.
You should see your doctor if you think you have pompholyx, partly because symptoms like it can be caused by conditions like hand, foot, and mouth disease.
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That’s one of the reasons why the NHS says you shouldn’t try to diagnose yourself with the condition.
A woman has been taken to hospital with “life-threatening” injuries after a crash near the Cambridgeshire border. Suffolk Police were called to Brandon Road, Eriswell on Thursday, May 28, with reports of a crash.
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It involved a car and a lorry and happened just after 11.45am. The driver of the car was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The police are now asking for anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage of the crash or the moments leading up to it should contact the Roads & Armed Policing team at Suffolk Police through the force website quoting 37/30444/26.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can call 101.
To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community.Click this linkto receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.
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In 2024, voters in the Southern California city of Arcadia elected the first all-Asian city council in the city’s history.
Now, one of those politicians has pleaded guilty to being an illegal agent of the Chinese government. Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang’s plea, entered in federal court Friday, continues a saga that some residents of the area worry could bring unfair scrutiny on the broader Chinese and Asian American community.
Arcadia has gone under rapid demographic change in the last two decades as immigrants from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong flocked to the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles. After Wang’s case was made public May 11, the news made national headlines and filled the unassuming suburban city with anger, disappointment and murmurs of quiet concern. On social media, fears about spies and Chinese Communist Party influence abounded.
“We cannot allow this moment to become an excuse for people to paint entire communities with one brush or weaponize ethnicity for political gain,” acting Mayor Paul Cheng said in a statement.
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Shock in heavily Chinese community
Wang agreed in April to plead guilty to doing the bidding of Chinese officials by sharing articles favorable of Beijing on a news website she ran, without notifying the U.S. government as required by law.
The 56-year-old was elected in November 2022 to a five-person City Council, from which the mayor is selected on a rotating basis. She was born in Chengdu, China, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1995.
The San Gabriel Valley is home to the largest concentration of residents of Chinese and Taiwanese descent in the United States. Beginning in the 1970s, real estate developers marketed the region as “Chinese Beverly Hills” to woo affluent immigrants. As the population grew, it became a haven for newer immigrants who could go about life without needing English, access business opportunities, and avoid putting their children through China’s intensely competitive education system. Arcadia’s population of about 53,000 is majority Asian, like many other cities in the region.
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Ted Tseng, 52, arrived in Arcadia from Taiwan nearly 40 years ago with his parents, who emigrated because they feared potential conflict between Taiwan and China.
Tseng was concerned Wang’s indictment would deepen animosity against Asian Americans and discredit their contributions to the region. Fears of anti-Asian racism, though hate crimes are down since the COVID-19 pandemic, still linger.
“I’m just worried our image has been damaged,” Tseng said.
Feds crack down on Chinese espionage
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The U.S. Department of Justice has escalated efforts in recent years to combat Chinese espionage. In April, a man accused of running a secret Chinese spy outpost in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood was convicted of acting as an illegal foreign agent.
Wang has suggested that she was misled by her former fiance, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, who pleaded guilty to the same charge last year and is now serving a four-year prison sentence. Sun was the treasurer for Wang’s 2022 election campaign.
A statement shared by Wang’s lawyers references her “trust and love for apparently the wrong person who ultimately led her astray.”
April Verlato, a former City Council member who served with Wang, said Wang and Sun lived together, and Sun accompanied Wang wherever she went.
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Verlato said Wang should have stepped down as soon as she came under investigation.
“She was being selfish, getting sworn in as mayor and not resigning when she knew she was going to be pleading guilty to something,” Verlato said.
Gene Sun, a long-time lawyer in Arcadia, agreed.
“I don’t understand how she could have continued being a City Council member,” he said.
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Beijing seeks influence overseas
It is not surprising that the Chinese government would attempt to exert political influence in the region, especially given the increased political tension and economic rivalry between China and the U.S. in recent years, said Wei Li, a professor of Asian Pacific American Studies at Arizona State University.
“A lot of countries, if they have the will and if they have the means, will try to influence their diaspora,” Li said.
According to his federal criminal complaint, Sun was in contact with John Chen, who also pleaded guilty to being an illegal agent of the Chinese government, regarding local politicians that Beijing could influence. In reports to Chinese officials, Sun and Chen called Wang a “New Political Star” and bragged about her contacts with mainstream U.S. politicians.
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They also wrote of combatting “anti-China forces” such as Taiwan independence and the Falun Gong, an exiled anti-communist spiritual movement.
In a January 2023 message from Chen to Wang referenced in Sun’s criminal complaint, Chen said: “You are doing a good job, I hope you can continue the good work, make Chinese people proud.”
Some fear political repercussions for Asian Americans
Not only was the news of her guilty plea like a “slap in the face,” the reaction from some community members has also been painful, said Cheng, the acting mayor.
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Some residents at a May 19 City Council meeting blamed remaining council members for enabling Wang and called for their resignations.
“I’ve been called more names, been told to go back to China although that’s not where I’m from,” said Cheng, who came to the U.S. from Taiwan at age 2.
For many Arcadia residents and workers, life was as usual the day after the news broke. Many smiled apologetically when asked about the issue, saying they don’t pay attention to politics.
Aliza Mo, who emigrated from China six years ago for her children’s education, said she first thought the headlines must be exaggerated.
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“A lot of people wondered if it was discrimination,” she said.
When she learned what Wang pleaded guilty to, she changed her mind.
“I think it would be improper for anyone to be doing something like that,” she said.
The WASPI campaign is seeking a judicial review of the DWP’s refusal to pay state pension age compensation, as the group raises funds and awaits a High Court decision on whether their legal challenge will proceed
The WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) continues to challenge the Government’s position and press for compensation payments. The organisation believes the current political uncertainty in Westminster offers new opportunities to garner support.
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In January 2025, Labour announced there would be no compensation for women born in the 1950s represented by WASPI and similar groups. These women were affected by the state pension age increasing from 60 to 65 and later to 66. Campaigners maintain they weren’t properly informed of the changes, with many discovering them too late, leaving their retirement plans in ruins. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously backed their case, finding the DWP guilty of maladministration.
The Parliamentary watchdog proposed compensation sums ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 and urged Parliament to tackle the issue. However, Labour has rejected compensation, contending that most affected women were aware of the changes and that earlier notification would have made little difference.
WASPI has subsequently filed an application for a judicial review of this decision. The campaign group anticipates hearing from the courts within the next two to three months about whether their claim will advance to the High Court.
Numerous MPs have individually expressed their support for compensation, as have particular political parties. This includes the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. Both parties increased their councillor numbers in the recent local elections, while Labour shed more than 1,400 seats, mirroring the country’s mounting dissatisfaction with the Labour Government. Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, suggested that the current turmoil in Westminster might offer a new chance for them to make progress, reports Lancs Live.
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‘Quite interesting’ development
Ms Madden said: “Keir Starmer’s Government becomes less popular every day. I think Andy Burnham joining the race in the Makerfield by election is quite interesting.
“Andy does say he is a supporter of ours, but then so did many Labour people before they got into power.” Andy Burnham had previously told the BBC that he considered the decision not to award WASPI compensation to be “the wrong decision”, saying that all political parties ought to have accepted the Ombudsman’s report and acted on its findings.
Ms Madden noted that the campaign has substantial backing from Labour backbenchers. WASPI is currently fundraising to meet its legal expenses for the judicial review, aiming for £100,000, having already secured over £60,000.
The campaign leader stated she remains “hopeful” that they will continue to gain momentum. Reform UK emerged as the clear victors in the local elections, securing hundreds of seats and assuming control of numerous councils.
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‘A complete unknown’ Ms Madden acknowledged that the implications for their campaign remain unclear. She said: “It’s a complete unknown. They haven’t come out in support of WASPI, so we still don’t know. It’s a very difficult time, but it seems there will always be opportunities in any change for us, there always have been.”
While the high court has the authority to overturn the DWP’s ruling, it is not in a position to order any compensation payments. In the near future, WASPI will be attending a number of union conferences over the coming weeks in an effort to raise awareness and secure additional support.
The organisation will be represented at the GMB conference in Blackpool and the Unison conference in Brighton, with both events due to take place in June.
Manchester United’s summer transfer prospects are on the up as Michael Carrick goes about improving his options
Manchester United have received word off AC Milan forward Rafael Leao that could influence their summer transfer plans. Michael Carrick is currently processing a whirlwind first six months at Old Trafford but has no time to rest on his laurels.
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The same can be said for a number of squad stars, many of whom are preparing for the World Cup 2026 kick-off in a fortnight. But with only seven weeks until United’s first pre-season friendly, even those with a summer break don’t have too long before the action resumes.
That leaves time for a host of new arrivals to plant roots at Old Trafford before Carrick’s men reunite in July. And Mirror Football has compiled some of this weekend’s top stories as a couple of new names emerge in the rumour mill.
The Portuguese contingent at Old Trafford could be set to grow by one if United decide to pursue a move for Leao this summer. And they’ve been encouraged to do after the forward shared his affinity for the club.
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The 26-year-old has been linked with United in years gone by without such speculation bearing any fruit. However, the Red Devils may give the idea more thought as Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot could welcome another compatriot to the club.
“Yeah, of course,” he said during an appearance on the Cernucci podcast when asked if United are his favourite Premier League club. “I like United because my idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. So back then, I used to watch them. I like Arsenal also.”
Better yet, it’s suggested the player could be available on a cut-price fee after Milan missed out on Champions League qualification. The Rossoneri lost at home to Cagliari on the final day of the season and finished fifth in Serie A, which was only enough to qualify for the Europa League.
As a result, it’s reported Leao’s asking price could be slashed to as little as £43million, which is half the kind of valuations linked to his signature in the past. United’s wings aren’t believed to be a major priority heading into the transfer window, though Leao has come to be deployed more as a central striker in recent years.
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The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo strengthened United’s wide areas significantly last summer. That being said, the departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho mean the left flank in particular could perhaps do with some reinforcement.
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.
Osimhen dubbed ‘dream signing’
United legend Patrice Evra has named Victor Osimhen as the one name he would bring to Old Trafford above all others this summer. Benjamin Sesko demonstrated significant progress over the course of his debut campaign at United but Evra wants to see more striker options at his old club.
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Galatasaray spent a Turkish-record fee of around £65m to sign the Nigeria frontman last summer following a successful loan from Napoli. In addition to his supposed £250,000-a-week wages, another obstacle relates to reports that Gala have put a £130m asking price on their star.
Nonetheless, Evra believes his former employers should break the bank to sign one of the hottest finishers in Europe. Doing so would be a move straight from the Sir Alex Ferguson handbook as Carrick looks to fire his team to the next level.
“Osimhen. I have all due respect for Galatasaray, the love he gets there and what the player is like,” Evra told Goal. “Man United need a proper striker, and I have so much respect for the strikers at Man United, sometimes [Bryan] Mbuemo. But back in the day, we had four amazing strikers, and if you want to play every competition, you need more strikers.
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“Of course, you need some defenders, like an extra left-back, because you could have an injury and a right-back. Of course, Casemiro is leaving, so you need to replace those players. To name one player, I say Osimhen because I know these guys can make the difference.”
Admittedly, there were portions of last term when United looked light up top, such as when Sesko was injured in late 2025. The likes of Cunha and Mbeumo each had trial runs leading the attack during that period but neither looked a natural fit in the role.
Osimhen helped Galatasaray retain the Super Lig crown this season despite a less prolific campaign by his standards. He finished the campaign with 22 goals and eight assists in 33 games all competitions, having seen his progress impeded by several injury setbacks.
In a post on its Facebook page, the business claimed people entered the premises, caused damage and attempted to steal machinery.
The fishery alleged that baby chicks hatched from its chickens were taken and killed during the incident.
Owners also reported that a DeWalt circular saw was stolen and said attempts were made to take other machinery, although these were unsuccessful.
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Bradshaw Hall Fisheries said police officers attended the site on Sunday to review CCTV footage and that further action was expected.
The business posted: “Baby chicks that have been hatched out from our chickens have been taken and killed, a DeWalt circular saw was taken and they attempted to take other machinery but failed.
“The police have been to the fishery today to review the footage and further action is due to be taken.”
The appeal posted online from Bradshaw Fishery (Image: Bradshaw Fishery)
The fishery appealed for anyone with information about those involved to get in touch directly.
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When contacted, Bradshaw Hall Fisheries declined to comment further beyond the statement issued on social media.
The mystery of the Emmerdale arsonist has been baffling locals.
It’s been such a weird thing to do – at first, everyone thought some unidentified Moira hater was starting each blaze. When it became clear she was never the target, the whole motive was lost. Why burn the barns?
It has transpired that rather than setting light to the barns he was sheltering in them – he was homeless. The petrol he had was to burn his car for insurance.
This arsonist is no criminal mastermind – they might be running rings around everyone despite running rings around everyone, but Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) is about to catch them out.
Salty about losing his home and his family’s stability, Kyle is taking his own revenge, but it’s turning him into a pyromaniac.
Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) is all over the place and his hit and miss parenting is leading to the pyrotechnics. When he turns down spending time with his son, Kyle is disappointed and unsure of how to cope with these increasing feelings of abandonment.
Graham finds Kyle’s car bruning (Picture: ITV)
Cain is angry to find Kyle skipping school and moans to Kammy that Kyle is too fixated on sorting the Golf – their shared car restoration project. Kyle feels awful about this, he thought he and his dad had a lovely thing going.
So, the Golf becomes the collateral damage to his teenage angst as he turns to his new obsession of burning things.
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Graham finds Kyle watching the car ablaze and dives in to save him. Then he realises Kyle was the one who did it.
He’s furious with the lad but quickly softens when Kyle explains why. It’s not long before the smoke signal is spotted and others come running, forcing Kyle to hide. If Graham protects him, this could turn into a bigger storyline of Kyle’s pyromania.
Will Cain work out what his son is up to, and that he’s partly to blame?
Donald Trump’s physician says the president is in “excellent health” and is “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief after a medical exam Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
A report from Dr. Sean Barbabella, released late Friday, says Trump underwent a CT scan and other heart imaging along with cancer screenings and other preventative assessments carried out by 22 specialists.
Trump, 79, said after the visit Tuesday that everything checked out “PERFECTLY.”
The president weighed in at 238 pounds (108 kilograms), up 14 pounds (6 kg) from a medical exam in April 2025. His doctors gave him guidance on his diet, physical activity and weight loss, but concluded his “cognitive and physical performance are excellent.”
PARIS (AP) — There will be a new men’s champion at the French Open after Novak Djokovic followed Jannik Sinner out of Roland Garros in a five-set stunner on Friday.
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca beat 24-time major winner Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the third round to follow Thursday’s huge upset, when No. 1 Sinner — last year’s runner-up lost to 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
“Ten minutes after the match I could realize a little bit what I did, what I achieved,” the 19-year-old Fonseca said. “How difficult it was and how amazing it was for me.”
Djokovic’s latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title was ended and it was just the second time he lost from two sets up, the other also coming in Paris in 2010.
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Along with Daniil Medvedev, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka, all the men’s major winners are out, thus guaranteeing that a new pair of hands will raise the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy aloft on June 7 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
“Of course, Jannik and Djokovic out, there’s more chances,” said Fonseca, who next faces two-time runner-up Casper Ruud, who beat Tommy Paul 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-5.
Second-seeded Alexander Zverev, the 2024 runner-up, also advanced to the fourth round with a 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 win late Friday over Frenchman Quentin Halys.
The 39-year-old Djokovic faded as the court slowed in the evening cool.
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“Tough one for me to lose,” Djokovic said. “I was barely standing on my legs toward the end of the match.”
In the final game, Djokovic had a break point for 6-6 but Fonseca served out with three consecutive aces and became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam tournament.
“I just enjoyed being on court and what a pleasure it was. It’s my first stepping on court against him,” Fonseca said. “We still think he’s 20. At the end of the match I think he was more fit than me, that’s crazy.”
Fonseca wished his mother in the crowd happy birthday and thanked all the Brazilians who turned up to watch.
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Djokovic doubts
This wasn’t as big an upset as Sinner’s loss because Djokovic came to Paris with doubts.
After he lost the Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, a shoulder injury limited his clay-court buildup to one competitive match and Djokovic labored for at least three hours in each of his previous two rounds before facing the full fury of Fonseca’s booming forehand.
“Taking everything in consideration and all the circumstances, I think the level was really good,” said Djokovic, whose last major title was the 2024 U.S. Open.
The heat that stressed Sinner also got to Djokovic, who applied ice packs on both sides of his face during changeovers. Djokovic snapped at a television camera operator for getting too close to his face at one point.
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By the fifth set he couldn’t hide his fatigue: He hunched over the advertising boards, his forearms dangling; slumped back in his chair with a towel on his head; grabbed his head with his hands.
He was gracious in defeat.
“I told him (after the match) that he deserved to win and he should be proud of himself,” Djokovic said. “We’ve all seen today why there is hype around him.”
Djokovic said he was unsure if he would play at the French Open next year, although he said the same after his semifinal defeat to Sinner last year.
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Kostyuk keeps going
Still unbeaten on clay this season, Marta Kostyuk reached the fourth round for the second time and set up a big match against four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the women’s draw.
The 15th-ranked Ukrainian extended her winning streak on clay to 15 matches with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Viktorija Golubic on yet another hot day in Paris.
She lost to Swiatek in the fourth round in 2021. A rematch is coming up next after Swiatek defeated fellow Polish player Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4.
Swiatek has won in straight sets all three times against Kostyuk and boasts a 43-3 record at Roland Garros.
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Seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina was another Ukrainian woman to advance. She beat Tamara Korpatsch 6-2, 6-3.
A dominant win
Also advancing was 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who routed Solana Sierra and became the oldest player in the Open Era to claim a 6-0, 6-0 win in a Grand Slam tournament. She next faces China’s Wang Xiyu, who has still not dropped a set.
Eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva progressed with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Czech opponent Marie Bouzkova and leads the women’s tour with 32 victories this season.
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