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Shooter kills 1, injures 10 in Midland, Texas, days after firing at officer, officials say

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Shooter kills 1, injures 10 in Midland, Texas, days after firing at officer, officials say

A man who opened fire in the West Texas city of Midland in an attack Friday morning that left one person dead and 10 injured had shot at a police officer just days earlier during a chase, authorities said.

The suspect, 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, already was being sought by authorities when he began firing at police and bystanders in Midland on Friday before barricading himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic, where he was eventually found dead, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Police have provided limited details about how the shooting unfolded. Police arrived in the area after receiving reports of an active shooter, and Mata Villarreal started firing at officers, said Midland Police Chief Greg Snow. Several officers were pinned down behind their patrol cars and had to be rescued by an armored vehicle, Snow said, but no officers were shot.

Police then got everyone out of the area. “We moved to deny more targets for this active shooter,” Snow said.

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A few hours after the shooting began, authorities used robot and drone footage from inside the building to confirm the shooter was dead, Midland Mayor Lori Blong. Police did not say how he died.

A spokesperson for the city identified a man killed in the shooting as Ed Scott, a father and husband who worked in solid waste for Midland. He also did a lot of work with local and regional softball organizations, according to the city.

Friends mourning his death described him in social media posts as a softball umpire and volleyball official who was known for his kindness and jokes.

Mata Villarreal, of nearby Odessa, was wanted for attempted capital murder of a peace officer after firing multiple times at a Midland police officer on Wednesday, the state’s public safety agency said.

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The officer, who wasn’t injured, fired back after initially trying to pull over Mata Villarreal, who drove away, investigators said. His vehicle was found empty a short distance away, they said. Police have not said why the officer tried to stop Mata Villarreal.

Friday’s standoff happened about a half-mile (1 kilometer) from where the shots were fired at the police officer Wednesday.

Police have not said why Mata Villarreal began shooting on Friday or provided any details about the victims, including who they were, how they were shot or the conditions of those still hospitalized.

Midland Memorial Hospital said four people who were brought there underwent surgery and that five had been treated and released.

Calls to numbers listed for some relatives of Mata Villarreal in Texas went unanswered Friday or appeared to be lines that had been disconnected.

Mata Villarreal had several previous encounters with law enforcement, including some arrests, records show.

He was convicted on a 2009 charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm in San Angelo, according to Texas criminal history records.

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He was charged in 2003 and 2004 for unlawfully carrying a weapon and unlawful possession of a prohibited weapon, but both cases appear to have been dismissed as part of a plea. He also pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge in 2008 that was later dismissed.

As police responded to Friday’s shooting, dozens of squad cars and law enforcement vehicles descended along what’s normally a busy roadway lined with hotels and auto businesses a few miles west of Midland’s downtown.

Andrea Mendias said she heard what sounded like a small explosion at the closed veterinary clinic next to the auto body shop where she works and saw a number of heavily armed police officers rush into the parking lot. Some appeared to go inside the building.

Mendias said she earlier heard what sounded like at least 40 gunshots.

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Video from Mendias showed officers pouring out of the back of an armored police vehicle and police deploying robots into the area.

The city with about 140,000 residents sits in the heart of the state’s oil and gas region and was near the site of a deadly shooting rampage in 2019.

In that shooting, a gunman who had been fired from his oil services job killed seven people and wounded two dozen others while firing at random as he drove around the Odessa and Midland areas. The two cities are more than 300 miles (482 kilometers) west of Dallas.

___

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Associated Press reporters Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia and Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, contributed.

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The 41 Best Disease-Fighting Foods, According to Science

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The 41 Best Disease-Fighting Foods, According to Science

GP Dr Dawn Harper previously told HuffPost UK that she’s sceptical of “superfoods” – “there is no one single silver bullet that will enhance your chances of living a long and healthy life,” she said.

You might think that Dr Jennifer Di Noia, an Associate Professor of Sociology at William Paterson University, whose 2014 paper sought to find the best fruits and veg to reduce our disease risk, was more fond of terms like these.

But she had her own concerns. “Efforts to define… powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV), foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk… are lacking,” she wrote at the time.

So, the researcher set out research-backed terms.

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What counts as “powerhouse fruits and vegetables” or PFVs?

In her study, “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables had to offer at least 10% more of 17 nutrients per 100 calories than other foods.

These nutrients the study looked at were:

  1. potassium,
  2. fibre,
  3. protein,
  4. calcium,
  5. iron,
  6. thiamin,
  7. riboflavin,
  8. niacin,
  9. folate,
  10. zinc,
  11. vitamin A,
  12. vitamin B,
  13. vitamin B,
  14. vitamin C,
  15. vitamin D,
  16. vitamin E, and
  17. vitamin K.

These nutrients had been deemed of public health importance by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and Institute of Medicine, the paper read.

The more of these a plant packed per calorie, the higher the PFV’s nutrient density score was.

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However, the paper stressed that these aren’t the only potentially health-boosting components of food; therefore, these metrics could miss some produce that’s great for us.

41 fruits and vegetables, ranked by disease-fighting potential

Of the 47 foods the study author looked at, 41 met her criteria for “PFV”. (The six that missed the mark were raspberries, tangerines, cranberries, garlic, onion, and blueberries).

In order, their nutrient density scores were:

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  • Watercress – 100.00
  • Napa cabbage – 91.99
  • Chard – 89.27
  • Beetroot greens – 87.08
  • Spinach – 86.43
  • Chicory – 73.36
  • Leaf lettuce – 70.73
  • Parsley – 65.59
  • Romaine lettuce – 63.48
  • Collard greens – 62.49
  • Turnip greens – 62.12
  • Mustard leaves – 61.39
  • Endive – 60.44
  • Chive – 54.80
  • Kale – 49.07
  • Dandelion leaves – 46.34
  • Red pepper – 41.26
  • Rocket – 37.65
  • Broccoli – 34.89
  • Pumpkin – 33.82
  • Brussels sprouts – 32.23
  • Spring onion – 27.35
  • Kohlrabi – 25.92
  • Cauliflower – 25.13
  • Cabbage – 24.51
  • Carrot – 22.60
  • Tomato – 20.37
  • Lemon – 18.72
  • Iceberg lettuce – 18.28
  • Strawberry – 17.59
  • Radish – 16.91
  • Winter squash (all varieties) – 13.89
  • Orange – 12.91
  • Lime – 12.23
  • Grapefruit (pink and red) – 11.64
  • Swede – 11.58
  • Turnip – 11.43
  • Blackberries – 11.39
  • Leeks – 10.69
  • Sweet potato – 10.51
  • Grapefruit (white) – 10.47.

With that said, the best approach for a healthy diet is eating a balance of healthy foods. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables of all different kinds is liked to better heart health, the British Heart Foundation has said.

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Makerfield by-election LIVE as Keir Starmer speaks out on Andy Burnham and leadership challenge

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Manchester Evening News

Controversy over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon’s past comments about women has damaged his campaign in the tightly fought Makerfield by-election, according to new polling that suggests the contest could be too close to call.

Research conducted by Opinium for Forward Democracy, found that reports about Mr Kenyon’s comments, which have previously been described as ‘misogynistic’, are now widely known among voters and are having a significant impact on his candidacy.

Mr Kenyon’s previous posts included him responding to insulting comments directed at television presenter Carol Vorderman. As a result of the unearthed social media, Vorderman described Mr Kenyon as a ‘little coward’ and sent a letter to 6,000 female voters across the constituency.

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The Opinium survey of 543 voters, conducted between 3 and 11 June using a mixed online and face-to-face methodology, puts Burnham on 46 per cent and Kenyon on 41 per cent. However, the five-point gap is within the poll’s margin of error of just under five percentage points, meaning the race remains highly competitive.

The data also shows Mr Kenyon’s past comments appear to have cut through in the constituency.

When voters were asked whether things candidates had said or done during the campaign made them more or less likely to support them, Kenyon recorded a net score of minus eight points, with 30 per cent saying that they were less likely to vote for him compared with 22 per cent who said they were more likely to do so. By contrast, Labour candidateAndy Burnham recorded a small positive net score of plus two points.

The polling found that 73 per cent of voters had heard reports about Kenyon’s comments, including around 80 per cent of both Labour and Reform supporters. Among voters aware of the controversy, 45 per cent said it made them less likely to vote for him, compared with just 11 per cent who said it made them more likely to support him.

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The effect was particularly pronounced among younger voters and among those backing Burnham, while women were more likely than men to say the reports made them “much less likely” to support the Reform candidate.

You can read the full story HERE.

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Starbucks Korea to shut stores early for training after marketing controversy

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Starbucks Korea to shut stores early for training after marketing controversy

StarbucksSouth Korean operation has announced it will close all its stores nationwide early on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training. The initiative comes after the coffee chain faced backlash for a marketing campaign widely perceived as mocking victims of a brutal military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1980.

Shinsegae Group, which owns a 67.5 per cent stake in Starbucks Korea, confirmed that group executives and employees at Starbucks Korea’s headquarters will attend training led by history and sociology professors this Wednesday. All Starbucks stores across the country will close at 3pm next Monday, enabling staff to watch a recording of the session, according to a statement from Shinsegae.

The coffee chain triggered an uproar when it attempted to promote a series of stainless-steel tumblers it called “SS Tank” by declaring May 18 to be “Tank Day.” The date marks the anniversary of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju. It was violently suppressed by Seoul’s military government at the time, which deployed troops, tanks and helicopters, leaving hundreds dead or injured.

The campaign further fueled outrage by using the slogan “Thwack it on the table!” which many read as a reference to a notorious 1987 police statement that attempted to cover up the torture death of student activist Park Jong-chol. Authorities had falsely said Park died after investigators “hit the desk with a thwack.”

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The campaign further fueled outrage by using the slogan “Thwack it on the table!”
The campaign further fueled outrage by using the slogan “Thwack it on the table!” (AFP/Getty)

With the promotion sparking immediate backlash, Shinsegae canceled it within hours and fired the chief executive of Starbucks Korea. Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a nationally televised apology as police opened an investigation following complaints from relatives of the victims of the Gwangju crackdown. Chung will undergo separate training with the chief executives of Shinsegae affiliates on June 24.

Shinsegae said the decision to close all Starbucks stores early for the first time since the chain’s 1999 launch in South Korea and require companywide training shows “how seriously it views the marketing controversy and its determination to prevent a recurrence.”

The crackdown in Gwangju came months after General Chun Doo-hwan seized power in a coup in late 1979. Government records show about 200 people died in Gwangju, but activists say the true death toll was much higher. Chun’s government also imprisoned tens of thousands, saying it was rooting out social evils.

Public anger over Chun’s dictatorship led to massive nationwide protests in 1987, forcing him to accept a constitutional revision introducing direct presidential elections, which is widely seen as the start of South Korea’s transition to democracy.

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Michelle Keegan reveals daughter Palma’s exciting milestone after glimpse at TV return

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Manchester Evening News

Michelle shared new snaps of herself out and about with her little girl

Michelle Keegan has seemingly revealed an exciting milestone for her daughter, Palma, as her return to the small screen was also teased.

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While the actress and her husband, Mark Wright, largely keep their daughter out of the spotlight, over the weekend, Michelle did share new snaps of herself out and about with their little girl.

It was in March that the couple celebrated a year since they welcomed their daughter, Palma Elizabeth Wright, into the world. Fans may recall that the couple revealed to the world that they were expecting their first child together in a sweet pregnancy announcement just after Christmas 2024, which featured Michelle debuting her blossoming baby bump on a Spanish beach.

Michelle and Mark, both 39, then later announced they’d welcomed their daughter into the world on March 12, almost a week after she was born, as they confirmed their unique name for the first child.

And it seems Palma may soon be giving her parents the runaround, as in a number of photos posted to her Instagram Story on Sunday (June 14), Michelle could be seen holding her daughter’s hand as she toddled along next to her, hinting she has reached a special walking milestone.

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Meanwhile, Michelle has been seen for the first time in her ‘gripping’ new drama. The Stockport-born actress will be starring as DI Emma Crane in the new ITV crime drama, The Blame. Her character will investigate the death of a teenage figure skater, starring alongside Douglas Booth as DI Tom Radley.

According to ITV: “Set to air this autumn, The Blame is a gripping new series set to have audiences on the edge of their seats. Produced by acclaimed Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios), written, developed for television and executive produced by Megan Gallagher (All Her Fault, Wolf), the drama dives into secrets, suspicion, and systemic corruption – all under the surface of the seemingly quiet town, Wakestead.”

The six-part series is centred around DI Emma Crane and DI Tom Radley investigating a tragic murder in the fictional town of Wakestead. They quickly identify their main suspect, but as the case progresses, an unexpected lead comes to light. As Emma and Tom dig deeper, they uncover a web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise, which forces Emma to question the people closest to her.”

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Should You Stop Taking Vitamin D Now That It’s Sunny?

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Should You Stop Taking Vitamin D Now That It’s Sunny?

According to the NHS, most adults should consider taking vitamin D supplements from October to early March.

But now that the Easter eggs have been unwrapped and April Fool’s Day has passed, is it time to put the supplements down?

Not always, said Kyle Crowley, a chief product officer and nutritionist at Protein Works.

Who may still need vitamin D supplements in spring?

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“It’s suggested that optimal exposure to sunlight is between five and 30 minutes a day. Therefore, if you don’t hit these requirements each day, you may need to consider supplementing,” said Crowley.

That rises to 25 minutes a day for people with darker skin tones.

“In fact, studies show that nearly half of UK adults have below-optimal levels of vitamin D. Most surprisingly, adults aged 18–29 have the lowest average. So, if you’re a student studying indoors or working all day indoors, this lifestyle will limit your daily exposure and taking vitamin D would be recommended.”

The NHS said that “People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.”

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They include people who are not often outdoors (e.g. those in care homes or who are housebound), those who wear clothes that cover most or all of their skin while outdoors, and those with darker skin in that “at-risk” category.

Crowley advised taking vitamin D3 supplements if you choose to, instead of vitamin D2 kinds, as vitamin D3 seems better for our immune systems.

What if I’m not sure whether I need vitamin D?

“It is important to note that there is a difference between having a vitamin D deficiency and being below optimal levels. A deficiency, which is usually a vitamin D level below 25 nmol/L, should be addressed by a medical professional,” Crowley stated.

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“The best way to find out about your vitamin D levels is to get a blood test. This is definitely worth it if you tend to get ill often, or generally feel like your health is not at its best.”

  • below 25 nmol/L – Deficient

  • 25-50 nmol/L – Insufficient

  • 50-75 nmol/L – Adequate

  • 75 nmol/L or above – Optimum.

How much vitamin D should I take?

Don’t take vitamin D supplements if you don’t need them, as too much over a long period of time can lead to hypercalcaemia.

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  • Babies (0-12 months) – 8.5-10 mcg/day (340-400 IU/day)
  • Children (1 year and over) – 10 mcg/day (400 IU/day)
  • Adults (including pregnant or breastfeeding people) – 10 mcg/day (400 IU/day).

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Strictly Come Dancing stars share heartbreaking loss years after marriage split

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Manchester Evening News

Neil and Katya Jones took to social media to detail the loss of their beloved dog, Crumble

Two Strictly Come Dancing stars have revealed that they have suffered a heartbreaking joint loss, years after their marriage came to an end.

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Fans of the BBC One dance show will already be aware that Neil and Katya Jones were once in a relationship. The two professional dancers married in August 2013, but after six years of marriage, in August 2019, they announced their separation.

The statement at the time read: “As our fans and loyal supporters, you are really important to us, and so we wanted to let you know some news. After 11 years, we have made the mutual decision to separate. We will always love each other, just in a different way as friends. This will never change what a great team we make and we are really proud of everything we have achieved together.

“Our shared love of dance means we will keep working and dancing together as well as exploring individual projects. No matter what we do we will always support and respect each other. We wish one another every happiness and we will remain the best of friends. We are really looking forward to getting back to the ballroom and can’t wait to keep on dancing. Lots of love from us both.”

The former couple have remained on good terms, continuing to work and perform together on Strictly, and they have also continued to share owner of their pet dogs, Chorizo and Crumble. An Instagram page for the pups reads: “Crumble -Chi x shit x poo SHE/HER, Chorizo (adopted) Chihuahua mix HE/HIS, parents @mr_njonesofficial and @katyajones.”

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But it was over the weekend that Neil confirmed the devastating death of Crumble. Alongside pictures of the adorable pooch, he shared: “Today we said goodbye to Crumble. She may have been small, but she had the biggest personality and brought so much joy to everyone who knew her.

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“She loved cuddles, belly rubs, and being close to the people she loved.” He added: “She will be missed more than words can say, but we find comfort in knowing she is finally at peace and no longer in pain. Sleep tight, Crumble.”

The post was quickly flooded with messages of love and support. Fellow dancer Karen Hauer said: “Oh Neil. I’m so sorry .. so sad .. she was a beautiful little girl. Sending all the love,” while Joanne Clifton replied: “It’s SO sad .. Sending love.” Former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson commented: “I’m so sorry Neil.”

Katya, meanwhile, shared a video to her Instagram Story of Crumble, and told her followers: “I know you are the sassiest girl up there [heart emoji].” She then shared pictures of her and her 2025 Strictly partner Lewis Cope back dancing together and commented: “Danced my way through this heartbreaking weekend [dog emoji].”

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Portfolio Diet: Food Plan And Heart Benefits

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Portfolio Diet: Food Plan And Heart Benefits

In a recent video, surgeon, author, and medical myth debunker Dr Karan Rajan said that the portfolio diet could “reduce your [low-density lipoprotein] LDL cholesterol as much as a statin”.

Statins are medications designed to lower a person’s LDL, or “bad”, cholesterol levels, thus reducing their risk of heart disease and stroke.

A 2003 study found that the portfolio reduced LDL cholesterol by almost 29%. In other words, it seemed about as good as low-dose statins (those which reduce LDL cholesterol by 30% or less) at lowering “bad” cholesterol.

The British Heart Foundation cautioned that statins may carry unique benefits and better-proven outcomes outside of just lowering LDL cholesterol. If you’ve been prescribed statins, keep taking them as long as your doctor advises.

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But if you’re trying to keep your LDL levels healthy in general, some research suggests the portfolio diet can reduce “bad” cholesterol by as much as 30%.

What is the portfolio diet?

The diet, which was invented in the early 2000s by Dr. David J.A. Jenkin, is designed to combine several LDL cholesterol-reducing foods into a single plan.

Speaking to Harvard Health, dietitian Andrea Glen – who was involved in 2023 research that showed sticking strictly to the Portfolio diet was linked to a 14% lower risk of heart disease – said: “A lot of different foods can lower LDL cholesterol, but only by a little bit – about 5% to 10%.

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“The idea behind the portfolio diet was to combine many of these foods together to get a larger reduction.”

How can I follow a portfolio diet?

The portfolio diet focuses on four main components:

  1. Plant protein, especially soy protein, found in tofu, edamame beans, lentils, and tempeh.
    Consuming these has been linked to a 4-6% LDL cholesterol reduction, and the portfolio diet asks you to aim for least 35g a day.
  2. Plant sterols, like those found in minimally processed olive, sunflower, and rapeseed oils and fortified products e.g. some margarines, milks, and yoghurts which say they help to lower cholesterol.
    A 2014 review of studies found that eating up to 3.3g a day of plant sterols a day lowered participants’ LDL cholesterol levels by 6-12% after four weeks, though consuming more did not lead to better results. The portfolio diet suggests 2g of plant sterols a day, which the British Heart Foundation says you probably won’t get from oils, fruits, veg, and grain alone: reach fof fortified foods for the most effective does.
  3. Tree nuts, like almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and pistachios.
    These could help to reduce LDL cholesterol by anywhere from 3-19%. The portfolio diet asks you to eat a handful, or 42g, of tree nuts a day.
  4. Soluble fiber, which you can get from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (e.g. black beans, oats, Brussels sprouts, barely, sweet potatoes, carrots, avocado, and soft fruit, like apples and pears).
    Getting enough soluble fibre has been linked to 5-11 lower LDL cholesterol level points. The portfolio diet recommends 18g a day.

Taking psyllium husk can help if you’re struggling to reach your soluble fibre goals, while (as we mentioned) plant sterol-fortified yoghurts, spreads, and milk products are probably the best way to help you meet that target.

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Could women’s anger turn Makerfield voters against Reform UK?

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Could women’s anger turn Makerfield voters against Reform UK?

With the Makerfield byelection approaching, polling suggests that Andy Burnham has a lead over Reform UK’s candidate Robert Kenyon. That lead, it appears, is stronger among women than men. Among women, Burnham’s lead stretches to 17 points, while among men is just two points.

One factor behind this may be the social media campaign being run by Reform. Analysis suggests that the party’s posts are targeted at (and seen more often by) men. And among voters aged 25 to 65, Kenyon’s campaign adverts have been seen far more often by men.

This is not surprising – research shows that men consume more political news and media than women, partially due to a “child penalty”, which can reduce the amount of news that mothers consume. As such, Reform’s campaign may be cutting through to more men.

However, the women of Makerfield do seem to have noticed one key claim about Kenyon – and it’s not something they view favourably. His old social media posts included a number of sexually explicit comments, as well as sexist language. This included a post in which he described women who had an abortion as “cowardly”.

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On a special edition of the BBC’s Question Time programme recorded in Makerfield, one female audience member stated: “I’d rather have a career politician than a plumber who’s a sexist.”

Previous research shows that holding sexist attitudes and voting for a rightwing party in the UK are associated. This is relevant to understanding not just women’s choices when it comes to the byelection, but also men’s. Men who do not hold sexist attitudes will also be unlikely to lend their support to Reform.

But it’s important not to give too much weight to Reform’s choice of candidate or social media campaign as the causes of the gender differences seen in this recent polling. It is well understood that women are now less likely to vote for rightwing parties than men. This is especially the case when it comes to populist or far-right parties.

Women are more likely to vote for leftwing parties than men, a pattern that played out in the UK’s 2024 general election. The polling in Makerfield is consistent with this trend.

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Yet the women of Makerfield, the choice of candidates by both parties, and Kenyon’s controversial comments are likely to play an important role in support for Labour at the byelection. Labour and Burnham, currently mayor of Greater Manchester, must consolidate the left vote in the constituency, and make sure their voters turn out on the day. Reform’s choice of Kenyon as its candidate may just help them to do this.

A candidate who has displayed controversial attitudes about women and issues around gender may make women who favour a third party, such as the Green party, more likely to prioritise keeping Reform out. They may see a vote for Labour as the best way to do this.

How might anger affect the vote?

One problem for Labour nationally is that the left vote has fragmented even further since 2024, with support increasing for the Green party. Support for the Greens among younger, educated women is now particularly strong.

While the Greens won only 4% of the vote in Makerfield at the last general election, if this were to increase it could be a real issue for Labour. This is not because the Greens are a threat to win the constituency, but because they could take support away from Burnham.

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In the last byelection in Greater Manchester – Gorton and Denton – there were competing claims from Labour and the Greens about who was best placed to keep Reform out. Then, Reform had fielded a different candidate with controversial attitudes to gender issues. This may have contributed to a Green win, with late-deciding women potentially playing a role in the result.

In Makerfield, unlike in Gorton and Denton, it is much more obvious that women should consolidate behind Labour if they want to keep out a controversial Reform candidate. This may help Labour and bring back women who have voted (or have considered voting) Green.

On top of this, Reform’s decision to stick with a candidate with attitudes that seemed to make women in the Question Time audience visibly angry may motivate women to turn out and vote.

This could also spill over into households. It’s well established that when one person in a household votes, others in that household are more likely to do so. This goes alongside any influence Labour-voting women might have on the voting choices of those around them.

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Of course, this influence could also work against Labour. My own research has shown that, in the UK, people who discussed politics with a Labour or a Liberal Democrat supporter were less likely to go on to vote Remain. And those who discussed politics with a Ukip backer were more likely to vote Leave.

The contest in Makerfield may be decided in part by how well Labour can persuade leftwing voters, who are disproportionately women, to vote for Burnham to keep out a controversial Reform candidate. Then the question will be whether these women can also mobilise those around them to do the same.

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Keir Starmer to ban under-16s from social media apps

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Keir Starmer to ban under-16s from social media apps

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the proposed ban at a Downing Street press conference scheduled for 8am.

The move comes in response to overwhelming support during a government consultation, which found that 91% of parents backed raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.

The proposed UK ban would apply to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Reddit.

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Children under 16 to be banned from social media apps

Sir Keir said: “This is a choice about whose side we’re on: families across the country, or a status quo that isn’t working.

“People rightly expect action, and this Government will always stand up for parents and put children first.

“As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe and happy.

“That’s why we will call time on a system that’s failing our kids and take bold action to give every child the best possible start in life.”

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It is expected that the ban will go further than similar measures in Australia by also banning under-16s from accessing romantic or sexual AI chatbots and limiting their ability to chat with strangers on gaming platforms, according to The Sunday Times.

Other measures under consideration include daily time limits for under-18s to prevent late-night scrolling.

The consultation on the proposals closed on May 26 and drew about 116,000 responses, making it the second-largest in history.

More than 83% of parents who responded said the risks of social media outweigh the benefits for children.

Among younger respondents, 62% said restricting high-risk features would improve their safety online.

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However, 72% expressed concerns about feeling left out if such restrictions were introduced.

Sir Keir’s announcement follows his recent ultimatum to Apple and Google, giving them three months to make it technologically impossible for children to take, share or view nude images on their smartphones.

Not everyone agrees with the proposals.

The U.S. embassy in London, responding to the consultation, warned the UK against a blanket ban, favouring more targeted requirements instead.

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They raised concerns that strict age verification could place disproportionate compliance burdens on American tech companies.

Domestic critics have also voiced their concerns.

The Molly Rose Foundation, established after the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell, argued that a simple age ban will not address the underlying product safety risks.

Andy Burrows, the foundation’s chief executive, said: “A majority of children will continue to use high-risk sites that will have no incentive to implement robust protections.

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“This is not what online safety experts believe will work and is necessary.

“Keir Starmer has chosen to abdicate responsibility for tackling harmful algorithms and his legacy will be setting back children’s safety by years.”

However, Conservative figures who campaigned for tougher online protections for children welcomed the new direction.

Lord Nash, a former education minister, said: “The Government now has an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and end tech companies’ uncontrolled experiment with children’s safety.

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“They must deliver in full on their pledge to raise the age limit to 16 for harmful platforms and features, with robust age verification to ensure it is properly enforced.

“Only by doing this can they begin to end the catastrophic harm being done to a generation.

“Let’s give our children their childhood back.”

Labour MP Feryal Clark, co-chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for digital creators, said: “High-quality, creator-led educational video content is a critical public resource and is not the same thing as social media.

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“For example, many young people use it to revise for GCSEs, to learn a language or a musical instrument.

“Any legislative intervention must capably address this distinction.”

Do you agree with a social media ban for under-16s? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Ryanair investigated over cost to parents to sit next to child

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Ryanair investigated over cost to parents to sit next to child

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was looking into whether the airline’s policy, which the watchdog said typically led to a fee of £8 each way, was “unfair” under consumer law.

It said Ryanair’s terms and conditions state a parent must sit with their child if aged between two years and 11.

This is done through what the airline calls a “mandatory family seat” that the parent must pay a fee for.

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Ryanair called the investigation “bogus” and insisted its family seating policy “fully complies with all relevant laws”.

The airline said that it does not charge any fee for children to sit beside their parent or accompanying adult.

However, parents and guardians must pay a booking fee to be seated next to them, The Guardian reports.

Why is Ryanair being investigated?

The CMA is looking at whether the airline’s “approach to seat reservations may mean parents are being charged for the airline to meet its child safety and disability‑related obligations as set out under aviation rules – and will investigate to determine whether or not this practice is in line with consumer law”.

The watchdog said it understood that Ryanair was the only major airline flying from the UK to impose such a charge, BBC News reports.

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It said other airlines offered to seat children next to a parent or guardian without a fee, or allocate seats together automatically during booking for free.

The CMA added that its investigation had just started, and it had “reached no conclusions about whether Ryanair has broken the law”.

Ryanair said adults travelling with children pay one reserved seat fee, “but can select reserved seats beside them for up to four children on the same booking FREE OF CHARGE”.

In a statement, the airline said: “This means that parents travelling with children pay for only one (adult) reserved seat but pay nothing for the four other reserved seats for their children travelling with them.

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“This bogus CMA investigation is a failed effort by the Starmer Govt to pretend it cares about consumers when it has failed to abolish APD [Air Passenger Duty] which would immediately deliver lower fares for all consumers and growth for the UK aviation, tourism and wider economy.

“Ryanair looks forward to disproving these false CMA claims during this bogus investigation.”


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Consumer rights body Which? welcomed the investigation.

Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, said: “Which? has repeatedly highlighted Ryanair’s harsh approach to separating families and making parents pay a fee to sit next to children as young as three, so it’s good to see the regulator investigating the airline’s behaviour.”

He added: “Ryanair doesn’t have to wait for the outcome of the CMA’s investigation, it could stop charging these unreasonable fees today and we would encourage them to do that.”

What’s your opinion on the Ryanair seating charge? Let us know in the comments.

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