Friends star Courteney Cox has reportedly split from Snow Patrol musician and Belfast star Johnny McDaid after more than a decade together, with the couple having previously been engaged
Emma O’Neill Content Editor and Jordan Lloyd Beck
12:05, 29 Jun 2026Updated 12:14, 29 Jun 2026
Courteney Cox has reportedly called time on her romance with Johnny McDaid.
The 62 year old star, best known for playing Monica Geller in Friends, has been in a relationship with Snow Patrol rocker Johnny, 49, since 2013, having got engaged over a decade ago.
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But it emerged on Saturday that the pair have parted ways, though sources have stressed it wasn’t an “ugly split” at all.
An insider told The Mail on Sunday: “Johnny speaks incredibly highly of Courteney. They had a very deep relationship and they remain extremely amicable. They are great friends and care about each other very much.
“This was not an ugly split. They had simply reached a point where they were living different lives.”
It’s believed Johnny has started seeing someone new, with his last public appearance with Courteney – who is mum to 22 year old daughter Coco with ex-husband David Arquette – happening in September at the US Open.
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Just weeks before that outing, the now-separated couple were spotted enjoying a night out with Jennifer Aniston and her other half Jim Curtis, reports the Mirror, reports RSVP Live.
Courteney, who also portrays Gail Weathers in the Scream franchise, first met Johnny at a Los Angeles party through their shared pal Ed Sheeran. In 2024, the actress revealed that Johnny had previously terminated their relationship at the very start of a couples therapy appointment they were attending together.
During an appearance on the Minnie Questions podcast, she confided in Minnie Driver, saying: “We went to this therapist to talk about our boundaries – what we could and couldn’t accept of each other.
“I was like, ‘what?’
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“And we were engaged. And I was so shocked. I was in so much pain. I also don’t like surprises!
“There was that much that needed to be dealt with, that he had to protect himself around his heart.”
The couple eventually navigated through their troubles and, despite calling off their engagement, maintained their relationship – until their recent separation.
Comments made by the officer were found to be “derogatory and of a misogynistic nature”
A Cambridgeshire Police officer shared “intimate images” of a detained woman, a misconduct hearing heard. PC Josh Williams faced a misconduct hearing accused of sharing images of a detained female and making “derogatory” comments to another officer.
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PC Williams was accused of sharing messages and images, relating to a female who had been detained for criminal offences, to another officer without authority.
According to the hearing outcome, these images contained “intimate images of the detained female” and the comments made by PC Williams were “derogatory and of a misogynistic nature”. The hearing heard they were “unprofessional to say the least”.
Following an investigation, a summons was issued for two offences: misconduct in a public office and doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.
In May 2025, PC Williams entered a guilty plea in relation to misconduct in a public office. However, PC Williams entered a not guilty plea with regards to the allegation of perverting the course of justice. He was due to stand trial in June 2026.
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The accelerated hearing only related to the former offence to which a guilty plea had been entered. The actions of the officer were found to breach the professional standards in discreditable conduct.
The Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police concluded that PC Williams’ conduct was “so serious that dismissal would be justified”. He therefore found that the conduct amounted to gross misconduct.
PC Williams did not attend the hearing. His case centres on an investigation that stemmed from another case which led to him being investigated for misconduct in a public office.
The initial download of the detainee’s phone was authorised. However, the downloading and sharing of the specific images and comments that were not authorised.
There are more than 70 allotments in Livingston and plans for a third site, in Boghall, Bathgate are being developed.
The Good Life has never been more attractive to the green-fingered in West Lothian and demand for allotment space is growing.
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While the TV show is more than 50 years old the “grow your own” idea which first took root in the 1970s has bloomed.
There are more than 70 allotments in Livingston and plans for a third site, in Boghall, Bathgate are being developed.
The Council has continued to work with Bathgate Community Development Trust (BCDT) to develop an allotment site adjacent to Boghall Primary school. In the reporting period BCDT worked towards plans for an allotment of mixed plot sizes which could be managed by an independent allotment association.
BCDT are responsible for securing funding to enable the delivery of the new allotment. Funding from WLC was utilised for an initial ground investigation and report to ascertain the land was suitable for food growing. Currently BCDT is preparing to submit proposals for planning.
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A council officer told the meeting that plans for the Boghall allotment had been submitted to the council and if approved the allotments could be operational by early next year.
A 2015 Holyrood Act requires the council to promote community food growing and the council supports local groups identifying sites.
A meeting of the Environment and Sustainability PDSP heard that there are currently 74 allotments on council sites at Killandean and Deansmeadow in Livingston.
Both allotment sites on council-owned land are leased to independent associations and were established prior to the introduction of the Act. These associations have maintained and administered their own waiting lists since their inception.
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Killandean Community Allotment Association has 54 plots and reported 43 applicants on its waiting list. Turnover of plots remains limited.
Deansmeadow Allotments Association has reported to have 22 plots with 12 applicants on the waiting list.
Both groups are fully self-managing, with no direct involvement from the council in the day-to-day operation of sites or the administration of waiting lists. The council does not play a direct role in the development or construction of allotments.
The 2015 Community Empowerment Act requires local authorities to take reasonable steps to ensure that the number of applicants on waiting lists for Council-leased allotments does not exceed 50% of the total number of available plots.
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When the council receives requests for allotment plots, applicants are directed in the first instance to Killandean Community Allotment Association and Deansmeadow Allotments Association. Applications for individual plots may be made by one or more individuals jointly; however, each application is recorded as a single request for the purposes of calculating waiting list numbers.
The council itself currently holds one applicant on its waiting list. At present, there is no dedicated level of investment to support the construction or direct management of allotments, and the waiting list is maintained primarily to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
Should either Killandean or Deansmeadow Allotments Associations have no applicants on their waiting lists and a plot becomes available, the council may assist in allocating a plot from its own waiting list.
The council can support the allocation of plots where new allotment sites are developed by independent community groups.
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The award celebrates the team’s outstanding work in making golf more accessible and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across North Lanarkshire.
Active NL’s Golf Team has been recognised on the national stage after winning Community Team of the Year at the Scottish Golf Union (SGU) Golf Awards.
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The award celebrates the team’s outstanding work in making golf more accessible and creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across North Lanarkshire.
A special event was held at Lochview Golf Course to celebrate the achievement, bringing together staff, partners and volunteers who have helped make the programme such a success.
Over the past year, Active NL’s Golf Team has continued to grow participation across local communities while focusing on inclusion, development and creating positive experiences through sport.
The team has worked closely with ASN schools to introduce golf to pupils with a wide range of additional support needs, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and enjoy being active in a welcoming environment.
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Links with mainstream schools have also strengthened, with local pupils invited to access Lochview free of charge on Friday afternoons.
The initiative has helped introduce more young people to golf and has contributed positively within the local community.
Programmes designed specifically for women and girls continue to thrive, with 75 girls taking part in the popular Girls’ Hub programme last year.
More than 100 children also regularly attend Lochview Academy as they begin their journey in the sport.
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John Kelly, Golf Operations Manager with North Lanarkshire Council, said: “This recognition belongs to the whole team, our staff, coaches, volunteers, grounds team, partners and participants.
“What makes this especially rewarding is seeing the difference golf can make beyond the game itself. We’ve seen young people grow in confidence, families get involved together and people discover opportunities they may never have thought were available to them.”
Councillor Geraldine Woods, Convener of NLC’s Communities Committee, said: “This award is a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of the commitment and passion shown by everyone involved in delivering golf opportunities across North Lanarkshire.
“The team has created something that goes well beyond sport. They’ve opened doors for people, supported communities and made golf accessible and welcoming to more residents.”
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BBC’s acclaimed historical fantasy Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, originally released in 2015, is now streaming on Prime Video and viewers are hailing it as a ‘masterpiece’
Hannah McGreevy, Assistant Editor for Screen Time
13:00, 29 Jun 2026
Enthusiasts of period dramas may have just stumbled upon their latest binge-watch. A BBC miniseries that appears tailor-made for admirers of Downton Abbey or Penny Dreadful is presently available to stream.
The programme, which first broadcast in 2015, can now be found on Prime Video, with audiences praising it as a “masterpiece”. The BBC historical drama is also based on an internationally bestselling novel by Piranesi author Susanna Clarke.
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It commands an impressive 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes – exactly the same score as Downton Abbey on the review aggregator site.
The synopsis reads: “In an alternate history, during the time of real life Napoleonic Wars, two men of destiny, the gifted recluse Mr. Norrell and daring spellcasting novice Jonathan Strange, use magic to help England.”
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, adapted from Clarke’s debut novel of the same name, features a stellar British cast including Eddie Marsan, Marc Warren, Charlotte Riley and Bertie Carvel, reports the Mirror.
The costume drama runs for just seven episodes, following the “dangerous battle between two great minds”. It received glowing reviews upon release, with Digital Spy branding it an ‘epic’ drama and the Independent calling it a ‘real treat’.
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Over on IMDb, viewers described the series as ‘spellbinding’, with one writing: “Having anticipated this show for quite some years, I was anxious about what the BBC would make of my favourite book.
“However, I had no need to worry, as they captured the tone of Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece of a novel perfectly: dark and creepy, yet at the same time eerily beautiful.”
“Starts slow, but ultimately becomes a masterpiece,” another posted, while a third confessed: “This is one of the best series I have seen in a long time.”
One viewer described the show as ‘outstanding’, commenting: “This is BBC drama at its very best and a great showcase for why the licence fee is such good value. The quality of acting is superb with brilliant casting, lighting, costumes and direction.”
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Elsewhere, on Rotten Tomatoes, one enthusiast said: “This is an excellent show, everything you can ask for in a well acted, written, and filmed, old English fantasy that you only have to invest in a season for the whole story.”
A further reviewer agreed: “Truly original and incredibly well done. Once you get through the first episode you’ll be surprised by the incredible action sequences. Amazing, unexpected.”
Emergency services were called to Clifton Country Park in Swinton, Greater Manchester on Saturday afternoon following reports of a teenager in difficulty in the water
Rucsandra Moldoveanu Live News Reporter and Matt Jackson Live News Network Reporter
Emergency services rushed to Clifton Country Park in Swinton on Saturday at 4.51pm following reports of a 15-year-old getting into difficulty in the water. Underwater search teams from the North West Under Water Search and Marine Unit located a body in the water today.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that, while formal identification is yet to take place, the boy’s family have been notified of the discovery and are receiving support from specialist officers. The public has now been urged to stay safe during hot weather, with high temperatures expected to return later this week.
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Detective Inspector Dave Ogden commented: “Saturday’s incident is truly heart breaking, and my thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the young boy who has so tragically lost his life. While we are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances, this incident is an incredibly upsetting reminder of the serious risks associated with open water.
“We understand people want to make the most of the warm weather, but we would urge everyone to stay safe and avoid entering reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds. Please take care and enjoy the weather in a safe way.”
The body of another 15-year-old boy was pulled from Cowbury Reservoir in Stalybridge, Tameside, on the eastern side of Manchester on Saturday evening. In a separate tragedy, a 55 year old woman lost her life after entering a pool at Sandwell Valley Country Park in West Bromwich in the West Midlands on Saturday afternoon, reports the Mirror.
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Additional victims who have perished in drowning incidents over the past week include 13-year-old Hayden Jones-Powell from Syston, Leicestershire, 22-year-old Brody Leach, whose body was retrieved from the River Severn in Shrewsbury, and a 15-year-old boy whose body was discovered at Testwood Lakes near Southampton.
At the beginning of June, The Mirror launched the “Save Lives for Sam” campaign to stop the “catastrophic” deaths of 33 children who drown in England every year – “the equivalent of a classroom of children lost”. Drowning across the UK has been labelled an “epidemic” and a “national emergency,” according to campaigners.
Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer. That includes compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam’s Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
Find out more about the Mirror’s campaign and how you can support it here.
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Rachel Lowe MBE, creator of the iconic Destination Board Game series, has created a special centenary edition of Destination Portsmouth to celebrate Portsmouth’s 100th anniversary since being granted city status in 1926. The project will support Cash for Kids South Coast, a charity dedicated to helping children living in poverty across our region.
Multiple ambulance vehicles were called to the scene
Two people have been taken to hospital after a crash in Cambridge. Emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash on Hawkins Road, Cambridge at around 9.20am on Monday (June 29).
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The East of England Ambulance Service transported two people to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called at 9:19 am on Monday, June 29, to a road traffic collision on Hawkins Road in Cambridge.
“Two ambulances, an ambulance officer vehicle, an East Anglian Air Ambulance response car, and a rapid response car attended the scene. Two patients were transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.”
Cambridgeshire Police also attended. A police spokesperson added: “We were called at about 9.20am today (29 June) with reports of a collision between two vehicles on Hawkins Road, Cambridge.”
Andy Burnham’s long held ambition to be the UK’s prime minister will come with some daunting economic challenges.
Productivity growth is at a virtual standstill, real incomes have stagnated and the cost-of-living crisis has become a permanent fixture for many households. Meanwhile, the government spends around £110 billion a year paying the interest on nearly £3 trillion of debt.
Burnham says he is on a “10-year mission” to transform the country. So what might he do to try to fix the British economy?
One thing that voters can reasonably expect is a move towards greater devolution of power – especially spending power – to the English metro regions. As mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham often argued that too many economic decisions were made in London, and that this held the rest of the country back.
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Burnham believes that allowing other regions to implement their own locally led pro-growth policies could transform Britain’s economic prospects. It’s a view shared by one of his key economic advisers, Jim O’Neill, who has long argued that creating metro growth hubs could substantially boost the UK’s GDP.
This approach is bound to be controversial. It could mean, for example, taking resources away from the £49 billion Heathrow airport expansion plan to help fund HS2 so it can reach the north.
More radically, it might require a revamp of the whole system of local government finance, starting with reforming the council tax system, which is still entirely based on property values set in 1991.
This would mean higher bills for areas where house prices are high, such as London and the south-east. But it could substantially cut payments for those living elsewhere – which could be popular in red wall constituencies where Labour has been losing support.
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Social care
Burnham has also spoken about reforming the UK’s social care system. Social care is not part of the NHS, which means those who need residential care in old age must either sell their house to fund it, or rely on cash-strapped local councils.
Finding a solution to social care has proved too challenging for successive governments. When Burnham was health secretary under Gordon Brown in 2010, he proposed putting a tax on the value of homes after the owner’s death – which critics labelled a “death tax”.
Nevertheless, he may try something similar as prime minister. Solving the social care conundrum would dramatically ease the financial strain on the NHS.
Nationalisation
Another cause that Burnham has recently embraced is tackling the poor performance of the companies that supply households with energy and water.
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First in line would be Thames Water, which is already facing bankruptcy and a temporary government takeover. A straight-out nationalisation of water would be expensive, with that company alone currently valued at £10 billion.
Water work. Yau Ming Low/Shutterstock
But better public utilities could also boost productivity. Housing development in East Anglia is now being held back by lack of water, for example, as no new reservoirs have been built in the UK since 1992. And a water company which didn’t have to pay out hundreds of millions of pounds to shareholders could mean lower household bills.
Bending, not breaking, the fiscal rules
Burnham has promised to stand by Labour’s commitments not to increase VAT, income tax or national insurance. He has also pledged to stick by Labour’s fiscal rules, including the key stipulation that day-to-day government spending must be covered by tax revenues within three years, so that borrowing can only be for long-term capital investment.
These rules have been structured in such a way that could still give a Burnham administration considerable leeway to boost spending on public infrastructure.
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Burnham could argue that increasing public investment this way would pay for itself by boosting UK productivity.
He may also want to look at other ways the Treasury could raise money without breaking Labour’s manifesto pledges. There are quite a few options, including higher wealth taxation, or changes to tax relief on pensions and savings.
Burnham is also taking advice from Carys Roberts, the former head of the Institute for Public Policy Research thinktank, and a strong advocate of wealth taxes, which may indicate his direction of travel.
Burnham won the trust of voters in the constituency of Makerfield. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
All of these reforms will face fierce political opposition from the Conservatives and the right-wing press, which in the past have been enough to scupper them.
But if Burnham keeps his Labour party colleagues happy, he need not face an election for three years. And if he manages to improve public services, boost growth and lower the cost-of-living crisis, he may be able to turn round Labour’s prospects.
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The key is the government delivering the benefits of higher taxes to ordinary citizens, both by reducing the cost of living and providing improved services. If Burnham can square this circle, while avoiding the ire of financial markets, he will have pulled off a trick which his predecessor singularly failed to do.
People face penalties if they miss the annual deadline
14:01, 29 Jun 2026Updated 14:09, 29 Jun 2026
Specialists are cautioning taxpayers as a crucial HMRC deadline approaches, with one expert warning that “many get caught out”.
With just one month remaining, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging millions of Self Assessment taxpayers to gear up for the July 31 deadline for the second payments on account for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. Customers are able to arrange monthly or weekly payment plans, and any payments already made through these schemes will count towards their next Self Assessment tax bill.
Payments can be made via the HMRC app, with nearly two million Self Assessment taxpayers having done so since its launch in January 2022. The app makes it straightforward for people to contribute towards their tax bill, set payment reminders, and monitor their payment history.
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Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “We know managing a Self Assessment tax bill isn’t always straightforward and we are here to help. From paying instantly via the HMRC app to spreading the cost through a payment plan, there’s support available for every customer. Search ‘Pay your Self Assessment tax bill’ on GOV.UK to choose the payment option that works for you.”
Matthew Knight, chief freelance officer at Freelancing.Support, said many people did not know the deadline.
He added: “While everyone knows the January 31 deadline, many who are new to freelancing often get caught out by payment-on-account deadlines, which asks you to pay your taxes ahead of your income. Getting into the habit of doing your accounts monthly or quarterly helps you keep on top of the admin, rather than waiting for HMRC to remind you. This is where Making Tax Digital could actually help small businesses, ensuring they’re on top of their taxes.”
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Ross Lacey, director and Independent Financial Adviser at Rayleigh-based Fairview Financial Management, said it was important to keep your books up to date.
He added: “It’s good practice to get on top of this as early as possible. That way, you can ensure the payments on account remain appropriate for the level of income you’ve actually earned.
“It also helps with any changes you may want to make to your business in the current tax year, using the information on how much profit, or not, was generated in the previous tax year. Far too many people are almost a year behind in knowing how their business is really doing. Keeping the book up to date throughout the year makes this less of a mammoth task.”
Samuel Mather-Holgate, managing director and IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, said “silence is usually the most expensive option”.
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He added: “The Self Assessment system is creaking because it asks millions of ordinary people to behave like unpaid tax administrators. Staying up to date matters. If you miss the July 31 payment on account you can quickly face interest, penalties and nasty cash-flow shocks.
“But HMRC cannot keep relying on last-minute nudges and an app to fix a system many people find confusing. There should be far clearer prompts, plainer language and earlier warnings, especially for the self-employed and side-hustlers.
“The practical advice is simple – check your online account now, do not assume payments on account are optional, put money aside weekly, and speak to HMRC before the deadline if you cannot pay. Silence is usually the most expensive option.”
Nouran Moustafa, practice principal and IFA at Roxton Wealth, said taxpayers needed to act before the deadline.
She added: “Self Assessment needs year-round organisation. The July 31 payment catches people off guard because it lands months after the January rush, just when many self-employed people, landlords and business owners are focused on keeping cash moving through the summer.
“Being up to date matters because this is not a bill you can wish away. Missing it can mean interest, stress and a much bigger problem by January, when the balancing payment and next payment on account can arrive together. There is publicity, but not enough explanation. Too many people still misunderstand what a payment on account is, or assume income received is fully theirs to spend.
“My advice is simple: make tax part of managing money all year round. Put aside a percentage of every payment, check your HMRC account now, and only reduce a payment on account where there is a genuine, evidenced reason your income will be lower. If cash flow is tight, act before the deadline, not after it. A payment plan is a tool, not a failure.”
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