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This weekend marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress, representing the 13 American colonies, assembled in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. The country had already been at war for more than a year and would continue its armed struggle against Britain for another seven. But on July 4 1776, the United States of America was born.

The ideas that found expression in the Declaration were not new. Tensions between the British crown and its American colonies had been percolating for years. And the philosophical ideas behind America’s revolutionary fervour were also finding expression in Europe, particularly in France and Britain.

As Tom Cutterham, a professor of American history at the University of Birmingham, writes, the sort of ideas that inspired America’s revolutionary thinkers had for some years “been closely tied to questions about corruption, oligarchy and executive tyranny in Britain itself”. He points to the likes of Thomas Paine, John Wilkes, Granville Sharp and Catharine Macaulay who were writing passionate arguments against British despotism.

Macaulay argued that the authority of a monarch rests on a contract between ruler and ruled which, if broken by the monarch, is void. It’s an idea which is said to have inspired Benjamin Franklin’s contribution to the Declaration of Independence. Cutterham tells the stories of the Britons who supported America’s struggle to throw off its colonial masters.

À lire aussi :
America at 250: the Britons who supported the War of Independence

This weekend’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday comes at a time of deep division in the US. There are even two separate organisations planning rival events. One – America250 – was set up in 2016 by the US congress and signed into law by Barack Obama. The other – Freedom250 – was launched in 2025 by the current president, Donald Trump. The former was specifically established as a bipartisan committee, while its hard to see that latter as anything but a partisan expression of the president’s vision of America.

The situation mirrors the debate raging in the US over American history itself, writes Andrea Loux Jarman, an expert in US constitutional law at Bournemouth University. As Jarman notes, early on in Trump’s second presidency, he issued an executive order, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, which targeted what the administration likes to call “woke history”.

Part of this has involved removing or rewriting information panels in museums which, the order says: “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times)”. Instead educational information should “focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people”.

Needless to say information in museums and galleries about the horrors of slavery are among the “woke history” on the Trump administration’s target list. It’s a row which is likely to find its way to the Supreme Court before it can be resolved, writes Jarman.

À lire aussi :
As the United States turns 250 there is bitter rivalry over who gets to tell the country’s story

With this ideological struggle in mind, it’s vital that the celebrations do not overlook the huge contribution that African Americans have made to their country’s history, writes Jenny Woodley, a specialist in American history at Nottingham Trent University.

Even as the founding fathers were honing the ideas that would overthrow British rule, in 1772 an enslaved woman named Phillis Wheatley published a poem that compared her enslavement to “the iron chain, Which wanton Tyranny with lawless hand
Had made, and with it meant t’enslave the land”.

Nearly two centuries later, in his I Have a Dream speech, Martin Luther King Jr called the Declaration of Independence a “promissory note” that guaranteed all people their inalienable rights. He said the bank of justice was not bankrupt and it was time for all Americans to “cash this check”.

But as the US celebrates 250 years since this promissory note was issued, “the ‘bank of justice’ is looking increasingly short of funds”, writes Woodley. She says it’s vital this celebration is one that is shared by all Americans, or – to borrow from the US constitution: “We the people”.

À lire aussi :
USA at 250: the Black American struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

It’s commonplace to read of American democracy as “an experiment” or a “work in progress”. For many of us, just how fragile that work remains was illustrated by the events of January 6 2021, when a mob stormed the US capital in an attempt to prevent Congress from ratifying the results of the 2020 election, which Trump still insists was fraudulently stolen by his opponents.

Happily democracy prevailed that day. But over its 250 years there have a number of occasions when the US has been deeply divided and democracy itself was thought to be imperilled. Historian Sarah Trott, of York St John University, recounts five of the most dangerous moments for the American experiment.

À lire aussi :
America at 250: five times the US constitution has come under threat

Ukraine on the offensive

For more than four years Ukraine has endured a war of aggression from its much larger neighbour Russia. And, despite the Russian expectation that Ukraine would capitulate in less than a week after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has so far proved resilient in the face of whatever Russia has thrown at it.

And in recent weeks the mood music coming out of both Moscow and Kyiv has changed significantly. Mounting Russian casualties, shortages of food and fuel and an apparent deadlock on the frontlines are taking their toll on Russian morale.

Meanwhile the success of Ukraine’s drone warfare and its ability to strike at targets deep inside Russia have enabled it to chalk up some important successes. This is especially the case in Crimea, writes Jennifer Mathers, who explains why the peninsula, often referred to as the “jewel in the crown” of Putin’s vision for a pacified Ukraine, is of such significance in this war.

À lire aussi :
State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’

But four years of war have taken a huge toll on civilian life in Ukraine, especially for those families who have been divided by the conflict. Irina Kuznetsova, who researches the impacts of displacement for people in Ukraine’s war-torn regions, details the obstacles faced by separated Ukrainian families.

À lire aussi :
Ukrainian families have been torn apart by the war – reunifying them is no easy task

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He added that action needed to be taken by employers at an early stage: “We are really strongly encouraging employers to think about developing what we call stay in work plans, so rather than just waiting for someone to leave work, you know, act early, talk to them early, see if you can make some adjustments that allow that person to stay in work while they’re getting better.”

Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to take over as prime minister later this month, has said there is “some room” for movement on tax.

In an interview with LBC, Burnham suggested business rates on warehouses could be increased to fund tax cuts for pubs and some high-street businesses.

But the newly elected Makerfield MP said he would stick to the pledges Labour made not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance in its general election manifesto in 2024.

He also defended his credibility on economic policy, insisting he would not be “indisciplined” with the public finances if he becomes PM.

Some on the left of the Labour Party have called for borrowing rules to be relaxed to fund more public spending.

Burnham has faced criticism in the past for arguing, external that the UK had “got to get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets”, which governments use to borrow money to fund government spending.

Speaking to LBC presenter Andrew Marr, Burnham said the finances in Greater Manchester had been “rock solid” when he was mayor – and pointed to his previous experience as a Treasury minister in the last Labour government.

“I stick by the manifesto and the promises that it made,” Burnham said.

“So, let me be absolutely clear about that, but there is some room within that manifesto for movement on tax.”

The pledge to help on business rates was made last month during his successful by-election campaign to become the MP for Makerfield.

Burnham said pubs, clubs and music venues would receive a 20% cut, while smaller, independent hospitality, leisure and retail companies would have the threshold for paying business rates raised for the first time since 2017.

The cuts would be paid for by higher levies on giant warehouses operated by online firms such as Amazon, and targeting the owners of empty high street properties.

The LBC appearance was his first media interview since announcing his bid to become prime minister.

Burnham remains the only candidate in the process to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to take over as prime minister on 20 July.

One of the biggest items in his in-tray will be the issue of how to fund an increase in defence spending.

Sir Keir announced plans this week for a £15bn increase – but did not spell out in full where the extra money was coming from.

It means whoever Burnham chooses to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor will have to find at least £4.7bn in savings from other departments when they deliver their first Budget in the autumn.

On Wednesday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of “leaving this mess to his successor” and asked if Burnham had agreed to fund the shortfall.

Asked by Marr on LBC whether he was aware of the funding gap before the defence investment plan was published, Burnham said: “I wasn’t in all of the discussions, but to be fair, the government had had an internal process ongoing.

“I regard it as something that the country has to face up to very seriously.

“We’re in a changing world. The nature of the threat is changing.

“What I can say to you tonight is I will take my responsibilities fully to fund the defence investment plan, if I am in the position to do so, I will take those responsibilities extremely seriously.”

On welfare, Burnham said he would not make “crude cuts to benefit levels that just put people who are struggling in even worse poverty”.

He said he would try to reduce the benefits bill by changing the education system to ensure better support for young people pursuing technical qualifications and providing work placements for 16 year olds.

He also said he wanted to see mental health support provided for those in work.

In his interview Burnham also said:

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hosted an intimate rehearsal dinner for their closest family and friends at Madison Square Garden’s Infosys Theater on Thursday.

The pop singer, 36, and the Chiefs tight end, also 36, were joined by around 100 guests ahead of their wedding today, where 1,000 people are expected to attend.

Taylor turned the iconic venue pink for her wedding rehearsal dinner with the New York venue being lit up with lights and adorned with dusty pink curtains, while the interior was decked out with peach-coloured flowers.

It’s been said that Taylor built a custom princess ‘castle’ inside MSG and has supposedly bought out every available calla lily flower in the city.

Famous guests including Selena Gomez, Jack Antonoff, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, as well as the singer’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson, were seen heading inside, while Taylor was spotted being swept into the back.

One pal who has not made the guest list is Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, who were seen a hundred miles away after being iced out from the festivities following a falling out over Blake’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

The bride arrived at her rehearsal dinner two hours ahead of its start time in a blacked-out silver Suburban with an extended roof and communications antennas.

She was later seen returning home well after midnight, spending more than eight hours partying in what was said to be her first-night bash.

There are unconfirmed reports that Taylor and Travis are already legally married, but will have a second celebration with all of their guests today. 

A worker carrying items from the celebration was pictured near the venue

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Another man – believed to be a a part of the wedding – carried a huge case 

Taylor turned the iconic venue pink for her wedding rehearsal dinner with the New York venue being lit up with lights and adorned with dusty pink curtains

The pop singer, 36, and the Chiefs tight end, also 36, were joined by around 100 guests ahead of their wedding today where 1,000 people are expected to attend

The silver Chevrolet Suburban that had dropped the pop icon off was seen leaving the venue at around 12.30am and returning home shortly thereafter. 

As we previously reported, the dress code for the rehearsal dinner was ‘cocktail attire’, a source said, with only family members and close friends invited.

Guests descended upon the theatre to the most exclusive invite in town in stunning ensembles.

Sports commentator Erin Andrews, former football player Ross Travis and NFL WAG Claire Kittle were all among the famous faces to flaunt their fashion credentials. 

The stars brought traffic to a halt with police banning the press from assembling near the venue and even threatening to arrest those who don’t comply.

They hung curtains on the arena’s large windows and erected an arrivals tent which blocked the public’s view of who was there.

A sign at a security checkpoint outside the venue instructed guests to ‘have identification out, have devices ready’, suggesting attendees were forced to give up their phones before entering.

One person who filmed their ride to the event was Selena Gomez, who raised eyebrows as she promoted her beauty brand while traveling to the dinner.

Selena – who is thought to be a bridesmaid – shared a video en route, but used the special moment to promote a lipstick from her Rare Beauty brand.

The clip showed her applying the lipstick in the back of a car while wearing a glamorous black gown. She then shared a close-up photo showcasing the lip product, a forthcoming release from her brand.

The move drew some criticism, given her best friend’s wedding has been shrouded in secrecy, and using the ceremony for promotion could risk Taylor’s ire.

It looks like Selena is attending without her husband Benny Blanco, as he has yet to feature in any pictures or videos. 

Famous guests including Selena Gomez, Jack Antonoff (pictured), Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, as well as the singer’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson

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One person who filmed their ride to the event was Selena, who raised eyebrows as she promoted her beauty brand while traveling to the dinner. 

Sports commentator Charissa Thompson, 44, was in full glam as she headed off to the rehearsal dinner wearing a silver bedazzled mini dress

Taylor Swift’s long-time publicist Tree Paine was also in attendance

Claire Kittle, 32, the wife of San Francisco 49ers player George Kittle, looked ready for the big bash as she wore an elegant, black lace dress

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Former football player Ross Travis, 33, looked dapper in a dark brown suit, which he paired with a black t-shirt and black square-toe loafers

Taylor was later seen returning home well after midnight, spending more than eight hours partying in what was said to be her first-night bash

However at around noon EST that day, Selena uploaded a picture of herself with Blanco and wrote cryptically: ‘i wish benny was here rn.’ 

Meanwhile Lena Dunham, 40, was filmed being driven to the soiree – ahead of an awkward reunion with her ex Jack Antonoff.

The Girls star, who is close pals with Swift, previously dated Jack from 2012 until their split in late 2017.

Elsewhere, Jack was seen heading to the gathering alongside his sister Rachel.

Workers were also seen escorting large black equipment cases inside MSG with ‘Bon Jovi’ painted on the side, suggesting the Eighties rockers would be performing for the crowd. 

The couple have also apparently enlisted the bride’s old friends Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw to perform.

Insiders claimed Tim, 59, and Stevie, 78, will play a ‘Wedding-palooza’ one source characterized as ‘bigger than the Met Gala‘, per Page Six.

Taylor first rose to fame in 2006 with a wistful song called Tim McGraw, which became the lead single of her self-titled debut album.

Then in 2007, while she was establishing herself as a pop idol, Taylor opened on tour for Tim and his wife and fellow country star Faith Hill.

Meanwhile, Taylor is a longtime friend and admirer of Stevie, who is best known for her work as the frontwoman of the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac.

Taylor’s guests are apparently already starting to feel the magnitude of the big day.

‘Everybody’s feeling good, but I think everybody’s ready for it to be over,’ one source candidly admitted to the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.

According to the well-placed insider, part of the nerves stems from loved ones not wanting to slip and share too much information with the public or the press, as every little detail of the highly anticipated nuptials is under a microscope.

‘Nobody wants to be the one to divulge plans and get in trouble, so they’re on edge about that,’ the source added, without detailing what those repercussions may be.

The interior was decked out with peach-coloured flowers

Workers are pictured setting up drapes at the concert venue

Workers were also seen escorting large black equipment cases inside MSG with ‘Bon Jovi’ painted on the side, suggesting the Eighties rockers would be performing for the crowd

Taylor was seen being swept into the back of the iconic New York City venue in a blacked-out silver Suburban with an extended roof and communications antenna

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The Suburban carrying Swift is pictured making its way through Midtown Manhattan

We’re told it’s become the norm for ‘everyone to go along’ with what Taylor wants.

While celebrity guests were pictured arriving to the glamorous rehearsal dinner, Blake Lively and her husband Ryan were seen supporting their daughter Betty, six, as she competed in a horse show at a farm in Lake Placid, New York, according to TMZ.

While her former best friend was joined by pals for the glitzy event, a dressed-down Blake was a far cry from the glamour as she cut a casual figure in a navy tank top and denim shorts at her daughter’s event.

Her blonde hair was swept into an updo that was secured with a claw clip. Meanwhile Reynolds wore a white T-shirt, a tan hat and khaki pants.

Taylor – who is the godmother to all three of the couple’s daughters – reportedly fell out with Lively after being dragged into her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

While the bitter lawsuit was settled earlier this year, it appears it wasn’t enough to secure her a coveted spot on Taylor’s guest list. 

Taylor’s reported fallout with the actress happened after she was subpoenaed in her lawsuit against Justin, before the subpoena was later withdrawn.

Taylor, whose hit song My Tears Ricochet was featured on the soundtrack of Baldoni’s 2024 film It Ends With Us – was pulled into the rollercoaster saga last year when Justin filed a $400million countersuit accusing Blake and her husband of defamation. The suit was later thrown out.

Sports power couple Erin Andrews and husband Jarret Stoll looked incredible as they arrived

The rehearsal dinner guests showed off their style as they headed into MSG

San Francisco 49ers player George Kittle sporting a casual look in shorts and sneakers, with his partner Claire

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Former NFL star Andrew Whitworth and wife Melissa also headed to MSG for the event

The singer’s high school best friend Abigail Anderson Berard looked divine in yellow

Explosive text messages from Justin’s complaint revealed Blake had referred to the superstar singer and her husband as ‘my dragons’ in a bid to intimidate him over the ill-fated flick.

Another apparent snub was Travis’s ‘bros’, who swept into town Thursday night, dressed in their own unmistakable brand of NFL chic for the wedding of the year.

But behind their bravado, a more delicate drama was unfolding.

Everyone on Team Travis, it seems, got an invitation to his wedding – but not everyone got the same one.

While his oldest confidants – the Cleveland boys, the twins who built his brand, the fellow tight ends – glided into the rehearsal dinner, a swathe of his wider NFL circle found themselves punted to Friday’s 1,000-strong blowout. 

The sensitive, semi-snubbed bros left on the sidelines are believed to be quietly seething at being frozen out of the more star-studded dinner the night before, sources say.

The bride and groom have made serious attempts to keep their guests’ lips sealed.

The Daily Mail was the first to report in April that the couple sent out nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) along with their save-the-dates, and guests had to sign them to receive the actual wedding invitation.

Although we were told at the time that it is unlikely either Swift or Kelce, both 36, would ever take legal action against their family or friends, our first insider said guests have taken the agreement very seriously.

‘The NDA was a lot and I think everyone is scared of [Taylor’s team],’ the source said.

The Daily Mail also reported on Wednesday that Taylor’s longtime stylist Joseph Cassell Falconer helped create custom outfits for family members.

It appears Taylor wants total control over her wedding – and what gets released. 

As the Daily Mail previously reported, there are rumblings that the nuptials ‘will be recorded’ for a possible wider release. A source told us in March that the Grammy winner wants to be able to share these special moments with her loyal fans.  

Travis’ mother Donna Kelce arriving in Laguardia Airport on Thursday

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Crew members set up a tent outside of Madison Square Garden ahead of the reported wedding

The tent helped give the arrivals privacy

NYPD K9 units were also spotted arriving at the venue ahead of the major event

Aside from the NDA, we’re told other extreme measures have been taken to keep everything under wraps in the days leading up to Taylor walking down the aisle.

Earlier this week, another source told us that everyone who enters the reception venue, has their phones taken away.

The Daily Mail has exclusively learned that on-site security has gone a step further by having everyone in the area wear a tracker on their wrists.

‘When they give you a wristband, they take your picture and the wristbands could be tracked everywhere in the building,’ the source explained of how the added security measure apparently works.

‘They can see where you are; must have an RFID [radio-frequency identification] or something,’ they added.

As of now, it is unclear whether Taylor and Kelce’s celebrity guests and relatives will also be required to don the tracker on their wedding day, but we are told it is for ‘everyone that’s checking in.’

Despite going to great lengths to control what leaks, it has become a nearly impossible feat for a reported guest list of 1,000 attendees on Friday.

Taylor is planning to capture every moment of her wedding of the century on camera – but has gone completely ‘bridezilla’ on controlling every second of the footage, the Daily Mail revealed.

Taylor, who has built a multi-billion-dollar empire by turning every chapter of her life into a sellable product, has assembled a professional film crew to document her nuptials.

A suspect has been identified in the investigation into a parcel bombing in Monaco that seriously wounded a sanctioned Ukrainian multi-millionaire and two others.

Monaco’s prosecutor’s office says an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, who they say is a foreign national and no longer in Monaco. An Interpol red notice was also being issued, they added.

A package left in the entrance of an apartment building on Monday evening exploded shortly afterwards.

No details have been given about the suspect. CCTV cameras pictured a figure in a dark bucket hat and French media report it was a Ukrainian woman in her 30s.

Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, made no comment on the French reports, but was expected to give further details later on Friday.

After the explosion at an apartment building near Monaco’s border with France, a suspect was seen fleeing towards the French commune of Beausoleil. Authorities in the principality have said the incident is being investigated as attempted murder, not as a terrorist attack.

The prosecutor thanked police from Monaco and France for their co-operation which made it possible “to identify, in a particularly short time, the person suspected of having carried out the attack.”

“An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, who will be the subject of an Interpol Red Notice from this evening,” the Monaco prosecutor’s office said on Thursday night.

Winterwatch was first released in 2012, as a spin-off to the equally popular shows Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

Chris Packham and Kate Humble launched the show, with Michaela Strachan going on to replace the latter.

Winterwatch showcased various aspects of British wildlife during the harsher, colder months, with its live video feeds and thermal cameras capturing creatures in the wild.

The BBC has now revealed that Winterwatch will not continue as part of its “evolving commissioning strategy”, and a podcast is expected to replace it.

Chris Packham, one of the presenters of Winterwatch (Image: BBC/Jo Charlesworth)

It has also been confirmed that Springwatch will return in May 2027 for three weeks.

Instead of Winterwatch, a new video podcast, with the working title Naturewatch, is coming to BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

Launching this autumn, it will provide a regular round-up of the biggest British nature stories every week.

It will celebrate seasonal wildlife moments, explore nature news, talk to experts, and share remarkable animal sightings from across the UK.

Each weekly episode will be accompanied by a special audio-only Q&A programme, exclusive to BBC Sounds, where hosts will answer audience questions about the natural world.

Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for Specialist Factual, said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we.

“Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds.

“The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them.

“By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”

Fans of Winterwatch have shared their sadness at the decision, with some urging the BBC to reconsider.

One said: “This is really sad, what a great programme.”

Another added: “This is sad news. They are wonderful programmes,” and a third wrote: “This is a dreadful decision.”

Others shared a link to the contact page on the BBC, saying: “It only takes a few minutes to write a quick, polite comment asking them to reconsider.”

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 08:17 BST, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 09:05 BST, 3 July 2026

Andy Burnham is being tipped to bring back another New Labour big beast as the clock ticks down to his arrival in Downing Street.

There is speculation that Ed Balls, another stalwart from the Blair and Brown era, could make a shock comeback to the political frontline.

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Mr Balls – who launched a career in broadcasting after being humiliatingly ousted from the Commons in 2015 – was Mr Burnham’s long-term striking partner in the notorious Labour ‘Demon Eyes’ football team. 

He has heaped praise on his friend recently, quipping that he always ‘puts the ball in the back of the net’.

Mr Balls would join his former Cabinet colleague James Purnell, who is poised to become No 10 chief of staff. 

Many in Westminster expect David Miliband to be brought back as Foreign Secretary, while his brother Ed and Mr Balls’ wife Yvette Cooper are also in line for senior roles.

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A Labour source told the i paper that Mr Balls – a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant – would be likely to take a peerage and be an adviser or head a commission instead of running a Whitehall department.

There is speculation that Ed Balls, another stalwart from Blair and Brown era, could make a shock comeback to the political frontline. He is pictured on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016

Andy Burnham is reportedly lining up David Miliband and James Purnell with roles as he prepares to enter No 10

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Mr Balls launched a career in broadcasting after being humiliatingly ousted from the Commons in 2015. Pictured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain last year

Mr Burnham is looking almost certain to become Labour leader in a ‘coronation’ that would see him formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer as PM on July 20.

Last night the former Greater Manchester Mayor gave his first broadcast interview since winning the Makerfield by-election.

He gave a strong hint at tax rises, telling LBC there is ‘room’ within Labour’s manifesto promises for boosting revenues.

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But Mr Burnham argued he is ‘not indisciplined’ about the public finances, saying he has yet to pick his future chancellor.

Mr Burnham is facing a tightrope act in drawing up his senior team, with warnings from female Labour MPs that there must be gender equality in the ministerial ranks.

Ed Miliband has been heavily tipped to take charge of No 11, despite alarm from business, unions and party moderates.

But his brother David is also in the frame for a shock comeback, potentially resuming his old role as Foreign Secretary. 

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That would mean two of the four traditional great offices of state being occupied by Milibands, with only one – Home Secretary – available to be held by a woman.

Labour insiders believe that would not be tenable, with women Labour MPs demanding that half of ministers are female.

David quit UK politics after losing the 2010 Labour leadership election to his younger brother Ed. David is currently head of New York-based aid agency the International Rescue Committee, earning £1million a year. 

The older Miliband pointedly refused to rule out a Cabinet return when he was asked directly at an event last week, merely saying Mr Burnham would ‘make his own choices’.

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Mr Burnham was forced to distance himself earlier this week from a much-mocked briefing that he will be Labour’s first woman premier.

A senior figure had told the Spectator that he would be ‘a female PM in all but sex’. 

Mr Balls was Mr Burnham’s long-term striking partner in the notorious Labour ‘Demon Eyes’ football team (pictured playing together at the 2011 Labour Party conference)

Mr Balls’ wife Yvette Cooper is also in line for a senior role under Mr Burnham

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But the former Greater Manchester mayor told a meeting of Parliamentary Labour Party women: ‘I want to put on record that I never have and never will describe myself as the first female Labour PM.’

He added: ‘I want to make it clear that if anyone in my team was found to have done that they would be out of the door. Their feet wouldn’t touch the floor.’

The following article contains spoilers from the episode of Coronation Street dated July 3. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX and YouTube.

Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) has been sentenced to prison after sexually abusing Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale).

The character was introduced to us last year, when Will arrived in Weatherfield to join his family as the new owners of the Rovers Return pub.

Megan claimed to Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) and Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) that she had found Will sleeping in some changing rooms and drove him to the cobbles.

When Megan and Will were alone later that day, we discovered that they were in a secret relationship.

What followed next was a storyline that saw Megan manipulate Will into keeping quiet about what was going on between them. Will spent months believing that Megan wanted to be with him, unaware he was actually being abused.

The first person to discover Megan’s true self was teenager Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan). He confronted his classmate about Megan grooming him, but Will denied everything and worked hard to defend the teacher.

Sam wasn’t going to just ignore his suspicions though. He knew something was wrong, but found himself being faced with Megan and her evil ways whenever he made it clear that he wasn’t going to keep quiet.

The sports coach completely destroyed Sam’s confidence. Things got so bad for him, Sam actually collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

It was at this point that Sam finally spoke out and told Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) about Megan. It took a little while for her to get arrested, due to the lack of proof that something inappropriate happened between her and Will.

Things changed after Will learnt that Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) had been through a similar situation to him when he was younger, and the shared experiences helped Will realise that he needed to report Megan.

This week, the Driscoll family have been in court for her trial.

Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Megan’s chances of being released increased a couple of days ago, when Will fell apart and claimed that he had made everything up about them being in a sexual relationship.

Will’s dad Ben also had the potential to negatively impact the end result of the trial. While Megan was being questioned, Ben lost his cool and had to get thrown out because of his anger. This, along with Will stating that he had lied, made it look as though the family had just wasted everyone’s time.

Thankfully, the judge allowed Will to take to the stand again. He was well aware that he had lied under oath, but this time told the truth about Megan, confirming to everyone that he was abused by her.

Those impacted by Megan’s wicked ways were back in court in today’s episode, following the news the jury had reached a verdict.

Megan was found guilty on all of her charges and sentenced to five years in prison, bringing the chapter to a close for everyone involved – at last.

MORE: Smug and vengeful Megan closes in on terrified Will in Coronation Street with dark promise

MORE: Cast member’s tribute as major Coronation Street star exits – with final scenes very soon

MORE: Megan could get away with abusing Will in Coronation Street after twist

The Bolton News previously reported in May of 2025 that Bolton Council was set to enforce yellow box junction rules under plans in the “very near future” at the time.

The Trinity Street, with the junction of Newport Street in the town centre was earmarked

Since then, through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, there has been £0 made from the yellow hatch-box scheme.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The council is working through the set-up of this enforcement and enforcement is due to commence soon.

“Our intention is to enforce this yellow box first, with a plan to roll out yellow box enforcement across the borough.

“Drivers are reminded not to enter yellow box junctions unless their exit is clear, as blocking the box can cause congestion.”

In Manchester, these are already in effect.

Manchester’s yellow box fines (officially known as Moving Traffic Contraventions) are roughly £70 penalty notices issued when drivers stop in a hatched yellow box junction.

These fines are captured by ANPR cameras, introduced in the city as far back to 2023.

So far, Bolton Council has not enforced this scheme, which is to start with the Newport Street Junction.

It is expected that other junctions across the borough will be introduced in this scheme once it has been introduced.

The Highway Code says a motorist cannot enter a yellow box junction unless their exit is clear, or if they are waiting to turn right across traffic and their exit route is also clear.

In 2023, The Bolton News reported that a consultation was underway about tightening up enforcement on the following box junctions:

Bridge Street/St George’s Street (Bolton), Higher Bridge Street/Topp Way (Bolton), Newport Street/Trinity Street (Bolton), Blackburn Road/Lawson Street (Astley Bridge), and Cricketers Way/Leigh Road (Westhoughton).

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia as he paid tribute to his old team-mate Diogo Jota, a year on from his death in a car crash.

At full time, Ronaldo held up and wore a Portugal shirt bearing the number 21 in memory of Jota, who died aged 28 alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3 last year.  

Ronaldo stayed away from the Liverpool star’s funeral mass as he did not want to cause a ‘circus’ – a decision for which he was criticised – but a year later has left a beautiful tribute. 

‘We knew it before the game. It was such a special moment. We speak today, our group, about that, the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable,’ Ronaldo said afterwards of the tribute to Jota.

‘I was amazed because of the situation of today. It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game, but also the way we won the game. It was a difficult game, we knew it.’

Jota racked up 49 caps for the national team, scoring 14 goals, and won the UEFA Nations League with them twice.  

Portugal’s superstar led his team-mates in remembering Jota a year on from his death

His death had a profound impact on football and throughout the years, Liverpool’s players and staff explained how much it had hurt them. 

Ronaldo was on holiday in Mallorca last year when Jota died and chose not to return to Portugal in the aftermath for the memorial, explaining to Piers Morgan: ‘Two things, people criticise me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that, because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don’t have to be worried about what the people say.

‘But one of the things that I don’t do, it’s after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again.

‘And second, you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes for me and I don’t want this kind of attention.

‘People can continue to criticise me, I felt good with my decision.

‘I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me, I’m planning the things, I’m thinking about his family.

‘I don’t need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do [it] behind the scenes, my friend.’

Liverpool revealed on Thursday they have installed a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour Jota and his brother Andre Silva. 

Portugal’s players stand around with Ronaldo and his Jota shirt after beating Croatia

Former Liverpool and Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 last year

Reds supporters paid their respects to him throughout the 2025-26 season, singing his name in the 20th minute of every match, while his No 20 shirt was also retired by the club. 

And, on the eve of the first anniversary of his death, Liverpool have unveiled a memorial at their home ground for Jota and his brother. 

The poignant tribute is named ‘Forever 20’ in honour of Jota’s shirt number and Liverpool say ‘it celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt for them by family, team-mates and supporters across the world’.  

At the centre of the memorial is a flowing heart sculpture, which is said to acknowledge Jota’s iconic goal celebration. 

It also reveals the numbers 20 and 30 when viewed from different angles. Silva, who played for Portuguese side Penafiel at the time of his passing, wore the No 30 shirt. 

The lyrics to Jota’s famous chant of ‘he will take us to victory, oh, his name is Diogo’, are featured too.

One side of the memorial reads: ‘In its creation and through the hands of sculptor Emma Rodgers, this memorial has been inspired by the many personal tributes and mementoes left at Anfield by visitors from across the international football community.

‘Some of these tributes are contained within the sculpture and plinth via a unique manufacturing process. It means they are forever embedded.

Liverpool have installed a memorial at Anfield to honour Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva

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‘Based on a continuous ‘flowing heart’ design incorporating the brothers’ shirt numbers 20 and 30, the artwork not only conveys the enduring bonds they shared, but also expresses the love and admiration in which they were held by their family, team-mates and fans – with the heart gesture itself reflecting Diogo’s signature goal celebration.

‘This memorial honours the brothers’ lives and celebrates their lasting legacy.’

The memorial is on 97 Avenue at Anfield, the location of the area where thousands of people came to pay tribute in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing.

A PlayStation controller also sits on the plinth to mark Jota’s love of gaming and his celebration. 

Liverpool added: ‘Every detail has been carefully considered from beginning to end, with the final touches of patina introducing soft hues of Jota’s home flag and the teams he loved throughout his journey.

”Forever 20′ will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects.’