Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce put the Met Gala to shame with a star-studded wedding bash at Madison Square Garden, as superstars in sports, music and film were seen leaving the world’s most famous arena into the wee hours of the July 4 holiday. 

The All-American couple has gripped headlines since Swift was first spotted at Kelce’s game almost three years ago. 

Speculation around their wedding has loomed ever since, culminating in a ceremony at the Midtown arena and a massive billboard announcement outside the venue with a message reading ”JUST&T MARRIED!’ 

Following the ceremony, A-listers packed into their black SUVs. Swift’s longtime best friend, Selena Gomez, was seen leaving the celebrations in a sparkly silver gown and a glamorous updo. 

Another one of Swift’s forever ‘squad’ members spotted at the arena was Gigi Hadid. She attended the wedding with boyfriend Bradley Cooper, who was captured walking the streets of NYC in his suit and tie earlier that day. 

After the glamorous event, Cooper was pictured gripping his confiscated phone while sitting next to Hadid. 

The supermodel was also seen earlier in the day, giving fans a glimpse of a sparkly pink gown as she departed for the arena. 

Fans had hoped to see Gomez or Hadid in Swift’s wedding party; however, the newlyweds announced in a press release that they opted not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. 

Swift’s longtime best friend, Selena Gomez, was seen leaving MSG in the early hours of July 4 following the blowout bash 

Another one of Swift’s close confidantes, Gigi Hadid, was captured leaving the wedding alongside her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper 

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Like Cooper, Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown could not keep her eyes off her phone after leaving the arena. Popstar Tate McRae also grinned at her phone after departing the arena. 

Rapper Ice Spice seemed to nod off in the backseat of her vehicle after departing the event. Ice Spice and Swift sparked a friendship after collaborating on the popstar’s track, Karma. 

Another one of Swift’s protégés, Gracie Abrams, was pictured looking down or nodding off as she left the wedding. 

The two collaborated on the song ‘Us,’ and Abrams opened for Swift during a leg of her unprecedented Eras Tour.

Actress Niecy Nash, who befriended Kelce when the football star cameoed on her FX series, Grotesquerie, was pictured closing her eyes in the backseat of her vehicle after the event. 

While most attendees were driven in black SUVs, actor Ethan Hawke took a more humble route and left the event in a taxi.  

Celebrities darted to their vehicles at all hours of the night. Despite the permit going until 4am, some A-listers opted for an early night. 

Tom Brady, George Stephanopoulos, Chris Rock, Hugh Grant, Steven Spielberg, Jessica Alba and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid were among those who called it quits early.

Other celebrities stayed on much later. Singer Fergie and Dita Von Teese, ‘the Queen of Burlesque,’ arrived back at the Ritz-Carlton hotel just after 2am. Both women rushed inside the hotel and refused to answer questions.

The Ritz was flowing with celebrities after the event. Kelce’s father, Ed, was caught by surprise as he exited his vehicle at the hotel. He appeared to be carrying a blanket.

Popstar Gracie Abrams seemed to be looking down at her phone or resting her eyes, departing from MSG 

Popstar Tate McRae was seen grinning at her phone while departing the arena 

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Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown was locked into her phone after Swift and Kelce’s wedding 

Rapper Ice Spice appeared to nod off as she was driven home after the A-list wedding 

Travis Kelce’s father Ed is seen arriving back his hotel after the wedding bonanza 

Actress Niecy Nash was on hand for the festivities in full glam 

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Ethan Hawke, along with his wife Ryan, were seen leaving the wedding in a taxi cab 

Another returning wedding guest, Andrew Whitworth, an NFL broadcaster, hailed the celebration ‘a great night.’

Elsewhere, Robert Allen, Swift’s longtime tour manager, returned to the hotel but was predictably tightlipped when quizzed by reporters.

Swift’s publicist Tree Paine and her childhood best friend Abigail Anderson Berard arrived back at the Ritz together with their partners in one of several blacked-out buses after the wedding.

The quartet refused to say anything as they were swept into the building.

Rapper Lil Dicky, a staunch Tayvis supporter, helped his wife, producer Kristin Batalucco, toward the door as she struggled to walk straight. 

They were quickly followed by actor Donald Glover and his wife Michelle White, who quickly dashed inside.

Meanwhile, Graham Norton was heard yelling out that the wedding was ‘great’ as he staggered into his hotel in Tribeca in the wee hours of Saturday.

The Irish talk show host clutched a bottle of water, looking bleary eyed as he came back from partying for almost 12 hours.

Superstar Fergie was all smiles getting back to the Ritz-Carlton after the wedding  

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Dita Von Teese, who starred in Swift’s Bejeweled music video, was seen arriving at The Ritz-Carlton after the singer’s wedding

Donald Glover rocked a brown suit as he and his wife Kirstin arrived back at their hotel after the MSG wedding 

Lil Dicky cozied up to his wife Kristin as they arrived back at their hotel  

Graham Norton made sure he kept hydrated as he left the wedding with a bottle of water

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Stars in the sports world were seen in New York City to support Kelce at his wedding  

Kelce’s football star colleagues were some of the last to return to their hotel after partying into the wee hours.

New York Giants wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was snacking on a pizza slice and a soda as he and wife Lauren sauntered into their hotel.

Charissa Thompson, the woman who helped broker the ‘Love Story’ between Swift and Kelce said everything ‘looked great’ when asked about the wedding on her return to the hotel just before 3.30am.

Los Angeles Rams player Matthew Stafford, still looking dapper in a forest green suit, arrived back at the hotel at a similar time. His wife, Kelly, decided to switch out her heels for flip-flops. 

Although it may seem like anyone and everyone was in attendance, the celebs pictured just scratched the surface of the 1,000-person guest list on Friday night. 

Details about the ceremony have remained sparse, but a press release from the couple said that Adam Sandler officiated and that Kelce’s nieces were the flower girls. 

The theme inside Madison Square Garden was an old-fashioned fairground, with guests given a turn on mechanical slot and pinball machines. 

Swift kept close to Kelce’s mom, Donna, during her first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game back in September 2023 

The couple publicly announced they were officially married at 7.30pm. The ceremony was officiated by Adam Sandler 

After the ceremony came an elegant dinner – before an Alice in Wonderland meets Wizard of Oz themed party on the lower level of the venue.

During the reception, Sir Paul McCartney was the surprise highlight, as the Beatle stunned the crowd when he came onto the stage and sang I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Swift and Kelce made their entrance at 5pm, according to planning permits obtained by New York City officials.

The couple’s marriage was publicly announced by MSG and Paine at 7.30pm. The Empire State Building also lit up in blue to celebrate the wedding.

The police service in England and Wales is “not good enough” and its leadership needs an “ethical reset”, Lord Blunkett has said.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC ahead of the publication of a major report he co-authored on police leadership, the former Labour home secretary said its findings point to weaknesses in leadership, morale and culture across the service.

The report, to be published on Monday, will conclude there are “significant causes for concern” and that police leadership requires a “fundamental overhaul”.

“At the moment, the service isn’t good enough,” Lord Blunkett said. “At the moment, the morale and motivation of many of those working in the service needs a reset.”

The report, produced along with the former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, will recommend a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment, development and monitoring within the service.

The “comprehensive” review of police leadership was commissioned to ensure the service could respond to evolving threats and deliver government targets, the College of Policing said, in the face of declining public confidence in policing.

None of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were graded “outstanding” for leadership in the most recent inspection round. Almost a third were rated as needing improvement, and two as inadequate.

Lord Blunkett told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the evidence gathered during the review pointed to “a very large number of those at senior level who have been or are under investigation”.

“I think at the moment, there are eight former or serving chief constables who are either under disciplinary action or awaiting the result,” he said. “And that’s out of 43 forces.”

He added: “All of that leads us to believe that a new ethical reset is required.”

The report will highlight challenges including a scarcity of resources, excessive paperwork and officers being “demotivated” by negative and overly risk averse leadership cultures.

Lord Blunkett was also asked whether he thought there was a problem with “two-tier policing”, a term some politicians have used to argue that police may deal with people belonging to ethnic minorities more favourably than white people.

Last month in the House of Commons, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage connected it to the police’s handling of the murder of Henry Nowak, a teenager arrested as he lay dying after his killer had falsely accused him of racism.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected the claims, saying he did not believe there was two-tier policing in the UK, and accused Farage of exploiting the tragedy to create grievance and division.

Lord Blunkett said: “I think there’s a perception. We’ve moved the pendulum.

“It’s gone from the [1999] Macpherson report about outright racism in the force, particularly the reflections in the Met, all the way through to people saying ‘oh, it’s woke’.

“We make it clear in the report that there’s no room for culture wars or woke. It isn’t the job of the police in our country to take sides of any sort. It’s the job of the police to deliver.”

And the social event of the year is back tomorrow afternoon as Smithills Hall stages welcomes visitors to enjoy a traditional summer fair, with artisan stalls, food, and much more.

The garden party starts at noon and goes on until 4pm.

There’ll be garden games, story times, fairground rides and more! Free entry. Charges are applicable for some activities.

Entry is free but charges will be applicable for some activities.

A spokesman said: “Come rain or shine we’ll be there with lots of fantastic activities for all the family!”

Last year’s event attracted hundreds of visitors who enjoyed food stalls, ice cream, games, and interactive storytelling in the estate’s grounds.

The fair is hugely popular and visitors are being encouraged to use public transport where possible.

The event is one of the standout events in Bolton’s social calendar.

HOUSTON (AP) — Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Canada in the World Cup round of 16 Saturday to make the country the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once.

It’s Morocco’s second straight appearance in the quarterfinals after becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals in 2022.

Neither team was able to break through until Ounahi took a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and made a right-footed shot through traffic from outside the box to the bottom right corner to put Morocco on top 1-0 in the 50th minute.

Ounahi made it 2-0 on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box off a pass from Brahim Díaz in the 82nd minute.

Soufiane Rahimi added a goal in the final minute of stoppage time.

Morocco advances to face the winner of Saturday’s Paraguay-France match on Thursday at Boston Stadium.

The loss ends a historic run for World Cup co-host Canada, which won its first-ever knockout round with a 1-0 victory over South Africa to reach Saturday’s match. The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch.

Morocco, which is ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, dispatched the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16 and send the country to its earliest World Cup exit.

Canada had a couple of chances to score late. Jonathan David had a free kick from outside the box in the 78th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Just after that Tajon Buchanan’s shot from about 30 yards was stopped with a diving save from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Bounou, who was born in Canada to Moroccan parents, had three saves to help Morocco to the win.

This game was a rematch from the last World Cup when Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage in a tournament in which Morocco finished fourth.

It was an extremely physical match with eight yellow cards being issued. Both teams received four.

Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea received yellow cards in the 40th minute. Hakimi shoved Laryea to the ground and then Laryea pushed him and a minor scuffle ensued.

Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari left with an injury in the 22nd minute.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

For three hours, the combination of a classy Belgian opponent and chronic nosebleed looked an impediment too far in pursuit of round four.

Fery’s revival began when showcasing more variety than a night at the Palladium during Bruce Forsyth’s heyday. An array of slices and impressive net game seemed to befuddle his opponent when he impressively levelled for 1-1 and 2-2, the crowd erupting at the promise of a British win.

It had taken 68 minutes for Fery to make the spectators believe, a break of serve at 2-1 in the second set proving a momentary turning point in what had hitherto been a one-sided match.

“All aboard the Fery,” one fan shouted. “Fery’s coming home,” was another. At his best, he looked more like a speedboat.

Fery was severely impeded by medical time-outs; his last was at game point when 5-4 down in the fifth. Many players will appreciate the suggestion they might get a nosebleed by flying up the rankings. In Fery’s case it is an occupation hazard, the chronic issue in need of resolution to ensure it does not disrupt career progress.

It was an untimely distraction as Fery tamely lost the opening set. He scurried back with a stunning break of serve when 6-5 up in the second, the precursor for a more unlikely fightback later before another nosebleed occurred at the most inopportune moment.

What character he showed.

Despite Bergs regaining the ascendancy in the fifth, Fery did not wilt as the son of French parents put Zizou in the shade by claiming the match tie-break, falling to the turf in exhausted elation after keeping the home fires burning.

I’ve heard a lot of talk about the difficult conditions England will face at the Azteca Stadium – but I don’t think the players will be worried about any of that.

Instead of having any fear about the different tests they face, they will just be thinking ‘bring it on’. I know I would be.

All the talk stops when they run out anyway, and if they play the game rather than the occasion then I think they will win.

Yes, it’s going to be tough, because of the altitude and the atmosphere and everything else. Co-hosts Mexico are at home and the crowd could be as much as 80% of their fans, which is very different to anything England have faced at this tournament so far.

But as a player, these are the kind of games and moments you train and work so hard for all your life because to be going to such an iconic stadium and playing in a World Cup in front of a TV audience of millions, with a place in the quarter-finals as the prize, is what you dream of as a boy.

I’ve wanted to go to the Azteca since I watched the 1986 World Cup on TV as a teenager and this is the first time England have been back since losing that epic quarter-final tie to Argentina. It’s going to be an amazing spectacle as well as a unique test.

I have followed England around the United States at this World Cup, and we have had the majority of fans at all four matches so far.

Against DR Congo in Atlanta, around 75% of the crowd were supporting England, but this is going to feel very different and is another reason why it’s such an incredible game to look forward to.

I’ll be there, co-commentating with Guy Mowbray, and am excited about it as much as the fans are. I bet the players are excited too.

Yes, it’s a challenge but I would say to them to embrace it and enjoy it – be positive and show us all what you can do.

City of York Council said it is closing Bishopgate in York from the Tower Street roundabout to its junction with Clementhorpe from 8pm on Monday, July 6 to 6am on Tuesday July 7.

The stretch of road includes Skeldergate Bridge and is one of the principal routes for traffic across York which avoids the city centre.

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The council said the closure is to ensure the works can be carried out safely.

The alternative route will be signed taking road traffic over Lendal Bridge via Fishergate, Paragon Street, Foss Islands Road, Jewbury, St Maurices Road, Lord Mayors Walk, Gillygate, St Leonards Place, Museum Street, Station Road, Queen Street and Nunnery Lane.

The council confirmed an earlier opening of Bishopgate Street if works finish sooner.

James Arthur, who won the ITV talent show in 2012 performed at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre last night (Friday, July 3).

The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, who last performed at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2018, told organisers he took to the stage despite being advised not to by doctors.

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Excited fans lined up ready for James Arthur’s headline Scarborough show (Image: Supplied)

James Arthur said: “It means a lot to me, playing in this part of the world.

“My family and friends are here; I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

Organisers said he opened the show with Water and his global anthem Impossible, adding that delivering a set packed with crowd-pleasers.

The Middlesbrough-born star also performed Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, along with Car’s Outside and A Thousand Years, before ending the night with Say You Won’t Let Go.

Jerub was a special guest of James Arthur and was among the artists opening the show (Image: Supplied)

The concert began with a performance by newcomer Ruby Poole, followed by sets from Ben Ellis and JERUB.

The singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough who rose to national prominence after winning the ninth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2012.

Growing up he played in local bands and performed solo in pubs and bars across his home county.

The performance from James Arthur comes in the middle of a season of live music at Scarborough Open Air Theatre (Image: Supplied)

His X Factor winner’s single, a cover of Shontelle’s “Impossible,” went straight to number one in the UK and went on to sell around 2.5 million copies worldwide, making it one of the show’s most successful winner’s singles.

Last night’s show was part of the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 series, which features a record 26 headline shows this season.

The concert series continues with upcoming performances by David Gray, Alanis Morissette, and Michael Bublé.

“I love this record, it means so much to me. It gave us access to the world”

Snow Patrol have been honoured as the first recipients of the brand-new Official Charts Hall of Fame Award.

The new accolade from the Official Charts Company will, going forward, be presented annually to the UK’s official biggest single and album of the year.

The award is part of celebrations marking 70 years of the Official Albums Chart and the Co Down band were selected as the inaugural recipients of the award to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Eyes Open.

The album gave Snow Patrol their first Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart and became the UK’s Official biggest album of 2006, which “propelled Snow Patrol from alternative-rock favourites to one of the defining bands of the decade”.

Speaking to the Official Charts as he accepted the award, frontman Gary Lightbody said: “Thank you very much, this is great! My mum will be delighted!

“I love this record, it means so much to me. It gave us access to the world – a world which we never thought we would occupy.

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“We started in 1994 and didn’t have a hit until 2004. We had 10 years of no success, and then Final Straw was very successful. Then Eyes Open was extremely successful. It was very new to us, that type of success; playing the bigger shows, getting on the radio. Being in the charts was very exciting to us.

“It’s an album that still seems to live and breathe, and also change and shift. The album is an artifact that’ll never change, but the songs change, shift and evolve over time with the way we play them.”

According to Official Charts Company data, Eyes Open has gone on to shift more than 2.6 million units in the UK to date, including 2.4 million pure sales.

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