US President Donald Trump has delivered a primetime address in which he accused China of interfering in the 2020 election and alleged “shocking vulnerabilities” in American voting systems.
Trump, who spoke from the White House on Thursday, has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling in the 2020 election which he lost to Joe Biden.
In the half-hour speech, delivered three months before the midterm elections, he said he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files which supported his claims that Beijing had tried to sway the election in Biden’s favour.
The US intelligence community has previously concluded China did not interfere in the 2020 election.
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Trump spoke in front of several members of his top team as he gave his address, but journalists were unable to put questions to the president.
In his remarks, he accused China of the “illicit acquisition” of 220 million voter files including personal information.
Trump said voter data in 18 states was “bought, stolen or hacked by China” and accused “those responsible for sounding the alarm” of not disclosing the discovery to government officials or Congress.
Trump did not present evidence that China had used the information it allegedly gathered to alter voting systems or to influence election outcomes.
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In response to his speech, the Chinese Embassy in Washington told Reuters that Beijing “has never and will never interfere in the presidential elections”. The BBC has approached the Chinese foreign ministry for comment.
Democrats, meanwhile, accused Trump of attempting to sow doubts about the security of the upcoming November midterms which will decide control of Congress for the remainder of his presidency.
“Let’s be clear – in America, voters choose their leaders, not the other way around,” top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted on social media after the speech.
“Democrats will fight like hell to make sure every American voter can cast their ballot freely, without obstruction or interference from Donald Trump,” he added.
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The president’s comments contradict previous US intelligence assessments. A 2021 report by the US National Intelligence Council said it had “high confidence” that China did not interfere in the 2020 presidential election.
“We assess that China did not deploy interference efforts and considered but did not deploy influence efforts intended to change the outcome of the US presidential election,” the report stated.
It said this was probably because China “did not view either election outcome as being advantageous enough for China to risk blowback if caught”.
Trump delivered the White House address after the release of a new poll from Washington Post-Ipsos, which indicated his approval rating had dropped to 37% with many voters pessimistic about the cost of living and the ongoing war with Iran.
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Elsewhere in the speech, the president alleged that US voting machines are “extremely exposed” to interference by foreign adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran.
Shortcomings of US election infrastructure have been well-documented. Some were addressed after the 2016 election which Trump won, after the US intelligence community found that Russia had engaged in a concerted election meddling campaign that included hacking, social media influencing and funding of on-the-ground electioneering activities.
During the address, Trump also alleged that a state investigation by Michigan law enforcement discovered a voter registration fraud scheme by a Democratic-affiliated group, but was constrained by the FBI from taking action before the statute of limitations expired.
“It was pay, play and cheat,” he said, although he provided no evidence of votes or tabulations being changed or voting machines hacked.
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Separately, Trump said that the Department of Homeland Security had identified 278,000 non-citizens were registered to vote. He did not say whether any of those people had voted or had an impact on any election outcome.
At the end of his speech, Trump again called for the passing the of the SAVE America Act, which bans most mail voting, requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID to cast a ballot.
That legislation has been stalled in the Senate for months.
Queen Camilla and King Charles have been married for almost two decades, but haven’t always seen eye to eye on everything – particularly when it comes to her new royal title, according to an insider
Queen Camilla delivered a brutal three-word response to King Charles regarding her new title she received when he ascended the throne, a royal insider claims.
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Charles and Camilla, who turns 79 today (Friday, July 17) have been married for more than two decades. Like most married couples, however, they don’t see eye to eye on everything. One such occasion was reportedly when he was preparing to ascend to the throne and his wife disagreed with her new title.
Camilla was far from pleased about the alteration to her royal title, with the couple holding differing views on the subject, according to The Times’s Tom Quinn.
He writes: “One member of staff told me that at one point, Camilla hated the idea of being queen and would regularly say to Charles, ‘Can’t we get away from all this protocol? It’s all b******s.’”
The Buckingham Palace source reveals that His Majesty, who is renowned for disliking profanity, would courteously respond: “You’re doing it [becoming queen] for me, darling.”
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She received a gift she was far happier with for her birthday last year, however. Charles gave Camilla a clingfilm holder, which was presented by a submarine commander whose crew once used the everyday household item to keep a nuclear vessel operational.
The present came with a small plaque bearing the inscription: “Clingfilm keeping nuclear submarines at sea.”
Camilla later said: “There’s nothing more useful, brilliant how wonderful.”
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Despite her aristocratic upbringing, Camilla is recognised for her irreverently cheeky sense of humour. Royal biographer Penny Junor told Vanity Fair: “She always has a twinkle in her eye and is a terrible giggler, often reducing Charles to fits of giggles too,” reports Cambridgeshire Live.
She had no significant aspirations to travel or pursue a high-powered career, the expert wrote in her biography of the then duchess: “She wanted no more from life than to be happily married to an upper-class man and live a sociable life in the country with horses, dogs, children, and someone to look after them all and do the hard graft.”
The profound connection with Charles, Junor notes, stemmed from Camilla’s unwillingness to be overly formal: “She treated him like a normal person, as she had when they were together, and if ever he behaved badly, or was selfish or thoughtless, she wasn’t afraid to tell him so. She was a proper friend.”
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Charles was instantly captivated by the aristocratic horsewoman he encountered at a polo match, Junor writes in The Duchess: The Untold Story: “He loved the fact that she smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth, and laughed at the same silly things as he did.
“He also liked that she was so natural and easy and friendly, not in any way overawed by him, not fawning or sycophantic. In short, he was very taken with her, and after that first meeting he began ringing her up.”
By contrast, Prince Harry and Prince William took considerable time to warm to their stepmother, calling her by various unkind nicknames. Nevertheless, Kate Middleton enjoys reminding her husband that Queen Camilla is a descendant of Alice Keppel, who was the favourite mistress of King Edward VII – whom William increasingly resembles.
Cambridgeshire Live contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
A stand-out moment for Dominic Watters, as he took part in a national food inquiry, was eating a plate of scrambled eggs at Yolk Farm near York.
“Not only was it the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had in my life,” Dominic says, “it’s a stark difference to the food available where I live. The only hot food available on my estate in Kent is breaded, processed, imported chicken that’s not even cooked on site but just kept warm. There’s not even a KFC or a Tescos. I live in a place where you can buy blueberry vapes and blueberry energy drinks, but you can’t get a packet of blueberries. It’s a food desert in the garden of England.”
Loading up the “Queen of Greens” mobile greengrocer bus at Kindling Farm, just outside Knowsley, on Merseyside, Lucy Antal is also talking about food deserts – defined as places where people have to walk 1k or more than 15 mins to be able to buy any fresh food.
“When you’re living in a space where it’s easier to buy a vape than an apple, that makes it very difficult for people to follow public health advice,” she says, as she loads trays of freshly-picked cucumber. “Yet people are always being told ‘you need to eat more healthily…you need more fresh food’.”
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Queen of Greens is just one of the projects visited by a Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) that has been working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to help shape The Good Food Cycle – a strategy for the food sector that works for farmers, food businesses and the people who eat it.
Dominic is one of the members of the CAC, who have met more than 80 people across the country with different connections to food. The result is an ambitious new report, ‘From the Ground Up’ which calls for a new approach to food – that helps create fairer, more equal country.
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It is backed by new polling released today by More In Common – which shows huge public support for action on food across parties and across postcodes. At a moment when risks to food systems are highly visible – from the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, to the current heatwave – the polling, commissioned by The Food Foundation (FF) and the Food Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), reveals a striking consensus.
Less than one in ten people (7%) think the food system works well and should be left as it is. More than two in three (69%) say the government should do more to make sure food is healthy – including 88% of Green voters, 80% of Labour voters, and 59% of Reform voters. Two in three (65%) say the government should ensure people are able to eat healthy foods. Meanwhile, nine in ten (90%) say farmers deserve a fair price.
Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, FFCC says: “Having enough good, healthy food, sustainably produced by UK farmers, is important to people across the political spectrum – a quite remarkable consensus. Yet 9 in 10 of them think the food economy is not working for them, right now. For a new PM, intent on making a real difference in peoples’ everyday lives, this is a clear steer towards the kinds of policies that people want to see delivered.”
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Hannah Brinsden, Head of Policy and Advocacy, The Food Foundation says: “Across the country, and across parties, it is clear that the public wants government to take decisive steps to ensure everyone can access healthy, affordable and local food. All eyes are on the next Prime Minister to step up to ensure this happens.”
Maria Chukwu-Nsofor, 48, is on the CAC with Dominic. Also from Kent, she is a full-time carer for her son Adebambo, 19, who is autistic and attended the Cornwall ‘What Works Here?” inquiry with her. “I got involved after responding to an advert in the paper,” she says. “It’s been enlightening and empowering for me as a member of the general public.
“I am a carer to my son, and I wanted to be a voice for the SEN community. When Adebambo goes to a shop he can manage the shopping list, but he can’t think about healthy choices as well. I just want him to be able to choose something healthy and be okay, and it all starts from that.” Maria and Adebambo enjoyed visiting the Kellehand Trust in Camborne, where people with disabilities are growing and serving food. “Food brings people together, just like music and like football is doing at the moment,” Maria says. “It’s not just about survival.”
Back on Merseyside, at the Children and Family Centre in Everton, a steady stream of customers is waiting for Queen of Greens, which serves around 400 families a week. “We all love the strawberries, but because the prices are lower here I can get new things for my family to try too,” says mum-of-three Asma Omer. “There is nowhere like this near my house.”
Dorcas Udugbai, 41, a full-time mum who lives down the road, says: “Every week I come for apples, strawberries, bananas…everything is so good and so cheap.” Mum Sara Sabine, 39, agrees. “You can taste the difference,” she says. “When you have kids it all goes fast – but it’s helping them make healthy choices.”
Driver Aaron Rossiter, 53, from Anfield, says he enjoys seeing familiar faces. “We have one lady who buys 21 satsumas a week,” he says. “It’s great for older people – they might just want to get two carrots and a spud, and that’s fine with us.”
When the bus calls at a women’s refugee project at St James in the City, many of the women have Healthy Boost vouchers – a city-wide public health scheme. Among them is pregnant mum Giftie Epine, 36. She found the project online after struggling to find fresh food – taking two buses and walking half an hour each way, to trek to a market.
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“I asked Chat GPT where I could get fresh food locally,” she says. “I’ll definitely be back.” Ahead of her in the queue is Augustina, 33, and her 18-month-old daughter. “In other places the food goes bad very easily,” she says.
What’s striking about CAC’s report is that it highlights the ways our food system is currently failing everyone apart from the Big Food multinationals – from single dads to food retail workers, farmers to doctors seeing patients struggling with health problems caused by a lack of access to healthy food. But it also highlights the amazing projects across the country that are tackling these problems with imagination and flair.
Farming Minister Stephen Morgan says that CAC’s “vital work shines a light on the values we want to see in our food system that are already alive in communities across England, from farmer cooperatives to city-wide food alliances.”
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Back on his estate in Kent, Dominic is reflecting on what he has learned. “I raised my child on free school meals,” he says. “I know what it’s like to not always have access to food, electric, internet. Sometimes I would be able to feed her but not myself. Sometimes the electric wasn’t on.
“There is a 12 year difference in life expectancy between people who live on our estate and people just over the road. We need to reflect that unevenness in the country, and build a food system that works for everyone.”
PlanBEE Rail recently celebrated its first cohort of graduates during a ceremony held on July 15 at the National Railway Museum in York, recognising the achievements of apprentices and the start of long-term professional journeys.
Two of the graduates, Amelia Abbott and Nick Bell, will be joining the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) on a Level 6 degree apprenticeship starting in September.
Ms Abbott, who will take up a role as a project management apprentice, said: “Being part of the first cohort of PlanBEE Rail has been an incredible experience.
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“The rotational model meant I was able to build skills and confidence across a variety of organisations within the industry, and that breadth of experience has been invaluable in shaping me as a project professional.
“To now be joining TRU is something I’m really proud of, and I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned on the scheme into such a significant infrastructure project for the North.”
The PlanBEE Rail apprenticeship is designed to develop future multi-disciplinary project managers through a two-year programme.
The apprentices gain experience by rotating across four different employers, with TRU being a founding member of the scheme.
His deal marks a huge moment in his young career. A scholarship allows youngsters to continue studying while pursuing a career in football, and to sign a professional contract when they turn 17.
The milestone means Kai’s ban on his sponsored boots has also been lifted and taking to Instagram, he posted four photos of his signing day. The lead snap showed him signing the deal, while Kai captioned the series with the three words, suggesting that he is ready for the next challenge.
The young forward can no longer play for United’s Under-16s side. Having already celebrated his 16th birthday before the August 31 cut-off, he will now permanently step up to the next age group and, in doing so, will no longer be prevented from wearing his sponsored Puma football boots.
United have a club policy whereby players in the U16s or younger are not permitted to wear sponsored boots. Instead, every player must wear the same footwear.
“All the academy have to wear the same boots. They do it because there’s people from areas where they can’t afford certain boots so I think it’s really good. But he’s played for the U18s a few times and he can then wear his Puma boots. He’s doing well to be fair to him.”
Kai’s scholarship deal has naturally gone down well in the Rooney household. His mum, Coleen, commented on a picture posted by the official United Instagram account showing the club’s first-year scholars signing their respective deals.
She wrote: “Brilliant boys,” along with a fire emoji, a love heart and clapping hands. Wayne, shared a story of his son with the caption: “Proud of you,” along with a love heart and a pen-signing emoji.
Kai featured six times for the U18s last season, making his debut at the age group when he was 15 in a 1-0 win against Everton last August. However, he suffered a season-ending injury in March, which left him out of action for United’s FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City, which United lost 2-1.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
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Outrage in Ukraine as Zelensky sacks defense minister after six months
Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine survive no more than 20 to 30 minutes on the battlefield, the Central Intelligence Agency chief, John Ratcliffe said.
Speaking at a defence and innovation summit in Pennsylvania, the CIA director said: “What I would say is, our intelligence is consistent with some of the open-source reporting you may have seen in Ukraine. So the average life expectancy of a Russian recruit, right now, arriving on the battlefield in Ukraine, is estimated to be between 20 and 30 minutes.”
His comments came as protests erupted in Ukraine after president Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov after just six months in the role, following a dispute between the reformer and Kyiv‘s top general.
Fedorov had sought to reshape Ukraine’s army into a more efficient fighting force and was credited with implementing positive reforms during his short stint in office.
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The 35-year-old tech expert fell out publicly with the head of Ukraine’s armed forces General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whom he accused of stirring up intrigue, blocking his initiatives and sabotaging his work. He could be replaced by Ukraine’s current interior minister, Ihor Klymenko.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to demand Fedorov be reappointed.
Russia hit port facilities in Ukraine’s Odesa and Chornomorsk
The Russian defence ministry said on Friday that its forces had struck Ukrainian port facilities overnight in Odesa and Chornomorsk.
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Details of the attack are not immediately available. Officials in the Ukrainian port regions under attack are yet to share the extent of damage.
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 07:35
Russia and Ukraine swap remains of slain soldiers, Russian state media say
Russia and Ukraine have carried out a swap of the remains of killed soldiers, Russian state media reported, with Moscow receiving 31 bodies in return for those of 501 Ukrainians.
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The two countries have regularly carried out such exchanges throughout the war, which is now approaching the four and a half year mark.
Bodies come directly from the battlefield and through repatriation from the Russians. Since the start of the invasion, Ukraine has repatriated 25,306 bodies, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 07:23
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Watch: Kyiv will win this war, Starmer says in farewell trip to Ukraine
Kyiv will win this war, Starmer says in farewell trip to Ukraine
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 06:47
Russia hit Ukrainian ports 23 times in July, seaports authority says
Russia hit Ukrainian ports 23 times and carried out 17 strikes on civilian vessels in the first two weeks of July, Ukraine’s seaports authority said on Thursday.
The strikes have led to a partial halt in grain shipments and an almost complete suspension of grain purchases at port terminals, traders and analysts say.
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Arpan Rai17 July 2026 06:18
Who is Ukraine’s new prime minister Sergii Koretskyi?
Ukraine’s parliament approved top energy executive Sergii Koretskyi as the country’s new prime minister, the third wartime head of the government appointed in a wider reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Koretskyi is a widely respected senior energy executive with more than 20 years of experience in oil production and refining, energy retail, wholesale management, and international financing.
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Since May 2025, he has been CEO of one of Ukraine’s biggest state companies, Naftogaz, the oil and gas giant, which runs much of Ukraine’s gas production, imports and supply.
Prior to that, he headed Ukrnafta, Ukraine’s largest oil company and a part of Naftogaz group.
Before moving to the state-owned energy companies, he headed the Western Oil Group, and served as CEO of the Continuum Group and one of the biggest filling station chains in Ukraine, WOG.
Born in Ukraine’s western city of Lutsk, Koretskyi had also founded a coffee chain business.
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Arpan Rai17 July 2026 06:12
Who is Mykhailo Fedorov? Everything you need to know about Ukraine’s sacked defence minister
Fedorov, 35, is the last remaining minister to have held positions in all of Zelensky’s governments, with the tech-savvy reformer remaining close to the president since his election in 2019.
Parliament is now set to vote on his replacement by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, with it unclear as to whether Fedorov will be given another government job.
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His supporters pointed to his role in turning battlefield momentum in Ukraine’s favour this year, through ramping up drone purchases and a crucial intervention to cut Russian units off from Starlink internet services.
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 05:57
Russian soldiers last no more than 20 to 30 minutes on battlefield, CIA chief claims
The Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine have an average life expectancy of 20 to 30 minutes on the battlefield, the Central Intelligence Agency chief John Ratcliffe said.
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Speaking at a defence and innovation summit in Pennsylvania, the CIA director said: “What I would say is, our intelligence is consistent with some of the open-source reporting you may have seen in Ukraine. So the average life expectancy of a Russian recruit, right now, arriving on the battlefield in Ukraine, is estimated to be between 20 and 30 minutes.”
He attributed the higher attrition rate to AI-powered drones, calling them “specialised, low-cost killing machines”.
“And it’s why we’re now four and a half years into that conflict,” he said.
(AP)
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 05:51
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Zelensky fires Kyiv head of city military administration
Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Tymur Tkachenko, who was serving as the head of the Kyiv city military Administration, according to an official decree published on the President’s Office website.
Tkachenko, who has working on the Kyiv’s defence and military needs as the capital remains under nearly daily attacks from Russia, was relieved of his duties “in accordance with Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Legal Regime of Martial Law’,” the decree said.
It is not immediately clear why Tkachenko was dismissed and Zelensky is also yet to issue a comment.
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 05:31
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13 killed as Russia and Ukraine exchange attacks
Russian and Ukrainian attacks on civilian areas in towns and cities, many on the front line of the more than four-year-old war, killed at least 13 people yesterday, local officials said.
A Russian guided bomb attack on Ukraine’s southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia killed three people and wounded 15, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.
Reuters TV footage showed firefighters dousing the aftermath of blazes and crews sifting through the rubble of shattered buildings in the city, which has come under intensified attack in recent weeks.
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Russian missiles struck the Black Sea port of Odesa, another frequent target of Moscow, killing two people, injuring six and damaging civilian infrastructure.
Outside the city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border, a Russian drone attack killed one person, the national emergency services said. Earlier in the day, a drone attack near the city of Kupiansk, farther east, killed three people.
In Donetsk region, the focal point of most fighting along the 1,200 km (775-mile) front line, the regional governor said one person was killed and five injured near Kramatorsk, one of the “fortress towns” where Ukraine has bolstered defences.
On the other side of the border, local officials in Belgorod Region said one person had died when Ukrainian forces shelled a settlement near the border.
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And the Moscow-installed head of areas of Donetsk region under Russian control, Denis Pushilin, said one person died in an area held by Russian forces.
Firefighters work at the site of residential houses hit by a Russian air strike in Zaporizhzhia (Reuters)
Arpan Rai17 July 2026 05:09
Kyiv will win this war, Starmer says in farewell trip to Ukraine
Prime mininster Keir Starmer has asserted his belief that Ukraine will win the war against Russia.
Sir Keir made his final visit to Ukraine as the outgoing British PM where he met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
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Speaking to Sky News, he said: “I believe Ukraine will win this war.”
“What they’ve shown is that it’s not just the size of your army, it’s how you fight a modern conflict. And so they are probably the most effective fighting machine in Europe,” Sir Keir said.
He also assured that the change in power in the UK will not change the dynamics and bilateral ties between London and Kyiv.
“The fact that there will be a new prime minister in the United Kingdom, in the days to come, doesn’t change that dynamic at all,” he said. “The resolve of the United Kingdom remains the same, it will not waver.”
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PM Keir Starmer and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky talk during their meeting in Kyiv (AP)
Lancashire mum Gemma Freeman had a ‘toxic’ relationship with Alan Cooper, her family said. He was not prosecuted over her death
07:00, 17 Jul 2026Updated 07:16, 17 Jul 2026
A much-loved mum who took her own life was earlier told to kill herself by her estranged husband, an inquest has heard, as family members claimed he abused her.
Gemma Freeman left letters saying she intended to end her life ‘because of Alan’, a coroner was told. The 45-year-old met partner Alan Cooper at The Millstone in Darwen in 2010.
Less than a year later, they got engaged while on holiday in Portugal. They married at St Peter’s Church in October 2012 and had three children between them, living together in a new-build home in Maple Mews.
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During an inquest into Ms Freeman’s death at Blackburn Town Hall, area coroner Kate Bisset heard evidence from family members, who described the couple’s relationship as ‘toxic’.
The inquest heard they separated in November last year. On March 21 this year, they met up discuss divorce proceedings. Social worker Ms Freeman, 45, ‘walked away’ when they couldn’t agree terms, the court heard.
The coroner was told Ms Freeman’s mother Sheila Brooks received a call from her daughter’s employer three days later after he failed to log on for a shift.
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Mrs Brooks said that was ‘unusual’ and that she ‘just knew something was seriously wrong’. She tragically found her daughter hanged at her home. She had left Easter eggs for family members and letters in which she said she intended to take her own life ‘because of Alan’.
Mrs Brooks added: “It was a toxic relationship. He had been abusing her and I recognised it as psychological abuse.”
Ms Freeman’s daughter Lucy said Mr Cooper, on at least one occasion, told her mother to ‘kill herself’. She added added: “I saw what he did to her, he regularly abused her and it broke her.”
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Ms Freeman’s sister Vicky said: “He would turn off the Wi-Fi and the gas when he went to work. In November 2025 she showed me pictures of bruising to her ear and head and said Alan had shoved her.”
The inquest heard that in a message sent to her sister towards the end of the relationship, Ms Freeman said: “He doesn’t give a s*** about the damage he is doing as long as he gets to keep control.”
Police said ‘not enough evidence’ to prosecute
The court heard police launched an investigation following Ms Freeman’s death. Mr Cooper was interviewed under caution, the coroner was told, as detectives considered the potential offence of manslaughter.
Detective Inspector Mark Reid told the inquest: “One element of the case was about Alan’s conduct. There was a question of whether that was criminal conduct.”
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Referencing notes left by Ms Freeman, coroner Ms Bisset said: “The notes that Gemma left, certainly in her mind, attributed the relationship to the cause of her death.”
The coroner added: “[Her death] would have to be foreseeable to the person perpetrating that abuse.” Daughter Lucy said: “There was a terrible example of that when he told her to kill herself in no uncertain terms.”
It was ultimately decided the evidence ‘did not cross the criminal threshold’, DI Reid said. Police decided not to seek a prosecution and did not proceed further.
Ms Freeman’s family said that decision was currently subject to a ‘right to review’.
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In a statement Mr Cooper, who attended the inquest, said: “Our relationship was, on the whole, good but it went from one extreme to another and there were bad times which were unbelievably bad.
“She was highly strung and I’m stubborn. I regret that stubbornness now.”
Returning a conclusion of suicide, the coroner told Ms Freeman’s family ‘the best justice for Gemma is for [them] to live happy lives’. “She herself attributed the relationship and its breakdown to her death,” Ms Bisset said.
The announcement that Star Trek icon William Shatner would be playing at this year’s Riot Fest music festival threw fans for a loop.
The 95-year-old actor was revealed Thursday as a performer for the festival, as he will be fronting his band The *uckers during a show slated for September 20 at Douglass Park in Chicago.
The Montreal native was seen in a clip in which he confirmed his foray into the new musical venture in the Windy City.
‘Riot fest fans, Shatner here, I’ve been dinking around, found all those letters you sent me,’ Shatner said. ‘And I’ve decided, you’re such big fans of mine, that I’m gonna debut my heavy metal record at Riot Fest.
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‘And I hope you’re there, and I hope I’m there. And I hope that you have my rider, and yes, don’t forget, my bowl of sauerkraut, if you please.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Shatner for further comment on the story.
The announcement that Star Trek icon William Shatner, 95, would be playing at this year’s Riot Fest music festival threw fans for a loop
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The actor played Captain James T. Kirk on the famed TV series from 1966-1969
The festival confirmed Shatner’s involvement on its Instagram on Thursday with what appeared to be an AI photo of Shatner in a black rock outfit making a horns signal with a guitar in hand.
‘After years of writing letters… Riot Fest 2026: Now with 100% more williamshatner, with his heavy metal band The *uckers,’ the festival said. ‘Appearing Sunday. Tickets on sale now.’
A number of fans commented on the actor’s foray onto the stage, with one writing, ‘A 95 year old man doing heavy metal at Riot Fest, damn lol.’
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Another commenter referenced other actors who have gotten into music, saying, ‘Stamos in 25, Shatner in 26…Johnny Depp and Hollywood Vampires in 27?’
One person referenced some of Shatner’s past musical work, in a cover of the Pulp classic Common People.
‘His version of Common People is amazing,’ the user said. ‘Very cool Riot Fest.’
Said one fan: ‘I’ve never been more excited about a thing I never knew existed.’
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Other comments included, ‘Aye Aye Captain,’ ‘This is everything,’ and ‘U got the best agent WS.’
The festival confirmed Shatner’s involvement on its Instagram on Thursday with what appeared to be an AI photo of Shatner in a black rock outfit making a horns signal with a guitar in hand
Shatner is set to play the third day of the festival, which features Alanis Morissette and Pierce The Veil
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A number of fans commented on the actor’s foray onto the stage
The Riot Fest posted a humorous note pointing out a tour rider for Shatner that included artist requirements for the veteran actor.
‘Hey Chicago, we just received a personal video message from williamshatner,’ it read. ‘His rider… is a lot.
‘But we’re committed to showing him what he means to us and we’re going to need your help. We don’t want years of letter-writing to go to waste. Anybody willing to lend a hand?’
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Among the provisions on the rider, specified to the city of Chicago, included the renaming of a boat in his honor ‘so he can captain a ship again’ and ‘a classic Chicago food item to be named in tribute to William Shatner.’
Other asks on the rider specified to the Riot Fest included ‘four feet of Polish sausage;’ ‘a bouquet of flowers in a vase;’ and a Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater signed by John Stamos, who played at the festival last year.
Shatner alluded to his Star Trek past in a statement about his participation at the festival.
‘I’ve always believed that music, like space, is about exploration,’ he said, according to People. ‘Riot Fest is exactly the kind of place where anything can happen.
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‘We’re bringing volume, intensity, and a few surprises. I can’t wait to share this experience with the fans.’
The Riot Fest posted a note pointing out a tour rider for Shatner that included artist requirements for the veteran actor
Shatner vowed he was ‘gonna debut [his] heavy metal record at Riot Fest’
Shatner pictured at a fan expo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on April 26
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Backing Shatner in his new band include guitarist-musical director Marcus Nand, bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Britt Lightning and drummer Fred Aching, according to the outlet.
The set will consist of tracks Shatner has previously performed as well as songs from a forthcoming album titled What the F Is Heavy Metal.
‘That’s the name of the album,’ he told People, ‘because I know nothing or didn’t know anything until I found out how little I do know.’
Among the 100 artists set to perform at the festival include Twenty One Pilots, Iggy Pop, Morrissey, the Pixies, the Sex Pistols, Nas, Public Image Ltd., Bad Religion and Taking Back Sunday, along with others.
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The 2026 Riot Fest is slated to commence at Chicago’s Douglass Park from September 18–20.
Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) might have cancer but it could be his pig-headedness that gets him killed.
You can’t blame the guy for being in a bit of a funk given that he’s facing a very serious health battle.
But being unable to manage his own emotions is driving a wedge between him and his kids. His new obsession with trying to save the Dingle dog Monty will only make the chasm bigger – until it nearly kills him.
In a weird way it was a bit fortuitous he was in there – the smoke inhalation led to the discovered Monty is riddled with cancer. Without that discovery, he might have died suddenly without any goodbyes, which would have been mighty painful for a family who’ve been ripped apart by cancer.
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Kyle invites Graham to the camping (Picture: ITV)
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But after Paddy (Dominic Brunt) revealed to the family how poorly Monty is they were left with a decision – prolong his life or let him slip away.
It gave Cain pause for thought having initially refused treatment for his own cancer. Wanting to save the dog, he opted for treatment, making him rethink his own.
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But it also leads Cain down a bit of a dark path – he becomes obsessed with the idea he can save Monty’s life.
Cain is gutted at the thought of losing Monty and takes him for a second opinion, believing that if radiotherapy can save him, it can save the pooch. He is so wrapped up in the survival of his furry pal that he again starts to pull away from his son Kyle, who is desperate for his dad’s attention.
Kyle tries to talk about his worries about Cadets, but Cain waves him away like a nuisance.
Cain storms off after an argument with Kyle (Picture: ITV)
Moira tries the softly, softly approach with Cain, clocking that his expectations of saving the dog’s life are way off. But Cain listens to no one until an expert tells him Monty’s tumours are inoperable.
This is crushing news for Cain who can’t process it. In a bid to shake off his own thoughts, he takes Kyle camping as a distraction. But Kyle doesn’t want to be alone with his dad and invites an unwanted guest along – Graham (Andrew Scarborough).
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Cain, unable to contain his own ego, loses his temper and storms off, and thus begins a series of unfortunate, nay, life-threatening, events.
As it gets dark, moody Cain loses his footing and suddenly plunges down a hill where he becomes trapped by his leg. Now it’s not just the cancer that might kill him. Will he be found alive?
Thomas Tuchel’s side appeared to be on course for a place in Sunday’s final when Anthony Gordon gave England the lead midway through the second half.
But Argentina mounted a late comeback, with Enzo Fernandez levelling five minutes from time before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in stoppage time from a Lionel Messi assist.
The result means Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final, while England must now prepare for a third-place play-off against France.
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After a fiercely contested first half, England looked to have gained the upper hand when Gordon converted from close range following good work down the right wing.
However, rather than building on their advantage, England gradually retreated deeper into their own half as Argentina increased the pressure.
Fernandez’s stunning strike brought Argentina level before Martinez completed the turnaround in injury time, leaving England devastated.
The manner of the defeat drew strong reactions from Bolton News readers, many of whom blamed England’s tactical approach after taking the lead.
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One reader was particularly critical of the team’s decision to sit back and allow Argentina back into the contest.
“Bowed out with a whimper,” he wrote.
“Got ourselves ahead, then sat deep, giving Messi half a pitch to do whatever he wanted.
“The goals were inevitable.
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“All on the manager.”
Another supporter felt the performance followed a familiar pattern for England.
“England played well against Mexico.
“Really, that was the only time they were really good,” he commented.
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“Usual tonight – score, and defend the goal rather than killing the game.”
Several readers highlighted what they saw as negative tactics once England moved in front.
“Park the bus and pay the price,” one fan wrote.
“Needed fresh wide men on after our goal.
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“You can’t play like that against Messi, it’s not rocket science.”
Another felt the match changed when England began replacing attacking players with defenders.
“We gave the game away,” he said.
“We were competing well until we swapped attacking players for defenders.
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“Messi was kept under control until we sat back and he started to run the game.
“His two assists says it all.
“Tuchel must hold his hands up for this one.”
Criticism of England’s style of play also featured heavily among the comments.
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One reader simply wrote: “Same old, same old, this obsession with passing back to the goalie!”
Football analysts have similarly pointed to England’s increasingly defensive approach in the closing stages, with Argentina taking control of possession and territory as they searched for an equaliser.
Although many supporters were disappointed with the result, not all the reaction was critical.
One reader praised the team’s efforts throughout the tournament despite the painful ending.
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“Well, the team gave it their all, and it’s heartbreaking to see them bow out,” he wrote.
“They had a great run and showed incredible spirit.”
Another chose to focus on England’s conduct during a fiercely competitive encounter.
“At least England played fair, that’s all I’m going to say,” she commented.
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Despite leading with only minutes remaining, England were unable to withstand Argentina’s late surge, with Messi once again proving the difference as he created both goals.
For many supporters, the defeat will be especially difficult to take given how close England came to reaching the final.
The reaction from Bolton News readers suggests there is admiration for the players’ efforts over the course of the tournament, but significant frustration at the tactical decisions made after Gordon’s goal.
England still have the chance to end their campaign with a victory over France in the third-place play-off, but their World Cup dream has slipped away once again.
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For fans, the debate over whether England were too cautious when it mattered most is likely to continue long after the final whistle in Atlanta.
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