Prince George celebrated his 13th birthday this week, and eagle-eyed royal fans have noticed that it’s not just the teenager who appears in the sweet video shared online by his parents

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Prince George turned 13 on Wednesday (22nd July), and the occasion was marked with a sweet video that was shared by his parents, Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The young royal, who is the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales and is second in line to the throne, was the star of the show in the video posted on social media, which showed him climbing rocks and exploring the beach in footage that was taken when the family visited Cornwall over Easter. But eagle-eyed fans of the Royal Family have spotted that it’s not just George who features in the short video – as his younger sister, Princess Charlotte, also makes a brief appearance.

While the Instagram video heavily focuses on the birthday boy, 11-year-old Charlotte can be seen for a split second in the background of one clip. She can be seen wearing a striped top while playing on the beach, crouching in the sand.

She can only be seen for a moment, so if you blink, you’ll miss her entirely, but that didn’t stop avid royal fans from pointing out her appearance in the comments.

One fan said: “I just realised in one part of the video for Prince George’s birthday, Charlotte is playing in the background. It’s so great to see how much they all get to spend time together.”

Another added: “William and Catherine will know how important it is to build those strong sibling bonds.”

William and Kate’s youngest child, eight-year-old Prince Louis, also appeared in the video. George’s younger brother could be seen following his sibling as they both clambered up some large rocks on the beach, and he held a cricket bat in the background of the same clip where Charlotte was featured.

The couple captioned their video: “Thank you for all the birthday wishes for George today!”

Earlier in the day, the couple also posted a picture of their eldest son to mark his 13th birthday. The image showed George posing against a white wall with a window in the background, while wearing a dark blue suit and white shirt.

That photo was captioned: “Happy 13th Birthday, George!”

Meanwhile, it was recently claimed that George’s sister, Charlotte, plays a crucial role in keeping the future monarch “in line”, as body language expert Judi James said the only daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales “keeps an eye” on both her brothers.

Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary, Prince George at 13: The Next Generation, she said: “We do see Charlotte keeping an eye on both of her brothers. What I found really fascinating isn’t so much that she is doing that, but for me, it is the way that when she does nudge them and tap them, they both fall into line.

“Children of that age, normally if a younger sibling says ‘put your arms down,’ [they’ll reply] ‘who do you think you are?’

“But they absolutely take it, and I think that’s going to be very important when it comes to the dynamic because they will see that as a form of support.”

Fury is expected to produce another comfortable victory against Polish veteran Wach, who previously challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the unified world heavyweight titles but turns 47 later this year and has lost seven of his last 10 bouts – including against the likes of Moses Itauma, Frazer Clarke, Hughie Fury and Dillian Whyte. The fight is unusually not being televised live and is expected to come first on the bill, with footage instead being shown on the third series of Netflix’s hit reality show, ‘At Home with the Furys’.

Stargazers will soon be able to spot a partial solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower within hours of each other

Skywatchers in Greater Manchester are in for a rare treat next month as two of the year’s biggest celestial events are set to take place within hours of each other.

On August 12, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK before the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight. The eclipse will see the Moon pass between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring around 90 per cent of the Sun from Manchester.

It will be the deepest solar eclipse visible from the UK since the famous 1999 event, when totality crossed parts of Cornwall and Devon.

While those watching from parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain will see a total eclipse, people across the UK will see the Moon appear to take a ‘bite’ out of the Sun, darkening the sky.

In Manchester, the eclipse is expected to begin at around 6.13pm, according to The Royal Observatory Greenwich. It will reach its maximum at around 7.10pm before ending by 8.04pm.

Because the eclipse takes place during the evening, the Sun will sit increasingly low in the western sky as the event unfolds. Anyone hoping to watch the whole spectacle should try to find a spot up high, with a clear view of the western horizon.

Experts warn that anyone planning to watch the eclipse should never look directly at the Sun without certified solar viewing glasses or other suitable equipment, as doing so can cause permanent eye damage.

Spot ‘shooting stars’ hours after the eclipse

Once the Sun has set, attention will turn to the second celestial event of the day. The Perseid meteor shower, widely regarded as one of the year’s most reliable and impressive meteor displays, is expected to peak overnight between August 12 and 13.

The annual shower occurs as the Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Tiny fragments burn up high in the atmosphere, producing the bright streaks of light commonly known as shooting stars.

The Perseids are particularly well known for producing bright ‘fireballs’, which are vivid meteors that can leave glowing trails lingering in the night sky.

This year’s display is set to be especially good because the eclipse coincides with a new Moon. With no bright moonlight washing out the sky, darker conditions should make fainter meteors much easier to spot.

The best chance of seeing the Perseids is after midnight and before dawn, although some meteors may be visible from around 10pm if skies are clear.

For the clearest views, experts recommend heading away from street lighting and built-up areas to somewhere with an open view of the sky. Allowing your eyes around 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness can also improve the chances of spotting more meteors.

Officers were called at about 10.50pm on July 22 at Flint Close in Grangetown.

While two people were inside the property at the time, fortunately no one was harmed.

At 3.15pm yesterday (Thursday, July 23), police received a report of a gun being shot at a property on Bevanlee Road in Grangetown.

Both shootings, which are currently believed to be linked, are under investigation with extensive enquiries ongoing – including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

In relation to the shooting on Flint Close, a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, and a 40-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Following questioning, the woman and the 42-year-old man were bailed pending further enquiries and the 19-year-old man was charged with possession of a firearm, and with possession of ammunition for a firearm.

He is due to attend Teesside Magistrates’ Court today (July 24).

Later yesterday (July 23), four further arrests were made including a 32-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man and a 23-year-old man.  They are now being questioned in connection with the recent incidents.

Chief Superintendent Louise Galliott-Thornton said: “There will continue to be a strong policing presence in these areas for your reassurance, and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to please speak to our officers.

“I would also urge anyone with information, dash cam or doorbell footage to get in touch either by contacting 101 or visiting our website quoting reference number 145138.

“If reticent to come forward please contact Crimestoppers anonymously either online or by calling 0800 555 111.”

The latest crash on the country road happened in the early hours and has reignited road safety concerns on the West Pennine road.

At around midnight last night on Rivington Road, Belmont, a car landed in the ditch, with the driver suffering injuries.

Although the cause of this accident is not know it has prompted wider concerns about the road and the driving of some motorists.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Call was 12.31 am, Rivington Road.

“One car left the carriageway and entered a ditch.

“Driver treated at the scene for minor injuries and taken to hospital to be checked over.”

Belmont residents have repeatedly brought up the concerns about the road and the driving of some motorists.

Rivington Road is a through route between Rivington and Belmont, going past attractions such as the Blue Lagoon, and is 60 mph for the majority of the route.

Elaine Brooks, landlady of The Black Dog pub leading up to the road, said: “We saw everyone going on up at about 12 am, we saw the blue flashing lights, but cars could still come up and down with no disruption.”

Speaking more generally about the road, she added:”They just fly up, they rev up just to go up and down the road, with issues near the bottom of the road next to the pub.

“I can hear them revving it past and using it as a race track; they fly up all the time.”

A councillor for the West Pennines of Blackburn with Darwen Council said she receives and hears a lot of complaints from Belmont residents.

She said at almost every community meeting, the road is brought up as a concern, now with more motorbikes driving on the road.

(Image: Google Maps)

Cllr Jean Rigby, who represents Belmont, said: “The trouble is, and it has been for years and years and years, it’s become a racetrack.

“Unfortunately, it’s got worse where particular motorbikes have a race, and they sort of seem to do it in the night as well.

“It’s very, very noisy revving their engines up.”

Discussions of how to sort the problem out, and deter people from repeated incidents on the road has come into discussion with both Lancashire County Council and Blackburn’s council.

Speed humps have come into question, but would only work on certain parts closer to Belmont, and wouldn’t have a significant effect.

Believe Housing is offering grants of up to £1,000 to not-for-profit organisations that work in areas where it has homes.

The funding can be used for a wide range of community-focused projects including volunteer schemes, training programmes, income-boosting activities and wellbeing support.

Blackhall WI tapestry – believe housing awarded a £1,000 community grant to the Blackhall Women’s Institute(WI) to fund a tapestry project (Image: believe housing)

Damian Pearson, community investment team leader at believe housing, said: “We know that small grants can make a big difference to local groups with good ideas for their communities.

“This funding is there to help organisations bring people together, support wellbeing, build skills and respond to the issues residents are facing day to day.

“We encourage any group looking to start or build on a project that could make a positive difference in their community to get in touch and see how this support could help.”

Groups can apply for one grant of £1,000 or two grants of £500 during the financial year.

The funding can cover capital or revenue expenses including equipment, venue hire, activities and training.

To be eligible, projects must support at least one of Believe Housing’s community investment themes.

These include bringing communities together, health and wellbeing, employability and training, increasing household income, a greener, fairer future, and tackling inequalities including challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

Applications are open to groups working in central, east or south-west County Durham in areas where believe housing owns homes.

The grants form part of believe housing’s wider commitment to creating healthy homes and sustainable places, supporting community-led projects that help residents build brighter futures and stronger neighbourhoods.

Details of the scheme, including full eligibility criteria and an online application form, are available at https://www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding.

American singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray after a ‘vicious and unprovoked attack’ with a bottle on a music producer at a London nightclub.

The 37-year-old thug had been facing trial later this year after he hit a former friend twice over the head on the dancefloor at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in 2023.

But a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against victim Abraham Diaw was dropped along with two charges of possessing an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, during.

Brown – who has a previous conviction for beating his former girlfriend, fellow pop star Rihanna – signed autographs for a handful of fans as he left Southwark Crown Court following the short hearing.

His vocal coach, Omololu Akinlolu, 40, also pleaded guilty to affray. The pair will be sentenced on October 26.

Detective Constable Zara Ripamonti, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said: ‘This was a disgraceful, unprovoked assault that put a man in hospital.

‘There is no place for serious violence like this in London and I’m pleased these men accepted what they did wasn’t just completely unacceptable – but criminal.

‘This has been a long investigation and we’ve worked with police colleagues in the UK to bring these two men to justice.’

Brown’s vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu admitted the same offence

Brown will be sentenced later this year

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Brown signed autographs for fans moments after pleading guilty to affray 

US singer Brown, pictured wearing a baseball cap, arrives at Southwark Crown Court 

The 37-year-old has admitted affray 

Claire Campbell, senior Crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in London, said: ‘This was a vicious and unprovoked attack by Brown and Akinlolu in a crowded nightclub where Brown used a glass bottle as a weapon to strike the victim’s head twice.

‘This kind of violence is entirely unacceptable, and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly – with the police and partners across the criminal justice system – to pursue cases like this, and prove that no one is above the law.’

During a brief hearing, prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe KC applied for an extra charge of affray to be added to the indictment, saying this had been accepted by all parties.

A court clerk then read out the charge to the singer and his vocal coach which alleged: ‘Chris Brown and Omololu Akinlolu on February 19 2023 used or threatened unlawful violence towards another and their conduct taken together was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety.’

Brown, who took deep breaths before the delayed hearing began, then entered a guilty plea alongside Akinlolu.

Judge Tony Baumgartner bailed Brown and Akinlolu to be sentenced on October 26 at Southwark Crown Court.

The judge set bail conditions that allow Brown to leave the UK but he must return on October 25 – the day before his sentencing.

Members of Brown’s entourage sat on the front row of the public gallery as the verdicts were entered.

The singer, wearing a tan suit, gold-rimmed sunglasses and a St Louis Cardinals baseball hat, was flanked by security guards as he arrived at court, where a small group of fans had gathered.

Fans played the artist’s music and shouted his name, with one saying ‘I love you Chris’, as others held signs.

At earlier hearings, Brown was ordered to pay a £5million security fee as part of his bail conditions, which also allowed him to go on a world tour as long as he surrendered his passport on arrival in each country.

In 2009, Brown admitted at Los Angeles Superior Court to one count of felony assault relating to an incident that occurred hours before he and Rhianna were due to perform at the Grammy Awards.

Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari wants Donald Trump’s son Barron Trump to testify to the House Oversight Committee about whether he knew about or “had any involvement whatsoever” in the crimes of Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are accused of strangling women unconscious and raping them.

Federal law enforcement agents arrested the “manosphere” influencers in Miami Saturday following an extradition request from the U.K., where they face serious trafficking and sexual abuse allegations.

The brothers, who maintained ties to powerful figures in the administration’s orbit, are not expected to get any relief from the White House, which will not block their extradition, according to press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

But Barron Trump was reportedly a fan of Andrew Tate and spoke to him over Zoom in 2024, according to The New York Times. Donald Trump Jr. also reportedly met Tate at Trump Tower in 2017, and Alina Habba, a former attorney to the president who briefly served as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, described herself as a “big fan” during a January 2025 podcast appearance.

Ansari has urged Republican Rep. James Comer, the chair of the powerful House committee, to “swiftly open an investigation into the Tate brothers’ coordination and extensive relationships with members of the president’s orbit, including his son, Barron Trump.”

Two days before their arrests, the brothers were guests of Paolo Zampolli, who serves in the Trump administration as a special envoy for global partnerships, at a party in Washington, D.C.

Paul Ingrassia — the acting general counsel of the General Services Administration who previously served on the Tates’ legal team — also criticized their arrests as “politically driven prosecutions.”

But Trump’s allies appear to have distanced themselves from the Tates in the wake of their arrests.

“Recent reporting and public disclosures raise extremely grave national security, diplomatic, and ethical concerns about whether political networks in the president’s orbit, including members of his family, and other public officials leveraged their influence to shield these men,” Ansari wrote to Comer on Thursday.

Ansari’s letter also follows a statement from a Republican colleague who came to the brothers’ defense after the charges were announced.

Rep. Abe Hamadeh called the charges against them “unclear and political.”

“No American court has charged them with a crime despite years of false alarms and innuendos,” Hamadeh wrote on X on July 20. “The US government should either charge them with a crime or protect them from reckless court proceedings in the UK and Romania.”

He said the brothers are “American citizens and so they deserve full American Constitutional protections — which means innocent until proven guilty.”

In her letter, Ansari urged the committee to “investigate whether back-channel communications between the Tate brothers, presidential advisors, and members of the First Family such as Barron Trump influenced official actions or administration policy regarding criminal prosecution and investigation of the brothers or international law enforcement cooperation.”

She also is requesting records from the Department of Justice and the State Department, including “all communications, cables, internal memoranda, notes, and logs of contact” between U.S. and British or Romanian authorities.

Ansari is also seeking “all records of communications” between the White House and federal agencies “regarding the Tate brothers, including, but not limited to, investigation into the Tate brothers’ crimes, potential prosecution of the Tate brothers, political or legal favors given to the Tate brothers by members of the administration such as slow-walking criminal investigations and failing to detain the brothers upon entry into the United States, and the status of extradition requests involving the Tate brothers.”

The committee “must learn from Barron Trump about his knowledge of the Tate brothers’ crimes, if he had any involvement whatsoever, and if he communicated with members of his father’s administration or the president himself regarding their legal proceedings,” she wrote.

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

The Tates were banned from traveling outside Romania in late 2022 after their arrests on allegations of trafficking and money laundering.

They have been under a Department of Homeland Security investigation since 2023, and the state of Florida opened a criminal investigation into the brothers last year.

On Saturday, U.K. prosecutors unveiled 38 additional charges against the brothers in addition to 21 counts stemming from previous allegations.

The new charges against Andrew Tate include three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 19 additional charges stemming from “indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.”

Tristan Tate is also facing one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.

After U.S. Marshals arrested them in Miami, their attorney Joseph D. McBride called the allegations “madness” without a “shred of evidence.”

He told The Independent that the brothers are victims of “political persecution” in the U.K. and characterized the charges as an attempt to “disrupt the judicial process” in the U.S.

The Tates are expected to remain behind bars in Florida while a federal judge determines whether British authorities have met a legal threshold for extradition, which would be approved by the State Department.

Asked about the extradition request this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “there’s no role for us to play at this moment or maybe ever, but I’m not going to opine on that.”