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40 Manchester Airport flights cancelled or delayed

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40 Manchester Airport flights cancelled or delayed

Manchester Airport confirmed this is due to a technical issue at National Air Traffic Services’ (NATS) control centre in Prestwick, Scotland.

The issue affected airports across northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and follows a separate NATS outage earlier this month that led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations.

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A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “An air traffic control system operated by NATS has been affected by a technical issue causing delays to flights from some UK airports.

“Passengers due to travel today are advised to keep an eye out for updates from their airlines.”

The airport later confirmed that the air traffic control issue has been fixed but said some flights still may be affected.

EasyJet, KLM, Aer Lingus and Ryanair were among the airlines cancelling services from Manchester, including flights to Belfast, Amsterdam and Brussels.

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Industry leaders and airlines criticised the repeated failures and called for urgent improvements.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: “Yet another NATS failure is causing delays and disruption for passengers and airlines alike, and comes just days after its report into the most recent major outage.

“Passengers and airlines deserve better and the independent CAA report, together with the forthcoming Civil Aviation Bill, must address the underlying weaknesses in the system so that these failures stop happening.”

EasyJet said: “This, once again, calls into question the resilience of Nats’ systems and demonstrates the need for firm actions to prevent these repeated failures.”

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Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: “It is simply not good enough for this critical national infrastructure to keep letting customers down.

“Customers work hard to look forward to their holidays and airlines work hard to deliver those holidays.

“What customers and airlines need now is action, accountability and proper resilience, and we need it urgently.”

Ryanair called for the resignation of NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe.

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Neal McMahon, chief operations officer for Ryanair, said: “Martin Rolfe has presided over repeated system failures, repeated passenger disruption and repeated failures to deliver an effective back-up system.

“Enough is enough.

“Martin Rolfe should resign today.”

Passengers at Manchester Airport faced delays and cancellations throughout Monday.

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Among the affected flights were easyJet’s 7.10am to Belfast and 11am to Amsterdam, KLM’s 11am service to Amsterdam, and Aer Lingus’ 12.40pm to Belfast.

Ryanair’s 8.30pm service to Brussels was also cancelled.

Delays ranged from 40 minutes to more than three hours.

Full list of delayed and cancelled flights from Manchester Airport

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Presley Gerber, 27, died from suspected overdose, report says, as new information emerges about LA rehab star spent his final days in

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Presley Gerber (Above, in Los Angeles in January) died at age 27 of a suspected overdose according to a new report

Presley Gerber died at age 27 of a suspected overdose according to a new report.

Presley’s famous family – which includes supermodel mom Cindy Crawford, businessman Rande Gerber, and model/actress sister Kaia Gerber – was informed that his death was the result of an apparent overdose according to TMZ on Monday.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for the Gerber family and has yet to hear back. 

Presley had been staying in a separate house on the grounds of the Los Angeles area rehab facility.  

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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that Presley died on Sunday at a rehab facility in a devastating end to a battle he had increasingly laid bare on social media. The Medical Examiner has not determined the official cause of death yet.

Now, the medical examiner’s office told People on Monday that an exam is scheduled for today as they released a statement which read: ‘The investigation is still ongoing and there is limited information available.

Presley Gerber (Above, in Los Angeles in January) died at age 27 of a suspected overdose according to a new report

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From left, Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, and Presley in March 2024

From left, Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, and Presley in March 2024

‘Death was pronounced at 09:45 hours on September 20, 2026, by responding paramedics. The Santa Monica Police Department is the investigating law enforcement agency.’

The model had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health struggles. 

Earlier this year, he posted about having a ‘Pre-ibogaine flood dose’ at a Mexican treatment clinic – a single, high-dose administration of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine.

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Ibogaine is derived from an African shrub and is reported to help withdrawal symptoms. The high dose is designed to induce a profound ‘reset’.

Presley’s parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his ‘courage’ in response to his post about starting the treatment in March.

Crawford commented: ‘You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!’ while Kaia added: ‘That’s my brother I am so damn proud.’

And Rande wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.’ 

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Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the US but it is legal or permitted on prescription in countries such as Canada and Brazil while it is used in specialised clinics in Mexico.

Presley six months before his death, during his controversial treatment March in Mexico, which he said he was 'absolutely terrified' him as he attempted to overcome his addictions

Presley six months before his death, during his controversial treatment March in Mexico, which he said he was ‘absolutely terrified’ him as he attempted to overcome his addictions

Presley praised the Beond Ibogaine clinic in Cancun – where treatment starts at $12,500 for a ten-day programme – for its ‘incredible, caring, kind and on-their-s*** team’.

Presley said in a video caption: ‘I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes.)

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‘My mantras were love yourself and lis gotta be the last time for this reason. letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it.

‘I knew why i was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, i started finding my way back to myself… We shall see… Praying it’s the last time I have to come back.

‘Next time I’d like to choose And absolutely can’t forget the incredible caring kind and on-their-s*** team. Helps a lot haha. And I made some dope ass friends there  #iboga #ibogaine #rewireyourbrain #loveyourself #mentalhealth.’

Beond Ibogaine commented on the post at the time, writing: ‘Thank you for sharing this so openly. We know how much courage that moment takes, and we’re really proud of you for facing it with so much honesty and heart. It was an honor to support you.’

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Beond Ibogaine’s website states that ‘Ingesting a large enough dose induces a temporary psychedelic experience that can last several hours, normally with no significant side-effects.

‘For hundreds of years, indigenous African peoples… have ingested large doses of Ibogaine in its raw root bark form for its spiritual and healing properties.

In March, Presley posted about his experience at a Mexico treatment clinic, where he underwent a 'Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose'

In March, Presley posted about his experience at a Mexico treatment clinic, where he underwent a ‘Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose’

Admitting he was 'absolutely terrified' to go through the controversial treatment, which is illegal in the US, Presley was supported by his parents and sister Kaia Gerber for his 'courage'

Admitting he was ‘absolutely terrified’ to go through the controversial treatment, which is illegal in the US, Presley was supported by his parents and sister Kaia Gerber for his ‘courage’

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‘Over the past 30 years, Ibogaine has been administered in various clinics around the world for medical treatment purposes, most often to treat drug dependence.’ 

Despite its ban, public figures including singer Melissa Etheridge – who lost her 21-year-old son Beckett to a fentanyl overdose in 2020 – and Khloe Kardashian’s ex husband Lamar Odom have endorsed Ibogaine’s benefits.

Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to ‘take care of my own mental health for a bit.’

One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video. He started sharing ‘Mental Health Mondays’ videos on his Instagram. In one, he listed the medication he takes for ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks.’

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‘I feel like honesty is the best policy,’ he began. 

He also said his use of medication had been ‘fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life.’ 

‘Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it’s the reason why I am where I’m at now,’ he shared. 

He did not go into detail about the ‘loss’ he referenced, but went on to explain that he would experience panic attacks that were ‘really, really bad.’ 

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In December, the media personality opened up about medication he is taking to aid in his struggles which include 'night terrors' and 'panic attacks'

In December, the media personality opened up about medication he is taking to aid in his struggles which include ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks’

Last November, Presley was open with his mental health and told how he had taken a 'step back' to take care of himself

Last November, Presley was open with his mental health and told how he had taken a ‘step back’ to take care of himself

In one particularly bleak admission, he confessed he no longer even knew precisely how much of one medication he had been taking.

‘Who f***ing knows anymore,’ he said.

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He acknowledged that navigating the advice he received from medical professionals could itself be frightening. 

He noted in the Instagram reel that ‘doctors say a lot of different things so it’s kind of scary. But hopefully between my research and their research and the world and God, we can finally figure this out.’

in July 2025, he spoke about bringing healthy habits into his life. He told about his upbringing noting how he grew up as a ‘very active’ child who would be playing sports including swimming, surfing and water polo.

It was when he started working that he said sports suddenly became less of a priority – and it took a toll on his mental health. 

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‘The quality of life rapidly decreased.’ He said it took ’10 years’ to figure out that he needed to reconnect with physical activity again.

Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber are seen together in London in 2018

Rande Gerber, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber and Presley Gerber are seen together in London in 2018

The tragedy cuts short the life of a model who had seemingly been destined to follow his famous mother into fashion from an early age. 

A spokesman for Crawford told the Daily Mail on Sunday, ‘The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.’ 

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Presley started modeling at age 15 and was featured in campaigns for fashion labels such as Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. 

Presley was signed to IMG models and appeared in a 2018 Pepsi ad with his mother.

He also struggled with mental health at a young age and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2019. 

His death comes just weeks after his younger sister Kaia Gerber, 25, opened up about the enormous toll her brother’s struggles had taken on their famous family – admitting the turmoil had effectively ‘leveled everyone.’ 

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‘When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,’ she told Vogue.

Presley opened up about his personal struggles in a candid social media video last December, which Kaia called 'refreshing'; pictured in January

Presley opened up about his personal struggles in a candid social media video last December, which Kaia called ‘refreshing’; pictured in January 

Kaia said her brother's troubles made her want to be the 'easy' child; pictured in May with her family

Kaia said her brother’s troubles made her want to be the ‘easy’ child; pictured in May with her family

Presley and Kaia during childhood

Presley and Kaia during childhood

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The siblings are seen alongside their mom, Cindy Crawford, in August 2007

The siblings are seen alongside their mom, Cindy Crawford, in August 2007

Presley Gerber and Kaia Gerber watching the LA Lakers in February 2024

 Presley Gerber and Kaia Gerber watching the LA Lakers in February 2024

Presley had also talked about the lack of ‘direction’ he has from doctors when it comes to his medication. 

He spoke openly about feeling lost as he attempted to navigate his mental health problems – even revealing that he had seen 15 psychiatrists. 

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He complained that doctors had given him an overwhelming array of medications but too little guidance about how to manage them. 

‘I’d like doctors to be like, “Take this three times a day.” But every psychiatrist I’ve had – and I’ve had 15 – are like, ‘Here’s 20 medications and take this if you feel like this, take this as needed.’

‘And I’m like, “No, don’t give me that much leeway.” I need some direction,’ he continued. 

Kaia revealed last month that watching her brother battle his problems led her to cast herself as the family’s ‘easy’ child and someone who did not want to add another burden for their parents. 

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She explained, ‘I think that’s also why I started to self-​identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.’

But she also praised her brother’s willingness to strip away the secrecy surrounding his struggles.

She described his honesty and openness as ‘refreshing,’ contrasting it with the intensely private way their parents had traditionally handled family life.

‘My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything – and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, “I’m gonna be very human for everyone.” There’s only so much you can hide from the world,’ she said.

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‘And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them,’ she noted.

Cindy Crawford's son Presley had been candid in the past about his 'scary' mental health issues

Cindy Crawford’s son Presley had been candid in the past about his ‘scary’ mental health issues

Presley appeared to be particularly close with his parents and sister. He is seen with his father Rande Gerber, mother Cindy Crawford and sister Kaia

Presley appeared to be particularly close with his parents and sister. He is seen with his father Rande Gerber, mother Cindy Crawford and sister Kaia 

This past May, Presley expressed gratitude for his father in a heartfelt Instagram post.

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He shared a photograph of the pair paddle boarding together and paid an emotional tribute to the man he said had steadfastly supported him through his darkest periods. 

‘I have the best father in the world. He’s never given up on me. He’s always there for me. Always has the best advice for me. I appreciate this man more than words can explain. I love you pops. To more paddle boarding days around the world.’

His mother Crawford showed her support in the comments, writing, ‘My boys!’.

The father of two wrote, ‘I am honored [to] take this ride called life with you over and over any time. Sometimes we may fall but with a little help always get back up. I love you forever Prez.’

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Presley was open about his mental health struggles noting how he had issues from ‘a very young age’ – and labeled it as ‘the ultimate pandemic.’

During an appearance on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023, Presley had shared, ‘It is such a big part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job, and there’s so much to it. 

Even while struggling himself, Presley said he hoped his experiences might ultimately allow him to help others facing their own battles. 

‘Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do,’ he said.

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‘That is really what I want to do – help people, whether you’re depressed, you’re struggling with something that is having a negative effect on your body.

He added, ‘I’ve seen a lot of stuff and I’ve learned a lot of things. What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made.’ 

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County Durham and Stockton men jailed for overseas child abuse plans

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County Durham and Stockton men jailed for overseas child abuse plans

Carl Simmons, 51, and Kevin Smith, 42, are behind bars after booking flights and planning to sexually abuse young children overseas.

But NEROCU and Durham Police’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team arrested the pair before they could travel.

Simmons and Smith made their online arrangements to sexually abuse and rape children abroad, last autumn.

Both men used sexually explicit language, and Simmons sent sexual images of himself.

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Carl Simmons jailed over plan to travel abroad to sexually abuse children

But they did not realise they were speaking to a police officer whose colleagues were closing in on them.

Simmons and Smith were arrested in October 2025 and charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

They later pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court today (Monday September 21).

Simmons, of Tilery Close, Bowburn, near Durham, and Smith, of Grangefield Road, Stockton, were each sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

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Kevin Smith also jailed over plan to fly abroad to abuse children

They were each also made subject of 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Georgina Lewis, said: “Both Simmons and Smith made their vile desires very clear, and their actions demonstrated the lengths they would go and the money they would pay to sexually abuse children.

“They’ll now face the consequences of their actions thanks to the hard work of officers.

“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to police.

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“Support is available and you can help safeguard other vulnerable children.”

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Morrisons Daily set to open on Deansgate in Bolton Centre

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Morrisons Daily set to open on Deansgate in Bolton Centre

Morrisons is to open the doors on one of its ‘daily’ stores on Deansgate in Bolton town centre on Friday, October 2.

The shop will sit beneath the Deansgate Gardens development, with the new store occupying a prominent stretch of ground-floor commercial space.

It is understood the Morrisons entrance to Deansgate Gardens along towards Max Spielmann, taking up a newly created space.

The opening will add another food shopping option to Deansgate and comes little more than a year after the first residents began moving into the £35m Deansgate Gardens development.

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The Placefirst scheme brought 167 rental homes into the heart of Bolton, with a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments and townhouses opposite the former Beales department store.

The Morrisons store will be located beneath the Deansgate Gardens development in Bolton. (Image: NQ)

Plans for the development had also included ground-floor commercial spaces alongside its new homes, rooftop terraces, gardens and public areas.

The arrival of Morrisons would therefore represent another step in bringing the commercial element of the development into use alongside its residential accommodation.

It will also bring a smaller supermarket format into the heart of the shopping area, where many of the major grocery stores serving the town centre are larger supermarkets.

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The new Morrisons is expected to open close to the entrance to Deansgate Gardens. (Image: NQ)

Morrisons already operates its larger supermarket off Black Horse Street, while Sainsbury’s has a supermarket on Trinity Street.

The new shop will instead provide a smaller retail option on Deansgate, putting it close to existing shops and businesses as well as the growing residential population in the centre.

Bolton Council has previously said bringing more people into the town centre is intended to support the local economy, attract businesses and create a more vibrant environment.

Ground-floor commercial space formed part of the plans for the £35m Deansgate Gardens development. (Image: NQ)

Deansgate Gardens itself forms part of the wider town-centre regeneration programme and was built on land which had previously included a surface car park and a number of buildings.

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The Morrisons Daily is understood to be due to open on October 2.

Morrisons has been contacted for further details about the new store and its opening.

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Michael Carrick’s response to Manchester United fans won’t sit well – here’s why

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Manchester Evening News

Man United rounded off their first five Premier League fixtures of the season with a late 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage

Manchester United rounded off their opening five Premier League matches of the season with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham. It was a tepid performance against a side yet to win in the top flight this campaign. Before the game, there was hope, rather than expectation, that United would come out firing on Sunday.

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The atmosphere at Old Trafford turned sour in midweek following the Brighton debacle. “What the f****** hell was that,” was the response from the Stretford End as United chucked away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 in the Carabao Cup.

Those jeers were echoed in the second half at Craven Cottage when Kobbie Mainoo, one of United’s better players on the day, was replaced by Mason Mount as they searched for an equaliser. Post-match, Michael Carrick was asked what his message to supporters was after an underwhelming start to the season. “It’s still a big season ahead, to be fair,” he responded.

“It’s a long season, you’re going to have spells through a season. That’s part of the journey through a season. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long effort.

“Of course, I’m not playing it down, we wanted more points from it. So I’m not saying everything’s great. I understand the frustration, of course I do, because we wanted to be better and we wanted to do other things.

“But deflation, I think, is certainly not what we have within the club and within the group. The players didn’t have that on the pitch today and that’s what will carry us through the season, without doubt.” Last week, insisting the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint – or words to that effect – became Carrick’s catchphrase. Unfortunately that won’t wash for many fans.

United have a measly total of five points from their opening five games. Everton and Fulham away, plus Manchester City at home last season, provided seven points for the Reds. This season, they have resulted in two.

Last term the Reds also secured four points against play off winners Sunderland away and the Championship’s second place Burnley at home. This time around United lost to Championship play off winners Hull City but did beat second place Ipswich Town.

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So Carrick’s side are already six points worse off compared to last season, and the Reds have arguably had an easier run. Sunderland had established themselves as European contenders by the time United played them in May, and Carrick made changes for that game, having already secured a Champions League spot.

The game against Hull should have at least matched that result, even if the Tigers have taken many by surprise so far but the really concerning factor is the like-for-like results against the established Premier League clubs.

Everton, City and Fulham were all weaker, for different reasons, when United played them this campaign. The Toffees had just come into the match off the back of a disastrous end to the transfer window, City were down to 10 men for three quarters of the derby and Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are not as good as the one Marco Silva had assembled at Craven Cottage.

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The season is not decided after five Premier League games, but United are already up against it. If they want to be challenging for titles and the Champions League places they should have been eyeing a double figure return from what was a kind start to the campaign.

United’s matchgoing supporters are already showing signs of impatience. And a three-week break before the next game will only amplify that discontent.

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Welsh rugby coach in contract talks and England star ruled out of World Cup

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Wales Online

These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, September 21.

Tiatia in contract talks

Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia is reportedly in advanced talks with the region over a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Former All Blacks backrower and Ospreys legend Tiatia joined the Dragons in the summer of 2024 as defence coach, but was later promoted to become interim boss following the departure of head coach Dai Flanagan.

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His role was made permanent in February last year and, having endured a difficult first season, oversaw significant progress in the last campaign, with the Rodney Parade side ending the URC season with three wins and four draws to their name.

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Dragons chief executive Rhys Blumberg has made it clear that the region are keen to keep hold of Tiatia beyond the end of the 2026/27 campaign, with talks taking place this month.

“We’d love to lock Filo in and back him for a long-term future at the Dragons,” Blumberg told the BBC. “He has definitely got an appetite to stay and we have an appetite to keep him.

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“We will work through that over the next month or so to get something done.”

On the impact the New Zealander has had during his time at Rodney Parade, the CEO said of last season: “We finished 15th but there was progress with 19 more league points and getting to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

“We really improved and Filo deserves real credit for how much belief he instills in people – that is his superpower. He is a mentor for the players and gets them to believe they are good enough to compete with anybody.”

England star out of World Cup

Former England and British & Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler has closed the door on a sensational Test rugby comeback at next year’s World Cup after agreeing a contract extension with Toulon.

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The 33-year-old has 68 caps for England and represented them at two World Cups, but has been ineligible for international selection ever since joining the French giants in 2024.

Sinckler, who entered the final year of his contract in July, had been strongly linked with a return to English rugby in recent months, with Newcastle Red Bulls, Exeter Chiefs and former club Harlequins among those interested in services.

A move back home would have put him in contention for a shock international comeback, amid suggestions that he could force his way into the frame for next year’s World Cup in Australia.

However, he will remain unavailable for selection by Steve Borthwick until he’s 35 at least, after agreeing a two-year contract extension with the Stade Mayol club.

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It comes after the two-time Lions tourist admitted that he had fallen back in love with rugby during his time in France, particularly in regard to the scrum.

“In France, there is more pressure in the connections,” he told Equipe. “I have to adapt to it. The spirit of the scrum is very different here. From the commands ‘flexion’, ‘liez, and ‘jouer’.

“If I switch early, too hard, I risk arriving at the end of the race at impact, devoid of power. I am still in the adjustment phase. In Toulon, the scrum is a story of life and death. It’s exhilarating.

“In England, we are more analytical,” Sinckler added. “Here, the scrum, we put emotions into it. It’s a whole city and a region that vibrates. In Toulon you feel like a gladiator. I love it!”

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Gatland heading back to Wales

Former national team head coach Warren Gatland is heading back to Wales – for a Q&A evening with broadcaster Phil Steele.

The New Zealander has been largely out of rugby since stepping down from his position as Wales boss in the middle of last year’s Six Nations 18 months ago, but is eyeing a return to the game ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.

On November 15, he will be heading to Abercwmboi RFC for an evening of “fascinating rugby stories, insight and entertainment”, with the floor set to be opened up to fans for a live Q&A.

Supporters will be hoping to hear about the highs and lows of Gatland’s two very different stints with Wales, as well as some insight into the big issues currently facing the Welsh game.

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The event starts at 6pm, with individual tickets available for £35.

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.

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Body language expert reveals telltale hand gesture Earl Spencer used in bombshell interview | News UK

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Body language expert reveals telltale hand gesture Earl Spencer used in bombshell interview | News UK

A body language expert has spotted a revealing finger gesture used byPrincess Diana’s brother during his interview on Sunday evening.

Earl Spencer used a conversation with the BBC to repeat his incendiary allegations that King Charles sounded ‘giddy’ after Diana’s death, and told him ‘Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough’.

He was also defending his memoir after Buckingham Palace’s blistering statement that ‘the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory’.

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Body language pro Judi James said the Earl repeatedly used a crucial ‘pinch’ gesture ‘between his index finger and thumb’ known as the ‘precision pinch’.

She told Metro: ‘This is a gesture that implies accuracy of detail and he even uses it as a baton gesture at one point to appear to convey the message that he is being forensically accurate in what he says.’

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The Earl would mime picking up and putting down the phone (PIcture: BBC)

He uses the motion when he is challenged about his claim that then Prince Charles was ‘giddily elated like a lottery winner’ after Diana’s car crash death in 1997.

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Pinching his fingers, the Earl says: ‘Every word I report exactly as I saw it and felt it at the time’.

According to Judi James, another crucial body language tell the Earl uses it that he ‘tends to relate the events he writes about by partially “living” them.’

This includes miming picking up the phone when he talking about taking the two phone calls from Charles after Diana’s death.

The miming and ‘precision pinch’ gestures combine forces later in the interview when he is asked about his claim that Charles told him ‘Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough’ after a row over the funeral.

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The Earl told Laura Kuenssberg: ‘After a stunned silence, I said you cannot believe you just said that, and I hang up on him.’

As he tells the BBC host that, Princess Diana’s brother pinches his fingers before imitating hanging up the phone with his hands.

James told Metro: ‘His delivery of his conversations with Charles also comes with that style of reliving the incident, complete with an upwardly pointed index finger and the precision pinch gesture before he mimes hanging up the phone.’

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The expert does stress that ‘body language cannot define between truth and lie.’

However she added: ‘But Spencer appears happy to “bare all” visually here in terms of his eye expression and open body posture.’

James also said his ‘over his display [in the interview] is generally congruent’.

She continued: ‘When he does show emotion openly as his eyes fill with tears at the thought of his happy childhood with Diana, the sadness does look authentic as we see close-up his eyes slowly redden and moisten and hear his voice crumble and break.’

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The explosive interview also saw the Earl reveal that the revelations in his book ‘will not be a surprise’ to William and Harry.

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He also recounted the night he got the call from his sister Lady Jane Fellowes, who said Princess Diana had been in a crash but ‘it’s not too serious’.

But as he looked for updates he got more distressing news from his sister.

‘And then my sister Jane said, “I’m afraid she’s died.” It started… as a little prang, and then it became a broken leg, perhaps a head injury, and then death.’

He explained Diana rang up her brother to tell him the reason she was getting divorced, telling him: ‘My husband is in love with his valet’.

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‘I told her, “I do worry that the public will really be, in a way, angry with you for killing the fairy tale that they’ve all subscribed to”, and those are the words she said to me.’

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, talks with his uncle Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, during the unveiling of a statue commissioned of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, Britain July 1, 2021. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Charles Spencer said he could never pick a side between William and Harry(Picture: REUTERS)

Spencer even hinted there could be more Royal family secrets which have been ‘left unsaid.’

BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg asked him: ‘Maybe some family secrets are better left unsaid.’

He replied: ‘They certainly are, and they have been left unsaid.’

But will it be Earl Spencer who will spill the beans? He claims: ‘Nope, that’s it. That’s me done.’

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Bolton man jailed over Birmingham Airport cannabis plot

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Bolton man jailed over Birmingham Airport cannabis plot

Lewis Ross, 35, was part of a group arrested by Border Force officers in August 2024 at Birmingham Airport who plotted to bring £13.8M into the UK.

More than two years on, he was brought to learn his fate before Birmingham Crown Court with three other men.

Several other people involved in the plot, many of them much younger, are still waiting to learn their fates.

Head of Border Force Midlands Command Adam Chatfield said: “These convictions should be a stark warning to anyone considering bringing cannabis into the UK.

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“The young people involved now have a serious crime on their records, damaging their job prospects and life chances.

“More than ever, we are working closely with law enforcement partners in the UK and overseas to combat drug smuggling, keep our communities safe and our borders secure.”

The court heard that the couriers each had two suitcases which were both packed with 20kg of cannabis, which amounted to 460kg in total.

Lewis Ross caught on camera (Image: NCA)

Lewis is believed to have carried 41kg of this through the airport.

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The couriers had to pay an excess charge at Bangkok Airport to put them in the hold as they were so heavy.

Each suitcase had a thin layer of clothing above the vacuum-packed cannabis, and eight contained Apple Air Tag trackers.

Some of the cannabis that was seized (Image: NCA)

National Crime Agency investigators identified that these were connected to the same Apple ID account.

Suspicions were raised when Border Force linked the seizures to other travellers using connecting flights into Birmingham.

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This prompted them to fully staff the ‘nothing to declare’ customs green channel which led them to find the cannabis.

Huge amounts of cannabis were involved (Image: NCA)

One courier was told: “My man gonna be on the other side – don’t leave the airport until you see him leave.

“Even if your bags are there just let them go round on the belt, go toilet etc. etc.”

Ross, of Rupert Street, Great Lever, was brought back to court to be sentenced for being knowingly concerned in evading the prohibition on the importation of cannabis.

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Some of the cannabis that was seized (Image: NCA)

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Alongside him in court were Carsten Kyei, 21, of Denmark Street, Newham, Bradley Lloyd, 27, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, and Nathan Vitorino, 26, of Little Hardings, Welwyn Garden City.

They had also been convicted of being concerned in evading the prohibition on the importation of cannabis.

Ross and Lloyd had both changed their pleas to guilty during the trial, while Kyei and Vitorino were both convicted by a jury.

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Kyei was jailed for two and a half years, Lloyd for four years and Vitorino for two years and eight months.

NCA senior investigating officer Paul Boniface said: “These sentences show that drugs couriers can end up paying a high price for smuggling cannabis to the UK.

“It is simply not worth the effort, something that social media influencers promoting this lifestyle frequently overlook.

“With the help of Border Force, we were able to intercept these drugs, deprive the criminal network behind the importation of considerable profits and protect the public from the damaging effects of cannabis.”

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Gideon Oluwasetemi Olumoyegun, 26, of Stour Road, Dagenham, Ryan Boachie, 32, of Hendon Road, Edmonton, Jamal Clarke, 22, of the Mile Road, Walthamstow, will be sentenced later.

There is also Claire McCullough, 36, of Meliden Crescent, Wythenshawe, Jaden Ramen, 23, of Myrna Close, Colliers Wood, Paige Crisp, 24, of Pear Tree Drive, Broom Hall, and Tasia Nelson, 22, of Cheviot Road, Newquay.

All are due to be sentenced for being concerned in evading the prohibition on the importation of cannabis on October 22.

Victoria Norman from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Working with investigators, prosecutors pieced together a picture of a highly co-ordinated effort to smuggle industrial quantities of drugs into the country.

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“Ultimately, this strong evidence led to six of the group pleading guilty, with the remainder convicted following a trial.

“The CPS is committed to working with the NCA to tackle organised crime and ensure that those involved with drug smuggling are brought to justice.”

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Sabrina Washington announces solo headline tour after Mis-Teeq reunion

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Sabrina Washington announces solo headline tour after Mis-Teeq reunion

Sabrina Washington has announced a solo headline tour, one week after Mis-Teeq reunited for a sold-out reunion show at Wembley Arena.

The Brit-nominated girl group – comprising Washington, Alesha Dixon and Su-Elise Nash – were one of the most successful acts of the 2000s, achieving a string of major hits including “Scandalous” and “All I Want”.

They split in 2005 to pursue solo careers following the collapse of their record label, then reunited for the one-off show in London on 12 September,

Washington has now announced that, as the group have chosen not to continue with further reunion shows, she will embark on her own headline tour celebrating more than 25 years of Mis-Teeq.

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The tour will revisit some of the group’s biggest hits along with songs from her solo career.

Titled “A One Night Stand Just Ain’t Enough”, after a lyric from “Scandalous”, the tour is described in press material as “much more than a traditional greatest hits show”.

“Sabrina wants audiences to feel as though they have stepped straight back into the clubs of the early 2000s, when UK Garage and R&B dominated dancefloors and getting ready for a night out was almost as important as the night itself,” the press release states.

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“With DJs, dancers, special guest surprises and other icons from the era joining Sabrina throughout the tour, the show will celebrate not only Mis-Teeq’s music but the wider scene they emerged from.

“Different guests will appear across the run, bringing together some of the artists, records and sounds that provided the soundtrack to a generation and recreating the atmosphere of those nights for 2027.”

Mis-Teeq during their reunion show at Wembley Arena
Mis-Teeq during their reunion show at Wembley Arena (Sova Da Lufer)
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Washington said in a statement: “The reaction to the Mis-Teeq reunion has honestly been overwhelming. We knew there was still so much love for the music, but seeing just how much these songs continue to mean to people 25 years later has been incredibly emotional.

“From the moment Wembley was announced, I was receiving messages from people saying, ‘What about Manchester? Where’s Birmingham? Are you coming to Scotland? What about the rest of the world?’ and I kept seeing people saying that one night simply wasn’t enough. So there really could only be one name for this tour!”

Reflecting on the Wembley show, Washington said it was something she would “never forget” and called it “such a special way for the three of us to celebrate everything we achieved together”.

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“These songs changed my life. I recorded them, I wrote many of them and I have so many memories and stories attached to them, as do our supporters. This tour gives me the opportunity to celebrate that music in my own way and get much closer to the public who have supported us for all these years.”

Washington’s tour dates are as follows:

5 February 2027: O2 Ritz Manchester

6 February 2027: O2 Academy Birmingham

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26 February 2027: O2 Forum Kentish Town

17 April 2027: O2 Academy Glasgow

24 April 2027: O2 City Hall Newcastle

Tickets go on general sale on Monday 28 September. Pre-sale sign-up is open now.

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Is the game up for e-bike yobs? Lime helps police track down and fine cyclist seen riding illegally

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Is the game up for e-bike yobs? Lime helps police track down and fine cyclist seen riding illegally

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Lime has used its data to trace and fine a customer who rode an e-bike on the pavement in a legal first.

The electric bike hire company used its internal system, thought to include the location tracking data on its for-hire bikes, to co-operate with City of London Police and trace the cyclist, who also raised his middle finger at a female pedestrian after riding on the wrong side of Fleet Street.

After the altercation, the pedestrian reported the cyclist to police with the exact time and location.

Lime then gave officers information on exactly which of their bikes had been on the road at the time.

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Once the man was identified, he was hit with a fine for careless cycling at a police station and banned from Lime’s devices, which include e-scooters.

He also apologised to the woman.

The force said its collaboration on the ‘relatively low level’ incident had combined its ‘extensive’ CCTV network with ‘technology and information’ held by Lime on its customers.

Lime claimed it had worked with authorities and given up data in line with its ‘privacy and other legal obligations’.

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Lime used its system to track a cyclist who rode on the wrong side of the road and raised his middle finger at a pedestrian before handing the information to police

Sergeant Stuart Ford, of City of London Police’s cycling team, said: ‘The fact that we were able to identify this rider with the help of Lime demonstrates what can be achieved when we combine our extensive CCTV network with technology and information held by our partners.

‘Not every offence is serious, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. We have to prioritise the greatest threats to the public, but people also expect us to act when they see behaviour that makes them feel unsafe. That’s an important part of maintaining confidence in policing.

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‘This incident was relatively low level, but for the pedestrian involved it was a real-world encounter in which she was forced to take evasive action and then subjected to an offensive gesture when she challenged the rider.’

Alice Pleasant, Lime’s UK deputy regional head for government relations, said: ‘Safety is fundamental to Lime’s service in London, and we do not tolerate behaviour that puts pedestrians or other road users at risk.

‘We take reports of unsafe riding seriously and enforce violations of our user agreement. In this case, Lime followed established protocols when responding to an official request, in line with our privacy and other legal obligations.’

Lime bikes are banned in two London boroughs – Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames – and have been subject to claims of ‘anti-social’ parking on pavements.

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Hounslow ended its two-year agreement with Lime because of riders blocking payments and the company’s high price, it was reported last year.

Rivals Forest and Voi were given contracts to run their for-hire bike businesses in the borough instead.

A council spokesman said at the time the decision was ‘shaped by widespread community feedback’ that showed residents wanted ‘stronger parking compliance, faster response times to resident concerns, and more tailored and affordable pricing’.

Lime told the Daily Mail: ‘Despite acknowledging the quality of our service was higher in our bid, Hounslow Council selected another provider because it offered them more money.

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‘This is a really disappointing outcome for the thousands of Hounslow residents that rely on our bikes daily to connect to other areas of London.’

In the City of London more than 100 e-bikes were seized in a single month last year after the area took a stricter approach to pavement parking and dumped bikes.

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Woman accusing former teacher of rape tells court she was sick after being violated – live

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The barrister now asks the witness about the layout of the hotel bedroom and balcony, and the witness says the defendant mentioned having cocktails on the balcony.

The witness describes how Gravell locked the bedroom door then sat on the bed a couple of feet away from her, and began “inching” towards her. Asked if Gravell called her “lush”, the woman replies “Probably”. The witness describes Gravell as “sleazy”

The witness says Gravell was indicating he wanted sex but she says she told him no as they had only just met.

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The barrister puts it to the witness that she stood up and removed her trousers before getting on top of the defendant and having consensual sex – the witness denies that, and says Gravell pulled her trousers off.

Barrister: “Mr Gravell says he took you up to a bedroom, but that it was a room without a balcony.”

Witness: “It 100 per cent had a balcony.”

Barrister: “And you were kissing each other on the bed, and touching each other. And he says you got up and said ‘Let me take my trousers and shoes off’. He took his lowers clothes off.”

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Witness: “No.”

The barrister puts it to the witness that she had the defendant had consensual sex, and the witness replies “It was not consensual.”

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