Durham Police were called following reports that shots had been fired at a property on Featherstone Road in Newton Hall at about 9.40am yesterday (February 6).

Pictures taken at the scene show damage to a window at the home, where bullets appear to have hit the glass, as officers press on with enquiries.

The police probe into a ‘targeted attack’ at a home on Featherstone Road in Newton Hall is continuing (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The two occupants inside the house at the time were uninjured and have since been safeguarded by police.

An investigation remains ongoing and officers have stepped up patrols in the area, but police have said they believe it to be a targeted attack.

The police probe into a ‘targeted attack’ at a home on Featherstone Road in Newton Hall is continuing (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Fuller, who is leading the investigation, said: “We understand that this incident will have caused a great deal of concern and alarm in the local community.

“From our enquiries conducted so far, we believe this was a targeted attack. There will be increased neighbourhood policing patrols in the area to provide reassurance to local residents.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident to please report it, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“We’d also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the Featherstone Drive area at the time of the incident.”

The police probe into a ‘targeted attack’ at a home on Featherstone Road in Newton Hall is continuing (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The police probe into a ‘targeted attack’ at a home on Featherstone Road in Newton Hall is continuing (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 58 of February 6.

Durham Police can also be contacted online at www.durham.police.uk.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Mr Brown, who gave Lord Mandelson the job of business secretary and put him in the House of Lords, said he felt “shocked, sad, angry, betrayed, let down”, when he saw the messages released by the US Department of Justice which suggested the then Cabinet minister was passing sensitive information about the response to the global financial crash to Epstein.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday about American talks with Iran, his office said Saturday, while Iran’s foreign minister threatened U.S. military bases in the region a day after the discussions.

“The prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,” Netanyahu’s office said in a brief statement, referring to Tehran’s support for militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Trump and Netanyahu last met in December.

There was no immediate White House comment.

The U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran held indirect talks on Friday in Oman that appeared to return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Trump called the talks “very good” and said more were planned for early next week. Washington was represented by Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear program after sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships to the region amid Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests that killed thousands.

Gulf Arab nations fear an attack could spark a regional war, with memories fresh of the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June.

For the first time in negotiations with Iran, the U.S. on Friday brought its top military commander in the Middle East to the table. U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the military’s Central Command, then visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday with Witkoff and Kushner, the command said in a statement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told journalists Friday that “nuclear talks and the resolution of the main issues must take place in a calm atmosphere, without tension and without threats.” He said that diplomats would return to their capitals, signaling that this round of negotiations was over.

On Saturday, Araghchi told the Al Jazeera satellite news network that if the U.S. attacks Iran, his country doesn’t have the ability to strike the U.S. “and therefore has to attack or retaliate against U.S. bases in the region.”

He said there is “very, very deep distrust” after what happened during the previous talks, when the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites during last year’s Israel-Iran war.

Araghchi also said the “missile issue” and other defense matters are “in no way negotiable, neither now nor at any time in the future.”

Tehran has maintained that these talks will be only on its nuclear program.

However, Al Jazeera reported that diplomats from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar offered Iran a proposal in which Tehran would halt enrichment for three years, send its highly enriched uranium out of the country and pledge to “not initiate the use of ballistic missiles.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the talks needed to include all those issues.

Israel, a close U.S. ally, believes Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon and wants its program scrapped, though Iran has insisted that its atomic plans are for peaceful purposes. Israel also wants a halt to Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for militant groups in the region.

Araghchi, speaking at a forum in Qatar on Saturday, accused Israel of destabilizing the region, saying that it “breaches sovereignties, it assassinates official dignitaries, it conducts terrorist operations, it expands its reach in multiple theaters.” He criticized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and called for “comprehensive and targeted sanctions against Israel, including an immediate arms embargo.”

This street, located in Cambridge, is affordable and offers ideal transport links

Deciding where to settle down can be tricky. With so many different aspects to consider to ensure you make the best choice, the decision just gets even more difficult.

One street located in a ‘trendy’ part of Cambridge offers homes that are considered relatively cheap compared to the city average. Corrie Road, less than a 10-minute walk from Cambridge Station, is an ideal location to have everything you could possibly need right on your doorstep.

According to StreetScan, the estimated average property value currently stands at £455,765, which is approximately 23.7 percent lower than the city average. This makes it a relatively affordable option if you want to live in Cambridge.

The most common type of property sold in the area is semi-detached. These homes make up around 83 percent of sales, followed by terraced properties.

Corrie Road can be found just off Davy Road, opposite the Coleridge Recreational Ground. The park, along with the nearby primary school and community college mean that this street is a good location for families with school-age children.

The local primary school is Ridgefield Primary School, rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection. Coleridge Community College was also rated ‘Good’ in its most recent inspection.

Cambridge is not short of a good place to eat, and residents living on Corrie Road are just a short walk away from Cherry Hinton Road where you can indulge in a coffee and handcrafted pastry at Stir bakery. For a more up-scale dining experience, head to Fancett’s Bistro located in Mill Road, offering a personal and calming setting with seasonal menus. Mill Road offers a whole host of different places to eat and try different cuisines as it is one of the most culturally diverse streets in Cambridge.

Heading into the city centre will take you around 35 minutes on foot, or 20 minutes by bus. Whether you work in Cambridge or need to commute, Corrie Road is in an ideal location for getting to the railway station. Cambridge has direct routes into London taking just over an hour to arrive in London King’s Cross. It also has regular services heading towards Norwich, Ipswich, Brighton and Birmingham.

According to the Bee Network website , the car is parked near the Holt Town stop and has been causing disruptions since around 7pm.

In the meantime, the Altrincham service will run to Crumpsall and the Eccles service will run to Bury.

Tickets and passes are also being accepted on the following bus routes: 7, 53, 76, 76A, 76B, 171, 172, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 231.

Currently there is no indication as to how long the suspension will be in place The Bee Network website says it will continue “until further notice”.

🚊Due to a car on the tracks at Holt Town, there are no services operating on the Ashton line.

Altrincham services will run to Crumpsall and Eccles services will run to Bury.

🚌 Tickets and passes are being accepted on the 7, 53, 76, 76A, 76B, 171, 172, 216, 219, 220, 221,… pic.twitter.com/uyeVrzKUbk

— Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) February 7, 2026

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The disruption is likely to have affected concert-goers heading to and from the Co-op Live arena, where singer Jason Derulo is performing.

The Etihad Campus Metrolink stop, which is the closest to Co-op Live, is just one stop away from Holt Town.

Earlier in the day, the Bee Network posted on social media to warn drivers that the roads around the arena and Co-op arena and Etihad campus are likely to be busy and encouraging concert-goers to use the tram service instead.

More information and updates about line suspension can eb found on the Bee Network website.

The latest episode saw comedian Katherine Ryan join as a special guest on the hit ITV musical guessing game.

Ryan previously appeared on the show as Pigeon during the 2023 series.

The comedian joined regular Masked Singer panellists Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan.

Together, they tried to figure out who was inside the costumes of Sloth, Can of Worms and Moth, to name a few.

After each act performed, it was Sloth who was voted out and would be unmasked.

Who was Sloth in The Masked Singer?

After being voted out in the semi-finals, it was revealed that Sloth was Ben Fogle.

Reacting to their elimination, the TV host and writer said: “It’s been so fun hearing all of your suggestions.”

“I am so happy to get this far. I’m not a nature-born singer. But it’s been joyful.”

Fogle’s last song was ‘We All Stand Together’ by Sir Paul McCartney and The Frog Chorus.

Who has been unmasked so far on The Masked Singer 2026? Full list

If you’re struggling to keep track of all the unmaskings in the latest series of The Masked Singer, or just need a bit of a refresher, we can help you stay up to date.

Warning: If you haven’t seen the most recent episodes, which air weekly on ITV, spoilers are ahead.

During the series, as well as the famous faces taking part, there have also been some separate unmaskings for celebrity guest panellists.

To avoid confusion, here are the celebrities behind any of the main 12 characters that have been unmasked on The Masked Singer 2026 so far:

• Disc Jockey – Alex Jones – TV presenter on BBC’s The One Show (episode 1)
• Teabag – Professor Green – Rapper, singer and songwriter (episode 2)
• Yak – John Lydon – Sex Pistols frontman (episode 3)
• Gargoyle – Marcella Detroit – singer from Shakespears Sister (episode 4)
• Monkey Business – Kate Nash – singer and actor (episode 5)
• Artic Fox – Anton Du Beke – Strictly Come Dancing judge (episode 5)
• Red Panda – Harry Hill – comedian (episode 6)
• Sloth – Ben Fogle – TV host (semi-final)

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How to watch The Masked Singer final

With the series nearly coming to an end, you might be wondering when the final will take place.

You’ll need to tune into the final on Saturday, February 14 at 7pm. The episode of the ITV1 show will finish at 8.30pm.

Who do you think is behind some of the remaining masked characters this year? Share your predictions in the comments below.

An EasyJet passenger who tried to force a woman touch his exposed on a flight to the UK has been jailed for six years.

Nicola Cristiano, aged 45, committed the offence on a late-night flight from Naples to Edinburgh on May 13, 2025, after deliberately changing seats so he could sit beside the woman.

The Italian man repeatedly seized the victim’s hand and neck, attempting to make her touch his exposed groin. Subsequent tests revealed his semen on her cheek and lips.

Cristiano, a dad-of-two who was travelling to Edinburgh for work, also tried to kiss the woman and touch her body.

After he moved away to a different section of the aircraft, the woman reported the incident to the cabin crew.

Police arrested Cristiano when the plane arrived at Edinburgh Airport.

He was convicted of attempted rape following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.

Passing sentence at the same court on Friday, Judge Alison Stirling referenced a victim impact statement and addressed Cristiano directly, saying: ‘The complainer says the assault has left a lasting effect on her sense of safety and control.

‘She doesn’t feel comfortable flying and travelling alone any more.

‘She had planned another holiday this year but she doesn’t want to go on it any more.’

The judge continued: ‘The fact that it happened in a public setting surrounded by other people, even though she felt completely alone at the time, has been especially damaging for her.

‘She thinks this will always have a lasting effect on her.’

Judge Stirling also noted that a criminal justice social work report showed Cristiano had refused to accept the jury’s guilty verdict.

She added: ‘Custody is the only appropriate sentence with regard to the serious nature of the offending.

‘The reasons for the sentence include punishment, expressing society’s concerns about and disapproval of your offending, protection of the public, and rehabilitation in custody.’

The court was told that Cristiano will be deported to Italy after serving his prison term and will remain subject to notification requirements for an ‘indefinite period of time’.

He displayed no visible reaction as the sentence was imposed.

Earlier, defence solicitor Jim Stephenson told the court that his client acknowledged the complainer ‘did say “no” on a number of occasions, and (that) he did take her hand and place it on his penis’.

He added: ‘However Mr Cristiano still maintains his innocence in relation to the most serious parts of the charge.’

Following the conviction last month, Detective Chief Inspector Steph Garnett of Police Scotland’s public protection unit said: ‘Cristiano will now face the consequences of his despicable actions and I hope this brings comfort to his victim.

‘He deliberately approached a woman travelling alone on a flight and sexually assaulted her.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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A peregrine falcon was seen taking a break in the town by Northern Echo Camera Club member Barry Raper.

It’s not the first time the birds have been spotted in the region, with sightings in Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire, the Teesside coastline, and near Durham City over the last 18 months.

Peregrine falcons are known for their record-breaking speeds, aerial dives that can reach speeds of 390 km/h (242 mph), allowing them to strike prey with surgical precision.

The Peregrine Falcon (Image: BARRY RAPER)

Though their level-flight speed is more modest, between about 25 and 35mph, their agility and vision give them the edge in aerial hunting.

For comparison, an adult cheetah can reach up to 120km/h or 75mph and the next fastest bird is the golden eagle which can fly up to 320 km/h or 199mph.

Their average size is around 42cm with a pointed wingspan of around 102cm.

Peregrine Falcon (Image: BARRY RAPER)

The species is enjoying a speedy comeback in the UK after being persecuted for many years. 

The peregrine falcon population has been increasing steadily since the 1960s, with its breeding range tripling from 1968 to 1972.

Since the 1990s, the birds have also moved into cities, with London having the second-highest urban peregrine falcon population in the world, beaten only by New York.

Peregrine Falcon (Image: BARRY RAPER)

In the UK, peregrines are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and classified as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

During the first half of the 20th century, their numbers dropped for several reasons.

These included being hunted by gamekeepers, the pesticide DDT in the 1950s and being shot in the Second World War for fear they would prey on carrier pigeons.

 Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, the EPA’s restrictions on DDT, and the reintroduction of captive-bred chicks, their numbers have recovered.

What does the Durham Wildlife have to say about the Peregrine Falcon?

Like many of our birds of prey, the peregrine falcon was so persecuted, numbers fell dramatically. Thankfully, this super-speedy flyer is now making a comeback, particularly in our towns, where it nests on tall buildings.

• Length: 40-54cm
• Wingspan: 1.2m
• Weight: 670g-1.1kg
• Average lifespan: 6 years
• When to see: January to December

Until recently, the peregrine falcon was only found in the north and west of the UK.

Yet, over the last couple of decades, it has been spreading south.

In recent years, it has found some unusual nest sites, including Derby Cathedral and the BT Tower in Birmingham! These tall, city structures replicate the precipitous cliff edges that it would naturally nest on.

How to identify

The peregrine is the biggest falcon; it is dark slate-grey above and white below, with black bars across its chest and belly.

It has a white throat and cheeks, and a strong, black moustache and mask.

Sir Keir Starmer’s government has issued new details on plans designed to help thousands of people across the UK

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A top DWP minister has announced reforms to apprenticeships aimed at helping more young people to take up training placements for skilled jobs. Changes to existing UK rules include a faster approval process to update apprenticeships and develop short courses to tackle the need for skilled workers in major projects.

The reforms were announced ahead of the start of National Apprenticeship Week on Monday, when companies across the UK will announce a number of new placements. Ministers said bureaucracy will be tackled to cut apprenticeship approval times from 18 months to as little as three months.

The changes were part of the Growth and Skills Levy reforms, aimed at delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people backed by £725 million funding. Ministers said the measures will play an integral role towards the Government’s ambition to get two-thirds of young people into higher-level learning or apprenticeships.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Britain’s future depends on getting more young people into good jobs with real prospects. These reforms will slash bureaucracy so we can train people faster in the industries where they’re needed most.

“We need to give more young people a faster route into secure, well-paid work by ensuring British businesses have the talent they need to grow.” Mr McFadden visited Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, to see first-hand how apprenticeships were delivering skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering.

Tania Gandamihardja, Group HR director at BAE Systems, commented: “We currently have a record 5,100 apprentices in learning and they are critical to our skills pipeline. This announcement will accelerate our ability to offer new and updated apprenticeships keeping our people at the forefront of cutting-edge defence technologies.

“Incorporating the most advanced innovations in apprenticeships will also help us attract the 1,100 apprentices we need to join our company this year.” Philippa Burt, HR director for Hinkley Point C, said: “We welcome these apprenticeships reforms as they will help boost opportunities for young people at the same time as delivering more effectively the skills needed by major infrastructure projects.

“1,700 apprentices have already been trained at Hinkley Point C, helping overcome nationally significant skills gaps in key trades and high growth sectors.”

Speaking during promotion for the current third series of More4 spin-off Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, Amanda said disagreements are simply part of life on the farm, and that this applies to adults just as much as children.

Amanda sat on the farm hill at Ravenseat (Image: CHANNEL4)

Reflecting on family life at Ravenseat, she explained that while the Owen children are often seen laughing and working together on screen, the reality is far from perfect, and the same realism shapes her relationship with Clive.

“It’s just like me and Clive, isn’t it?” Amanda said.

“One minute we’ll be agreeing on something, next minute you’ll be saying something through gritted teeth, and I’ll be giving him the old evil eye. It is just how it is.”

Amanda and Clive announced their separation in 2022 after 22 years of marriage, but have continued to live and work closely together, sharing parenting responsibilities and appearing alongside one another on television.

The Channel 5 star said their relationship, like the wider household, is built on teamwork and accepting that dynamics are always shifting.

Clive Owen leant against gate at Anty John’s (Image: CHANNEL4)

“Of course they don’t always get on,” she said, referring to life with the children, before adding that disagreements rarely escalate and are allowed to “play out” naturally.

Amanda suggested the same approach applies to her relationship with Clive, explaining that having space and independence is key to keeping things balanced.

“With the space around us and a zillion things to do, people can take off,” she said. “If you were all trapped under one roof in confined quarters, it would be very different.”

She added that as the children have grown older and developed their own interests, the atmosphere at the farm has changed, and for the better.

“So far this is the best period I’ve enjoyed since they were babies,” Amanda said.

“You get to see their independence and their characters and what they take in, and that never fails to surprise me.”

Despite the pressures of farming life and a changing family structure, Amanda said the household remains positive, describing the current stage as energising.

“You feel more alive when you’ve got these youngsters bobbing about doing their thing,” she said. “You think to yourself, it’s all positive. It’s all good.”

Series three of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is currently on More4, with a fourth series already confirmed.