LAS VEGAS (AP) — The case of rap icon Tupac Shakur’s killing has been unresolved for decades; now the man charged in his 1996 killing in Las Vegas is going to trial.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, faces one charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in Shakur’s death. Jury selection begins Monday, with the trial scheduled to last about a month.
The trial will bring to a head one of the biggest mysteries in the hip-hop world that gripped the public for decades. Shakur, who also went by the stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time.
Shakur was shot in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. He was in a black BMW with music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight on their way to Club 662, where Shakur was scheduled to perform, when a white Cadillac pulled up beside them. Gunfire erupted. Shakur, who was in the passenger seat, was shot multiple times and died six days later, while Knight survived.
Advertisement
The case went cold until recent years, when public statements and a tell-all memoir from Davis revived the case. He was a leader of South Side Compton Crips at the time of Shakur’s death. Davis was arrested in 2023 and pleaded not guilty.
Here’s what to know about the trial.
When and where the trial will be held
It will take place in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, with Judge Carli Kierny presiding over the case.
Jury selection starts Monday. That’s expected to take a few days. Then, the prosecution and defense will give opening statements and witness testimony will begin.
Advertisement
Inside the courtroom, seats for the public will be in short supply, with a daily lottery for a chance to get one. A room on the second floor of the court will be open to the public and will show a live feed of the trial.
The trial likely won’t answer ‘who pulled the trigger’
Prosecutors are not arguing that Davis is the one who pulled the trigger that night, and the trial likely won’t confirm who fired at Shakur. Instead, prosecutors plan to prove that Davis made the calls that led to Shakur’s death and provided the gun used to shoot Shakur.
Davis is the co-author of the memoir “Compton Street Legends,” which describes his exact role in the shooting. The book says that Davis obtained a handgun from an associate and tossed it into the back seat of the Cadillac but did not say who fired the fatal shots.
Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew, has long been considered the suspect who pulled the trigger, but charges were never brought against him in the killing. He died two years after Shakur’s death in an unrelated gang shootout in Compton, California.
Advertisement
Two others — Deandrae “Freaky” Smith and Terry “Bubble Up” Brown — were in the car with Davis and Anderson, but they have since died as well.
Who is expected to testify
Prosecutors expect to call between 35 and 45 witnesses during the trial, ranging from people who saw Shakur moments before he was shot to people who were in both Shakur and Davis’ orbits at the time.
Their witness list includes former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and members of Shakur’s family. However not everyone on the list will necessarily testify. Rather, attorneys may ask potential jurors if they’re familiar with certain names.
Advertisement
Sign up for Morning Wire:
Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.
Advertisement
Leonard Jefferson, a California resident who pulled up next to the BMW and snapped a photograph, which became the last known photo of Shakur, is expected to testify.
The state is also expected to call Denvonta Lee, who was affiliated with the South Side Crips.
In grand jury testimony, Lee testified that rival gangs, the Crips and Mob Piru, were tied to dueling record labels Death Row Records and Bad Boy Records.
Advertisement
Though he wasn’t there that night, Lee also testified that Anderson didn’t have a clear shot, so Smith took the gun and did the shooting. He also said Davis was in charge and gave the gun to Anderson, who gave it to Smith.
The witness list includes others who previously testified to the grand jury, including Malcolm Greenidge, a friend of Shakur’s who was traveling in his entourage that night. Reggie Wright, who grew up in Compton and did security for Death Row Records, is also expected to testify.
But other witnesses will be new, including a former member of Death Row’s security team and a former member of Mob Piru who was at Club 662 the night Shakur was shot.
Witnesses also include former police officers and detectives, as well as gang experts.
Advertisement
Davis’ defense attorney is expected to call less than a handful of witnesses, including one expert in the area of false confessions and coercive interrogation techniques.
Celebrities could be at the trial
Prosecutors requested to have multiple out-of-state witnesses testify, and it’s unclear who those people are.
One of the witnesses is in prison in California, according to court records. Knight is serving a 28-year prison sentence in California for running over and killing a Compton businessman outside a burger stand in January 2015. He previously said he would not testify in Davis’ case.
As the only other living eyewitness who was in one of the two vehicles that night, Knight’s testimony could make or break the case.
Advertisement
Davis’ defense attorney Michael Sanft told The Associated Press that Knight would be a good witness for Davis’ defense if he did testify.
Fans have also speculated whether Sean “Diddy” Combs will testify. Combs is currently serving a four-year prison sentence in New Jersey following his conviction of prostitution-related charges.
In his book, Davis alleged Combs wanted Knight and Shakur dead and offered Davis money to kill them. Combs has long denied having any involvement in the shooting.
A spokesperson for Combs did not return emailed requests asking whether he plans to testify and his name does not appear on any witness list.
A series of explosions have rocked Nizhnekamsk in Tartarstan with the city’s mayor Radmir Belyaev claiming the attack involved ‘industrial and civilian’ targets
A huge Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian city 1,000 miles from Kyiv has reportedly left 12 dead and 39 injured.
Advertisement
A massive oil refinery, owned by oil company Tatneft, is among the sites hit in Nizhnekamsk with smoke seen rising from the explosion for miles around.
Russia has also carried out its own deadly attack on Ukraine in recent hours, after suffering significant losses in Tatarstan. Five people were killed and homes were destroyed by Russian shelling in the village of Buhaivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region.
Yesterday evening (Sunday, August 9), crews in Acomb were called to Fieldside Place, off Lawrence Street, and Clifton Backies in Water Lane.
Recommended reading:
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said around 6.40pm, firefighters went to the scene of a small fire in Fieldside Place “consisting of paper and wood” and used a knapsack sprayer to put the fire out.
Advertisement
Then, at 8.51pm Acomb crews were mobilised to a report of a fire in the open in Clifton Backies.
The spokesperson said: “After inspection crews confirmed this was two separate areas of fire both measuring approximately five square metres.
“Crews extinguished using knapsack sprayers and beaters.”
The cause of each fire is thought to have been deliberate, the service spokesperson said.
A new wave of young birders is helping to turn one of Britain’s oldest outdoor pastimes into one of its fastest-growing hobbies
For birdwatcher Ben Smith, the perfect day begins just before sunrise with a flask of tea and his binoculars, walking one of his favourite local trails.
“I don’t necessarily have to see anything special,” he said. “I write down everything I see, and maybe if I’m lucky I get a snap of a good bird on my camera.”
Advertisement
Smith, 23, is one of almost 750,000 Gen Z Brits who regularly enjoy birdwatching, according to research by Fifty5Blue and published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB),
Advertisement
That marks a 1,088% increase since 2018, making birdwatching the second-fastest-growing hobby among 16- to 29-year-olds – behind only jewellery making – and proving that it’s no longer the niche preserve of waterproof-clad retirees.
Smith spends much of his time around Loch Lomond and traces his love of birds back to childhood trips with his father, a van driver who worked night shifts across rural Scotland. “I’d wake up in the van and we’d look for raptors while we drove – red kites, kestrels, peregrine falcons and eagles,” he recalls.
He later volunteered in his high school community garden, joined the RSPB youth council and went on to study zoology and ecology at the University of Glasgow, where he is currently studying for a master’s.
The RSPB’s findings show Smith is far from alone in his hobby. Across the UK, more than four million people now birdwatch, up 47% in the last six years. While Gen Z has seen the sharpest rise, interest has also grown strongly among millennials, up 216%, and Gen X, up 66%.
Advertisement
Across the UK, more than four million people now birdwatch, up 47% in the last six years. Image: Patrice Bouchard
Smith believes the interest among his age group has been driven in part by growing up against a backdrop of climate doom.
Advertisement
“Our whole lives as young people, we’ve had this climate change and biodiversity crisis,” he said. “So I guess there’s just a bit more respect for the natural world around us.” He also believes that his grandparents deserve some of the credit for his interest, as they “always seem to know the bird calls.”
Social media has helped too, he feels. Platforms once dominated by fashion hauls and gym selfies are increasingly peppered with bird photos, identification videos and clips of sightings, making the hobby less jargonistic, and even lending it a note of cool.
I’ve made loads of friends through birdwatching, there’s always someone ready to help
Technology has also lowered barriers. Apps like Merlin and iNaturalist can help identify and log sightings, making the hobby easier for beginners. Still, Smith believes the in-person social side is paramount. Recently, friends visited his Loch Lomond base and the group spent the evening paddling a canoe while listening to sandpipers and oystercatchers overhead.
“That was a perfect evening for us,”he said. “It’s that link between people. It’s infectious, once you know someone who’s into birdwatching, it catches you. You’re in.”
Advertisement
He ends with some advice for newbies: “You don’t need the best equipment, you don’t even need a pair of binoculars. Just get out there – start with your RSPB reserves, which are now free for 16- to 24-year-olds.
“I’ve made loads of friends through birdwatching, there’s always someone ready to help.”
Main image: Annie Spratt
Advertisement
Be part of the solution
At Positive News, we’re not chasing clicks or profits for media moguls – we’re here to serve you and have a positive social impact. We can’t do this unless enough people like you choose to support our journalism.
Give once from just £1, or join 1,800+ others who contribute an average of £3 or more per month. Together, we can build a healthier form of media – one that focuses on solutions, progress and possibilities, and empowers people to create positive change.
Drivers should watch out for the following roads as road works continue across Greater Manchester. People can ‘expect delays’ on some key routes.
Advertisement
Road works can be carried out for a number of reasons including changes being made to a road, emergency repairs, as well as work by utility companies. However a 2025 parliamentary transport committee report said: “They can also be a source of frustration for anyone trying to get around on roads and pavements by causing congestion and delays that harm the economy, disrupt transport services and limit access to high streets and businesses.”
Drivers should be aware of the disruptions and full information about what road works are taking place across Greater Manchester can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester’s website.
BURY:
A roads:
Advertisement
A667 RINGLEY ROAD – WHITEFIELD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A667 Ringley Road in both directions at The Spinney until 0:00 on 12th August.
A676 BOLTON ROAD – HAWKSHAW – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A676 Bolton Road in both directions at Stanmere Court until 0:00 on 17th August.
Advertisement
BOLTON:
A roads:
A579 BURY ROAD – BOLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on A579 Bury Road in both directions between A58 Bury Road and B6208 Ainsworth Lane until 0:00 on 30th August.
Advertisement
MANCHESTER:
A roads:
A6010 ALAN TURING WAY – MANCHESTER – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER
A6010 Alan Turing Way Northbound closed due to emergency repairs and roadworks from A635 Ashton Old Road to Wilson Street until 0:00 on 11th September.
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5093 Wilmslow Road in both directions from A6010 Wilmslow Road to Sherwood Street until 17:00 on 25th January 2027.
B5217 MANCHESTER ROAD – CHORLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on B5217 Manchester Road in both directions between Claridge Road and Kensington Road until 0:00 on 14th August.
OLDHAM:
A roads:
A62 OLDHAM WAY – OLDHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
A62 Oldham Way in both directions closed due to roadworks at Manchester Street (Manchester Street roundabout) until 25th September.
There is a diversion down to the roundabout and straight back on again.
A671 ROCHDALE ROAD – ROYTON – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER
A671 Rochdale Road Northbound closed due to roadworks from B6195 Middleton Road to Radcliffe Street until 29th January 2027.
Advertisement
A6052 DELPH NEW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A6052 Delph New Road in both directions at Gatehead Business Park until 0:00 on 12th August.
A6052 DENSHAW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A6052 Denshaw Road in both directions between Pingle Lane and Slack Lane until 0:00 on 12th October.
Advertisement
B roads:
B6189 THOMPSON LANE – CHADDERTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B6189 Thompson Lane in both directions at Wem Street until 17:00 on 14th August.
B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions between Shepherd Street and A671 Rochdale Road until 29th January 2027.
B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions at High Street until 29th January 2027.
ROCHDALE:
Advertisement
B roads:
B6225 HOLLINGWORTH ROAD – LITTLEBOROUGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6225 Hollingworth Road in both directions from Inghams Lane (Littleborough) to Rakewood Road (Smithybridge) until 15:00 on 28th August.
SALFORD:
Advertisement
A roads:
A34 NEW BAILEY STREET – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Roadworks and contraflow on A34 New Bailey Street in both directions at Gore Street until 0:00 on 18th May 2027.
A576 CROMWELL ROAD – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A576 Cromwell Road in both directions at London Street until 17:00 on 4th September.
A5066 ORDSALL LANE – SALFORD QUAYS – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions at Taylorson Street South until 8th January 2027.
A5066 ORDSALL LANE – ORDSALL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions between Guy Fawkes Street and Nine Acre Drive until 18:00 on 28th August.
B roads:
B5229 HALF EDGE LANE – ECCLES – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B5229 Half Edge Lane in both directions at B5230 Albert Road until 0:00 on 9th August.
A523 Macclesfield Road in both directions closed due to gas main work between A5143 Dean Lane and Melford Road until 30th August.
Advertisement
A627 GEORGE LANE – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A627 George Lane in both directions between A560 Stockport Road East and Oldham Drive until 17:00 on 28th August.
A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Roadworks and restrictions on A560 Hyde Road in both directions between A627 George Lane and Mill Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.
Advertisement
A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Hyde Road in both directions at Poleacre Lane until 0:00 on 12th August.
A560 STOCKPORT ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Stockport Road in both directions from Poleacre Lane (Woodley) to Elson Drive (Gee Cross) until 0:00 on 12th August.
Advertisement
A560 STOCKPORT ROAD EAST – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A560 Stockport Road East in both directions at A627 George Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.
TAMESIDE:
A roads:
Advertisement
A57 MOTTRAM MOOR – MOTTRAM – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER
One lane closed due to long-term roadworks on A57 Mottram Moor Eastbound from Stalybridge Road to A6018 Back Moor. Expect delays until 31st December 2027.
TRAFFORD:
A roads:
Advertisement
A538 HALE ROAD – ALTRINCHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A538 Hale Road in both directions at Bold Street until 0:00 on 10th August.
A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between School Lane and Maypole Close until 0:00 on 14th August.
Advertisement
A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between Carrington Business Park and Common Lane until 0:00 on 17th August.
A6144 WARBURTON LANE – PARTINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Warburton Lane in both directions between Hankinson Close and Cross Lane West until 17:00 on 25th August.
Advertisement
B roads:
B5166 NORTHENDEN ROAD – SALE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5166 Northenden Road in both directions at Park House Drive until 0:00 on 11th August.
B5214 CROFTS BANK ROAD – URMSTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5214 Crofts Bank Road in both directions from Derby Road to Sumner Way until 0:00 on 16th August.
WIGAN:
A roads:
A58 GERARD STREET – ASHTON IN MAKERFIELD – SOUTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
A58 Gerard Street Southbound closed due to roadworks from A5062 Wigan Road to A49 Bryn Street (Kings Arms traffic lights) until 22nd November.
A58 MARKET STREET – HINDLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
A58 Market Street in both directions closed due to gas main work between A577 Wigan Road and A577 Cross Street until 0:00 on 31st August.
A577 MANCHESTER ROAD – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A577 Manchester Road in both directions between Birkett Bank and Rosebridge Way until 0:00 on 12th August.
A580 EAST LANCASHIRE ROAD – GOLBORNE – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER
One lane closed due to roadworks on A580 East Lancashire Road Eastbound from A573 Warrington Road (Golborne Island, Golborne) to the B5207 (Lowton). Expect delays until 0:00 on 30th September.
A49 WIGAN LANE – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Lane in both directions between Milton Grove and The Woodlands until 16:00 on 14th August.
A49 WIGAN ROAD – STANDISH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Road in both directions at Roundmoor Road until 0:00 on 14th October.
A572 CHAPEL STREET – LEIGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A572 Chapel Street in both directions at Bedford Square until 0:00 on 14th August.
A572 MANCHESTER ROAD – ASTLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A572 Manchester Road in both directions at South Lane until 0:00 on 20th September.
A573 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Advertisement
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A573 Ashton Road in both directions at May Street until 17:00 on 14th August.
B roads:
B5207 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5207 Ashton Road in both directions at A573 Wigan Road until 17:00 on 14th August.
Advertisement
B5238 WIGAN ROAD – ASPULL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER
Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on B5238 Wigan Road in both directions between Higher Lane and Dukes Row until 0:00 on 1st September.
A monarch jetting around the world might be expected to travel in style, with stellar service, comfortable seats and lavish amenities.
And the late Queen Elizabeth II was no exception, flying everywhere from Australia and New Zealand to the UAE and Oman during her long reign.
Her last international flight was to Malta in 2015, and she visited 117 countries during her lifetime.
As one of the world’s most famous travellers, she had a number of specific requests and preferences while on board, ranging from the practical to the downright unusual.
Advertisement
The Daily Mail lifts the lid on Elizabeth’s in-flight requests.
Pre-flight tipple
Many frequent flyers have a tried-and-tested routine for travelling, whether that’s an airport pint and a Greggs‘ sausage roll or a coffee and a croissant.
The Queen’s routine was not dissimilar – and it started with a pre-flight drink.
Advertisement
Queen Elizabeth II was said to have enjoyed a martini before boarding
Birmingham local Elizabeth Evans served many famous faces throughout her career – with some of the most memorable journeys being the Queen and Prince Philip’s 1989 tour of Singapore and Malaysia.
One note in Ms Evans’ collection said: ‘Her Majesty tends to like a martini before her guests arrive.’
Advertisement
A bowl of sugar-free mints
Another note told air stewards to make sure that a bowl of mints was placed beside her before take off – and also in her dressing room.
A bowl of sugar-free mints was always on hand before take-off, and during the flight
The late Queen, pictured here in 1953, would always bring her own pillows when flying
She favoured Velamints, a sugar-free mint that was launched in the United States in 1977.
Advertisement
The brand is credited as the US’s first sugar-free mint, sweetened with natural sweeteners such as stevia.
Pillowtalk
Pillows are among the most complained-about items on board planes, with many travellers complaining of their discomfort.
While Queen Elizabeth may have enjoyed more comfortable surroundings than the average passenger, she still took her own pillows on board to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Flight attendants working on her flights were given a specific set of instructions on how to treat Queen Elizabeth II.
Advertisement
This included liaising with Her Majesty’s dresser to ensure the Queen’s bed was made up correctly.
‘The Queen has her own pillows,’ a note from the collection read.
Queen Elizabeth II, pictured here disembarking a flight in Trinidad in 2009
She would request not to be woken if the plane landed while she was still asleep
Advertisement
Getting some rest
That’s not the only bedtime-related request the royal asked of staff.
British Airways staff on a Concorde jet Queen Elizabeth flew on were told that if she was still asleep upon landing, they were not to disturb her slumber and should leave her in bed.
Furthermore, she asked for silence while she was sleeping.
According to reports, crew were not permitted to pass through the royal cabin without permission, while noise in the forward galley was prohibited.
Advertisement
Keeping hydrated
Hydration is paramount on board – and Her Majesty favoured one brand in particular.
The Queen was also said to insist on having one particular brand of water wherever she travelled: Malvern spring water.
Former royal spokesman Dickie Arbiter said: ‘The only thing the Queen requests to have wherever she is is Malvern water.
‘She likes Malvern water, it’s refreshing and they usually take lots of it with her.’
Advertisement
She also enjoyed a certain kind of water, reports have indicated
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during a Royal Tour of Canada in 2010
Plus, to beat jet-lag, the Queen was said to consume barley sugar, in the form of hard-boiled sweets.
Channel 5 documentary Secrets Of The Royal Flight describes barley sugar as the Queen’s ‘secret weapon’.
Advertisement
While it is not backed by science, reports have explained the sugary snack can help adjust your body clock.
Drivers commuting on the M8 through Glasgow are facing long delays going eastbound.
08:17, 10 Aug 2026Updated 08:17, 10 Aug 2026
A serious crash on the M8 in Glasgow left two cars upside down on their roofs as motorists face long delays.
Emergency crews rushed to the eastbound carriageway near Junction 23 at the Dumbreck Interchange around 6.30am this morning. An alarm was raised following reports of a two-vehicle crash.
Commuters were told to expect delays of up to 26 minutes at around 6.51am this morning. Traffic Scotland cameras at Govan and Hillington showed massive tailbacks on the M8 eastbound.
Advertisement
At 7.20am the road was cleared, however, drivers were warned to expect delays of up to 33 minutes. The M74 is understood to have also been affected with traffic building as a result of drivers using it to avoid the crash.
Traffic Scotland wrote on X at 7.20am: “The M8 is now running clear eastbound following an earlier road traffic incident.
“Drivers should still use caution on approach and expect delays as queues remain.
“Current delay approx. 33 min.”
Advertisement
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
Police are now looking for a 40-year-old man and a van as part of their investigation
Police are looking for a man who they believe can assist them with an investigation after a man died following violent disorder in Pontypool.
Advertisement
A murder investigation was launched in the days following the incident as a man, named as Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, died from injuries sustained in the violence. Mr Jones was sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries alongside two other men after the incident, which is alleged to have occurred at around 7pm in Mill Street, Pontnewynydd.
Ten men, aged 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 40, 45, 59, 61 and 73, were arrested in connection with the disorder. Three men – aged 39, 45 and 61 – have since been released on bail. The other seven men remain in police custody.
Investigating officers have launched an appeal to find 40-year-old Anthony Paul Jones, as they believe he may be able to assist them with their enquiries.
Advertisement
Police also want to locate a blue Ford Transit van, with the registration MA23 FLC, which was reportedly involved in the disorder. The Ford Transit is believed to be missing its front lower nearside panel.
Gwent Police senior investigating officer, DSI Laura Bartley said: “We recognise that reports of this nature will cause concern in our communities, but our officers are working around the clock and conducting enquiries as part of this live investigation.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim.”
“Anyone with information on Anthony Paul Jones or the blue Ford Transit van’s whereabouts, is urged to submit information via the Major Incident Public Portal:https://mipp.police.uk/operation/6126A72-PO1 or contact us quoting log reference 2600255536.
“You can also call us on 101 or direct message us on our Facebook or X social media pages.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, with information on 0800 555 111 or visit online.”
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Fire crews say there is a “significant risk” of the blaze spreading
07:26, 10 Aug 2026Updated 07:27, 10 Aug 2026
Firefighters are urging people to stay away from a “serious” ongoing fire at Holme Fen in Holme. Fire crews have been tackling the major blaze in the open since Saturday morning (August 8) and say there is a “significant risk” of it spreading.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire “well alight” involving hedges and undergrowth. Crews were at the scene throughout the weekend working to make it safe and bring the fire under control.
More than 80 firefighters were at the scene during its peak, including from neighbouring fire and rescue services. That has now been scaled down to around 20 firefighters. Locals have been told that, due to the weather conditions, they may still see or smell smoke in the area.
Advertisement
In an update shared to Facebook, area commander Simon Thompson said: “Over the last few hours we have had to change our firefighting tactics which has delayed some of the response for us. The reason for that is over the last few hours our firefighters have started experiencing trees falling in and around the area within the forest. So as a matter of safety we are having to bring our firefighters to a point of safety where they can also try and protect the fire.
“There’s still a significant risk that this fire can spread and we are working incredibly hard through the night and into tomorrow [Monday] to try and make sure that this won’t happen. What we would ask at this time is for all people to please stay from the area whether that’s pedestrians who want to come to the area to walk, or other vehicles.
“With 20 appliances on scene and firefighters in the area, the area is unsafe in places and we would not want people to put themselves at risk of any harm. Likewise with 20 appliances there are a number of vehicle movements in the area so the road network is quite busy in the small area.”
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service previously said three are road closures in place at the junction of Hod Fen Drove and Holme Lode, all of Holme Lode and the junction of Long Drove/B660 and New Long Drove. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
Usher dismissed claims that he used a “clone” or body double during a recent concert after footage from a show in New Jersey prompted speculation about whether the performer on stage was really him.
The rumours started after videos filmed at his 7 August performance at MetLife Stadium spread on social media.
“Usher you can’t fool New York, that’s not you bro, I want my money back,” one fan posted on X.
“The Usher clone stuff is hilarious because I was watching someone’s live of the show last night and was thinking during his first set something was off about him,” another said.
Advertisement
“Usher, why’d you have to play us all like that last night? That is NOT Usher,” a third fan wrote on TikTok.
In some of the clips circulating online, Usher’s face is obscured by a hat and sunglasses, which many users say makes him look just different enough to raise eyebrows, with one fan dubbing the alleged double “Unsure”.
The “Yeah!” singer responded directly to the allegations. “Ya’ll are funny,” he said, “clone? They can’t clone this?”
“How ya’ll come up with this? AI ain’t that advanced,” he said in a comment on Power 105.1’s Instagram post debating who was really on stage.
Advertisement
Usher is co-headlining the “Raymond & Brown Tour” alongside Chris Brown. The North American stadium run began on 26 June in Denver and was scheduled to continue through December, with performances in major cities like Detroit, Washington, DC, and Toronto.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Usher faced similar claims in 2024, when fans questioned whether he had used a body double on stage during the Past Present Future tour, which was delayed after he suffered a neck injury doing rehearsals, forcing him to postpone the first shows in Atlanta.
“My hope was that with physical therapy and medical treatment, I would be able to overcome the injury and be ready for opening night,” he said at the time. “Unfortunately, the injury hasn’t healed yet, and my doctors have instructed me not to perform any shows this week.”
Usher dismissed claims that he used a body double during a recent concert (Getty)
The incident sparked a debate online, with some criticising the fan for agreeing to go on stage. She later defended herself on social media, saying “nobody is declining to go on stage” and that she had hoped to be brought up by Chris Brown instead.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login