Hundreds of people descended on the city centre

‘Acts of violence’ which escalated during demonstrations in Manchester will be investigated further by Greater Manchester Police. It comes after the force was criticised by the Northern Police Monitoring Project for what it described as ‘thuggish’ tactics used against counter-protesters who rallied against Britain First supporters on Saturday (April 18).

GMP says around 1,000 people turned out for the two demonstrations combined. Supporters of the far-right political group were largely kept well away from anti-racism counter-protesters during a heavily policed afternoon in the city centre.

Hundreds of flag-waving Britain First supporters marched from Store Street to St Peter’s Square. Counter-protesters assembled in Piccadilly Gardens before heading to another part of St Peter’s Square, separated from Britain First by multiple fences and police lines, while officers blocked off multiple streets between the two demonstrations.

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Three people were arrested during the protests, which GMP said had attracted a smaller turnout than expected. One male counter-protester was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which allowed officers to require the removal of face coverings, while another male counter-protester was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

A woman was also arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace, with GMP unsure if she was part of either demonstration. In an update issued today (Sunday), the force said all three people had since been bailed.

Since the demonstrations took place, video footage has emerged online showing flashpoints involving GMP officers and counter-protesters. The Northern Police Monitoring Project, which had observers at the demonstration, criticised the force’s actions towards counter-protesters.

In a statement, the group said: “Officers behaved thuggishly, with consistent and serious aggression and violence – overwhelmingly directed at antifascist counter-protesters, not at the far-right fascist marchers they were facilitating. This included numerous punches, kicks and violent attempts to remove masks, in some cases causing injuries, as well as repeated use of batons and PAVA spray, and the deployment of horses against protesters.”

The group claimed GMP used PAVA spray ‘repeatedly, in significant volume, without warning, and without lawful justification’, while it also claimed officers were on occasion ‘blocking medical assistance’. GMP says it will further investigate specific incidents from the protest in the coming days, as it did following the previous Britain First demonstration and counter-protests in February.

A force spokesperson said: “During what was a very busy day in Manchester city centre, officers responded to several incidents and intervened in altercations between groups. On some occasions this spilled over into acts of violence and disorder, and these will be fully investigated.

“We will utilise a range of criminal and civil powers to bring offenders to justice, ensuring that those who wish to protest peacefully can do so. We would also encourage anyone with mobile phone or CCTV footage from the protests to report it to us as it could assist our enquiries. Our priority is always to protect public safety while supporting people’s right to protest peacefully.”

In a statement issued on Saturday evening addressing the use of force and PAVA spray, GMP added: “The vast majority of both sides caused no issues for our officers. Force was required when counter-protesters had tried to break police lines and attempted to throw punches.

“PAVA spray was deployed as a tactic instead of using further additional force. A small breakaway group of protesters had made their way down the side of the Town Hall. Officers were later met with resistance as they moved them away from the nearby counter group and some force was required.”

Police horses, riot vans and specialist units from police forces across the country were all mobilised to police Saturday’s demonstrations. A Section 34 dispersal order remained in place until 8pm on Saturday night. The number of arrests was fewer than the 11 made during the February 21 demonstrations, which had multiple flashpoints across a larger route.

GMP says it has a ‘duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully’. While accepting the march had to be allowed due to freedom of expression, both council leader Bev Craig and mayor Andy Burnham issued statements ahead of the protests, insisting that ‘racism and hatred have no place’ in the city.

Officers arrested the man in his 30s moments before the bout began at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium last weekend.

A well-known celebrity was arrested on suspicion of rape while he was attending Tyson Fury’s fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this month. Moments before the bout began, police swooped on Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium.

The man in his 30s, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of the rape and sexual assault of a female victim at a home in North London earlier this year. The man has since been bailed.

A Met spokesperson told The Mirror: “A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on Saturday, 11 April.

“This relates to sexual offences which reportedly occurred at an address in Golders Green in January. A female victim is being supported by specially trained officers. The man has been released on bail as enquiries continue.”

Tens of thousands of boxing fans were at the London venue to watch The Gypsy King’s bout against Makhmudov. Fury, 37, came out of retirement to beat the Russian, 36.

Heavyweight champion Tyson has tried to give up boxing for good on a number of occasions over recent years, but he made his much anticipated return against Arslanbek Makhmudov last weekend.

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After defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, the Gypsy King first proclaimed he was ‘going out with a bang’, announcing: “I fulfilled everything I’ve ever wanted to fulfil. I will retire as only the second heavyweight in history, after Rocky Marciano, to retire undefeated. I was unbeatable at this game.”

However, his time away from the sport lasted mere months, and by December that year, the Manchester fighter was competing again, this time against Derek Chisora.

He then faced Francis Ngannou in October 2023 before suffering his first professional defeat in May 2024 after nine gruelling rounds with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Tyson’s Dad, John, has slammed his son’s plans to restart professional fighting, saying:“I think he’s past his best. I’m a no-filter kind of guy – I say it how I see it.

“I love him, but there are too many people patting him on the back and telling him things that aren’t true, building him up like he’s invincible. He’s not and he hasn’t been for a while.”

John added that “boxing destroyed” their relationship. Tyson took his dad’s comments on the chin, saying in response, “I just take his comments as those of a concerned parent. My dad wanted me to retire six years ago, after a while, he said even two years would have been enough.”

However, Tyson admitted it wasn’t money or something to “prove” that led him back to the ring, but simply love for the sport.

“It’s about the love of the game and the love of this fight business that I’m in,” he said, adding, “As for the naysayers who say, ‘Oh, he might be finished,’ then obviously I want to prove them wrong.

“But more than that, I just want to enjoy it, have fun in there, and do what I’ve always done – enjoy it and have fun.” He also said he is ready to “put on a show” for his fans, “as always”.

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Emergency services were called to a collision on the A189 between Burradon Road and the Moor Farm Roundabout, north of North Tyneside, just into Northumberland, shortly after 1.30am on Saturday (April 18).

It was reported that, for reasons yet to be established, a pedestrian was on the northbound carriageway when he was struck by a white Seat Alhambra car.

Emergency services attended the scene and the pedestrian, a man in his 20s, was found to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to hospital for emergency treatment, but his death was confirmed later in the day.

His next of kin have been informed and continue to be supported by police.

The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene to assist with police inquiries, and an investigation was launched.

Officers from Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit today (Sunday) appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident itself, or the moments leading up to the collision.

 Sergeant Steven Chappell, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences following this tragic incident, and we will continue to support them in any way that we can.”

Sgt Chappell added: “A range of inquiries are under way as we look to establish exactly what happened in the moments leading to this collision.

“As part of this, we are keen for any motorists or witnesses who were travelling in the area at this time to come forward.

“We are particularly keen to hear from those who may have dashcam footage which may have captured the collision or may show the man in the area of the A189.

 “I would urge anyone who has information about the incident, no matter how small you feel it may be, to get in touch with us if you have not yet done so.”

Anyone with information or footage should get in touch by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, or by using ‘live chat’ and ‘report’ forms on the force website.

If anyone is unable to make contact in those ways, they should ring 101.

Callers are asked to quote reference number: NP-20260418-0078.

The 4,140 square-km bay is the largest estuary on the west coast of the US. Before 2018, this species of whales wasn’t known to stop seasonally or consistently in the bay, bypassing it on their migration route down to Baja California and back up the Arctic, said Josephine Slaathaug, who led a recent study on gray whale mortality in the bay.

More than 30 traders manned stalls selling their work, including ceramics, pictures, cakes, textiles and jewellery in Bishy Road car park.

Organisers Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association had hoped for between 300 and 400 visitors during the four hours the bazaar was open. Within 15 minutes of the bazaar opening, there were more than 100 people present.

Todd Lepage of the association said: “It’s fantastic.  It’s really, really good.”

Also from the association, Ruth Phillips said: “We are trying to create more atmosphere in the area, make it a bit more vibrant. It’s very much to showcase what people are doing and to bring more people to the High Street.”

All the exhibitors were from York.  Several artists from outside the city applied but were turned down.

In total more than 75 people applied.  Some of those who were unable to man stalls at this bazaar will be invited to exhibit their products at the next bazaar on Sunday May 24.

The association is planning to make the Bishopthorpe Road Bazaar a summer monthly event on the third Sunday of each month. Only York artists will be allowed to have stalls.

As well as the May date, future bazaars are planned for Sunday July 19 and Sunday August 23.  Sunday June 21will not have a bazaar as that is the same date as Bishy Road’s street party.

Jesy Nelson has begged the public for help after her car containing hospital equipment used to treat her twin babies was stolen.

The Little Mix star, 34, welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe with now ex-fiancé Zion Foster in May last year.

After being born prematurely, the girls were kept in hospital for three months, with Jesy going on to reveal earlier this year that they’ve both since been diagnosed with the rare genetic condition known as SMA, which causes progressive muscle wasting.

In a tearful video shared on social media, Jesy shared that medical professionals said that her daughters would have died without urgent medical care, but that they are still unlikely to survive beyond a few years.

Since then, she’s continued to share updates on their condition but has now revealed how their treatment has been thrown yet another curveball.

Posting on Instagram on Sunday morning, Jesy explained: ‘My car got stolen off my driveway in the early hours of this morning, if anyone sees a black Defender reg plate JJ73SSY.

‘Please, if any of you have seen or know of any information can you DM me or contact the police.

‘I have so much of my girls’ hospital equipment in that car that’s really needed.’

She went on to share another post that specified the car was stolen from Brentwood in Essex.

Jesy rose to fame as part of the girl group Little Mix, who were formed on The X Factor in 2011. However, she later left the band in 2020 due to ‘medical reasons’, later saying she’d begun suffering panic attacks when performing and wasn’t enjoying it anymore.

Just weeks after publicly revealing her twins’ devastating health diagnosis, it was revealed that she’d also split from her partner – whom she’d begun dating in 2022.

At the time, in January, a source said: ‘She and Zion remain friends and are fully focused on their daughters.

‘They are fully united in co-parenting. Their priority continues to be the well-being of their daughters.’

After speaking out about her daughters’ health condition, Jesy also admitted the past few months had been ‘the most heartbreaking time of my life’.

Not long after she gave a sit-down interview, in which she detailed how her mother actually noticed something was wrong with the girls, adding they were left facing a ‘life or death’ situation.

In an interview on Sky News’ The UK Tonight programme, the former girl band star explained how there were missed chances to pick up on symptoms during early check-ups of her daughters.

‘The fact that there were healthcare visitors around my house a lot and we took them to the GP and not one of them saw any of the signs,’ she shared.

‘Thank God for my mum, because I dread to think what position I’d be in now if my mum hadn’t have said anything to me.

‘It’s one of them things that I constantly go over, and I have to sometimes stop myself from doing it because I will drive myself insane.’

The singer then spoke about her heartbreak over concerns her daughters may not live a ‘fulfilled life’.

‘I don’t want people to think that if you’ve got disability that that defines you because it definitely doesn’t,’ she said.

‘But I’ll openly say if I could have it the other way, I definitely would. Why wouldn’t I want my children to walk and live a fulfilled life?

A few weeks earlier she’d also broken down in tears on This Morning explaining how she would ‘never be able to get over it or accept’ her daughters’ condition.

‘When you know that there is something that could be done about it and it’s life changing, that’s something I cannot accept,’ she shared.

‘I’m still struggling. I just want to be their mum, I don’t want to be a nurse.’

In recent months she’d been campaigning for the UK to include SMA screening in the routine newborn heel prick test, which screens for serious health conditions.

A petition she began then secured more than 100,000 signatures, which means it will be considered for a debate in the House of Commons.

Last month Scotland confirmed it would become the first UK nation to screen babies for SMA, however Jesy admitted it felt like a ‘bittersweet moment’.

‘I will never be able to understand why we still do not test for it here in England,’ she explained.

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MORE: Jesy Nelson shares ‘really sad’ update on twin daughters as they get leg splints

Noah the llama and his pygmy goat pals brought traffic to a standstill on the A82 on Saturday

There was a llama drama on one of Scotland’s busiest roads this weekend when gentle giant Noah and his pygmy pals decided to make a run for it.

Traffic came to a standstill on the A82 in Dumbarton when Noah the llama and his pygmy goat sidekicks Penny and Tuppence went for a wander after a visit to a children’s home in Bishopton.

The animals’ owner Kevin McVey of Overtoun Llama Lodges in Dumbarton tracked them down and calmly rounded them up while patient drivers enjoyed the entertainment.

Some of them even shared footage of the incident on social media. Delighted viewers enjoyed watching a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, by @Barra72.

Neil Buchanan described it as a “Lama Drama ding dong”, and the original poster replied: “Couple of wee goats in there too. Wonder who left the gate open….?”

But Kevin, 61, said no gate had been left open, and that sneaky Noah jumped over a gate when his back was turned.

He said: “Penny and Tuppence the pygmy goats are Noah’s besties and they go everywhere together. They must have managed to get through a hole somewhere.

“The goats follow the llamas wherever they go. They’re all very docile and friendly and llamas are super intelligent and sensible.

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“Noah would never have gone on the road if it had been really busy. I managed to get them back no bother at all and the drivers were all very patient with us.”

It’s not the first time Noah has done a disappearing act.

He caused a stir in 2022 when he escaped his enclosure with his buddies Rose and Delilah and went on a three-hour adventure traipsing around Dumbarton East.

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Kevin said at the time it was a huge community effort to get them to safety.

He said after Saturday’s escapades: “They are known escape artists and can easily jump six feet. They enjoy an adventure.

“They are also therapy animals and go up and down elevators in the places we visit and go in and out of rooms when we’re visiting care homes. Everyone who meets them, loves them.”

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President Donald Trump has issued his latest threat to Iran and said that if officials fail to make a deal with the United States “the whole country is going to get blown up.”

The president also made threats Sunday morning to target civil infrastructure after it was reported that Iranian forces were refusing to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz this weekend.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” Trump wrote. The posts appeared to be an effort to bring the regime to the table for 11th-hour talks before the U.S.-Iran ceasefire expires next week.

Trump told Fox News that he was sending a team to Pakistan this week for negotiations. It was unclear whether Iran was sending its own delegation, after their top negotiator said both sides remained far apart on key issues and hit out at the U.S. over its blockade of the Strait. There has been no official confirmation of talks, even as Islamabad stepped up security.

“If they don’t sign this deal, the whole country is going to get blown up,” Trump told Fox News.

Talks in Pakistan collapsed last weekend after Vice President JD Vance was dispatched to lead the Trump team’s efforts to reach a deal. Those efforts failed, and Vance emerged from a marathon session unable to pinpoint a specific matter on which the two sides had found agreement.

According to Trump and other U.S. officials, the central issue is Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump administration officials are pushing for the full destruction of Iran’s nuclear sites, the surrender of nuclear material, and a guarantee that Iran will not seek to enrich uranium in the future.

Vance will lead the latest round of talks, which will include special envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Trump’s Sunday morning Truth Social post comes 48 hours after the president declared “victory” over Iran and said that the Strait of Hormuz was open once again to global shipping traffic.

Early Friday morning Trump wrote on Truth Social that the strait was “fully open.”

On Sunday, a U.K.-based maritime security agency reported that a tanker was fired upon by a vessel or vessels manned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by 2 IRGC gun boats, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the tanker. Tanker and crew are reported safe. Authorities are investigating,” the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported.

In an X post from Iran’s embassy in Hyderabad, India, the IRGC stated: “As long as the traffic of vessels to and from Iran is threatened by the U.S, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will be as before, more restricted.”

“Every breach by the US will meet an appropriate response,” added the IRGC naval command in the statement posted to X.

RIVERTON, Utah (AP) — When a dozen Republican activists gathered on a back deck in the Salt Lake City suburbs to talk about this year’s elections, the conversation cycled through all the staples of conservative chatter in Utah such as dwindling water supplies, illegal immigrant fraud and chemtrail conspiracy theories.

But Doug Fiefia, a state representative running to be a state senator, wanted to start with something else — artificial intelligence. Fiefia used to work at Google and, like several other tech employees who have gone into politics, he has made regulating the industry a centerpiece of his campaign.

“I know it sounds like ‘Doug, this is all you talk about,”’ Fiefia said. “That’s because it’s coming, it’s here and it’s going to be our biggest fight.”

Fiefia’s focus has put him on a collision course with President Donald Trump’s administration, which this year helped block his state proposal requiring companies to include child safety protocols. The White House wants a single national standard for artificial intelligence, arguing that a patchwork of excessive regulation could handicap American innovation in a global competition with China.

But with no progress in Congress, it has been state lawmakers struggling to address concerns about a technology that is poised to reshape the economy. In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis added the issue to a special legislative session that he is convening later this month. Democratic-controlled New York last year required major AI developers to report dangerous incidents to the state.

All told, there are more than 1,000 state legislative proposals addressing AI, a reflection of the uneasiness that has seeped through the country.

“None of us are really sure,” said Brett Young, a structural engineer who attended the backyard event with Fiefia. “Is this something we should be scared about, or is it no so big a deal and it’ll enhance our lives?”

Pressure in the states

Trump has routinely tried to stamp out state-level AI policies, and he issued an executive order that included legal threats and funding penalties to deter new regulations.

The White House recently released a framework for potential congressional legislation that calls for preempting state laws considered “too burdensome” but would allow some rules to protect children and copyright material.

None of these steps has eased the number of proposals in state capitals. Popular ideas include forcing chatbots to remind users they are not human and barring the use of AI to make nonconsensual pornography, which includes replacing or removing clothing from photos that are posted online.

“There’s a lot of state lawmakers looking at what the federal government is doing and saying, ‘We want to take action because we’re not satisfied,’” said Craig Albright, senior vice president for government relations for the Business Software Alliance, which represents software companies.