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American denies murdering Brit woman who flew to US to be tortured and killed

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Daily Record

Dwain Hall, 54, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder and kidnapping of Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Florida after she failed to board a return flight to London

A Florida man accused of murdering a woman he encountered on a fetish website is set to stand trial later this year.

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Dwight Hall, 54, pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder and kidnapping of British woman Sonia Exelby, 32, who travelled to the US from her home in Portsmouth in October last year. Court documents seen by the Mirror revealed that Sonia had made the trip to Florida “to be possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered”.

A post-mortem examination established that Sonia died as a result of four stab wounds, with her body subsequently discovered in a shallow grave. Hall initially denied any knowledge of or contact with Sonia, but later told investigators the pair had been intimate, according to documents.

Hall made a brief court appearance on Wednesday, during which a judge set out the timeline for proceedings. Jury selection for his trial is scheduled to commence on November 16.

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The case will be heard in Marion County, Florida, and is anticipated to last approximately one week, reports the Mirror.

Sonia’s body was uncovered in a shallow grave in woodland after she failed to board a return flight to London on October 13. Those close to her said Sonia had battled mental health difficulties and may have been in a “vulnerable” state when she allegedly began communicating with a man she had met on a fetish website.

Their exchanges allegedly progressed from discussions of bondage and suicide to Sonia voicing a wish to be killed. An affidavit stated that if Hall had been compelled to assist in her death, he would have taken her to Alligator Alley, where wildlife “would have taken care of her.”

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When quizzed over whether he had killed Sonia, Hall declined to respond but reportedly stated “she’s happy now because she got what she wanted.” It emerged that Sonia may have had second thoughts about the plot but felt trapped with no means of escape.

Detectives uncovered messages Sonia had sent to a friend through the online messaging platform Discord, dated 11 October, the day after she touched down in the US. Sonia said: “I’m sorry he keeps taking my phone, he doesn’t trust me with it. He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him. I was questioning it last night.”

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‘I booked a one-way ticket to Senegal to change my life and now I’m helping others’

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Belfast Live

Patrick Agnew booked a one-way ticket to Senegal to change his life and fight the demons he was battling, but in the process, he changed the lives of hundreds of children.

For years, the Lisburn man, known online as AgnewTravels, says he was in a “very dark place.” Between struggles with alcohol, falling out with family, and five years of conflict on TikTok, he felt he was at his last hurdle. He packed his bags and headed for Africa.

When Patrick arrived in the heart of the slums in Senegal, he found 50 children, some as young as seven, living in a building with no windows, no doors, and no electricity.

“The conditions are horrendous,” Patrick said. “Kids are sleeping on the street or on the sand inside. They had broken steel beds with spikes sticking into their backs and mosquitoes eating them alive every night.”

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Instead of just watching, the Lisburn man got to work. Using his own TikTok earnings and donations from a GoFundMe that raised £4,000 in a single day, Patrick started building.

Patrick is out from 7 am every morning, spending 10 hours a day in the blistering heat collecting wood and hammering frames together. He has already:

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  • Built 15 brand new wooden beds to get the kids off the sand.
  • Fitted new mattresses, pillows, and mosquito nets.
  • Handed out 400 pairs of new shoes to children who were walking barefoot.
  • Fed nearly 1,000 children in just one week.

The local children have been working alongside him, learning how to use hammers and saws. “They’re at a stage now where they can do the measurements and cut the wood themselves,” he said. “They ask for nothing, but they’ve done nothing but smile since I got here.”

Patrick is open about the fact that he hasn’t always been a saint. He knows he’s had “ups and downs” online but says this journey has humbled him.

“I’ve had hate for five years, and a lot of it I brought on myself. I take full accountability for that. I was that person because I was unhappy with my own life,” he admitted.

“People at home think they have a difficult life, but they don’t. When you see kids in 40°C heat with ripped clothes and no food, it opens your eyes. In a world full of hate, just be kind. It costs absolutely nothing.”

Patrick’s journey isn’t over yet. After a week of downtime to recover from the 10-hour workdays, he plans to travel to an orphanage in Uganda to continue his work. You can follow his journey online here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Line of Duty star’s show claims dad could have killed mum – but I know it was Bible John and I’m angry

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Britain’s Murder Map, fronted by Vicky McClure, advances a theory that George Puttock, who died in 2022, may have been responsible for his wife Helen’s death.

A TV true crime show has sparked a backlash after claiming Bible John victim Helen Puttock could have been killed by her own husband – despite him being ruled out decades ago.

The programme, Britain’s Murder Map, fronted by Line of Duty star Vicky McClure, advances a theory that George Puttock, who died in 2022, may have been responsible for his wife’s death.

Helen’s son David Puttock has hit out at the claims and confirmed he is seeking legal advice over the “slur”.

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David, who lives in Canada, said: “My dad was investigated and ruled out. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.

“They’ve taken a man who can’t defend himself and turned him into a suspect for the sake of a TV programme.

“It’s not just wrong, it’s cruel.”

He added: “This isn’t some theory in a book or something said online.

“This has gone out on television to a huge audience, and it names my dad as a possible killer. That has consequences.”

Helen Puttock, 29, was the final known victim of the Bible John murders after a night at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom in October 1969.

She had been out with her sister, Jean Langford, when they met a well-dressed man who called himself “John”.

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Witnesses said he spoke about religion, quoted from the Bible and did not drink alcohol.

The three shared a taxi part of the journey home. Jean was dropped off first. Helen remained in the cab with the man.

She was found dead hours later near her home in Scotstoun. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

Her murder followed the killings of Patricia Docker in 1968 and Jemima McDonald in 1969. Both women had also been to the Barrowland Ballroom in the hours before their deaths.

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Detectives linked all three murders and launched one of the biggest investigations Scotland had ever seen. Hundreds of men were interviewed and thousands of statements taken.

Despite that, the man known as Bible John was never identified.

George, Helen’s husband, was among those spoken to during the inquiry. He did not match witness descriptions of the man seen with Helen that night.

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He was later eliminated through forensic examination.

David added: “Police looked at my dad in detail. They had every opportunity to pursue him if there was anything there. They didn’t, because there was nothing to pursue. People forget this wasn’t a casual check. This was a full murder investigation.

“My dad was her husband. Of course he was going to be looked at.

“And he was ruled out.”

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The programme, which is also presented by McClure’s real-life husband, Jonny Owen, claims new analysis of behaviour and background points back inside Helen’s home.

David said he rejected their suggestions and added: “They’re ignoring the actual evidence and replacing it with speculation. They’re taking something that was settled and reopening it without anything new. That’s not an investigation. That’s storytelling.”

Criminologist Professor David Wilson said the case continues to attract new theories, often without evidential support.

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He said: “One of the tragedies about the ‘Bible John’ case is that it has now become a mini industry.

“That industry is kept alive by people suggesting new hypotheses — new ‘takes’ — on what happened.

“One of those hypotheses is that Helen Puttock died as a result of domestic violence. In other words, she was killed by her husband George.

“There is no evidence to support that suggestion whatsoever.

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“More importantly, the detectives who originally investigated the case — many of whom I interviewed at length — were adamant that the three women who were murdered were killed by the same man whom we know as ‘Bible John’.”

The Bible John murders remain one of Scotland’s most notorious unsolved cases.

The killer is believed to have targeted young women leaving the Barrowland Ballroom, gaining their trust before attacking them.

Descriptions given by witnesses, including Jean Langford, led to a photofit image that has been widely circulated for decades.

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Despite advances in forensic science, including DNA profiling, the case has never been conclusively solved.

David said: “We’ve lived with this for more than 50 years. We’ve lived with not knowing who killed my mum. That’s hard enough without having my dad dragged into it again. There are real people behind this. My family has had to deal with this our whole lives. To see it presented like this, as if it’s just another angle, is incredibly difficult.”

David confirmed he is now seeking legal advice over the claims made in the programme.

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He said: “I’m not prepared to just let this pass. There has to be some responsibility when you put something like this out there. You can’t just name someone as a killer and walk away.”

The programme has reignited debate around the case, which has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries and investigations over the years.

Police have previously said they remain open to new evidence in relation to the murders.

David said: “Everyone wants answers. We want answers more than anyone. But it has to be based on evidence. Not on speculation about my dad just because he is no longer here.”

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Two Rivers Media, who made the programme, and Sky History Channel were contacted for comment.

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A spokeswoman for Two Rivers Media said: “The programme Britain’s Murder Map examines historical cases and was produced in line with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and all relevant legal requirements. Its purpose is to explore unresolved cases and consider alternative interpretations of the available evidence, rather than to assert definitive conclusions.

“In this instance, the theory referenced was presented as the view of a contributor and clearly framed as speculative, with appropriate language used throughout to ensure it was not understood as fact.

“The programme also included important context, noting that no forensic evidence was found, that George Puttock was never arrested, and that he had been previously eliminated from police enquiries.

“In line with our obligations, the adult son of Helen Puttock was contacted in advance of broadcast and made aware of the programme.

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“We remain committed to responsible programme-making and are satisfied that the content was presented fairly, with appropriate context and in compliance with Ofcom guidelines.”

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Locals slam town’s ‘hideous’ roads and ‘non-existent’ public transport

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Cambridgeshire Live

One person described the roads as having ‘masses of potholes’

Locals say public transport is “non-existent” in a Cambridgeshire town, and the “hideous” roads are blighted with potholes. Ramsey is a rural town in between Huntingdon and Peterborough.

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Despite being within a driveable distance from bigger towns and cities, locals feel their public transport to get to these places isn’t good enough. As well as public transport, people find Ramsey’s roads to be filled with potholes, making them unattractive and unsafe.

Jane Kinpton described public buses as “non-existent”. She said it feels like it takes “two hours to get to Peterborough” by bus, despite only being a 25-minute drive away.

Jane, who lives in Ramsey Forty Foot with her husband Jeff, added: “We live near a bus stop and hardly see any buses. We don’t use public transport, even though we have a free bus pass. We only use it to go to Cambridge.”

Jeff said: “We have two cars instead. You won’t believe the mileage we have to do.” Jane added that she believed the town’s roads were “dangerous”. Jeff agreed: “I know two people that have had to have tyres changed because of the potholes.”

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Elaine Baxter doesn’t live in Ramsey, but travels to the town regularly to visit her parents and often uses the buses. She said: “I think the buses aren’t too bad for a rural area. However, the problem is you can’t get back from Peterborough or Huntingdon so easily.”

Elaine’s mum is immobile and her dad is blind. With limited public transport, she said her parents are “trapped” here. She added: “It’s really hard to get them to the hospital [in Peterborough].”

With her parents being vulnerable, Elaine also has concerns about the pothole-filled roads. She said: “I find walking with my mum hard. And with my dad being blind, dad has face planted the pavement a couple of times. It’s a hazard.”

Long-term resident Debbie Lowther describes the roads as “hideous”. She said: “We have masses of potholes. However, Fen roads are notoriously bad, and it comes down to costs.”

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One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she “doesn’t bother” to use the buses. She added: “They are either always late or don’t turn up. I go to Peterborough quite a bit as my daughter lives there. It takes ages to get there on the bus. Despite petrol going up, I’d rather just drive to avoid wasting my life away.”

The woman also described Ramsey’s potholes as “abysmal”. She said: “They seem to be everywhere. It’s so dangerous not just for drivers, but for cyclists and even someone walking across the street. What if someone was walking with a child in a pushchair and they become caught in the pothole? Someone could get really hurt.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority oversees transport in the county. Despite a claim that a journey takes around two hours to Peterborough, the CPCA emphasised that it is funding a bus route that will take around 40 minutes to Peterborough.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: “I wasn’t prepared to leave Ramsey stranded and worked with the Combined Authority Board to launch the X31 this year, giving people a reliable connection to Peterborough.

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“I want our rural places to have improved public transport and that’s why I’m working to bring in a franchised bus service that works better for those communities. And in the meantime I’ll continue to support places like Ramsey where there is a strong case for us stepping in to keep services running.”

A CPCA spokesperson added: “Like most of England, bus services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough operate under a deregulated system, which means commercial operators decide which routes to run based on profitability. Where services are less viable, often in rural areas, the Combined Authority can step in to fund them, but resources are limited.

“The Combined Authority has been supporting bus services in Ramsey. At the start of this year, we funded the improved X31, which provides direct journeys of around 40 minutes between Ramsey and Peterborough via Upwood and Bury. These services run every two hours and are also timed to support students travelling to Peterborough College.”

The spokesperson added: “We also fund the Ramsey to March 32 service, which stops at Whittlesey, where onward journeys to Peterborough can be made. In September 2025, when the previous operator pulled out of the former 31 Ramsey Peterborough route, we stepped in to save the service and keep the town connected until the improved X31 could launch.

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“We understand the challenges rural communities face with public transport. That’s why we’ve been investing back into the bus network to protect and improve services in areas like Ramsey. We are always reviewing how well our subsidised services are performing and will make changes if needed.

“Looking ahead, the Combined Authority is working to bring in bus franchising, which will give us far greater control over routes, frequencies and service standards across the region. This will allow us to design a bus network that better serves our communities.”

The county’s roads are overseen by Cambridgeshire County Council. On the issue of potholes, a council spokesperson said: “Ensuring safe travel is a key priority for us – this year we’re continuing record levels of investment in highways maintenance across the county, which is being used to repair roads, cycleways, footpaths and other highway assets.

“Residents can help us keep our roads and footpaths safe for all users, by reporting the issues they find online via our website.”

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Lonely Island member says SNL host made him ‘feel very uncomfortable’

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Lonely Island member says SNL host made him ‘feel very uncomfortable’

Comedian Jorma Taccone has revealed that Kevin Spacey was the one Saturday Night Live host that he was not excited to work with during his time on the show.

Taccone was a member of the Lonely Island trio alongside Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. The group produced digital shorts on SNL from 2005 to 2011 as the late night series began to incorporate the internet into their comedy, meaning the short writers interacted with the variety show’s cast members — including the weekly guest hosts and musical acts.

“In general, I liked almost every host that came to SNL,” Taccone, 49, said on Friday’s episode of The Daily Beast’s podcast show Obsessed. However, he added that there was one celebrity that he “wasn’t super geeked on.”

“I’ve never said this before,” Taccone confessed before revealing that he was talking about Spacey, 66, who hosted SNL for the second time in May 2006 with musical guest Nelly Furtado.

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The “I’m On A Boat” co-writer recalled: “I did not enjoy that, and felt very uncomfortable around him.” Taccone did not elaborate further.

Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone said Kevin Spacey hosting 'Saturday Night Live' made him uncomfortable
Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone said Kevin Spacey hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ made him uncomfortable (Getty Images)

Spacey, a once celebrated two-time Oscar winner, was exiled from mainstream Hollywood in 2017 after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct. He has consistently denied all allegations against him and maintained his innocence.

In 2022, the Usual Suspects actor was cleared by a jury in a $40 million civil lawsuit brought by actor Anthony Rapp, who accused Spacey of molesting him when he was 14. Spacey was then tried in London in 2023 on nine alleged sex offense allegations from four men, and acquitted on all counts.

Last month, Spacey reached civil settlements with three men out of court over more sexual assault allegations from between 2000 and 2013.

Representatives for Spacey did not immediately return The Independent’s request for response to Taccone’s statement.

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Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual assault several times but has denied all allegations against him
Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual assault several times but has denied all allegations against him (Getty Images)

Taccone is not the only SNL cast member who recalled an uncomfortable experience during the House of Cards actor’s hosting stint. In 2022, Tina Fey revealed at the Netflix is a Joke comedy festival in Los Angeles that Spacey had flirted with her years before he came out as gay in response to the sexual assault allegations against him in 2017.

“This is the kind of weird thing that used to happen to me,” Fey said at the time. “One time when he was hosting SNL, at the after-party, it was late and Kevin Spacey tried to hit on me.”

She joked that she doubted his attraction to her at the time, saying: “I was like, ‘Who is this for? Who is this little performance for?’”

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Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

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Emmerdale spoilers as Dawn plots her revenge against Joe and Jacob tries to trap Dr Todd

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Manchester Evening News

Next week is set to bring heat into the Dales

If anyone moved to Emmerdale for a quiet life, then it’s definitely the wrong village for them. The ITV soap has teased more drama to come next week in the Dales.

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After Bear Wolf confessed to murdering Ray Walters, and Moira Dingle off the hook, the sentencing begins with Bear nervously awaiting his time to shine on the stand.

Elsewhere, after the birth of baby Leyla, Jacob decided to drop his complaint against Dr Caitlin Todd – thanks to Charity’s interference also. However, things continue to get worse for the trainee doctor.

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As Joe Tate continues to swan around even after everything he’s done, he might not have the taste of success much longer as Dawn decides enough is enough.

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Here’s what else is coming up in the Dales…

It’s time for the sentencing…

It’s the day of court. Paddy, Dylan share an emotional moment before heading out to face the day ahead. April’s a bundle of nerves as she prepares for her testimony, with Marlon encouraging her to be brave and use the day to tell the jurors the truth about Ray’s abuse. As the trial begins, the defence and prosecution barristers argue their cases in front of the judge, jury, and spectators, and Bear is overwhelmed as he’s forced to relive Ray’s death and his experience at the farm.

April then testifies but struggles under cross-examination; leaving her devastated. Before long it’s Dylan who testifies for the defence, recounting how Bear saved his and Paddy’s lives from Ray. But will he cope under cross-examination? Afterwards, April’s distraught in the court corridor, worried she messed up, but Marlon tries to comfort her by praising her bravery.

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Back in the courtroom, Simo takes the stand and Bear begins to spiral on hearing his words. After court adjourns, Zara explains the situation and how she feels they are left with no other choice, than putting Bear on the stand the next day and Paddy reluctantly agrees… But will Bear be up to it?

The next day Paddy and the family nervously arrive at court before Bear’s testimony to see whether Bear will make or break the case. The tension lessens briefly when Bear’s counsellor commences by giving a powerful expert testimony, explaining how Bear was groomed by Ray and feared for his life.

With his family watching encouragingly, a nervous Bear Wolf then takes the witness stand to begin his own testimony…

Jacob tries to trap Dr Todd…

Jacob is uncomfortable bumping into Dr Todd in the village as she mocks him overtly. When Dr Todd maliciously implies to Sarah how Jacob is desperate to return to work despite their baby, Sarah heads to confront Jacob. Soon furious Jacob finds Todd in the Woolpack Corridors and warns her off from lying to his wife. When Jacob follows her into the ladies loo he has seemingly fallen into Dr Todd’s trap as when Vanessa walks in she is alarmed to find Jacob in there.

Later, Vanessa confronts Jacob about his earlier conduct and Sarah demands to know what’s happening, and Jacob finally comes clean to her about all of Todd’s harassment. As Jacob tearfully confesses to all of Todd’s bullying, Sarah comforts him and promises they will face the problem together.

The next day Sarah notices how much Jacob is suffering as a result of Todd’s manipulation and offers her support, urging him to stand up to his bully. She later goes to confront Vanessa for believing Todd over Jacob. At work when Jacob speaks to Carol in HR about making a formal complaint about Todd he is blindsided when Carol reveals Todd has already submitted a complaint about him. And how Todd has provided a substantial file of evidence, including voice recordings. Jacob despairs, feeling he has no chance against such a longstanding colleague.

Later, Jacob tells Sarah about Todd’s file of fabricated evidence against him. Seeing Jacob’s ready to give up, Sarah strongly encourages him to fight back for the career he has always dreamed of, for Leyla’s sake. Heading Sarah’s words, Jacob goes to Tug Ghyll to speak to Todd.

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Dawn plans her revenge for Joe…

Dawn struggles to muster the energy to deal with Joe’s excitement over the baby. Soon a troubled Dawn heads to find Moira and confesses she’s struggling to stay with Joe and disguise her loathing of him. Moira urges her to stay for the money as she will need the money to fight him in court. And soon the plan begins..

Elsewhere in the village…

The ladies darts craze continues in the pub. Struggling to keep Robert’s betrayal from Cain ahead of his operation Moira’s stress mounts. That evening Cain expresses worry about how his operation will change their relationship, but Moira assures him they will face whatever together as a team as they wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

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Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff: When spooks get spooked by self-doubt

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Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff: When spooks get spooked by self-doubt

Famously, where Ian Fleming glamorised spies, John Le Carré placed his former spook colleagues in more lifelike circumstances, making them grimmer, grubbier and more mortal. Many, though, sought also to be moral, struggling Greene-like with personal fallibility, compromise, great power politics and the search for good deeds in a naughty world. But these figures, as with Fleming, were all about heroics — fighting the good fight, usually against communism/totalitarianism. Smiley, after all, was based in part on a vicar.

There is rather less room for righteousness in James Wolff’s latest thriller, Spies and Other Gods. In Le Carré, the characters just are spies: it is what they get up to in that role that exercises him. But Wolff is just as interested in why people become spies and what it does to them. Exhibit A is Sir William Rentoul, chief of an unnamed intelligence outfit whose brain is going — or is it? — and who awards himself a last fling out “in the field” (a term no spy ever uses, Wolff tells us). Rentoul realises that a life of deceiving and manufacturing uncertainty has shut out many of those closest to him, including his recently deceased wife (much missed, notwithstanding his infidelities).

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Radio 2 Breakfast host Sara Cox uses 59p-a-day growth tablet hairdressers love

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Wales Online

The new BBC Radio 2 Breakfast DJ has praised the vegan hair-growth supplement that helps promote healthier, fuller locks

They say hair is people’s most important accessory, but when thinning or loss kicks in due to age and stress, it can take a serious toll on confidence. Fortunately, the beauty world is currently undergoing a hair-care revolution, with one particular supplement leading the charge.

DR.VEGAN’s Hair Saviour has earned a high-profile fan in Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Sara Cox, whose signature blonde fringe has become as iconic as her voice. Designed to rescue thinning strands and boost density, these capsules have already helped thousands of shoppers achieve a thicker, more resilient mane.

The science behind the results is just as impressive. The formula features a blend of 14 key nutrients, including biotin, zinc, and saw palmetto, but the real star is the patented AnaGain™.

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Extracted from pea sprouts, this clinically validated ingredient has been shown to increase the probability of hair growth by a staggering 78%. For those looking to restore their hair’s “lustre” without the fuss, this vegan-friendly ritual is becoming a go-to.

Sara Cox, who was announced as Scott Mills’ replacement on the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 after his sudden departure and dismissal, has previously said about using DR VEGAN: “My hair was feeling dry and looking a bit dull, so I needed help.

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The Hair Saviour helps boost hair renewal and growth, while combating thinning & brittle hair.

“After about 6 weeks, I started to notice less shedding and my hair began to feel fuller, and after about 10 weeks, I started seeing new baby hairs coming through.”

Even better, the supplement is currently available for 56p per day until midnight on 31st May. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the promotion, which offers up to 40% off the first three months, must enter the code HAIRSAVE at checkout, reports the Mirror.

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Various purchase plans are offered for the capsules – with two capsules required daily for 60 days – including 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day subscription packages, as well as one-time purchases in different quantities.

The company suggests its subscription plans offer the best value, with the 90-day package costing £52.40 when using the promotional code, down from £77.97. Purchasing these three pouches as a single order would total £56 after the discount is applied.

DR. VEGAN notes that consumers generally notice improvements in hair density, reduced hair loss, and fresh growth within 12 weeks. A study involving 100 individuals who used Hair Saviour for 2 months or longer found that 81% found it beneficial, 73% experienced enhanced hair strength after 3 months, and 70% witnessed new hair growth after 3 months.

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On the high street, Hairburst is selling an Advanced+ Hair Growth Starter Kit with the three-month programme, priced at 91p per day or £84.49 for the full three months. Meanwhile, at Chāmpo, the sought-after Pitta Growth Serum in its larger format is available for £46, reduced from £56.67.

Returning to DR VEGAN supplements, they’ve proven popular, with one delighted buyer sharing: “My hairdresser and I have noticed a huge difference. I am no longer shedding multiple strands throughout the day, and new hair has been growing.”

Another customer reported comparable results, saying: “For anyone worrying about their hair…definitely give these a try. My hair feels thicker, stronger, and silkier… hair on the sides (near my fringe area) has started to grow in again, and my scalp feels a lot calmer.

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“My hairdresser has noticed a difference and commented on how healthy my hair looks. I’m delighted that this works and will definitely be reordering some more.”

A third buyer remarked: “My hair is growing like crazy and is in so much better condition than it’s ever been.” It should be noted that one less impressed customer awarded three stars, observing: “Haven’t noticed any change yet, I’ll review properly when it’s taken a bit longer.”

However, many others celebrated the impressive outcomes they experienced with Hair Saviour. One DR. VEGAN enthusiast recounted their journey, explaining: “I’m 51 and in my menopause, and my hair was thinning, especially around the front hairline.

“I saw these advertised online and thought I’d try them… And I’m glad I did, they work! Slowly, my hair is growing back at the front, and the sides of my hair are actually growing for once!”

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Taylor Swift trademarks voice and likeness in apparent bid to stop AI deepfakes

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Taylor Swift trademarks voice and likeness in apparent bid to stop AI deepfakes

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering her voice and likeness, apparently in a bid to halt the creation of artificial intelligence deepfakes.

The pop superstar, who was recently named as Spotify’s most-streamed artist of all time, submitted two sound trademarks covering her voice, one including the phrase “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift,” and the other simply “Hey, it’s Taylor.”

She also filed to trademark an image of herself holding a pink guitar during her record-breaking “Eras” tour.

In a blog post, intellectual-property attorney Josh Gerben (who does not represent Swift) argued that is likely the filings are intended to protect Swift from unauthorized AI versions of herself being created.

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“Theoretically, if a lawsuit were to be filed over an AI using Swift’s voice, she could claim that any use of her voice that sounds like the registered trademark violates her trademark rights,” wrote Gerben.

Taylor Swift has moved to trademark her voice and image
Taylor Swift has moved to trademark her voice and image (AFP/Getty)

Gerben continued: “The image-based filing serves a similar purpose. By protecting a distinctive visual, down to Swift’s commonly worn jumpsuit and pose, Swift’s team may gain additional grounds to pursue claims against manipulated or AI-generated images that evoke her likeness.”

Last year, actor Matthew McConaughey was granted a trademark for his signature catchphrase “alright, alright, alright” in a similar legal move.

Attorneys for the entertainment law firm Yorn Levine, representing McConaughey, applied for the protection in December 2023, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the trademark in December 2025.

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While state consumer protection laws already protect celebrities from having their likeness replicated to sell products, McConaughey’s trademark strategy means that the Interstellar actor will now have grounds to sue in federal court over general “misuse” on the internet, even if misleading AI videos using his image are not explicitly selling anything.

Yorn Levine founder and lawyer Kevin Yorn said in a statement shared with The Independent: “We embrace AI, invest in it, and actively support its evolution. Progress, however, should have boundaries. Protecting individual voice, image, and intellectual property is essential to building a future that works for everyone. Along with Matthew, we are forward-looking, engaged in the possibilities of AI, and thoughtful about how everyone’s creative identity is represented and protected.”

McConaughey told the Wall Street Journal: “My team and I want to know that when my voice or likeness is ever used, it’s because I approved and signed off on it. We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world.”

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Former Man Utd boss turned down Chelsea job – ‘I knew I’d be a lame duck from day one’

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Chelsea are once again on the lookout for a new manager following the departure of Liam Rosenior

Chelsea are on the search for a new manager following the sacking of Liam Rosenior last week. The Blues decided to part ways with the manager following a 3-0 defeat against Brighton.

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Calum McFarlane is taking interim charge of the side until the end of the season, with the search over Rosenior’s permanent successor now taking place. Several names have already been linked with the role, including Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and former midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea should be getting used to searching for a new manager, given the changes in the managerial hotseat over the last few years. Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has previously revealed that he has turned down the role at Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE: Galatasaray claim refs have ‘evil inside’ after Jose Mourinho waged war on Turkish officialsREAD MORE: Joe Cole tells Frank Lampard to steer clear of ‘insane’ Chelsea return – ‘Stay away’

The Blues approached the German following Frank Lampard‘s exit in January 2021. Speaking to The Times just a month later, Rangnick revealed talks with Chelsea over the position, but there was one major sticking point.

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“I said, ‘I would love to come and work with you, but I cannot do it for four months,” he said. “I am not an interim coach.’ To the media and players you would be the ‘four-month manager’, a lame duck, from day one.”

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Following his rejection of the job, Chelsea turned to now England boss, Thomas Tuchel, who went on to win the Champions League just a few months after his appointment. “Thomas is tactically on a very sophisticated level,” Rangnick said.

“[His assistant] Zsolt Low was my player and assistant coach at Leipzig and plays a vital role in his staff. And you can see from the way he interacts with players, Thomas also has great leadership skills.

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“I can only congratulate Thomas and Chelsea for the choice.”

Tuchel left in 2022, and was replaced by Graham Potter. Chelsea have since had Lampard (interim), Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Rosenior as managers.

Less than a year after making the comments about turning down the Chelsea job, Rangnick took up the interim role at Man Utd. In his 29 games in charge, United won eleven, drew 9 and lost 9.

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The 67-year-old is now the manager of the Austria national team. He will lead the nation in this summer’s World Cup, where they will take on Jordan, Argentina and Algeria in their Group J encounters.

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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Live – Second rush hour crash on Westhoughton road

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Live - Second rush hour crash on Westhoughton road

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