Funeral details for former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe are still being finalised, as Buckfast Abbey confirmed it is working closely with her family on arrangements

Funeral arrangements for former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe are still being finalised following her passing in July. Her death has become a matter of national significance, given her prominent political legacy and the harrowing circumstances surrounding it.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told last week that Widdecombe died after being struck 21 times on the head with a hammer. A provisional cause of death was recorded as a “blunt force injury to the head”, the court was informed.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, was detained on suspicion of murder on July 11. He was subsequently re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, though no charge relating to this offence has been brought against him.

A provisional trial date has been set for June 8, 2027, reports Chronicle Live.

Widdecombe’s family has pressed ahead with funeral preparations, working closely with Buckfast Abbey, where she was a devoted regular worshipper. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast have issued a statement confirming they “continue to hold Ann Widdecombe, her family and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time”

Following her death, Buckfast Abbey, nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, released a statement in which Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community expressed they were “deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe in such tragic and disturbing circumstances”. Ann was a regular fixture at the Abbey Church, faithfully attending Sunday Solemn Mass alongside Holy Week and Easter celebrations.

The statement went on: “Many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character. She will be missed and fondly remembered.

“Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith.

“She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community extend their heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

In a communiqué released on Sunday, 26th July, Fr Abbot confirmed the church was liaising “closely with the family regarding funeral arrangements” and would share further details “in due course, when appropriate”.

Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community expressed that they were “grateful for the many messages of sympathy and support that have been received.”

Buckfast Abbey houses a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks who follow the ancient Rule of St Benedict. The location holds considerable historical significance, with the original abbey established in 1018 AD by King Cnut.

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There’s a LOT more lightning than I realised

Is it dangerous?

By BETHAN EDWARDS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 10:11 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 10:32 BST, 27 July 2026

BBC Radio 1 star Gemma Cairney revealed she has given birth to her second child as she shared sweet photos to Instagram on Sunday. 

The presenter, 41, and her partner Cameron McAllister – who first became parents in August 2024 – welcomed the newest addition to their family last week.

Gemma beamed as she cuddled her newborn – whose identity has not been publicly revealed – and a funny picture of Cameron dressed in scrubs in the hospital.

She wrote: ‘Had another baby this week with the most beautiful goober of a man that I ever was to meet after travelling the world to find him. LOVE YOU @cameronmac815 and this miracle family.

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‘*Posted from a sofa of in the haze of restful ecstasy and a multitude of painkillers* (sic)’

Gemma’s celebrity pals including Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton and Paloma Faith showed the couple with congratulatory messages.     

BBC Radio 1 star Gemma Cairney revealed she has given birth to her second child as she shared sweet photos to Instagram on Sunday

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Gemma beamed as she cuddled her newborn – whose identity has not been publicly revealed – and a funny picture of Cameron dressed in scrubs in the hospital

In April, Gemma announced she was pregnant with her second child by posting a sweet shot of the blossoming bump to her Instagram account.

Gemma’s photo showed her sunbathing with her blouse lifted to show off the bump, with the caption: ‘Together we sunbathe ‘n dream (sic)’.

The presenter announced she had welcomed her first child in August 2024 as she took to Instagram to share a snap of herself and Cameron cradling their new arrival.

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Captioning her sweet post, Gemma revealed that their baby was born two weeks ago before gushing that she’d ‘never felt love like this’.

She penned: ‘TWO WEEKS of the best madness, blessings, bliss, breathes, prayers, tears & momentous delirium.

‘I can’t offer enough thanks to our friends / kin, midwives, soothsayers, staunch support!’

She continued: ‘Never ever felt love like this. We are a fresh fam of 3, yipeeeeeeeee.’

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Gemma has been keeping her followers updated with her pregnancy in recent months on Instagram.

Two months prior, the glowing mother-to-be cradled her bump while posing in a glam black dress.

Speaking about her changing body, she wrote in the caption: ‘Our bodies are outstanding ya know, I’m rollin’ in awe of mine and yours.’

While in May, she shared a snap of her silhouette against a window as she looked down at her growing stomach.

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Geamma’s celebrity pals including Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton and Paloma Faith showed the couple with congratulatory messages

Gemma announced she is expecting her second child in April

Speaking about her changing body, she wrote in the caption: ‘Our bodies are outstanding ya know, I’m rollin’ in awe of mine and yours.’

She penned: ‘What an extraordinary time. Making, growing, connecting.’

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Gemma met partner Cameron in Malawi, where Cameron, who owns an independent coffee project, sources his beans from smallholder farmers.

Gemma kickstarted her career on Kiss FM and Channel 4 Radio before moving over to the BBC, going on to join Radio 1Xtra in 2008.

The broadcaster has also hosted Glastonbury over the years and even had her own weekday afternoon show back in 2011. 

The Birmingham-born presenter, who is now based in Scotland, has also hosted radio documentaries and also launched a successful production company 

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DETROIT (AP) — Traffic is set to start flowing Monday across a new bridge over the Detroit River that will serve as a critical route for trade, jobs and tourism between Canada and the U.S.

Last week, Canada celebrated the Gordie Howe International Bridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Windsor, Ontario, to mark the completion of the multibillion-dollar, multiyear project.

U.S. and Michigan representatives were uninvited from Friday’s gathering after President Donald Trump suddenly announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods entering America.

The bridge is named for Howe, a Canadian icon known as “Mr. Hockey” who wore No. 9 while playing on the other side of the Detroit River for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. He died in 2016.

More than 70% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., making America its largest trade partner, and Detroit is the No. 1 port for truck traffic on the U.S.-Canada border, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

For nearly a century, the privately-owned Ambassador Bridge has been the only route for large commercial trucks moving between the U.S. and Canada at Detroit. Businesses say the new six-lane span will be faster and less expensive.

The span is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long and rises 151 feet (46 meters) above the river at its highest point. Pedestrians and bicyclists carrying proper identification will be able to cross it for free in a few weeks.

Construction on the new bridge began in 2018 but took years, partly because of a global slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canada paid to build the bridge at an estimated cost of $6.4 billion. A recent agreement says Canada will share some toll revenue with the U.S. government for 15 years.

Trump praised his administration for that deal in a social media post while the Ontario event was in progress. “We changed the terms,” he said.

Michigan will also get a share, but not until Canada’s costs are recovered, likely decades from now.

The families of the two people have been informed and a report is being prepared for the coroner

Two people have died after being pulled from the sea at a beach in Cornwall after a late night emergency on Sunday. A man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene on Fistral Beach at around 9.45pm on Sunday, July 26.

Emergency services including the ambulance service and police were called to the scene after the coastguard recovered the two bodies from the sea after being called around 9.30pm. The families of the two people have been informed and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

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Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police were called by the South Western Ambulance Service at around 9.45pm on Sunday 26 July following reports that two people had been recovered from the water at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

“Emergency services attended and a cordon was put in place, which has since been removed.

“Sadly, a man and a woman were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their families have been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.”

A spokesperson for the coastguard said: “HM Coastguard has been responding to an incident in the South Fistral area, Newquay, overnight.

“First informed at around 9.30pm (26 July), Coastguard Rescue Teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes, lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and an HM Coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene, alongside other emergency services.”

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Avocados are versatile and contain healthy fats, but they can taste pretty bland on their own. Luckily, adding a few simple ingredients can instantly elevate it to something that tastes restaurant-quality

Lunch is my least favourite meal of the day. Deciding what to have for dinner each evening is challenging enough, so when I’m working from home, preparing something fancy is the last thing on my mind.

To avoid this dilemma, I’ve simply started eating the same thing every day. Avocados are one of my favourite foods — they’re nutritious, satisfying and adaptable, lending themselves to countless different dishes.

But it’s no secret that on their own, they can taste quite bland and uninspiring.

I’ve kept up this avocado habit for several months now, and amazingly, I’ve still not gotten bored. A straightforward avocado smash on toast is just unbeatable, and I think I’ve uncovered the secret to making it taste like something you’d order at a fashionable brunch spot.

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It’s not that avocados taste bad — they simply lack that flavour punch so essential when you’re flagging at lunchtime and need a pick-me-up.

After experimenting with various additions, I’ve found two storecupboard essentials that genuinely elevate the dish to another level.

How to make avocado toast taste better

Crispy chilli oil and honey may seem an unusual pairing, but take my word for it — you’ll never eat avocados the same way again.

The combination of the fiery, crunchy topping with the sweet drizzle of honey is so addictive, instantly transforming your ordinary avocado smash.

When it comes to chilli crisp, the Lao Gan Ma brand is second to none, and is readily available at most Asian supermarkets or the world foods aisle of your local store.

A single jar goes a surprisingly long way, lasting a couple of months, as only a small amount is needed to deliver that wonderfully rich flavour.

Because there’s so much flavour in the chilli oil and the honey, I don’t bother seasoning the smashed avocado with anything. It’s just a case of mashing it up with a fork, spreading on toast, then adding the chilli oil and a drizzle of honey before digging in.

Lao Gan Ma also be found at Sainsbury’s for £2.75, while a pack of three from Amazon will set you back £7.99. One word of caution before purchasing — once you begin adding it to your meals, it’s hard to stop.

This pairing works equally well with eggs, which, as it happens, make for another great accompaniment to avocado.

No doubt the day will eventually come when the appeal wears off and I need a new lunchtime recipe to try. For now, though, this daily staple shows no signs of losing its charm – and it’s been nearly a year – and any avocado fans out there have to give it a go.

A man and a woman have died after getting into trouble in the sea off a popular beach.

The two people were pulled from the water off Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, at about 21:45 BST on Sunday, about 15 minutes after HM Coastguard said rescue personnel were called.

Devon and Cornwall Police said both were confirmed dead at the scene.

Search and rescue teams from Newquay, Padstow and St Agnes took part in the operation, along with lifeboats from Newquay RNLI and a coastguard helicopter.