The US is moving special operations forces, weapons and medics to the Middle East to give president Donald Trump broader military options as he considers widening the conflict against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.

In the past week, special operations forces have deployed to the region from US bases, according to flight-tracking data and officials. Squadrons of jet fighters have been staged across the Middle East, and bomber aircraft at bases in the US and UK are on high alert, the Journal reported.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has warned that attacks on ships in Middle Eastern waterways will be paid for by Iranian cash that he controls.

“Any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls.

“These damages may be very substantial but, nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do”, the US president wrote on Truth Social Thursday.

Earlier, Trump said he was seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, including strikes that would be bigger than the ones carried out earlier this year.

He told Axios: “They haven’t received enough pain yet.”

The professor died in January this year

An Oxford professor died at his home in Cambridgeshire, an inquest opening has heard. Professor Stephen David Baxter, 56, was a Baron Fellow and tutor in Medieval history at St Peter’s College for the University of Oxford.

Prof Baxter, who lived in Bourn, Cambridgeshire, died on January 16 this year. An inquest was opened into his death on Thursday (July 23) by Coroner Simon Milburn at Vantage House in Huntingdon.

Mr Milburn said that Professor Baxter was found dead at his home in Bourn. The coroner adjourned the case for an inquest to be held on November 10 and offered his condolences to the family and friends of Prof Baxter.

After his death in January, staff from St Peter’s College paid tribute to him. They described Prof Baxter as a “distinguished historian, a dedicated tutor and a generous colleague”.

The professor completed an undergraduate degree in modern history at Wadham College in Oxford, graduating in 1991. He later worked in London and spent three years as a research analyst with the PA Consulting Group, before moving onto Schroders in 1995.

He held many teaching positions throughout his academic career, including as a medieval history lecturer at King’s College in London. He was elected a Barron Fellow and tutor in Medieval history at St Peter’s College in 2014. In 2020, he was awarded the title of Professor of Medieval History by the University of Oxford.

Luke Lane was outside playing when a teen crashed into him with an e-bike.

A mum has demanded a crackdown on e-bike thugs after her little boy was mown down on the street.

Luke Lane, 9, was left with concussion and cuts all over his body after a teenager riding one of the vehicles crashed into him outside his house on Queens Drive in Hawick on Monday night.

The schoolboy was lad treated at the scene by ambulance crews before later being rushed to Borders General Hospital for a CT scan after suffering a bout of sickness following the ordeal.

His mum, Yvonne Dobson, told the Record that Luke was returning from a play date at a neighbour’s house when the incident unfolded.

The 35-year-old said: “I had just called him in for the night and was standing at the window watching him cross the road. A teenage boy suddenly appeared riding the e-bike at considerable speed and before I could react, it smacked into him.

“Luke went flying into the air and hit his head on the pavement. I rushed out into the street and he was lying there out cold.

“I feared the worst at that point, but when I rolled him onto his side he came to and burst into tears.

“He was given the all clear at the hospital after his scan but he is really shaken up.

“His head and pelvis are badly swollen but it could have been so much worse.

“He is at home at least but feeling really lethargic so hopefully there will be no lasting effects.

“He should be out enjoying the summer holidays but it will take him time to recover from all of this now.”

Yvonne said youths in the town have been running riot on the bikes and putting members of the public in danger.

She also told how police told her the bike that hit Luke had been modified to drive faster than the legal road-riding limit of 15mph in Scotland.

The mum-of-three is now calling for better regulation of those using and owning the vehicles and urged local parents to think twice before buying them for their children.

She continued: “The authorities need to do something to clamp down on this issue.

“People driving e-bikes should have a driving licence and be registered.

“I also want parents to know these bikes can be deadly. My child could have been killed.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said “We received a call at 20:01 on Monday 20 July to attend a road traffic collision on Queen Drive, Hawick. We dispatched an ambulance to the scene.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.05pm on Monday, 20 July, 2026, we received a report of a 9-year-old boy struck by an electric bike on Queens Drive, Hawick

“Ambulance attended, however, he did not require hospital treatment.

“A 15-year-old male youth has been charged in connection with road traffic offences and the bike was seized.

“A report will be forwarded to the relevant agencies.”

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The popular Cambridge festival was cancelled in 2025 due to ‘financial losses’

Visitors will see new changes to the format of a popular Cambridge festival as it returns after a year off due to “financial losses”. The Cambridge Folk Festival was cancelled in 2025 after losing more than £320,000 in 2024.

However, the festival will make a triumphant return to Cherry Hinton Hall on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. This year’s event will see some changes from the previous years, as it will be held for two days instead of the usual four.

Other differences include a change to the site plan at Cherry Hinton Hall, as well as more events held up in the lead up to the bigger event. Becky Burrell, marketing and strategic lead, said some changes have been made as organisers had to be “realistic with costs”.

She said: “The site will look different. We have changed the site plan to make means of access easier. Changing the site plan has allowed us the flexibility to access the facilities easier. We still have two main stages and have bars for food and drink. It’s what people are used to, but with a new layout.”

Events including open mic nights and comedy events have been held throughout July as a build-up to the festival. Becky said these events have been “quite popular”.

She added: “Some of those have been sold out. We have yet to do the analysis, but I certainly think we have attracted new and different audiences and hopefully something for local people.”

Becky described the festival as an “institution” for Cambridge, as it has been held in the city for over 60 years. She and the rest of the organisers are “excited” for it to go ahead.

Becky said: “We feel very lucky that we have the continued support. It sold out in May, which was great. Not many people have a local festival on their doorstep. We are here to serve the residents.”

Space NK is set to open this autumn in the former JD Sports in Coney Street, according to signs put up on the outside of the building.

The beauty chain’s plans to convert the store stated works would include refurbishments to the outside and inside of the empty store.

City of York Council planning officers stated works including the installation of three new air conditioning units would not harm the Grade II-listed building.

The approval of the company’s plans comes as works are currently underway to convert the store ahead of its opening.

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It also comes after previous occupants JD Sports moved out of the Coney Street building and into a larger store in Davygate last year.

Space NK is returning to York after also previously having a premises in Davygate in what is now the TAG Heuer watch shop.

Previous fixtures and fittings are currently being removed in the Coney Street store ahead of Space NK’s opening.

They are due to be replaced with new floor, wall and ceiling finishes, lighting, ventilation and air condition and a ground floor platform lift.

Company branding planned for the outside of the store includes hanging facia signs and a flag.

Stickers currently up in its windows.

An impression showing how Space NK, in Coney Street, could look (Image: LDRS)

Space NK was founded in 1991 and opened its first store in London’s Covent Garden in 1993.

It now has 83 stores across the UK and Ireland.

Developer Max Reeves, of Helmsley Group which is overseeing the wider regeneration of Coney Street, told The Press the store’s opening was a vote of confidence in the area’s future.

He added that while demand for retail was still there, people’s expectations and what they wanted from the sector had changed.

The developer said: “York is such an attractive destination that there’s still massive interest in the city from all sorts of different retailers.”

On Thursday afternoon, British actor Jaime Winstone was revealed as the latest star on the line-up, ahead of the show’s return to our screens in the autumn.

“I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year,” she enthused. “I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.”

She added: “I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!”

Jaime is best known for her performances in projects like Kidulthood, Powder Room and Tomb Raider, as well as being the daughter of fellow actor Ray Winstone.

She also won acclaim for her performance as Dame Barbara Windsor in the TV biopic Babs, subsequently playing the late actor’s iconic EastEnders character Peggy Mitchell in a special episode of the long-running BBC soap.

In addition to her acting career, Jaime does have some reality TV experience already, having competed in ITV’s The Masked Singer back in 2022.

Police Scotland have appeal for victims of police officer Alan Greer to come forward. Greer is suspected of a series of attacks on women including rapes over a 14 years period

Women’s safety groups have called for a full investigation into sex predator cop Alan Greer with one comparing him to Wayne Couzens.

Greer is being investigated over allegations that he carried out a series of sexual assaults and attempted murders of women over a 14 year period while off duty, before his death in May.

The whistle was blown on the PC after a woman he is said to have raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 came forward at the end of last year.

Detectives have so far uncovered a further eight victims, five of whom were women involved in prostitution.

Couzens was a Metropolitan Police officer who was jailed for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard in London five years ago.

Rape Crisis Scotland external affairs manager Nicola Love said: “This is a really disturbing report which highlights the actions of a perpetrator who was able to repeatedly abuse his position as a police officer to carry out attacks against vulnerable women. It is very likely we will never know the full extent of what he has done.

“Alan Greer is a stain on Police Scotland in the same way that Wayne Couzens is a stain on the Met Police.

“It was the brave decision of a survivor who came forward so many years later to report what has happened to her. Her actions are ultimately what led to Greer being removed from the force and finally investigated.

“Another woman had tried to raise the alarm about Greer years earlier, and the police must be satisfied that report was investigated fully and properly at the time.

“Over the past year, as reported by the Record, we know of seven serving police officers who have been jailed in Scotland – four of those for instances of rape, sexual assault, or domestic abuse.

“Choosing to report what has happened is an incredibly difficult decision for any survivor and many women will ultimately decide not to.

“The way that the police respond to complaints of sexual violence and domestic abuse plays a huge part I whether survivors and the wider public trust them, particularly when the complaint is against someone in their own ranks.”

Dawn Brennan CEO of Glasgow women’s safety charity Wise Women said:”This is an extremely disturbing case.

“As Greer was off duty at times of attacks, it would have been challenging to recognise some of his behaviour.

“Improving our ability to recognise and respond to such attitudes is essential. It is significant that many of Greers victims were women exploited through prostitution, as these are some of the most vulnerable women in our community. “This would indicate premediated violence and abuse that was motivated by misogyny and a sense of authority and privilege.”

“If Greer was alive, it is understood police would have sought charges of attempted murder in some of the cases, due to the level of violence used against his victims.”

It has also emerged that Greer used hundreds of women involved in prostitution throughout his police career, and it’s anticipated more victims of his violence will be identified in the coming months.

Police Scotland have appealed for victims of Greer to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff, said: “My thoughts, firstly, are with the victims in this case who have spoken up and reported these allegations, as well as with Alan Greer’s family, friends and colleagues who have been deeply affected by these reports and his death.

“The investigation into this matter is one of the largest and most complex enquiries ever undertaken by the Anti-Corruption Unit and significant work is ongoing to fully ascertain the extent of offending and identify and support as many victims as possible.

“Clearly Alan Greer cannot stand trial for these allegations of serious violent sexual offending, including attempted murder, but this investigation is about identifying and supporting potential victims, giving them a voice, and establishing the full circumstances.

“It is essential that members of the public, victims, and witnesses, feel confident speaking with the police and know the overwhelming majority of our officers serve with professionalism and integrity to protect people, investigate matters, and bring offenders to justice.

“I would encourage anyone with any information or who may be a victim in this case to please come forward and speak to us. You will be listened to and given the support you need.”

“Anyone with information or who thinks they may have been a victim in this case, is asked to please contact the enquiry team.”

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Greer took his own life in May 6 this year after his home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, was raided by police in April.

Seven mobile phones and a laptop were seized during the raid, and Greer was suspended from duty and released pending further enquiries. Thousands of graphic videos and images were found.

Other victims identified include two female police officers Greer had taken inappropriate photographs of while they were training.

It is understood he used multiple pseudonyms and phones during his campaign of abuse.

Greer, who was born in Australia in 1978, joined Strathclyde Police in 2009 before it merged with Police Scotland in 2013

At first, he worked as a uniformed response officer in Glasgow before he secured a job in officer safety training, based in Coatbridge, in about 2016.

When he died in May, he was 47, with a wife and child.

Greer’s family and colleagues are understood to have been unaware of violent double life.

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Emily Moloney, who was once seeing reality TV star Olivia Attwood’s ex-boyfriend Bradley Dack, suffered trolling on social media four months ago after a red-top newspaper alleged that she was dating him again.

She put out a statement furiously denying the accusations, claiming to be the victim of a vicious briefing campaign.

‘This is absolutely out of hand now,’ wrote the self-styled influencer. ‘So, I will say this clearly for you. I am categorically not in a relationship with Brad, nor have I actually ever been.’

Fast-forward to today, and it seems that either Emily was telling porkies in her TikTok post or she has now rekindled her romance with footballer Dack.

Because I hear that he has been spending quite a lot time at her flat in south-east London and, as my exclusive pictures show, they have certainly become very close again.

In fact, last Sunday afternoon they appeared to be inseparable as they drove to her local petrol station in a Land Rover Defender. Dack, dressed in an Adidas football kit, was seen holding a Marks & Spencer food bag as they returned to her car before heading off to enjoy what observers said was a ‘Sunday funday’.

Emily was seen grinning rather smugly as she walked alongside former Blackburn Rovers star Dack, 32.

Sources close to the couple say he has been spending ‘more and more time’ at Emily’s in recent weeks. The couple appear to have quietly reunited following Dack’s shock split from Olivia, 35, in January, amid her secret romance with former The Only Way Is Essex and Strictly Come Dancing star, Pete Wicks.

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As well as enjoying cosy nights in, Dack and Emily went to a Lewis Capaldi gig at London’s Hyde Park a fortnight ago. They both shared images from the show, but didn’t say they were together.

My source says: ‘Olivia clearly had a hunch that Bradley was back with Emily back in March and, of course – in keeping with her carefully orchestrated publicity campaign to get her off the hook for growing close to Pete while still with Bradley – her friends told a newspaper about them.

‘Emily really hit back. She went hard. Maybe they weren’t together at the time, but they really seem to be now. Bradley has been a regular visitor at Emily’s and they certainly had a Sunday funday.

‘Word has got round that they have grown close again – something Emily profusely denied a few months ago. While I’m sure Olivia will be delighted that Bradley has moved on, surely she will now question when he started seeing Emily again. That will surely infuriate her.’

Olivia briefed her split from Dack to a red-top newspaper earlier this year after pictures of her canoodling with Pete in Ibiza emerged last summer. What seemed to be a vicious PR campaign to lay the blame for the split at Dack’s door followed, with sources telling me it was an attempt to save Olivia’s clean-cut reputation as a growing number of people believed her relationships with the men had overlapped.

Friends say that it would have been a ‘travesty’ if she had been portrayed as a two-timer as she continues her bid to be ITV’s replacement for former This Morning host Holly Willoughby.

One accusation which formed part of the smear campaign was that Dack was dating Emily.

The couple are said to have spent ‘more and more time’ with one another in recent weeks

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‘Olivia was very much trying to save her own skin,’ says my source. ‘She wanted the world to think she was the one who had been hard done by, and that Bradley was in the wrong. Maybe she was right with Emily, maybe she wasn’t.

‘But she was furious Emily insisted she wasn’t with Bradley. Now she will absolutely feel vindicated.’

And if these pictures won’t be enough to rile Olivia, her new man Pete also shares an agent with Emily. ‘That will make for some interesting conversations,’ says my snitch.

Olivia began dating Dack in 2015, before she appeared on Love Island. But they split ahead of her going on the show.

On the programme, she met Chris Hughes, who she went on to have a long-term romance with while also making several ITV reality shows.

Yet when they parted ways in 2018, Olivia rekindled her romance with Dack and they got engaged a year later.

Olivia Attwood wants to be former This Morning host Holly Willoughby’s replacement on ITV

Then, in July 2023, they claimed to have got married in a lavish ceremony at the Bvlgari hotel in Knightsbridge and made an ITV show, Olivia Marries Her Match, to feature her big day. In May, the Daily Mail revealed that it wasn’t a legal wedding – and, in fact, they were not married at all.

Dack and Olivia have since left their flash apartment overlooking the Thames in Battersea, south-west London. He has moved back in with his parents – which is close to where Emily lives.

And three months ago pictures of Olivia and Pete kissing in a Soho bar found their way to her preferred tabloid newspaper, which appeared to confirm their romance. They were also spotted sharing a hotel room at the Brit awards in Manchester in late February.

Dack didn’t ever address whether or not he had cheated on Olivia, leaving their fans to make their own minds up.

‘Bradley and Olivia certainly went through some mess,’ says one source. ‘It was pretty toxic at the end. Maybe now they can have their happy ever afters.’