Police have reportedly used pepper spray and tear gas as thousands of people held protests in Australia over the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

Mr Herzog is in the country this week after an invitation from Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December that killed at least 15 people.

But some people have criticised the trip, accusing Mr Herzog of being “complicit” in the large number of civilian deaths in Gaza and angry at how Israel has waged the war against the militant group Hamas.

In Sydney, ‍thousands gathered in a square, listening to speeches and shouting pro-Palestine slogans.

Police used pepper spray and tear gas to push back groups of people who ​were trying to breach the line and several arrests were made, Reuters news agency reported.

Protests were also held in Melbourne, where Mr Herzog is due to visit later this week.

Jackson ‌Elliott, a 30-year-old protester from Sydney, told Reuters: “The Bondi massacre was terrible but from our Australian leadership there’s been no acknowledgment of the Palestinian people and the Gazans.

“Herzog has dodged all the questions about the occupation and says this visit is about Australia and Israeli relations but he is ‌complicit.”

The Palestine Action Group, which organised the Sydney protest, had unsuccessfully mounted a legal challenge in a court on Monday over restrictions placed on the demonstration.

Authorities in Sydney had been authorised to use rarely invoked powers during the visit, including the ability to ‍separate and move crowds and restrict their entry to certain areas.

The Jewish Council of Australia, a vocal critic of the Israeli government, released an open letter on Monday signed by over 1,000 Jewish Australian academics and community leaders, urging Mr Albanese to rescind ‍Mr Herzog’s invitation.

Other Jewish groups have welcomed the visit of Mr Herzog, saying it will “lift the spirits of a pained community”.

At the beginning of his visit, Mr Herzog met the families of victims and survivors of the attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach on 14 December.

At the site, he said: “This was also an attack on all Australians.

“They attacked the values that our democracies treasure, the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect.”

He also laid a wreath and two stones he had brought from Jerusalem.

Along with his visits to Sydney and Melbourne, Mr Herzog is also due to arrive in the capital Canberra before he returns to Israel on Thursday.

North Yorkshire Police said it was called to Khyber Pass, Whitby, just after 6pm yesterday evening (February 8) after reports that a man was in the water.

Officers attended alongside North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

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The man was pulled from the water by members of the public, however, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the family of a 75-year‑old man from Middlesborough have been informed.

A spokesperson for the force said: “There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the man’s death, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

“We would like to thank everyone involved, especially the members of the public who risked their own safety in an effort to save him. Our thoughts are with them [the man’s family] at this extremely difficult time.”

The retailer revealed plans for new large and Express stores across the UK

Major supermarket Tesco has announced plans to open 11 new store across the UK this year. The new openings will include a number of Express and large stores.

The move comes after Tesco opened 60 new Express stores last year, with the supermarket saying it is on track to deliver a further 70 Express stores before March next year.

Over the next year, Tesco plans to open a number of Express stores across the UK, including in Bickington, in Devon; Pontrhydyrun, in Torfaen; Strabane, in County Tyrone and Wallyford, in East Lothian. The retailer has also outlined plans to open two large sites across Scotland this year, in Pitlochry and Heartlands.

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As part of its plans, Tesco will also look to reopen five former Amazon Fresh stores in London, which it previously acquired. These sites will reopen as Express stores in Kensington High Street, Hounslow, Moorgate, Aldgate East and Wembley before the summer.

Nick Johnson, Tesco Group Property Director, said: “As one of the UK’s leading retailers, we support jobs and local economies up and down the UK, and as we grow our store network we’re delighted to have the opportunity to serve even more people, in even more communities.

“We are hugely excited about the year ahead and looking forward to meeting our customers where they are with great quality, exceptional value and brilliant customer service.”

The announcement also comes after Tesco was named as the UK’s cheapest supermarket for a big shop as part of Which?’s monthly price comparison. This was the first time in over a year that the supermarket had taken the title in Which?’s comparison, and saw Tesco overtaking rival supermarket Asda.

Confirmed locations of new Tesco stores

New Tesco Express store locations

• Kensington High Street, London
• Hounslow, London
• Moorgate, London
• Aldgate East, London
• Wembley, London
• Bickington, Devon
• Pontrhydyrun, Torfaen
• Strabane, County Tyrone
• Wallyford, East Lothian

New Tesco large store locations

What people didn’t realise until afterwards, though, is that there was more to this set design than met the eye.

After Bad Bunny’s performance was over, people at the Levi’s Stadium in California began sharing their own behind-the-scenes footage, which revealed that many of the trees used in the routine weren’t actually props or set dressing, but full-scale costumes being worn by real people, to make it easier to assemble and dismantle without disrupting the central football game.

Kim Kardashian was channelling the Baywatch icon as she stepped out for her first public appearance with the F1 star at the Super Bowl

Kim Kardashian stepped out with her new man, FI star Lewis Hamilton, on Sunday night rocking a distinctly 90s vibe.

The reality star channelled 90s-era Pamela Anderson during the pair’s first public date at the Super Bowl, after dating secretly for a few weeks, with a fake, clip-in fringe and an oversized choker.

The 45-year-old mum-of-four’s new look, which she has previously tried out for size to the CFDA in 2023, was inspired by the Baywatch icon, according to her hairdresser at the time.

And new man Lewis, 41, must have been delighted as he is thought to love all things 90s, as he rocked up for their big debut himself in double denim.

His love for the decade even spans into iconic 90s cars – in particular, Ayrton Senna’s 1990 McLaren and donning nostalgic 90s national team tracksuits. Lewis also has a penchant for 90s cinema – his favourite film thought to be 1993 classic Cool Runnings.

And his famous lady’s long-term hairstylist Chris Appleton posted a picture of Kim’s new look on socials and wrote: ‘Super Bowl bangs’ and previously discussed the secret behind her clip-in fringe.

He told Vogue: “The look was inspired by ’90s Pammy. It was a much more undone look than we’ve done previously and adding piecey bangs really gave it a lived-in finish.

“I followed her cheekbones for placement. Kim and I worked visually, just grabbing hair and pinning it into place. From there, the key element was getting the separation in the bangs.”

Before Sunday night’s cute debut in front of thousands of sporting fans also enjoying the game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the power couple had been spotted checking into exclusive hotel Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds.

They enjoyed an intimate dinner and a couple’s massage as part of their romantic weekend getaway to the A-lister favourite, followed by a trip to Paris, where Kim was promoting her Nike SKIMS line.

Kim and Lewis have enjoyed a friendship for years, before it turned into something deeper. And now a lip reader has claimed that a conversation between the two at the Super Bowl suggests Lewis promised his new girlfriend she would meet his mum in a now viral clip.

‘No I don’t take just any girl to my mom, I mean you’re gonna meet someday, she is very excited to see you,’ he reportedly said to Kim, according to expert Nicola Hickling, the founder of LipReader.

Hickling told the Daily Mail that Kim appeared to ‘shuffle uncomfortably in her seat’ and covered her face ‘before replying with a simple okay’.

Meanwhile body language expert Judi James revealed to the Daily Mail how Kim used a ‘hot and cool’ flirting technique that left Lewis ‘purring’.

‘Firstly, there is the pose that registers undivided attention between them, which is a form of non-verbal stroke when you’re on a date,’ James said, dissecting their interaction.

‘Kim actually leans back to take in Lewis visually as he speaks and this flattering “stroke” produces a “purr” response from him which is visible in the way his facial features soften and he talks through a smile of pleasure.’

James noted that, ‘Kim adds to the flirting when the tip of her tongue appears at the side of her mouth. This is usually seen as a gesture of playful desire or interest.’

‘But then she seems to switch to a very smart technique of intense interest followed by distraction, suddenly looking away after bathing Lewis in her interested gaze.’

‘She even brings one hand up to touch her hair and hide her face from him. This hot/cool body language technique is used to capture someone’s attention and to get them to coax the signals of interest back again,’ James observed.

‘Kim’s hand to hair gesture looks like a preen here, suggesting she sees Lewis as a very suitable “catch” to show off with pride at this public event.’

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Belonging Is A Fragile Thing

‘I Am Tired Of Translating Myself’

Emma Herring, from Chester-le-Street, was diagnosed with the worst stage of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in her chest and neck, at the end of November last year after raising concerns with herself months before.

From April 2025, Emma continued to go to her GP with concerns of increased heartrate, out of breathiness, and chest pain.

Emma has struggled looking at herself whilst she was bald as she said she was ‘never fully prepared to lose her hair’ (Image: EMMA HERRING)

However, because of her age, and previous diagnosis of anxiety when she was younger the doctors initially put it down to this.

She was prescribed Propranolol but because her symptoms remained she eventually went to A&E.

From there she had an ECG appointment and left it at that. Emma returned to work as an Optical Assistant for Specsavers until the next day when she was asked to immediately go in to the hospital.

The cancer found on Emma’s chest and neck including a seven and a four inch tumour (Image: EMMA HERRING)

Emma said: “I am not usually one to call in sick or anything, so I didn’t want to leave work early when the hospital told me to come straight in. I was just going to go after my shift finished, but the hospital put my manager on the phone and said I had to go straight away.

“We then rushed there – and that is when we were told it was stage 4 cancer, the most advanced stage you can get, and I didn’t believe it.

“I was told that I had a seven-inch tumour in my chest and four-inch tumour in my neck. It was and still is the scariest thing I have ever gone through in my life.”

Emma struggled losing her hair that she said ‘was part of her identity’ (Image: EMMA HERRING)

Now, Emma is urging others, especially young people, who like her think ‘they will never get cancer at this age’ to go get themselves checked if anything at all doesn’t feel right.

Emma said: “I ask myself the questions everyday that if I was just properly listened to and sent for earlier tests if my cancer would not have got to this stage.

“If one person learns from my story and persists in getting checked if they feel something is wrong then I will be so pleased as it has gone too far for me now.

“The whole process is so frustrating as I knew something was wrong and that is why I kept going back.

“You think they know best but honestly people need to trust themselves when something doesn’t feel right as I knew. However, I would have never imagined that it would be stage four cancer.

“It got to the point, because the cancer was eating away at my bone that I couldn’t properly change gear in my car because of pain and if something would have been done when I first went in April I believe that the cancer wouldn’t have spread that much.

“This will have a lifelong impact on me now as I wait to see whether I am infertile or what my options are, it is always going to be in the back of my mind as I can only wonder what would have happened.

“It is really scary to think what could have happened if it was left any longer as it had already spread to my bone. It could have killed me.

“Every day is so different and I am just trying to take each day as it comes. I have realised worrying or being scared or sad will not change anything and I’m just being positive.”

The lump that eventually developed on Emma’s neck that turned out to be a four inch tumour (Image: EMMA HERRING)

Although recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma has a high success rate, Emma said the experience has been anything but easy.

Emma said: “It has all just been really rubbish, my hair was my identity. Everyone said I would lose my hair and I knew that I just didn’t expect it to be that quick – I think I wasn’t fully ready.”

She is mid-way through an aggressive chemotherapy round that in total will last around six months.

Emma will then have to wait six weeks to have tests to see if the cancer has cleared- if it hasn’t she will then potentially have to undergo further radiotherapy and take it from there.

Emma Herring, 22, from Chester-le-Street (Image: EMMA HERRING)

She said the physical toll of treatment has left her needing help with everyday tasks, adding: “It has really affected me mentally but also physically as well. I have to sometimes get my mum to help me out of the shower and I am 22.

“I just never ever expected to get cancer, especially not at this age. I was finally getting to a happy place in my life, got my own flat and now it has all gone away from me.

“The latest scans are looking positive with a lot of the cancer going, but only time can tell with these things as we need to make sure the cancer has stopped regenerating.”

Emma had naturally long, thick and ginger hair (Image: EMMA HERRING)

Unable to work during treatment, she is also facing mounting financial pressures while waiting to find out whether she qualifies for additional support.

At the suggestion of friends and family, she set up a GoFundMe appeal to help cover essential costs, including travel to hospital.

It has already raised more than £1,600. You can support her fundraiser here.

Emma added: “Bills are also adding up as they don’t stop when you get cancer which is hard.

“I am on the sick, but because my chemo is intense but short, I don’t know whether I will qualify for additional help. I have applied, but it is a lengthy process, and in the meantime it is all so hard.

“Even the cost of the Tyne Tunnel to go to hospital for treatment and petrol is costing hundreds a month and with everything else and not being able to work, it is really adding up.”

Boyzone singer Keith Duffy had a proud dad moment as his daughter Mia, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, showed off her impressive Titanic knowledge

A Boyzone star paid special tribute to workers at the Titanic museum for going above and beyond for his daughter. Keith Duffy‘s daughter Mia, 25, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, was offered a private tour of the Belfast-based attraction.

Keith, 51, has campaigned for autism awareness since his daughter’s diagnosis and has raised funds through his Keith Duffy Foundation for other children effected. But it was a recent trip north of the border for the Irish star that brought a lot of joy for himself and Mia. Explaining how his daughter’s specialist subject is doomed ship Titanic, he discussed how he organised a private tour for her.

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After explaining to the museum about his daughter’s condition which impacts her dealing with queues, the singer was thrilled the attraction stepped up and offered them a private tour before the doors opened to the public.

Keith found himself in awe of his daughter’s vast knowledge during the trip, saying she quickly took over the tour guide when it came to hosting duties.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the proud dad said: “I could see her getting very anxious and I didn’t know what was wrong, and the young lady was a little embarrassed because it was me, you could see she was self-conscious.

“She says, ‘Now this is the engine room and on the left side of the engine room, which is the portside, they didn’t fire up the engines unless they needed to get to speed, they predominately used the right side so the riveting bolts for the steel patches, they used 365,000 bolts for each sheet.’

“At this stage the hand goes up from Mia, ‘Actually it was the starboard side that they used 365,000, it was 265,000 on this side because they didn’t burn the engine as great.’ And she starts giving all these facts.”

Keith went on to say how Mia continued to reel off information about the voyage, correcting the tour guide on occasion. It was then that Keith joked to the tour guide she could join him and let Mia take over the discussion.

“I said to the girl, ‘You come over here,’ and she came over and I put my arm round her and said, ‘Me and you will take the tour, we’ll let Mia give it.’ So I said, ‘Alright Mia, you tell us about it now!’ So she took over and look, it was great craic.”

With Boyzone ready to reunite, the singer also revealed there is no rivalry with fellow Irish artists, Westlife. For years, the two bands were under the same umbrella, with fans divided as to who they liked most.

But Keith has admitted he sees “no rivalry” between the groups. It comes as he continues to also tour with Westlife star Brian McFadden The duo have been performing under the identity, BoyzLife.

And he said starring in the duo forced him to relearn how to sing Boyzone songs. He claimed he needed to go back to the drawing board after he spent much of his time in the band on backing vocals.

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Police were called at 1.15pm on Thursday, February 5, to student housing in Victoria Street, Preston, to a report of a sudden death.

Officers found the body of a woman inside. She has been named as student Carla Georgescu, 19.

Lancashire Police said her death is being treated as suspicious and a murder investigation is underway.

As part of their enquiries, officers have arrested a 34-year-old man from Hartlepool, who was known to Ms Georgescu, and he is currently in custody.

The university said he was “unconnected” to the establishment.

Detectives say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Officers have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries in streets around the university, as well as searches using police dogs and a drone.

The force said they understand the death and the visible police activity will be concerning for people in the area, but stressed that a dedicated team of detectives and uniformed officers is working to establish exactly what happened.

Police have urged anyone with information or concerns to speak to an officer in the area or call 101, quoting log 0560 of February 5.