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Former World No 1 tennis star reveals her $41m fortune has ‘vanished’ – as she accuses ex-husband of draining her accounts

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Former World No.1 tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is now broke and currently giving half her earnings to the bank to avoid a prison sentence, she claimed in a bombshell interview

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Former World No 1 tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is now broke and currently giving half her earnings to the bank to avoid a prison sentence after her ex-husband squandered her $41 million fortune, she claimed in a bombshell interview.

‘I fell blindly in love, and he really isn’t the person I thought he was,’ she told Spanish TV show ‘Universo Callejo,’ as quoted by The Sun.

In 2024, a Barcelona-based court found that she and her former husband Josep Santacana committed fraud by hiding assets in an effort to avoid a massive debt to Banque de Luxembourg. But while Santacana was sentenced to three years and three months in jail, Sanchez Vicario got a two-year suspended sentence as a first-time offender.

The former couple, who divorced in 2019, was also ordered to pay €6.6million ($7.5 million, £5.6m) in compensation.

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But as the four-time Grand Slam winner told ‘Universo Callejo,’ she knew nothing of her husband’s financial dealings.

‘I focused on playing tennis and never handled my own financial affairs because I didn’t know how,’ she said, according to The Sun. ‘I trusted my husband… And the [€36million] vanished. I was left to shoulder the entire burden.’

Former World No.1 tennis player Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is now broke and currently giving half her earnings to the bank to avoid a prison sentence, she claimed in a bombshell interview

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Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and her now-ex husband Josep Santacana are seen in 2012

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and her now-ex husband Josep Santacana are seen in 2012 

Josep Santacana talks to the press in Barcelona during his trial on September 12, 2023

Josep Santacana talks to the press in Barcelona during his trial on September 12, 2023

There are some varying accounts on how she’s avoided prison.

In 2024, The Athletic reported that it is customary in Spain for first-time offenders sentenced to two years or less to have those prison terms suspended.

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But as she told ‘Universo Callejo,’ it was only through a financial arrangement with the bank that she managed to stay free.

‘I did not go to jail because I am paying 50 percent of my earnings to the bank,’ she said. ‘I am complying when deep down I was a victim.

‘It was a shock,’ she continued. ‘I had to go to therapy because I couldn’t believe it. It was like waking up from a dream and thinking, ‘This can’t be happening to me.”

The Daily Mail has sought comment from Santacana’s attorney.

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In addition to her four Grand Slam singles titles, Sanchez Vicario also has a pair of Olympic silver and a pair of Olympic bronze medals from the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games

In addition to her four Grand Slam singles titles, Sanchez Vicario also has a pair of Olympic silver and a pair of Olympic bronze medals from the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games

Sanchez Vicario smiles after falling to Monica Seles (left) at the 1991 French Open in Pairs

Sanchez Vicario smiles after falling to Monica Seles (left) at the 1991 French Open in Pairs 

The 54-year-old Sanchez Vicario was part of the generation of tennis stars that followed Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Along with Germany’s Steffi Graf and Yugoslavian-American star Monica Seles, Sanchez Vicario was part of a trio that dominated the sport from 1988 until the mid-1990s arrivals of Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati and the Williams sisters.

In addition to her four Grand Slam singles titles, Sanchez Vicario also has a pair of Olympic silver and a pair of Olympic bronze medals from the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games.

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She and Santacana share a daughter, born in 2009, and a son who was born two years later.

Sanchez Vicario previously accused her parents and older brother of mismanaging her finances in a three-year court battle that ended with a private settlement in 2015. 

Prior to that, she was forced to pay back taxes and penalties after falsely claiming to be a resident of Andorra when she really lived in her native Barcelona.

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Man charged after ‘machete attack’ in Glasgow pub last year

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Daily Record

A 39-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the alleged attack.

A man has been charged by police ten months after an alleged machete attack in a Glasgow pub that left a punter with serious injuries.

Emergency crews were called to Bells Bar in the Springburn area of the city on Friday, September 26, 2025, when a man allegedly hacked at the 39-year-old victim with a blade.

He was rushed to hospital with what was described as serious injuries.

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Following the alleged serious assault on Springburn Way, police began a hunt for the suspect and they have confirmed that a 50-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

He is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

The alleged attack was captured in footage that was reported on by the Record at the time. A man entered the premises while pub goers were singing karaoke and allegedly pulled out a weapon and struck..

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault incident in Springburn.

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The incident happened at a licenced premises on Springburn Way on Friday, 26 September, 2025. A 39-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The 50-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday, 23 July, 2026. He is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.”

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PC Harper’s killers have exposed a flaw in Labour’s sentencing reforms

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PC Harper’s killers have exposed a flaw in Labour’s sentencing reforms

The killing of PC Andrew Harper in 2019 still has the power to shock. Here was a young officer carrying out his duty by investigating a burglary in Berkshire. There were three teenagers involved, and when PC Harper and his colleague tried to apprehend them, the former ended up being dragged behind a car for a mile.

The killers were acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter. It was a crime so heinous, and their remorse so lacking, that it led to the introduction of “Harper’s Law”, which imposes a life sentence for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker.

Unfortunately, but in keeping with constitutional convention, that law cannot act retrospectively; and now there is the repulsive prospect of two of the killers becoming eligible as soon as next June for an earlier release from their jail time under legislation recently passed to reduce prison overcrowding.

The family of PC Harper have been rightly horrified by this development. His widow speaks for many: “It is about whether justice is something we truly believe in, or something that can be negotiated away when it becomes inconvenient.”

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It surely feels like a denial of justice that a punishment duly handed down can be almost arbitrarily reduced, not because of some fresh evidence or other consideration, but simply because the state has so mismanaged things that there are not enough cells available.

More alert to public opinion than Sir Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham has immediately paused the policy and is reviewing it. He wants to ensure that “everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds”.

The pause he has ordered is lawful in the sense that ministers can determine the timetable for its implementation – but any substantive change in its terms would require fresh drafting, and a return to parliament in September, at the earliest.

More pressing still is the fact that HM Prison and Probation Service has to undertake risk assessments and other checks before releases, which take time; and the whole system is in danger of collapsing through overcrowding again before Christmas.

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It is certainly an appalling indictment of the state of the criminal justice system – and there are other disturbing examples emerging of what appear to be unfairness to victims of serious sexual abuse.

Invariably, when ministers are taken to task over this, as they were in the emergency release programme two years ago, they blame their Conservative predecessors. In this, they are now only partially correct.

It is undeniable that, after 14 years in power, the Conservatives only added about 500 spaces to the prison estate. But over the same span, they also systematically boosted the prison population to breaking point. Under successive Tory lord chancellors, the law and sentencing guidelines were inexorably toughened.

Everything that could be done was done, but with minimal investment in the prisons: longer minimum custodial sentences for all levels of crime; prison prioritised over community and other punishments; later eligibility for early release; more whole life orders and fewer tariff reviews for lifers.

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These went down well at party conference and met a public thirst for retribution, and each individual measure might have had merit (such as tougher sentences for house-breaking, for too long considered a minor inconvenience); but the cumulative effect, exacerbated by “austerity” cuts to budgets, was to overwhelm the prison and probation services.

All of that is an inescapable, unforgivable fact. But something does seem to have also gone wrong in Labour’s own legislation, the Sentencing Act, which received royal assent in January.

It implemented the eminently sensible and considered recommendations made in the review of the system by David Gauke, a former Conservative justice secretary, but with some very unfortunate consequences for certain high-profile cases. This suggests that the lines drawn around certain types of crime may now be too lenient.

As Mr Burnham has no doubt also now discovered, the act also makes no allowance for a lord chancellor or justice secretary to review individual cases, although the timings for implementation of the act can be changed. To keep the two killers of PC Harper incarcerated after the existing act eventually comes into force and other inmates are being set free, would break the law.

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So unless the law is changed rapidly, a number of those who really should remain behind bars, as the courts and parliament intended, will in due course be at liberty, even if tagged and on probation. Bu there is now an opportunity for Mr Burnham to respond to public disquiet and make some changes to the act as well as delay its application – though the pressure on space will continue to intensify.

At this point, Mr Burnham could usefully take the opportunity to end the inhuman treatment of people in prison limbo under the old IPP (imprisonment for public protection) regime, and also speed the deportation of foreign offenders. That would certainly create the time and space for a more orderly reassessment of the act’s shortcomings, and avoid some shameful releases.

The prime minister has at least signalled that he has seen the problem, and wants to solve it, even if there’s not much he can practically do about it right now. Here, as elsewhere, he is bumping into the limits of prime ministerial power.

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‘Honour’ gang who bundled victim into car boot before torturing him in shipping container over romance with attackers’ sister is jailed for nearly 40 years

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The 21-year-old victim was snatched from outside his home by masked men after he began a relationship with the sister of two of his attackers

A gang who bundled a man into a car boot before tying him up and torturing him in an ‘honour’ kidnapping because they disapproved of his relationship have been jailed for nearly 40 years.

The 21-year-old victim was snatched from outside his home by masked men after he began a relationship with the sister of two of his attackers.

Harrowing footage captured the moment he was dragged from the property in front of his mother and bundled into the boot of a black Audi A4 in Arleston, Telford, Shropshire, on December 29 last year.

He was then driven from the scene with his legs hanging from the boot – before the kidnappers stopped a short while later to close the door.

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The young man was then taken to a hired shipping container where he was tied to a chair and beaten, before eventually managing to escape by locking himself in the Audi when his kidnappers had left the vehicle before driving off.

Shayyan Hussain, 24, Faheem Chohan, 23, and Ehteshan Hussain, 22, were jailed for seven-and-a-half years while Jawad Hussain, 21, was sentenced to seven years.

All four men, from Telford, previously pleaded guilty to kidnap at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Haider Ali, 22, also of Telford, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of kidnap by a jury. He arrived at the storage container in a second car before transporting other members of the gang from the scene.

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The 21-year-old victim was snatched from outside his home by masked men after he began a relationship with the sister of two of his attackers

The kidnappers sped off down the road with the boot open and feet hanging out, before taking their victim to a shipping container

The kidnappers sped off down the road with the boot open and feet hanging out, before taking their victim to a shipping container

Shayyan Hussain, 24, was one of two brothers who disapproved of their sister's relationship with their friend

Shayyan Hussain, 24, was one of two brothers who disapproved of their sister’s relationship with their friend

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Ehteshan Hussain, 22, and his brother held the principle planning roles in the plot, a court was told

Ehteshan Hussain, 22, and his brother held the principle planning roles in the plot, a court was told

Sentencing, Judge Trevor Meegan said the kidnap was driven by family ‘honour’, adding it was not done on ‘impulse’ but showed a large amount of preparation.

He said the Hussain brothers ‘occupied a leading operational role’ and did most of the planning, while Faheem Chohan and Jawad Hussain both ‘willingly participated’ in the kidnap and assault.

The judge added: ‘This was a deeply troubling offence of abduction and abuse of a young man to terrify and degrade him.’

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Prosecutor Jack Guise said the motive of the kidnapping was that the victim – who had been a lifelong friend of the gang – had entered a relationship with the sister of the Hussain brothers.

He said: ‘Prior to the date of the kidnapping, the victim and defendants were not strangers.

‘The families came from the same village in Pakistan; two of the defendants are brothers, the other two are cousins, albeit distant cousins.

‘They went on holiday together and ate family meals together… they went to the same mosque.’

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But Mr Guise said the relationship between the victim and the other men soured when he began messaging the sister of the Hussain brothers as the pair ‘did not approve’ of the relationship.

The court heard prior to the kidnapping there were a number of incidents of cars driving past the victim’s house or following him on the motorway as he drove to work, in an attempt to warn him off the relationship.

On one occasion, when in a car with his brother, one of the defendants confronted the victim with a baseball bat.

The gang took their victim to a rented storage contained where he was tied up and beaten

The gang took their victim to a rented storage contained where he was tied up and beaten

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The gang had to stop on their journey to close the car boot after their victim was left hanging out

The gang had to stop on their journey to close the car boot after their victim was left hanging out

Mr Guise said on the day of the kidnap, the victim was at home with his mother while an electrician was doing some work in the house.

An Audi pulled up outside the house at 2.18pm and three men got out and charged into the property.

They barged past the electrician and grabbed the victim dragging him outside and bundling him into the boot of a black Audi A4.

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Shocking CCTV footage showed the victim’s mother running after her son whilst screaming, before one of the men callously shoved her to the ground as she tried to stop the men leaving.

A fourth masked man was behind the wheel and he drove off with two of the defendants in the car and the third defendant and victim in the boot.

The vehicle drove through Wellington, Telford with the men hanging out of the back of the boot, until it came to a brief halt, at which point the third kidnapper exited the boot and closed it.

Eventually the car stopped at a storage unit in Eyton, Shropshire, where Ehteshan Hussain had leased a secure storage container.

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The victim was taken inside, stripped, bound to a chair and repeatedly punched by the four kidnappers.

Mr Guise said the ‘torture’ continued with the four men recording videos of the beatings, making their victim apologise on camera to the two brothers’ father.

Ali arrived 20 minutes after the gang of four in a Volkswagen, before leaving ten minutes later with Jawad, and Shayyan in the Audi, which the trio then dumped at Lilleshall Golf Club. 

Jawad Hussain, 21, was jailed for seven years for his role in the plot

Jawad Hussain, 21, was jailed for seven years for his role in the plot

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Faheem Chohan, 23, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at court this week

Faheem Chohan, 23, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at court this week

Haider Ali pleaded not guilty to kidnap, but was convicted by a jury - he has now been sentenced to seven years in prison

Haider Ali pleaded not guilty to kidnap, but was convicted by a jury – he has now been sentenced to seven years in prison

Ali then dropped Shayyan and Jawad off at a different address in Arleston before returning to the unit in the Volkswagen to collect Ehteshan and Chohan.

After they had left, leaving the man tied up in the dark, the father of the victim was called and £20,000 was demanded from the family.

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The caller threatened to kill the victim by throwing him off a bridge and said if they did not pay, the victim would ‘not be coming home’.

The abandoned Audi was later spotted and reported to police with CCTV able to lead police to Ali.

While Ali was in police custody, a video of the victim being tortured by the kidnappers was sent to his phone at 7.11pm.

Using this, officers were able to identify the four other kidnappers as Jawad, Ehteshan, Shayyan and Chohan.

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During this time the gang went back to the unit just before 8pm and put the victim into a car, then drove towards north Shropshire.

At 9.58pm police received a call from a takeaway in Whitchurch, Shropshire, stating a man was claiming to have escaped kidnap and was seriously injured. Officers attended and identified him as the victim.

He told officers that while the gang was out of the car, he was able to lock the doors and, noticing the keys in the ignition, drive to safety. 

He was then taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries, including a fractured eye socket, injuries to the ribs and bruising on his hands and arms.

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The victim was also able to confirm the identities of the four men, and officers arrested Jawad Hussain, Ehteshan Hussain and Chohan, while Shayyan Hussain handed himself into police the following day.

In a victim impact statement the young man said he now ‘rarely leaves the house’ adding the ‘kidnap has changed my life’.

Jawad, Ehteshan, Chohan and Shayyan pleaded guilty to kidnap in January 2026. Ali pleaded not guilty to the charge but was found guilty following a two-week trial last month. 

A sixth man who also stood trial for kidnap was found not guilty of any involvement.

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Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse said: ‘This was a horrifying ordeal for the victim, who was kidnapped by men he had considered friends for much of his life.

‘He was dragged from his home, held against his will, subjected to a violent assault and threatened with death. The actions of these men were both cruel and calculated, and the sentences handed to them reflect the seriousness of their offending.

‘I would like to commend the victim for the courage and resilience he has shown throughout this investigation and court process.’

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Savera UK is a leading charity working to end ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and other harmful practices, including forced marriage, spiritual abuse and conversion ‘therapy’. 

It provides lifesaving and life-changing services for survivors and those at risk, regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or gender, and help and advice for professionals, training and education, research and campaign work.

National helpline: 0800 107 0726 (10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday)

Get help online: https://www.saverauk.co.uk/I-need-help/

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If you are at immediate risk, please ring 999

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M6 traffic live: Massive offal spillage near Stafford sparks 90 minute delays

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Daily Mirror

National Highways says traffic can only pass in lane one northbound.

A statement said: “Lanes 2, 3, and 4 (of 4) are closed on the M6 northbound between J14 and J15 due to a significant offal spillage. Traffic can still pass the scene of the incident in lane 1.

“Initial attempts to arrange specialist cleanup equipment at the scene were unsuccessful. Alternative arrangements have now been made with neighbouring regional teams to bring the necessary equipment to the site.

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“The incident is causing severe delays of up to 90 minutes between J12 and J15 of the M6 with very heavy congestion for up to 7 miles.”

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Wisconsin voters seek ability to file new absentee ballots under lawsuit

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Wisconsin voters seek ability to file new absentee ballots under lawsuit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin voters who have already returned their absentee ballots could void those and request a new one under a lawsuit filed Thursday by three people supported by the state’s Democratic Party, which is going through a chaotic primary for governor.

The move would allow voters who have already cast their ballot for a candidate who has dropped out of the race to cast a new ballot. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out last week, and a day later, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who had bowed out on July 8, reentered the race.

Rodriguez’s name remains on the ballot, along with former state economic development director Missy Hughes, who dropped out in June.

The winner of the primary will advance to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has only token opposition in his party’s primary. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is not seeking a third term, and his party hopes to keep the office and flip both chambers of the Legislature to gain full control of state government for the first time since 2010.

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There is not much time for courts to act on the lawsuit before the Aug. 11 primary. The voters filed the lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court, located in Wisconsin’s liberal capital city of Madison.

The lawsuit asks a judge to order the Wisconsin Elections Commission not to distribute its guidance to the roughly 2,000 clerks who run elections at the local level that says voters can’t request a new ballot. The commission voted on July 9 to issue the guidance.

Nearly 91,000 people have already returned their absentee ballots, according to the elections commission. As it stands now, any voter who cast their absentee ballot for Rodriguez or Hughes could not request a new ballot to vote for someone still in the race.

Without court action, “potentially thousands more Wisconsin voters” in addition to the three who filed the lawsuit “will be disenfranchised,” the complaint said.

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The lawsuit argues that the commission’s position violates state law and the Wisconsin Constitution’s guarantees of the right to vote and equal protection under the law.

Spokespeople for the elections commission and the state Department of Justice, which would defend the commission in the lawsuit, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The rarely used practice, known as ballot spoiling, allows an absentee voter who has already submitted their ballot to request a new one and cancel the previously cast one. It was the subject of a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Republican group, where a Waukesha County judge agreed the elections commission must rescind its guidance allowing for spoiling of ballots.

However, a state appeals court put that on hold just weeks before the midterm election that fall.

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Then in February, a state appeals court repealed the ruling, saying the lawsuit was not properly served. The appeals court did not address the merits of the case.

Despite that ruling, the elections commission voted 4-2 to prohibit voters who have already turned in their absentee ballot from getting a new one. One Democratic commissioner joined with three Republicans in voting in favor of the prohibition. Two Democrats voted against it.

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Soho stabbing live: Police swarm London tourist area as ‘everyone panicking’

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Daily Mirror

Below is all the information the Metropolitan Police have released regarding todat’s stabbing in the centre of Soho.

The force told the Mirror: “Police are investigating the stabbing of a man in the centre of Soho.

“At 16:28hrs on Thursday, 23 July, Met officers were called by the London Ambulance Service to attend Greek Street, Soho, following reports of a stabbing.

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“At the scene a man in his 30s was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital with a stab wound to the leg. His condition has since been confirmed as non-life-threatening and non-life-changing.

“There were no other reported injuries.

“Urgent enquiries are ongoing. At this early stage of the investigation no arrests have been made.”

Inspector Hannah Woodfield, who polices central west London, added: “We understand news of this evening’s incident will be concerning for those visiting central London and of course the local community.

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“This is believed to be an isolated incident, with no further threat to the public.

Met officers will remain in the Soho area for the rest of this evening, carrying out additional patrols. If you have any questions or concerns, do feel free to approach us.”

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 5506/23JUL or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Helicopter finally deployed to fight Welsh wildfires day before rain is set to hit

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Wales Online

Firefighters have been battling significant wildfires in Blaenavon and Harlech for much of this week

A specialist firefighting helicopter will finally be deployed to help crews fighting one of a number of significant wildfires in Wales this week. It comes after days of calls from local residents, farmers and politicians in areas being scorched by blazes but only hours before rain is set to hit the country, after weeks of dry weather.

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Fire crews have been battling a number of blazes across Wales across areas the size of hundreds of football pitches. Some of the worst fires include one in Blaenavon, which created smoke that people could smell up to 30 miles away, as well as one at the Rhinogydd mountains near Harlech in north Wales which first broke out 11 days ago. North Wales Fire & Rescue Service confirmed tonight (Thursday)) that firefighters are battling a grass fire on Bangor Mountain in Gwynedd.

On Wednesday, the Welsh Government said it had activated “crisis management arrangements” in response to the large number of significant wildfires. It added that it had been told by the Ministry of Defence that there are no helicopters available to help crews on the ground tackle the blazes, something which has drawn criticism from residents and farmers in areas affected by wildfires.

However, on Thursday, Natural Resources Wales confirmed a specialist firefighting helicopter would be deployed to Rhinogydd on Friday morning to support the ongoing response to the wildfire.

According to the latest forecast, rain is due to fall in Wales for the first time in weeks on Saturday, which experts hope will help with the wildfires.

The forecast shows rain arriving in north Wales by early Saturday afternoon, before it move southwards towards mid-Wales by late afternoon.

While Saturday will be mostly dry for the remainder, heavy rain will return in the small hours of Sunday. By mid-morning, both Swansea and Cardiff will have seen downpours. Rain only worsens in the early afternoon of Sunday, as most of Wales will be under rainclouds. Scattered showers will remain for the rest of the weekend.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) welcomed the development: “This follows sustained efforts to secure aerial support during a period of exceptional demand from wildfire incidents elsewhere in the UK.

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“The helicopter will make a vital contribution to the response, working alongside the dedicated efforts of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews and our own teams, who have been supporting the incident response on the ground throughout.

“For more than a week, our staff, contractors and partners have been working around the clock to respond to this incident, and we will continue to support North Wales Fire and Rescue Service colleagues in the days ahead.

“While the helicopter is being deployed to support the response in the Rhinogydd, its availability will continue to be assessed in line with operational needs across Wales and the wider UK.

“Should other fire and rescue services require aerial support for incidents in their area, we will remain in close contact to understand those needs and consider how best to assist alongside partner agencies. We would like to thank everyone involved in the response, including Fire and Rescue Service colleagues, landowners, contractors and local communities.”

Welsh Government cabinet member Siân Gwenllian confirmed that multi-agency responses to both the Blaenavon and Harlech are ongoing, with agencies working to achieve additional support across fire services.

Ms Gwenllian, the local government minister, said: “The fires at Rhinogydd and Blaenavon are currently the two most significant wildfire incidents in Wales. Both remain active and are being managed reflecting the efforts of those involved. Other wildfires have been successfully brought under control and are now being monitored and dampened down – demonstrating both the hard work, expertise and professionalism of our fire service.

“The Rhinogydd fire has developed gradually, and we have been informed by the emergency services that significant progress has been made in tackling the fire following the expansion of the affected area. I have received confirmation that additional appliances have been deployed, firebreaks have been created and key forestry assets have been protected. Work continues at the site, and I will receive a further briefing in the coming days from those involved in the operation.

“The fire at Blaenavon is currently the priority for ground operations. Fire and rescue services and Natural Resources Wales are on site, undertaking difficult containment work in challenging conditions. The incident has produced a significant amount of smoke, which I know will be of concern to members representing the area and to local residents. However, officials have advised that there is currently no threat to life or property. The fire is expected to continue burning for several days, and firefighters remain at the scene to prevent it spreading further and putting lives, wildlife and property at risk.”

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7 Samsung smartwatches more affordable than the new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2

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Manchester Evening News

Samsung announced its latest range of Galaxy Watches this week

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Samsung has officially unveiled a range of new products following its most recent Galaxy Unpacked event yesterday (July 22). Alongside a whole new range of foldable phones via the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra. While this marks a new era for Samsung’s foldable options, many fans of the tech giant will also be interested in its latest range of smartwatches.

The Galaxy Watch9 series was announced by Samsung with a focus on tracking a variety of health metrics and helping users lead a healthier lifestyle. This includes providing a daily rating of your general health quality, based on your overall health behaviours.

Despite this, the Galaxy Watch9 and Ultra 2 can cost upwards of £600, making them inaccessible for many users who are more price-conscious. Fortunately, though, there are plenty of other Galaxy watches out there that share most of the same features of the Watch 9 series.

READ MORE: Samsung fans snap up £1,448 Galaxy Ultra phone for just £379 ahead of major launch

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READ MORE: Dusk launches huge 60% off summer sale heavily reducing bedding sets, chairs, rugs, lamps and curtains to as little as £5

To help you make the right choice on your next smart watch, we’ve broken down some of the top Samsung smartwatch deals we could find available right now…

Samsung Galaxy Watch7 40 mm – From £9 a month

The Galaxy Watch7 features a vibrant Super AMOLED display that makes it capable of showing especially deep blacks and vibrant colours. Being powered by an Exynos processor, the watch is also capable of tracking a wide variety of metrics via its BioActive sensor.

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This includes ECG, sleep tracking, and even detecting if you experience sleep apnoea at night. Sky Mobile is currently allowing customers to get their hands on a 40mm Galaxy Watch7 for as low as £9 a month with a 36-month contract, with the green and cream colour currently available.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – From £15 a month

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is the rugged cousin to Samsung’s wearable series, coming complete with a bulky titanium casing. The watch i also suited for a variety of situations outside, being rated 10ATM water resistant, which allows you to keep it on even when swimming.

It also makes use of Galaxy AI to provide a variety of health insights, compiling your health metrics altogether in one place. Currently, O2 is giving tech shoppers the chance to get the watch for as low as £15.45 a month with a £1 upfront payment as part of a 48-month contract.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch8 40mm – From £369 to £309

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 comes equipped with AI capabilities that can track your health and even offer sleep coaching alongside real-time fitness coaching. It includes a 3nm processor, which also helps to ensure it can deliver fast performance without experiencing any lag or stutters.

Meanwhile, its included sports band provides extra cushioning, which is owed to its silicone material that is also breathable.

Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic – From £499 to £399

Sporting a slightly more refined design, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic features a cushion design with rotating bezels and a quick button. This is paired with a Dynamic Lug System that makes switching between watch bands much easier.

It also comes equipped with Samsung’s One UI 8, which can help users quickly access all of their favourite apps easily without much mucking around with the interface.

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro (Renewed) – From £96

Despite being an older model, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro is still capable of many of the features boasted by newer models. This includes health monitoring and fitness tracking.

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All of this is paired with a larger 45mm casing, putting it in the sweetspot for a wide variety of wrist sizes. This watch is being offered via the Amazon Renewed Store, which essentially puts the watch in the same grade as a refurbished product, meaning that it could show previous signs of wear and tear, such as micro scratches, but should still work as expected.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic – From £229 to £99

The Galaxy Watch6 Classic can offer a fast and smooth performance and provide real-time health monitoring. This is paired with a sleek design that’s not too bulky when compared to some of Samsung’s bulkier models.

The watch also comes with a built-in GPS for accurate tracking, even when you don’t have your phone with you to pair with it. Keep in mind, though, that the watch being offered by Wowcher is a refurbished model, which means it will likely have had previous owners and could show signs of wear and tear.

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Samsung Galaxy Fit3 – From £59 to £39.89

If you would prefer a smaller watch focused on tracking your health, then the Galaxy Fit3 is perfect for you. Coming in a smaller square shape, rather than the traditional circular watch design, this watch is great for those who want a wearable while doing various sports without it getting in the way.

The model currently on offer is in a Pink Gold colourway, with a black and white colour also available, although prices on this may vary.

Apple Watch SE Series 2 – From £299 to £124

If you would prefer a watch built for the Apple ecosystem, then the Apple Watch SE Series 2 could be the best choice. The watch provides a variety of fitness tracking and health metric capabilities which can all be shared and monitored within the included Apple Health app on both the watch and your iPhone.

The watch on offer is a refurbished model; however, it has been ‘professionally refurbished’ on Back Market, which helps to ensure it still works as expected.

Google Pixel Watch 4 – £349

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is another Android-focused smartwatch that is capable of providing health metric tracking. It also comes with a slim and domed display for a better viewing experience, regardless of what you’re using it for.

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The watch is also compatible with Google Gemini, allowing you to use its AI capabilities completely hands-free when paired with a compatible Android device.

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Trump ally Laura Loomer meets Zelensky in striking reversal on Ukraine war

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Trump ally Laura Loomer meets Zelensky in striking reversal on Ukraine war

Laura Loomer, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump known for her incendiary social media commentary, held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, following a significant shift in her stance on the conflict that could have political implications in Washington.

For years, Loomer had downplayed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and disseminated Russian propaganda to her nearly two million followers. However, this week marked a notable change of heart for the activist.

“Just experienced my first air raid in Ukraine. Sirens blaring. This is everyday for every Ukrainian,” Loomer posted on X. “I often said I don’t care. Looking back, that wasn’t very nice of me to say.”

This meetings represents a striking reversal for Loomer
This meetings represents a striking reversal for Loomer (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP via Getty Images)

This represents a striking reversal for Loomer, who had previously spent years criticizing U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense, labeling the nation “a country full of Nazi apologists” — a claim Russia has used to justify its prolonged invasion — and asserting it was “led by a Jihadi apologist.”

The skepticism of Ukraine has been shared by other high profile conservative influencers, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

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The meeting with Zelenskyy was confirmed by Dmytro Lytvyn, a spokesperson for the president, who said that no Ukrainian government institution had organized the visit. He added that Zelenskyy’s office first learned that Loomer was in Ukraine through social media.

“It is really important that @LauraLoomer is in Ukraine and sees things with her own eyes as they are,” Zelenskyy’s office had written Tuesday.

“It takes courage to come to Ukraine and not be deterred by Russian propaganda or air raid sirens. Thank you, Laura,” they added Thursday.

Loomer did not respond to a request for comment.

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In addition to the meeting with Zelenskyy, Loomer also visited the Dormition Cathedral of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the country’s most significant religious landmarks, which came under Russian attack last month.

The attack on the monastic complex of golden domes in the heart of Kyiv, which is also known as the Monastery of the Caves, sparked a fire that caused significant interior and exterior damage, according to UNESCO. Zelenskyy had called it Moscow’s “biggest crime yet against Christian culture.”

Russia denied responsibility for the attack, claiming, without offering evidence, that the complex was hit by one of Ukraine’s U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles — saying that it might have veered off course due to its age.

In a video recorded from inside the church, Loomer accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of hypocrisy by portraying Russia as pro-Christian.

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“I just don’t think that you should be allowed to say that you’re protecting Christianity if you’re trying to drone strike Jesus Christ,” she said.

Sergiy Kyslytsya and Tetyana Berezhna, two top Ukrainian officials, were among those who met with Loomer and joined her for the visit.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the trip.

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Dead police officer investigated over sex offences and attempted murder

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Dead police officer investigated over sex offences and attempted murder

“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.

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