Fernando Alonso did not even take to the track in first practice at the Australian Grand Prix as Aston Martin’s torrid start to the 2026 F1 season continued.

Aston team principal Adrian Newey revealed on Thursday that both Alonso, 44, and teammate Lance Stroll, 27, are unable to complete consecutive laps before vibrations from the Honda power unit cause pain in their hands.

Newey added that both drivers were concerned about “permanent nerve damage” if they completed more than 25 consecutive laps, in Alonso’s case, or 15 laps in Stroll’s case.

As a result, Aston look unlikely to finish the season-opening 58-lap race in Melbourne on Sunday – and the team’s issues continued on Friday, with Alonso withdrawn from FP1.

An Aston spokesperson said: “We’ve found a suspected power unit issue which will prevent Fernando Alonso from taking part in FP1.”

Alonso was seen in normal team gear, as opposed to his racing overalls, in the minutes before the session, seemingly aware that he would not be participating in the session.

The start of first practice – the first race-weekend session in the sport’s new era of engine and chassis regulations – was plagued by issues, with British rookie Arvid Lindblad stopping after just two minutes at the pit-exit.

After being wheeled back to the pits, the 18-year-old did manage to get going around halfway through the session.

Elsewhere, Oscar Piastri complained he “had no power”, but the issue with the McLaren driver was fixed rapidly.

However, reigning world champion Lando Norris was ruled out of the session with 20 minutes left due to a gearbox issue, after completing just seven laps.

Sunday’s race at Albert Park takes place at 4am (GMT); qualifying is at 5am on Saturday.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service say that a crew called to York Hospital at around 2.30pm today after an alarm was activated.

The evacuation took place in the laboratory area of the hospital.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “A fire alarm was activated in the laboratory area earlier today. As a precaution, the area was evacuated for around 20 minutes. The situation has now been resolved, and normal activity has resumed.”

On Wednesday (March 4) evening, property firm Northhold Group announced it has purchased the site, which includes 153 apartments, offices and a leisure complex on the banks of the River Wear.

The buyer pledged to finally bring the “landmark development” to completion and said it will collaborate with Durham County Council to “deliver a vibrant and successful destination for the city”.

Milburngate (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Work is expected to start on completing the site in the coming months.

Reacting to the news, City of Durham MP, Mary Kelly Foy said that the announcement was “potentially good news for the future of Milburngate”.

She added: “For too long it has been sitting in limbo, when it should have delivered jobs, homes and office space many years ago.

“Residents of Durham still require some clarity on this new deal, and need to know how soon things will be moving forward; when we can expect this site to begin delivering for the local economy and, most importantly, in the short term, how the new developer will overcome the issues that have dogged the site for so long.

“I have already reached out to the new owners, requesting a meeting to discuss their plans and timescales for the site, and will be following this up with the local authority too.

“If this deal does finally deliver a fully open and vibrant Milburngate, however, then I would offer my congratulations to Durham County officers for getting this over the line.”

A Premier Inn hotel, Everyman Cinema and BrewDog pub have been built at the site, but the project has been repeatedly delayed and shrouded in controversy since 2022, when it was initially due to open.

Mary Kelly Foy, City of Durham MP (Image: PARLIAMENT)

The collapse of contractor Tolent in 2023 brought progress to an abrupt halt. Since then, ongoing fire safety concerns and alleged defects in the steel framework have prompted further investigations, leaving the site without the necessary certifications to open and still cordoned off.

Last February, Durham County Council’s previous administration agreed to enter negotiations to potentially acquire the site. But the new Reform UK administration said in September it was ‘reviewing its position’ on several projects.

The Milburngate development (Image: Stuart Boulton)

Announcing the purchase on Thursday, Northhold Group added: “Beyond entertainment and hospitality, the development addresses Durham’s growing demand for quality urban living and workspace.

“The development includes office space and 153 built-to-rent apartments, positioning the city centre as an attractive location for both working professionals and residents seeking contemporary city living.

“We welcome discussions with contractors and prospective tenants who would like to be part of Milburngate’s future.”

Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, said the recent sale will boost the local authority’s plans to improve the city centre and create an innovation district.

The Reform councillor added: “We welcome the news of the sale of the Milburngate development to a new developer, particularly given that they have already set out their intention to bring the site to completion and ensure it can fulfil its potential in this prime location at the heart of Durham City.

“We look forward to the development being completed as soon as possible and contributing to our exciting plans for the wider Durham Innovation District in the city centre.”

Placing your sofa in front of the radiator might be seen as a great way to make the room look more aesthetic by hiding the heater in plain sight.

But Joana Sadovskaja, a sofa expert at Lovesofas, has warned that placing your sofa too close to the radiator could be costing you money.

By placing your sofa in front of your heater, it can risk disrupting how your home heats up.

Not only can this obstruct the flow of the hot air in the room, it can also reduce the efficiency of your heating system.

As a result, this can lead to uneven room temperatures resulting in your heating system having to work harder, which could potentially increase the cost of your energy bills.

Joana also warned that placing the sofa too close to a radiator may contribute to mould growth as it can trap moisture and condensation behind the sofa due to little ventilation.

Putting furniture in front of a heater can also cause damage to your upholstery due to potential excessive heat exposure.

This may cause the upholstery to shrink over time, resulting in sagging cushions, colour fading, and a worn-out appearance.

Joanna said: “Excessive exposure to heat can also cause the upholstery to shrink and sag over time, resulting in a worn-out appearance.

“It’s also important to note that different materials react uniquely to heat exposure. 

“While leather may fade and crack, synthetic fabrics can melt or warp, so understanding how your upholstery responds to prolonged heat is key to protecting its longevity.

“Placing a sofa too close to a radiator can also obstruct airflow, reducing the efficiency of your heating system. 

“This not only leads to uneven room temperatures but also causes your heating system to work harder, potentially increasing your energy bills.

“In spaces with limited ventilation, positioning furniture too near a heat source can trap moisture and cause condensation behind the sofa, which could result in mould growth.”

While ideally placing a sofa in front of a radiator should always be avoided, Nicholas Auckland, heating expert at Trade Radiators, has a solution for Brits short on space.

If you’re struggling for floor space, she says you should try and place your sofa a minimum of 12 inches away from your radiator to try and combat damage, mould and heating issues.

Nicholas said: “If you have limited space then I advise that your sofa is positioned at minimum of 12 inches away from the surface of the radiator.

“This should allow heat to circulate without causing significant damage to your sofas fabric.

“For further protection you can also attach a reflective sheet to the back of your sofa, this will reflect the heat directly back to the radiator so that it isn’t absorbed by the sofa.

“In addition, you can even use a sofa cover to protect the upholstery of your sofa. 

“There are a wide range of sofa covers online so you may be able to find one that is a match for your sofa’s original fabric.’

“If you’re looking to invest in a permanent solution then a vertical radiator is ideal.

“Vertical radiators take up less horizontal wall space due to their small width which allows them to be placed in a variety of positions around a room, leaving free wall space to place your sofa.”

Soham murderer Ian Huntley has reportedly been declared blind after a brutal attack at HMP Frankland in Durham

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Soham murderer Ian Huntley has reportedly been declared blind following an attack in prison.

Huntley, 52, was urgently taken to hospital last Thursday after the assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Sources revealed that medics “worked miracles” to save him, and how prison staff assumed he was dead when they discovered him in a pool of blood.

Earlier this week, the Mirror disclosed that Huntley will not be returned to the jail known as Monster Mansion if he recovers. His injuries are so severe that he will instead be transferred to Ashworth Hospital on Merseyside, reports the Mirror.

Reports claimed that Huntley was given just a 5% chance of survival after he was struck multiple times and left with serious head injuries. Emergency services rushed to the Category A prison at around 9am on February 26.

The Sun now reports that Huntley has been declared blind after being hit in the eyes. It is claimed that he is not expected to regain consciousness.

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A source informed the outlet: “It is now looking like he will not pull through, barring a miracle. Huntley never recovered from the battering and never stood much of a chance of doing so.

“His condition has not really improved since day one despite the best efforts of doctors. It looks like it’s only a matter of time. It could be days, it could be weeks. It is probably for the best. Few people will shed a tear.”

In an update on his condition today, a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “There has been no change in the 52-year-old man’s condition overnight – he remains in hospital in a serious condition.”

Following the brutal attack on him last Thursday, the double murderer was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, with armed police forming an escort in front and behind. Two prison officers and an armed officer were inside the ambulance during the high-security operation.

A source said: “He was placed in an induced coma because he was so close to death. The team from the helicopter travelled with him but he could not be evacuated by air in case of any complications. He was transported by road because he was in a coma; this helps to keep him stable.

“The helicopter then travels to the hospital to collect the medics. Two armed officers are guarding Huntley around the clock at the hospital.”

Huntley is serving a life sentence after he was convicted of murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. He will not be eligible for parole until at least 2042.

Adam Hall, previously of the Washington area, Tyne and Wear, was today (Thursday) brought to justice thanks to the bravery of the victim-survivors.

The 43-year-old has been found guilty of five counts of rape and seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent through the intentional transmission of the HIV virus.

Adam Hall, rapist, deliberately gave HIV to seven men (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

He was further found guilty of supplying a controlled drug (GHB) and failing to comply with a police investigation after refusing to provide the password to his phone.

The offences relate to seven victim-survivors, between 2016 and 2023. Hall had denied the offences.

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, the jury was told that if the HIV virus is undetectable in a person’s system it is untransmittable.

However, Hall knew at various points he had transmittable levels of the virus in his system and intentionally had unprotected sex – and in the majority of these cases raped the victim-survivors.

He becomes only the second person in the UK to be convicted of the intentional transmission of HIV.

Hall was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on April 23.

Police are also appealing for further victims as there is also evidence he has travelled to different parts of the country, including County Durham, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Manchester, and London.

Northumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Emma Smith (blonde hair) and Senior Crown Prosecutor Amy Dixon (brown hair) on the steps of Newcastle Crown Court giving a speech (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

The Senior Investigating Officer Adam Hall’s case, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: “Today, we have seen a callous and calculating sexual predator brought to justice.

“Adam Hall has been found guilty of multiple counts of rape and grievous bodily harm through the intentional transmission of HIV.

“He has shown absolutely no remorse for the extensive suffering and distress he has caused.

“We want to recognise the courage shown by the victim-survivors who came forward – it is due to their bravery that he has been brought to justice.

“Our priority remains helping ensure anyone impacted by Hall’s actions receives the support they need.

“Through our extensive investigations we believe that he has had sexual contact with men who have not yet been identified.

“There is also evidence he has travelled to different parts of the country, including County Durham, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Manchester, and London.

“We would encourage anyone who may have health concerns to seek advice and support from your local sexual health services.

“There are safe places where you can access a broad range of services. We want people to know this is available confidentially and independently of the police.

“Anyone who believes they may be a victim of a criminal offence is also encouraged to come forward to ourselves.

“We have set-up a dedicated webpage for people to contact us, which can be accessed by visiting our website.

“We want our message to be a clear one – we are here for you, we will listen and we will help ensure you receive the support you need.”

Newcastle Crown Court

Police are also reminding people that anyone who reports being a victim of any kind of sexual offence has anonymity and should not be identified.

Director of Public Health for Newcastle and Gateshead, Alice Wiseman, has spoken on behalf of public health bodies across the region to encourage those with concerns to access sexual health services.

She said: “This is a devastating case for the victims involved who will have to deal with the consequences of Adam Hall’s actions for the rest of their lives.

“I know that there will be many victims of sexual offences who don’t report what has happened to them and may not seek support.

“We have sexual health services across the region all of which offer free, confidential advice and support. There is no judgement and your health and safety is our priority.

“Regardless of where you live, you can access any public sexual health service in any area. If you read about this case and want to seek advice, then we are here for you.

“We will continue to work closely with the police to ensure support is available to victims, and to anyone else who requires it. You are never alone.”

 To access local sexual health services visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic

 Alternatively contact your local GP or sexual health clinic.

 Dedicated webpage for the Adam Hall case: Public Portal

 You can also send police a direct message via their social media channels, use live chat or a report form on the Northumbria Police website

 Those unable to contact police this way can call 101 quoting reference NP-20250604-0640.

The star-studded line up for the region’s most hotly anticipated music event from May 22 to 24 will be announced on Friday (March 5) shortly before the first round of tickets go on sale.

Parts of the venue have already been fenced off and works are underway to bring the event to life, which is set to see some of the biggest names in music descend on our region.

A total of 31,000 tickets are going to be available to grab, with prices starting from £34.50.

Previous headliners have included the likes of Sam Fender, The 1975, Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.

But this is not the first time that the Big Weekend has come to the region – the last time it was at Herrington Park was in 2005, with headliners including the Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

When is BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend?

Radio 1’s Big Weekend will take place over three days – May 22, 23 and 24.

Where is it being held?

The Big Weekend is being held at Herrington Park, in Sunderland this year. If you aren’t familiar of where that is, the park can be found opposite iconic landmark Penshaw Monument.

The last time it was held in the region was in 2019, in Middlesbrough, and it was held in Herrington Park in 2005.

Headliners back then included the Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.

How much are tickets?

Ticket prices have this week been confirmed – here’s how much you’ll need to pay to get in.

Friday

General admission – £34.50

VIP admission – £86.00

Saturday

General admission – £44.50

VIP admission – £106.00

Sunday

General admission – £44.50

VIP admission – £106.00

Where can I buy tickets?

The tickets will be available to buy via Ticketmaster, and you can find the ticket link by going on the BBC website.

When do they go on sale?

The ticket sale dates are staggered.

Tickets for Friday, 22 May will go on sale at 9am on Friday (March 6).

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24) will go on sale on March 11.

Are tickets allocated by region?

Yes – the BBC say they have been put into three ‘pots’.

The first pot, which is 30% of tickets, are allocated to Sunderland residents.

A further 60% are for the wider North East including County Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland.

Then, the final 10% will be available to the rest of the UK.

Can I go to all three days?

No. It has been confirmed that you can’t buy tickets for all three days.

You can buy a maximum of two tickets per person per day.

You are allowed to go on Friday and either Saturday or Sunday, but not both.

Are there age restrictions?

Yes, there are age restrictions.

You can only attend on Friday if you are 18 or over.

No restrictions are placed on Saturday or Sunday, but anyone aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

What is the line-up?

Unfortunately, a full line up for the three day event has not yet been revealed.

Previous headliners have included the likes of Sam Fender, The 1975, Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.

Mark Richards, aged 48, was involved in a crash on Wigan Road in Bolton on Saturday, January 17.

The incident took place at the junction of the main road and Beaumont Road at around 3pm that day, with three cars involved.

But Richards, who is from Skelmersdale, was seen in the aftermath of the crash running into some nearby woods – with no trousers on.

He was arrested by police following the incident for failing to provide a specimen.

The crash on Wigan Road in Bolton (Image: Phil Taylor)

Yesterday, March 4, he was brought before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced for his offending.

Richards pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to provide a specimen.

Failing to provide a specimen is when, without reasonable excuse, a driver refuses to provide a specimen of breath, blood, or urine when lawfully required to do so by a police officer.

Richards was sentenced to a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 80 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, and a disqualification from driving for 24 months.

The crash on Wigan Road involved a Volvo V40, a Nissan Juke, and a Honda Jazz.

A man who was bizarrely seen running from the scene of a crash with no clothes on has been sentenced (Image: Facebook)

It came just six days after the fatal crash further up Wigan Road, which claimed the lives of four.

Following this more recent incident, a video circulated on social media, showing a half-naked man running into some woods, before the camera pans round to show the three-car crash at the junction of Wigan Road and Beaumont Road.

A rather confused-looking dog could be seen standing on the pavement next to the trouser-less man.

Police confirmed to The Bolton News at the time that the man in question was Mark Richards, but this information could not be reported for legal reasons.

They also told us that he “went through a red light” before fleeing the scene.

The Soham murderer was rushed to hospital last Thursday following the assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham.

Ian Huntley has reportedly been declared blind after he was attacked in prison, according to reports.

The Soham murderer was rushed to hospital last Thursday following the assault at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Sources told how medics “worked miracles” to save the 52-year-old, and how prison staff assumed he was dead when they found him in a pool of blood.

As reported by the Mirror, triple killer Anthony Russell is said to be the suspect in the attack. The 43-year-old was charged with the murder of Julie Williams and her son David Williams, as well as the brutal rape and murder of Nicole McGregor, who was pregnant at the time, near Leamington Spa in 2020. He was jailed in 2022 under a whole-life order.

Huntley was given just a 5% chance of survival after he was struck multiple times and left with severe head injuries. Emergency services raced to the Category A prison at around 9am on February 26.

The Sun now reports Huntley has been declared blind after being struck in the eyes. It’s claimed he is not expected to regain consciousness.

A source told the outlet: “It is now looking like he will not pull through, barring a miracle. Huntley never recovered from the battering and never stood much of a chance of doing so.

“His condition has not really improved since day one despite the best efforts of doctors. It looks like it’s only a matter of time. It could be days, it could be weeks. It is probably for the best. Few people will shed a tear.”

In an update on his condition today, a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “There has been no change in the 52-year-old man’s condition overnight – he remains in hospital in a serious condition.”

Last week, a source told how it was “extraordinary” that the killer was still alive as he was left “totally unresponsive and could not breathe” in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Huntley is serving a life sentence after he was convicted of murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002. He will not be eligible for parole until at least 2042.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday released additional Jeffrey Epstein files involving uncorroborated accusations made by a woman against President Donald Trump that the department said had been mistakenly withheld during an earlier review.

The department said last week that it was working to determine if any records were improperly withheld after several news organizations reported that the massive tranche of records that had been made public didn’t include some files documenting a series of interviews conducted in 2019 with a woman who made an allegation against Trump.

The accuser was interviewed by the FBI four times as it sought to assess her account but a summary of only one of those interviews had been included in the publicly released files.

On Thursday, the department said those files had been “incorrectly coded as duplicative,” and therefore were inadvertently not published along with other investigative documents related to the disgraced financier, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.

“As we have consistently done, if any member of the public reported concerns with information in the library, the Department would review, make any corrections, and republish online,” the department said in a post on X.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The department noted in January that some of the documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.”

The new disclosures come as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces continued turmoil over the department’s handling of the files released under a law passed by Congress after months of public and political pressure. Five Republicans on the House Oversight Committee joined Democrats in voting Wednesday to subpoena Bondi, demanding that she answer questions under oath in a sign of mounting frustration among members of the president’s own party.

The Trump administration has faced constant political headaches since the rollout of the files began in December, with critics accusing the department of hiding certain documents or over-redacting files, or in some cases, not redacting enough. In some cases, the department inadvertently released nude photos showing the faces of potential victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured.

Department officials have defended their handling of the files, saying they took pains to release the files as quickly as possible under the law while also protecting victims. Department officials have said errors were inevitable given the volume of the materials, the number of lawyers viewing the files and the speed at which the department had to release them. The department has said it’s entitled to withhold records that exposed potential abuse victims, were duplicates or protected by legal privileges, or related to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Some of the new records published Thursday pertained to a woman who contacted the FBI shortly after Epstein’s 2019 arrest and claimed that a man named “Jeff” living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, had raped her there in the 1980s when she was around 13 years old. The woman told the agents she didn’t know the man’s identity at the time, but decades later concluded he was Jeffrey Epstein when a friend texted her his photo from a news story.

In a follow-up interview a month later, the woman added a host of other claims, including that Epstein had schemed to have her mother sent to prison, beaten her, arranged sexual encounters with other men and once flew her to either New Jersey or New York, where she claimed to have bitten Donald Trump after he tried to sexually assault her.

Agents spoke with the woman two more times, at one point asking her to provide more detail on her supposed interactions with Trump, but reported that she declined to answer additional questions and broke off contact. There’s no indication that Epstein ever lived in South Carolina and it was unclear whether Trump and Epstein knew each other during the time period involved.

The woman’s report was one of a number of uncorroborated, sometimes fantastical, reports that federal agents received from members of the public alleging misconduct by Trump and other famous people in the months and years after Epstein’s arrest.