An old woodland was saved in Newtownards, while eye-watering sums are to be spent to restore a statue in Comber

Ards and North Down Borough Council is winding down for the summer. While work in the background at the Church Street offices in Newtownards never stops, there will only be four meetings for elected representatives in July and August, two full council meetings and two Planning Committee meetings.

But June was a busy month, and saw the reveal of youthful first and second citizens, a victory for locals in saving an old woodland from developers, and an approval to spend eye-watering sums to restore a statue of a Napoleonic war hero.

Here is your latest round up of Ards and North Down council matters so far this summer:

Ards and North Down goes for youth as it votes new Lord Mayor and deputy

The start of the summer saw Ards and North Down Borough Council elect two of its youngest representatives into the posts of first and deputy first citizens.

At the annual meeting of the council on June 3, the chamber at Bangor Castle agreed UUP Councillor Craig Blaney and DUP Councillor James Cochrane respectively to the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the incoming term of office.

At the AGM, Mayor Blaney outlined his priorities for the year-long term, stating he wanted to champion “enterprise, entrepreneurship and ambition across Ards and North Down, while supporting local businesses, encouraging young people and promoting the borough as a place of opportunity and potential.”

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Jobs boost as new Iceland store approved for Co Down

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A new Iceland foodstore was approved for Bangor in North Down at the council’s June Planning Committee meeting.

Councillors approved an application for retail use for a long vacant existing unit, as well as retrospective extension for storage, at retail warehouse unit 1, Lesley Bloomfield Shopping Centre and Retail Park, South Circular Road, Bangor.

The development will bring a £1.5million investment to Bangor, will initially create 15 construction jobs, and later approximately 40 to 50 permanent new jobs at the store. The permanent jobs are estimated to bring £4.2 million in Gross Value Added per year to the area.

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Council looks at fast-tracking UDR cemetery memorial in Bangor despite requests failing four times

Local elected representatives agreed to look at making a memorial bench for the Ulster Defence Regiment in a North Down cemetery, after a local association failed four times in getting a bench plaque using the local council scheme.

Councillors at a committee meeting at Ards and North Down Borough Council in mid-June approved a notice of motion submitted by Independent unionist Councillors Wesley Irvine and Steven Irvine, who represent Bangor and Newtownards respectively.

The North Down branch of the Regimental Association of the UDR has failed on four occasions to get a memorial bench at the cemetery. Ards and North Down Borough Council operates a strict annual memorial bench scheme with a quota of 20 new benches per year.

Applications typically open on April 1st and are allocated on a highly competitive, first-come, first-served basis. The council motion could effectively fast-track the UDR memorial past the normal policy.

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Old County Down woodland saved from housing development by community

The Woodland Trust declared victory for a local County Down community after a long-standing wood was rescued from the threat of a housing development.

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomed a decision by the Planning Appeals Commission in mid June to block plans for five detached houses at the site of Tullynagardy Wood in Newtownards.

Last October, the controversial planning application to build five upmarket houses at woodland was rejected by elected representatives at the Ards and North Down Borough Council Planning Committee. The proposed site was on land beside the Crawfordsburn Road on the outskirts of Newtownards.

Despite elected representatives rejecting the application, the developers then went to the Planning Appeals Commission for the decision to be overturned. The commissioner upheld the council’s decision to reject the application, and dismissed the appeal.

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Council to spend nearly 100K to restore statue of Napoleonic war hero

Ards and North Down Borough Council will spend around £100,000 to restore a Victorian statue of a famous Ulster soldier in a County Down town.

Council officers recommended elected representatives grant approval for the commencement of Phase 2 works to the Rollo Gillespie Monument, Comber, funded from the £90,000 included in the rates for 2026/27.

Councillors at the Environment Committee meeting, held in mid-June in Newtownards, agreed to the recommendation for ratepayers to cover the bill, following information that officials had failed to get any external funding for the project. Around £15,000 has already been spent on Phase One of the restoration.

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The village used to be home to an important RAF base

People in a Cambridgeshire village enjoy their “peaceful” home, but they feel it has lost its RAF “identity” and it “desperately needs” a shop. Upwood near Huntingdon is a small village home to only around 1,200 people.

The village has a strong RAF history, as it was once where RAF Upwood was based. This base was operating for nearly 100 years, after opening in 1917 and closing in 2012.

It served as a major Pathfinder base for the 156 and 139 Squadrons, and later used by the United States Air Force. Today, there is not much to mark the RAF history as the buildings still stand, but have been defaced and set on fire multiple times.

Other than its strong RAF history, people who live in Upwood feel their home is an idyllic place to live. As part of the Exploring Cambridgeshire series, we spoke to residents about what it’s like to live here.

Gareth Jones, who has lived in Upwood for 20 years, said he “loves” it. He said: “I think it’s nice and quiet, and it’s definitely rural. It could use a shop for the people who can’t get into town. But then the bus service is good and accessible.”

Gareth and his wife previously worked in the Armed Forces. He said that the RAF was once “prominent” in Upwood. On the state of the former RAF base, he added: “It’s getting built on and it’s being turned into a nice area.”

Beryl Ledbeater and Geoff Ludelow also enjoy the quiet life that Upwood offers. Beryl said she has “always had a connection” to Upwood, with many of her ancestors living here before her.

She added: “Everyone is so friendly. If you need something, people will help out.” Geoff added that Upwood is “quite a nice place”.

Beryl feels the village could use a shop. She said: “We used to have a shop and it used to be good, but then it closed. We have no facilities. We have to go to Ramsey if you want something.” Geoff said doesn’t find the lack of facilities a problem as he can drive.

When the RAF base was active in the village, Beryl and Geoff felt it made the village “classy”. Beryl said:” It’s a shame because it [RAF base] used to be loved when it was the RAF. You would always see the people walking around in their uniforms. I feel it’s lost it [RAF identity].”

On improvements they may like to make in Upwood, Geoff said he was “happy with the way it is”. However, Beryl had concerns about the parking. She added: “The parking is ridiculous. There is no space. If you have visitors there is nowhere for them to park and then most people have two cars these days as well.”

Robert Shine, who has lived in Upwood since 1990, said it is a “quiet” place with a “good community atmosphere”. He added: “The people are very friendly.”

While Robert can drive to shops, he would like to see the village have a shop. He added: “It must make it awkward for people that don’t drive, but for me I can drive into Ramsey, Bury, or Huntingdon. It would be nice to have a village shop because it would be another focus for the village.”

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, also thinks that the village not having a shop is a problem. She said: “Everyone around here is very friendly and they are always very helpful. It’s a lovely place to live, but we are missing the basics that everyone else has like a shop.

“There used to be a good shop, but now we have nothing. I drive so it’s not as bad for me, but there are a lot of older people that live around here and it’s harder for them to get stuff.”

The woman added that the village used to have a “strong RAF identity”. However, she said: “Since the site is going to be houses, which I do feel is needed, it feels like the village has lost its RAF identity. It’s a shame. It would be nice to maybe have something to commemorate it.”

Another woman, who didn’t want to be named, said Upwood is perfect for “anyone who wants a slower life”. She said: “There isn’t much for younger people to do, but for someone like me who is retired, it’s perfect. There are lots of green spaces around here.

“So, there are some nice places to walk in the hot weather. We desperately need a shop. To have to travel further to somewhere like Ramsey for stuff like milk and bread is ridiculous.”

The woman added that she is “sad” that the former RAF base has been left “derelict and in tatters”. She added: “It’s been destroyed by fires and covered in graffiti. The houses being built there will at least put the land to good use.”

By ELEANOR MANN

Published: 22:00 BST, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 23:26 BST, 3 July 2026

An overcrowded bus has crashed in Pakistan after a passenger reportedly grabbed the driver by the neck, killing 40 people and injuring eight. 

The passenger bus was speeding before it plunged from a highway into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early on Friday, marking one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years. 

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A spokesperson for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, said the bus went out of control and fell into the ravine in Dana Sar, a remote area near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. 

Mr Rind said the bus was carrying not only its own passengers but also those from another bus that had broken down, leaving the vehicle overcrowded. He added that the rescuers were working to identify those killed in the crash. 

One of the injured survivors told local media from his hospital bed that some passengers protested after the driver stopped to pick up people from the other bus. 

He said an argument followed, during which one passenger allegedly grabbed the driver by the neck. Moments later, he claimed the driver lost control of the bus, which fell into the ravine. 

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The account could not be independently verified and police said they are investigating the cause of the tragedy. 

News of the crash triggered a wave of grief across Pakistan as relatives frantically called emergency services, hospitals and local police seeking information about their loved ones. 

Pictured: the site of the crash in southwestern Pakistan early on Friday

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40 people were killed and eight people were injured in the tragedy, which has sent shockwaves across the country 

Reaching the wreckage proved difficult as emergency workers, backed by paramilitary forces, climbed down a steep mountainside to the ravine up to 80ft deep. 

Several hours later, rescuers carried the injured on stretchers and recovered the dead in makeshift carts, painstakingly hauling them back up the rugged slope, official Noor Zaman said. 

In the northwestern city of Peshawar, Nasir Khan said his brother on Thursday night had called from Quetta to say he was on his way home on the bus that crashed early Friday. 

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When he failed to arrive as expected, the family feared the worst. Khan said he had been desperately trying to reach authorities for information about his brother’s fate. 

A regional government administrator, Hazrat Wali Kakar, said rescuers transported the injured and dead to nearby hospitals. Most of the casualties were identified through documents but three bodies remained unidentified, he said. 

Rescue officials said the bus was carrying 48 passengers when it crashed. 

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the crash and offered condolences to the victims’ families. 

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Road accidents are common in Pakistan because of poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws and unsafe driving practices, particularly in mountainous areas. 

In May, a minibus rammed into a bus parked along a motorway in northwest Pakistan, killing 17 people and injuring five others. 

Facing a side ranked 34th in the world, Deschamps may be tempted to hand rests to some of his more established stars, with later rounds in the tournament likely to throw up opponents including Morocco, Spain or Portugal. They must be wary of falling foul to another huge upset, but the French second string should have more than enough quality to get the job done here.

A blue Kia and a police van appear badly damaged

There is a significant police scene in place in north Manchester tonight (Friday, July 3) following reports that a police vehicle has been involved in a road traffic collision.

Photos from the scene show a sizeable cordon in place at the junctions of Queens Road and Rochdale Road in Harpurhey, with vehicles from the North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in attendance.

GMFRS confirmed that they were called to the scene at 8:50pm and that said that all occupants of the vehicles ‘self-rescued’ and were treated at the scene by paramedics.

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A blue Kia Picanto and a police van appear to have been badly damaged in the collision, with the latter appearing to have collided with railings in the middle of the road, its front bumper completely hanging off.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said, “At around 8:50pm this evening (Friday, 3^rd July), firefighters were called to the scene of a collision between two vehicles on Queens Road in Manchester.

“One fire engine from Manchester Central fire station, along with the technical rescue unit from Leigh fire station quickly arrived at the scene. All seven occupants of the vehicles had self-rescued before the arrival of the fire service and were given care at the roadside by colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service.

“Crews handed the scene over to Greater Manchester Police before leaving around half an hour later.”

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for more information.

Ireland open their Rugby Nations Championship 2026 campaign with an away game against the Wallabies in Sydney – the first of three away games in the summer window

Ireland kick off their Nations Championship campaign with an away fixture against Australia – the first of three away matches in the summer window.

Given the competition’s format, getting off to a strong start is crucial, yet fast starts have not been a hallmark of Ireland’s game of late.

They were comprehensively beaten in Paris in the 2026 Six Nations opener and remained disjointed against Italy in the second match.

Andy Farrell has travelled without Munster out-half Jack Crowley and his number eight and captain Caelan Doris, both of whom are sidelined through injury.

As a result, the head coach has recalled Leinster number ten Sam Prendergast, who started the opening two Six Nations fixtures before being dropped from the matchday squad for the final three, reports the Irish Mirror.

A natural replacement for Doris was readily available, and Farrell did precisely what he did with the 2025 Lions, slotting Jack Conan into the number eight position.

Cian Prendergast steps into Conan’s customary berth at number six, while Dan Sheehan takes on the captaincy.

Australia are heading into their first 2026 Test having lost seven of their last eight matches, including a defeat to Ireland in Dublin last November.

Full-back Jock Campbell returns for his first Test appearance in four years, while concerns remain over whether they can withstand a straightforward physical contest up front, where second-row Josh Canham is set to make his first start.

Here’s what you need to know about this fixture:.

Who: Australia vs Ireland.

What: Nations Championship (first round of six fixtures) Other first round NC fixtures: New Zealand v France, 8.10am, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch; Japan v Italy, 9.40am, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo; Australia v Ireland, 11.10am, Sydney Football Stadium; Fiji v Wales, 2.10am, Cardiff City Stadium; South Africa v England, 4.40pm, Ellis Park, Johannesburg; Argentina v Scotland, 8.10pm, Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba.

Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

When: Saturday, July 4th.

Kick-off: 8.10pm local – 11.10am Irish.

Referee: Ben O’Keefe (NZ) TMO:.

QUOTES CORNER.

Ireland Coach Andy Farrell on selecting Sam Prendergast again: “The way that he’s handled the last month is a credit to him in regards to taking responsibility for the shirt and his chance to build through those last few games and finish it off with a top performance in a big game in the final. He’s once again earned the right to do that.”

Australia Coach Joe Schmidt: We don’t feel like we’re miles away, but execution of that plan is the essence of success or failure. There’s always a plan, and that plan has always got to be adaptable because Ireland will squeeze you.

I know last time I was here in 2018, we felt we had an advantage. I know that the rhythm the players had from playing finals footy, that is an advantage without a doubt.

Ireland number eight Jack Conan reflected on Australia’s capabilities ahead of the clash: “A lot of us were down here last year (with the Lions) and saw how good they could be. They had some unbelievable periods of play throughout the three Tests, and they’re not a side you can take lightly.”

He also highlighted the threat posed by key Australian players: “Obviously, Joe [Schmidt] would know us very well and still some of the players in the group. Harry Wilson, obviously a leader for them. He was great last year in the Test matches. Rob Valetini, an unbelievable athlete as well. Fraser McReight, I think he’s number one for turnover steals in Super Rugby. They’re a pretty dynamic and fearsome trio when they’re on it.”

Betting odds: Australia 6/5 Draw 22/1 Australia 8/11.

Handicap: Australia Plus-2.

Popular Bets: Ireland to win both halves 2/1; each team to score 12+ points in each half 15/2; Dan Sheehan to score first try 9/1, to score anytime try 6/5; Garry Ringrose to score a try and Ireland to win 11/2.

What TV channel is it on?

Virgin Media, Premier Sports.

LINE-UPS:.

Australia: Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds); Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs), Len Ikitau (NSW Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force); Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds), Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies); Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs), Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds), Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies), Jeremy Williams (Western Force), Josh Canham (Queensland Reds), Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds), Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds, capt). Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force), James Slipper (ACT Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Racing 92), Lachlan Shaw (ACT Brumbies), Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds), Ben Donaldson (Western Force), Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies).

Ireland: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Rob Baloucoune (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Craig Casey (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht).

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A formal request has been submitted to Sunderland City Council for a screening opinion, to determine whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be needed.

The proposed 3km pipeline would link Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works (STW) near Houghton-le-Spring to a new discharge point on the River Wear.

Proposed pipeline location. (Image: Lichfields)

The pipe would be capable of carrying up to 339 litres per second of final treated effluent away from Herrington Burn and into the River Wear.

The underground transfer system would form part of Northumbrian Water’s £11 million Sedgeletch Environmental Improvement scheme, which aims to reduce pollutants and meet future water quality standards under the Water Framework Directive.

The proposed outfall location on the River Wear, near the Washington Highway’s Chartershaugh Bridge. (Image: Google Maps)

Current documents show that the existing discharge location does not meet future Water Framework Directive targets for phosphorus, zinc, and cypermethrin.

The new scheme is designed to address this and supports Northumbrian Water’s wider programme of upgrades along the Wear catchment area.

The screening opinion process marks an early stage in which the council considers potential impacts and publishes documents the public can inspect.

If the scheme goes ahead, it would involve installing the new pipe from the treatment works to the River Wear, along with two large underground structures and a new concrete headwall at the riverbank to house the outfall.

The Sedgeletch upgrade is part of a wider programme of wastewater infrastructure improvements by Northumbrian Water, focusing on reducing river pollution and supporting compliance with evolving water quality regulations.

The biggest stars on the planet have taken their seats to watch Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tie the knot in a colossal celebration inside Madison Square Garden. 

The bridal party – including Gigi Hadid, Lena Dunham and the Haim sisters – were spotted making their way to the venue in pink gowns, while NFL stars dressed wore black tuxedos. 

So far, there’s been no sign of the bride, who is keeping every detail of the event under wraps but spent the morning getting ready with Hadid.

Hadid’s boyfriend Bradley Cooper, looking dapper in his tuxedo despite the 100-degree heat, escorted the model to the venue before the festivities began.

Selena Gomez, the bridesmaid who peddled her own make-up brand ahead of the couple’s Thursday night celebration, is also yet to be seen.

The couple have welcomed more than 1,000 guests to the arena, including Karlie Kloss, Fergie, Ed Sheeran, Jason Sudeikis and Benson Boone.

Kelce’s NFL star friends also traded their uniforms for bow ties as they walked into the estimated $15 million soiree.

Swift spent the morning getting ready for the big day with her reported bridesmaid Gigi Hadid , who was spotted in the back of a car wearing a pink dress as she headed to the soiree with her boyfriend Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper was spotted in his tuxedo ahead of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding

Taylor Swift’s publicist Tree Paine, flanked by security, looked glamorous Friday night as she headed to MSG

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The singer’s childhood best friend Abigail Anderson Berard, who tapped Swift to be her bridesmaid nine years ago, also flashed smiles at the cameras before going to MSG

Travis Kelce’s uncle, Don, Donna Kelce’s brother, stepped out in a tuxedo for his nephew’s wedding celebration

Eras tour opener Benson Boone heads to MSG in a pair of large sunglasses

The guest list appears to be a nice blend of Hollywood and ESPN, with sports stars, actors and musicians turning up to support the couple. 

Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter, as well as director Steven Spielberg, were spotted in the city today ahead of the celebration.

Kelce’s close friend and former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Ross Travis was pictured heading to the wedding party. 

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk also arrived at MSG with his hands full of canned beverages and his wife, Kristin, on his arm.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, wore matching green suits and dresses to the glamorous wedding bash. 

United States Women’s National Soccer legend Abby Wambach, a longtime friend of Swift, arrived at MSG holding hands with her wife, author Glennon Doyle. 

A group of guests were even seen removing their tuxedo jackets as they were searched by security

United States Women’s National Soccer legend Abby Wambach arrived at MSG holding hands with her wife, author Glennon Doyle

Kelce’s close friend and former Kansas City Chiefs teammate Ross Travis was pictured heading to the wedding party

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San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk arrived at MSG with his hands full of canned beverages and his wife, Kristin, on his arm

New Heights producer Brandon Border and his fiancée Lauren Winn were dressed to the nines as they headed to the venue

Border and Winn shared a car with the show’s senior director of social media, Jake Chatzky, and his pregnant wife Emily

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, wore matching green suits and dresses to the glamorous wedding bash

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Publicist Tree Paine heads to MSG for the second night of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding celebrations

The daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, Paulina Gretzky, arrived at MSG in an SUV

Both Swift and Kelce have extended invites to key members of their press teams, with Swift’s longtime publicist Tree Paine being among the first guests to head to the venue.

Kelce’s podcast producer, Brandon Border, and his fiancée, Lauren Winn, shared a car with Jake Chatzky, the senior director of social media for New Heights, and his pregnant wife Emily as they made their way to the party.

The singer’s childhood best friend Abigail Anderson Berard, who tapped Swift to be her bridesmaid nine years ago, also flashed smiles at the cameras before going to MSG.

The couple, their parents and siblings have not been seen in public, but Kelce’s uncle, Don, brother to his mother Donna, stepped out in a tuxedo for his nephew’s wedding celebration. 

Swift and Kelce welcomed 100 of their closest friends at a ‘rehearsal dinner’ on Thursday night.

Experts revealed that the celebration for the couple, both 36, costs over $15 million, and taxpayers footed over $1 million to help cover the bill. 

Karlie Kloss stepped out in New York City wearing a gold dress while her husband, Josh Kushner sported a tux. Kloss and Swift, who were once inseparable, have not been seen together much in recent years

Jason Sudeikis was spotted in a tuxedo outside of MSG

Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, the electronic duo known as The Chainsmokers, posed with a martini before heading to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding. The duo released a remix of Swift’s song The Fate of Ophelia, from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl

One insider told The New York Times it would cost between $1.2 million and $1.6 million to book out Madison Square Garden for two days.

Insurance would cost over $10,000, Erica Maurer, a partner at EMRG Media, told the newspaper.

Lighting, sound, catering, flowers, decorations and labor could cost between $10 million and $12 million, The Times suggested, while adding that their estimate was a very conservative one. 

Permit fees for the two-day affair would likely cost at least $132,000 based on the city’s permitting office rates.

It would also cost taxpayers over $1 million to have hundreds of police officers providing security and patrolling MSG.

Photos taken on Friday afternoon showed scores of New York City cops in their uniforms drenched with sweat as they stood guard close to the Garden in 100F heat.

Droves of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding party guests were seen walking into Madison Square Garden in the sweltering heat and passing through security on foot

Other VIPs were brought in cars and went straight into the venue

Swifties and onlookers alike gathered outside Madison Square Garden it the sizzling heat to catch a glimpse the A-list wedding celebration guests

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Guests arrive at Madison Square Garden for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding

NYPD officers were seen drenched with sweat on Friday afternoon while standing guard close to Taylor Swift’s wedding celebrations in 100f heat 

A lone protestor stands outside Madison Square Garden, holding a sign that branded Taylor Swift as a ‘monster’

Ahead of their celebration, Swift and Kelce donated $26 million to 20 charities. The unusually specific number has sparked speculation that it matches the actual cost of their wedding celebrations. 

The bride arrived at Thursday’s event two hours before its start time in a blacked-out silver Chevrolet Suburban with an extended roof and communication antennas.

She was later seen returning home well after midnight, having spent more than eight hours partying at what was said to be her first-night bash.

There are unconfirmed reports that Swift and Kelce are already legally married, but will have a second celebration with all of their guests today.

Famous guests including Selena Gomez, Jack Antonoff, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, as well as the singer’s childhood friend Abigail Anderson, were seen heading inside on Thursday, while Taylor was spotted being swept into the back.

As we previously reported, the dress code for Thursday’s event was ‘cocktail attire’, a source said, with only family members and close friends invited.

Outsiders were given a few rare glimpses of how the pop singer and the Chiefs tight end transformed the venue into the wedding celebration of their wildest dreams.

Pink, orange and yellow roses were photographed woven into foliage at the top of an escalator on Thursday night.

One insider told The New York Times it would cost between $1.2 million and $1.6 million to book out Madison Square Garden for two days

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A huge battalion of NYPD officers is seen sweating close to Madison Square Garden on Friday afternoon

Lighting, sound, catering, flowers, decorations and labor could cost between $10 million and $12 million. Pictured: Roses inside the venue on Thursday night

It would also cost taxpayers over $1 million to have hundreds of police officers providing security and patrolling MSG

The venue was lit up with lights and adorned with dusty pink curtains.

It’s been said that Swift built a custom ‘castle’ inside MSG and has supposedly bought every available calla lily in the city.

Guests descended upon the theatre to the most exclusive invite in town in stunning ensembles.

Sports commentator Erin Andrews, former football player Ross Travis and NFL WAG Claire Kittle were all among the famous faces to flaunt their fashion credentials.

The stars brought traffic to a halt with police banning the press from assembling near the venue and even threatening to arrest those who don’t comply.

They hung curtains on the arena’s large windows and erected an arrivals tent which blocked the public’s view of who was there.

A sign at a security checkpoint outside the venue instructed guests to ‘have identification out, have devices ready’, suggesting attendees were forced to give up their phones before entering.

Newton Abbot fire station wrote on Facebook: “Crews from Newton Abbot fire station are currently dealing with a large fire in the open in the Exter area involving a number of fields that are well alight intensified by strong winds.

“10 fire appliances are already in attendance with crews anticipated to be on scene for a number of hours. Crews from Newton Abbot were initially tasked with protecting a number of properties and ensuring the fire was pushed back into one of the fields.

“After ensuring a sufficient break was in place, we joined the remaining crews to tackle a fire front in sector two. Our firefighters are currently using hose reel jets, 51 mm attack jets, beaters and firefighting backpacks to try and contain the flames.

“Other crews are battling the blaze across the agricultural land, with further crews actively firefighting along verges on A38. We would like to thank everyone who is currently caught in the tailbacks for your patience whilst the fire is brought under control.”

Welsh Water said the tunnelling work, which was originally due to finish in April 2025, is now expected to resume in autumn 2026 after it was paused last September

A controversial sewage system which has faced a string of delays will not be finished for at least another nine months after an equipment problem has caused fresh delays. Welsh Water said the lack of availability of machinery meant work had been unable to resume since it paused last September.

The pumping station at Llandaff North’s Hailey Park has long been a contentious issue which has caused friction between local residents and Welsh Water. Residents, community groups, park users, and councillors have long raised concerns over potential bad smells, noise levels, and effects on biodiversity.

Plans were first approved in 2022. However, in 2023 campaigners lost a legal challenge against the development after they raised thousands of pounds to contest the development, saying it should have faced more scrutiny.

The purpose of the pumping station is to meet the increased sewage demands created as a result of the Plasdwr housing development on the outskirts of Radyr. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

The station will pump sewage that’s travelled from the Plasdwr housing development, across the River Taff, up to the level of an existing sewage system where it will then be transported to Cardiff Wastewater Treatment Works.

Since the green light was given for the development to go ahead, there has been a number of issues with the tunnelling process. This is the method used to install sewers underground.

In the original timeline, tunnelling work was supposed to run from October 2024 to April 2025, before the restoration of field and landscaping of the field which was supposed to see the project finished in 2026. The water supplier then pushed the timeline back for tunnelling to start around February 2025.

Work eventually got underway, but fresh problems arose in September 2025 when Welsh Water said the work had been delayed “due to unforeseen circumstances”.

They explained that water had caused significant flooding and damage to the tunnel-boring machine which was being used on the new sewer pipeline.

Work had then been due to resume earlier this year after Welsh Water had a Section 61 application approved to allow them to complete 24-hour tunnelling work during a five-week period. Concerns were raised at the time about noise and light pollution when work was carried out during the night.

At the time, Steph Wilkins, the chair of Llandaff North Residents’ Association, said there was a lack of trust within the community that the work would actually be completed on time.

However, Welsh Water has now confirmed that although the work had been due to resume earlier this year, the availability of the “essential machinery and specialist resource” needed to carry it out meant the tunnelling had remained on hold.

Instead, they said they anticipate the work will resume in the autumn, around a year after it was first paused, and said they would provide a timeline for the remainder of the work when that begins.

Ian Vincent, from Whitchurch, who was heavily involved in the legal challenge, said it felt like the development was going backwards rather than forwards.

He said: “They are about two years behind schedule now and they’ve constructed the shaft but haven’t really started tunnelling at all because it flooded.”

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Ian said the delays were having a terrible impact on the community, especially in the summer months when part of the park is inaccessible.

He continued: “The delays are having a terrible impact on the community. A big section of Hailey Park, a beautiful Green Flag park, is just completely out of bounds, there’s a horrible massive compound there.

“Of course it’s summer now and people should be over there and enjoying the park but instead it’s just a blot on the landscape. It’s a horrible thing and people just want to know what’s going on.”

A Welsh Water spokesperson said: “We were planning to resume our tunnelling work in Hailey Park earlier this year. However, due to the availability of essential machinery and specialist resource needed by our contractor to carry out the work, our tunnelling activities remain on hold.