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Ice-cool Matt Weston shatters track records and ends Team GB’s medal drought with skeleton gold

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Ice-cool Matt Weston shatters track records and ends Team GB’s medal drought with skeleton gold

Day seven of the Winter Olympics fell on Friday 13th but far from being unlucky, it was the day Team GB’s medal curse finally lifted.

Morale has dropped after a series of near misses, including three fourth-places – one by a fraction of a point – and the day started off badly as Charlotte Bankes fell victim to her own curse, that of the Olympic quarter-final, once again.

But after Blue Monday, Terrible Tuesday, and Worrying Wednesday, and with anxiety swirling over how feasible UK Sport’s target of four to eight medals actually is, Matt Weston arrived to save the day.

Much has been made of how Great Britain, not a traditional winter sports nation, has been a disruptive force at elite level over the last few seasons. GB arrived at this Games with several medal favourites, and some have struggled to cope with the pressure, or simply seen things not go their way on the day. Winter sports can be capricious, tricksy beasts.

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But they reckoned without Weston, who has not risen to the occasion so much as bent it to his own will, remaking skeleton in his image.

The 28-year-old has been the dominant force on the World Cup circuit for the last couple of years. He tore his quad eight weeks before the start of the 2025/26 season but he came back from that in utterly imperious form, winning five of the seven World Cup races and becoming the first British man to win three overall titles. He is the reigning world champion, a three-time European champion, and an utterly ruthless operator.

He broke the track record in Cortina d’Ampezzo – where he won the first World Cup of the year, on the brand-new Olympic track – in each of his four runs, even after a minor error early in his first heat on Thursday.

There were no such errors in the remaining three; he was the first to go under 56 seconds, in his second heat, and took an advantage of three-tenths of a second into Friday.

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He collapsed to the ice in delight as victory was confirmed

He collapsed to the ice in delight as victory was confirmed (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Weston embraced his coach as the GB-supporting crowd went wild

Weston embraced his coach as the GB-supporting crowd went wild (AP)

1,440m of ice, with 16 curves and chicanes, and a 170m drop in elevation: all tamed by Britain’s first-ever men’s skeleton Olympic champion.

His demeanour after every race has been telling, roaring with delight, full of adrenaline. After setting the ludicrous time of 55.63 seconds after the third heat he celebrated before waving sweetly to the camera, already resetting, laser-focused on the task at hand. The BBC commentary team said the rest of the field “may as well pack up and go home”.

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In other disciplines it may have been possible to go for a safe final run, confident of holding onto the lead; in skeleton the margins are razor-thin so that is unwise, but nonetheless Weston is not that kind of character.

As the temperature dropped to -3 degrees in Cortina, making the technical, slightly slow track faster, he took to the track as the last of 24 sliders.

Weston was delighted as he broke the track record in three back-to-back heats before the last run

Weston was delighted as he broke the track record in three back-to-back heats before the last run (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

And the world No 1 delivered: another track record, an astonishing 55.61, and a glittering gold, with his winning time 3:43.33 – 0.88 quickest than his nearest rival and over a second clear of third place.

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He leapt into his coach’s arms to celebrate, dropping to his knees on the ice before roaring at the flag-waving British crowd, letting out four years of pain, suffering, frustration and elation in turn.

Beijing silver medallist Axel Jungk of Germany took silver in 3:44.21, while his compatriot, and defending champion, Christopher Grotheer finished in 3:44.30 for bronze, his second Olympic medal.

Weston’s teammate Marcus Wyatt finished in ninth, 2.44 seconds off Weston’s time.

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Epstein ‘asked Andrew to introduce him to Gaddafi’, emails appear to show

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Manchester Evening News

It appears the planned meeting did not go ahead, as Epstein did not end up flying to the Libyan capital

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor spoke to a Libyan contact to help arrange a meeting for Jeffrey Epstein with the country’s dictator Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli, emails appear to show.

Messages within the latest release of the US Department of Justice’s Epstein files, from the autumn of 2010, show the disgraced financier contacted royal aide David Stern saying “i want to go to tripoli lets organize with pa”.

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The paedophile then sends another email to Mr Stern, writing: “people that have seen the father, have asked me if i want to meet him as he does not know where to put his money as opposed to what to do with it, currencies etc, I wondered if Pa should make the intro instead.”

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The emails were first unearthed from the Epstein files by Channel 4 News, which reported “the father” refers to the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi – who was overthrown and killed in 2011 – to distinguish him from his well-known son Saif.

It appears Mr Stern then consulted Andrew, in a reply dated the following day, October 8 2010, writing: “He is thinking about the best approach and will discuss with me when I see him next on 17th Oct in Hong Kong (he is leaving today for Asia).”

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The former Duke of York made an official visit to China in October 2010 and was the UK’s trade envoy at the time.

Later emails from “The Duke”, signed “A”, to Epstein’s address say “I will call you later this evening after I have had my chat with my Libyan contact to see what we can arrange for you in Tripoli.”

The same day, November 4 2010, “A” follows up to Epstein writing “Libya fixed. Call me whenever.”

The emails come as Thames Valley Police on Wednesday said it had held discussions with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service about allegations that Andrew shared confidential reports from his role as the UK’s trade envoy with Epstein.

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It appears the planned meeting did not go ahead, as Epstein did not end up flying to the Libyan capital, Channel 4 News reported.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been contacted for comment.

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Looking for a winter sun holiday? Here are the best value destinations for UK travellers

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Looking for a winter sun holiday? Here are the best value destinations for UK travellers

British holidaymakers seeking long-haul winter sun can expect better value this year, with new data revealing tourist items are cheaper in two out of three popular destinations compared to last year.

A Post Office Travel Money report identifies Asia as offering the best value, with seven of the top ten most affordable locations.

Vietnam’s Hoi An stands out as the most budget-friendly for UK visitors among 30 destinations analysed. Its coastal city costs have fallen by 10.9 per cent since last autumn, driven by minor local price drops and the weakening dong currency.

South Africa’s Cape Town, where a basket of 10 tourist staples was 8 per cent higher than in Hoi An, was ranked the second cheapest destination after a 0.3 per cent year-on-year fall in costs.

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South Africa’s Cape Town was ranked the second-cheapest destination

South Africa’s Cape Town was ranked the second-cheapest destination (Getty/iStock)

The goods analysed include a cup of filter coffee in a cafe or bar, a small bottle or tube of insect repellent, and a three-course evening meal for two adults with a bottle of house wine.

Local prices in third-placed Bali, Indonesia, have risen by 10.8 per cent since last autumn, but an 11.3 per cent fall in the value of its currency – the rupiah – against the pound means costs have dropped by 0.5 per cent for visitors from the UK.

Mombasa, Kenya, was ranked fourth, with Tokyo, Japan, taking fifth place.

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Tokyo, Japan, took fifth place

Tokyo, Japan, took fifth place (Getty/iStock)

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: “Although sterling has fallen from its high point earlier this year and there are concerns about possible volatility this autumn, it’s important to note that it is stronger against most currencies than a year ago.

“Furthermore, local prices are stable in most of the destinations we surveyed, with falls in over 40 per cent of them, so the prospects for winter sun holidaymakers look bright – especially in many Far Eastern and Caribbean countries where a combination of these factors means reduced prices for British travellers.”

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2026 Winter Olympics: Mikhail Shaidorov wins men’s figure skating gold as ‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin crumbles

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Ilia Malinin

Malinin had come in for some criticism at these Games, particularly around his performance in the team event, in which he was outscored by Kagiyama in the short program before errors in the free skate – in which he had not originally been expected to compete – almost allowed Japan to scoop gold.

Reacting to the pressure, Malinin’s team took him out of the Olympic bubble to train 35 miles away in Bergamo before the men’s event as they hoped it would help him reset.

And his cleaned-up performance in the individual short program – finishing five points ahead of the field – seemed like that that of a man in no mood to lose his two-and-a-half-year unbeaten competition streak.

His lead into the free skate was ominous – this is where Malinin dominates. At the Grand Prix Final, he was third after the short but still finished 30 points clear of the field after the free, landing seven quads.

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Usually, he has such an advantage because of a deadly combination of fearlessness and ability. His program for the free skate has a much higher technical score than any of his rivals, and judges will give extra credit for ambition while also rewarding with a higher component score.

But this was a timid routine. The quad axel subbed for a single, a quad loop reduced to a double. Dreams, turned to rubble.

On his quad salchow, he only executed a double, then fell. Reality hit, just like the ice.

Malinin’s free skate was the 15th best of the night. It earned just 156.33 points, more than 40 behind Shaidorov.

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He performed a backflip for the crowd’s entertainment, but it seemed like a forlorn call to the good times of only last week.

In the team event he had also landed the first legal backflip at an Olympic Games since US champion Terry Kubicka in 1976 – after which it was banned for safety reasons.

Thanks in part to skaters like France’s Surya Bonaly – who performed the move illegally but successfully at Nagano 1998 – the backflip is now legal again.

Malinin became the first to land it at the Games on only one foot and did the flip again in the short program.

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But really, none of that mattered. And after the scores came in, Malinin went straight to Shaidorov to congratulate him.

This is Kazakhstan’s first Winter Olympic gold medal since Lillehammer 1994, when Vladimir Smirnov won the men’s 50km cross-country skiing. That was 10 years before Shaidorov, 21, was born.

After a slight slip on the quad lutz, Shaidorov kept his head when all about were losing theirs and produced two clean quad techniques of his own.

All hail the new Quad God.

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Keir Starmer to call for Europe to curb dependence on US

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Manchester Evening News

He is expected to say: “We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore”

Europe must relinquish its overdependence on the United States, Sir Keir Starmer is to tell a major defence summit grappling with antagonism from President Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister will also argue for the UK to move closer to the European Union, saying turning inwards such as in the Brexit years would amount to a “surrender” of control in a perilous era for geopolitics.

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Sir Keir is rubbing shoulders with around 50 world leaders at the Munich Security Conference, where he has already met with Germany’s Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron.

The leaders have also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss efforts to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as the four-year anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion nears.

European defence and the future of the transatlantic relationship are on the agenda at the conference, at a time when America’s commitment to Nato has been called into question.

Tensions flared over Mr Trump’s recent threat to take over Greenland from Nato partner Denmark, and insults directed at various leaders.

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In his speech to the summit on Saturday, the Prime Minister will call for a more European defence alliance and greater autonomy for the continent.

Sir Keir will say that this should be underpinned by stronger ties between Britain and the EU.

He is expected to say: “We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore.

“Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward – we would surrender it. And I won’t let that happen.

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“There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history – and it is today’s reality too.”

The Prime Minister will praise the US’s contribution to European security and say it remains a key ally.

But as Mr Trump’s administration has upended the international order and denigrated traditional allies in Europe, the bloc must reduce its dependence on the US and take more responsibility for its own defence, Sir Keir will suggest.

All eyes will be on whether US secretary of state Marco Rubio will take a similar approach to vice president JD Vance, who at last year’s gathering made waves by criticising European countries, including the UK, over free speech and immigration.

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Mr Rubio pointed to a “new era in geopolitics” before his arrival.

The Prime Minister was allocated a seat next to the US secretary of state at the Ukraine meeting, although Mr Rubio had not arrived by the time the press left the room for the private talks to commence.

In his speech, Sir Keir will say: “I’m talking about a vision of European security and greater European autonomy, that does not herald US withdrawal but answers the call for more burden sharing in full, and remakes the ties that have served us so well.”

He will highlight Europe’s failure to make the most of its defence capabilities and call for closer UK-EU defence co-operation “to multiply our strengths and build a shared industrial base across Europe which can turbocharge our defence production”.

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It comes after talks on Britain joining the EU’s new 150 billion euro (£130 billion) Security Action for Europe (Safe) rearmament fund were reported to have broken down at the end of last year, as the price for entry was thought to be too high.

“Europe is a sleeping giant. Our economies dwarf Russia’s, 10 times over,” Sir Keir will say.

“We have huge defence capabilities. Yet, too often, all of this has added up to less than the sum of its parts.

“Across Europe, fragmented industrial planning and long, drawn out procurement mechanisms have led to gaps in some areas – and massive duplication in others.”

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The Labour leader will also hit out at Reform UK and the Green Party – “the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left and the extreme right”.

He will add: “It’s striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia and weak on Nato – if not outright opposed.

“And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology.

“The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen.”

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Sir Keir’s trip to Germany comes after a tumultuous few weeks domestically, with his premiership rocked by controversy surrounding the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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EastEnders marks the anniversary of one of the most controversial deaths | Soaps

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EastEnders marks the anniversary of one of the most controversial deaths | Soaps
Soap legend remembered a year since on-screen death(Picture: BBC)

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Walford lost one of its most iconic residents.

Next week, EastEnders will be marking the anniversary of Martin Fowler’s devastating death, a moment that still feels raw for both the Square and viewers at home.

Martin was killed off during the show’s explosive 40th anniversary live episode in February 2025. And it wasn’t a quiet exit.

During a dramatic explosion at The Queen Vic, Martin became trapped under a fallen beam while trying to save his ex-wife, Stacey Slater. In heartbreaking scenes broadcast live, he was crushed beneath the debris as chaos unfolded around him.

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In his final moments, Martin confessed that he still loved Stacey and asked her to marry him again. It was classic EastEnders, romantic, tragic and completely gut-wrenching.

Martin Fowler standing in the Slater household in EastEnders, looking concerned.
Martin died during the soap’s explosive live 40th anniversary episode (Picture: BBC)

When paramedics finally lifted the beam, the release of toxins from his crushed legs triggered cardiac arrest. Despite desperate attempts to save him, Martin died in front of Stacey.

It was a shocking end for a character who had literally grown up on the Square.

Born on-screen in 1985 to original EastEnders legends Pauline and Arthur Fowler, Martin’s death marked the end of a 40-year chapter for one of Walford’s most historic families. 

Actor James Bye, who had played Martin since 2014, chose to leave the show after 10 years to pursue new projects, including the stage production Death Comes to Pemberley. His final performance in the live episode was widely praised, with viewers and critics calling it one of the most powerful exits the show has ever delivered.

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Next week’s emotional episode sees Lily struggling as the anniversary brings everything flooding back. Martin’s death left a huge hole in her life, having grown up with Martin as her father figure.

EastEnders,17-12-2024,7032,Lily Slater (LILLIA TURNER);Martin Fowler (JAMES BYE),***EMBARGOED UNTIL 5th DEC 2024***,BBC PUBLIC SERVICE,Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Now, a year on, the Square pauses to remember him (Picture: BBC)

Sam steps up to support her. Sam is preparing to leave Walford and head back to Spain. But before she goes, she makes sure Lily isn’t facing such a painful day alone, as Stacey is still in Brazil.

Sam and Lily share a heartfelt conversation about Martin, loss and how life looks after someone you love is suddenly gone. And it has a big impact on Sam.

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As she comforts Lily, Sam begins to reflect on her own situation. She’s been battling breast cancer and planning to return to Spain, but the heart-to-heart makes her realise something important: she needs her family more than she’s been willing to admit.

Watching Lily navigate grief reminds Sam how fragile everything is. Life can change in a second, just like it did the night of the Vic explosion.

By the end of the episode, Sam is left questioning whether walking away is really what she wants. Is Spain the fresh start she needs, or is the support system she’s been overlooking right here in Walford?

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As the Square remembers Martin Fowler, it’s clear his loss still echoes through Albert Square.

And for Sam, the anniversary might just change the course of her future too.

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Trump’s immigration surge ends in Twin Cities, but its effects linger

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Trump's immigration surge ends in Twin Cities, but its effects linger

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration’s drawdown of its immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities area has been met with relief, but state and city officials say small businesses and immigrant communities are still reeling.

Thousands of officers were sent to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area for Operation Metro Surge. The Department of Homeland Security said it was its largest immigration enforcement operation ever and dubbed it a success, but the crackdown came under increasing criticism as the situation grew more volatile.

The shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers drew condemnation and raised questions over officers’ conduct, prompting changes to the operation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, said the damage would be lasting and called on the federal government to help pay the costs.

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“This unprecedented federal escalation has upended daily life, it has eroded trust and inflicted a whole lot of harm on the operation that we need to provide as a city,” Frey said Friday. “Minneapolis taxpayers should not be left to foot the bill of this situation that has been created by the federal government.”

The mayor and other Minneapolis officials outlined the ways the crackdown has strained the finances of residents, businesses and the city itself. Expenses such as staff overtime and street cleanups cost the city an extra $6 million in January, they said.

The city estimates that small businesses have lost tens of millions of dollars in revenue, and thousands of hotel room were cancelled, Frey said. Furthermore, an estimated tens of thousands of people, including school-age children, are in need of support services such as rent and food assistance.

It’s the federal government’s responsibility in any emergency to assist in the recovery, Frey said, noting it was “all the more important” when federal agencies caused the damage.

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The operation leaves a mark

Following Thursday’s announcement, some residents held a vigil at a makeshift shrine that went up where Good was shot in Minneapolis.

Mark Foresman, an attendee from the suburb of St. Louis Park, said he is skeptical that the agents will leave.

“The Trump administration has created an atmosphere of distrust for government in general,” he said, suggesting the Trump administration’s tactics seemed designed to sow fear. “They’ve repeatedly been caught in lies.”.

John Schnickel, a local who attended the vigil, disputed Trump officials’ claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers or the operation had made Minnesota safer.

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“I don’t even want one ICE person here, if they act the way they’ve been acting,” said Schnickel. “They talk about how the murder rate is down, and yet they’ve added two people to it,” he said.

Most U.S. adults say they think Trump’s immigration policies have gone too far, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.

Homan credits improved coordination

Border czar Tom Homan told reporters Thursday that “extensive engagement” with state and local officials allowed for a formal end to the operation. The White House had long accused Minnesota of protecting criminals from deportation with so-called sanctuary laws.

President Donald Trump softened his tone and dispatched Homan to reduce tensions after the Jan. 24 killing of Pretti, saying that he and Walz were on a “similar wavelength” after weeks of barbs between the two leaders.

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Homan on Thursday highlighted examples of newfound cooperation with state and local entities, including law enforcement being increasingly responsive to requests for assistance and agreements on how jails handle deportable inmates.

Minnesota’s state prison system and many of its county jails have long shared information with federal immigration authorities so they can take custody of arrested immigrants.

The major exception is the Hennepin County Jail, which serves Minneapolis and doesn’t work with immigration authorities unless an arrest warrant has been signed by a judge. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, who oversees the jail, insisted Friday that no policies had changed.

Frey, meanwhile, emphasized Friday that his position hasn’t changed despite Homan’s indication that agreements with state and city leaders had been made.

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“We do not enforce federal immigration law, period. We do not cooperate with ICE or any agency around enforcement of federal immigration law, period,” Frey said.

Immigration enforcement will continue on a smaller scale

Homan announced last week that 700 federal officers would leave Minnesota immediately, but that still left more than 2,000 in the state. He said Thursday that a “significant drawdown” was already underway and would continue through next week.

He didn’t specify how many officers would remain, but he said enforcement would continue in the Twin Cities. Todd Lyons, ICE’s acting director, said during a congressional hearing Thursday that the agency was still searching for about 16,840 people in Minnesota who have final orders of removal.

Homan also said mass deportations will continue across the country, and that officers leaving Minnesota will report back to their stations or be assigned elsewhere.

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The focus on the Twin Cities, which Trump had pushed for partly because of fraud allegations involving Somali residents, followed increased deployments in big cities and small towns run by Democrats, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and New Orleans.

Fallout in Congress and the courts

Even though the Twin Cities operation is ending, the fallout will continue.

The Trump administration is trying to secure votes in Congress to prevent Department of Homeland Security funding from expiring at the end of the week, with Democratic lawmakers demanding restraints on immigration officers following Good and Pretti’s killings.

And there are ongoing federal investigations into the shooting of Pretti.

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The effects of the Minnesota crackdown are also still playing out in court, as federal prosecutors pursue high-profile cases against protesters and deportation cases slowly proceed.

A federal judge issued a temporary emergency order Thursday, finding that immigrants detained at a federal building in Minnesota have too many barriers to legal counsel.

Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges Friday, accused in a protest at a Minnesota church where an ICE official is a pastor.

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Fingerhut reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press reporters Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis and Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report.

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Wife of Ferrero Rocher billionaire Maria Franco Ferrero who ‘didn’t like chocolate’ has died

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Daily Record

The billionaire founder’s wife had confessed she wasn’t a fan of chocolate before the pair wed

Maria Franca Ferrero, the wife of the late Michele Ferrero, has died age 87, it has been announced.

The billionaire heiress to the Ferrero fortune, famously wasn’t a fan of chocolate and told her then partner Michele before they tied the knot. Despite not having a taste for it, she went on to earn the nickname as the “Nutella empress”.

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It has been revealed she died at her home in Alba, Italy, in the early hours of Thursday morning, reports The Express.

The town is also home to the Ferrero factory and nicknamed the birthplace of the chocolate spread. The company, of which Maria was president, is known for iconic brands such as Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tac. Italian Prime Minister Geogria Meloni paid tribute to Maria, calling her “a model of enterprise”.

She wrote on X: “Today, Maria Franca Fissolo Ferrero leaves us, a discreet and determined woman who accompanied, with intelligence and vision, one of the most extraordinary entrepreneurial stories in Italy, alongside Michele Ferrero.

“I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2018 and of getting to know up close her humanity, her sobriety, and the concrete commitment she carried forward through the Ferrero Foundation, which over the years has supported thousands of people and families.

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“With her passing, Italy loses a figure who represented, with elegance and reserve, a model of enterprise that creates value without ever forgetting the community.

“To the Ferrero family, on behalf of myself and the Government, I extend our most heartfelt condolences.”

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‘Beautiful’ little girl shaken to death by evil mum pictured for first time

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Omra Wali Jan was abused by her parents in the weeks before her tragic death.

A tot who suffered horrific abuse at the hands of her twisted parents, and later died after she was forcefully shaken by her mum, has been pictured.

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Omra Wali Jan was just two-years-old when she tragically passed away with severe brain injuries caused by “extremely forceful shaking”. The little girl was beaten, burnt and bitten over a number of weeks in 2023, before a final attack in November left her fighting for her life in hospital, reports the Mirror.

The two-year-old died on February 9, 2024, when her life support was removed with the permission of the High Court. Her parents finally faced justice when they were today jailed for years for their cruelty.

The court heard that it is not clear exactly what each parent did, with the full extent of the abuse unknown, but Morsal Mohammed Naim, 32, and husband Firooz Wali Jan, 32, both admitted to child cruelty. Naim was accused of murdering Omra, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the third day of a trial.

“Neither parent was kept in the dark,” John Elvidge KC said. “Both enabled and acquiesced in the forcible and deliberate infliction of severe injuries on Omra by one or both, over a period of time. With each extra attack, this complicity inevitably increased, permitting less and less differentiation of roles.”

Following a two-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court, Naim, of no fixed address, was jailed for nine years, while Wali Jan, of Seymour Grove, Old Trafford, was caged for six years and nine months. The judge made mention of the pair’s “sadistic behaviour” and “multiple incidents of serious cruelty” against the toddler.

While the couple did not detail exactly what they did to Omra, images and videos from Naim’s phone revealed burn injuries to Omra’s right hand, bruising to her cheek and an injury to her lip, the court was told.

On November 30, 2023, Nail was left with the child while Wali Jan went to work and phone records show the mum deleted a number of calls she made to her husband’s family in Afghanistan. Naim sent an audio message to another number at 5.44pm, which was later deleted. She then made a number of unsuccessful calls to other family members before calling a distant relative, reports Manchester Evening News.

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The mum carried Omra, who was unconscious and not breathing, upstairs to a neighbour, falsely telling the woman that her child had choked on a biscuit, the court heard. An ambulance was then called. Paramedics banged on the window, but there was no response. They initially thought it was a hoax call.

Eventually, a neighbour answered and medics were able to revive the child but Omra had bruises and marks on her head and body, and was rushed to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, where a CT scan revealed she had suffered a severe brain injury involving multifocal subdural haemorrhage; extensive hypoxic brain injury; and multiple retinal haemorrhages in the right eye.

The tragic tot was intubated and ventilated, but her life support was removed with the permission of the High Court on February 9, 2024. A post mortem report concluded she died as a result of head injuries.

Mr Elvidge KC, prosecuting, asked for the court to sentence the parents on the basis that ‘all of these injuries were inflicted deliberately in the family home’, adding: “The injuries were caused with an implement used as a weapon or by biting.

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“These injuries were not caused by a fleeting contact and they would have caused Omra to flinch or move away, if she could. When inflicted each injury would have caused extreme pain to Omra.” He added: “Neither parent reported these injuries to anyone or sought medical attention for them. Both parents lied about how and when injuries were inflicted and they have lied to protect each other.”

Jailing the pair for their ‘sadistic behaviour’, Mr Justice Turner said of Naim: “Although you pleaded guilty to manslaughter very late in the day, you have never admitted anything about the following – why you attacked your daughter; what form the attack took, when and in what circumstances you did so; and what you did and for how long in the aftermath.”

The judge cited multiple incidents of serious cruelty; sadistic behaviour; use of a weapon; deliberate disregard for the welfare of the victim; and failing to take steps to protect the victim.

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Philip Reade, GMP’s senior investigating officer for this case, said: “Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Omra’s death. The last few months of her life must have been truly miserable, being hurt by those who were meant to care for and protect her.

“This has been a challenging investigation spanning more than two years, involving countless medical and forensic experts. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts which have led to justice for Omra.

“Omra was so young, her parents should have been nurturing her, allowing her to grow into the child she would become. Instead, they completely neglected their moral duty to protect her. Their behaviour and attempts to mislead our investigation throughout have made this case even more horrifying, so we welcome the custodial sentences handed down today.

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“The investigation team never knew Omra, but we have seen countless images of her when being cared for by others which show a happy, smiling, beautiful child and she is in our thoughts today and always.”

Alan Richardson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Morsal Mohammed Naim not only shook her daughter to death, but then lied about what she had done.

“As her mum, Naim should have cared for two-year old Omra Wali Jan, and kept her safe. Instead, she inflicted the catastrophic injuries that caused Omra’s death. It is a killing almost impossible to comprehend in its cruelty and sheer senselessness […] Our thoughts are of Omra – whose young life was cut mercilessly short – and all those affected by her untimely death.”

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Video from Nancy Guthrie’s porch could hold valuable clues

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Video from Nancy Guthrie's porch could hold valuable clues

The chilling videos of a masked man outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in Arizona before she vanished show just glimpses of the suspect, but for investigators they hold a mountain of clues.

And those images — from the suspect’s gloves to his flashlight — could be what’s needed to break the case.

“There’s a tremendous amount of information that this guy left,” said former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt.

The FBI already has analyzed the videos from Guthrie’s doorbell camera to identify the suspect’s backpack, posting an alert on Thursday with a photo of the brand and model in hopes of narrowing down tips flooding the agency.

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It has been nearly two weeks since the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie was believed to have been abducted.

Former criminal investigators say it’s almost certain that authorities are building a physical and psychological profile of the suspect, using the footage released publicly on Tuesday that totals less than a minute.

Whether authorities recovered more footage isn’t known, but technology will allow them to see more than meets the eye.

“Every single thing that is in the video is being digitally enhanced. Everything from the mask to backpack to the jacket,” said Ed Davis, the former Boston police commissioner during the marathon bombing and manhunt in 2013.

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Here’s what was captured in the footage and what clues each might yield:

The backpack

It probably didn’t take long to pinpoint the type of backpack the suspect was wearing, Davis said.

Technology available today allows investigators to break down photos and videos to the pixel, he said, giving them images of the stitching and maybe the manufacturer or brand name.

The FBI described the backpack as a black, 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.”

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The holster

The FBI says the man on Nancy Guthrie’s porch was armed.

But the video shows he had an unusual holster setup, hanging over the middle of his waist and not on the side. It might be an indication that whoever it was has little experience with firearms.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Davis said.

The gloves

The footage gives a close-up view of the suspect trying to cover Guthrie’s doorbell camera, first with a gloved hand and then with part of a plant ripped from the yard.

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The black gloves appear to be thicker than most and shimmered in the light.

“I spend a lot of time in Home Depot, and I’ve never seen those gloves,” Davis said. “They’re not very common.”

The clothes

The suspect’s zip-up jacket, pants, shoes and mask don’t immediately stand out. But identifying one or more of those items could be a key.

Because once that happens, investigators can start looking at where those items are sold and combing through receipts and store surveillance cameras, starting with stores in the Tucson area closest to Guthrie’s home, said Van Zandt, who spent 25 years with the FBI.

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Going through mounds of receipts and footage will take time and isn’t something that would be done on most cases, but there’s no shortage of people assigned to this one, he said. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department earlier this week said several hundred detective and agents have been assigned to the case.

“If all of the stars line up properly — and they rarely do — I find someone who was in there two weeks prior who bought the jacket, the shoes, the backpack all at the same time,” Van Zandt said.

The flashlight

In one of the videos, the suspect appeared to be holding a small flashlight in his mouth while in front of Guthrie’s door.

Figuring out the type of flashlight might be difficult, but there’s something else to look at there, said David Lyons, a former homicide detective and police commander in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Not many people instinctively hold a flashlight in their mouth, but those who work in the trades might — such as an electrician or a plumber, he said.

“That’s a small thing,” he said. “But at the same time, down the road, it could be something.”

The movements

Every step and movement the suspect made on the porch is worth a close look — from the way he walked, to how he seemed unhurried and how he grabbed the plant from the yard, Lyons said.

All of that will likely be used by behavioral analysts to create a profile of the suspect, he said.

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“That’s what this will come down to,” Lyons said. “Those small aspects added all together.”

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Good Omens finally confirms season 3 release date after 3 years of waiting

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Good Omens finally confirms season 3 release date after 3 years of waiting
Good Omens will return for a season three special, and now we know when (Picture: Mark Mainz/Prime)

Almost three years after the climactic end to Good Omens season two, Amazon Prime Video has confirmed when it will return for its final outing.

The fantasy series, based on Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990s novel of the same name, follows unlikely allies: angel turned reclusive rare bookseller Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and grouchy demon Crowley (David Tennant), as they face down the apocalypse.

The last episode ended on a dramatic cliffhanger after the chalk-and-cheese duo finally shared a kiss before parting ways once more.

Fans are keen to see the pair reconcile and have their happy ending – and defeat some universe-ending foes at the same time, of course. Now we know the 90-minute finale special will come out on May 13, 2026.

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The short teaser shows the lights switching on along the street. We then zoom in on Aziraphale’s bookstore, A.Z. Fell & Co, where the closed sign is flipped around to show ‘open’.

However, since the second season came out, the show has become embroiled in controversy after author Gaiman (who was also an executive producer on the series) had several sexual assault allegations levelled against him – all of which he has denied.

As such, the British author’s career has come to a halt with all his ongoing projects, including The Sandman and Dead Boy Detectives, coming to an end.

After pre-production was initially paused, it was eventually confirmed that the third Good Omens season would be the last and consist of a 90-minute special to conclude the story for fans.

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In October 2024, Deadline also confirmed that Gaiman had reportedly agreed to roll back his involvement from the finale.

During an episode of The Assembly, Doctor Who star Tennant was asked ’someone you’ve worked with, a friend, has been cancelled for some quite serious allegations. How has that affected you?’, further clarifying he was referring to Good Omens.

David Tennant as Crowley and Michael Sheen as Aziraphale in a crowded room in Good Omens
After season two came out, the show faced a huge upheaval following sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman (Picture: Robert Wilson/Prime Video)
Neil Gaiman close up
All of the fantasy author’s TV projects are coming to an end after a string of allegations, which he has denied (Picture: Jim Bennett/WireImage)

The 54-year-old Scottish actor responded: ‘We’re doing Good Omens again. We’re going back to do the final. We’re doing a final. There’s been a slight rejig with the personnel.

‘But we still get to tell that story – I think it would have been very difficult to leave it on a cliffhanger. So I’m glad that’s been worked out.’

Meanwhile, talking to The Times in June, Sheen said: ‘I really don’t know what’s going to happen with it.

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‘We were both relieved we finished the story, but that’s within this really difficult, complicated, disturbing context. I hope people get to see it, but that, to a large extent, is out of our hands.’

Filming for the finale took place in Scotland in early-2025 and it seems that a cast and crew screening took place in December.

Michael Sheen (Aziraphale), David Tennant (Crowley) in Good Omens
Both lead stars have expressed excitement for fans to see the conclusion to the story while acknowledging the controversy (Picture: Mark Mainz/Prime Video)

Sheen took to social media to confirm the screening news, adding: ‘I laughed and I cried. There’ll be bits you absolutely love, and there’ll be things you argue about, of course.

‘It should have been six episodes, but it’s not. Thank God for what it is. Brilliantly directed, beautiful performances, fantastic new looks, incredible work all around.’

Earlier this month, Gaiman returned to social media after a lengthy silence.

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In 2024,  Gaiman was accused of sexual assault and abuse by five women, including the former nanny of his young son with his now estranged wife, musician Amanda Palmer.

Neil Gaiman
The Sandman creator returned to social media earlier this month to double down on his denial (Picture: WireImage)

At the time, he said he’d ‘never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone’.

Two years on from the initial statements, he returned to Facebook earlier this month to hit out at the ‘smear campaign’ against him.

He then doubled down on his denial, adding: ‘ The allegations against me are completely and simply untrue. There are emails, text messages and video evidence that flatly contradict them.’

He then claimed his latest project is ‘the biggest thing I’ve done since American Gods’.

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After the allegations first came out, production on the Disney feature adaptation of his YA novel The Graveyard Book also came to a halt.

Good Omens season three arrives on Amazon Prime Video on May 13, 2026.

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