Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway close to the Mandale Interchange in Middlesbrough at 2.16pm today (April 30).

AA and Traffic England confirmed there had been a ‘medical incident’ with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) saying one person was taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for the NEAS said: “We were called to a road traffic incident in Middlesbrough at 2.16pm on April 30.

“We dispatched a double crewed ambulance and a specialist paramedic. One patient was taken to James Cook Hospital.” 

A spokesperson for AA Traffic Maps added: “Traffic congestion and one lane closed due to medical incident on A19 Southbound at A1130 Acklam Road (Mandale Interchange).”

The lane has since been reopened.

Brian Gately, known to family and friends as Big Bri, died after reports of an altercation with a group of people outside his home on Samphire Street, Port Clarence.

The incident happened at around 9.15pm on November 28, 2022. There were multiple arrests at the time but never any charges until now.

Brian Gately died after a suspected altercation with a group of people outside his home on Samphire Street, Port Clarence. (Image: Cleveland Police)

Cleveland Police confirmed that Ashley Cooper, 29, of Gisburn Road in Billingham and Dean Barnett, 26, of Rowan Tree Gardens in Redcar, have both been charged with manslaughter.

Barnett is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on June 8, and Cooper is due to appear at the same court on June 10.

In November 2024, following a renewed appeal for information, Mr Gately’s family spoke of the impact of his death and their continued search for answers.

They said: “There has been no closure for us as a family after losing Big Bri. We are a big family, and we all miss him so much.

“Some of Bri’s grandkids never got to meet their grandad, and without knowing what really happened to him, we cannot explain this to all of the kids and we can’t have any closure.

“Big Bri loved Christmas. It was a big time for him, and everyone went to his on Christmas Day. He loved having everyone together.

“As we head towards Christmas as a family, without Big Bri again, we want to ask anyone who has any information at all to please tell the police.

“Please help our family get the answers we need to try and move forward and get some closure.”

​Scarborough Town Councillors have said they do not want to see ​the Duchess pub at 152 Hovingham Drive, Scarborough, converted into three flats as proposed by RPC Scarborough Ltd.

​The outline proposal for the site, which is near Scarborough Hospital, would include the construction of detached bungalows if it is approved by the planning authority.

​Town councillors said they were opposed to the proposal over a loss of amenity for local residents and proposed setting up an online page to raise awareness of the proposal among the community.

​Cllr Chris Clarke said the company behind the plan had “no track record or experience in the ownership or operation of public houses” and suggested that “the company’s primary focus is not the operation of a public house”.

​Speaking at a meeting of Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee on Wednesday, April 29, he added: “The proposal does not sufficiently demonstrate any sort of commitment by RPC to the continued operation of the premises as a viable public house, and on this basis, I call for refusal.”

​Cllr David Knowles said: “It’s the only pub on that large housing development and because it’s a big pub, it used to do food.

​“So, I don’t think it’s been given a fair crack at the whip in terms of how it’s been promoted and marketed, and it probably could do better.”

At the meeting, committee members voted against the conversion of the pub, which will be decided by the local planning authority.

​However, in a statement submitted as part of the planning application, the pub’s former licensee gave their support to the conversion as the pub “is not commercially viable, and the local community do not view it as a significant community asset”.

​​The ex-licensee said: “The local community did not support the pub and did not appear to view the public house as a community asset in any significant way, and I have heard no significant negative comments following its closure.

​”They also noted that the pub “barely broke even”.

​​Submitted plans state that the proposed development would retain the existing building’s scale and massing with no increase in building height.

​​“The existing two-storey form is retained; this ensures the development remains compatible with neighbouring residential properties.”

​​The applicant said that the conversion of the pub would have positive impacts, including a reduction in noise associated with pub operations, reduced evening and late-night activity, and added that the building would continue to be occupied and maintained.

​​Submitted plans also state that the proposed bungalow development would be located a “sufficient distance away from the Duchess building and adjacent housing”.

​They add: “The proposed bungalow design is in response to the local context and is designed to reflect the scale, form, heights and layout arrangements of the existing buildings.”

​​North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the application which is currently open to representations from members of the public.

John Higgins produced a battling display to fight back from 3-1 down to draw level at 4-4 against Shaun Murphy in the opening session of their World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

It was far from fluent from the four-time world champion, whose highest break of 50 gave him the eighth frame of the contest.

Indeed, for most of Thursday afternoon he appeared to still be feeling the effects of his late-night quarter-final victory over Neil Robertson, as he failed to make a number of easy pots in an error-strewn showing.

However, not for the first time in the tournament, he exhibited all his resolve and granite matchplay qualities that makes him such a dangerous opponent.

Their best-of-33 encounter resumes on Friday at 10:00 BST, with the remaining last-four match, between China’s Wu Yize and Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, starting at 19:00 on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Sapling Road, off Morris Green Way, Morris Green at around 11pm on the evening of Wednesday April 29.

A car appeared to have driven into a wall at the top of the street, and police say they are now investigating a suspected arson in connection with the incident.

Speaking on Thursday, A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a suspected offence of arson on Sapling Road, Bolton yesterday, April 29.

“There is believed to be no wider threat to the public and enquiries remain ongoing.”

A house fire was reported (Image: Phil Taylor)

No casualties were reported because of the incident but clear damage to the wall and house were visible from outside.

Three fire engines were also called the scene that night to help tackle the house fire and remained there for around two and a half hours.

Crews from Bolton Central, Farnworth and Atherton Fire Stations were all involved in tackling the blaze before the scene was handed over to police for their investigations.

A car appeared to have hit the wall (Image: Phil Taylor)

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At around 11pm on Wednesday April 29, three fire engines from Bolton Central, Farnworth and Atherton were called to a house fire on Sapling Road, Bolton after a car has crashed into a wall.

“Crews arrived quickly and worked with partners from Greater Manchester Police to make the area safe. No casualties were reported.

“Crews were in attendance for around two and a half hours.”

Officers remained at the scene through the night and into Thursday morning as their investigation were carried out.

Members of the public reported a large police presence still visible around the house early on Thursday morning.

By later that same morning traffic was able to pass freely across Sapling Road and the surrounding area.

Just before 11.50am on Thursday morning, plainclothes police officers appeared to be leaving the scene on Sapling Road.

Anyone with any further information or concerns can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Nicole Kidman turned heads at the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 show on Wednesday.

The luxurious event took place in the sun-soaked south of France — the perfect spot for a collection of ‘relaxed silhouettes with silk satin scarves, ensembles with a nautical spirit,’ and knit looks composed for a ‘sophisticated holiday wardrobe.’

Nicole clearly understood the fashion assignment, looking unreal in a backless ensemble as she posed for photos on a beachfront balcony.

Her entire look consisted of a black fitted maxi dress with a high, straight neck, long sleeves with a slight flare, and a tight slimline skirt that accentuated her tall physique.

But the star of the show was the back of the dress. Alongside the sophisticated scoop, the piece featured a statement feathered arrangement at the centre of her back. It was held in position by four gold chains, which added extra elegance to the fit.

The dress was also complete with a subtle slit at the bottom of the skirt, which gave more attention to her sling-back black heels.

In terms of hair, makeup and accessories, Nicole wore her signature blonde locks in a tousled low bun with curtain bangs. She kept her skincare simple, with a touch of blush and glossy nude lips, and added a pair of sleek shades to finish the chic aesthetic.

Nicole has been eating and leaving no crumbs with her other fashion statements, too.

Two weeks ago, the 58-year-old rocked up to the Las Vegas CinemaCon red carpet with her Practical Magic co-star, Sandra Bullock, in a sheer black dress.

Nicole’s take on the LBD featured a (modest) plunging V-neckline, ruffles around the bust and hips, short sleeves, and a sheer skirt with more ruffles at the hem, which showed off her athletic pins.

She wore her locks down this time and in messy waves, with wispy curtain bangs that framed her face.

Nicole has been in the public eye plenty recently, thanks to multiple acting roles and her high-profile split from her husband of 18 years, Keith Urban.

In terms of the latter, the pair announced their separation in September 2025, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’ However, it was later revealed that Nicole ‘didn’t want’ the divorce and was ‘fighting to save the marriage.’

Nicole and Keith, who met in 2005 at the G’Day USA gala in Los Angeles, an event honouring Australians in Hollywood, share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15.

Sunday Rose is currently taking a leaf out of her mother’s style book, while also following in the footsteps of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, establishing herself as a successful model.

But in a recent cover interview with Elle Australia, where she talked all things modelling, she inadvertently snubbed her father, Keith. Instead, she gushed about her mother, Nicole, and how she’s her ‘biggest inspiration.’

The feature reportedly left Keith feeling ‘numb,’ and ‘like he doesn’t exist.’

Sunday also seemingly unfollowed her father on Instagram, leaving fans to speculate that there’s tension in the family dynamics.

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The owner hopes to introduce some new items to the Cambridge Oven’s menu

A Cambridge bakery that is popular with the city’s residents has announced it will be opening a second site in a Cambridgeshire town. The Cambridge Oven, which can be found on Hills Road in Cambridge, will be launching a new bakery in St Ives.

Jolita Durrant, the owner of the Cambridge Oven, said it feels like “the right time to expand” after the first bakery opened nearly eight years ago. She said: “We found this really lovely spot in St Ives by the river and we thought that could really work. We went around a few different places around Cambridge because we will be baking at our bakery on Hills Road and transporting everything to our second shop so it needed to be within driving distance.”

Mrs Durrant was able to find a “really pretty place” close to the riverside in St Ives and decided it would be a good place to open her second store. She continued: “It feels quite exciting to be honest. It’s exciting to expand our team, get more bakers, get more staff, get maybe some new recipes going as well, and produce some great stuff for more customers.”

At the new Cambridge Oven, you will be able to find all of your favourite products you can buy at the Hills Road location. There will be sourdough breads, pastries, buns as well as cakes and hopefully, a “wider range of products”.

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But out of all of the products available, Mrs Durrant would recommend first-time customers try the cinnamon and cardamom buns, as that is her favourite product. When asked about her hopes for the future of the new site, Mrs Durrant said she wants people to “appreciate” the products.

She added: “I hope that people will really like us. I hope that we get a lot of customers that will really appreciate the products that we make because we put a lot of love into them. We use a lot of organic ingredients. We use our sourdough starter and local meal flour for our sourdoughs. They are delicious. I hope people appreciate that and they will enjoy eating them.”

Mrs Durrant said she has already received a really “positive response” on social media about the shop’s opening. The Cambridge Oven in St Ives is hoping to be open by the middle of June.

The not-so-coveted title is given to beaches rated “poor” by the Environment Agency due to high levels of bacteria, including e-coli, which may come from sewage, animal waste, and surface water runoff.

Sampling takes place between May 15 and September 30 each year.

The other North East beach to receive a Brown Flag for 2026 is Tynemouth Cullercoats in Tyne and Wear – both beaches also ‘won’ the award last year.

It is the second time Littlehaven has entered the so-called ‘top of the plops’ rankings.

The award is part of the Brown Flag Awards, created by Holiday Park Guru using Environment Agency data, and highlights the beaches with the lowest water quality ratings.

A Holiday Park Guru spokesperson said: “Swimming in the sea is a high priority for us on holiday – but I want to be the only thing floating.

“And so, in an effort to highlight England’s beaches that you might want to avoid… we are proud to present the third ever Holiday Park Guru Brown Flag Awards.

“It’s the Oscars of the sewage world.

“We’ve spent hours analysing official Environment Agency water quality data to select the ‘winners.’

We have even offered to send tasteful brown flags to the worst beaches, so they can warn swimmers.”

What is being done about it?

South Tyneside Council confirmed efforts were ongoing to improve water quality at the affected locations.

The Environment Agency bases its ratings on around 7,000 water samples from more than 400 designated bathing sites across England, collected over a four-year period.

The system uses a four-tier scale: three stars (excellent), two stars (good), one star (sufficient), and zero stars (poor).

Currently, 67 per cent of England’s bathing waters hold a three-star rating, while just five per cent score zero.

Tests measure levels of faecal bacteria, including intestinal enterococci and e-coli, which can indicate contamination from sewage, agricultural runoff, wildlife, and road drainage.

The Brown Flag Awards aim to warn the public about beaches where water quality falls below acceptable standards.