Vue Darlington will begin screening Akira from Friday, April 17, giving fans a chance to experience the iconic 1988 film in cinemas once again.

Akira, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, is regarded as one of the most influential anime films ever made and a major force in introducing Japanese animation to global audiences.

Vue Darlington is set to screen the classic Japanese anime film Akira (Image: Supplied)

Set in Neo-Tokyo after a third world war, the story follows a gang of delinquents, led by Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo.

After Tetsuo is taken by the military to a research facility, Kaneda launches a daring rescue mission.

However, a series of tests awaken dangerous powers in Tetsuo that could put the entirety of Tokyo at risk.

Vue Darlington is set to screen the classic Japanese anime film Akira (Image: Supplied)

The film is known for its detailed animation and dark, compelling narrative, securing its reputation as a touchstone in both anime and cinema history.

Vue Darlington general manager Stuart Dunn said: “We’re always excited to showcase groundbreaking and iconic releases at Vue and, with anime more popular than ever, we’re thrilled to bring back Akira – a film that originally brought anime into the mainstream.

“Whether you’ve visited Neo-Tokyo many times before, or have yet to experience this iconic anime, we welcome you to enjoy Akira as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen.”

Tickets and further information are available at www.myvue.com.

Vue Darlington is set to screen the classic Japanese anime film Akira (Image: Supplied)

While on a camping trip with their Girl Scouts club three little girls were raped and murdered after the killer left a handwritten note in a lunchbox – and yet the case remains unsolved

It was a day which shocked the nation when it was revealed three Girl Scouts’ bodies had been found on the campsite grounds of Camp Scott in Mayes, Oklahoma, and the murderer was still on the loose.

The girls were all residents of the same suburb in Tulsa called Broken Arrow and shared a tent together, which was the furthest away from the camp counsellor.

The excitable little girls on a camping trip had no idea when they huddled in tent number 7, they would not survive the night.

At around 6am on Monday, June 13, 1977, the camp counsellor on her way to the showers discovered the body of one of the girls, and it wasn’t long before the other two were uncovered.

The bodies of Lori Lee Farmer, eight, Doris Denise Milner, 10, and Michele Heather Guse, nine, were found dead, with two of their bodies still lying in their sleeping bags.

Testing later confirmed that all three children had been bludgeoned, strangled and raped before their bodies were left on a trail leading to the campsite’s showers, 140 metres away from where they were sleeping.

In an unprecedented series of events, a month prior to this horrifying crime, a warning sign was given to the counsellors at Camp Scott that was dismissed as a prank.

One of the counsellors noticed that her doughnuts had been stolen, and when they discovered the doughnut box, inside of it was a handwritten note with a series of 12 chilling words.

In capital letters it read: “We are on a mission to kill three girls in tent one.”

The brutal killing was seemingly solved and put down to Gene Leroy Hart, who had recently escaped from the local jail and had a long history of both violence and rape.

Although, when it got to court in March 1979, the jury decided on a not guilty verdict, in spite of sufficient evidence.

On top of the girls’ dead bodies a red flashlight was left, and on it was a smudged fingerprint. It was realised that the print was too smudged to enable identification, but it was accompanied by a footprint in the blood inside of the tent.

The footprint belonged to a size 9.5 shoe, which matched that of Hart.

He was already a convicted rapist and killer, with 305 years of his 308-year sentence left to serve in prison.

This was down to a previous conviction in which he kidnapped and rapped two pregnant women, along with four counts of first-degree burglary.

Further DNA testing performed in 1989 also came back inconclusive. Although over the years as technology and science have advanced, the case has been referred back to for further DNA testing.

After a number of tests in 2022, it was made public by authorities the evidence strongly suggests Hart’s involvement in the gruesome crime. Although justice cannot be served, as the convicted rapist died in 1979, two years after the Girl Scout murders.

Advertisement

The heartbroken parents of Lori shared their stories with People Magazine, over 40 years after the death of their beloved daughter. Her mother Sheri described her as a gymnast, an avid reader and a ‘doting big sister’ to her four younger siblings.

Her mother said: “She didn’t get to live and grow up, but she does have a legacy. And to me it is love. That’s how Bo and I have lived our lives.

“Our children are all grown up. Our grandchildren are a lot grown up. But they have learned how to live with their sister being murdered and make amazing choices in what they do and how they conduct their lives. Our grandchildren have done amazing things.”

Lori’s father, Bo, on the other hand, said that everything he looks at involving the investigation “points at Gene Hart”.

Sheri explained: “Bo and I have been open to listening to people, and we still are. It’s been 46 years, and I feel the same today as I did then — that we care about the truth.”

North Yorkshire Police say that on Wednesday night (April 14) officers from their local neighbourhood policing team stopped a vehicle, and spotted that the driver only held a provisional licence.

A force spokesman said: “The car was seized and the driver has been dealt with.

“Driving without the correct licence or supervision isn’t just illegal it puts everyone at risk.

“Provisional licence holders must be properly supervised and meet all legal requirements before getting behind the wheel. These rules exist to keep all road users safe.

“Our teams will continue to take action against unsafe and unlawful driving to help keep North Yorkshire’s roads safe for everyone.

“Stay safe, drive responsibly, and always make sure you’re legally allowed to be on the road.”

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday doubled down as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism showed no sign of letting up, insisting that the message “the world needs to hear today” is one of peace and dialogue.

Leo spoke to journalists en route to Cameroon as he continued his Africa visit.

He made no mention of Trump’s latest social media post or the suggestion by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, that he should “be careful” when speaking about theology.

Leo took no questions. Rather, he focused on his first stop in Algeria and the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo, the inspiration of his religious order and his own spirituality.

But Leo spoke in terms that suggested the Trump administration’s criticism of the pope’s calls for peace in the Iran war hadn’t gone unnoticed. He spoke exclusively in English.

Trump has issued repeated broadsides this week against history’s first U.S.-born pope, accusing him of being weak on crime and a captive to the left, and asserting that Leo owed his papacy to Trump. Trump also posted, then took down, an artificial intelligence-generated, Christ-like image of himself that drew widespread condemnation, even from many supporters.

Trump’s attacks on Leo began after the pope amplified criticism of war and asserted that God doesn’t bless those who drop bombs. Leo also called Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization “truly unacceptable.”

Overnight, Trump posted “Not good!!!” in response to a post citing social media posts by Leo before he was pope that were critical of Trump. And he wrote: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”

Leo points to St. Augustine and ‘search for truth’

Leo drew attention to his visit Tuesday to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo where St. Augustine, the theological and philosophical giant of the early church, lived as a bishop for more than 30 years.

“His writings, his teaching, his spirituality, his invitation to search for God and to search for truth is something that is very much needed today, a message that is very real for all of us today as believers in Jesus Christ, but for all people,” Leo said.

By going to Hippo, Leo said that he wanted to offer the church and the world a vision that St. Augustine offers in terms of seeking “unity among all peoples and respect for all people in spite of the differences.”

He recalled that the vast majority of Algerians are Muslim, but that they respect and honor St. Augustine as “one of the great sons of their land.” Such an attitude, he said, helps to build bridges between Christians and Muslims and promote dialogue.

And he recalled his visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers, where he stood in silent prayer.

“I think the visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace,” he said.

“And so I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today.”

While being on the receiving end of Trump’s criticisms online, Leo pointed to the respectful way that the Algerian government had received him on the first-ever papal visit — with a full military airborne escort through Algeria’s airspace.

“It’s a sign of the goodness, of the generosity, of the respect that the Algerian people and the Algerian government have wished to show to the Holy See and to myself,” Leo said.

A debate about ‘just war’

The Vatican’s editorial director, Andrea Tornielli, was more pointed than Leo in his rebuttal of Vance, who had argued that the Catholic Church had a long tradition of endorsing so-called “just wars,” when war can be morally justified.

Tornielli noted that the “just war” theory was developed centuries ago, when wars were fought with swords, not machine-guided drones.

“This teaching has gradually been enriched and deepened, to the point of recognizing how increasingly difficult it is to claim that a ‘just war’ exists,” Tornielli wrote on Vatican Media. Modern warfare poses a “reality that raises moral questions of dramatic intensity.”

“There has been a growing awareness that war is not a path to be followed,” he wrote.

U.S. Cardinal Robert McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, has said the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran failed to meet the minimum criteria for the war to be considered morally just. Such criteria would have included that it was a response to an imminent threat, that the U.S. and Israel had clearly articulated their intentions or that the benefits would outweigh the harm.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Migrants are falsely claiming to be victims of domestic abuse in order to stay in the country, exploiting rules brought in to expedite the process of securing permanent residence for genuine abuse victims

A BBC investigation has found that legal advisers are encouraging some to make up abuse allegations. One of those advisers, Eli Ciswaka, encouraged a BBC reporter to make false allegations of domestic abuse – saying that he would fabricate the claim for £900, creating a story to tell the Home Office in order to secure the client’s status in the UK.

Ciswaka did not respond to a written request for comment, but during a phone call to tell him about our investigation he denied being willing to make up a story that the undercover reporter had been a victim of domestic abuse.

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding in the Home Office, said that the abuse of rules around domestic abuse victims was “unacceptable” and that “sham lawyers facilitating this advice abuse will be put behind bars.”

Read the story in full here.

There’s danger brewing on Coronation Street next week as Theo’s sinister behaviour takes a terrifying turn, and it could end in deadly consequences.

Theo shows Summer his true colours in a chilling confrontation. Getting right in her face, he menacingly reveals that Billy ‘begged him to save him,’ leaving Summer shaken and shocked. Viewers will remember that horrifying night. Theo was responsible for Billy’s death during the explosive Corriedale episode, when he deliberately rebuckled Billy’s seatbelt, trapping him in the van and sealing his fate.

The cruel revelation leaves Summer devastated, and she later pours her heart out to George in the shop, recounting every word Theo said. Furious at what he hears, George wastes no time in confronting Theo himself, issuing a stark warning. Making it clear he’s reached his limit, George tells Theo that if he goes anywhere near Todd or Summer again, he won’t be responsible for what happens next.

But Theo’s behaviour only becomes more erratic. In a worrying turn, he’s later seen crawling out of his van in a terrible state, raising alarm bells for those around him. When Miles approaches, he’s horrified by what he finds, suggesting Theo may be spiralling further than anyone realised.

As Carl arrives on the scene, he overhears Theo desperately begging Miles to speak to his mum, hinting that he wants another chance to rebuild his fractured family. But rather than showing sympathy, Carl spots an opportunity, and it’s clear he may use Theo’s vulnerable state to his own advantage.

Meanwhile, concern continues to grow for Todd, with Kit stepping in to reassure him that he’ll do everything possible to keep Theo away. Still shaken, Todd makes a big decision of his own. At No.11, he reveals to George that he’s planning to visit Eileen and Jason in Thailand, seemingly desperate to put as much distance between himself and Theo as possible.

As Todd heads to bed, Theo is seen lurking outside, watching him through the bedroom window. It’s a moment that confirms just how dangerous and unpredictable he’s become, and raises serious fears about what he might do next.

With tensions rising across Weatherfield and Theo’s grip on reality slipping, the threat he poses is only growing stronger. His manipulation of Summer, combined with the truth about Billy’s death, could push those around him to the breaking point.

And with a mystery death set to rock the street, suspicion is already falling in Theo’s direction. Is he capable of going even further, or could his actions finally catch up with him?

As the drama unfolds, one question hangs in the air: is Theo about to destroy someone else’s life… or will his own story come to a shocking and possibly fatal end?

MORE: Devastated Todd tells the police everything in Coronation Street – as the end for Theo looms

MORE: Coronation Street star reveals why the colour purple is used significantly with Todd and Theo

MORE: All Coronation Street spoilers for next week as it’s finally all over for Megan and Carl amid death twist

Hello, and welcome to WalesOnline’s live blog for Thursday, April 16. We’ll be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales – whether you’re on the move, at home or at work – as well as the latest traffic and travel.

We’ll also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas.

Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that’s breaking in your area. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

Martyn Woods, who was caged for 14 years for the sexual assault of two children, died aged 79

A depraved predator who was jailed for the historic sexual abuse of children has died in prison. Martyn Woods was caged for 14 years in 2018 after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of sexually assaulting a child.

A court was told how a young girl repeatedly sexually abused by Woods over a number of years and that a teenage boy was also sexually assaulted as he lay in bed. The abuse took place in Bolton, Radcliffe and Rawtenstall between 1962 and 1976.

His offending was revealed in 2017 when one of his victims came forward and reported it to the police, prompting an investigation. Woods’ victims were both left ‘suffering severe emotional trauma’, police said.

Click here to hear the latest from Manchester’s courts in our newsletter

Then aged 72, Woods was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to the offences. After being jailed, Woods was told he would also be placed on a one year extended license after he was set to be released and would remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

However, a report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) published on Wednesday (April 15) has confirmed that Woods died six years into his prison sentence, in September of 2024.

An independent investigation was carried out after the prisoner’s death at HMP Wymott, in Leyland, on September 29. He was 79-years-old when he died of empyema of the left hemithorax, which is a collection of pus between the lung and chest wall.

At an inquest held on January 9 of this year, the coroner concluded that Mr Woods had died of natural causes. His family, and next of kin received a copy of the PPO’s report and made no comments.

After being jailed, Woods was told he would also be placed on a one year extended license after he was set to be released and would remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding in the Home Office, said: “The unacceptable abuse of this route, which protects genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse, is utterly shameful. I have personally seen the deplorable impact of this type of underhanded tactic.

Xanax, a drug used to treat anxiety disorders, has been placed under a nationwide recall.

Viatris, the maker of Xanax, recalled the medication last month because of “failed dissolution specifications,” according to a recent notice from the Food and Drug Administration.

This means the pill may not break down in the body and release the drug at the right speed. If the medication doesn’t dissolve correctly, it could reduce its effectiveness.

Last week, the FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the affected pills could cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the agency.

Here are some additional details about the recall:

A Viatris spokesperson told The Independent, “Patient safety and the quality of our medicines are of the utmost importance to Viatris. The voluntary recall of Xanax XR in the U.S. is specific to one lot of one strength (3mg) of the brand product only, and no other batches of the Xanax XR brand product, or its generics, are impacted.”

“The vast majority of patients in the U.S. are dispensed generic alprazolam, which this recall does not affect,” the spokesperson added.

Viatris said patients don’t need to take any action in connection with the recall and that wholesalers and pharmacies have been provided with instructions on how to return the affected Xanax. The drug maker said they have not received any reports of adverse reactions from the recalled product as of Wednesday.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Benzodiazepines are depressants that slow down the body’s central nervous system, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. They are used to treat anxiety, but can also be used to relieve muscle spasms and reduce seizures, the DEA says.

The Xanax website warns against taking the drug more than prescribed or sharing it with other people.

Patients who take Xanax can reach Viatris customer relations at (800) 796-9526 or customer.service@viatris.com.

Consumers should also check their medicine cabinets for cough drops that were recently recalled.

Last month, China-based Xiamen Kang Zhongyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. recalled 15 cough drop products sold across the U.S. The recall was classified as Class II last week.

The cough drops were recalled following an FDA recommendation based on “certain observations” during an inspection of the manufacturing facility last August that “may bear on product quality,” according to an agency notice about the recall.