TOKYO (AP) — The head of the U.N.’s nuclear agency signaled Wednesday that Iranian nuclear enrichment sites would be visited by his inspectors, a key component in the interim deal between the United States and Iran to reach an end to the war.

The comment by International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Mariano Grossi was the firmest yet from the United Nations agency, which is viewed as key in determining the status of Iran’s nuclear stockpile.

Since Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran in 2025, the IAEA has been blocked by Tehran from visiting enrichment sites where the Islamic Republic is believed to store enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build as many as 10 nuclear weapons, should it choose to rush for the bomb. Iran long has maintained that its program is peaceful, though it is the only country in the world to have uranium enriched up to 60% purity without a weapons program.

The U.S. and Iran offered contradictory remarks Tuesday about whether those sites would be inspected.

Grossi says inspections are ‘going to happen’

“I can understand political statements, they are part of the reality, but the fundamental thing I would like to remind you and draw your attention to is that there has been a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by both presidents,” Grossi told journalists at a news conference at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The accord “says explicitly that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with the regards to the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA — in all letters,” he said.

Grossi added: “Obviously, to do that, we will have to inspect. Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen.”

Those inspections are key for the deal, which calls for Iran’s stockpile of uranium to be “downblended” from highly enriched levels.

There was no immediate reaction from Iran. On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran that U.N. inspectors were not scheduled to examine nuclear sites bombed by the U.S. last year, rejecting comments made a day before by U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

IAEA blocked from seeing bombed sites

The IAEA has been allowed to visit other nuclear sites in Iran since the 12-day war in 2025, such as the Bushehr nuclear power plant. But without accessing the enrichment sites, the IAEA says it is unable to verify the status of Iran’s stockpile or check the cascades of centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Both Iran and the IAEA say Tehran hasn’t been enriching uranium, but nonproliferation experts worry that the Islamic Republic may be moving its stockpile to undeclared areas.

The U.S. and Iran agreed to a deal last week that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country while giving each side 60 days to hammer out broader agreements.

But the uneasy ceasefire already has been tested by Iran saying it closed the strait again over fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. Violence again broke out in Lebanon on Tuesday, but it did not escalate.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Grossi spoke at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, not in Tokyo.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, had faced a trial of the facts after being found medically unable to participate in the trial.

A number of options are available to a judge in place of a conventional sentence for Lady Eleanor Donaldson, who was found by a jury this week to have aided and abetted her husband Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s sex offending.

The judge at Newry Crown Court could issue a number of treatment orders or else an absolute discharge.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty on Monday of 18 sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape.

The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, had faced a trial of the facts after being found medically unable to participate in the trial.

The process tested the evidence but could not result in a criminal conviction.

While she was not present in court, she was legally represented and her barrister Ian Turkington KC cross-examined the two victims and made legal submissions.

She had faced a number of charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s offending and the jury found that she “did the acts”.

While Jeffrey Donaldson was warned he is facing a “lengthy” prison term when he is sentenced later in the year, his wife could instead face a treatment order.

The judge Paul Ramsey could impose a medical order as set out by the relevant legislation.

These are designed to protect the public in circumstances where it is required.

This could include being committed to hospital, being subject to a guardianship order or subject to a supervision and treatment order.

If none of those are required, the defendant would be absolutely discharged.

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Hundreds of schools are expected to close or shut early today as the record-breaking temperatures hit the UK.

Temperatures could hit 40C today (Wednesday) in some parts of England and Wales as a ‘heat-dome’ over western Europe brings extreme conditions across the continent. A rare red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.

More than 250 schools were forced to close yesterday to protect pupils amid the heat. Hundreds of schools have already confirmed closures today as even higher temperatures are forecast.

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Almost 100 schools in Somerset will be fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Somerset Council. And around 100 schools will be at least partially closed over the next two days in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data.

The Government has issued advice to schools with children told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform, which typically involves long trousers and blazers. Some after-school clubs have also been cancelled.

The Department for Education said on its website on Monday that ‘during hot weather, we don’t normally advise schools to close’. It added: “This is because school attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely.”

Red heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. These alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean ‘adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population’.

Follow our live blog below for the latest school closure and heatwave updates.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is providing $17.5 billion to speed the development of 10 new large nuclear reactors to meet the skyrocketing power demand from massive data centers.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright cited “tremendous interest” among developers of data centers that would buy the power, as well as utilities and energy companies. The nuclear plants could begin construction by 2030 and become operational in the mid-2030s, Wright and other officials said Tuesday.

“This is the start,” Wright said on a call with reporters. “We’re going to move with the players that are ready to stand up and move quickly. Once that supply chain is up and running, do we think there will be dozens of these built going forward? I’d be very surprised if there were not.”

Most U.S. nuclear power plants were built between 1970 and 1990. Only two new large reactors have been built from scratch in the United States in recent decades. Those two reactors, at Georgia Power Co.’s Plant Vogtle, were completed years late and billions of dollars over budget. The 10 new reactors will use the same design, Westinghouse’s AP1000.

Wright said the Plant Vogtle project struggled because of bad planning, supply chain problems and the COVID-19 pandemic. But, he said, the reactor design is “robust and sound.”

“By building in volume and at multiple locations, we think we will create and stand up a large supply chain and build a lot of construction expertise,” Wright said. “We expect the timing and cost of these plants to well outperform what was done on Vogtle.”

Seven utilities and energy companies signed letters of intent that identified sites, the Energy Department said. The agency plans to pick five, which would host two reactors at each site. The federal financing would be used to purchase nuclear components with long lead times, and are not construction loans.

The department declined to name the utilities involved or the states they are in, calling it premature until the selections are made. It did not give a timeline for making those selections.

President Donald Trump set a goal of quadrupling domestic production of nuclear power within the next 25 years, and he has signed executive orders to speed development. The administration is working to advance new nuclear technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors.

Dan Sumner, president and chief executive officer of Westinghouse, said industrialized nuclear power needs to be built at fleet scale, in order for the United States to lead in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the industries that will define the next century.

Critics of building more nuclear reactors say they’re too expensive and riskier than other low-carbon energy sources. Several states restrict or ban new nuclear power plant construction.

Travis Fisher, director of energy and environmental policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute think tank, said the Energy Department has the authority to issue these loan guarantees, but he doesn’t think the executive branch should be so heavily involved in the electricity sector.

If the past is any indication, the next administration will use similar authorities to favor a different set of energy resources, he added. “Remove the state barriers and the federal favoritism and let companies build the power plants that pass the market test,” Fisher wrote in an e-mail Tuesday.

Data centers used 4% to 5% of the nation’s total electricity in 2024, a share that could nearly triple by 2028, according to government estimates. Some analysts predict nationwide electricity use to rise as much as 20% in the next decade, with data centers a big reason.

The Energy Department said the loans could speed up the development of these 10 reactors by up to three years and lower construction costs. Its goal is for all 10 to be under construction by 2030, to start providing power in the mid-2030s.

The utilities and Westinghouse will be expected to contribute up to $5 billion in equity in total across the five, two-reactors projects. Wright said his department provides up to $17.5 billion in loans, or $3.5 billion per project, in debt to pair with the equity. He said it’s “very, very low risk to the American taxpayers.”

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McDermott reported from Providence, R.I.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

The Conversation, Curtis Brown and Faber are pleased to announce our three judges for The Conversation Prize for writers 2026.

They are: history professor, Catherine Clarke; innovation professor, Tim Minshall; and our very own Steven Vass, senior editor for Science Insights at The Conversation.

Our competition is looking for the best longform article and nonfiction book idea aimed at a general audience from our community of academics. For your chance to win £1,000, publication on The Conversation and mentorship from a literary agent and book publisher, then enter your 2,000-word story and book idea.

The competition will close on July 5, 2026 at 11.59pm BST.

About our judges

Catherine Clarke is professor and director of the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community at the Institute of Historical Research. She is a cultural historian specialising in the Middle Ages, but she also works across a broad range of periods on questions of place, identity, heritage and uses of the past.

Her book A History of England in 25 Poems was published by Penguin Allen Lane in September 2005.

Tim Minshall is the inaugural Dr John C. Taylor Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge, the head of the Engineering Department’s Institute for Manufacturing and a fellow of Churchill College. His research, teaching and outreach are focused on the links between manufacturing and innovation. He is the author of Your Life is Manufactured: How We Make Things, Why It Matters and How We Can Do It Better, published by Faber. He lives in Cambridge with his scientist wife, Nicola.

Steven Vass is Senior Editor, Science Insights, at The Conversation UK and before that was Scotland Editor and Senior Business and Economy Editor. He was previously a reporter for the Sunday Herald and The Herald, as well as having spent several years as a development volunteer in Zambia and several more as a media analyst in London. He is the author of Let the Music Play, published by Velocity, about how synths and drum machines changed 70s and 80s R&B.

How to Enter

The competition will close on Sunday 5th July at 11.59pm BST.

To enter, please email your 2,000-word article, plus the following information, to uk-prize@theconversation.com:

Name

Institution

Country

Email

Telephone no.

Your book idea [max 350 words] Please provide a brief summary of a trade nonfiction book idea based on your article. Tell us why this topic deserves a deeper dive and why it would appeal to an audience of non-academic readers.

About you [max 100 words] Tell us a little about you – your current role, your area of expertise and any relevant research to your book idea. Why would you be the right author for this book?

Please disclose any conflicts of interest that should be mentioned in relation to your article or book idea.

Terms & Conditions 2026 – please read carefully.

You can read more about what we’re looking for here.

A judge on Tuesday barred the federal government from making arrests at immigration courts, ordering an end to a practice that took hold shortly after President Donald Trump took office last year.

The Trump administration’s reversal of long-standing policy against arrests at immigration court resulted “not from merely unreasoned decision-making but a complete lack of decision-making,” wrote U.S. District Judge Casey Pitts of San Francisco. Authorities failed to address the “chilling effect” of arrests on whether people attend court hearings.

“For 80 years, Congress has commanded federal agencies to think before they act,” wrote Pitts, referring to the Administrative Procedure Act, a 1946 law that requires federal agencies to justify its actions. That law, he wrote, “does not require an agency to make the choice that a reviewing court might deem preferable. But it demands that an agency at least provide sound reasons for following its chosen course.”

The ruling is the second setback for courthouse arrests since May when a federal judge in New York barred them at immigration courts. That order applied only in New York, while the latest decision invalidated the policy nationwide.

James Percival, the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s general counsel, criticized the ruling as an exercise in judicial overreach.

“When a judge sentences a defendant, the defendant is taken into custody. If an alien is ordered removed by an immigration judge, the same should happen. A district judge ordering otherwise is naked judicial activism in service of an anti-American, open borders agenda,” Percival wrote online.

After Trump took office, hearings across the country often ended with cases being dismissed by the government, setting the stage for plainclothes agents to make arrests in hallways in coordination with attorneys from the Department of Homeland Security.

Pitts, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, faulted the administration for carrying out the arrests and for holding people in nearby cells for longer than a prescribed 12-hour limit.

Crocker takes on hometown favourite Liam Paro in the first defence of the belt he won in September following a split-decision victory over Paddy Donovan

Belfast’s Lewis Crocker will make the first defence of his IBF welterweight title in Australia on Wednesday.

Crocker takes on hometown favourite Liam Paro in the first defence of the belt he won in September following a split-decision victory over Paddy Donovan.

The 29-year-old, who is unbeaten in 22 professional fights, was ordered to defend his IBF title after Donovan pulled out of a final eliminator against Paro to determine the next mandatory challenger.

Paro’s promoter, No Limit, subsequently won the purse bid to stage the fight in the challenger’s home state of Queensland.

Paro (27-1) is a former IBF light-welterweight titleholder who has stepped up in weight since losing his crown.

Here is all you need to know about the fight:

Where and when is it on?

Crocker and Paro will clash over 12 rounds on Wednesday, 24 June, at Pat Rafter Arena in the Brisbane suburb of Tennyson.

How can I watch it?

All of the action will be broadcast on Fox Sports Australia, with the prelims getting under way at 8am UK time (5pm AEST).

The main card will follow at 10am UK time (7pm AEST), before Crocker and Paro are expected to make their ring walks at around 1pm UK time (10pm AEST).

Fight Card

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro – IBF welterweight title

Dempsey McKean vs Liam Talivaa – Heavyweight

Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs George Burgess – Heavyweight

Luke Modini vs Peng Qu – Cruiserweight

Riley Candy vs Nathan Watson – Super middleweight

Vegas Larfield vs Shamal Ram Anuj – Featherweight

Jack Javed vs Lance MacDonald – Super welterweight

Stevan Ivic vs Caleb Tialu – Heavyweight

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Quotes Corner

Crocker admits he is the underdog again as he faces former IBF light-welterweight champion Paro, but says that is not a sign of weakness.

“It’s just the fact of the matter. If you ask 99 people here, 98 people are going to say Paro is going to be the successor,” Crocker said at Monday’s press conference.

“Going abroad and stuff, making a big deal out of travelling and stuff, we got out here plenty of time early and the doubts, can I do it like he’s did it abroad and stuff.

“Literally by the odds, he is the favourite to win the fight, so that’s where that comes from.

“Obviously me and the team are confident, but that’s where the underdog thing came from, because I am the underdog to the general public in this fight, but that’s not the way me and my team see it.”

He added: “I was a big underdog in my last fight, and I came through to win the world title in my city, so it’s exciting. Big respect for Liam, a phenomenal fighter, so no doubt we’re going to put on a great performance.”

Paro: “I’m ready to make Australian boxing history.

“It’s the kind of moment you dream about as a kid. To fight for another world title at home in Australia is massive, but there’s no easy road here.

“Crocker is undefeated and champion for a reason, and he’s coming in full of confidence.

“But I’ve built my career the hard way. I’ve travelled the world, fought in hostile environments and already beaten one of the most dangerous champions in boxing.

“I truly believe I’m levels above anyone he has faced, and I can’t wait to make history on June 24.”

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US congressman Dan Goldman has been defeated in a New York primary election, capping a clean sweep for candidates backed by New York’s democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he seeks to tilt the Democratic Party to the left.

Goldman was beaten by progressive challenger Brad Lander in New York’s 10th congressional district in a contest that laid bare the party’s divisions over the Israel-Gaza war.

Lander has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Goldman, a two-term incumbent, was backed by pro-Israel groups.

Two other candidates, both democratic socialists endorsed by Mamdani, won their primary races on Tuesday, in a boost for the party’s left wing in America’s largest city.

Assemblywoman Claire Valdez unseated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the 7th district.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student who has joined pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, won her race in New York’s 13th district.

She toppled Adriano Espaillat, who had held the district for five terms and is chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, a body that advocates for legislation and resources for Hispanic Americans.

Lander, who was also endorsed by Vermont’s democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders, easily beat Goldman by 65.7% to 34.1%, with most votes counted.

In a post on X after the results, he said his victory showed that the people of his district covering Lower Manhattan and part of Brooklyn “want leadership ready to fight, not fold, against authoritarianism”.

The former New York City comptroller’s bid against Goldman, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, was seen as a test of Mamdani’s political influence.

Goldman said he had called Lander to congratulate him, according to the BBC’s US news partner CBS.

“Tonight, the voters of 10th District have spoken. While this is not the outcome I worked so hard for, I respect their decision,” Goldman said.

US President Donald Trump called Goldman “weak and pathetic” in the aftermath of the race, adding that the congressman “just lost, BIG!”

They include restrictions on waiting, permit parking schemes, new speed limits, and a number of other measures in Stockport

Dozens of roads across Stockport are set to see 20mph speed limits and parking banned. A number of changes have been made following a series of area committee meetings last week.

They include restrictions on waiting; permit parking schemes; new speed limits; and a number of other measures. A list of the roads and what changes will be made to them can be found below.

Castle Hill

A no waiting traffic regulation order will be introduced to create a ‘quiet late’ to encourage more walking and cycling as well as other forms of travel. The quiet lane will be on a section of Battle Lane and Castle Hill in Bredbury.

A width restriction of 3.5 metres and traffic will be directed to turn right out of a proposed development site. A number of concerns had initially been raised by some members of the public but many of these were later dropped after further explanation was given.

Poleacre Lane and Briarley Gardens

Another order will be introduced in Woodley following complaints by people living in the area that ‘vehicles were being parked on PoleacreLane close to the junction of Briarley Gardens and Hyde Road’. A council report said this was ‘causing visibility and access issues for motorists attempting to navigate the junctions’.

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Out of the 14 people who responded to a survey in the area, 86% were in support. One person said it was ‘the only way’ to sort out the problem.

Love Lane

This area of Heaton Norris will be included in a resident permit parking scheme with one annual visitor permit costing £47.50 a year. A petition was first submitted to the council in 2015.

A permit bay will now be introduced on the site of the terraced properties on the road with a maximum of three permits per household costing £47.50 a year each though some discounts are available.

Enforcement visits will be carried out at least once a week and enforcement Monday to Saturday between 8am and 7pm. No waiting restrictions at any time will be enforced at the end of the road.

Fronting the nearby park, the council report said: “The proposal is offered as a gesture of goodwill to residents as in principle, the street did not meet the criteria for a permit scheme. Therefore, it is not deemed appropriate to extend the scheme to cover the southern side which is available for users of the recreation area.”

Elizabeth Mill and Poet’s Corner

A huge number of changes will be made in Reddish from no waiting restrictions to 20mph speed limits. No waiting at any time will be introduced on the following roads:

• Leamington Road, both sides, from the western kerbline of St. Elisabeth’s Way for a distance of 10.0 metres in a westerly direction.
• St. Elisabeth’s Way, both sides, from a point 10.0 metres north of the northerly kerbline of Leamington Road to a point 8.0 metres south of the southerly kerbline of Leamington Road.
• Leamington Road, both sides, from the eastern kerbline of Bedford Street for a distance of 11.0 metres in an easterly direction.
• Bedford Street, both sides, from a point 11.0 metres north of the northerly kerbline of Leamington Road to a point 8.0 metres south of the southerly kerbline of Leamington Road.
• Leamington Road, northern side, from a point 10.0 metres west of the westerly kerbline of Higginson Road to a point 9.0 metres east of the easterly kerbline of Higginson Road. Higginson Road, both sides, from the northern kerbline of Leamington Road for a distance of 8.0 metres in a northerly direction.
• Lichfield Avenue, both sides, from the northern kerbline of Leamington Road for a distance of 8.0 metres in a northerly direction.
• Lichfield Avenue, both sides, from the southern kerbline of Higginson Road for a distance of 6.5 metres in a southerly direction.
• Higginson Road, southern side, from a point 6.5 metres west of the westerly kerbline of Lichfield Avenue to a point 6.5 metres east of the easterly kerbline of Lichfield Avenue.
• Higginson Road, southern side, from a point 7.0 metres west of the westerly kerbline of Bolton Street to a point 7.0 metres east of the easterly kerbline of Bolton Street.
• Bolton Street, both sides, from the southern kerbline of Higginson Road for a distance of 7.0 metres in a southerly direction.
• Bolton Street, eastern Side, from a point 5.5 metres south of the southerly kerbline of Dover Street to a point 5.5 metres north of the northerly kerbline of Dover Street.
• Dover Street, southern side, from the eastern kerbline of Bolton Street for a distance of 27.5 metres in an easterly direction.
• Dover Street, northern side, from the eastern kerbline of Bolton Street for a distance of 5.5 metres in an easterly direction.
• Dover Street, northern side, from a point 10.0 metres west of the western kerbline of
• Gorton Road for a distance of 4.0 metres in a westerly direction.
• Naseby Road, eastern side, from a point 81.5 metres north of the northern kerbline of Wentworth Road for a distance 52.0 meters in a northerly direction.
• Houldsworth Street, western side, from a point 8.8 metres north of the projected northern kerbline of Leamington Road for a distance of 110.6 metres in a northerly direction.
• Houldsworth Street, eastern side, from a point 86.0 metres north of the northern kerbline of Leamington Road for a distance of 28.8 metres.
• David Street, northern side, from the eastern kerbline of St. Elisabeth’s Way for a distance of 5.0 metres in an easterly direction.
• St. Elisabeth’s Way, eastern side, from a point 15.8 metres south of the southerly kerbline of David Street for a distance of 102.8 metres in a northerly direction.

No waiting time restrictions will be introduced at the following roads between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.

• Bolton Street, eastern side, from a point 7.0 metres south of the southern kerbline of Higginson Road for a distance of 59.6 metres in a southerly direction.
• Bolton Street, eastern side, from a point 5.5 metres south of the southern kerbline of Dover Street for a distance of 51.3 metres in a southerly direction.

Limited waiting restrictions of 30 minutes Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6.30pm will be introduced on Robert Street. There can be no return within one hour.

This will be on the northern side from a point 5.5 metres east of the eastern kerbline of Bolton Street for a distance of 18.0 metres in an easterly direction.

20mph speed limit zones will also be introduced on Rupert Street, from its junction with Houldsworth Street to its junction with Broadstone Road. The following roads will also be changed across their entire length:

• Houldsworth Street
• Liverpool Street
• Oldham Street
• Liverpool Close
• Arthur Street
• Bedford Street
• Margaret Street
• Leaf Street
• Leamington Road
• Higginson Road
• Lichfield Avenue
• Bolton Street
• Dover Street
• Priory Lane
• Skipton Court
• Ilkley Crescent
• Wharfedale Road
• Harewood Grove
• Harrogate Road
• Harrogate Drive
• Spa Close
• Naseby Road
• Finsbury Road
• Fovant Crescent
• Lillian Grove,
• Welbeck Road
• Wentworth Road
• Knaresborough Close
• Gainford Road
• Penrith Avenue
• Wemyss Avenue
• St Elisabeth Way
• David Street
• Nutwood Court
• Priory Court
• Harlow Close
• Elizabeth Gardens
• Fairview Way & Cotton Grove.

A 20mph speed limit will also be introduced on the following roads:

• Farley Way
• Tennyson Road
• Masefield Grove
• Churchill Crescent
• Byron Grove
• Shelley Road
• Chaucer Avenue
• Wordsworth Road

Conway Street

Issues were raised on this Reddish street following a complaint by a unit on a commercial estate off Coronation Street. It was reported ‘larger vehicles are struggling to turn right from Coronation Street into Conway Street due to parked vehicles on the western side’.

There is currently a restriction allowing for coaches and goods vehicles to park between Monday and Saturday for the hours between midnight and 7am and 7pm and midnight as well as all day on Sundays. Parking by all vehicles is currently permitted during the daytime.

The council has now proposed to bring in no waiting times between Monday and Saturday for the hours from 7am to 7pm.

Didsbury Road

On Didsbury Road, no waiting at any time and no loading Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm will be introduced on the south western side from a point level with the (projected) western kerb line of Queens Drive in a north westerly direction for a distance of 85 metres and an access line marking at the shared entry for houses 255 to 261 on Didsbury Road.

Westholme Avenue and Crossley Road

In Heaton Chapel, a current restriction between Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm will be removed on Crossley Road. This will be replaced.

The new rules will see no waiting at any time on the north side from a point 10 metres west of the western kerb line of Crossley Road in an easterly direction to a point 10 metres east of the eastern kerb line of Crossley Road.

Bus lane review

A council report before the Stepping Hill Area Committee said Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) ‘advised officers of additional funding being made available to Stockport Council to deliver further improvements and enhancements to bus stops and road markings in the borough’ in 2024.

A review of bus lanes was carried out to ensure sites were enforceable and compliant. Signage about operating hours and potential enforcement will be introduced for bus lanes Lancashire Hill, Travis Brow, Portwood Roundabout, Didsbury Road (Eastbound and Westbound), Macclesfield Road, Wellington Road South / Thomas Street West (Northbound), Astley Street / Viaduct Street / Chestergate, and Great Edgerton Street (Eastbound).

Brooklyn Crescent and Turnfield Road

The council is dealing with this area in Cheadle after councillors reported parking issues raised by people living in the area. It was ‘reported that vehicles are being parked on or near the bends, resulting in obstruction issues that hinder the movement of large vehicles, including refuse collection vehicles’ and created a ‘potential road safety hazard’.

No waiting at any time double yellow lines were ‘strongly’ supported by those living in the area and are now expected to be introduced. Existing restrictions on Turnfield Road have been extended to combat parking problems there.

Parkway Estate

Councillors voted to approve a new 20mph speed limit zone on the parkway Estate in Cheadle Heath. This is despite a number of objections but overall 64% of people were in favour.

Finney Lane

This road in Heald Green will see new bollards introduced. This is to stop drivers ‘from driving over the footway and parking their vehicles fully or partially on footway and causing obstruction for motorists and pedestrians’.

There are already a number of parking restrictions in force but due to people parking at the location for a short period of time, the council said they move their cars before any fines can be issued.

Hibbert Lane

No waiting at any time restrictions will soon be brought in at Hibbert Lane in Marple at the junction with Woodville Drive. Only two objections were lodged.

Marple Community Hub

Councillors last week voted to introduce speed limit and waiting restrictions, a zebra crossing and toucan crossing on various roads in Marple to support the Marple community hub development. This includes extending a 20mph speed limit cover the full length of Hollins Lane.

The zebra crossing will be introduced on Hollins Lane while the toucan crossing will be on Stockport Road. Parking restrictions will be introduced on Station Road, Garth Road, Ley Hey Road, Bradshaw Road, Winnington Road, and Parkfield Avenue.

Forbes Road and The Quadrant

In a report, the council said they had been called to ‘investigate safety concerns as it had been reported that vehicles park in such a manner that they are preventing pedestrians from safely using the footway as well as obscuring visibility’.

As a result, no waiting at any time restrictions are expected to be brought in from the projected southern building line of property no. 42 The Quadrant for a distance of 18 metres in a north westerly, then north easterly direction.

Restrictions will also be brought in from a point four metres north of the projected building line of property numbers 111 to 113 Forbes Road for a distance of 23 metres in a north westerly, then south westerly direction.

Yew Tree Road

This change has been brought about following complaints from people in the area about safety concerns. Now no waiting restrictions will be brought in from the intersection of the north-western kerb line of Bramhall Lane for a distance of 10 metres in a northwesterly direction.

There will also be restrictions from a point 10 metres southwest of the intersection of the southern kerb line of Yew Tree Road to a point 10 metres northeast of the intersection of the northern kerb line of Yew Tree Road.

Simpson Street

This Stockport road will see no waiting restrictions introduced between 8am and 6pm. This is because ‘motorists are parking in such a manner that they are causing an obstruction and hindering movement’.

Beechfield Road, Clutha Road and Frewland Road.

Restrictions are being brought in on these three roads to ban waiting at any time to support a new cycle and walking route. This is to allow for a new three metre pathway and prevent cars blocking dropped kerbs at either end of the path.

Chester Road

A section of the road in Woodford will see no waiting restrictions introduced between Moor Lane and Woodford Road. This is following issues raised as a result of recent development in the area.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, the hero of the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, Australia, says the allegations are false and has confirmed he will fight them in court

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The man celebrated as a hero for his bravery during December’s Bondi Beach terror attack has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge in court.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, pleaded not guilty to an allegation he assaulted his father at his dad’s Bankstown home in southwestern Sydney on March 9. The man hailed as the ‘Bondi hero’ also denied allegations that he placed his father in a headlock.

He pleaded not guilty to domestic violence common assault and stalking, intimidation at a court appearance in Bankstown on Wednesday (June 24).

“My client maintains his plea … the presumption of innocence should be maintained and upheld,” his Sakr said outside court, Sydney paper the Daily Telegraph reported.

“I believe the prosecution’s case bears some issues and over the next few weeks those issues will be lavished.”

Defence lawyer Mohamad Sakr outside Bankstown court said his client maintained his innocence.

“It’s been very difficult,” Mr Sakr said. “It is a family situation he never expected, one would never want to expect, and it must be really difficult for him.

“But there is one thing that should be upheld and that is the presumption of innocence.

“He is a heroic man and his honesty and dignity should be maintained until these matters are ultimately determined.”

Mr al-Ahmed’s father, Mohammad Fadeh al-Ahmed, told Australian national broadcaster the ABC that he was hopeful the case would soon be settled.

“God willing it will all be resolved,” he said. “After all there’s nothing more precious than your child.”

Earlier in June, NSW Police confirmed that officers received a report of an alleged assault at a property in Bankstown on March 9.

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“On Wednesday (June 3), a 44-year-old man was served with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault (DV) and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic),” police said in an official statement.

Australian broadcaster 7News reported that the assault charge related to allegations that he placed his father in a headlock. As a consequence, an apprehended violence order (AVO) has been issued against him. Al-Ahmed has also been ordered to stay 100m away from his father’s home and place of work.

In an interview with 2GB radio presenter Ben Fordham, he said: “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life.”

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“I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life.”

In remarkable footage filmed on that devastating December day, the Syrian-turned-Sydneysider can be seen grappling the firearm from Sajid Akram’s grasp.

His son, Naveed Akram, has subsequently been charged with 59 offences including terrorism for his alleged role in the incident. Akram was later shot dead by police and his son, Naveed, was wounded and charged with 59 offences.

While al-Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot injuries, his swift intervention is widely acknowledged for preventing further casualties. As he recuperated in hospital, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid him a visit, hailing him as the “best of our country.”

In a post-attack interview, al-Ahmed explained: “My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people. I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”

Al-Ahmed received the Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, his local area, and earlier this year walked onto the pitch ahead of play on the final Test of the Ashes series.

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, who bestowed the honour upon al-Ahmed, had previously stated: “What Ahmed did in that moment was remarkable. His courageous actions were motivated by his desire to save innocent lives.

“In the process, Ahmed himself was shot several times and sustained serious injuries. When evil came to Bondi Beach, Ahmed and countless ordinary heroes did not hesitate to confront it. His instinctive courage, his willingness to put others first, and his quiet bravery will never be forgotten. Our whole community is profoundly grateful.”

Al-Ahmed is scheduled to appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 29.