I’ve spent a lot of time with Derek over the years. We did plenty of sparring very early on in my career. Since then, I see him around all the time because Derek is absolutely everywhere – at every show and every event.

He has always been congratulatory of me, almost proud of me in a sense. I remember when I won my British title, he was one of the first people to FaceTime me the next morning to say well done.

Derek was also one of the only people, aside from my own team, who backed me going into both the Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois fights. He’s always been on my side, so I’ve got a lot of love and respect for him.

When I first heard about him taking on Wilder – I have to be honest, it was quite a surprise.

It seemed like both guys had bigger fish to fry – there was talk of Derek getting a world-title shot against me, and Wilder was being lined up by Oleksandr Usyk.

Pulling away from those possibilities to fight each other was random, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

This has that intriguing dynamic of two guys with 50 fights each. For me, it’s really a question of who’s still got what in the tank.

The momentum is with Derek. He’s been in with more lively opponents, proving himself better. He’s still got the energy, the durability and the power to deal with opponents and give them problems.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our
articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local
services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local
community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need
as much support as possible during these challenging times.

Pedro Pascal worked in the entertainment industry for decades before being catapulted to worldwide fame after appearances in hit shows like Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian and many more

Advertisement

Pedro Pascal’s coffee order caused a flurry of division among fans. The beloved actor, who turns 51 this week, has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, after decades of work which went relatively unnoticed to wider audiences.

The Mandalorian star had worked for around 20 years in the industry, taking small bit parts on television shows – including a one episode stint in the season four premiere of the cult classic series Buffy the Vampire Slayer – as well on stage, before finally getting his big break when he was cast as the swashbuckling, quick-witted Oberyn Martell on HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2014.

He followed this with a lead role in Netflix’s crime series, Narcos, before being catapulted to global superstardom by playing Din Djarin in the Disney+ science fiction series, The Mandalorian, which ran from 2019 until 2023.

In 2023, Pascal was cast as Joel Miller in HBO’s post-apocalyptic drama, The Last of Us, opposite Bella Ramsey, and he has acted in a string of film roles.

His celebrity status has come with major internet fame, with countless fans playfully branding him “daddy” thanks, in part, to his many father figure roles and his charming, affable nature in real life.

The acclaimed actor’s Starbucks order drew major attention when it was shared online. Originally, a fan filmed a lucky chance-meeting with the star on the streets of New York, where he signed a Mandalorian doll for her.

In the footage, he was seen dressed in a Canada Goose jacket and jeans, while holding a bottle of water and a clear Starbucks takeaway cup, with his order ticket still attached.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to decipher exactly what he’d ordered from the renowned coffee shop chain – an “ice [quadruple] espresso in a Venti cup, extra ice, six shots”.

A screenshot of the fan video was shared on Reddit, where someone wrote: “I’m not a coffee drinker but according to the Internet that is A LOT of caffeine. I just thought this might be interesting to y’all since Starbucks orders are always fun intel!”

In the comments section, fellow Reddit users were keen to share their thoughts. One person said: “Lol I just watched his Hot Ones interview where he says he can’t get a good night’s sleep…”

Another quipped: “Dude definitely has manic highly caffeinated vibes lmao.”

Some theorised his Chilean-American roots may have something to do with his preference for stronger coffee.

One said: “Coffee in the US is not at all as strong as it is in Latin America so I get him.”

Another agreed: “I know people who get this, it’s basically a strong iced Americano. The point is to get extra ice and a bigger cup so that the ice melts and dilutes the espresso but the drink stays cool.

“It’s popular with people who come from places where the coffee is stronger than standard US or Canadian coffee.”

Someone else said: “His order is not nearly as bad as the coffee wannabe drinks people have created for them at Starbucks with 1,000,000 grams of sugar and milk.”

Many fans were adamant his order wasn’t weird or unusual.

On the original TikTok video, one social media user said: “How the hell he be drinking that?? I would stay awake for an entire week.”

Another said: “BRO GETS SIX SHOTS???” And another added: “I love that he drinks a 6 shotter over some ice.”

Indian consumers could soon face higher beer prices and potential supply disruptions as global brewers operating in the country grapple with escalating costs driven by a gas shortage linked to the Iran war.

The conflict has led to a surge in the price of glass bottles and significant shipping delays for aluminium, crucial for can production.

India, the world’s fourth-largest importer of natural gas, is particularly susceptible to fuel availability issues, relying heavily on the Middle East for its supply, with approximately 40 per cent sourced from Qatar.

Iranian attacks have partially hampered Qatar’s export capacity, tightening gas availability for Indian manufacturers.

The Brewers Association of India, representing major players such as Heineken, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Carlsberg, informed Reuters that glass bottle prices have soared by around 20 per cent. Additionally, paper carton rates have doubled, alongside increases for other essential packaging materials like labels and tape.

Gas is essential to keeping furnaces and production lines running, and shortages have forced several glass bottle makers to partially or fully halt operations.

Aluminium can suppliers have also warned of possible reductions just as India heads into its peak summer season, when beer sales typically rise.

“We are asking for price increases in the range of 12-15 per cent,” the association’s director general Vinod Giri told Reuters. “We have advised our member companies to individually approach states.”

The rising cost of production is making some operations unsustainable, he added.

Heineken’s India unit United Breweries UBBW.NS, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Carlsberg did not respond to Reuters queries.

The market was worth $7.8 billion in 2024, and is expected to double by 2030, Grand View Research says. Heineken alone accounts for roughly half the market, while AB InBev and Carlsberg each account for 19 per cent, the association said.

While the three companies dominate India’s beer sector, many smaller players such as Bira and Simba also operate in the market.

Glass and plastics industry crisis

Beer and liquor sales in India have grown steadily alongside rising urbanisation and a young, increasingly affluent population.

The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, which represents many domestic companies, said it has written to several states seeking price adjustments to offset rising freight, logistics and input costs.

India’s alcohol sector is tightly regulated, and raising retail prices typically requires approval. Around two-thirds of India’s 28 states must authorise changes.

“Brewers may find it difficult to maintain supplies in states that do not allow price increases,” the association said.

Some glass bottle vendors are warning their clients of reduced supplies and have increased their prices.

Nitin Agarwal, CEO of Fine Art Glass Works in Firozabad, a glass-making hub in northern Uttar Pradesh state, said he has cut production by 40 per cent at his glass bottle making factory due to gas shortages. His customers include many liquor companies as well as producers of juice and ketchup bottles.

“We’ve cut production and increased prices by 17-18 per cent,” Agarwal said.

The shortages have already affected India’s $5 billion bottled ‌water market with some producers increasing prices by 11 per cent due to rising rates of plastic bottles and caps.

And there are signs the crisis is spreading.

An executive at Lotte Chilsung Beverage, one of the leading South Korean soft drinks companies, told Reuters that it has up to three months of inventory for plastic bottles and plastic materials.

“The situation is serious,” he said.

Dr Emily Leeming says we are consuming ‘only about 60 per cent of the essential nutrient for heart health, blood sugar balance and gut health

Advertisement

A health expert has called on Brits to boost their consumption of a particular nutrient renowned for lowering cholesterol, managing blood sugar, and keeping you feeling fuller for longer. According to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, more than 90 per cent of adults in the UK aren’t getting enough fibre.

Dr Emily Leeming, a scientist, dietician and author, describes it as the ‘forgotten nutrient’, observing that the average British person consumes just around 60 per cent of the recommended daily intake. The NHS highlights that a diet rich in fibre is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer, reports Surrey Live.

Yet, targeting roughly 30g daily can help maintain a healthy, balanced diet. To put this into context, half a cup of porridge oats delivers 9g of fibre, while two carrots provide 6g. An apple offers approximately 5g, and a pear adds 6g.

Dr Leeming explained: “We’re missing about 40 per cent of that recommended 30 grammes of fibre that we need a day.”

She went on to stress the significance of this neglected nutrient: “This forgotten nutrient that we need to be paying attention to. It helps with your heart health, it helps to soak up bad cholesterol for that to be removed from your body as waste, it helps to balance your blood sugar levels, giving you longer-lasting energy, so it’s not only just helping with your gut microbiome, it’s having many other benefits in your body too.”

Why fibre matters

Fibre is a plant-based carbohydrate found in foods such as wholegrains and vegetables, commonly referred to as roughage. It’s essential for keeping your digestive system working properly.

By feeding the good bacteria in the large intestine, it helps create a varied and healthy microbiome (the community of gut bacteria). This can reduce inflammation in the intestines while potentially lowering the risk of both diverticulitis and bowel cancer, reports the Express.

Studies show that eating fibre-rich foods can support weight management by keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Choosing high-fibre options increases satiety, while a diet rich in fibre can improve digestion and prevent constipation.

Research indicates that people who eat more fibre typically have lower body weight, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels – all positive factors for heart health. Fibre-rich foods also help control blood sugar levels, as they don’t trigger the same sharp spikes as their low-fibre equivalents.

Different types of fibre

Heart UK explains that you may have come across the terms ‘soluble fibre’ and ‘insoluble fibre’. These phrases are frequently used to categorise the different types of fibre in our diets.

Soluble fibre absorbs water in the gut. It’s found in:

• oats
• barley
• pulses (such as beans, peas and lentils)
• some fruits and vegetables

Insoluble fibres do not dissolve in water. They are primarily found in:

• wholegrains, especially the bran part of the grain
• vegetables
• the seeds and skin of fruits

How can I eat more fibre?

To boost your fibre consumption, you could: Dr Leeming concluded: “When I talk about fibre, the key foods that I really want to talk about are what I call the BGBGs.

“That’s beans, greens, berries, grains, and nuts and seeds. What might surprise people is that the highest-fibre foods are whole grains, nuts and seeds, and beans – much more so than most fruits and vegetables, which I think is quite counter-intuitive for some people.”

According to the NHS, children require lower amounts of fibre in their diet. Those between the ages of 2 and 5 should consume approximately 15g of fibre daily. Children aged 5 to 11 require around 20g, while those aged 11 to 16 need roughly 25g per day.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued travel warnings for certain border areas in three popular holiday destinations ahead of summer 2026

Advertisement

Britons planning trips to three popular holiday destinations have been cautioned against visiting certain regions.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued travel warnings for parts of Turkey, Thailand and Mexico.

With summer holidays fast approaching, it’s crucial to take on board advice from the FCDO before organising your getaway.

Turkey

Turkey-Syria border

The FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the Turkish border with Syria. This is due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism, the FCDO said.

Advertisement

Thailand

The FCDO also advises against travel to the following areas in Thailand:

Thailand-Malaysia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border due to regular attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia.

These areas include: Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province, the districts of Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi in southern Songkhla Province.

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.

Thailand-Cambodia border

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km of the land border with Cambodia.

In July 2025, the countries fought along parts of the border. The fighting included the use of rocket and artillery fire. Tensions remain and unexploded landmines in the border area remain a point of concern.

Mexico

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the following areas of Mexico:

• State of Baja California
• State of Chihuahua
• State of Sinaloa
• State of Zacatecas
• State of Michoacán
• State of Jalisco
• State of Colima
• State of Guerrero
• State of Chiapas

It is important to follow advise from the FCDO if planning a trip to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between July 11 and July 19.

The President of Ireland must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the parliament to the Supreme Court over constitutional concerns.

Ireland’s president Catherine Connolly has appointed Irish language activist Linda Ervine and Professor Colin Harvey to her Council of State.

Ms Connolly made seven appointments to the body which assists the Irish president in considering various matters.

The President of Ireland must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the parliament to the Supreme Court over constitutional concerns.

The president can also communicate directly with the Irish parliament on a matter of public importance after consultation with the Council of State.

Ms Ervine, who is from east Belfast, is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area.

She is also the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish.

Mr Harvey is a professor of human rights law and a former head of the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast.

He is also a commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, has served two terms as a commissioner on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and is a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Along with Ms Ervine and Mr Harvey, Ms Connolly appointed law professor and Irish speaker Fionnuala Ni Aolain, sociologist Kathleen Lynch, law professor and the Legal Aid Board member Donncha O’Connell, law professor and director of the Child Law Clinic Conor O’Mahony and former president of Ollscoil na Gaillimhe/University of Galway, Ciaran O hOgartaigh.

Ms Connolly said in a statement: “May I thank each of the nominees who have agreed to serve as a member of the Council of State.

“These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State which will be of immense value in considering the matters which may arise over the course of my term of office.

“I look forward to receiving their advice and support over the next seven years.”

The Council of State also consists of the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Chief Justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, the president of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, and the Attorney General.

It also comprises previous presidents, taoisigh and chief justices.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.

1. Increasing The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

2. Cutting Energy Bills

3. Freeze On Prescription Prices Extended

4. Crisis and Resilience Fund

Hot cross buns are an Easter tradition, but this recipe has a savoury twist on the classic that beats any supermarket version

It feels as though New Year’s Day was only yesterday. In the blink of an eye, Easter is now just around the corner, even if the seasonal treats have been filling supermarket shelves for months.

I grew up in a household where traditional Easter fare, such as hot cross buns, never made an appearance. I have a sneaking suspicion this was down to neither of my parents being particularly fond of them… it must have been the mixed spice. I’m all for bucking the trend, and unusual flavours appear to be very much on the hot cross bun menu at supermarkets this year.

I stumbled across one particularly intriguing recipe, which swaps out the sweet flavourings of a hot cross bun for a savoury spin. Anyone tempted by cheese with their hot cross buns?

That’s right – triple cheese hot cross buns. As the years go by, I’ve certainly noticed my palate gravitating more towards savoury rather than sweet, and these really caught my eye.

If mixed spices, peel, or even fruit aren’t to your liking, this recipe harnesses a variety of cheeses to deliver bags of flavour. You’ll need a combination of grated cheeses alongside cubes of mature cheddar, reports the Express.

The recipe from Good Food featured in one of its magazines last year, and it’s taken me well over a year to finally give it a go. Even for the most inexperienced home baker, this recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. All it requires is just a touch of patience for proving.

The secret to ensuring the buns aren’t heavy once baked is getting the dough just right. During kneading – whether by hand or with a stand mixer – the dough needs to be soft and stretchy.

Overall, the dough requires a total of two hours and 15 minutes proving time, provided it takes that duration to double in volume. As I mentioned, patience is essential.

For the cheese selection, I went for a Sainsbury’s packet of ready-grated cheese containing mozzarella, cheddar, Double Gloucester and Red Leicester. That’s in addition to the diced mature cheddar. You can never have too much cheese.

Each bun undergoes a complete transformation in the oven. The moment I removed them from the oven, the recognisable aroma of every mouth-watering bakery wafted through the kitchen. To achieve a subtle shine, simply brush the tops of the buns while they’re warm with a mixture of milk and caster sugar.

For me, I’d serve these warm – or even toasted – with a liberal spread of butter. They’re like a thicker, softer take on cheese on toast.

Advertisement

I’d choose cheesy hot cross buns over a traditional hot cross bun any day. This recipe suits anyone who’s had their fill of chocolate Easter eggs and sugary snacks.

Might I suggest, cheese-flavoured hot cross buns surpass the original? Could they match up to supermarket versions..?

Triple Cheese Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients

• 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 7g fast action dried yeast
• One tbsp caster sugar
• 75g salted butter, cut into cubes
• 300ml whole milk, warmed to room temperature
• One egg
• 200g mixed cheeses (mix of cheddar, red Leicester and parmesan), grated
• 100g mature cheddar, cubed
• One tsp dried mustard powder (optional)
• Eight thyme spring, leaves picked (optional)

For the cross

For the glaze

• Two tbsp milk
• One tbsp caster sugar

Method

In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, yeast, sugar and one teaspoon of salt. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Pour in the warm milk and egg, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for eight to ten minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for five minutes.

Fold in the grated mixed cheeses and cubed cheddar, kneading until evenly incorporated throughout the dough. If you’re using mustard powder and thyme, work them in at this stage too.

Roll the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Drape a tea towel over the top and leave it to rise somewhere warm for an hour to an hour and a half, or until it has doubled in size.

Once risen, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knock it back to remove any air pockets. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each one into a bun.

Place them on a baking tray with a small gap between each. Drape a tea towel over the top and leave to prove for a further 45 minutes, or until nicely puffed up.

Preheat the oven to 190/170 (fan)/gas 5. In a small bowl, combine the plain flour with just enough water to create a thick paste.

Spoon into a piping bag (or a sandwich bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe a cross on top of each bun. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. While the buns are in the oven, prepare the glaze by warming the milk and sugar in a small pan until the sugar has dissolved. Put to one side.

When the buns emerge from the oven, promptly brush the glaze across the hot buns to create a shiny finish. Leave the buns to cool in the tin for roughly ten minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool down fully.

A Scottish man who is allegedly a high-ranking member of an international crime gang is set to be deported to Spain after being arrested in Bali.

Steven Lyons, 45, was taken into custody by immigration officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday on arrival from Singapore. Untung Widiyatmoko, head of Interpol Indonesia, later confirmed his arrest.

He is wanted in the UK and Spain for alleged organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering, as well as a murder that took place in Spain in 2024.

Lyons, who has been on Spain’s wanted list for about two years following a murder case there in 2024, will be extradited to Spain on Wednesday, Indonesian authorities have said.

A picture taken on Tuesday shows him in an orange prisoner’s suit as he’s escorted by two police officers in Bali’s capital of Denpasar.

Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya said the arrest was part of a joint investigation involving Spanish and Scottish police.

He said the 45-year-old was alleged to be the leader of “a large-scale transnational criminal organisation involved in narcotics trafficking and money laundering”.

According to Widiyatmoko, Lyons is alleged to have led a crime ring that used shell companies for money laundering in Europe and the Middle East – including in Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey.

He said police in Scotland and Spain last week carried out raids in connection with Lyons’ case, resulting in multiple arrests with the help of Europol – a European Union law enforcement cooperation hub – and also Turkey, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

Scottish media have reported that Lyons survived a 2006 shooting in Glasgow that killed his cousin and later moved to Spain before settling in Dubai.

Last May, his brother and an associate were shot and killed in a suspected gangland shooting at a beachfront bar in Fuengirola, southern Spain.

Read more from Sky News:
England cricket star fined for speeding at 93mph
Spurs appoint third head coach of the season

Lyons arrived in Bali with two companions who are believed to still be on the island, said Bugie Kurniawan of Bali’s immigration office.

He said Spain’s Interpol has identified them as members of the same criminal cartel but they are not on any arrest warrants.