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Minnesota ICE live: Protests erupt nationwide as Bruce Springsteen performs at fundraiser for Renee Good and Alex Pretti

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Minnesota ICE live: Protests erupt nationwide as Bruce Springsteen performs at fundraiser for Renee Good and Alex Pretti

Watch: Pam Bondi issues warning after Don Lemon and Georgia Fort arrests

Attorney General Pam Bondi has warned that the Trump administration is “coming after you” if you violate the “right to worship freely and safely.”

Bondi’s comments come after Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested in connection with a protest against ICE activities that disrupted a Minnesota church service, which the two independent journalists covered.

Rachel Dobkin30 January 2026 20:20

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Georgia Fort’s family and friends speak out after journalist’s arrest

The family and friends of Georgia Fort, an Emmy-Award winning reporter from Minneapolis, have warned that her arrest and the arrest of other journalists by federal authorities, set a “dangerous precedent” for press freedom, the rule of law and democracy.

They were speaking at Minneapolis City Hall hours after Fort, along with three others, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, were arrested separately by federal agents on Friday over an anti immigration enforcement protest on January 18, which they covered. The protest disrupted a service at a Minnesota church and heightened tensions between residents and federal officials.

Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights crime – but it is not clear what charges Fort faces.“Journalism is under attack. The First Amendment is under attack, and democracy is crumbling,” warned Harry Colbert Jr, a friend of Fort and vice president of the Center for Broadcast Journalism, who himself was arrested during protests following the killing of Daunte Wright in 2021.

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He told The Independent that journalists have been arrested before, but usually by state police or local authorities.“

Journalist Georgia Fort’s family and friends spoke out against her arrest Friday (Georgia Fort)

“Our fear is that they might try to charge Georgia with a felony for doing her job, for going to cover an event.”

He said it could have a chilling effect on reporting across the country.“ I’m scared. Other journalists are scared. We are still going to do our job, but we recognize that we are under attack.”

Fort’s 17-year-old daughter also spoke, on the verge of tears, saying her baby sisters “woke up today without a mom”.

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“I’m demanding that my mom gets released,” she said. “It is wrong. This goes against her First Amendment rights as a journalist, and those rights are being challenged today.”

Georgia Fort’s 17-year-old daughter called for her mom's release
Georgia Fort’s 17-year-old daughter called for her mom’s release (Bel Trew)

These calls were joined by major journalism and rights organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists, which said it was “outraged and deeply alarmed.” The International Women’s Media Foundation called it an “outrageous violation of reporters’ First Amendment rights.”

Cynthia Wilson, president of the Minneapolis branch of the NAACP, warned that “this is a humanity issue.”

“This is as blatant as it gets. Number 47 is trying to be a dictator, and he is looking to take away all of our rights.”

Bel Trew30 January 2026 19:52

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DOJ opens investigation into Alex Pretti shooting

The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday.

Pretti was killed by Border Patrol agents in the streets of Minneapolis last weekend. The Department of Homeland Security has framed the shooting as self-defense.

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI will be looking into the matter, which Blanche said was “standard” procedure.

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“I don’t want the takeaway to be that there’s some massive civil rights investigation that’s happening. This is what I would describe as a standard investigation by the FBI,” Blanche said. “That investigation, to the extent it needs to involve lawyers at the Civil Rights Division, it will involve those.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a federal probe into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a federal probe into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rachel Dobkin30 January 2026 19:11

Recap: Meet the key people behind Trump’s immigration agenda

The network of Trump loyalists behind his brutal crackdown on immigration into the U.S is getting fairly substantial at this point.

The president’s plan to deport tens of thousands of people has seen ICE agents and National Guard troops surging into U.S. cities, including Minneapolis which has become a flashpoint for the crisis.

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Here’s a helpful recap on who’s who behind the surge:

Owen Scott30 January 2026 19:00

Trump at odds with Homan on pulling federal agents from Minnesota after Pretti killing

Hours after a freshly dispatched Tom Homan suggested that the Department of Homeland Security could reduce the number of agents and officers deployed to Minneapolis in the wake of the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti, President Donald Trump appeared to contradict his border czar.

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Andrew Feinberg has the full story:

Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 18:30

New York Governor announces bill to stop ICE deputizing local police

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced she will introduce a new bill to stop ICE agents from deputizing local police to help with immigration efforts.

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“When power is abused, New York will act. Today, I’m announcing new actions to keep local police focused on local crime and protect New Yorkers from ICE overreach,” Hochul posted on X Friday.

“Local cops should be focused on local crime. Today I’m announcing the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act to stop ICE from deputizing police to do a federal agency’s job.”

Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 18:00

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Karen Bass slams arrest of Don Lemon after his arrest in Los Angeles

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass has accused the Trump administration of “escalating” tensions following the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.

Former CNN anchor Lemon was arrested in LA Thursday night, ahead of the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

“Don Lemon, an internationally known and renowned journalist and friend, was arrested last night by federal agents and is now in custody in Los Angeles – simply for doing his job and following a protest into a church in Minneapolis while reporting the story,” Bass wrote on X.

“Emmy-winning news producer and Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort – another widely respected Black journalist – was also arrested by federal agents in Minnesota for reporting on the same protest.

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“The arrest of journalists for going into a church in the course of reporting is shocking enough, but what’s even more alarming is that it’s no secret that Don Lemon is a Trump critic.”

Bass added: “Let me be very clear – President Trump is not de-escalating anything after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. In fact, the arrest of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort demonstrates quite the opposite – he is escalating.

“First, Trump’s agents shoot and kill people exercising their First Amendment rights, and now we’re arresting journalists going into a church. It’s an egregious assault on constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.

“I have reached out to the U.S. Attorney to check on Don Lemon’s status.”

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Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 17:30

Reporters Without Borders calls for immediate release of Lemon and Fort

Reporters Without Borders has called for the immediate release of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist and Georgia Fort in Minneapolis.

“RSF has learned that award-winning journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have been arrested for simply doing their jobs as journalists — another attack on every American’s press freedom, said Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF North America.

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“The Trump administration cannot send federal agents after reporters simply because they don’t like the stories being reported — especially after already failing multiple times to obtain a warrant from the courts for Lemon’s arrest.

“Lemon and Fort should be released immediately. They have RSF’s full support.”

Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 17:00

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Freedom of the Press Foundation slams ‘outrageous’ arrest of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort

The Freedom of the Press Foundation has slammed the “outrageous attack” on press freedom following the arrests of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort.

“The government’s arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are naked attacks on freedom of the press,” FPF Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern said,

“These arrests, under bogus legal theories for obviously constitutionally protected reporting, are clear warning shots aimed at other journalists. The unmistakable message is that journalists must tread cautiously because the government is looking for any way to target them.

“Fort’s arrest is meant to instill the same fear in local independent journalists as big names like Lemon.”

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Stern continued: “The answer to this outrageous attack is not fear or self-censorship. It’s an even stronger commitment to journalism, the truth, and the First Amendment.

“If the Trump administration thinks it can bully journalists into submission, it is wrong.”

Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 16:45

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Three others, including independent journalist, arrested with Don Lemon

Three other people were arrested alongside former CNN anchor Don Lemon, on Thursday.

Trahern Jeen Crews, Jamael Lydell Lundy and Georgia Fort, were also detained “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

Fort, an independent journalist, was also arrested Thursday evening, she said in a Facebook live video.

“I don’t feel like I have my First Amendment right as a member of the press,” Fort said in her video. “Because now federal agents are at my door arresting me for filming the church protest a few weeks ago.”

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It is unclear what the charges are against Fort or the others.

Crews is a former Democratic political candidate, while Lundy is a criminal justice reform advocate.

Mike Bedigan30 January 2026 16:30

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Crimson Desert update 1.02.00 patch notes – All major changes to know

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Daily Mirror

Pearl Abyss adds additional storage options in Crimson Desert with the latest update.

Crimson Desert might be a few weeks old, but it’s still receiving regular updates from developer Pearl Abyss to further improve on the already impressive open world game.

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While previous updates have added new mount options and offered improvements to the crime system, the latest update promises to further expand on storage options. There’s also a feature that’s often used in RPGs coming to Crimson Desert that’s almost hard to believe wasn’t included in the first place.

For the full Crimson Desert 1.02.00 patch notes and a rundown of the big changes to know, read below:

READ MORE: ARC Raiders crafting system is getting a major overhaul – here’s what’s changing

READ MORE: Pokemon Champions release time on all platforms in the UK

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Crimson Desert update 1.02.00 – The short version

The headline update for Crimson Desert this time is the ability to toggle headgear visibility. This means you can benefit from a helm’s armour stats, but it will appear invisible during gameplay and conversations.

This is a popular option to enable in a lot of RPGs where players are keen to see their custom character’s face. Of course, Kliff isn’t customisable in the same way, but it’s nice to have the option to see his grizzled complexion during gameplay.

Elsewhere, Pearl Abyss has added new storage expansion slots depending on how much the Greymane camp is levelled up. The higher the level, the more things you’ll be able to keep in the storage chest.

The new storage cap is 1,000 items, which should be plenty for even the most dedicated of players.

Crimson Desert enjoyers might have noticed that the last update changed the way Kliff controls slightly. While this was intended to make the game more responsive, not everyone was a fan of the new system.

With update 1.02.00, there’s now an option to toggle back to the old movement mechanics.

For more granular updates on what’s changed in Crimson Desert with this patch, here are the full notes :

Crimson Desert update 1.02.00 full patch notes

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  • Depending on your progress with the Greymane camp expansion, the capacity of your private storage can now be increased from 240 slots up to a maximum of 1000 slots. Through the expansion of your camp, which consists of 5 stages in total, you can expand your private storage as follows: Start with 240 slots First camp expansion +100 slots Second camp expansion +100 slots Third camp expansion +100 slots Fourth camp expansion +100 slots Final camp expansion +360 slots
  • Added an Abyss Nexus in Pailune.
  • Improved the visibility of explosive barrels when using the “Light Reflection” skill or when shining the lantern on them.
  • Fixed an issue with combat missions, where comrades would not return until the mission timer expired if the mission was completed before the time limit.
  • Fixed an issue where the Abyss puzzle state would reset when viewing detailed information of nodes via the map “Details” menu while in the Abyss.
  • Fixed an issue where the character would become invisible if an Abyss Artifact was obtained before the Abyss completion cutscene played.
  • Fixed an issue where the skills Healing Force Palm and Aerial Force Palm were also reset when resetting all skills.
  • Changed the designs of certain gimmick monsters.
  • Added 1 new armor set and helmet for cats.
  • Improved Abyss Skybridge Gates so that restored Gates can be teleported to. (This change was applied in Patch 1.01.00)
  • Fixed an issue where the bank investment refresh time would remain stuck in the “Refreshing” state and not update. (Added: 2026/04/04 05:00 UTC)

Controls & Combat

  • Added a “Movement Controls” option. The option can be selected via Main Menu > Others > Settings > Input > Movement Controls, and offers two options: Basic and Classic. Detailed descriptions can be found in the in-game options menu. Basic movement controls: Hold the sprint key to accelerate. Classic movement controls: Repeatedly press the sprint key to accelerate.
  • The stamina consumption for mounts has been adjusted. With Basic movement controls, holding the sprint key consumes stamina at set intervals. With Classic movement controls, stamina is consumed each time the sprint key is pressed.
  • Improved the conditions for using the Abyss Nexus, allowing them to be used even while moving slightly except in certain situations such as while mounted or while using Flight. We plan to improve this further in the near future so that the player character can fast travel even while on certain mounts.
  • Improved so that the Flight skill can be activated even when holding the jump key in mid-air.
  • Improved responsiveness when inputting a jump after an attack.
  • Added an Escape key guide when affected by elemental status effects.
  • Fixed an issue where the Focus state would not be canceled when using Aerial Roll during flight.
  • Fixed an issue where weapons could not be drawn inside Demeniss Castle under certain conditions.
  • Fixed an issue where some bosses would teleport too far away during combat.
  • Fixed an issue where the ‘Double Boost’ horse ability would not activate properly.
  • Fixed an issue where parry would not activate properly during ‘Focus’ when a two-handed sword was equipped.
  • Fixed an issue where the camera would turn toward nearby enemies when aiming with a tool.
  • Fixed an issue where certain interactions were unavailable while specific tools were equipped.
  • Fixed an issue where repeatedly pressing the sprint key would allow a horse to run at maximum speed regardless of its stats.

Quests

  • Fixed an issue in Chapter 6 where quest progression became unavailable after defeating a boss following a save/load under certain conditions.
  • Fixed an issue where quest progression became unavailable if a related item was sold before starting the ‘A Rumor Fueled by Greed’ quest.
  • Fixed an issue in Chapter 11 where the Inserted Key could disappear from the bag, preventing related quest progression.

NPC & NPC Dialogue

  • Fixed an issue where certain quest-related NPCs would not appear.

UI Fixes & Improvements

  • Improved the item use notification in the bottom-right corner so that using it will select the item directly.
  • Improved the shop UI so that sellable items are prioritized on display.
  • Reorganized certain positions and content of the key guide displayed in the bottom-right corner to improve visibility.
  • Improved the UI so that the Save Game and Load Game menus are separated, and added save slot number labels.
  • Fixed an issue where the minimap scale would reset while riding a mount at maximum speed.
  • [Keyboard/Mouse] Fixed an issue where the mouse cursor would disappear in the storage menu.
  • Fixed an issue where item movement would not work properly when entering the horse inventory menu in certain circumstances.
  • Fixed an issue where certain menus would occasionally not respond to interaction or appear visually awkward.
  • Fixed an issue where crashes occured when entering or using some UI/menus in certain circumstances.
  • Improved the game so that the “Stow Weapon” key guide is displayed while in combat when mounted.

Graphics & Settings

  • Added a “Headgear Visibility” option in Settings > Language & Gameplay. The following options are available to choose from: Always Show / Show in Combat / Hide in Cutscenes / Always Hide. Additionally, a feature to hide weapons shown on the character’s back, which many players have requested, is also planned to be added in the near future.
  • [PC/PlayStation 5/Xbox] Improved FSR upscaling quality.
  • [PC] Applied FSR SDK 2.2.
  • [PC] Improved FSR Frame Generation quality.
  • [PC] Fixed an issue where GPU memory usage would increase when the DLSS RR option was configured.
  • [PC] Improved GPU load and shimmering in certain circumstances when FSR-RR / DLSS-RR was enabled.
  • [PC] Fixed an issue where foliage and certain other elements were not rendered properly in ray-traced reflections when FSR-RR / DLSS-RR was enabled.
  • [PC] Fixed an issue where the top of the screen would flicker when DLAA and HDR options were enabled.
  • [PC] Fixed a rendering issue affecting the character’s face indoors when the graphics preset was set to Low.
  • [PlayStation 5] Applied the Upgraded PSSR Sharpen feature on PlayStation 5 Pro, improving image sharpness.
  • [PlayStation 5] Applied Upgraded PSSR Native AA to Quality Mode on PlayStation 5 Pro.
  • [Xbox] Fixed an issue where V-Sync behavior would change when pressing the Home button.
  • [Xbox] Added a 4K upscaling option to Performance Mode on Xbox Series X.

Performance, Stability, Gameplay

  • Fixed several stability, performance optimization, and crash issues across PC, console, and Mac.

Localization

  • Fixed various localization errors and improved localization quality (game advice, etc.) across all languages.

Others

  • Fixed an issue where certain walls in Corridors of the Void were missing.
  • Improved the sound so that the sound position changes together with the camera perspective.
  • Fixed various other in-game issues.

Other Fixes

  • Fixed an issue where the weapon would not be visible when using the ‘Stab’ ability while ‘Unarmed’ was equipped as a secondary weapon.
  • Improved the UI so that license information can now be viewed in the Credits.
  • Fixed an issue the audio volume would become low when an NPC won in minigames such as Duo.
  • Fixed an issue where the background audio would become distorted in certain locations and situations.

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Wuthering Heights Director Emerald Fenell Tipped To Direct Basic Instinct Reboot

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Wuthering Heights Director Emerald Fenell Tipped To Direct Basic Instinct Reboot

It looks like we know what Emerald Fennell is cooking up as her next project to follow Wuthering Heights.

The British filmmaker is currently in talks to helm a reboot of Basic Instinct, screenwriter Joe Eszterhas teased during a new interview with The Guardian.

Joe – who penned the script of the original Basic Instinct, as well as the likes of Flashdance and Showgirls – explained he’s almost done with writing a new spin on the original 1992 erotic romance.

He claimed: “The producers are negotiating with a really interesting director – a Brit, Emerald Fennell – who did Promising Young Woman and Wuthering Heights.”

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“Her sensibility is exactly right,” Joe continued. “She’s someone who is not afraid of controversy and sexuality. So I’m thrilled by that. I hope it works out.”

After working both behind and in front of the camera on screen, Emerald made her feature-length directing debut in 2020 with Promising Young Woman, which was nominated for five Oscars and won one in the Best Original Screenplay category.

She followed this with Saltburn, a dark comedy thriller set in the mid-2000s, which got everyone talking thanks to its many twists and rather graphic sex scenes upon its release in late 2023.

Barry Keoghan in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn

The original Basic Instinct was a box office smash upon its release, with Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas in its lead roles.

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A much-panned sequel eventually followed in 2006, winning Worst Picture and Worst Actress at that year’s Razzies.

Sharon dismissed the suggestion of a Basic Instinct reboot last year, claiming: “I hate to break it to you, but Joe Eszterhas couldn’t write himself out of a Walgreens drug store.”

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Tell us where to find the best Thai food in Cambridgeshire

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Cambridgeshire Live

Thai food has been rising in popularity over recent years with great spots popping up all over Cambridgeshire.

Celebrations for Thai New Year or Songkran are taking place from Monday, April 13, to Wednesday, April 15. Many people who celebrate will be getting involved in huge water fights, family gatherings, and cleansing rituals to mark a fresh start.

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You might also want to celebrate the occasion by enjoying some traditional Thai food. From piles of noodles topped with a range of vegetables and meats to fragrant curries packed with herbs and spices, Thai cuisine is versatile and growing in popularity.

Luckily, Cambridgeshire has plenty of food spots to try out with Thai dishes available. You can find Thai food in traditional British pub settings or in a cosy restaurant for more special occasions.

If you are looking for somewhere for a quick lunch or want to enjoy a relaxing dinner with friends, you should be able to find a food spot that suits you.

CambridgeshireLive wants to know where we can find the best Thai food in the county. Whether you love a restaurant because of its wonderful staff or love the affordable prices, there are many reasons why you keep returning to a Thai restaurant.

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You can tell us where your favourite Thai spot in Cambridgeshire is by using our survey below. If the survey does not appear for you, you can open it in a new tab here.

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Taiwan opposition leader’s China visit will only serve Xi propaganda, experts warn

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Taiwan opposition leader’s China visit will only serve Xi propaganda, experts warn

The leader of Taiwan’s largest opposition party arrived in China at the invitation of Xi Jinping on Tuesday for a “peace mission” at a time of increased military tensions between the self-governed island and the mainland.

Cheng Li-wun’s trip marks the first visit by a Kuomintang (KMT) leader ​to China in a decade, although Beijing is yet to confirm whether ‌the Chinese president will definitely meet her.

Cheng said at her party headquarters in Taipei she had embarked on a “historic journey for peace”, but added that some people feel uneasy about the visit. “If you truly love Taiwan, you will seize even the slightest chance, every possible opportunity, to keep Taiwan from being ravaged by war,” the KMT chief said in defence of her visit. China sees Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out reunification by force, if necessary.

The trip, which comes just weeks ahead of US president Donald Trump’s May visit to Beijing, has sparked concerns among the Taiwanese people who anticipate a territorial conquest by China sometime in the near future. The threat of invasion has been a major concern for Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te’s administration as well.

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Kuomintang chairperson Cheng Li-wun shakes hands with Song Tao (R), Director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Kuomintang chairperson Cheng Li-wun shakes hands with Song Tao (R), Director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Central News Agency (CNA)/AFP)

Lai, viewed as a separatist figure by Beijing, has called for ramping up Taiwan’s defence capabilities and bolstering the self-governed island’s defence budget, drawing lessons from multiple conflicts around the world, including the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Cheng-led opposition bloc, which dominates parliament, has also been accused of blocking a $40bn special defence budget since November 2025, which Lai has been pushing for to bolster Taiwan’s military muscle against China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Before leaving for China, Cheung said: “So I would rather believe that all Taiwanese people hope this trip will succeed, because we can transform the most dangerous place in the world into the safest place in the world.

“I believe that through this journey for peace, everyone is even more eager to see the sincerity and determination of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee to use peaceful dialogue and exchange to resolve all possible differences between the two sides,” she added.

A protester delivers a speech as Taiwan's main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT) chairperson Cheng Li-wun leaves for China
A protester delivers a speech as Taiwan’s main opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT) chairperson Cheng Li-wun leaves for China (AP)

The Taiwanese official took a train to Nanjing, which hosts the mausoleum of Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen. Sun, the father of the revolution that toppled China’s last emperor in 1911, died in 1925, and is a hero in China despite being the former leader of the Kuomintang, or Nationalist Party, defeated by the Communists in 1949.

The head of China’s Taiwan Affairs office, Song Tao, and Cheng “chatted cordially like friends” on the train, with the KMT leader calling her trip “especially rare and precious”, the party said.

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Cheng did not address the increasing military escalation from across the Taiwan Strait where China has been sending warplanes and naval vessels around the smaller island on a near-daily basis. China’s PLA forces have also recently staged two major military exercises around the island, with the most recent one in December, after the US announced arms sales to Taiwan and involved the deployment of air, naval and missile units for a joint live-fire drill.

The US State Department said PLA’s exercises “increase tensions unnecessarily” and called on Beijing to cease military pressure against Taiwan.

Late on Monday, Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, which runs the coast guard, posted a picture on her Facebook account of current Chinese warship deployments around the island – two off the east coast, and one each to the north, northwest and southwest.

“When you depart, you are doing so from within what they see as the ‘Taiwan cage’,” Kuan told reporters at parliament on Tuesday, referring to how China’s ​military has termed Taiwan’s planned T-Dome air defence ​system and talking about Cheng’s trip.

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Lawmakers in Taiwan slammed the visit, saying that the opposition leader is following the steps China wants her to. “From the fact that the accompanying journalists were chosen by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, to the use of a Chinese aircraft, and even the uncertainty before departure over whether she would be able to meet president Xi, KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wen’s visit to China was, from the moment she boarded the plane, locked into the ‘One China’ framework,” said Fan Yun, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Cheng, she said, could very well be a model figure for Xi’s propaganda on “One China” policy.

The opposition, according to the lawmaker, is ignoring the obvious ground reality as public opinion polls in Taiwan show that support for unification has fallen below 10 per cent.

“The mainstream view in Taiwan is that Taiwan (Republic of China) and China (People’s Republic of China) are not subordinate to each other,” she tells The Independent, adding that while peace is “something all Taiwanese people support, but we learn from history that peace must be backed by strength”.

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Chinese flags fly on fishing boats in Tailu village, on the Chinese coast opposite Taiwan's Matsu islands, in China's southeast Fujian province on in 2024
Chinese flags fly on fishing boats in Tailu village, on the Chinese coast opposite Taiwan’s Matsu islands, in China’s southeast Fujian province on in 2024 (AFP/Getty)

Regional experts say the trip serves Cheng little but benefits China more.

“Cheng’s visit won’t fundamentally change China’s calculation and preparation for a potential reunification with Taiwan. For Beijing, her trip primarily serves propaganda and diplomatic signalling purposes,” says William Yang, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst.

For Xi’s domestic audience, the visit will display the government’s progress on the mission of reunification with Taiwan, he says.

“Cheng’s remarks during the trip, which will focus on calling for peace and reiterating her opposition to Taiwan independence, will be amplified by Chinese state media to try to exacerbate division within Taiwan,” he says.

Some leading figures in her own party are also worried that her rhetoric during the trip could damage the party’s prospects in the local election in November. “Despite these criticisms and diverging views within her party, there are also some in Taiwan who view her trip as a necessary step to help reduce the level of tension across the Taiwan Strait,” Yang says.

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China will use the trip to demonstrate to the US “that there are still political leaders in Taiwan who are willing to conduct cross-strait exchange and pursue peace across the Taiwan Strait”, he says.

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National Express discount code: 25% off in April 2026

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National Express discount code: 25% off in April 2026

Today’s best National Express discount codes and offers

To help you save more on your coach travel, The Independent’s deals team has sourced the very best National Express discount codes and the top ways to save, including £5 tickets and student discounts. Keep scrolling for all this and more.

Browse cheap ticket offers

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National Express’ cheap ticket offers start from less than £5. Explore more of the UK’s top destinations for a fraction of the cost, with journeys to Bournemouth, Birmingham, Manchester and beyond starting from just £4.90.

Get airport travel from just £8

If you’re catching a flight from Stansted, National Express offers a reliable mode of transport to the aviation hub. The direct 1 hour 10 minutes journey departs Liverpool Street for Stansted airport, with up to 49 coaches running per day. With airport tickets starting from just £7 and drop-off at the terminal, securing your seat for your holiday couldn’t be easier.

National Express student discounts

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Students travelling between university and home for the holidays can save up to 25 per cent on the cost of their coach travel through Unidays, Totum or Student Beans. Think direct journeys to and from university campuses with wifi for working on last-minute deadlines and a great luggage allowance for the bags of washing.

Save a third with a coachcard

For those travelling by coach regularly, a coachcard is a no-brainer. There is an upfront cost of just £15, but a coachcard saves you a third off all standard and flexible fares, meaning it will pay for itself in no time. Below are the cards currently available to purchase:

  • Young persons – for those aged 16-26 years
  • Senior – for those 60 or over
  • Disabled – anyone with a registered disability

Refunds and amendments

Standard tickets are non-refundable and incur a £5 fee if you need to amend any of your travel details. Alternatively, you can pay a fraction more for a flexible ticket, which allows you to change or cancel your booking up to 24 hours before with no extra costs.

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What’s on board?

All National Express coaches come with free wifi and USB ports for charging devices, as well as air conditioning. Each passenger has a generous 20kg luggage allowance, as well as an extra piece of hand luggage, which is ideal for longer trips.

To provide you with the best discount codes from our carefully selected travel providers, we have a dedicated team of bargain hunters constantly on the lookout. From flights and hotels to holiday packages and travel gear, we recommend bookmarking our dedicated deals page to access the latest and greatest money-saving discount codes. We only highlight offers from our favourite and trusted retailers and brands.

The Independent has been a trusted consumer champion since 1986, using years of expertise to advocate for our readers by finding the best deals and discounts. Whether you’re planning a holiday or taking advantage of major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, or the Boxing Day sales, our skilled team is dedicated to helping you save money. We strive to present the very best deals from brands we love ourselves.

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*See the National Express website for full terms and conditions for all offers featured on this page. Information verified and correct at time of last publication date.

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M&S’s Adidas-inspired Mary Jane trainers are selling out fast

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M&S’s Adidas-inspired Mary Jane trainers are selling out fast

Few fashion trends in 2026 split opinion like trainer Mary Janes. A fusion of feminine ballet flats and sporty silhouettes, the hybrid shoe has been championed by the likes of Puma, Onitsuka and Nike. But it’s Adidas’s samba Mary Janes that have won favour with the fashion crowd.

The unexpected shoe launched in 2025, riding the wave of samba’s enduring popularity and the resurgence of Mary Jane flats. The reimagined shoe features the trainer’s signature low-profile, leather upper and suede overlays, with a single velcro strap replacing the traditional laces.

Love them or loathe them, they’ve dominated social media feeds, prompting Adidas to release new colourways earlier this year – think on-trend burgundy, metallic finishes and even a floral print style. The 2026 version of the “ugly” dad trainer trend, I’ve seen the Adidas Mary Jane sambas styled with everything from matching track tops and trousers, jeans and white poplin midi skirts to capri pants and cargo trousers.

True to form, the high street has been quick to catch on with affordable alternatives – including M&S, which is going from strength to strength with its new spring collection. Be it a bag that nods to Chanel, a perfume that riffs on Le Labo or basics that rival Skims, M&S is among the best destinations for designer dupes.

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Now, it’s jumped on the controversial Mary Jane trainer trend with two suede shoe styles. Featuring the same streamlined silhouette and velcro strap as Adidas’s trainers, here’s everything you need to know.

Read more: Molly Mae’s Adidas line includes new samba and superstar trainers – here’s where to shop

M&S suede single strap Mary Jane trainers

Available in two neutral colourways, M&S’s trainer Mary Janes are designed in either a beige or chocolate brown finish. The shoes feature the same low-profile, slim silhouette as Adidas’s samba shoes, complete with a gum sole and contrast panelling. There’s also similar T-toe detailing and velcro strap that nods to traditional Mary Jane shoes. Costing £50, sizes are selling out fast.

M&S samba Mary Jane

M&S samba Mary Jane

If you’re after the OG Adidas samba Mary Jane shoes, the sports brand offers them in several colourways. The white is classic and easily styled, with the burgundy and floral print finishes adding intrigue to your everyday look.

Designed with all the samba signatures – including the three stripes, leather upper, suede panelling and T-toe – the trainers boast a slip-on design and velcro strap.

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These M&S perfumes rival Chanel, Jo Malone and more – and start at just £7

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Ray Parlour urges Mikel Arteta to drop Arsenal star in Champions League | Football

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Ray Parlour urges Mikel Arteta to drop Arsenal star in Champions League | Football
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour (Picture: talkSPORT)

Ray Parlour doesn’t want to see Max Dowman in Arsenal’s starting lineup against Sporting CP despite the teenager’s impressive showing in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Dowman’s performance was perhaps the only positive for the Gunners on Saturday evening as Mike Arteta’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton.

The teenager pressed his case for more starts with a lively display in his first appearance since scoring his first Premier League goal against Everton last month.

Arteta has been careful to manage the 16-year-old’s minutes, especially with Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke ahead of him in the pecking order on the right wing.

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And even with Saka set to miss Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Sporting, ex-Arsenal midfielder Parlour believes Dowman isn’t quite ready to be starting regularly just yet.

Asked if Dowman should be starting over Saka, Parlour told talkSPORT: ‘No, because you don’t want to give him too much responsibility at 16 years old.

‘We’ve all been there. It’s amazing. I think the only thing we could be celebrating is his GCSE results.

Southampton v Arsenal - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
Max Dowman was impressive against Southampton on the weekend (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s got them coming up, which is amazing, really, isn’t it? And you don’t want to be putting too much pressure on him as a youngster.

‘At the moment, he comes on, he’s been playing the FA Cup, he’s brilliant the other night. I mean, his balance he’s got when he goes past players, both feet, and he’s only 16. He’s just turned 16 in December.

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‘So, what a career he’s going to have, but you’ve still got to have Saka in his team. I know he’s going through that indifferent form at the moment; he hasn’t been playing the way he can.

Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Bukayo Saka will miss Tuesday’s clash with Sporting CP (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s not been up to his standards. We know that. He’s set the bar high, hasn’t he, with the performances, but every footballer that goes through it, he’s just got to try and work out how to get back to his best.

‘A little bit like Phil Foden, really. Phil Foden’s going through that spell at the moment as well, in his career. But at the moment, Dowman is such an important player going forward, but you can’t put too much pressure on him.

‘So, at this present time, I wouldn’t be doing that, but I’d be bringing him off the bench for 20, 25 minutes when people start just dropping their levels, dropping them. With his pace and his energy to go past players, he’d definitely be in use.’

Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand urged Arteta to continue deploying Dowman in wide areas to protect him in the early stages of his journey into senior football.

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‘Max Dowman could be the biggest factor in Arsenal winning the league from now on. But I want to see him protected from now on, and this is how I want to see Mikel Arteta do that,’ Ferdinand said.

‘Lamine Yamal, Neymar, Cristiano, Henry, all played out wide early in their career. Why? To protect them.

‘Play them out wide where there’s a bit less contact and you can see the game a bit more, the game’s a bit slower out there as well. Allow him the freedom to drift in but starting in there can be a big hindrance for a young player. I don’t want to see him become a Wilshere.

‘Wilshere coached him and spoke greatly about him but I don’t want to see him become that and be involved in far too many collisions in the middle of the park early in his career.’

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Stopgap measures aren’t enough to halt rising gas prices

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Stopgap measures aren't enough to halt rising gas prices

NEW YORK (AP) — Global leaders have been scrambling to contain the rising cost of oil and gasoline since the start of the Iran war, which took a record amount of oil off the market when tankers full of crude were stranded in the Persian Gulf and military strikes damaged refineries, pipelines and export terminals.

Hoping to ease some pain for consumers, President Donald Trump and other heads of state have been pulling on various levers, launching more oil on the market in a bid to calm the chaos.

A group of 32 nations that are members of the International Energy Agency began releasing the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history: 400 million barrels. Trump is tapping into oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve while lifting sanctions on Russian and Iranian crude and temporarily waiving the Jones Act, a maritime law that requires ships carrying goods between U.S. ports to be U.S.-flagged.

But despite those maneuvers, crude oil has soared well past $100 a barrel and gasoline is selling for $4.14 a gallon on average in the U.S. While the stopgaps are helping, they’re not adding up to enough oil to replace what’s stranded, experts say.

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“They’re all incremental,” said Mark Barteau, professor of chemical engineering and chemistry at Texas A&M University. “You’re talking about these different patches being at the level of maybe 1 to 2 million barrels a day each, and you’ve got to get to 20, so it’s hard to see those actually adding up to the numbers that are needed. And then the question is, how long can you sustain those?”

Trapped oil

Before the war began, roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil and 5 million barrels of oil products passed daily through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, amounting to about 20% of global oil consumption, according to the International Energy Agency.

In addition to that loss, some oil producing nations in the Middle East have halted oil production because they can’t ship fuel out of the Gulf and their storage tanks are full. That’s taken about 10 million barrels per day off the market, the IEA said.

Then there are the eight countries around the Persian Gulf that together hold about 50% of global oil reserves. Under normal circumstances, they coordinate closely to raise or lower their output to keep prices steady, said Jim Krane, energy research fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute. Usually Saudi Arabia steps in to bring spare oil to market and calm things down, he said.

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“But all of that spare capacity is also bottled up inside the Persian Gulf right now and it can’t get to market either,” Krane said. “So the main emergency response system that we have is also blocked.”

The IEA said in its recent report that “the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz is the single most important action to return to stable oil and gas flows and reduce the strains on markets and prices.”

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Barring that, world leaders are grasping for ways to free up more oil.

Limitations of short-term fixes

Some nations have found workarounds to move oil out of the Gulf. Saudi Arabia is using its East-West pipeline, which stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, to transfer about 5 million barrels per day out of the Gulf, said Michael Lynch, distinguished fellow at Energy Policy Research Foundation, a non-partisan institution focused on energy and economics. But the nation was already using that pipeline to transport oil, so it doesn’t have a lot of spare room to move oil from stranded tankers.

Trump also temporarily lifted sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil that was already in transit. But that didn’t add oil to the market — it just widened the pool of potential buyers, said Daniel Sternoff, senior fellow at the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy.

Typically, most Iranian oil was bought by private refiners in China, who purchased it at a steep discount, Sternoff said. But with sanctions lifted, others could scramble to buy the oil, which in turn raises its price to the benefit of Iran, he said.

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“As soon as you are moving to waive sanctions on your adversary with whom you’re fighting a military conflict, to do something in their benefit, it just shows you that you are running out of options to try to prevent a rise in the price of oil,” Sternoff said.

The decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil could have more impact, because Russia had been storing unpurchased oil in tankers, Sternoff said. “By waiving sanctions, it will allow those barrels to clear.”

Trump’s temporary waiver of the Jones Act to allow foreign ships to temporarily transport goods between U.S. ports could potentially help ease natural gas prices by enabling companies to more efficiently ship liquefied natural gas from the Gulf Coast to New England.

But experts don’t expect the waiver to significantly impact the price of oil or gasoline. “It’s helpful, but not a game changer,” Lynch said.

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Why U.S. oil production can’t solve the problem

The U.S. is a major oil producer, and exports more oil than it imports. But like any other oil producing nation, it can’t just ramp up production instantly to fill the void.

“If the U.S. were to try to make up the global shortfall, we would need to nearly double our production,” Barteau said. “We couldn’t drill wells that fast even if we wanted to.”

Increasing domestic production by even 1 million barrels per day, a feat the U.S. accomplished during the shale boom, would be hard to duplicate, Lynch said.

“If we run every drilling rig right now, what happens a week from now when the war is over and the price goes back down $20?” Lynch asked. “People don’t want to develop long-term production based on a short-term price spike.”

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Halting exports and using that oil within the U.S. wouldn’t bring down gasoline prices either, experts say.

For one, oil is traded on a global market, so events happening halfway around the globe impact prices for everyone.

In addition, the U.S. doesn’t produce enough of the type of oil its refineries process. It produced about 13.7 million barrels per day of oil at the end of 2025, according to the Energy Information Administration. And refineries processed about 16.3 million barrels per day that year, relying on imports to fill in the gaps, according to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), a trade association.

That’s because nearly 70% of U.S. refineries are set up to process heavy, sour crude, according to AFPM. But much of the oil produced in the U.S. is light, sweet crude, which was unlocked during the shale revolution.

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“They need different crudes than the ones that are being produced right next to them now,” Krane said.

As a result, just 60% of the crude oil processed in U.S. refineries is extracted domestically, according to the AFPM. And retooling domestic refineries would cost billions of dollars, the group said. It also would require shutting down the refinery for a period of time, which generally raises gasoline prices.

“A lot of people like the IEA are making the point that this is the biggest oil crisis ever, which is partly true, partly an exaggeration, depending on how you count things,” Lynch said. “A lot of it has to do with how long does this last … if it goes on for another six weeks we get to be in some serious trouble.”

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Woman renovates home and makes X-rated find behind old paint work

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Daily Record

When a woman was doing some DIY in her home, she never expected to stumble across something explicit hiding on her walls. However, people are very amused by the find

You never know what treasures you might stumble across when you’re renovating your home. From items left behind in the loft to beautiful tiles that have been covered in carpet, the possibilities are endless.

However, no one would have guessed what one woman would find when carrying out some DIY. Em couldn’t believe her eyes when she took a peek behind the old paintwork.

That’s because she stumbled across a sex list scrawled directly onto the wall. A previous owner, who seems to have been an amorous Brit, wished to preserve details of the various women he’d be intimate with.

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The jaw-dropping catalogue of romantic conquests included names, ages, locations and a general rating of each sexual encounter. He even included more explicit details – including the duration of each tryst.

The archive also recorded the year each tumble in the hay occurred, with the entire thing covering a span of 36 years, from 1961 to 1997.

The Casanova, believed to be from Leeds, apparently bedded women from Leeds to Nottingham to Colwyn Bay in Wales, a round journey of approximately 143 miles.

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He seemed so proud of this achievement that he needed to archive it. So he referred to his conquests by a string of imaginative nicknames – including ‘horse girl’, ‘laundry woman’ and colourful monikers that draw attention to whichever physical attribute he was particularly taken with.

One of the 19 names is simply listed as ‘cousin’, which one would sincerely hope wasn’t meant literally! This was alongside the likes of ‘alchy woman’, ‘tall girl’ and ‘Lionel’s sister’.

Whether the Lionel — or Lional — in question was aware of the apparent liaison between his 18 year old sister and the mystery scribe remains unclear from the wall. Though one imagines he’d have been far from pleased to see it preserved for posterity!

The 65 year old occupying the number 17 spot on the list was evidently a particularly memorable encounter. The randy home owner described it has the “best s*** of [his] entire life”.

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Elaborating on his romp with the widow, he later added: “Wow – every man should have one”.

Unsurprisingly, many people have been drawn in by the naughty sex list. Ever since @blondeEm83 posted a picture onto X, people have been leaving cheeky comments.

Many compared the Lothario to Jay Cartwright from The Inbetweeners because some of the sex sessions seemed to be very inplausible.

One asked: “Is that Jay off the inbetweeners’ wall?” A second commented: “That’s absolutely brilliant”.

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A third admitted: “I can’t stop laughing at the names.” And a fourth added: “He’s got some age range going on there.”

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Former Corrie star Sean Wilson is living very different life now after fame

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Daily Mirror

Sean Wilson was known for his iconic role as Martin Platt in ITV soap Coronation Street, which he played for 20 years. However, the actor is living a very different life now

Most people know Sean Wilson for his iconic role as Martin Platt in ITV soap Coronation Street, which he played for 20 years. However, the actor is living a very different life now.

Wilson joined Corrie at the age of 19 in his role of Martin Platt. His character was central to many major plots, most notably his marriage to Gail Tilsley (Helen Worth) and being father to David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd). However, he left the role back in 2005 after refusing to film a controversial storyline involving an underage girl. Wilson did however make a brief return in 2018 for David’s male rape storyline.

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After leaving his Corrie role, he appeared in dramas such as Waterloo Road, Silent Witness, Casualty, and The Royal.

However, he later underwent a significant career change and became a chef and a professional cheesemaker, founding the Saddleworth Cheese Company.

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He has also worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and written several cookbooks. In 2025, he launched a dedicated artist website too, to showcase and sell his artwork.

Wilson toured the UK with celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager in a live stage show called “Posh Teas & Artisan Cheese” in 2025. The show featured a mix of Q&A sessions and live “cook-offs” between the two experts.

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Despite his new career, Wilson was scheduled to return to Corrie as part of Gail Platt’s exit storyline in 2024.

However, he was axed mid-filming following an unfounded historical allegation from 1997. Police confirmed in late 2024 that no further action would be taken, clearing his name, but his scenes had already been scrapped and rewritten.

Instead, John Thomson, who played Jesse Chadwick between 2008 and 2010, returned to play a romantic role in Gail Platt’s exit storyline.

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Wilson said at the time his “whole world was blown apart” by the allegation, which “ruined” his life “in eight minutes”.

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He told The Sun: “I had no idea who had made this complaint or anything about it but I lost my job. It’s been hell. I’ve been low all the way through.”

Wilson has stayed quiet on social media since his failed TV return, however he did take to Instagram in the last week to promote his art.

One fan was happy to see his return, as they wrote: “Great art brother.”

It seems like art is Wilson’s main focus as reports suggest Saddleworth Cheese Company is not actively trading.

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Despite this, he still names himself as a cheese producer and actor on his Instagram page and says he’s available for cooking demos.

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