A collection of poems, some scribbled on slips of paper between food deliveries, has won Wang Jibing one of China’s top literary honours.

Low Flight, inspired by the everyday challenges delivery riders face, has bagged the Lu Xun Literary Prize – named after a writer who has been referred to as the father of modern Chinese literature.

Wang, 56, who became a delivery rider around 2019, gained traction on social media for his poems and essays.

He is part of a growing group of blue-collar workers who are being celebrated for their literary works, which offer a glimpse into the pressures that they face in China’s massive gig economy.

For Wang, the prestigious literary prize comes after a few difficult decades as an odd job worker.

“I held my breath and felt extremely nervous… Once it was revealed, everything was settled,” Wang told state media outlet Global Times on 15 July, when news broke that he had won the award – adding that the media attention around him had created a lot of mental pressure on him.

The monetary awards for recipients of the Lu Xun Literary Prize are not publicly announced – though as of 2014 it stood at 100,000 Chinese yuan ($14,800; £11,000).

Born in Jiangsu province, Wang left school as a teenager due to financial hardship at home. He took on various jobs, from construction to scavenging for waste and selling things at a street stall, before becoming a food deliveryman.

But his love for reading persisted, and over the last decade he has been posting his own poems and essays on social media.

In 2022, one of his poems, titled Man in a Hurry, went viral online. It was inspired by a incident in 2019, in which he spent hours on a frustrating delivery after a customer entered the wrong address.

In 2023 he published his first poetry collection, Man in a Hurry: Poems of a Food Delivery Rider.

Despite winning the award, Wang told the outlet he had no intention of quitting his job, adding that he planned to work until he turns 60.

“Financially I don’t need this job to make a living, but I love the vibe of the work and it keeps me fit,” said the Global Times report. “I want a down-to-earth life and the award will never change who I am.”

Low Flight, published in 2024, is a collection of poems inspired by interviews and surveys that Wang conducted with around 200 delivery riders.

“Who says spreading your wings means flying high? Flying low is also flying,” goes one of the lines in his poems.

His win comes as a growing number of blue worker collars in China have in recent years been making their mark in the literary world.

I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, a 2023 memoir by former courier Hu Anyan, became a runaway bestseller in China and also captured media attention abroad. An English translation of the memoir was published last year.

Another title – I am Fan Yusu – an autobiographical essay about a migrant worker’s personal struggle, swept the Chinese internet in 2017. The response was so overwhelming that Fan had to temporarily leave her home amid endless media requests.

Lu Xun, whom the literary prize is named after, is widely considered one of China’s greatest 20th century writers, known for using satirical novels to critique traditional Chinese society.

Long remembered as one of China’s most important literary figures, Lu’s works have found renewed resonance among the younger generation today: A few years ago, Kong Yiji, a character from his novel became a meme symbolising disillusionment among the Chinese youth struggling to find jobs.

The A628 road was shut on Thursday after a car fire spread to the surrounding moorland.

Work to tackle the fire and make the area safe is ongoing, with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways, and South Yorkshire Police still at the scene.

The situation has been further compounded by another, unrelated fire at Tintwhistle, near Glossop. This fire was first reported on June 24 and has reignited several times.

Fire fighters tackling a moor fire (Image: National Highways)

As a result, Woodhead Pass will be shut in both directions between A57 (Hollingworth) and the A616 (Flouch) until at least Friday for safety reasons.

Traffic is being diverted on local routes as a result, National Highways has warned drivers.

Anyone travelling from further afield is advised to use alternative trans-Pennine routes, such as the M1, M62, and M60.

Drivers travelling on routes affected by the closure are urged to allow for extra time, re-route, or delay the journey, if possible.

Further updates and information will be posted on the National Highways website and social media.

Ricky Coulter-Bell, 32, who oversees the Bramble Wood development, received the Pride in the Job Quality Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) for his work with David Wilson Homes.

The awards, recognised as a benchmark of industry excellence, highlight the UK’s top-performing site managers.

Ricky Coulter-Bell, who has worked with David Wilson Homes for 15 years, said: “Winning this award is a real honour.

“It feels very rewarding to be recognised for the quality homes we deliver and the effort put in by the team to meet outstanding quality standards.”

It is his first time receiving the award.

Daniel Smith, managing director at David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East, said: “We’re so proud of Ricky for achieving this prestigious Pride in the Job Quality Award.

“It’s amazing news for both the team at Bramble Wood and for our customers.”

President Donald Trump says the latest strikes by the US hit Iran “very hard”, adding that the attacks were “in honour” of three US soldiers killed in recent days – two in Jordan, one in Iraq.

In the early hours of Monday local time, US Central Command (Centcom) said it had launched a “new wave” of strikes for the ninth consecutive night as explosions were heard across Iran.

The US said it had targeted military sites and communications networks to “further diminish” Tehran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said it had responded with a “surprise attack” in Syria and targeted US aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba airport.

Elsewhere in the region, Kuwait’s armed forces said they had intercepted Iranian drones.

On the US strikes, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several cities had been hit including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.

There were also Iranian state media reports that two oil tankers had exploded as the vessels tried to cross the strait.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tankers were going through what it called an “unsafe and hazardous southern route” of the strait and “exploded and were brought to a halt”. Centcom disputed the claims.

The IRGC added that the strait “will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas” as long as the US strikes continue and that it will respond with a “punitive operation”.

Over the weekend, the US confirmed that a service member had been killed after an Iranian attack in northern Iraq on Saturday.

The death came a day after an attack on a base in Jordan where two US soldiers were killed and another was reported missing. The US said “unidentified remains” had been found, with verification of the remains ongoing.

As the strikes continued over the weekend between the US and Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the US “always remains open to a diplomatic solution”.

He also said “the world has to decide whether or not it’s going to allow an international waterway to be under the control” of Iran, saying Tehran was using the crucial shipping route as leverage.

His comments come as a preliminary deal made in mid-June to stop fighting has unravelled, with negotiations for a permanent peace making little progress after Trump declared the agreement was “over” on 8 July.

The world number two admitted he was “stuck in neutral” for most of his four rounds at Royal Birkdale and will head home after finishing one under par

Rory McIlroy will belatedly celebrate his Masters success as he takes a break following a frustrating week at the Open.

The world number two admitted he was “stuck in neutral” for most of his four rounds at Royal Birkdale and will head home after finishing one under par.

McIlroy was impressive off the tee but his approach play was not of similar standard and he could not find his touch on the greens.

Still, having won the Masters for a second time in April, he can reflect on a successful year, even if his performances in the last three majors have been underwhelming.

He said: “I was just sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.

“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. It was just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.

“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously I won the first major of the year and fell off a little bit after that – but any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.

“I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate that. Poppy’s got another four weeks off school until she goes back, so I’m just going to enjoy the summer holidays with her and Erica. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

McIlroy, a six-time major winner, has said previously he feels he can now pick and choose the tournaments more than previously.

Asked if it was true the prospect of competing week-in, week-out on the PGA Tour no longer got his “juices flowing”, the 37-year-old told reporters: “Yes, that’s fair.

“I think it just sort of ebbs and flows. There’s been years where I’ve given it maybe more of my attention and years that I haven’t.

“I guess I’m just at a stage that I have other things that I prioritise. I came to that decision last year and I’m just sort of doing the same thing.”

McIlroy raised eyebrows on Saturday with some pointed comments about the conduct of Bryson DeChambeau after the American was penalised two shots for improving his lie by trampling on long grass close to his ball.

The Northern Irishman admitted he was “not particularly fond of” DeChambeau and accused him of “performative” behaviour as he remonstrated with officials and then hit balls on the range after dark.

McIlroy was cheekily asked if he would welcome the prospect of DeChambeau competing at the Irish Open in September.

He said: “I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yes, it would be great for the tournament.”

New York City‘s Times Square was taken over by thousands of jubilant Spain fans on Sunday, who partied through the night after their team’s World Cup final success. 

The iconic Big Apple landmark transformed into a sea of red and yellow – hours after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final – as fans swarmed to Midtown Manhattan.

Thousands of supporters were seen singing, dancing, chanting and waving Spanish flags as they took over Times Square from dusk until the early hours of Monday.

Many of the fans had attended a public watch party in the area, while thousands of others flocked from across the city – and MetLife Stadium itself – to celebrate.

It marked a stark contrast to how Times Square had looked just 24 hours earlier, when a myriad of Argentina fans gathered to start the festivities ahead of the game.

On Sunday, however, only a handful of La Albiceleste fans were left in the area and – those who were there – appeared dejected, deflated and downbeat after their loss.

The iconic New York landmark was taken over by supporters of La Roja after their historic win

Fans were seen singing, dancing and waving Spanish flags as they celebrated the result

New York’s iconic Empire State Building was lit up in red and yellow after Spain’s win

Despite the jubilant scenes, New York police were forced to make several arrests – with a handful of individuals seen being placed in handcuffs by officers.

Details of the arrests have not yet been released by New York police. An NYPD spokesperson told The Daily Mail late Sunday night that the total number of arrests was unknown because the suspects were still being processed. 

As for the crimes, the NYPD spokesperson said the suspects are accused of disorderly conduct. 

In one exclusive photo, a Spain fan wearing a Lamine Yamal jersey is seen being led away by two officers. Another man in a pink t-shirt and matching shorts was also apprehended, as was a shirtless man seen in a video on Instagram.

However, while the party ended early for those fans, other Spain supporters were seen raising replica trophies, blowing horns and crowd surfing in the wake of the country’s second World Cup win. 

Meanwhile, in lower Manhattan, red-clad revelers took over the city’s High Line, which is a park raised on an old rail line 30 feet above the city streets. 

But Sunday’s most hectic scene was Times Square, which had been a beehive of activity throughout the tournament. 

Fans who couldn’t afford four-figure ticket prices had dozens of watch parties to choose from throughout the five boroughs, but no option proved as popular as Times Square’s seemingly endless array of towering electronic billboards.

No option proved as popular as Times Square for Spanish fans to celebrate their triumph

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The streets of Midtown Manhattan were swarmed by thousands of supporters after the win

Despite the jubilant scenes, a number of individuals were arrested by New York police Sunday. Details of the numerous arrests in Times Square were not made immediately clear.

As pictured by The Daily Mail’s John Taggart, several individuals were placed in riot cuffs

New York Police Department officers stand guard as fans gather in Times Square

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Times Square has been a hive of activity throughout the World Cup, despite the fact that local tournament games such as Sunday’s final were actually played at MetLife Stadium

Many visitors from Spain and Argentina did cross the Atlantic for the World Cup, but rather than pack into Times Square, they decided to splurge on tickets.

‘Money comes back,’ Buenos Aires resident Manuel Lopez Maccotta told The Associated Press. ‘This is once in a lifetime. You´re seeing the best player in the world [Lionel Messi] in his last World Cup. Money is worthless compared to this.’

And how much did he pay?

‘Almost 10K in American money,’ said Maccotta, whose friend got off relatively easy with a $5,000 ticket.

‘I bought the ticket before the World Cup final,’ Santiago Burcaco told the AP.

Argentina and Spain fans were comrades in this struggle.

Madrid’s Curro Sanchez spent $8,000 on his ticket, and will now be staying in the city through Thursday.

‘Had a big, big, big fight with my wife,’ Sanchez told the AP. ‘At the end of the day, she understood.’

The Spanish festivities in Times Square began immediately after the final whistle went

Many Team Argentina fans in New York City were left devastated by Sunday’s loss to Spain

A devastated Argentina fan is seen sulking on Sunday in New York’s Times Square 

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Sunday’s World Cup finale was settled in extra time after Spain’s Ferran Torres found the back of the net in 106th minute – after a stalemate in regulation time. 

US President Donald Trump ended up taking center stage at MetLife Stadium as he awkwardly invaded Spain’s iconic trophy lift at the end of the FIFA World Cup final. 

Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President made his way down to the field, where he was loudly booed by the crowd before making his way onto the stage alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain’s players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.

The US President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford.

Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.

It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained. 

He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.

Donald Trump took center stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon

Trump and Infantino stood on stage as golden confetti rained down around them in New Jersey

There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again. 

Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear.

Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump also shook hands with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.

Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is watching the game from home due to ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported. 

The commander-in-chief also waved at the crowd from behind the glass. 

Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game.

Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that ‘it’s hard to bet against Messi,’ speaking of Argentina’s 39-year-old star.

However, in the end, it wasn’t to be for the veteran soccer star after he and Argentina came up short in their battle against European outfit Spain in East Rutherford. 

The changes, proposed by the City of York Council, include prohibiting certain vehicle movements at junctions and altering speed limits in specific locations.

At the junction of Grimston Lane and Eastfield Lane in Dunnington, vehicles will no longer be allowed to turn right from Grimston Lane into Eastfield Lane.

Similarly, at the junction of Tea Room Square and Station Road in York, right turns from Tea Room Square into Station Road will be banned.

Church Lane in Dunnington will become a one-way street, allowing only north-west travel from its junction with York Street to its junction with Pear Tree Lane.

Speed limits will also be adjusted under the new proposals.

• For more information about this public notice, click here.
• For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal at publicnoticeportal.uk/york-press

Grimston Lane and Pasture Croft in Dunnington will have a new speed limit of 20mph.

Eastfield Lane in Dunnington will have a new 30mph speed limit between certain points, replacing the current national speed limit.

The same 30mph limit will apply to North Lane in Huntington over a specified stretch.

Monks Cross Lane in Huntington will have a 40mph speed limit between two points, again replacing the national speed limit.

These changes are being made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, following consultation with the Chief Officer of Police.

Anyone wishing to view the draft orders, reasons for the changes, and relevant maps can do so at the Reception, West Offices, Station Rise, York, during business hours.

Objections or representations must be submitted in writing by August 7, 2026.

Andy Burnham has said his dad, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and is care home bound, is unaware that he’s about to become Prime Minister.

The incoming PM told The Times: “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud].” Burnham’s dad is Kenneth Roy Burnham, a former telephone engineer. He has spoken of Mr Burnham several times in the past, saying in 2024 that he was a feminist who “wouldn’t have called himself that at the time, but he was”.

The critically acclaimed actor is here filming an ITV drama

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters has returned to film in Belfast for an upcoming TV drama.

Walter has been busy lately and has gained significant critical acclaim for his role in the BAFTA-winning TV show Adolescence, in which he plays a police officer.

The former So Solid Crew rapper has an impressive roster of roles under his belt, including Top Boy, created by Northern Irish novelist and screenwriter Ronan Bennett.

In a chat with Belfast Live, the actor reminisced about returning after almost two decades, when he was previously here filming another project in Titanic Studios, saying, “It has been a long time, but I’ve always loved Northern Ireland”.

When asked why he enjoyed filming here, he said: “I think it boils down to kind of the relation between the oppressed around the world, and they have a real kind of, I mean, people here are really great people and nice people, so I’ve always found that.”

Adding that “they are very supportive of people who find themselves being oppressed, you know, around the world, and I see that they connect the dots a lot.”

He went on to say, “So you feel really safe. You feel really welcomed.”

Walters has been here filming for a while, and when asked what he was doing in his spare time. He joked that he didn’t have much of it but that his kids “are obsessed” with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Holywood.

The actor is in Northern Ireland filming for the upcoming ITV drama First Woman, in which he plays a character called Ben.

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