MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal authorities have denied attempting to expedite an end to asylum claims by the family of a 5-year-old boy who was detained with his father during the immigration crackdown that has shaken the Minneapolis area.
Images of Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack surrounded by immigration officers stirred outrage over the crackdown.
Danielle Molliver, a lawyer for the boy and his father, told the New York Times that the government was attempting to speed up the deportation proceedings, calling the actions “extraordinary” and possibly “retaliatory.”
The government denied that.
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“These are regular removal proceedings. They are not in expedited removal,” Department of Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, adding “there is nothing retaliatory about enforcing the nation’s immigration laws.”
Molliver told the Times that an immigration judge, during a closed Friday hearing, gave her additional time to argue the family’s case.
The boy and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, who originally is from Ecuador, were detained in a Minneapolis suburb on Jan. 20. They were taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
They were released following a judge’s order and returned to Minnesota on Feb. 1.
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Neighbors and school officials have accused federal immigration officers of using the preschooler as “bait” by telling him to knock on the door to his house so that his mother would come outside. DHS has called that description of events an “abject lie.” It said the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in their driveway.
The government said the boy’s father entered the U.S. illegally from Ecuador in December 2024. The family’s lawyer said he has an asylum claim pending that allows him to stay in the U.S.
A 21-year-old woman and two men aged 28 and 30 were arrested and charged following the incident
Two men and a woman have been charged to court following arrests made in relation to a robbery which took place in the Glengall Street area of Belfast on Tuesday, February 3.Police confirmed a 21-year-old woman, arrested on Tuesday, March 3, has been charged with robbery and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, March 5.The force said that, as is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. Two other people were also charged in relation to the incident.
A 28-year-old man, charged with robbery and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, has already appeared in court and has since been remanded in custody.A 30-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of robbery, wounding and possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place has also been remanded in custody.
Danniella Westbrook’s surgery – everything she’s had done to her face – The Mirror
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Former EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has shared a picture of her ‘new face’ after undergoing facelift surgery in Dubai, but says she still needs to go under the knife for three more nose operations
Danniella Westbrook shows off ‘new face’ after Dubai surgery but needs three more operations
Former EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has shown off her ‘new face’ after recent cosmetic surgery in Dubai, but still needs three more operations.
The 52-year-old actress looked confident and happy in filtered snaps, telling followers: “Three more nose operations to go. Facelift has really changed me and given me my confidence back.”
The surgery is helping to rebuild her face after years of historic drug abuse damaged her nose and cheekbones.
She was seen leaving the Dubai clinic in a wheelchair with facial compression garments, but praised surgeon Dr Parviz Sadigh for ‘working miracles’.
Danniella became addicted to cocaine at 14 after finding fame as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders. She estimates spending £250,000 on drugs and consumed five grams daily while pregnant with her son Kai.
The years of abuse led to the collapse of her septum and facial structure. Despite online trolling about her appearance, she remains determined to rebuild her life.
“I may not be that pretty little thing that was once Sam Mitchell back in 1989… but I am happy and for that I count my blessings,” she said.
“My toddler loves this and it has improved with bedtime.”
Shawna Healey Senior fashion, beauty and home affiliate writer and Nadia Breen
11:20, 05 Mar 2026
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Parents struggling with bedtime routines for their young children are singing the praises of a toy that’s making evenings easier. Designed for children aged three and above, the Toniebox uses tactile, character-shaped figures called ‘Tonies’ which are placed on the device to play stories, songs and educational content.
There’s a wide selection of characters available, including Peppa Pig. The Peppa Pig Tonie Character usually retails at £15, but I’ve discovered a method to get it for free through TopCashback’s current promotion.
The procedure may seem daunting, but it’s straightforward, quick and completely free.
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TopCashback is providing new members joining its money-saving platform with a complimentary £15 sign-up bonus alongside cashback on any purchase of £15 or above. This means that new members of TopCashback and both new and existing Argos customers get it for free after cashback.
Shoppers must initially pay the £15, but this sum will be reimbursed to your TopCashback account, ready for transfer to any bank or PayPal account. It typically takes up to seven days to appear in accounts, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Featuring the same voice actors of the TV show, children will be whisked away to Peppa’s entertaining world and enjoy tales including Peppa on Holiday, Peppa going Skiing, Miss Rabbit’s Day Off, George’s Balloon and numerous others. With a run time of 62 minutes, the stories are just long enough to keep toddlers engaged.
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Beyond the Toniebox, there are alternative options available, such as the YOTO Mini, a screen-free Bluetooth audio device that plays stories and music. Retailing at £59.99 on Amazon, it works with physical cards that ‘lets kids explore their imaginations as they explore the world’.
For those seeking a more visual toy, the Clementoni Disney Storytime Projector with Narration includes eight story cards and is designed to keep toddlers entertained. It’s available for £31.99 on Amazon and at Smyths Toys.
At Argos, the Peppa Audio Classic Tonie Character has achieved an impressive overall rating of 4.9 out of five stars from nearly 40 reviews. One customer shared: “My toddler loves this and it has improved with bedtime.”
Another reviewer commented: “We have a lot of Tonies and this has quickly become a firm favourite. It has the well known songs, themes, voices and stories that children know and recognise. I love the idea of the short stories where Peppa and her family visit different countries. It’s a fun and entertaining Tonie.”
A third customer added: “I bought this for my non verbal autistic 6-year-old grandson who adores Peppa Pig,” and “His little face lights up when Peppa starts talking.”
However, one buyer felt less enthusiastic about the Peppa Audio Classic Tonie Character, awarding it three stars. They stated: “I got this along with the Toniebox 2 for my kids for Christmas, despite paying for it and upon hearing it for the first time, my kids absolutely love it.
“But my son of all people says it’s not long enough and I wholeheartedly agree. For the price of these products, it doesn’t play for a longer period than you expect.”
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However, another customer was delighted with their recent Argos buy, stating: “My son is a huge Peppa Pig fan and is absolutely loving this. He listens to it everyday.”
Here’s how to get the Peppa Tonies Character for free:
Cashback will then track and appear in your TopCashback account within seven working days of your purchase
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Dobbies has unveiled a vibrant new, garden-style cottage kitchen foodhall at its Sandyholm store.
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The new foodhall reflects Dobbies’ commitment to investing in the Clydesdale store and responding to what local customers want. By listening to feedback from the Sandyholm community, new ways were identified to improve the overall shopping experience, offering customers the opportunity to discover and celebrate great food.
The new foodhall at Sandyholm has opened with a host of introductory offers including 30 per cent off Farmhouse biscuits and Belgid’Or chocolates and 20 per cent off Coolmore cakes and favourite brands like Fever Tree, available to March 31.
To mark the first weekend of opening from Thursday, March 5, sampling of some of the new products will be available at various times, and one lucky customer through the doors will win a hamper filled with selected products.
Kirsty Mcallister, general manager at Dobbies’ Sandyholm, said: “We’ve been working hard on the new format that’s inspired by a cottage kitchen garden and brings together essentials, treats and seasonal variety through a range of both popular and new brands. We’re excited to welcome customers in to see the new foodhall and try the ranges for themselves.”
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With more than 500 products, Sandyholm customers will be spoilt for choice with new brands like Botham’s of Whitby and Isle of Wight tomato-based sauces.
Sweet treats will be prominent with well-known brands like Bonbons, Lindt and Tony’s Chocolonely.
There will also be a wide selection of biscuits for cheese, sharing bags of crisps, snacks and nuts from new brands like Pretzel Pete, Serious Pig and Slabs.
The ranges of gift foods will include alcohol and premium soft drinks, including gin and beer gift packs.
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The new foodhall at Dobbies Sandyholm is open from today (Thursday, March 5). For more information visit dobbies.com
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The big format change will take effect from next season
The Championship play-offs will feature six teams from next season.
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The EFL announced its clubs had passed a proposal to increase the number of play-off participants from four to six at an all-club meeting on Thursday.
Supporters of the change believe it will create more interest in the run-in to the Championship season, as it gives more teams a chance to qualify for the post-season and a shot at promotion to the Premier League. Teams finishing between third and eighth will be involved.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “Since their introduction in 1986-87, the play-offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.
“Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
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The National League currently operates a six-team play-off tournament, where the teams finishing second and third progress straight to the semi-finals while those finishing fourth to seventh compete in quarter-finals.
A similar system will be used in the Championship, with teams finishing from fifth to eighth playing in eliminator ties and the winners going on to face the third and fourth-placed teams in two-legged semi-finals.
The final format will be agreed later in 2026.
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The current format in the EFL – with a single-leg final at Wembley preceded by two-leg semi-finals – has been in place since the 1989-90 season.
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The Championship play-off final has come to be regarded as the most lucrative single game in world football, given a place in the Premier League is at stake to the winners.
Sunderland were last season’s victors, overcoming Sheffield United 2-1. The success was estimated to have secured a minimum of £200million in extra income for the Black Cats.
The statement issued by the EFL on Thursday read: “At a General Meeting today, EFL Clubs approved changes to expand the number of teams competing in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs from four to six, starting in the 2026/27 season.
“The decision is intended to increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign, while also giving two additional Clubs the opportunity to reach the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium and progress to the Premier League.”
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Wrexham are currently in sixth place in the Championship table with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Swansea City currently sit in 16th place, with 11 points between them and the play-off spots.
Emirates has issued a statement to passengers affected by ongoing travel disruptions
Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor
11:31, 05 Mar 2026
Emirates has released a statement concerning its flight operations amid “ongoing disruptions” stemming from the Middle East conflict. The airline’s support account posted an update on X for affected passengers as numerous services remain grounded.
The carrier has confirmed that all scheduled flights to and from Dubai will remain suspended until the end of March 7, extending beyond the previously announced deadline of March 4. However, they continue to operate “a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights”.
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A number of Emirates services have already touched down in the UK, bringing much-needed reassurance to anxious relatives and friends. These flights have landed at multiple airports, including Edinburgh and London.
This development comes as the Iran conflict reaches its sixth day, with numerous flights expected to transport stranded British citizens home from the Gulf area. The first Government charter flight and British Airways commercial service from Muscat were due to arrive in the UK during the early hours of Thursday.
Yet a technical problem at the Omani airport stopped the first chartered aircraft from departing as scheduled. It is now anticipated to depart later on Thursday, reports the Express.
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Emirates’ social media announcement represents the airline’s most recent communication from its support team on X as of March 5. The statement acknowledges that the airline’s support team is managing a substantial number of customer queries and is working to address them at the earliest opportunity.
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The carrier stated: “Due to ongoing flight disruptions, our Customer Care teams are experiencing exceptionally high volumes. We’re working to resolve all enquiries as quickly as possible. Rest assured, all cancelled flights will be rebooked or refunded as soon as possible, based on your preference.”
Passengers impacted by the recent wave of cancellations have been provided with guidance on what steps to take. The airline has outlined several options, including making contact, requesting a refund and liaising with your travel agent.
Emirates explained: “Direct Message: DMs are the most efficient way to contact us right now. Please expect a 48-72 hour wait before we are able to respond. You can DM on X at http://emirat.es/xdm.
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“Phone: Only call us if you are in need of very urgent assistance. Please be patient and expect a wait on hold of up to 2-3 hours. Contact numbers for your country can be found at http://emirat.es/support.
“Refunds: You can request a refund for your booking if it is on or before 12 March without contacting us. Just fill out the form at http://emirat.es/refund.
“Travel Agents: If you booked via a travel agent, please contact them directly for assistance with rebookings and refunds. If your enquiry is not urgent, please visit http://emirat.es/flightstatus for the latest updates, and contact us at a later time. Please also make sure your contact details are up to date at http://emirat.es/managebooking so we can keep you informed.”
The carrier concluded its statement by outlining additional measures available to travellers needing extra help. “If you need further assistance, DM us with your booking reference and flight details, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you for your trust and patience,” it said.
The changes will be enforced from the start of the new school year
The government has announced new rules that all schools must follow from September this year. The plans will see UK schools put in place stronger protections for children with allergies.
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Under the new rules, announced by the Department of Education on Wednesday, all schools will be required to stock life-saving allergy pens to ensure the safety of their students. Schools must also have a dedicated allergy policy and put teachers through compulsory training to make sure requirements are met.
The changes come into force following campaigns from parents for additional measures to be enforced to protect children with allergies whilst at school. One parent, Helen Blythe, whose son Benedict died in 2021 after having an allergic reaction at school, has welcomed the change, saying the new requirements will now make it “less likely for other families to go through what we’ve been through”.
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The Blythe family campaigned for a law change to mandate allergy safety in schools for four years after their son died from accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein at Barnack Primary School, near Peterborough, in December 2021. An inquest found the school did not follow all the measures in place to prevent the fatal anaphylactic reaction, and that there were risks of contamination and delays in administering an adrenaline pen.
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Following campaigns, schools will now be required to have individual healthcare plans in place for pupils with medical conditions. The changes, which come into force in September, will see compulsory training given to teachers on administering adrenaline auto-injectors, with schools also required to have a dedicated allergy policies in place.
Under the plans, from September 2026, schools must:
Stock ‘spare’ adrenaline auto-injectors for use in emergency situations
Provide allergy awareness training for all staff – covering symptoms, emergency response and the use of adrenaline devices
Have a comprehensive policy for supporting children with medical conditions, including Individual Healthcare Plans to record specific arrangements for individuals like an allergy management plan
Commenting on the new rules, Mrs Blythe told the Press Association: “This is something we’ve campaigned for for a long time as a family. It’s been a hard campaign, both work-wise and emotionally.
“These measures will make it less likely for other families to go through what we’ve been through. And for Benedict his memory will be etched into the history books and into time. We’ve always said that his life mattered and his death should matter too. And in this it does, it’s his legacy, and that means a lot.”
Minister for early education Olivia Bailey said: “No parent should have to send their child to school worried that a life-threatening allergic reaction won’t be handled swiftly.
“We have listened to the families and organisations who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue, and we are acting. These new requirements will give parents the confidence that every school has the training, the plans and the equipment in place to keep their child safe.”
However Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said schools need additional funding to make sure they have the staffing capacity to carry out duties and offer specialist health support where it is needed. He said: “Expecting schools to stock ‘spare’ adrenaline auto-injectors for use in emergency situations appears a sensible step, as is training staff to use them effectively.
“However, the Government need to be confident that there are sufficient stocks maintained across the country to ensure each setting can keep a sufficient share of adrenaline auto-injectors.”
Reports said that the men were being aggressive towards station staff and commuters
Men were reportedly “acting aggressively” at Cambridge station on Wednesday (March 4). British Transport Police were called to Cambridge railway station at around 5.30pm after reports of men acting aggressively towards station staff and commuters.
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Officers attended. A man was arrested on suspicion of Common Assault and a Section 4 Public Order offence.
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Cambridge railway station at 5.29pm yesterday (4 March) following reports men acting aggressively towards station staff and commuters.
“Officers attended and a man was arrested on suspicion of Common Assault and a Section 4 Public Order offence.”
EFL clubs have voted in favour of expanding the Championship play-offs from four to six teams.
The new system will mirror the format used in the National League and will be introduced for the 2026-27 season.
It means teams finishing from third to eighth will compete for promotion to the Premier League.
Clubs finishing third and fourth will progress directly to the semi-final, while a one-legged quarter final will be played with fifth at home to eighth and sixth hosting seventh.
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Semi-finals will remain as two legs and the final will still take place at Wembley at the end of May.
The proposal has been under consideration for a number of seasons and was approved by the EFL board and Football Association.
“The decision is intended to increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign, while also giving two additional clubs the opportunity to reach the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and progress to the Premier League,” the EFL said.
The four-bedroom property in the car park of the George and Dragon in Aysgarth is due to be auctioned off next week with a guide price of just £19,000.
The house and pub were sold together at auction in December, when the guide price for the entire site was £300,000.
Aysgarth and District Parish Council has pointed out that no mention is made of a 106 agreement in the latest sale details.
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The 106 agreement, issued in 1996 when the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) granted planning permission for the property, means the occupant of the property should work in the pub.
Councillor John Dinsdale, chair of Aysgarth and District Parish Council, said: “We are very concerned that someone will buy the property without realising it has a 106 agreement attached.
“I’d hate for a young couple to buy it and lose their savings.”
The parish council is in the process of registering the pub, which closed last year, as an asset of community value.
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A spokesperson for the YDNPA said they were aware of the situation and were liaising with the parish council.
Officers have also made contact with the owners of the property and the auction house to offer their help regarding the restrictions in place.
The house is due to be auctioned off online between March 10 and 12.
Sale particulars show the house has been renamed Meadow View.
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The description adds: “Located in Aysgarth, a charming village in North Yorkshire, this four-bedroom property is in an ideal location. A beautiful family home or a bolt hole/holiday let as an investment opportunity – it’s one not to be missed.
“It has a large front garden with double garages and three separate access points into the property. It also has a side courtyard exiting from the lounge.”
