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Over 50 events announced for Bangor’s Open House Festival 2026

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Belfast Live

The festival returns this summer for its 13th annual outing since 2013.

Lisa Hannigan, The Staves, Deirdre O’Kane, and The Tallest Man on Earth are just four of the acts performing at this year’s Open House Festival.

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The festival returns to Bangor for its 13th annual outing since 2013. With more than 50 events announced, and many more to come, it will attract around 50,000 visitors to the Co Down city over the summer period.

The focal venues for ticketed events will be the festival stage at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, and the Court House on Bangor seafront, the award-winning music and arts venue established by Open House in 2022.

READ MORE: Titanic Distillery to host very first music festivalREAD MORE: Details as iconic Derry Jazz Festival marks 25th year with bumper line-up

Lisa Hannigan and The Staves have both performed sell-out shows at the festival in previous years, but this will be the first visit to Bangor for Deirdre O’Kane, one of Ireland’s most popular comedians, and the Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth.

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All four will be appearing at the Walled Garden, as will American country singer Ashley Campbell, daughter of the legendary Glen Campbell.

Other music guests at this year’s festival include Donegal sisters The Henry Girls, the renowned Irish singer songwriter, and younger brother of Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, the Bangor/Yorkshire indie-soul band Skinny Living, and Bangor’s own The Florentinas.

Over the past few years, a strong comedy line-up has become synonymous with the festival, and this summer will be no different. Aside from Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere and Emer Maguire have also been announced.

Literary guests include Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled, the explosive exposé on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, journalist Sally Hayden whose new book This is Also a Love Story is predicted to be as impactful as her previous award winning My Fourth Time, We Drowned, and Gina Goldhammer, the former editor of Henry Kissinger who has published her first novel at the age of 72.

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Other events include a Court House music residency with upcoming jazz singer Madi McCullough, a photography exhibition by Bangor photographer, artist, and musician Rachel McCarthy, a DJ set by Pete Snodden, and the annual Bank Holiday Monday Celtic Soul gig in the Walled Garden.

And it wouldn’t be summer in Bangor without the annual free Open House Festival Picnic in the Park series in Ward Park every Sunday afternoon throughout July and August. Acts performing this year include punk favourites Wasted Talent, the ever-popular, crowd-drawing 19 th Street Band and Anna’s Number, and new to the park, the Queen tribute band, Queen Magic.

Open House director, Kieran Gilmore said: “We are announcing the festival a little bit earlier than normal this year but with everything going on in the world, we decided people deserved something to look forward to. Our festival has become a teenager this year, and that is really something to celebrate, as when we moved it to Bangor from Belfast in 2012, we didn’t know how things would pan out.

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“Thirteen years on and we’re still here, but this is a really tough business to be in just now. We’re very grateful for the funding assistance we still receive, but ultimately it is the support from our audiences and the local arts and business communities that keeps us going. We hope they like what we have planned for them this summer.”

Tickets are now on sale at www.openhousefestival.com.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Transport Secretary issues jet fuel crisis update for Brits

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Transport Secretary issues jet fuel crisis update for Brits

Now, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has insisted holidays won’t face major disruption but said that some disruption is not completely out the question for Brits this summer.

The Cabinet Minister said more fuel has been imported from America while refineries have upped their production following jet fuel shortages caused by the Iran war.

A temporary rule change has been introduced by the government which will allow airlines to group passengers from different flights together on to fewer planes as part of plans to save fuel.

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Why are jet fuel supplies at risk?

It comes amid warnings of a jet fuel shortage ahead of the peak holiday season if the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t reopen.

Supplies from the Middle East have been disrupted since the start of the war because of Iran’s effective closure of the critical international shipping route.

Is there a jet fuel shortage in the UK?

The government website’s latest update, posted on May 2, explains: “There are no immediate supply issues, but government is preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption.”

Asked if people jetting off abroad are likely to face problems this summer, Ms Alexander told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I’ve spent every week of the last two months in close contact with airlines and airports.

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“On Thursday (April 30) of this week, airlines told me very clearly that they have good visibility over the next six to eight weeks of jet fuel supply.

“There is no current disruption to jet fuel supplies.

“We are, for example, importing more jet fuel from America.

“We have asked the refineries in the UK to maximise their production.

“We’ve got four refineries here, refineries in West Africa are also producing more.”

She continued: “The last thing I want is for people to turn up at a departure gate and have last minute cancellations.

“I am confident, sat here today on the basis of the information that I have available to me, that the majority of people who are traveling this summer will have a similar experience to that which they had last year.”

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New airline rule change could see families ‘herded on to a different plane’

The government’s airline rule change could see passengers moved from the service they originally booked to a similar one.

It aims to reduce the amount of wasted fuel from flying planes that have not sold out and might have been cancelled.


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It has been criticised by consumer group Which? as it said rules shouldn’t be “bent in favour of airlines”.

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Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said families could find themselves “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”.


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“The honest message is that Britain is exposed to fuel supply risks that a properly energy-secure country would not face,” he added.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for private jets to be grounded to save fuel.

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“While ordinary people pay the price, the super rich are simply getting in their private jets at will – wasting huge amounts of jet fuel on unnecessary trips,” he said.

Would you mind your flight being switched this summer? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Starmer Appeals To Labour For Support Amid Leadership Challenges

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Starmer Appeals To Labour For Support Amid Leadership Challenges

Keir Starmer has urged the Labour Party to support him as expectations of a leadership challenge rise.

Voters will head to the ballot box on Thursday for England’s local elections, along with devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

Labour is set to lose nearly 2,000 council seats across England and cede control of Wales for the first time since devolution began almost 30 years ago, according to forecasts.

Reports suggest Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is preparing to challenge Starmer’s premiership by taking a safe seat in parliament, having been previously blocked by Labour’s executive body.

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Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister, is also reportedly readying herself to throw her hat into the ring.

Health secretary Wes Streeting allegedly has the backing of enough MPs to overthrow Starmer, too.

Writing in The Observer, the prime minister pointed to last week’s terrorist attack in Golders Green and the “fractured world” overseas as proof that Labour needs to stand together.

“We have a choice,“Starmer said. “We could sink into the politics of grievance and division. Or we could rise to this moment – together – in a national effort that matches the scale of the threats and turbulence we face.”

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Referring to the three prime ministers the Conservatives had between 2019 and 2022, he wrote: “When the nation rallied together to deal with Covid, the last government could have channelled that spirit to build a better nation.

“But instead, they descended into political infighting and let the country slump back to the old status quo. Not this time.”

Despite the ongoing speculation around his longevity in No.10, Starmer insisted that his government will “reshape our nation”, especially with the new parliamentary term starting up after the elections.

He vowed to boost the UK’s defence to “meet the threats of our age” while also taking “back control of our energy and our bills”.

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Starmer also promised to boost “our economy security” by deepening the UK’s economic relationship with the EU.

He wrote: “The world is a tougher place than it has been for decades. We cannot be satisfied with prolonged flatlining, interrupted only by shocks and crises. That status quo is why the public are frustrated and lacking hope for the future.”

While Peter Mandelson was sacked in September over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the former Labour peer’s appointment has continued to haunt the prime minister.

As Mandelson was Starmer’s pick to be the UK’s ambassador to the US, the scandal has raised questions over the PM’s judgement.

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Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Top Israeli politician celebrates 50th birthday with noose cake | News World

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Top Israeli politician celebrates 50th birthday with noose cake | News World

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Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated his birthday alongside far-right members with a noose birthday cake.

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The party in southern Israel was attended by right-wing activists, including Ben-Gvir’s personal aide, who was convicted of assaulting a Palestinian.

‘Activist’ Benzi Gopstein, who was convicted two years ago for incitement to terrorism, was seen smiling at the event.

But the most disturbing part of the event was when Ben-Gvir’s wife, Ayala, gave him a cake with a golden noose reading: ‘Sometimes dreams come true.’

The cake was a nod to the bill his party passed, which made the death penalty for Palestinian terrorism convicts law.

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The legislation makes the death penalty a default punishment for Palestinians who are found guilty of ‘intentionally’ carrying out attacks, which are classed as terrorism by a military court.

Ben-Gvir was given the sheet cake by his wife (Picture: X)

The move has been condemned by the European Union as well as FranceGermanyItaly and the United Kingdom.

After the bill was passed into law, Ben-Gvir celebrated it by popping a bottle of champagne.

It’s been classed as discrimination as it does not apply to Jewish citizens of Israel and does not comply with International Humanitarian Law.

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‘The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU. This is a clear step backwards – the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law,’ EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists in Brussels.

As Palestinians living in the Israel-occupied territory are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, the measure effectively creates harsher and stricter sentences for the people living there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had attended the chamber to support the bill, could also be seen congratulating lawmakers on it passing.

In Ramallah, dozens of activists, political factions and civil society groups gathered to protest the law.

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Some held placards depicting a blindfolded prisoner flanked by two hanging nooses – a stark image of what they fear lies ahead.

‘Stop the execution of prisoners law before it’s too late,’ read the placards, held alongside portraits of imprisoned Palestinians.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Boy, 8, stops Jet2 plane from emergency diversion by what he told unruly passenger

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He has captured hearts after his quick-thinking and kindness managed to calm an ‘irate’ passenger and stop a Jet2 flight being diverted

A quick-thinking eight-year-old boy managed to stop a Jet2 flight from being diverted, showing a maturity “far, far beyond his years”.

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James and his son Phoenix Rose, eight, were heading back from their holiday in Turkey because of a “family emergency” – and they had no idea as they prepared to board what awaited them on their Jet2 flight home to Manchester.

A fellow passenger who was seated a few rows behind the father and son quickly began to be disruptive, and things “erupted” to the point that the flight attendants informed her that the pilot had made the call the flight would have to be diverted.

READ MORE: Mum discovered son had died from laughing gas tragedy after seeing Facebook postREAD MORE: Supermarket worker praised for quick thinking after recognising customer’s diabetes alert

“We’d seen that lady at the gate, drinking whiskey,” James claims to the Mirror. “We never thought anything of it. After half an hour in, the first drink service came round and all of a sudden it just erupted and she’d been drinking her own whiskey and obviously the staff had seen her so they, said to her ‘You can’t do that.”

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James claims: “We thought that’d be the end of it. They confiscated a whiskey bottle off her. Told her that she can’t buy any alcohol anyway because she’s too intoxicated, to which she started throwing her hands about, swearing, effing and jeffing, really being irate.”

The flight attendants offered her one final chance to calm herself down and stop shouting and swearing, “obviously there’s a lot of kiddies on the plane as well,” James adds, “it just wasn’t right to do”. However, the disruptive passenger didn’t seem to care, James says, alleging the woman “Basically just said, ‘f**k off and go and f**k yourself.’ As loud as she could.”

The flight attendants, who James couldn’t praise enough for the way they handled the situation, informed the passengers that the plane would have to be diverted, but desperate to get home due to the emergency the family was dealing with, James “sprung up out of this seat” and begged the flight attendant passing by him to give him a chance to try and smooth things over, saying “Please, please we can’t afford the plane to be diverted, please just give me 30 seconds.”

Initially a bit reluctant because the call had been made to diver the flight, the attendant agreed to try one more time, and James asked the woman sitting in between him and Phoenix to swap seats with the inebriated passenger. “As a parent I was a bit concerned about doing it anyway but you don’t really know the full situation until you get into it. So me and my lad, effectively, well I say me and my lad, it was all my lad effectively, he just took all the control. Phoenix, he got his cards out, he started singing to her this Dance Monkey song.”

For the rest of the flight, the eight-year-old reportedly impressively managed to keep the angry passenger calm. “Phoenix for three and a half hours was singing to her, was talking to her about his football, talking to about his Youtube channel, asking her questions about her kids, saying, ‘listen you don’t want to get arrested when you get there, tell me about your kids.’ It was just phenomenal to see him.”

However, when a the story hit the headlines about the initially mystery passengers saving the day, James realised what a big impact the kindness his son had shown to the woman had. “It does look like the whole country – because it’s gone everywhere – has fell in love with him.” The story has even crossed the Atlantic, with American news outlets getting in touch hoping to interview the family.

The story was made public, James said, through another passenger on the plane who was trying to get home to a family emergency, just like they were. Jet2 have offered the entire family free flights to a destination of their choosing and are sending the young Manchester United fan a goodie bag as a thank you.

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“He’s just a naturally nice kid who is polite, who helps anyone, anyone he can. I mean, we’ve literally just come to, we’re up at Burnley because he’s playing against Burnley Academy. And we’ve just been to local Tescos up here to get him a drink. And there’s a homeless person outside Tescos and Phoenix has said, ‘Dad, can you, can give him some money?’ And I said, ‘I’ve only got notes, mate.’ He said, ‘Well, give him a fiver then, Dad.’ So, well, that’s Phoenix in a nutshell. He’d do anything for anyone.”

The proud dad said his son, who plays in the position of goalkeeper, has learned skills in the sport that helped him calm the disruptive woman down, “You have to be mentally switched on and concentrated and good at presentation and good at commanding yourself,” he explains, during the half-time break of his son’s game. Phoenix is “so proud of what’s happened” and the positive reaction, but he had a “magical” reaction to getting so much attention, saying: “Well Dad, that’s just us as a family, we’d do it again, wouldn’t we dad?”

A spokesperson from Jet2 said: “The vast majority of customers have a brilliant experience when they fly with us, however our highly-trained crew are always there to look after everyone, as well as provide our friendly in-flight service. We have heard about how James and Phoenix reassured a fellow customer and we would like to congratulate and thank them for their kindness and care.

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“We are arranging for a goodie pack to be sent to them, alongside a voucher for a pair of free flights, in recognition of what they did.”

To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google.

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Clare v Limerick LIVE score updates from Munster Senior Hurling Championship clash in Ennis

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Belfast Live

Welcome to Cuasak Park in Ennis where Limerick are in desperate need of a result. History suggests they have a chance and the bookes also believe in John Kiely’s side.

They have Clare at 6/4, Limerick at 4/5, with the draw 15/2.

This is the 64th championship meeting between the counties. Limerick lead the rivalry 40-21.

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For the first time since 2019, Limerick opened their championship account with a defeat.

Treaty manager John Kiely insisted it was a “tremendous” display in defeat against Cork, but the red card to talisman Cian Lynch is serious blow. Aaron Gillane is unable to return yet for Limerick so they will have their backs to the wall against neighbours Clare.

It promises to be another fascinating Munster Championship tie.

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Celebrity Traitors star Ross Kemp flashes thumbs up as he lands in Scotland ahead of filming

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The line-up for Celebrity Traitors season two was revealed on Saturday, with Ross Kemp joining his new co-stars for filming in Scotland

Ross Kemp is ready to bring some East End magic to the Celebrity Traitors castle after he was spotted landing in Scotland ahead of filming.

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It was previously confirmed that the EastEnders icon, 61, was among the star-studded line-up for season two of the hit BBC game show, alongside Richard E. Grant, Michael Sheen, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Rob Beckett.

Hours after the castmates were revealed, they were seen making their way to the Scottish Highlands, with Jerry Hall, Bella Ramsey, Amol Rajan and Saltburn actor Richard photographed on their journey.

In new pictures, Ross appeared to be thrilled to join them, flashing a thumbs up at a camera before getting into a waiting car. Other snaps showed his fellow soap legend Julie Hesmondhalgh jetting to the area ahead of filming.

Teasing what led to the Grant Mitchell star deciding to take part, an insider told the Sun: “He loves Traitors and thinks it’s a programme on another level, which is why he really wanted to take part.

“Ross loved the mix of psychological intrigue paired with some of the very physical trials that the group have to complete – both suit him perfectly.”

He is also reportedly hoping to appeal to a younger generation of viewers, who could be less familiar with his career so far.

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“Plus he knows The Celebrity Traitors won’t just be watched by people who are familiar with his work, but by younger viewers who may be less familiar with Ross, and this opens him up to a whole new audience. He’s also a very BBC name and this is another big BBC show,” they added.

Joanne McNally, James Acaster and Joe Lycett were also named in the line-up, alongside social media content creator King Kenny, Love Island presenter Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan.

Industry actress Myha’la and Professor Hannah Fry rounded out the cast with Sharon Rooney, James Blunt, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.

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While the gang have been all smiles so far while heading to Scotland, things will get very tense once filming kicks off and suspicion over the game sets in. Shortly after filming, the 21 celebs will be sorted into “faithfuls” and “traitors” as they battle it out for the charity cash prize.

It will be up to those faithfuls to weed out the sneaky traitors, who have been tasked with secretly killing them off in nightly visits to the turret.

Following the huge success of the first season, where around 15million people tuned in to see Alan Carr win the competition as a Traitor, fans have been eagerly-awaiting news of a second series, and have already predicted Michael, Richard and Miranda could be this year’s “big dogs ”.

The air date has not yet been announced, but the hit show is expected to return to screens in autumn.

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Bruno Fernandes confirms penalty plan for Liverpool match – ‘I wouldn’t do that’

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Manchester Evening News

Bruno Fernandes is one assist away from equalling the all-time record for a single Premier League season as Manchester United prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rubbished rumours that he could pass the ball for one of his teammates to score a penalty as he chases the single-season assist record. The midfielder has 19 Premier League assists to his name this term and is now just one away from the joint-record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne before Sunday’s game against Liverpool.

The 31-year-old has been a talismanic figure for Michael Carrick’s side as they look to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. The Portugal international registered his most recent assist during Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.

United now need just a single point to mathematically qualify for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three years. It means Carrick’s men can secure Champions League football this weekend against their fierce rivals from Merseyside.

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Fans at M16 will be hoping to see Fernandes play a key role with an assist to edge closer to the Premier League’s single-season record in that statistic.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I’m too afraid of missing, so I will take my penalty as normal as always.

“Obviously, it’s something that I think about [the record] because we’re talking about Kevin and Thierry. They were two of the best players that the Premier League has seen in a long, long time.

“Obviously, having the chance to be up there with their names for this category, let’s not talk about the rest they have done in the Premier League, for this category it’s very good, and I’m proud of that.”

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There will be more to follow. We’ll bring you the very latest updates on this breaking news story.

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BBC iPlayer streaming ‘must see’ period drama about ‘real life superhero’

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The 2019 film is perfect for period drama and history fanatics

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A ‘must watch’ biopic about one of history’s most inspiring figures is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Starring Oscar nominee Felicity Jones, On the Basis of Sex sheds light on the story of late U.S Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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It follows Ruth as a young attorney struggling to progress in her career because of her gender.

When she takes on a major case with her husband and fellow attorney, Martin, Ruth realises it could influence the way courts view sex-based discrimination.

Directed by Mimi Leder, this period drama dives into hefty themes like gender inequality in the legal field and the evolution of feminist efforts.

Jones is joined by seasoned actor Armie Hammer, who you’ll recognise from The Social Network and Call Me by Your Name. He plays her husband Martin, the late tax lawyer.

Considering this talented cast, it’s no surprise On the Basis of Sex was a hit with viewers, although critics weren’t completely impressed.

It bagged a 72% Rotten Tomatoes score, with the critics’ consensus stating: “On the Basis of Sex is nowhere near as ground-breaking as its real-life subject, but her extraordinary life makes a solid case for itself as an inspirational, well-acted biopic.”

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Many praised Jones and Hammer’s performances but felt the biopic was too predictable.

Meanwhile casual moviegoers showered the drama with praise. “Excellent subject matter and acting.

“Some of the directorial choices fell below the height of the content. Still a must-see for the true story of a real life super hero,” wrote a Rotten Tomatoes user.

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A second added: “We loved it. It had us both cheering and crying. Provided often forgotten insights into the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and how many of the same issues are still with us today! We highly recommend it.”

Someone else chimed in with: “One of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen in a long time,” while a fourth fan said: “One of the best most inspiring movies I have seen.

“The acting is phenomenal, the story is beautifully heart-breaking. This is a story about real live super heroes.”

On the Basis of Sex is streaming now on iPlayer

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Is Man United vs Liverpool on TV? Channel, live stream and unusual kick-off time

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Manchester Evening News

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Man Utd star Patrick Dorgu breaks silence on bruising Ruben Amorim criticism – ‘It hit me’

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Patrick Dorgu flourished under Michael Carrick before a hamstring injury and has now had his say on criticism levelled at him by his former Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim

Patrick Dorgu admits he was stung by criticism from Ruben Amorim after the former Manchester United boss claimed you could ‘feel the anxiety’ when the left-back touched the ball during his final weeks at Old Trafford.

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The former Sporting Lisbon manager was sacked by United back in early January following a disappointing 14 month reign with results and performances improving under Michael Carrick after the former Red Devils midfielder was handed the reins on an interim basis.

It was back in November that Amorim questioned Dorgu, a £25million signing from Lecce last year, after a 1-0 loss against Everton. “You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball,” he said. “I can feel the anxiety.”

Reflecting on those comments almost four months on from Amorim’s departure, Dorgu acknowledges that the criticism affected him but also that he used it as fuel to try and improve his performances.

WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today

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READ MORE: Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes drops clearest hint yet over where he’ll play next seasonREAD MORE: Scott McTominay ripped to shreds after ex-Man Utd star’s Napoli heartbreak

“It hit me a little bit when Amorim says that because when the coach speaks bad about you [criticises you], it is always going to affect you a little bit. I just took it in the best possible way and tried to improve my game,” the 21-year-old told The Telegraph.

“Even before [Amorim] got sacked in the last couple of games, I started to get into a rhythm as people [team-mates] started going to Afcon. I had a good moment.

“I just had to take that confidence into [the regimes of Darren] Fletcher and Carrick. I just tried to play with a bit more confidence and express myself.”

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Prior to this week, Dorgu had been sidelined since January after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in the 3-2 victory away at Arsenal, a game in which he scored. The Denmark international was one of the standout performers during the early weeks of Carrick’s tenure before getting hurt.

Under Carrick, United have all but secured a return to the Champions League next season with the 44-year-old a serious contender for the permanent job. On Amorim’s comments, Dorgu admits it came at a time where he was bereft of confidence amid the team’s struggles.

“I don’t think that was the word he [Amorim] was looking for,” Dorgu added. “Anxious? I don’t think it was that. I just think I didn’t have any confidence and the team was not in a good moment at that time.

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“I think he said it at the wrong time because I played well in the national team. I don’t see how I can play well in one and play bad in the other, and all of a sudden I am anxious.”

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