Live updates on roadworks and traffic incidents in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham and the wider North East- including the A66, A19, A1(M), A1, A167, and the A69 this morning (June 17).

Public transport service updates from bus services, train services, including LNER, Cross Country, TransPennine, and Northern Rail. Updates from the Tyne and Wear Metro and the latest from Teesside and Newcastle Airports.

We’ll also be bringing you the latest hour-by-hour weather forecast for the region.

Sign up for The Northern Echo’s newsletter for all the breaking North East news, including breaking traffic and travel updates, direct to your inbox.

Travel Disruptions

There seems to be no road disruptions or incidents at this time.

Train Disruptions

There seems to be no train disruptions at this time.

What will the weather be like in the North East today?

According to the Met Office, today is expected to be cloudy and damp at first in Darlington before becoming drier and brighter.

There will be outbreaks of rain and drizzle during the morning, especially on western hills.

It will likely become drier into the afternoon, with a greater chance of bright or sunny spells developing, especially in the east. It will remain warm, with light winds.

Maximum temperature is expected to be 21 °C.

Tonight, extensive low cloud with some drizzle will form on western hills.

Elsewhere, it will be drier with some variable cloud and some clear spells, especially to the east of higher ground. Minimum temperature will be 11 °C.

Are there any roadworks in Darlington?

There are a number of ongoing roadworks in Darlington today.

This includes on Woodland Road, where there is currently two-way signals while workers install a new underground electric cable. This will remain in place until July 10.

You can see all the roadworks on the council website here.

A little boy in a car with his mum and aunt was killed by a police officer who opened fire on their vehicle.

Kohen Kartier Wiley, 1, was shot and killed by a Mississippi police officer who was responding to an alleged shoplifting incident at Walmart.

Officers from the Senatobia Police Department said the boy’s mum and aunt had been driving ‘in the direction of officers’ before they opened fire.

A statement from the police department appears to show that officers knew that a child was in the car when they responded to the scene.

‘Upon arrival, officers encountered two subjects and a juvenile child fleeing from the store into a vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one,’ the department said.

‘An officer then discharged their weapon, and the vehicle fled the scene. The subjects arrived at a local hospital, where one juvenile child in the vehicle was pronounced deceased, and another subject had critical injuries. No law enforcement officers received any serious physical injury.’

One witness said he saw the police waiting in the parking lot as the two women left Walmart, one holding a box of diapers and the other holding baby Kohen.

Another witness said: ‘I saw the officers take off running, not in the car, I’m talking about on foot, and these are the Sheriffs and the police.

‘They’re running through the parking lot, and I see the car take off, you know, so in my head, I’m like, I know they’re not chasing the car, they don’t think they’re going to catch the car.

‘Then I hear gunshots, and I’m like, I know they’re not shooting at a car that’s leaving in a public place, this is Walmart.’

Carolyn Stokes, baby Kohen’s great-grandmother, told WREG: ‘Senatobia Police Department get away with too much stuff.

‘I hear about it all the time, it’s in the news all the time, y’all probably down here all the time, recording this stuff, but it’s just too much.’

Last year, local media reported that a woman was tasered and tackled after police officers saw her ‘illegally park in a handicapped spot’. The woman said she was dropping off her grandmother.

The Senatobia Police Department released a statement reading: ‘We are committed to full transparency.

‘As the investigation progresses and facts are verified, we will share as much information as possible.”

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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Homes England and The Hill Group are still to decide on a masterplan for the Cambridge East development

Cambridge is “already extremely well provided” amid calls for a new “lifelong learning” college on the Cambridge Airport site, the combined authority has said. Homes England and The Hill Group announced they had bought the land earlier this month with plans to build thousands of homes and a railway station.

A regional training hub is one of the options that the developers are considering before they settle on a masterplan for the area. Antony Carpen, a resident who runs the Cambridge Town Owl blog, urged Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to enter into discussions to “explore the possibility” of building a new lifelong learning college near the planned Cambridge East station.

He said this “could help reverse the decline in enrolment in adult skills” and “provide the much-needed facilities that might enable adults looking to retrain in areas with chronic skills shortages to make the change”.

A council report said that enrolment in adult skills and tailored learning had fallen in the last year by 6.2 per cent in total learners and 7.4 per cent for new starters. Peterborough accounted for over 40 per cent of learners and enrolments, “significantly exceeding its share of the adult population”.

Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, chair of the skills committee, said the decline is not identified as “being always driven by a lack of physical premises or the availability of provision within communities”.

She said: “We will always keep future infrastructure opportunities under review, including in relation to the Cambridge Airport site. The authority is focused on working with partners, including Homes England through the Strategic Place Partnership and the Cambridge Growth Company on the future skills needs of this area to enable inclusive growth.”

She said the responsibility for education is shared between the Department for Education, local authorities and individual providers – not just the combined authority.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “It’s about tracking provision but it’s also really important to be clear that take up of adult skills happens in a lot of different places which are not necessarily specific buildings.

“Improving take up of adult skills is more about taking out mobile provision to find people where they are rather than building new sites. I would also say that if we were going to build new sites, Cambridge is already extremely well provided with education provision.”

The 66-year-old broadcaster and journalist made the announcement during the final two episodes of the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, released on Wednesday.

He shared the news with co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland during a conversation at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire.

Mr Clarkson said: “I’ve got cancer.”

When Mr Cooper asked where the cancer was located, Mr Clarkson replied: “Where it is, is of no concern to anybody.

“I’ve known since May.”

He explained that the cancer was detected early following a medical in May and described it as “aggressive”.

Mr Clarkson said: “I was praying we could get the harvest done and then I could go and get some treatment, but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle.”

Later in the episode, he revealed he had surgery to remove 10 per cent of his prostate.

He also reflected on what has been a difficult year for his health, including a serious heart issue that required the fitting of two stents.

He said: “So we started the year and I had coronary heart disease and ended it with me with cancer.”

The series ends with footage of Mr Clarkson in a hospital bed as he undergoes treatment.

He told viewers: “Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say.

“I’m going to be here for a little while.

“I’m nil by mouth, I don’t know what’s going to happen.

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“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t.

“Take care, everyone.”

Despite his diagnosis, Mr Clarkson continued working throughout 2025.

Production on the sixth series of Clarkson’s Farm is now expected to pause to allow time for his recovery.

What do you think of the latest Clarkson’s Farm series? Let us know in the comments

Netflix’s Bridgerton is a hugely popular period drama, but fans this Oscar-winning film starring Kirsten Dunst, surpasses it in every respect

A breathtaking period drama is being lauded as far superior to Netflix’s blockbuster series Bridgerton, particularly with regard to costumes and visual design.

Viewers simply cannot get over how visually spectacular the period drama film is, as audiences become captivated by the wardrobe, set design, historical accuracy and distinctive tone of the picture.

Written, produced and directed by Sofia Coppola, Marie Antoinette is a highly stylised biographical drama that was released in cinemas in 2006.

The film is based on the 2001 biography penned by Antonia Fraser titled Marie Antoinette: The Journey and stars Kirsten Dunst in the lead role as France’s iconic teenage queen who met a gruesome end.

Jason Schwartzman, Jamie Dornan in his film debut, Judy Davis, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Asia Argento, Molly Shannon, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston and Steve Coogan star alongside Dunst to complete a remarkable cast.

The film’s official plot states: “The retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette. From her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign as queen, and ultimately the fall of Versailles.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Marie Antoinette made its world premiere at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and received a nomination for the festival’s most coveted accolade – the Palme d’Or. It also claimed an Oscar for Best Costume Design at the 79th Academy Awards.

The period drama ‘masterpiece’ grossed roughly $60.9 million at the worldwide box office against a production budget of $40 million.

The film attracted widespread acclaim, with one critic writing: “The film’s decadence and opulence as well as all the details in décor, costumes, wigs, etc is fascinating and shows that Coppola had a true vision for it.”

While another reviewer said: “Marie Antoinette has flaws, but still remains a good enough film with tremendous set and costume design. Add in Kirsten Dunst and her performance in the title role and you have something that a lot of audiences can enjoy.”

One critic lauded director Sofia Coppola: “Coppola has crafted a magical, intoxicating film, distinctly her own, that cements her place as one of the most exciting and original new voices in American film.”

Some reviewers offered more measured opinions: “Marie Antoinette may have too much cake and not enough revolution but for the most part it is fun. Just leave your prejudices at the door.”

Nevertheless, there were plenty who were captivated by Coppola’s production: “Marie Antoinette is a decadent delight.”

Audience responses echoed similar sentiments, with one viewer saying: “One of the greatest movies of all al time. I said it.”

Meanwhile, another fan of the film said: “This is one of my favourite films of all time. It had a huge influence on me as a young teenager. Kirsten Dunst’s performance was not only captivating but her portrayal of Marie Antoinette taught me to lead my own path in life.

“It’s what you take from this film that is important, the underlying messages and contrasts to modern reality is what’s important. The rest is just a beautifully put together piece of art.”

One viewer praised both Coppola and Dunst: “Sophia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst collabs are my favourite. For those of us who love this kind of stark contrast, and relate to the helplessness and hopelessness of being a teenage girl, especially in another era, this movie was a masterpiece.”

An IMDB user review of the film reads: “Sophia Coppola’s ‘Marie Antoinette’ works on all levels. It is a brilliant and spectacular portrayal of a long-past time; yet it also has an immediacy, and intimacy, and a warmth that draws us in and seduces us. tremendous and spectacular job all-round! ! ! I gave this a 10 out of 10.”

While yet another fan said: “I give this movie a 10. Some will say the film is quirky, but I also predict that it will live on as one of the most fascinating films of recent years.”

One viewer added: “Brilliant. My opinion is Coppola had a clear vision of what she wanted to present and nails it. Easily one of my favourite works of recent years,” while another enthusiast wrote, “I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent film. It was a sumptuous feast for the eyes; the costumes and settings were superb.”

A further viewer said: “One of the Best Movies of All Time. This was a masterpiece for those of us who know little about French History. If you love visual splendour, great music, perfect production and direction, then watch this film orchestrated by the exquisite Sophia Coppola. You won’t be disappointed.”

Marie Antoinette is streaming now on Netflix.

‘Preeeeeviously….. she got caught absolutely flooring it, pied off the speed limit completely, and got pulled right over by police. Talk about an awkward chat…

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One Love Island megafan has found herself in hot water with police, with officers pulling her for a chat along the roadside when she was caught mugging off the law. The boys in blue decided she’d gone a bit too far, too soon. And do, the car has officially been dumped from the highway and sent straight to car jail. The Love Island superfan found herself in trouble with the law after police clocked her travelling at 100mph as she tried to race home to catch the latest episode of the fan-favourite reality show. Highway patrol troopers in Arizona in the US were left stunned when they heard the reason the unidentified woman was going 108 mph in a 65 mph zone.

She was apprehended on a state highway in Pinal County on June 9, Highway Patrol confirmed. The bizarre reason for her race home was shared by the Arizona Department of Safety Highway Patrol, with her arrest included in its “Speeding Saturday” roundup on social media at the weekend. The Facebook post read: “The driver stated she was trying to get home fast to be able to watch the reality TV show Love Island.”

It would seem she likely missed the episode, with the social media post revealing she was arrested and booked for criminal speed and reckless driving. State troopers also sent her vehicle was sent to “car jail” for 20 days.

But that wasn’t the only curveball in the same Saturday speeding round-up. Another unidentified driver was also caught in a race of his own, with the speeding motorist pulled over on his way to church. An Arizona state trooper caught the driver on the Maricopa Casa Grande Highway – going 93 mph in a 50 mph zone last Wednesday as he raced to get to a sermon on time. The addition to the social media roundup states: “The driver stated he was on his way from church and had known nothing about criminal speed.”

He was arrested and booked for criminal speed and reckless driving and his car was given to the front seat passenger.

EXCLUSIVE: David Kirkwood also peddled false claims that President Trump won the 2020 US election.

A Reform MSP has been branded “dangerous” after boasting about persuading people to snub the covid jag.

David Kirkwood said he did not take the shot himself and claimed he knew of “very few” people in his party who agreed to the injection.

He also backed the false claim that President Trump won the 2020 US election, despite Joe Biden romping home by seven million votes.

Kirkwood, who was elected as a South Scotland MSP in May, sits on the Holyrood Public Audit committee and is his party’s shadow “technology” minister.

An investigation into his X posts has revealed a stream of claims questioning the covid vaccine and spreading misinformation about the 2020 election.

The covid jags are widely believed to have saved lives and protected elderly people, but Kirkwood wrote in August 2021:

“TBH I think you’d need to be a bit of a mug now to have the first jag.”

OPINION

Twenty four hours later, he tweeted: “Yes, a few people have decided not to have either the first or second jag after talking to me.”

Kirkwood, who does not have a medical degree, wrote in 2023: “I’ve never had a jag, l’ve persuaded many other people not to have them and l’d like them stopped, but realise that they may be beneficial in some ways for some people.”

Months later, he said of covid-19: “There never was a serious risk to the nation’s health.”

He returned to the same theme months later: “To be fair, a lot of people were bamboozled by the so-called “science” in the early days. However, I know of very few people in our party that even had one jag, never mind any boosters.”

Kirkwood, a management consultant before getting elected to Holyrood, stuck to the same line in February last year: “I never had any jags and I persuaded a lot of other people never to have any.”

He also sided with Trump in pushing the false claim that he beat Biden six years ago.

Part of the conspiracy theory centres around the false claim Biden benefited from fraud to win Maricopa County in the swing state of Arizona.

Kirkwood tweeted in 2021: “Trump’s election was stolen from him – the Maricopa (AZ) county result is in serious doubt due to large-scale fraud. It will be the first of many.”

He also wrote: “Trump DID win the 2020 election.”

Kirkwood’s online biography states: “He is not easily swayed by popular opinion and will speak out when things need to change.”

Scottish Greens MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill said: “These comments from David Kirkwood are the latest example of Reform UK living on another planet. Denying reality and fact is becoming a trademark for Reform UK.

“People deserve representatives who are grounded in evidence, public health and democratic reality.

“At the height of a global pandemic, communities across Scotland were doing everything they could to keep each other safe.

“For any elected representative to have boasted about persuading people not to get vaccinated, if these reports are accurate, is irresponsible and dangerous. The truth is, Covid-19 vaccines saved lives.”

“The comments about Donald Trump and the 2020 US election also reveal Reform UK’s habit of believing, and spreading, conspiracy theories peddled by the far-right.”

Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “We already knew this Reform MSP held wildly out-of-touch views given his longstanding support for breaking up the United Kingdom.”

Reform UK in Scotland has been contacted.

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Saturday at Parklife 2026 includes sets from Skepta, Sammy Virji, Nia Archives and Josh Baker

This weekend Parklife Festivals returns with a star-studded lineup. Tens of thousands are expected to flock to Heaton Park to see some of the music industry’s biggest acts take to the stage.

Manchester’s biggest music festival, Parklife, returns on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June with festival-goers turning out to see headliners including Calvin Harris, who has not headlined a show in Manchester since playing at the Manchester Arena in 2013.

One of the country’s biggest music events, it regularly draws in more than 80,000 people over the weekend and this year marks 16 years since it was first founded. Previously, the festival has been headlined by hit hop titans like 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, and Tyla the Creator as well as Manchester acts such as Liam Gallagher, The 1975 and Aitch.

Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter

This year’s edition will also see British MC and rapper Skepta, Garage and bassline DJ and producer Sammy Virji, and Swedish songstress Zara Larsson will also take to the stage. Manchester-based DJ and producer Josh Baker will be returning to the festival having had his set quite literally shut down at the event last year.

Others confirmed to be playing will be Chris Stussy, Nia Archives, Kettama, Marlon Hoffstadt, Bou, Rossi, Silva Bumpa, and local Atherton lad Morgan Seatree, who went viral after bringing his grandma out on stage with him during his set at the festival last year.

Other big names include Armand Van Helden, Shy FX, Clementine Douglas, Ewan McVicar, Prospa, Rudim3ntal, and Chloé Caillet. Parklife 2026 will also feature a range of takeovers from the likes of XXL, Worried About Henry, Modern Funktion and Ghosts Of Garage.

It’ll be a busy weekend across Greater Manchester too. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said more than a quarter of a million people will be travelling to the various events over the weekend.

Over at the Etihad Stadium, Take That are set to perform a series of shows on all three days. Etihad Campus will also host the Women’s Netball Final at the Co-op Live from 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

The city will also welcome Lily Allen and the B52s across three nights at the AO Arena; and the Women’s Cricket World Cup will draw thousands to Emirates Old Trafford on 21 June when South Africa take on India.

You can read our full guide including when the festival starts and end, what you can take in and how to get there and home here.

Saturday, 20 June stage splits and set times:

The Valley

• Alexandria – 12-1pm
• Prospa – 1-2:30pm
• Josh Baker – 2:30-4pm
• 4am Kru – 4:30-6pm
• Nia Archives – 6:30-7:30pm
• Skepta – 8-9pm
• Sammy Virji – 21:30-11pm

Panorama

• Ellia Jaya – 12-1pm
• Julian Fijma – 1-2:30pm
• Bullet Tooth – 2:30-3:40pm
• SOSA – 15:40 -5pm
• Cloone – 5-6:30pm
• Alisha – 6:30-8pm
• Rossi – 8-9:30pm
• East End Dubs – 9:30-11pm

Matinee

• Niamh – 12-1pm
• ATRIP – 1-2pm
• mph – 2-3pm
• Oppidan – 3-4pm
• Effy – 4-5pm
• Malugi B2B Sam Alfred – 5-6:30pm
• Marlon Hoffstadt – 6:30-8pm
• Morgan Seatree – 8-9pm
• Mall Grab – 9-10pm
• Daria Kolosova – 10-11pm

Magic Sky

• North Base – 12-12:40pm
• Catching Cairo – 12:40-1:25pm
• LENS – 1:25-2:15pm
• Born on Road – 2:15-3:05pm
• Kanine – 3:03-4PM
• Wilkinson – 4-5pm
• Dimension – 5-6pm
• Bou – 6-7pm
• Hedex – 7-8pm
• Andy C – 8-9pm
• K Motionz – 9-10pm
• Mozey – 10-10:50pm

G Stage

• Mya – 12-1pm
• A For Alpha – 1-2:30pm
• The Trip – 2:30-4pm
• Kepler – 4-5:30pm
• Locky B2B Phill de Janeiro B2B Benji King – 5:30-7pm
• Locklead – 7-8:30pm
• Jamback – 8:30-10pm
• Dean Turnley -10-11pm