“I also want to acknowledge the local community, for their patience, understanding and support throughout this investigation, particularly those who came forward with information, whose cooperation has been invaluable in helping us establish the truth and secure this conviction.”

The closure orders were granted against Ramis Off Licence and Ted’s Convenience Store, two separate premises both based on Derby Street in Deane.

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard both had been involved in the large-scale supply of illicit cigarettes, illegal vapes, narcotics, and nitrous oxide.

The court heard that these activities had links to organised crime groups in Bolton.

Bolton Council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Robert Morrisey said: “These closure orders send a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities.

“The sale of illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, drugs and nitrous oxide harms local neighbourhoods, fuels organised crime and puts vulnerable people at risk.

Ramis was also given a closure order (Image: Bolton Council)

“This successful action demonstrates the strength of partnership working in Bolton and our determination to tackle those who profit from criminality.”

The closure orders against the two shops were granted by magistrates to council trading standards officers on Thursday, August 6.

According to court documents, both were made subject to applications for closure orders because of noise and disorder.

Magistrates heard how the shop’s activity was also associated with antisocial behaviour in the nearby area and concerns about vulnerable young people being drawn into substance misuse.

This came after multi-agency investigation involving Bolton Council trading standards, community safety, Greater Manchester Police and other partner organisations.

Both businesses will now have to stay closed for three months.

Speaking after the police operation, Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said: “The recent GMP operation on Derby Street has led to two shops being closed for three months after officers found large quantities of nitrous oxide, laughing gas, and other illegal substances.

“This action didn’t happen by chance, it happened because residents spoke up, and because our neighbourhood officers acted quickly.”

He added: “Rumworth has strong, family centred communities.

“When dangerous substances like nitrous oxide start appearing in local shops, it puts our children, teenagers, and vulnerable young adults at risk.

“This isn’t just a policing issue. It’s a community safeguarding issue.

“Young people are being targeted because it’s cheap, easy to access, and wrongly seen as safe. As a community, we must challenge that myth.”

Iran has suggested it could deliberately prolong the war with the US until Donald Trump leaves office, in order to send a message that attacking the country has lasting consequences.

Mohammad Reza Naghdi, senior adviser to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said dragging out the war would show any future US administration that “there is a cost” to hostile endeavours against Iran.

“We have to attain deterrence so that the enemy never dares to attack us, so we can live with security,” he told PBS NewsHour.

His comments came as Iran again rejected Donald Trump’s claims that the US has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority said “the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked” and it will not be opened until Iran’s conditions are accepted.

Trump earlier said that “praise be to Allah”, Washington has “total control over the Strait of Hormuz”, adding: “I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT!”

Amid their conflicting claims, data from trade intelligence firm Kpler showed shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was near a three-month low.

Just 13 vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, around 90 per cent below the pre-war daily average.

US official says it would be ‘wise’ for Iran to agree to peace deal

A US official has said it would be “wise” for Iran to agree to a peace deal as the war in the Middle East drags on.

While Donald Trump “has been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, he continues to retain all options if Iran continues to engage in terrorism and refuses to make a deal”, the official told NewsNations.

“The successful sanctions and blockade have crippled Iran’s economy and left Iran in an extremely degraded state. It would be wise for Iran to agree to a deal – otherwise, they know what will happen”.

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Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 02:01

US military denies reports of sailor deaths and suicidal ideation on the USS Abraham Lincoln

US Central Command had denied reports that seven sailors died in a brawl aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East and that there had been a spike in suicidal ideation on the aircraft carrier.

“USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew reenlistment rates (84.4%) of all aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy”, CENTCOM wrote on X.

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“No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln’s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones”.

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:36

Top US Democrat calls reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln a ‘disgrace’

A top US Democrat has called reports of deteriorating conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East a “disgrace”.

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“Food shortages. Rationing. Mental Health Challenges. Lack of fresh fruits and vegetables”, Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader for the House of Representatives, wrote on X. “Republicans need to end their reckless war of choice in Iran immediately”.

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 01:02

US military shares video of fighter jets over Middle East

Rachel Dobkin14 August 2026 00:02

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Vance lays out two major goals in Iran war

US Vice President JD Vance has laid out two major goals his administration has in the Iran war.

“That’s goal number one. Keep oil and gas cheap for Americans all over our country”, Vance told Fox News. “And then obviously, goal number two is ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. I feel confident we’re accomplishing both of those goals”.

Peace talks between the US and Iran, that could potentially include a nuclear deal, have stalled as gas prices in America remain higher than pre-war levels.

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Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 23:16

Strait of Hormuz traffic remains diminished as war drags on

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the Iran war drags on for its sixth month.

Just three ships transited the vital oil waterway in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.

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Donald Trump has claimed the US has “total control” over the strait, which Iran denies.

Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 22:33

Iran hints at another war with the US in the future

Iran’s joint military command, ​Khatam al-Anbiya Central ‌Headquarters, has claimed no vessel could transit the Strait of Hormuz without Tehran’s permission.

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“The baseless claims made by the United States regarding the normal passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz … are nothing more than lies and falsehoods,” the command said in a statement published by state media Thursday.

Separately, senior military political official Rasoul Sanaei-Rad said Iran would not reopen the strait unless the other side fulfilled its commitments under the interim deal, adding that the reopening of the waterway was not something the U.S. can achieve unilaterally, according to Fars news.

Sanaei-Rad also warned that Iran would respond more forcefully in any future conflict, saying: “In a possible future war, we will stand more firmly and more offensively.”

Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:45

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Iran and US continue to make competing claims over Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is “under Iran’s control and management”, the recently appointed head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary unit said today, a day after Trump said the United States had “total control” of the strategic waterway.

Hossein Taeb said the U.S. had sought to disrupt what he described as the Islamic Republic’s popularity in the region by launching another war in the Strait of Hormuz, but had once more been defeated despite claiming Iran had neither an air force nor a navy.

”Today you see that the Strait of Hormuz is under the management and control of the Islamic Republic,” Taeb said, according to the semi-official Fars news. He added that Iran was continuing on its course in complete security.

After the start of the war, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran effectively shut the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas was previously shipped.

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The U.S. subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian shipping and ports, while saying it would protect freedom of navigation for vessels travelling to and from non-Iranian ports.

Sam Rkaina13 August 2026 21:00

US military announces ‘multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force’

US Central Command has announced what it called a new “multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force.”

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Task Force Falcon Strike “will employ one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned systems from above, on, and below the sea operated by military support staff from the United States and regional partners”, CENTCOM wrote on X.

This unit will be the first of its kind, expanding on Task Force Scorpion Strike, the US military’s one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.

“The United States military has a lot of strong partnerships and friends in the region”, Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. “We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together”.

Rachel Dobkin13 August 2026 20:34

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Replacement aircraft carrier heading to Middle East after complaints about conditions on USS Lincoln

The USS George Washington will take the Lincoln’s place, US officials told The Wall Street Journal. The switch is reportedly part of a previously planned rotation.

The Navy has said it is not publicly discussing plans for the carriers because of operational security concerns.

The swap comes after sailors and their families have alleged issues on the Lincoln, including food shortages, months at sea without interruption and deteriorating mental health.

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Josh Marcus13 August 2026 20:24

Kew Gardens in London reached 38.1C on Thursday, making it the UK’s hottest day of 2026 so far, and the fifth hottest UK day on record.

It is also the second time this year that the temperature has reached 38C, after Lingwood, Norfolk recorded 38.0C on 26 June.

This is only the second time that 38C has been reached twice in the same year – the previous occasion being 2022.

Though the Met Office amber warning for extreme heat that covered large swathes of England on Thursday expired at midnight, high temperatures will linger in central and eastern parts of England on Friday.

Long spells of sunshine will lift temperatures to 29-34C (84-93F) across large parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east.

For many places it will mark a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds.

The heat will ease elsewhere.

Somewhat cooler conditions will begin to move into northern and western parts of the UK, although temperatures will generally remain above the norm for the time of year – widely reaching the low to mid-20s Celsius.

Many places will be dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells although a few showers are possible, and these could be heavy and thundery in some places.

A striking photo of homes ablaze under the headline “Houses burn and train derails on hottest day” dominates the front of the Times. Perhaps unusually, it is a headline that encompasses three separate stories from Thursday – the fires that raged across the West Midlands. the rail accident near Lewes that left two people seriously injured, and the ongoing heatwave that saw the UK record its hottest day of 2026.

The man died the day after the crash

A man who died after a crash near a South Cambridgeshire village has been named. Darren Minett, 39, died when the silver Volkswagen Golf he was driving was involved in a crash with a blue Peugeot 208E.

The crash happened on Twenty Pence Road, near Cottenham, at about 6.30pm on July 29. The Golf came to rest in some trees, Cambridgeshire Police said.

Mr Minett, of Station Road, Haddenham, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge. He died there the following morning on July 30.

The Peugeot driver, a 60-year-old woman from Cambridge, suffered minor injuries, the force confirmed.

She joined the show as a panellist in 2005 and has been “on and off” ever since

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Denise Welch has confirmed to fans she is leaving Loose Women after 25 years to pursue another venture.

The 68-year-old has been a staple on ITV panel talk show, but said in a statement earlier today she would be stepping down after decades.

On Instagram, she told her followers the reason for her departure is because she wants to focus on her acting career, describing it as her “first love and the thing she’s best at”.

“I’m leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years, off and on,” she said. “I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018.

“This show has been part of mine, and my family’s life, for nearly a quarter of a century. I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it’s just that acting has always been my first love and, I think, the thing I’m best at.

“At the moment, I’m having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way and I’m grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life.

“And so I just wanted to say that in person to thank all of the people who have shared my stories with me. I’ve shared my life with you – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m very marmite but I cherish all the comments, good or bad, that I’ve had over the years.

She added: “I just hope you wish me well for this new exciting chapter in my life. I’ll miss everybody but I will remain friends with the whole gang because, despite what you might read, we are a happy band of campers. Lots of love, thanks for sticking with me.”

Fans have since flocked to her comments to show support, including her husband, Lincoln Townley, The Mirror reports.

He penned: “Grab those you know what’s darling you’re an incredibly strong talented sensational woman, the best is yet to come!”

Denise joined the show in 2005 alongside Kaye Adams and Coleen Nolan before taking a step back from the series in 2013. She then returned in 2018.

She has since shared the show with Ruth Langsford, Christine Lampard, Andrea McLean, Oti Mabuse, Gloria Hunniford and many others.

In an interview, the former Greater Manchester mayor was asked to name his favourite Greggs offering but stumbled while trying to remember the name of the sausage, bean and cheese melt.

Instead, he called it “that sausage, bean and cheese thing”, a name which quickly went viral on social media.

Now, the bakery has gone one step further, officially renaming the product in honour of Mr Burnham .

Warren McCarrick, shop manager at the Manchester Heron House branch, located near the Prime Minister’s new No 10 North base, said: “Our shop has been buzzing with Mancs getting their hands on Burnham’s favourite bake.

“Sales have gone through the roof this morning.

“Cheers, Andy.”

Signs at the store have already been swapped out to read: “The sausage, cheese and bean thing as eaten by our Prime Minister.”

🚨 NEW: Greggs has renamed its Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt after Andy Burnham called it a “thing”

“Sales have gone through the roof, cheers Andy” pic.twitter.com/PxH0ccEzRV

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) August 12, 2026

Mr Burnham’s offhand endorsement has been a hit for the bakery, with sales reportedly doubling overnight.

The Prime Minister has since acknowledged that several of his strongest policy proposals were inspired by everyday exchanges, whether while standing in line at Greggs or sharing a conversation over a drink at the local pub.

Staff at the Manchester store quickly got behind the new identity, refreshing the branch’s branding in the early hours of Thursday.

Greggs, founded in Newcastle in 1939, has yet to say whether the rebrand will be introduced across the country or remain a temporary local change.

In the meantime, the Manchester outlet is happily dishing out the “sausage, bean and cheese thing” to customers who are both entertained and eager for a bite.

Whether Burnham’s pastry-inspired policymaking proves equally enduring is something only time will tell.

Sixty firefighters tackled a huge blaze as thick plumes of smoke rose into the skyline in Stourbridge, England, this afternoon

Two people were injured and multiple houses alight as a huge fire tore through homes in England. Around 60 firefighters were called to Racecourse Lane in Stourbridge at around 1.30pm this afternoon (August 13).

Flames could be seen ripping through the properties as thick black plumes of smoke billowed into the air. Around six homes were said to be on fire close to a local golf course.

Ounty John Lane and Stourbridge Road were also affected by the fire, the Mirror reports. West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said it was facing “extreme levels of demand” due to the inferno.

In a post on social media, the fire service said: “We are currently facing extreme levels of demand as a service, and need your immediate help. Wherever you are in the West Midlands, please do whatever you can to stay safe and minimise the risk of outdoor fires.”

“If you are directly affected by an ongoing fire, please DO NOT risk tackling it yourself. Get to a safe place and call 999. We will do our very best to get help to you as soon as we can.

“If you must drive, take extra care if you are driving, avoid areas of dense smoke, and please don’t head to areas where fires are taking place to watch.”

It said flames in Racecourse Lane had spread “across roads in places” with some nearby properties said to be experiencing power outages at the time. The fire service added: “Please keep doors and windows closed as a precaution and avoid the area.”

The fire was said to involve 40 acres, including woodland. Meanwhile, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said it responded to another “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-on-Avon.

Families in the area were urged to keep their windows and doors closed. Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire which has been declared a major incident.

People have been evacuated from their homes with Stourbridge Town Hall being opened as a rest centre and there is also transport in place for those unable to make their own way there. While St Michael’s Church in Norton has also made itself available to provide accommodation where needed.

Councillor Andrew Southall from Dudley Council said: “Residents and care homes are being evacuated and the council have invoked their major incident plan.

“There are evacuations taking place and Stourbridge Town hall is the respite site. Another site will be set up if need be. The advice is to stay clear of the fire area.

“Our teams are on site supporting safe evacuations, transport arranged. Residents from care homes safely evacuated to other care homes. Stourbridge Town Hall open, our teams there and supporting and housing getting ready in case those who have lost their homes or homes are damaged need temporary accommodation.

“In the short term that will be hotels and support from other associations as needed but housing have that in hand. We are liaising with emergency services and providing all support necessary.”

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