Dave, who played Jerry St Clair in Phoenix Nights, which he co-wrote with Peter Kay, handed over his entire box office payment to Rosemere Cancer Foundation, which added up to just shy of £6,300.

Dave, who worked at Royal Bolton Hospital, said: “My fantastic kid brother Peter was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma when he was 20 and given little chance of survival, but after aggressive chemo and radiotherapy at The Christie, he pulled through.

“He was in remission for over 25 years against all the odds.

“This gave him time to marry and raise two lovely children.

“Sadly, he relapsed with liver cancer, most likely triggered by his aggressive chemotherapy, and attended Rosemere Cancer Centre for scans and treatment.

“I brought him on several occasions because he could no longer drive. He died in 2008 just short of his 50th birthday.”

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Dave said: “In recent years, I visited a fan, Emma, who was undergoing chemo there and contacted me to ask if I would join her during a session and cheer her up a bit!  

“Emma was a beautiful, vivacious, brave lady with a young family who on the day, turned the tables on me and cheered me up considerably. It was an immense sadness when I learned that she didn’t make it.”

Dave added: “More recently, I have again sat in a chemo session with one of my very best friends ever and once again, was hugely impressed by the upbeat staff, who generate such a welcoming environment and bring smiles to every face despite the underlying worry and sadness of their situations.

“That is all in addition to the wonderful work they do in contributing to research and clinical trials.”

Fundraising manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Sue Swire, met Dave at the theatre prior to his Burnley gig.

She said: “Dave is a lovely gentleman. We are immensely grateful to him for supporting us.

“I know from a colleague who attended the show that Dave gave a great performance and was really funny. He even received a standing ovation from some members of his audience.

“At the end of his set, Dave also did a little tribute to Rosemere Cancer Centre staff, which was very kind of him and much appreciated.”

Among other causes that Dave, who worked for the NHS for 32 years and was Chief Biomedical Scientist in Haematology at the Royal Bolton Hospital before switching to show business full-time 25 years ago, has championed are Chorley’s Derian House Children’s Hospice and Bolton-based domestic abuse charity Endeavour. He also supports a number of animal charities

The Co-op at West Park Village in Darlington, is set to shut at the end of March and will be replaced by a Nisa Local store.

Posters were spotted in the window over the weekend (February 22), confirming the change of hands.

The poster states that the current Co-op will finish trading on March 31.

Signs in place at the Co op in West Park, Darlington (Image: STUART BOULTON)

In its place, a Nisa store will open, with posters promising it will be stocked with a range of Co-op essentials.

A spokesperson from the Co-op said ‘careful consideration’ had been taken to sell the store, and that safeguarding local jobs will be prioritised.

Darlington West Park Co op is set to shut next month with Nisa lined up to take its place. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

They said: “Following careful consideration the decision has been taken to sell the store.

“The store is being sold and will remain as a convenience store to serve the community as an independent operator.

“A priority has been to safeguard local jobs and colleagues will transfer to the new owner.”

One of the posters reads: “We’re sorry to be closing.

“But a new Nisa store is coming soon stocked with a range of Co-op essentials.”

Another states: “We’ll be closing our doors on March 31, 2026.”

An official opening date for the new Nisa store has yet to be announced.

New US tariffs set at 10% have come into effect, days after the country’s Supreme Court blocked the bulk of President Donald Trump’s sweeping import taxes. The shock move came as a major blow to the president’s determination to rebalance US trade and bring manufacturing back home.

For more than 30 years, the United States has been importing substantially more goods and services from the rest of the world than it exports.

In many ways, this trade deficit is a good problem to have. US citizens are among the richest in the world. Every time citizens or governments buy more than they sell, someone must pay the difference. In the US, this deficit is financed by foreign investments and public debt. The US owes the rest of the world US$27.61 trillion (£20.5 trillion) more than it is owed back, a unique position.

Foreign investors are not doing it out of generosity: those US investments have been doing very well, and many countries have been able to sustain export-led industries to a large extent thanks to US deficits. The AI investment boom, for instance, is driven by investors from all over the world betting on the success of a handful of US-based companies.

But cheap imports from the rest of the world have a dark side. They played a major role in the reduction of manufacturing jobs and the social and political consequences – such as the surge of left and rightwing populist movements – that followed. In 2000, 17 million Americans were employed in manufacturing; there are only 13 million now.

The stubborn US trade deficit

At least since the first term of President Barack Obama, the deficit has been seen as a major problem.

Obama’s objective was to encourage US exports by making it easier to sell to foreign markets. But he also pursued a policy of energy independence – the “all of the above” strategy of encouraging fracking, oil extraction and investment in renewables. This strategy has been a tremendous success, to the point where the US now exports more energy than it imports.

But it did not end trade deficits.

Joe Biden took over in the White House and launched two vast programmes aimed at restoring manufacturing jobs. The goal was to use the US position as the global investment destination to steer cash towards states such as Ohio, Indiana or Michigan, which were traditionally reliant on factory jobs.

This led to a boom in green energy and semiconductors. But as it also made Americans richer, they imported more and it did not end trade deficits.

Trump’s two mandates took a more direct approach: taxing imported goods. The first term was haphazard, and tariff wars with China led to higher consumer prices while failing to deliver the political gains he expected.

But the second mandate has so far been much more organised, starting with “liberation day”, when he announced he would tax US imports in proportion to the bilateral trade deficit with each country.

Just like those of Obama and Biden, Trump’s strategy did not reduce the deficit – in fact it was higher in 2025 than in 2024. But it has so far been a major success in bullying traditional partners into submission with the threat of tariffs.

Perhaps the most consequential moment was the collective decision of members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to carve out a US exception to the global minimum tax on multinational companies. This international effort, intended to make the likes of Amazon and Apple pay a fair amount of tax, was designed to apply to the entire world, even without US approval.

The theoretical logic was flawless. If any country does not tax at least 15% of the profit located on its territory, other signatories can tax it instead. But America’s traditional economic partners in the OECD feared Trump enough to grant the US an exemption. It will be the only country allowed to practise tax competition.

As the US Supreme Court has now ruled most of Trump’s tariffs illegal, this may be a turning point in his second presidency.

Trump has not backed down from his claims, but may no longer be able to act on the stroke of a pen, and could be forced to tax all trading partners at a similar rate.

This is undoubtedly great news for countries like Canada, which chose not to bow down to threats, or China, which managed to bring Trump to the negotiating table by systematically retaliating against his threats.

In contrast, the European Union agreed to a deal allowing the US to tax EU imports but not the other way around. As the UK exports far fewer goods to the US than the EU does, it accepted a slightly preferential deal. But pledges to invest billions in the UK as part of the package were cancelled just days after they were announced.

The short-term benefits of signing those asymmetric deals were obvious – after all, no one wins a trade war and tariffs are mostly a tax on the consumers of the importing country. But the long-term reputational costs will be much harder to manage. In an increasingly multipolar and uncertain world, European nations have sent a clear message that they are easy to manipulate with a bit of projected strength.

As the world awaits possible US military action against Iran, has Donald Trump boxed himself into a corner with only himself to blame?

There is a massive amount of American firepower now in the region, and its commander-in-chief has issued Tehran with multiple warnings: Make a deal or else.

But what if they don’t?

The president’s plan appears to have been to use the US Navy to force the Iranians to accept his terms with a gun to their head, but it’s not working out.

His chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, has admitted as much.

“He’s curious”, he said of Trump, “as to why they haven’t capitulated, why under this sort of pressure with the amount of naval power that we have over there, why they haven’t come to us.”

So what now? The president “understands that he’s got plenty of alternatives”, claims Witkoff, but does he?

Option one

One option could be calibrated strikes. Whack Iran once and see if that makes its government more amenable.

Experts say that could prove a massive miscalculation. The Iranian government is in a tight spot, no doubt, but it may try to ride out the storm if it’s just a series of strikes.

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Iran’s president refuses to ‘bow’ to US pressure

Option two

Or the president could authorise attacking Iran with full force. But that’s problematic too.

Observers warn that for all the military muscle mustered in the region, there is still not enough to sustain an extended air campaign.

In leaks infuriating the president, his own commanders at the Pentagon have been warning as much.

Two carrier strike groups and all the warplanes sent to bases to bolster them could bombard Iran for a week, at most two, it is thought.

That would be painful for the Iranians, but they could try to hunker down and tough that out, too. And they would strike back with their formidable arsenal of ballistic missiles.

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Option three

Attacking Iran comes with considerable jeopardy for the president. But so does walking away.

For all his bellicose rhetoric, the “TACO president”i could chicken out and send his aircraft carriers back to base.

Read more from Sky News:
How Iran may be preparing for US strike
Is Tehran ready to strike a deal?

But having built up so much firepower, doing nothing would look weak and have consequences: for America’s standing and the president’s own political fortunes at a time when his approval ratings are cratering.

Talks in Geneva scheduled for Thursday offer an off-ramp. Iran has another chance to “capitulate”, as Witkoff puts it. But they are past masters at brinkmanship and calling their enemies’ bluff.

If they do so, has the US president thought this all through, or has he cooked his own goose?

Railpen has said it will be making announcements about new retailers in the coming months

The new developer of the Cambridge Retail Park has issued an update on the development’s progress. Railpen has confirmed it is currently in the “first phase” of developing the area, which is part of “an extensive investment and transformation programme”.

The former Sainsburys and Sports Direct stores that used to be found at the retail park have scaffolding and boards around them to allow for redevelopment work to continue. Everything from the stores appears to have been completely removed, including some windows and walls to allow for new retailers to take over the space.

Plans for the redevelopment were first approved by Cambridge City Council in 2023. Railpen said it aims to “create a vibrant, sustainable destination” to give “visitors compelling reasons to return time and again”.

Railpen has confirmed it has secured relocations for a few brands including the Currys store. The new Starbucks location opened in October 2025 after it was announced its original store was going to be demolished alongside a play area for children just outside the café.

The retail park is currently home to a range of popular brands including Dunelm, Lidl, and Boots. Railpen has said it will be making announcements about the new retailers coming to the park in the next few months.

Maria Averkina, Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, said: “We have just begun the first phase of an extensive investment and transformation programme at Cambridge Retail Park. We are committed to creating a space where people, both in the local community and further afield, enjoy spending time and returning to.

“This includes securing relocations for great brands such as Starbucks and Currys. We will be making further announcements about new retailers and other enhancements in the coming months.”

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The whistleblower alleged that same team was delayed in responding to a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island over Patel’s guidance and placing a jet on hold. The team instead drove from Quantico, Virginia – where the bureau’s headquarters is located – to Providence, Rhode Island, Durbin said.

The former prince has been told to reign in the horse riding amid fears it will come off as a ‘bad look’, royal sources say

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been told to reign it in, with the former prince now banned from horse riding while under police investigation.

He’s been grounded amids fears from royal aides that his beloved afternoon hacks throughout the countryside will seem a “bad look” while the 66-year-old is under police investigation for allegedly leaking UK secrets to convicted paedophile and multimillionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Since his dramatic arrest last Thursday – on his birthday, which saw him ushered into a car by Thames Valley Police and whisked to a local station for 11 hours of police questioning – he has been forced to buck his favourite hobby.

Speaking to The Sun, a royal source said: “Since his arrest last week he has been ordered not to go horse riding. It’s considered a bad look.

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“They don’t think he should be seen grinning and smiling on his horse like he was in Windsor. But it was one of the few things he actually enjoyed doing so what on earth is he going to do with his time?”

The riding ban comes months after the voluntary surrender of his gun licence to the police last year, which saw another hobby of his come to an unceremonious end.

As public scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains, the former Duke of York is officially grounded.

However, despite the arrest and increased scrutiny, Andrew will still enjoy two luxuries at Sandringham that most Brits won’t ever come close to. A source told the Sun: “He will be given his own chef and valet at Marsh Farm, which is a climbdown to the luxury he was previously afforded.”

The property is a stark contrast to his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the 66-year-old had valets, chefs, butlers, housemaids, and cleaners, in addition to an army of servants when staying at his former apartment at Buckingham Palace, the Express reports.

It’s now understood that Charles is funding Andrew’s exile and retirement as he does not want the former duke to be a burden to others. Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley Police on February 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation 11 hours later.

Andrew held the role of the UK’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, giving him privileged access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

The latest release of the Epstein files showed new emails and claims that Andrew had forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and China to late sex offender Epstein in 2010.

Andrew has vehemently denied all accusations made against him in relation to the deceased financier.

Within hours of his arrest, King Charles broke his silence as he released a statement, which read: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

King Charles officially removed all of Andrew’s royal titles and patronages in November 2025 following the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl, in October last year.

Giuffre, who sadly took her own life in April 2025, accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her three times when she was under the age of 18.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland chief inspector Jacqui Durkin has described child criminal exploitation as an issue of “increasing concern”.

There is an “inconsistent” and at times “inadequate” criminal justice system response to child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland, a report has found.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland chief inspector Jacqui Durkin described child criminal exploitation as an issue of “increasing concern”.

She said criminally exploited children can be targeted by paramilitaries and organised crime gangs, going missing from being in care, and urged that more is done to protect them, and to understand the scale of the exploitation.

Criminal Justice Inspection inspectors found that Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system faced significant challenges in recognising, assessing and responding to child criminal exploitation.

They acknowledged the difficult work undertaken on a daily basis by police officers to help children in complex and challenging circumstances, and concern was raised around their resourcing.

However inspectors found the PSNI did not have a clear model in place for tackling child criminal exploitation across the organisation, and that frontline officers and staff lacked awareness and training on child criminal exploitation.

Case file reviews carried out as part of inspection fieldwork found children were “often treated as suspects rather than victims and safeguarding referrals were not always made in a timely manner”.

Inspectors also found evidence of victim-blaming language in some records they examined during fieldwork, and a lack of specific markers on PSNI or Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland case record computer systems.

They made four recommendations.

These include the Department of Justice working in collaboration with criminal justice organisations to develop a strategic framework, and that the PSNI immediately develop an adequately resourced delivery model for the identification, response and disruption of child criminal exploitation across the organisation.

Ms Durkin said the report “makes for concerning reading”.

She said: “While pockets of good practice including the use of multi-agency support hubs and targeted interventions were identified, based on the evidence gathered and considered during this inspection, inspectors concluded outcomes for children who had experienced or were at risk of child criminal exploitation were not good.

“The challenge for the criminal justice system and others is to implement the two strategic and two operational recommendations for improvement included in this report.

“We need to see children as children, protect them from harm and vigorously pursue those who are exploiting them and robbing them of their childhood.

“This is not a drama storyline – this is the work of all of us and there is no time to waste.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long responded saying the report “provides important and timely insights into how the justice system can better recognise, prevent and respond”.

She added: “My department accepts the recommendations and is in the process of working with partner organisations to establish a child-centred child exploitation strategic framework for justice outcomes.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee said the PSNI acknowledges the findings and recommendations made by Criminal Justice Inspection.

She said: “Alongside the Department of Justice and other key partners, we are laser-focused in tackling child criminal exploitation, an issue that requires a whole system approach.

“Significant work to tackle CCE is already under way.

“We have established enhanced governance arrangements to drive delivery of shared objectives through a cross-departmental action plan, reporting through our established CCE Delivery Group led by senior leadership within Public Protection Branch.”

She added other work is under way, while training and awareness are also being strengthened, and an organisation-wide e-learning package is under development.

Ms McKee said: “I also acknowledge the report’s observations regarding resourcing.

“Despite ongoing financial and workforce constraints, our specialist officers and staff in Public Protection Branch and across local policing continue to work hard to better protect some of the most vulnerable children in our society.”

Democrat Al Green held up the sign as Donald Trump walked into the House of Representatives to deliver the annual speech – and his was not the only protest

Donald Trump was confronted by a sign reading “black people aren’t apes” as he gave his State of the Union speech tonight.

Democrat House member Al Green held up the sign as Donald Trump walked into the House of Representatives chamber for the annual address to a joint session of congress tonight. Rep. Green was removed from Trump’s joint address to Congress last year, after he yelled at the President in protest over cuts to Medicaid.

This year’s protest refers to a video Trump posted to his Truth Social website earlier this month, which depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Trump claimed he had not watched the video all the way through before instructing an aide to post it on his behalf.

Some Democratic congresswomen arrived at the speech wearing ‘suffragist’ white in support of women’s rights.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, who leads Democratic Women’s Caucus, told CBS News: “This year, there are specific attacks on women’s ability to vote. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is wearing white both to honor that fight that women have always had and to signal we are still in the fight.” Some members of Congress are swerving tonight’s speech, after Democrat leaders urged them to stay away rather than disrupt the speech with a headline-grabbing stunt.

Trump is going into the State of the Union with worse poll ratings than any president in modern history. This week a Washington Post/ABC News poll found 60% of Americans said they disapproved of the job Trump is doing – with 47% indicating strong approval. Just 39% said they approved of his performance, the lowest of any President ahead of a second-year State of the Union in modern history.

The last time Trump’s disapproval reached 60% was shortly after the January 6th Insurrection in the final days of his first term.

Few Americans, 29%, think the country is heading in the right direction, according to the most recent AP-NORC poll. Most, 69%, believe things are heading in the wrong direction. That pessimism is higher than it was when Trump took office last year. Last March, about 6 in 10 Americans said the country was heading in the wrong direction.

That’s partially because Republicans’ mood grew much darker last fall, after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Republicans are now more optimistic than they were a few months ago, but only about 6 in 10 say the country is heading in the right direction, down from about 7 in 10 last March.