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Raven Adams: Belfast bar’s emotional tribute to much-loved colleague killed in crash

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Belfast Live

The bar will be closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect

A Belfast bar has paid tribute to their beloved colleague Raven Adams who was killed in a collision in North Belfast.

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The Thirsty Goat expressed its sadness following the death of the 24-year-old this week. They said her “kindness, laughter, dedication and warm smile left a lasting mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her”.

Raven, who is originally from the Tipperary area, died after she and a man were struck by a car in the York Street area at around 2.40 am on Thursday.

The bar issued a statement on social media saying: “Today, our hearts are with two members of The Thirsty Goat family. We are deeply saddened by the passing of our much-loved colleague, Raven Adams. Her kindness, laughter, dedication and warm smile left a lasting mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her. She will be greatly missed and we will cherish the memories shared together.

“At this incredibly difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences to Raven’s family, friends and loved ones. May she rest in peace. We also want to send all our love, prayers and strength to our colleague Ethan, who remains in hospital following this terrible accident. Ethan, we’re all thinking of you and praying for your recovery.

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“The Thirsty Goat will be closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect while family, friends and colleagues gather to celebrate the life of Raven. “

Raven’s funeral is due to take place on Tuesday, July 21, at 11.30am at Dardistown Crematorium in Dublin.

A tribute on RIP.ie said: “Raven, aged 24yrs, will be very sadly missed and remembered with love by her dad Adam, mum Kelsie, brothers and sisters Callum, Jade, Chandi, Julianna and Aaron, grandparents Mike and Jane Gill, step-mum Lucy, extended family relatives, by all her dear friends and work colleagues in both Dundalk and Belfast, and by all who knew and loved her.

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“Reposing at Shevlin’s Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Dundalk (A91 Y3CX) on Monday afternoon from 4pm to 8pm.

“Removal on Tuesday morning 21st July, at 10.30am to Dardistown Crematorium, Dublin (K67 HP26), for a celebration of life service at 11.30am.”

A Gofundme page has been set up by Ethan Dornan in order to help Raven’s family in the wake of her death. It has raised over £5,000 in 14 hours.

It said: “On july 16th Raven Adams was the pedestrian in a hit and run incident while walking home from her work in belfast. This money will help relieve her family of the costs of the service as this is not cheap.”

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If you would like to support the appeal to help Raven’s family with funeral costs you can do so via this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/raven-adams?

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

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Will Red Ed be named as Burnham’s Chancellor? New PM to unveil new-look Labour Cabinet this afternoon amid squabble over top job

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The Labour Left is still clamouring for Energy Secretary Mr Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates.

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Andy Burnham will unveil the top jobs in his new-look Labour Cabinet today amid a furious party row over who should be Chancellor.

With Rachel Reeves almost certain to be turfed out of No11, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood are said to be vying to take over running the economy.

The Labour Left is still clamouring for Energy Secretary Mr Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates. 

Markets have been calmer following speculation that Ms Mahmood, the Home Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer, will get the role instead, but any surprises could prompt a panicky response.

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Meanwhile, the fates of big beasts such as Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper are due to be decided this afternoon, with a procession of big-hitters expected to brave the cameras as they walk up Downing Street to No10.

Green energy tycoon Dale Vince, who is one of Labour’s biggest donors, warned Mr Burnham against appointing Ed Miliband as his Chancellor.

‘I think it would be a mistake for a number of reasons,’ the 64-year-old told Sky News, after he was invited to Downing Street to hear Mr Burnham’s first speech as Prime Minister.

‘I think his spending decisions in DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) have been poor – no value for money at all.

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The Labour Left is still clamouring for Energy Secretary Mr Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates.

Markets have been calmer following speculation that Ms Mahmood, the Home Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer , will get the role instead, but any surprises could prompt a panicky response

Markets have been calmer following speculation that Ms Mahmood, the Home Secretary under Sir Keir Starmer , will get the role instead, but any surprises could prompt a panicky response

‘Tens of billions of pounds committed to projects that won’t even move the dial on carbon, let alone our economy.’

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Mr Vince also cautioned that Mr Miliband ‘would be a lightning rod for Right-wing criticism’ if he took charge of the Treasury.

‘I think he could do better,’ he added, when asked about Mr Burnham’s potentially picking Mr Miliband as Chancell

This morning former Labour minister Lord Hutton urged the new PM to choose a pro-business chancellor to maintain market confidence.

‘We really do need a complete reboot on the economic growth plan. I think that’s going to be a real first order sort of issue for the new prime minister and the chancellor,’ the peer told Times Radio.

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Briefings against Mr Miliband have included warnings he would be a ‘threat to Britain’ in No11. 

‘They haven’t come from my team and I’m appalled at those briefings,’ Mr Burnham said last week, branding them ‘appalling’.

The centre-left Mainstream grouping of Labour MPs has called for him to appoint a ‘progressive chancellor’.

In an apparent reference to Mr Miliband, it urged the incoming prime minister to pick ‘someone who understands the threat that climate breakdown poses to people and planet and who has the courage to rebuild our state’s productive capacity’.

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However, Mr Miliband was seen as the least market-friendly candidate in a poll by Bloomberg, while he has also clashed with unions over North Sea oil jobs that could be affected by the push for green power he champions. 

One veteran Labour MP on the Left of the party told the Daily Mail: ‘I don’t think Miliband will get No 11. He would be too big a risk.’ 

Ms Mahmood is unpopular with the party Left because of hardline immigration reforms, and a move would allow Mr Burnham to shake things up. 

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‘I travelled for miles to see The Odyssey in IMAX to see if I was missing anything

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Daily Mirror

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was filmed entirely on IMAX cameras for what is believed to be the first time, and there are only three cinemas in the UK that can show the film in the 70mm format

So when word spread that his latest epic, The Odyssey, had been filmed entirely on IMAX cameras — believed to be a first in the history of cinema — Nolan devotees up and down the country had one problem. Only three cinemas in the UK are capable of screening the film as it was truly intended to be seen in 70mm IMAX, two of them in London and one at Manchester Printworks, leaving millions of fans far from the nearest qualifying screen.

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For many, the answer was straightforward – make the trip regardless. One such fan is Cerys, a Newcastle-based content creator with a lifelong passion for cinema, who thought nothing of a five-hour journey to the BFI IMAX in London to catch the film in its full, intended glory. But after seeing it a second time back home in Newcastle – this time in 35mm at the Tyneside Cinema – her verdict on the two formats was not quite what you might expect.

Christopher Nolan fans travel for The Odyssey 70mm IMAX experience

She said: “I have now seen the odyssey in both IMAX 70mm and the smaller 35mm format and I think both have differing benefits that I thought I’d share with you in case you’re trying to decide what format to see the movie in. If you can’t see it in 70mm and you’re worried about missing something or if you think it’s worth trying to see it in 70mm.

“I saw it early at BFI IMAX on Tuesday which I had to travel down for and I’ve just come out of a 35mm screening at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle which is where I live. So if you’re in a similar position to me and maybe don’t have great access to a 70mm IMAX screening I’m here to explain why there are other benefits to different formats as well.

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“The major difference that I noticed when seeing it in two different formats is actually a product of the loss of screen that you get, and how this changed my interpretation of the story.

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“The first time I saw it was 70mm and I found myself more focused on the spectacle of it all, which was undoubtedly astonishing, but seeing it in a smaller format allowed me to focus more on the story which I found enriched my understanding further.

“There were a lot of nuances that I definitely missed out on the first time that I saw the film because I was so wrapped up in the scale whereas now that I’ve seen it again in 35mm I found that my focus was more on the plot, the dialogue and the characters.”

70mm IMAX vs 35mm film: How screen formats change the story

Boasting a remarkably stellar cast including Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Travis Scott and Anne Hathaway, The Odyssey weaves together three interlinked storylines — Odysseus’s decade-long voyage home from the Trojan War, his son Telemachus’s search to locate him, and a father-son revenge plot to reclaim their family home. On its opening weekend, The Odyssey took the global box office by storm, raking in a staggering $264m.

Cerys went on to say: “I left both experiences feeling deeply fulfilled just in slightly different ways. Second difference was in the colours and the aesthetics.

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“Both looked absolutely gorgeous but I think the grainier all-timely look of 35mm really enhanced the timelessness of this story and solidified the fact that this film will stand the test of time.

“This was honestly my favourite part about seeing it in 35mm whereas I thought the 70mm IMAX looked brighter, which again looked gorgeous, but this added to the spectacle.

“I personally think it’s worth seeing in any and all formats and I do think seeing it in 70mm IMAX was a phenomenal experience that I would definitely recommend.

“It really is great seeing it how it was meant to be seen, but I know it’s quite difficult and if you can’t I hope this video has highlighted the fact that other options are pretty great too.”

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Piers Morgan and ‘TV wife’ Susanna Reid share a hug as they reunite on Good Morning Britain five years after his dramatic departure as host

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Piers Morgan reunited with his 'TV wife' Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain on Monday, five years after his dramatic departure

Piers Morgan reunited with his ‘TV wife’ Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain on Monday, five years after his dramatic departure. 

Fans called for the presenter, 61, to return to the show after he quit five years ago following an explosive on-air clash with weatherman Alex Beresford about Meghan Markle

Piers was on to discuss Andy Burnham‘s upcoming appointment as prime minister, but couldn’t help reminiscing about old times with Susanna. 

The presenter, who is married to wife Celia Walden, often referred to Susanna as his TV wife during his time on GMB. 

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Pulling Susanna into a hug, Piers joked: ‘At least say: “lovely to see you back”.’

She replied: ‘Now we’re in a completely different building I can break my hug omertà’. 

Piers Morgan reunited with his ‘TV wife’ Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain on Monday, five years after his dramatic departure

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Fans called for the presenter to return to the show after he quit five years ago following an explosive on-air clash with weatherman Alex Beresford about Meghan Markle

Fans called for the presenter to return to the show after he quit five years ago following an explosive on-air clash with weatherman Alex Beresford about Meghan Markle

Sitting opposite Piers on the couch alongside her co-host Ed Balls, Susanna commented: ‘This is weird’. 

Piers said: ‘Do you know what? In most relationships, you have a few years off after a very intense marriage, is what we had.

‘And then after time, all the little annoying things. You know, the way you used to chew your pen, all that kind of stuff, it all just fades away. We remember the good times, in your dressing room with your curlers and the cup of coffee in the morning at 4am.

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‘How many men get to see Susanna Reid at 4am in her curlers? Not many.’

Ed joked: ‘I do. From Monday to Wednesday’.

Piers then read from the auto cue to introduce Kate Garraway. 

Impressed by his return, fans called for him to return to Good Morning Britain. 

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They wrote: ‘Come back Piers… was great to see you’. 

‘Really lovely to see him back on the sofa. Piers, I’ve missed you’. 

‘Bring him back!’ and ‘We need to start a petition. Come back Piers. Loved watching when he was on.’  

Piers was on to discuss Andy Burnham's appointment as prime minister, but couldn't help reminiscing about old times with Susanna, who he often referred to as his TV wife.

Piers was on to discuss Andy Burnham’s appointment as prime minister, but couldn’t help reminiscing about old times with Susanna, who he often referred to as his TV wife.

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Sitting opposite Piers on the couch alongside her co-host Ed Balls, Susanna commented: 'This is weird'

Sitting opposite Piers on the couch alongside her co-host Ed Balls, Susanna commented: ‘This is weird’

Impressed by his return, fans called for him to return to Good Morning Britain. They wrote: 'Come back Piers... was great to see you'. 'Really lovely to see him back on the sofa'

Impressed by his return, fans called for him to return to Good Morning Britain. They wrote: ‘Come back Piers… was great to see you’. ‘Really lovely to see him back on the sofa’

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The TV presenter had an explosive on-air clash in 2021 with Alex, who accused Piers of 'trashing' Megan Markle before he stormed off set (both pictured in 2021)

The TV presenter had an explosive on-air clash in 2021 with Alex, who accused Piers of ‘trashing’ Megan Markle before he stormed off set (both pictured in 2021)

Later that day, Piers quit the ITV breakfast show

Later that day, Piers quit the ITV breakfast show

Morgan set off a social media firestorm after the Oprah interview when he said he 'didn't believe a word' of what Meghan said about experiencing racism within the Royal Family

Morgan set off a social media firestorm after the Oprah interview when he said he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of what Meghan said about experiencing racism within the Royal Family

Piers recently reflected on quitting his breakfast job.

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He said: ‘You become part of a family. I see all my old – well, nearly all my old – Good Morning Britain colleagues.’

Taking a swipe at Alex, he continued: ‘I don’t see the weather guy very often. I would cross continents to avoid him.

‘But the others, I do still see a lot of. You do become very close, actually.’

During the famous GMB clash, Alex responded to Piers’ claims that he used to talk to Meghan and she ‘dropped him’ once she started dating Prince Harry.

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He said: ‘I understand that you don’t like Meghan Markle, you’ve made it so clear a number of times on this programme, and I understand you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle and she cut you off.’

Alex told Piers: ‘She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to’ – prompting him to then storm off the GMB set.

The following day, Piers was asked by Tucker Carlson how he felt after he stormed off set, when his co-host Susanna Reid apologised for his behaviour.

‘It seems like you have affection for her,’ Tucker said.

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Piers replied: ‘I was disappointed, but she might have done it in the grip of fear, that if she spoke too highly in favour of me, the same thing might happen to her. There would be a huge Twitter pile-on. By an orchestrated mob.’

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Go North East statement on Stanley, County Durham bus crash

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Go North East statement on Stanley, County Durham bus crash

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the A693 and Noel Street in Stanley at around 9.30am on Sunday (July 19) after a driver was believed to have suffered a medical episode at the wheel.

The bus came off the road and ended up in the garden of a house, leaving the driver injured. He was taken to University Hospital of North Durham.

A Go North East spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving one of our buses in Stanley yesterday and would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response.

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“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, colleagues and the wider public is always our highest priority. We are supporting the relevant authorities with ongoing enquiries into the incident.”



Durham Police confirmed the bus hit some railings and has since been recovered, while the council was called to clear up debris in the road.

A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said: “There were concerns that the driver may have suffered a medical episode prior to the collision.

“One crew from Consett and one crew from High Handenhold attended the incident and worked alongside ambulance and police colleagues, providing assistance at the scene and assessing those involved. The service left the scene at 11.15am.”

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Lunch spot that’s ‘best in Belfast’ has packed sandwiches, French toast and matcha

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Belfast Live

A Lisburn cafe has been labelled the ‘best in Belfast’ by one recent visitor who praised the matcha options available after showcasing sandwiches and French toasts crammed full of fillings

A woman who “went on a mission” to find the best lunch spot in Belfast has shared her findings after being left stunned by her experience at one particular cafe. “This was up there with one of my favourite cafes yet,” Hannah Binns began in a TikTok video. Showcasing fresh sandwiches rammed full of fillings and a variety of options to drink, she labelled the attention to detail on each menu item as “insane”. Hannah elaborated: “The vodka chicken parm… wow there are no words. And the beef sandwich… oh my days you need to try that.”

For those who enjoy matcha, she advised people to “run” to the cafe because they serve “hands down” the best she has tried in Belfast.

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Hannah closed by unveiling a mouthwatering French toast, topped with strawberries, blueberries, cream and blueberry syrup.

The cafe in question is Cafe Zulu Lisburn on Pond Park Road.

“From matcha to iced coffees and coolers – there’s something for everyone at Cafe Zulu,” the cafe states on Instagram. “Whether you’re after your daily caffeine fix, a refreshing cooler or your new favourite matcha, we’ve got you covered.”

According to Wheree, Cafe Zulu is a vibrant and inviting café located in Lisburn, known for its friendly staff and cozy atmosphere.

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“Patrons often praise the generous portion sizes of dishes like sharing platters and French toast,” it adds. “Despite some concerns about food consistency, many visitors appreciate the quality of ingredients used, making it a popular spot for both locals and travellers alike.”

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Writing in response to Hannah’s clip, one viewer exclaimed: “The matcha is amazing.”

While a second exclaimed: “Need to go there asap.”

A third added: “Looks class, however I’ll have to try the matcha for myself because the matcha in Hey Boba is nearly impossible to beat.”

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As a fourth TikTok user said: “Omg it looks INSANE, I need to go!”

Cafe Zulu is open from 8am until 5pm, Sunday to Tuesday, and from 8am until 9pm, Wednesday to Saturday.

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

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Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley three-word message to Andy Burnham as he becomes Prime Minister

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Manchester Evening News

The Bury-born actress is in support of the former Greater Manchester mayor

Emmerdale star Lisa Riley sent a supportive three-word message to Andy Burnham as he becomes Prime Minister.

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The former Greater Manchester mayor ran as an MP in the Makerfield by-election after Josh Simons stood down from his role. This took place three months after Burnham was blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

He went onto win the Makerfield seat to become an MP once again, and after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Prime Minister last month, Burnham launched his leadership bid.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Mr Burnham took over as leader of the Labour Party on Friday (July 17), and now on Monday (July 20) he made his first speech as Prime Minister as Starmer tendered his resignation at Buckingham Palace.

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In his first speech as PM, Burnham said: “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again, and that is our challenge – to make politics work, to make it work better.”

He will start announcing his cabinet appointments later today. There has been much speculation particularly as to who will be his Chancellor. The two names being widely discussed are Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

On the morning of Mr Burnham becoming PM, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley took to her Instagram as she showed her support for the former Great Manchester mayor.

In a simple three-word message, she wrote: “Good Luck today @andy.burnham”. Lisa was born in Bury, Greater Manchester in 1976, celebrating her 50th this year.

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She grew up in the Bury area, specifically Tottington, attending Hollymount School and taking acting classes at the Oldham Theatre Workshop from age nine.

Earlier this year, Lisa was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to drama and to charity as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026.

She said of the honour: “Wow if this is not my best 50th birthday present being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, I don’t know what is.

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“I am being awarded an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, for my services to drama and to charity. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. To have been able to do my job as an actor for 36 years now, never having a day out of work in our industry, is an honour in itself.”

After playing such an iconic role for over 30 years, Lisa noted that she’s the “first ever cast member of Emmerdale” to have been awarded an MBE.

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Police searching for missing 12-year-old in York city centre

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Police searching for missing 12-year-old in York city centre

North Yorkshire Police say that its officers are currently searching for 12-year-old Alfie, who was last seen in York city centre at 1.30am today (July 20).

He is described being slim, around 4ft 6in tall, with short brown hair and was last seen wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a black hoody and black trainers.


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Alfie also has access to a bike.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to locate Alfie and as part of our enquiries, we are asking for anyone who may have seen Alfie, or who has information about his whereabouts, to contact us immediately,” said a spokesperson for the force.

If you can help with the investigation, please call 101 or visit the North Yorkshire Police website and live chat; call 999 for an immediate sighting.

Please quote reference 12260137987 when providing information.

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One person taken to hospital after crash in Shildon

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One person taken to hospital after crash in Shildon

Emergency services were called to an area near Eldon Bank at 9.40am this morning (July 20).

Two ambulance crews were dispatched, and the air ambulance was called for backup.

A Great North Air Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Our critical care team was activated at 10.08am to reports of a road traffic collision in Shildon.

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“We had two paramedics and a doctor on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 10.17am.

“Our team worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to assess and treat a patient.”

A NEAS spokesperson said: “We were called to a person injured in Shildon at 9.40am on July 20.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and requested support from the air ambulance. One patient was taken to James Cook University Hospital.”

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What’s the plan? Burnham vows to ‘be better’ than Starmer as he hints at Leftward lurch in first speech as PM – but again gives no detail – as Cabinet battle looms

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Andy Burnham shunned a lectern in his first speech after being officially installed as PM

Andy Burnham admitted the Labour Government ‘needs to be better’ today after he was officially installed as PM by the King.

The new premier delivered his latest hint at a lurch to the Left in a speech in Downing Street, watched by an adoring crowd of aides and supporters. 

Mr Burnham said he wanted to put services under ‘stronger public control’ and ‘reindustrialise’, repeating his view that Britain has been heading in the wrong direction since Thatcher. 

He made clear his first instruction to officials would be to end rough sleeping, and revealed there would be some help on the cost of living announced tomorrow – but stopped short of giving any details. 

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The address came after Mr Burnham was invited to form a Government at an audience in Buckingham Palace.

But the former Greater Manchester Mayor is already facing a crucial moment as he names his Cabinet this afternoon.

The Labour Left is still clamouring for Ed Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates. Markets have been calmer following speculation that Shabana Mahmood will get the role instead, but any surprises could prompt a panicky response.

Meanwhile, the fates of big beasts such as Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper are due to be decided.

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Resignations have begun, with prisons minister Lord Timpson announcing he is going alongside Sir Keir. 

Unusually, Mr Burnham was accompanied to meet the King by wife Marie-France van Heel. Buckingham Palace said in statement: ‘His Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new Administration. 

‘The Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.

‘Ms Marie-France van Heel was also received by His Majesty.’

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The constitutional changeover came after Sir Keir used a farewell address outside No10 to insist he has not been a failure – despite only surviving two years following a huge election victory.

Sir Keir said he was ‘closing the book on my time’, saying ‘my work is done’ and the country is ‘stronger’. He insisted Mr Burnham – who orchestrated a coup to secure the leadership – would have his ‘full support’.

‘I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything we have achieved,’ he said, thanking wife Victoria and his family. 

Close Cabinet allies including David Lammy and Rachel Reeves had gathered with hundreds of aides in a sunny Downing Street to watch Sir Keir say goodbye. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was also present for the emotional moment. 

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On another momentous day in UK politics:

  • Mr Burnham has revealed his Alzheimer’s-hit father does not know he is going to be PM, as he vows to overhaul social care;
  • Eco-tycoon Dale Vince was spotted in Downing Street, amid confusion over whether the Government will allow more drilling in the North Sea; 
  • The new PM has hinted at an earlier end to the freeze on the basic rate tax threshold, without saying how it would be funded; 
  • Mr Burnham will become the first openly Catholic PM in around 500 years, with work-arounds put in place to protect the Church of England; 
  • Loudspeakers have been banned near Downing Street today after protesters blighted Sir Keir’s speech announcing his resignation.

Andy Burnham shunned a lectern in his first speech after being officially installed as PM 

Andy Burnham was greeted outside No10 by crowds of aides and supporters, who had gathered to hear his first speech to the country

Andy Burnham was greeted outside No10 by crowds of aides and supporters, who had gathered to hear his first speech to the country

Andy Burnham was officially installed as PM by the King today after Keir Starmer bowed out 

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Unusually, Mr Burnham was accompanied to meet the King by wife Marie-France van Heel (pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace)

Unusually, Mr Burnham was accompanied to meet the King by wife Marie-France van Heel (pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace)

Eco-tycoon Dale Vince was spotted in Downing Street wearing a 'chips are vegan' T-shirt, amid confusion over whether the Government will allow more drilling in the North Sea

Eco-tycoon Dale Vince was spotted in Downing Street wearing a ‘chips are vegan’ T-shirt, amid confusion over whether the Government will allow more drilling in the North Sea

Keir Starmer is giving a farewell address outside the famous black door of No10, just two years after winning an extraordinary election landslide 

In his valedictory statement , Sir Keir said: ‘I am about to visit His Majesty The King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as Prime Minister.

‘My work is done. In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.

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‘Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime Minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.

‘Our economy is stronger. Our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years. Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day.

‘Immigration is down significantly. Our defence and security are on a far stronger footing and our international reputation is greatly enhanced.’

The handover comes barely a month after Mr Burnham returned to Westminster following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

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He has been installed by Labour MPs in a ‘coronation’, without a formal vote by activists – or having to spell out any policies.

Among the vague commitments laid out by the incoming PM so far are devolving power away from Westminster.

He has announced he will scrap Sir Keir’s flagship digital ID programme to focus money and attention on the cost of living.

In an interview with The Times, Mr Burnham said he had already spoken to the Treasury about his planned announcements and stressed the importance of making people ‘feel better’.

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Adding that complaints about frozen tax thresholds had been ‘lodged in his mind’ since the Makerfield contest, he said: ‘So when people, they’re just characterising me as a tax raiser, well again, it’s never that simplistic is it? The breathing space point is a really serious one.’

The comments raise more questions about how Mr Burnham will pay for giveaways, after he backed a ‘land tax’ and harked back to the 1970s condemning Thatcherite reforms.

But the weekend was dominated by bungled briefing over whether the new Government will allow new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

The leader’s team has now confirmed he will stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto, which promised not to issue new licences.

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Instead he could merely allow expanded drilling at the Rosebank and Jackdaw sites – something that was being considered by Sir Keir’s administration.

That could bode badly for Mr Burnham’s relations with Donald Trump, who yesterday jubilantly hailed more drilling as a way of stopping Britain being a ‘poverty stricken disaster’.

Mr Burnham also faces a decision on whether to temporarily nationalise Thames Water as the firm struggles with a £20billion debt pile.

He has already expressed support for greater public control of essential services, and Thames Water’s main creditors have said they are willing to discuss the issue with his new ministers in an effort to agree a rescue deal and avoid the business falling into a so-called ‘special administration regime’.

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Another priority is likely to be reforming social care, which he has said is something he wishes to ‘expend political capital’ on.

The Labour Left is still clamouring for Ed Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates

The Labour Left is still clamouring for Ed Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates

The fates of big beasts such as Angela Rayner, pictured on the campaign trail with Mr Burnham, are due to be decided

The fates of big beasts such as Angela Rayner, pictured on the campaign trail with Mr Burnham, are due to be decided

Keir Starmer's resignation was accepted by the King at an audience in Buckingham Palace today

Keir Starmer’s resignation was accepted by the King at an audience in Buckingham Palace today

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Close Cabinet allies including David Lammy and Rachel Reeves had gathered with hundreds of aides in a sunny Downing Street to watch Sir Keir say goodbye

There was a hug for Chancellor Rachel Reeves – also expected to lose her job – after the speech

Sir Keir gave his wife a kiss as they left Downing Street for the final time today

Sir Keir gave his wife a kiss as they left Downing Street for the final time today 

Sir Keir and Lady Victoria got into a car to be driven to Buckingham Palace after his speech

Sir Keir and Lady Victoria got into a car to be driven to Buckingham Palace after his speech

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Kemi Badenoch warned Mr Burnham he will have to cut spending instead of increasing taxes

Kemi Badenoch warned Mr Burnham he will have to cut spending instead of increasing taxes

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Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged Mr Burnham to engage other parties to solve the ‘social care crisis’, calling for guaranteed rights for family carers, a universal safety net and protection against ‘catastrophic costs’.

Kemi Badenoch has also written to Mr Burnham, saying her party will work with him to cut the welfare bill and calling for him to rule out tax rises and back new oil and gas drilling.

Mrs Badenoch told Mr Burnham she would ‘never shirk’ from holding him to account, adding: ‘You will enter office without having set out a clear plan on any of the issues facing our country.

‘You have refused calls to come to Parliament for questions from MPs, and you have not submitted yourself to serious media scrutiny. This is not a promising start.’

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BBC journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68

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BBC journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68

Stourton was a presenter of the BBC Radio 4 programme Sunday, and was a frequent contributor to the Today programme, where for ten years he was one of the main presenters.

He died on Saturday (July 18) beside his family.

Stourton had been living with prostate cancer, a diagnosis he shared in his 2023 memoir, Confessions.

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Tributes as journalist and broadcaster Edward Stourton dies aged 68

Jonathan Munro, interim CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, paid tribute, saying: “It’s far too soon to lose Ed.

“I worked as his producer when he was ITN’s Diplomatic Editor — unflappable then and ever after.

“Many years later I was listening to his superb analysis of the new Pope for the BBC — another of his many areas of expertise.

“Not many broadcasters can present Today, BBC One’s One O’clock News, The World at One and Sunday — but he did.”

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Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, said: “Ed was an absolutely outstanding broadcaster.

“He brought intelligence, authority and an extraordinary hinterland to everything he did.

“When Ed was behind the mic, whether on Sunday or the various news programmes he regularly presented for Radio 4, you felt you understood the world that little bit better.”

Life and career of Edward Stourton

Born in Nigeria in 1957, he was raised in the UK and went on to study English literature at Cambridge University.

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Stourton began his journalism career at ITN in 1979 and became a founding member of Channel 4 News in 1982.

He was appointed the programme’s first Washington correspondent in 1986 before joining the BBC as its Paris correspondent in 1988.

He returned to ITN as Diplomatic Editor before moving back to the BBC in 1993 to present the One O’Clock News.

Stourton later became a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4, joining the Today programme in 1999 and remaining for nearly a decade.

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He went on to present The World at One and The World This Weekend from 2009 onwards.

As a Roman Catholic, he fronted Radio 4’s religious programme Sunday, as well as The Heaven and Earth Show and the BBC Two documentary series Absolute Truth, which explored the Catholic church.

Stourton also hosted Panorama, Any Questions, and his own Radio 4 phone-in, Call Ed Stourton.

He is survived by his wife, Fiona Stourton, and their four children.

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Do you have fond memories of watching or listening to Edward Stourton? Let us know in the comments.

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