The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind covering all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as large swathes of northern England and north Wales.

The warnings are valid at various times on Saturday afternoon, overnight and into Sunday.

Widespread gusts of 50-60mph (80-97km/h) are expected with the chance of 70mph (113km/h) gusts in exposed areas, especially around coasts.

Central and northern parts of Scotland could see winds peaking at 80-90mph (129-144km/h) with large waves bringing dangerous conditions along the coasts.

Winds as strong as these bring the threat of damage, power cuts and significant travel disruption.

Some roads and bridges could close, which could have major impacts on what is predicted to be the busiest Easter in four years for drivers.

Disruption to train and ferry services is also possible.

Trains are unable to run between Cambridge and Hitchin this morning (Thursday, April 2). This is due to emergency services dealing with an incident at Baldock in Hertfordshire.

The incident was first reported at around 10.46am. As a result, trains are disrupted between Cambridge and Hitchin. Those travelling on Great Northern trains between London Kings Cross, Cambridge, Ely and Kings Lynn will be affected.

People travelling on Thameslink between Brighton and Cambridge will also be affected. Details of the incident are not yet known.

British Transport Police and the East of England Ambulance Service have been contacted for more information.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan on Thursday confirmed it was holding peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban government in China, where Beijing is mediating to broker a lasting ceasefire after weeks of fighting that have killed hundreds, disrupting trade and cross-border travel.

The confirmation of the new round of talks came a day after officials from the two sides told The Associated Press that representatives from the two countries had traveled to Urumqi in northern China, where they held the first round of talks.

It remains unclear who is representing Pakistan and Afghanistan in the latest negotiations in China.

In Islamabad, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a news briefing that the talks are ongoing. “Yes, Pakistan has sent a delegation to Urumqi, in line with its consistent position and longstanding practice of supporting a credible process that can help find a durable solution to cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan,” he said.

However, Andrabi said success of the talks largely depends on Kabul.

“The burden of a real process lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable action against terrorist groups using Afghan soil against Pakistan,” he said.

Andrabi said Pakistan has never shied away from dialogue on the issue. “We remain engaged with the Chinese leadership on this issue and other relevant international partners,” he said, but maintained that Pakistan is seeking written assurances from Kabul that Afghan soil will not be used for attacks against Pakistan.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul.

Though China has not officially confirmed the talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday said Xi Jinping’s government has been “actively mediating and facilitating the resolution of conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China has “always supported both sides in resolving their differences through dialogue and negotiation.”

Despite the ongoing peace talks, Pakistan’s operations against the Pakistani Taliban along the border with Afghanistan and other militant groups will continue, according to Andrabi.

On Wednesday, Farid Dehqan, a police spokesperson for the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, said Pakistan had fired mortars into Afghan territory late Wednesday, killing two civilians and wounding six others, including four children. He said the shelling was ongoing two hours after it started.

Andrabi dismissed the accusation, saying Pakistan conducts operations against militants with care to avoid civilian casualties.

Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. The group is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, which took over Afghanistan in 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the charge.

The fighting between the two sides has been the deadliest since February, when Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Pakistan launched strikes in Kabul and several other areas, causing mostly civilian casualties. Pakistan has said it targeted hideouts of TTP.

Pakistan has also said it is in “open war” with Afghanistan.

Tensions have been especially high since last month when Afghanistan said a Pakistani airstrike at a drug-treatment center in Kabul killed more than 400 people. The death toll could not be independently confirmed, and Pakistan has disputed the claim. It denied targeting civilians, saying it struck an ammunition depot in Kabul.

The latest peace talks in China followed earlier rounds held in Qatar and Turkey, during which the two sides agreed to a ceasefire which largely remained in place until Pakistan carried out strikes in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan in late February, triggering border clashes which have subsided in recent days.

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have a history of tense relations, but the ongoing violence has alarmed the international community, particularly because apart from outlawed TTP, other militant groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State group remain present in the region and have sought to regroup.

———

Castillo reported from Beijing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump used his first major address since launching his war in Iran to assure Americans that all of his military objectives will be completed “shortly” and urge an increasingly skeptical electorate to give him a little bit more time.

Trump in his Wednesday evening speech dialed back the bluster that’s dominated his rhetoric in recent days as world markets convulse and a badly battered Iran is still landing some effective blows on Gulf neighbors’ infrastructure and U.S. bases.

But the Republican president’s promise to “finish the job” hardly built confidence with a jittery market as oil prices surged and Asian stocks fell as he vowed that the U.S. will continue to hit Iran very hard.

He offered no detail about the state of negotiations with Iran that could bring about a promised endgame that he insists could come in a matter of weeks. There was also no overt lashing out at NATO allies for failing to fall in line and help him reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway — something White House officials had said would be a prominent part of his roughly 20-minute address.

The U.S. will continue to hit Iran hard for the next two or three weeks, he said, without saying how much longer the war would last. But he offered a plea to Americans to show a little patience.

“We are in this military operation, so powerful, so brilliant, against one of the most powerful countries for 32 days, and the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat,” Trump said. “This is a true investment in your children and your grandchildren’s future. The whole world is watching, and they can’t believe the power, strength and brilliance.”

But Trump finds himself not only negotiating with an enemy that refuses to throw in the towel but also dealing with an American tolerance for a conflict that’s being stretched.

Most Americans believe recent U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, and many are worried about affording gasoline, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in mid-March, a couple of weeks after the war started. While Trump is deploying more warships and troops to the Middle East, about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive.

Meanwhile, 45% are “extremely” or “very” concerned about being able to afford gas in the next few months, up from 30% in an AP-NORC poll conducted shortly after Trump won reelection with promises that he would improve the economy and lower the cost of living.

Americans, Trump noted, have certainly shown patience during times of war.

“American involvement in World War I,” he said, “lasted one year, seven months and five days. World War II lasted for three years, eight months and 25 days. The Korean War lasted for three years, one month and two days. The Vietnam War lasted for 19 years, five months and 29 days. Iraq went on for eight years, eight months and 28 days.”

Hours before his address, Trump seemed to reflect on the domestic pressure he’s feeling to wrap up the war.

Speaking at a private lunch at the White House to mark Easter, Trump argued that the U.S. could “very easily” use this moment to take Iran’s oil. It is “unfortunate,” he lamented, that there did not seem to be patience among the American people for such an effort.

“They want to see it end,” he said. He added, “People in the country sort of say, ‘Just win. You’re winning so big. Just win. Come home.’ And I’m OK with that, too.”

Democrats lash at Trump for failing to offer a coherent argument for conflict

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Trump’s speech was “grounded in a reality that only exists in Donald Trump’s mind.”

The president, Democrats fumed, offered no plan for how he would go about reopening Hormuz, the critical waterway for oil tankers that a battered Iran has effectively choked off even though Trump claims it’s been defeated.

For allies worried about a global economy that’s been rattled by rising oil prices, Trump suggested they “buy oil from the United States of America” and “build up some delayed courage” and help the U.S. secure the strait. Trump made no attempt to answer his European critics who say he entered his war of choice against Iran without consulting global allies but is now expecting the world to help him fix the unintended damage that it has caused.

“We are losing this war,” Murphy added. “We cannot destroy all their missiles or drones, nor their nuclear program. Iran projects more power in the region than they did before the war, especially if they now permanently control the Strait of Hormuz. We are spending billions we don’t have and losing American lives in a war that is destabilizing the world and making us look feckless.”

President steers clear of suggesting ground troops deployment could be coming

Trump offered cautious optimism that those now in power in Iran after more than a month of U.S. and Israeli strikes are “less radical and much more reasonable” with much of the pre-war Islamic Republic’s hierarchy taken out. He didn’t explicitly mention a Monday deadline he has set for Iran to open the strait or face attacks from U.S. forces on its energy infrastructure, though he made clear that he remains open to targeting the heartbeat of Tehran’s economy.

“If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously,” Trump said. “We have not hit their oil, even though that’s the easiest target of all, because it would not give them even a small chance of survival or rebuilding. But we could hit it, and it would be gone.”

Trump also notably did not signal that he’s making any preparation for a ground invasion by American troops.

He seemed to steer away from the possibility of sending ground troops to secure Iran’s nearly 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium, saying it “would take months” for Iran to get to it as it’s buried under the rubble created by last year’s American bombing campaign of Iran’s nuclear sites.

Trump has offered shifting reasons for launching the war, but he has been consistent in articulating that a primary objective in joining Israel in the military action is ensuring that Iran will “never have a nuclear weapon.”

But over the course of the conflict, he has been more circumspect about how far he’s willing to go to follow through on his pledge to destroy Iran’s weapons program once and for all, including seizing or destroying the near-bomb-grade nuclear material that Iran possesses.

“We have it under intense satellite surveillance and control,” Trump said in his prime-time speech. “If we see them make a move, even a move for it, we’ll hit them with missiles very hard again. We have all the cards. They have none.”

___

Associated Press writers Collin Binkley, Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report.

Very strong winds may cause some damage and travel disruption

Storm Dave is set to arrive just in time for Easter weekend, bringing strong winds and possible travel disruption.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind from 2pm on Saturday, April 4, until 2am on Easter Sunday, April 5. The weather warning covers all parts of Northern Ireland this weekend.

The weather forecaster said Storm Dave will bring a spell of very strong winds on Saturday and into Easter Sunday morning which may cause some damage and travel disruption.

READ MORE: NI Easter road safety warning as crash death numbers doubleREAD MORE: All the health and social care services available across Northern Ireland this Easter

A Met Office spokesperson added: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Dave, is likely to move northeastwards close to or across northwestern parts of the UK during Saturday evening and night, clearing northwards by Sunday.

“Whilst there is some uncertainty over the exact track, intensity and shape of this area of low pressure, a period of strong southwesterly veering northwesterly winds is expected during Saturday night and into the first part of Easter Sunday, before gradually easing through the day.

“Peak gusts of 50-60 mph will be possible fairly widely, with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations. Large waves may lead to some dangerous conditions around windward coasts.”

What should I expect?

• Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible
• Some roads and bridges may close
• There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
• There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
• There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

Here’s what to expect on the weather front for the coming days in Northern Ireland:

Tonight:

A cloudy evening with outbreaks of rain. Rain clearing to the east overnight with a few showers lingering and some clearer spells developing. Winds strong this evening then easing overnight. Minimum temperature 2°C.

Friday:

A mixed day with some bright and sunny spells but also blustery showers feeding in from the west. Maximum temperature 10°C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Rain and strong winds spreading north on Saturday with a risk of gales. Blustery showers with gale risk easing on Sunday. Mostly dry with sunny spells and strong winds Monday.

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

Lucy Farrell-Shrouder (Stoke City – on loan from Burnley), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Charlie Estcourt (Portsmouth), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Rhiannon Roberts (Sunderland), Esther Morgan (Bristol City), Lily Woodham (Liverpool), Hayley Ladd (Crystal Palace), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Rachel Rowe (Nottingham Forest), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle – on loan from Bristol City), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Phoebie Poole (Plymouth Argyle), Mared Griffiths (Sunderland – on loan from Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace).

The Kardashian-Jenners have long been known for splashing the cash, splurging on multi-million dollar mansions, customised car collections and luxury holidays.

The youngest of the brood, Kylie Jenner, is no exception.

The second-richest of the famous sisters (her net worth is estimated at approximately $670 million, while Kim leads the way with an eye-watering $1.7 billion), Kylie has spent the last five years financing a custom-built California estate in Hidden Hills.

After purchasing land from Miley Cyrus for $15 million in May 2020, the 18,000 square feet home — complete with 15 bedrooms, an underground 12-car garage, a sports court, swimming pool and an underground bunker — is almost complete.

Which is likely why the beauty mogul has just put another of her properties on the market for a cool $20.3 million.

Also in Hidden Hills, Kylie purchased the sprawling 13,200-square-foot mansion for $12.05 million in 2016, when she was just 19.

And, if you needed more reasons to cry when you next look at your bank balance, the listing comes three months after she placed her Holmby Hills mansion on the market for $48 million.

Over the last 10 years, Kylie has made some major changes to the Hidden Hills abode she’s about to leave behind.

From increasing to eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms to adding a guest suite with a private entrance, kitchenette, and courtyard, it’s no surprise the residence has risen in value.

Elsewhere, the home features a chef’s kitchen with two islands, a home theatre, a game room, a massage room, and gym. There’s also a swimming pool and spa, plus an outdoor kitchen and fire pit.

Once Kylie moves into her new estate, she’ll also be saying goodbye to a home cinema, pool, seven bedrooms, two guesthouses and 12-foot security walls at her Holmby Hills home.

She purchased the property for $36.5 million in 2020 — another estate that’s increased in value.

As for her nearly-complete Hidden Hills property, Kylie regularly shares updates on Instagram with her 390 million followers.

The most recent was a work-in-progress photo of her ‘dream two-storey closet’ that, once done, will likely give major fairytale vibes.

The image featured a curved archway leading up a steep spiral staircase, and a huge window that let in streaks of natural light.

The second was an exterior shot of one part of the house, which revealed farmhouse-style stone walls and long rectangular windows. In the image, which also showed pallets of stone flooring, Kylie gushed that her ‘floors are here.’

We can dream, hey?

Manchester United and Leeds United will clash at Croke Park in Dublin this August in the first football match at the venue since 2009

Manchester United and Leeds United, two Premier League powerhouses and long-standing rivals, are set to face off in a landmark friendly match at Croke Park this summer.

The home of the GAA will host these English football titans in Dublin, marking a significant event. This will be the first football match held at the venue since the World Cup play-off between Ireland and France in November 2009.

Here’s everything you need to know about securing tickets for this historic match.

When is the match?

The clash between Manchester United and Leeds United is scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August, reports the Irish Mirror.

What time does it start?

Kick-off is slated for 7.30pm.

When can I buy tickets?

Pre-sale tickets are available from today, Thursday, 2 April.

How do I get pre-sale tickets?

Croke Park Premium and Suite members, as well as Manchester United and Leeds United season ticket holders and members, can access pre-sale tickets.

What if I’m not in any of those groups?

Not to worry, all other fans can register their interest for general sale tickets starting today, Thursday, 2 April.

When does the general sale start?

General sale begins on Friday, 10 April.

Have ticket prices been announced?

Indeed, they have. Adult tickets start at €50, while under-16s can get in for €25. Please note that there will be an additional booking fee.

Where can I purchase tickets?

Tickets must be bought through Ticketmaster. Fans are encouraged to register their interest here to increase their chances of securing a ticket.

When was the last football match at Croke Park?

Following another World Cup play-off disappointment, this harks back to the 2009 showdown against France, where a deflected Nicolas Anelka shot gave the visitors a slim first-leg advantage. Giovanni Trapattoni’s team famously nullified that lead through Robbie Keane in Paris, only to be defeated by William Gallas’s extra-time goal, which was set up by Thierry Henry and his notorious handball.

What is Croke Park’s capacity?

While the Ireland-France match saw an attendance of 79,000 spectators, Croke Park stands as one of Europe’s largest stadiums, with 82,300 fans filling it for the NFL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings last September.

What are the comments?

Jason Wilcox (Manchester United Director of Football) said: “We’re excited to be heading to Dublin to face Leeds United as part of our pre-season preparations ahead of a big campaign. Playing an important fixture against one of our biggest rivals gives us a fantastic opportunity to connect with our supporters in Ireland. Their passion and energy will be invaluable as we build momentum and ensure the squad is in the strongest possible shape for the start of the 2026/27 season.”

Morrie Eisenberg (Leeds United Chief Business Officer) stated: “We are excited at the prospect of returning to Dublin again this summer, our support in Ireland is huge which was demonstrated last year.”

Peter McKenna (Croke Park Stadium Director) said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome two of football’s most iconic clubs to Croke Park for what promises to be a very special occasion. Following the success of hosting the NFL in 2025, this is another opportunity to bring world class sport to Dublin and Irish fans. We know there is a huge following for both clubs in Ireland and look forward to delivering a special experience in Croke Park Stadium.”

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United were furious after the game, and indicated they would make a formal complaint to referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO).

The Red Devils’ issue was around consistency, with two other penalties awarded in the game for holding offences.

Manager Michael Carrick described the decisions as “baffling”, confused that Attwell’s decision did not match an earlier spot-kick given to his side for a pull by Alex Jimenez on Matheus Cunha.

“So the Cunha one, he gives, the second one on Amad he doesn’t, which is, I think, almost identical, really, two hands on someone in the box, and they go over and they’re in control of the ball,” Carrick said.

“Massive moment and I don’t understand how you can give one and not the other – it’s crazy. It’s as obvious as you can get.

“It’s clear, if that’s what he believes is a penalty to start with then the second one has to be.”

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer agreed and said: “You should have given a penalty when you gave two like that. How on earth do you not give another one.”

The KMI Panel backed the Cunha penalty 5:0, stating that “Jimenez clearly pulls the shirt of Cunha in a non-footballing manner”.

The Conservatives are challenging the decision made at Stockton Council’s last cabinet meeting, which would leave £450,000 to make new improvements to the market town.

This came after the council abandoned a regeneration scheme for Yarm High Street which had been rejected by residents and businesses.

Out of a £2.35m budget, the cabinet agreed to return £950,000 of council money to general funds to reduce a £6.7m budget gap.

The remaining £1.4m is out of a £20m pot from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund, and leaders said that money should stay in the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area.

They agreed to use most of this to pay off £950,000 borrowing for improvements to Eaglescliffe’s Preston Park, another LUF project.

This left £450,000, for which regeneration cabinet member Councillor Richard Eglington said officers should look at proposals put forward and draw up a “short list of achievable and realistic options”, including the replacement of two unsafe fishing pontoons.

He said: “We should then ask the residents which ones of those schemes they wish to take forward. I want to be guided by the residents of Yarm.”

The cabinet meeting earlier this month heard Conservative and Labour councillors thank each other for working together on the issue. However, the Conservatives have since accused their political opponents of trying to strip, raid or rob Yarm of funding.

The Labour leadership has responded with the council leader saying she was disappointed with the challenge. Cllr Lisa Evans said they had “worked tirelessly” with businesses, residents and councillors.

Stockton West Conservative MP Matt Vickers said: “This is as blatant as it gets.

Stockton West Conservative MP Matt Vickers on Yarm High Street. Picture: Matt Vickers.

“Labour have wasted years sitting on this funding, coming forward with one bad idea after another, and now they’re trying to take the money away altogether to cover their own mistakes.

“Let’s be absolutely clear, this isn’t ‘reprioritisation’, it’s a raid on Yarm to bail out Labour’s financial mismanagement. Residents were ignored when Labour tried to force through parking charges.

“They were ignored again when Labour pushed a completely inappropriate scheme on the town without proper consultation. Now Labour’s answer is to take the money and spend it elsewhere.

“It shows a complete disregard for Yarm, for local businesses, and for the people who were promised this investment.

“When I secured this money from the last Conservative government it was on the agreement that it was to benefit Yarm and Eaglescliffe, and that residents would be properly consulted in how it would be spent, but now it’s being siphoned off to cover a mess of the council’s own making.

“This decision must be overturned, and the money must be spent where it was always intended, in our communities.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Tony Riordan said: “The role of the opposition within council is to hold to account the decision(s) of the ruling group.

Councillor Tony Riordan, the Conservative group leader on Stockton Council, who is also chairman of the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel. No attribution required. Free for use by all BBC wire partners.

“On this occasion, the Labour cabinet have decided to take away 80 per cent of the funding that consultees who took part in the ‘You Decide’ exercise expected to be in spent Yarm and Eaglescliffe.

“The decision by the Labour cabinet appears to have ignored the expectations of the people who responded to their ‘You Decide’ consultation exercise without explaining why.”

The Conservatives have “called in” the decision, meaning it will be debated, scrutinised and decided upon in a meeting of the council’s executive scrutiny committee at a future date. They are urging the council to reverse course and deliver a new plan.

Cllr Lisa Evans from Stockton Council. Picture: Gareth Lightfoot

Council leader Cllr Lisa Evans said: “The leader, deputy leader and cabinet member have constantly engaged with residents, businesses and visitors to Yarm. We have also spent numerous hours with Yarm councillors but sadly not the MP that chooses not to engage.

“The call in is valid and we will reconsider our position.”

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service their proposed course of action would help tackle the issue of borrowing, over which the Conservatives had also criticised the Labour leadership in a budget-setting debate, and the call-in would delay improvements to Yarm further.

She said: “I’m just very disappointed with the call-in because I’ve worked tirelessly with the residents, businesses and councillors of Yarm.

“We will continue to listen to the people of Yarm, and consider what they want.”