Event brought together Provost Kenneth Duffy, local veterans, elected members, the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy and North Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Bob Burgess, as the official Armed Forces Day flag was raised.

North Lanarkshire has paid tribute to the Armed Forces community ahead of Armed Forces Day 2026 with a ceremonial flag-raising at the council headquarters in Motherwell.

The event brought together Provost Kenneth Duffy, local veterans, elected members, the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy and North Lanarkshire’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Bob Burgess, as the official Armed Forces Day flag was raised.

The ceremony recognised the contribution and commitment of serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and military families, while giving the local community an opportunity to reflect and show their support.

Provost Duffy said: “Today is our chance as a community to say thank you to everyone who serves our country, whether they’re serving overseas, based here at home, or have served in years gone by.

“Our Armed Forces continue to make a difference every day, and behind every person in uniform is a family offering support at home.

“Raising the flag is a simple but heartfelt way for North Lanarkshire to show its appreciation.”

Armed Forces Champion Councillor Bob Burgess added: “It’s a real privilege to be part of occasions like this, where we come together and show our respect for those who’ve served, and continue to serve, in our Armed Forces.

“Armed Forces Day is about recognising the people who’ve put themselves on the line for our country and thanking everyone who helps keep that spirit of service alive in our communities.”

The flag-raising forms part of a wider UK campaign leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27, which celebrates the work and dedication of the Armed Forces community.

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Grantchester is set to end after its 11th and final series in 2027, but the show’s screenwriter has confirmed that spin-off discussions are taking place

Producers of Grantchester are in discussions about keeping the beloved ITV drama alive through a spin-off featuring some of its most popular characters.

The eleventh and final series, starring Robson Green and Rishi Nair as 1960s crime-fighting duo Det Geordie Keating and The Rev Alphy Kottaram, is set to air in 2027, bringing the much-loved period drama to a close after 13 years on screen.

However, those behind the show are well aware that both fans and cast members alike are saddened by its impending departure. Screenwriter and executive producer Daisy Coulam has now revealed that conversations have taken place regarding extending the Grantchester story in some capacity.

She said: “We talked about spin-offs. We talked about Larry and Miss Scott and also CeCe’s. We have got all these ideas for huge spin-off shows. There is potential. I think it’s these actors. They bring something beautiful to it – you just want to keep playing with their stories.”

Among the proposed spin-offs is one centred on DC Larry Peters and his police clerk wife Jennifer Scott, portrayed by Bradley Hall and Melissa Johns, reports the Mirror.

A further concept would follow vicarage housekeeper Mrs Chapman and Geordie’s wife Kathy, played by Tessa Peake Jones and Kacey Ainsworth, who have established a fashion boutique together known as CeCe’s. Daisy also disclosed how the cast had hoped to conclude with a final Christmas special following series 11, but it appears Robson, 61, was unavailable.

She said: “Rishi was up for doing another series. Everyone was up for a Christmas special. I think everyone is trying to keep it going – but you need Robson in it as Geordie.”

Filming has now concluded in the actual village of Grantchester in Cambridgeshire, with these final episodes set to air initially in the United States. Because of a longstanding television agreement, British audiences won’t witness the final season until next year.

Daisy confirmed that all three clergymen featured throughout the programme – including James Norton as The Rev Sidney Chambers and Tom Brittney as The Rev Will Davenport alongside Rishi – were present at the wrap party.

Speaking on The Masterpiece Studio podcast, she said: “All the boys were there. All three vicars. And rumour has it they did the ‘Spiderman-pointing-at-each-other-photo’. All three of them! Apparently Rishi was one of the last men standing at the wrap party. I was already tucked up in bed by that point.

“Somebody’s mum made a cake that’s like a huge Grantchester sign. And Robson is obsessed with fireworks and he did a fireworks display for the villagers and there was a burger van there.

“When we finished filming and left, I had a chat with one of the villagers who said ‘You’re annoying but we are gonna miss you’ which summed it up because we have invaded their village for the last 11 years.”

This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia

The father of a Saudi student fatally stabbed in Cambridge last year has called on Britons to confront hate speech and racism that he believes claimed his son’s life.

Mohammed Algasim was murdered by Chaz Corrigan in a random attack in August, described by the judge in the case as a “senseless” attack.

Speaking to Independent Arabia, Yousef Algasim said his son’s killing was not merely an isolated crime but a result of “the growing spread of racist and hateful rhetoric in recent years”. He added that such rhetoric is “rejected and condemned by all peoples and cannot be justified under any circumstances”.

On Thursday 4 June, Cambridge Crown Court sentenced Corrigan, 22, to a minimum term of 22 years and six months after he was convicted of stabbing the Saudi student on 1 August 2025. The attack, which was captured on CCTV footage, took place near student accommodation close to Cambridge railway station.

Mohammed, 20, was studying English at EF International Language School and hoped to go on to study medicine. He died after suffering a single fatal stab wound to the neck measuring 11.5cm in depth, which severed his jugular vein and caused catastrophic blood loss.

The victim’s father said his family had long viewed Britain as a leading destination for tourism and education, noting that they had “spent hundreds of thousands of riyals in Britain on tourism, shopping and our children’s education”. However, he argued that the rise in hate speech and racism was “making the country less attractive as a destination”, because “security comes before everything else”.

He added that a tourist or student who “does not feel safe will see no reason to stay”, and called on Britons to “stand up to the right-wing parties whose presence has grown significantly in recent years”, in order to preserve Britain’s image and status as a safe destination for visitors and students.

Mr Algasim described the British people as “kind and friendly”, but said many visitors no longer felt the same sense of safety they once did in Britain. He noted that tourists “now worry about their personal belongings or about walking in some areas after dark”, which he said could influence many people’s decisions about travelling to Britain in the future.

While criticising the rise of hate speech, the Saudi father praised the work of the investigation team, the British police and the Crown Prosecution Service, saying they had “worked tirelessly from the very beginning to gather evidence and establish the truth”.

He added that the family knew the verdict would not “bring Mohammed back”, but they hoped it would “help prevent crime, hold the perpetrator accountable and remove those who threaten the security and stability of society”.

Mohammed’s killing last year became a major public issue in Saudi Arabia, sparking widespread sympathy across social media, where many people shared memories of the young man, who was known for his calm nature, commitment to voluntary work and dedication to serving the community.

His father said Mohammed had been “devoted to his parents and a pillar of support for his family”. He was the family’s only son, and the only brother of four sisters. He added that the solidarity shown by Saudis had helped ease the burden of their loss in the months leading up to the court’s verdict. He stressed that “every human life deserves respect, regardless of a person’s colour, ethnicity or religion”.

In a statement read before the court by a relative on behalf of the victim’s father, Mr Algasim described his son as his right hand. He said the shock of losing him had been overwhelming and that the family continues to receive messages from strangers moved by his death. He also noted that his family is peaceful in nature and has no history of involvement in criminal activity or disputes.

During the trial, prosecutor Ruby Shrimpton, for the prosecution, told the court that blood and urine samples taken around 18 hours after the attack showed that Corrigan had been using cocaine and cannabis. Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn also told the court that Corrigan had taken a knife with him to the Earl of Derby pub earlier on the evening of the attack.

In his closing remarks, Judge Dexter Dias said Corrigan had been carrying a 13cm kitchen knife on the night of the attack, intending to use it as a weapon while fuelled by alcohol-induced anger. The judge noted that Corrigan had told the court he “did not have bad intentions” when carrying the knife, but that his “actions were deliberately violent and aggressive”.

During sentencing, Mr Hearn told the court that Peter Corrigan, the killer’s father, had informed officers that his son was not at home and that he did not know his whereabouts when police came looking for him. Mr Corrigan admitted moving the clothes his son had been wearing at the time of the attack, which were later discovered by police in a refuse bin. He pleaded guilty to assisting an offender on the grounds that he had not known the crime committed by his son was murder, and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Translated by Dalia Mohamed; Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf

Former X Factor star Katie Waissel has revealed she was rushed to hospital after falling ill with a “severe” strain of bacterial pneumonia and is now recovering in hospital

Katie Waissel is recovering after being rushed to hospital. The singer who found fame on The X Factor in 2010 informed her followers that she had been in “excruciating” pain.

It was later determined that the singer, 40, was suffering from “severe bacterial pneumonia”. Katie later took to social media to issue a statement, apologising for being absent from her online accounts.

She told her X, formerly known as Twitter, followers: “Sorry I’ve been a little MIA, everyone. A couple of days ago I was rushed into hospital by ambulance and admitted as an emergency. It turns out I have severe bacterial pneumonia, so I’ve been rather unexpectedly residing in a hospital bed in Central London ever since.” She later went on to say it had been one of “the most frightening and excruciatingly painful” experiences she had ever endured.

Katie continued: “At one point, I was apparently far closer to the edge than I realised. It’s a very strange feeling being told afterwards just how serious things had become, when the whole time I genuinely thought I just needed to push through it and I’ll be fine because I have to be.”

Adding to her statement, Katie thanked the “extraordinary teams” at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in London, who had been treating her after she was rushed in.

She continued: “The kindness, professionalism and compassion I’ve experienced has been nothing short of incredible. I’m taking things one day at a time, doing exactly as I’m told for once, and hoping to be back home sometime next week.

“Thank you for all your messages, love and patience while I’ve been quiet. Hug your people a little tighter tonight. Lots of love, Katie x.” Katie’s loyal followers instantly rushed to offer their support, with one person saying: “Frightening. I’m glad you’re on the mend and feeling better. Day by day!”

“Oh my goodness, Katie! Sending loads of love for a speedy recovery. Get better soon,” said a second. While a third went on to write: “Ahhh Katie!! I’m so glad that you have recovered and are doing better! Pneumonia is no joke!”

Another commented: “Oh my God, I am so sorry to hear that, Katie. I am glad you are better now and take all the time you need to make a full recovery.” A fifth penned: “So glad they’re taking good care of you, Katie, get well soon and back to your family and own bed! Sending you lots of love and healing prayers.”

This, however, isn’t Katie’s first health scare. In 2021, the singer, who also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack. She said at the time she had to crawl down the stairs and dialled 999 for assistance.

Since finding fame, Katie has continually used her platform to call for changes in the entertainment industry and is advocating for “revolutionising Safety in the creative industries”. Having won a scholarship and completed a postgraduate law course at the BPP University

She’s since launched the OWHL Foundation, which oversees “welfare, human rights and liberty within the creative industry sector” and has called for an “urgent need for change in the music industry”.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

The party announced its candidate for the by-election on Monday afternoon

Restore Britain has announced its candidate for the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election as Marlon West. It comes following Mr Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election which has triggered a vote for a new mayor, to take place on July 30.

Labour will be hoping to defend the mayoralty, while Reform UK is likely to be a significant challenger, having won dozens of council seats across Greater Manchester in May’s local elections.

It will be the first time a candidate from the Restore party has stood to be mayor of the region, after the right-wing party was set up by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe in 2025.

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West, who is from Greater Manchester and has worked in the NHS across the region for more than 30 years, says he will push to attract genuine business investment, cut wasteful public spending, protect greenfield land from developers, and overhaul a transport network that has ‘failed commuters for years’ if he wins.

He said: “I have lived and worked in this city for my entire life. I have seen what good public services look like and I have seen what happens when institutions fail the people they are supposed to protect.

“Andy Burnham ran those institutions for a decade while children were being abused on his watch. Greater Manchester deserves a mayor who understands this city, fights for its people, and is not afraid to hold power to account. I am standing because this city deserves better and I know exactly what that looks like.”

The candidate has been a prominent campaigner against Child Sexual Exploitation in the country, spending more than two years pressuring the government to establish a national grooming gang inquiry, according to Restore.

He has also worked with the party leader in his independent Rape Gang Inquiry, which claims to be the most comprehensive independent examination of grooming gang abuse ever conducted in Britain.

Leader of Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe MP said: “Marlon West spent years fighting for victims that politicians like Andy Burnham chose to ignore. He knows this city and he knows its people. Greater Manchester deserves better leadership than it has had. Marlon has already proved he fights for this city when it matters. Now he wants to run it.”

Restore Britain is the second party to announce its candidate for the election – with the Greens announcing Geraldine Coggins as their candidate last week.

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Labour issued a statement on Friday evening describing the upcoming contest as a ‘two-horse race’ between itself and Reform. A Labour source said: “Labour in power in Greater Manchester has seen real improvements for people’s everyday lives.

“From buses back in public control with capped fares, to thousands more homes and additional infrastructure built – all of this progress could be put at risk with Reform. The Greens can’t win this race. It’s time to pass the torch from Andy Burnham, who has delivered for the area, to the next transformational Labour mayor.”

Manchester council leader Bev Craig – who became the first woman to hold that position in 2021 – is currently considered to be the favourite for the nomination, while Salford mayor Paul Dennett is understood not to be putting himself forward. The M.E.N. understands allies close to Mr Burnham fear Labour could lose the mayoralty if Sir Keir Starmer does not set out a timeline for his departure before the by-election takes place.

Researchers in Boston have uncovered a trove of revolution-era artifacts just in time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Archaeologists were digging near the Bunker Hill monument in Boston when they found musket balls, gun flints, and evidence of a Revolutionary War-era fortification.

The excavation at the site is part of an effort to learn more about an earthen fortification, or redoubt, that was used by colonists during the battle. Colonial troops likely built the redoubt overnight just before the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775.

“Many maps [of the redoubt] have been drawn, but they all disagree with each other. So, we’re really hoping to lock in exactly where it was located. And if we can, figure out exactly what it looked like, that’s an added bonus,” Joe Bagley, Boston’s City Archaeologist, told CBS News.

The Battle of Bunker Hill was considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The British troops occupying Boston ultimately forced the colonists holding Breed Hill — where most of the fighting took place — into retreat, but lost more than 1,000 men in the process.

The pyrrhic victory for the British helped to unify the colonies behind the cause of the revolution and showed that the colonial troops could hold their own against professional soldiers, according to historians.

The dig is being undertaken by Boston’s archaeology program and a team of veterans working with the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery organization. The AVAR organization is based in Pennsylvania and helps veterans transition back into civilian life and assists them with jobs in archaeology.

In addition to finding the artifacts, the team at the site have discovered a fragment of a Victorian doll, a key, and a 400-year-old stone tool they believe likely belonged to the Massachusett Tribe.

Bagley said of the current crop of discoveries that the gun flint was the find that gave him “chills.”

“This is a gun spall, or a gun flint, that was used in a musket. This is from the Battle of Bunker Hill. So, this would have actually been here during the battle,” Bagley said. “This one gave me chills when it came out.”

Joel Bohy, a battlefield archaeologist who specializes in weapons from the American Revolution, told Fox News that artifacts found during the dig will give people the chance to hold “a piece of the battle in their hand.”

“In a way, it makes the history more dimensional when you look at these objects from the battle itself,” he told the outlet.

Volunteers working with Bagley’s archaeological team will have the chance to examine and handle these artifacts up close, though getting on one of his crews is apparently a feat in and of itself.

During a recent interview with MassLive, Bagley said that anytime he calls for volunteers, the spots fill up in less than a minute.

“Less than a minute, they’re just gone,” he told the outlet.

His digs only happen a few times a year, and since they focus on Boston — one of the most historically significant cities in the nation’s history — get snapped up fast.

The current dig will continue for another two weeks — just long enough to include the Fourth of July.

“For us, it’s important to complicate this idea of the extreme commodification of Frida, which can take away from her work, and there’s also something to be said of this idea of democratic ownership and how everyone has been able to tap into Frida into different reasons – for political reasons, for cultural reasons, for personal reasons.”

Hoping and praying your carry on bag fits in the baggage sizer is a universal experience.

And with major airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet financially incentivising their staff to weed out oversized suitcases, your chances of getting caught out are pretty high.

But Wizz Air are now facing backlash, after British traveller, Mia Peltier (@mileswithmia), shared a video of Spanish airport staff in Alicante attempting to charge her €75 (£64.69) for a cabin bag which appeared to be the right size.

She was also told by staff that they were enforcing a ‘one jacket per person’ policy, and that she was wearing too many items of clothing.

Now, the airline has revealed to Metro that the it is investigating multiple reports of ‘overly strict’ enforcement of hand luggage policies at certain Spanish airports.

Wizz Air said: ‘[We are] aware of reports regarding overly strict baggage checks at some Spanish airports. The airline is investigating the matter and has already consulted with its ground handling partner regarding the correct procedures.’

Wizz Air also clarified that there is no such ‘jacket policy’.

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‘There are no restrictions on the number of layers of clothing that a passenger may wear when boarding,’ the spokesperson added.

Ultimately, the airline reiterated that a customer should only be charged if any part of their bag extends beyond the dimensions of the sizer.

Mia’s clip has already hit 5.8 million views on TikTok. Upset, she can be heard saying: ‘How does that not fit? It fits!’ repeatedly.

She adds that she needs to get home and that her bag is in fact the right size.

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The staff then claim that Mia is wearing too many clothes or layers, and that she needed to put some in her bag.

‘It’s only one jacket per person,’ the airport worker says in the video.

Spanish speakers in the comments also claim the women in the video were saying: ‘We haven’t been able to charge anyone, we need to charge her.’

Fortunately Mia did not have to pay the £64 after another staff member intervened.

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People in the comments were quick to sympathise saying, ‘this is so wicked’ and ‘that’s a mockery’.

‘I’m so happy you didn’t back down despite stress because the bag fits,’ wrote one.

‘”It’s only one jacket per person” where is that written?’ added another. ‘I’ve travelled with a jacket on and a jacket in my hands.’

‘This is outrageous,’ said a fellow TikToker.

When Metro contacted Wizz Air about Mia’s experience, they responded with an apology.

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‘Wizz Air apologises to passengers who are incorrectly charged for baggage,’ a spokesperson told Metro.

Unlike Ryanair and EasyJet, Wizz Air specified employees of the airline don’t receive commission for identifying and charging customers for oversized hand luggage.

But the airline explained: ‘At all airports served by Wizz Air, carry-on baggage checks are conducted by local ground handling partners contracted by the airline.

‘These handlers are entitled to charge extra handling fees for customers who arrive with oversized cabin baggage. These fees are clearly displayed at the airport and explained to any passengers who are charged.’

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It’s unclear whether the staff earn commission from their employer (separate to Wizz Air) for spotting oversized bags, or not.

Wizz Air encourages refund claims to be submitted via the website or mobile app using the baggage check-in receipt, supported by a photograph where possible.

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Exeter’s uncapped Greg Fisilau is the secondary number eight behind first-choice Ben Earl, edging out Alex Dombrandt.

Guy Pepper has recovered from injury to take his place in the back row, while tighthead props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela are in line for first caps.

The absence of Itoje, who recently posted pictures of himself on holiday in Mauritius to social media, opens opportunities for others in the second row.

George Martin, whose superb performance against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final will have been front of mind for head coach Steve Borthwick, only recently made his comeback from 14 months out with a string of injuries, while Gloucester’s Arthur Clark will hope to add to the solitary cap he won against the United States in July.

In the front row, Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour – more usually a tighthead – will also cover loosehead prop, where Ellis Genge only recently recovered from a calf complaint and Bevan Rodd and Fin Baxter have been ruled out.

With only Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley included alongside Caluori as specialist wingers, Borthwick’s selections hint at a possible return out wide for Tommy Freeman, who started at outside centre in four of England’s five Six Nations games.

Borthwick admitted the itinerary thrown up by the new Nations Championship – which has replaced the traditional single-location summer tour for northern hemisphere nations – will present a new challenge.

After taking on world champions South Africa at altitude in Johannesburg, England will play Fiji in Liverpool, before heading to the small Argentine city of Santiago del Estero to face the Pumas.

“We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” said Borthwick.

“The Nations Championship presents an exciting challenge for this group. We will face strong opposition in demanding environments, with extensive travel, and changes in climate all testing the squad throughout the tournament.

“I am sure by preparing well and continuing to demand the highest standards from one another every day, we will be well placed to meet the challenge of a very demanding summer schedule.”