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Silence falls over Ballymena as Twelfth celebrations overshadowed by family tragedy

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Belfast Live

The distant sound of marching bands echoed across the town as forensic officers worked behind the cordon where the bodies of three members of the same family had been discovered.

The unmistakable sound of Lambeg drums rolled across Ballymena as thousands of people made their way home from Twelfth celebrations in the blistering heat.

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Just streets away, behind blue-and-white police tape on the Old Cullybackey Road, detectives continued their painstaking examination of a house where three members of the same family had been found dead.

The Twelfth parades had been held on Monday after 12th July fell on a Sunday, drawing crowds into the town from early morning. Yet as the festivities continued elsewhere, police remained at the scene of a tragedy that has left the local community reeling.

The only sounds on the cordoned-off streets were the occasional hum of police vehicles, officers speaking quietly among themselves and, every so often, the distant music of another marching band drifting across the rooftops of the detached properties before disappearing once again into stillness.

Throughout the afternoon, forensic officers could be seen making repeated journeys between the house and a waiting van as investigators continued to piece together what had happened.

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Police officers maintained their positions in the sweltering heat as temperatures climbed under cloudless blue skies.

The cordon ended beside a nearby supermarket and filling station, one of the few places still busy on the bank holiday. Most shoppers collected what they needed before quietly heading on with their day. A handful paused briefly to look towards the police tape before moving on. Others emerged carrying bottles of water, handing them to officers who had spent hours standing guard in the summer sun.

For many in Ballymena, news of the deaths of the male and two females spread while locals were watching the Twelfth parades, as conversations that had begun with the day’s celebrations quickly turned to the tragedy unfolding only a short distance away.

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew said the prevailing emotions were “shock and then sadness.”

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“It is a day of celebration in the town,” he said. “The parade routes [were] filled with people celebrating the Twelfth. People are coming to terms with and only finding out about this tragedy on the parade route, talking to their neighbours, talking to the people beside them on the parade route, so it’s one of shock and then one of sadness.”

Mr Frew said the most important message from the police was that there was no wider risk to the public while detectives carried out their investigation.

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan described the deaths as “absolutely heartbreaking.”

“The local community are obviously and clearly in shock and devastated by what has happened here today,” he said.

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“My condolences go out to the wider family, but also to the local community here who will be in absolute shock about the events that have happened here in Ballymena today.”

He urged people not to speculate while police established the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“I don’t think it’s helpful to speculate about the tragic circumstances of this,” he said.

“I think it’s important to allow the police the time and space to do their investigation.”

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TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the incident had shaken “a very settled part of Ballymena.”

“The sense of shock that such a thing would happen here is palpable,” he said.

“The day that’s in it, a lot of people are away coming back to discover what has happened, and it truly is very upsetting and very shocking.”

As the afternoon wore on, the music of the Twelfth continued to drift intermittently as a private ambulance removed the bodies from the scene. But on the Old Cullybackey Road, this bank holiday will be remembered not for sunshine or celebration, but for the profound silence that settled over a community coming to terms with an unimaginable loss.

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Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband appears in state court

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Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband appears in state court

The man serving two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to federal charges related to killing a top Democratic lawmaker and her husband made his initial appearance Monday in state court where he faces similar charges.

The state case against Vance Boelter had been on hold pending resolution of the federal case.

Monday’s procedural state court hearing came less than two weeks after Boelter’s sentencing in federal court. He pleaded guilty to the federal charges related to the killing of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Boelter, 59, agreed to plead guilty to the federal charges in June, almost a year after the Minneapolis-area attacks, so federal prosecutors would not seek the death penalty.

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Boelter told the judge at Monday’s hearing that over a span of eight years he had met with Minnesota elected officials in Washington, D.C., including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

“Does this court have the authority to bring her in to testify?” Boelter asked Hennepin County Judge Juan Hoyos. “Or is she above the law?”

Boelter also told the judge that his rights had been violated during the 14 months he has been in federal custody, the Star Tribune reported. The judge told Boelter that any arguments he wants to make about his case could be made at future hearings by his attorney.

If convicted of the state charges, Boelter could face mandatory life in prison without the possibility of parole. Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911 and has never had a federal death penalty case.

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In state court, Boelter faces two counts of murder for killing the Hortmans, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. The Hortman family’s golden retriever was gravely injured in the shootings and had to be euthanized.

Hoffman and his family also filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April.

Boelter’s next state court appearance is set for Sept. 2.

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Robson Green supported by fans as he shares ‘joyous’ update as Grantchester ends

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Cambridgeshire Live

Robson Green has shared a major update on his new BBC crime drama, after Grantchester’s ending was announced.

Robson Green has shared a major update on his latest crime drama, after Grantchester came to an end.

The DI Geordie Keating actor is embarking on a fresh role, months after the news the ITV drama would be ending with an 11th season.

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He’s now shared an update on his “joyous” project, which sees him star in a detective series based in north-east England, The Northumbria Mysteries.

The BBC had previously announced: “Robson Green will star as Joe Ruby: a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities, alongside Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell, a rarefied intellectual, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition. In a classic odd-couple pairing, Joe and Rose combine their talents as they frustrate, confound and ultimately surprise one another while unravelling a series of compelling crime mysteries.”

Robson has now confirmed filming on The Northumbria Mysteries has come to an end, sharing a photograph of a clapperboard on social media, reports the Mirror.

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He said: “That’s a WIND REEL AND PRINT (WRAP) on The Northumbria Mysteries.

“One of the most Joyous filming experiences of my career. What a story what a team! Transmission TBC.

“A series for all the family set against the magical and jaw dropping backdrop of Northumberland. Watch this space.”

One fan replied: “Looking forward to this! Thank you!” while someone else said: “Can’t wait to watch this new show.”

“Fantastic stuff,” another said, as one fan added: “Looking forward to watching it and I can’t wait to watching it Robson as I love watching all your TV shows since Casualty days.”

“Will be watching,” someone else vowed, as yet another wrote: “I’d be happy just to watch Robson Green walk back and forth across the street. Not that I’m obsessed with him or anything.”

Another person echoed: “Ooooo I can’t wait to watch this one.”

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The news of his latest crime drama comes after ITV confirmed Grantchester would be ending after 11 seasons.

Fans were left sobbing at the news, though the broadcaster revealed that Geordie (Robson) and Alphy (Rishi Nair) would be “going out with a bang”, with the final episodes expected to air next year.

Daisy Coulam, writer, series creator and executive producer, said: “At its heart, Grantchester is a show about the power of friendship and love. We’ve been so lucky over the last 11 series to experience that on and off screen.

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“For over a decade now – cast and crew (many who’ve been there since the beginning) have met each Summer to film. And it’s been an absolute joy.

“Thank you to James Runcie for entrusting us with his characters. Thank you to the lovely people of real Grantchester. Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of the show in any way – big or small. I’ll miss you terribly.”

Grantchester is available to watch on ITVX.

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Comedy show The Therapy Room returning to Airdrie Town Hall

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Daily Record

Featuring some of the country’s best-loved comedians alongside exciting rising stars, this is the perfect night out for comedy fans across Lanarkshire and beyond.

Live stand-up comedy returns to Airdrie Town Hall this month as The Therapy Room brings another outstanding line-up of Scottish comedy talent to the stage for an evening packed with big laughs, quick wit and unforgettable performances.

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The Therapy Room is back on August 22, featuring some of the country’s best-loved comedians alongside exciting rising stars, making it the perfect night out for comedy fans across Lanarkshire and beyond.

Leading the bill is Des McLean, one of Scotland’s most recognisable comedians and entertainers.

A regular on television and radio, Des is renowned for his razor-sharp observations, brilliant storytelling and hilarious Billy Connolly impression, earning praise from audiences and critics alike throughout a career spanning more than three decades.

Joining him is Billy Bremner, an Airdrie-born comedian whose fast-paced one-liners and clever wordplay have seen him perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, Glasgow International Comedy Festival and comedy clubs across the UK.

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His quick-fire style and self-deprecating humour have made him a firm favourite with audiences.

Also appearing is Iain Hume, a regular on the Scottish comedy circuit whose confident storytelling, relatable observations and easy-going stage presence have seen him support major names including Milton Jones, Ed Byrne and Dylan Moran.

Completing the line-up is Charlotte Mae, a rising star whose refreshingly honest and fearless comedy explores modern life, dating and motherhood through sharp observations and relatable storytelling.

Described as one to watch, Charlotte brings a fresh voice to the Scottish comedy scene.

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The evening will once again be hosted by Airdrie’s own Patrick Rolink, an experienced compere and performer who has appeared at renowned comedy venues including The Comedy Store in London, Jongleurs and venues across Canada and Las Vegas, ensuring another night of seamless entertainment and plenty of laughs.

Audiences can expect a lively atmosphere, plenty of audience interaction and a fantastic mix of comedy styles, from clever storytelling and observational humour to razor-sharp one-liners, making The Therapy Room the perfect night out with friends or family.

For tickets, priced £15, and more information, call the box office on 01698 274545 or visit https://www.northlanculture.co.uk/event/therapy-room/

The show starts at 8pm and is for over-18s only.

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Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid spark rumors they secretly MARRIED as they wear rings on wedding fingers in Paris

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Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid ignited a storm of marriage rumors when they surfaced in Paris this week wearing rings on their wedding fingers

Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid ignited a storm of marriage rumors when they surfaced in Paris this week wearing rings on their wedding fingers.

The couple were seen enjoying a stroll together, he in a simple V-neck t-shirt and dark trousers and she in a white crop top that hinted at her chiseled midriff.

Simple bands could be glimpsed on Cooper and Hadid’s left hands, pouring fuel on the gathering fan speculation about their potential marital status.

Hadid, 31, and Cooper, 51, each of whom has a young daughter from a previous relationship, started dating after they met at a backyard children’s party in 2023.

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Although they have kept a veil of privacy assiduously drawn over their romance, they were both seen among the star-studded 1,000-person guest list at Taylor Swift‘s wedding to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden on July 3.

They jetted off shortly thereafter to the French capital, where filming has commenced on his upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel co-starring Margot Robbie.

The Daily Mail has contacted Cooper and Hadid’s representatives for comment. 

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Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid ignited a storm of marriage rumors when they surfaced in Paris this week wearing rings on their wedding fingers

Simple bands could be glimpsed on Cooper and Hadid's left hands, pouring fuel on the gathering fan speculation about their potential marital status

Simple bands could be glimpsed on Cooper and Hadid’s left hands, pouring fuel on the gathering fan speculation about their potential marital status

The couple were seen enjoying a romantic stroll, he in a simple V-neck t-shirt and dark trousers and she in a white crop top that hinted at her chiseled midriff

The couple were seen enjoying a romantic stroll, he in a simple V-neck t-shirt and dark trousers and she in a white crop top that hinted at her chiseled midriff

Hadid and Cooper joined a fleet of celebrities at Swift’s blowout wedding extravaganza, including Selena Gomez, Lena Dunham, Hugh Grant, Steven Spielberg, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Tom Brady, Jessica Chastain, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Chris Rock, Jessica Alba, Danny Ramirez, Paul Mescal, Gracie Abrams and several of Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates like Patrick Mahomes.

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Even Karlie Kloss, long rumored to have fallen out with Swift, managed to snag an invitation along with her husband Joshua Kushner.

Meanwhile Hadid, who along with Kloss was a member of Swift’s feverishly publicized ‘girl squad’ of the early 2010s, hosted the bride at her New York City apartment while they got ready for the wedding.

She then offered fans one of the few peeks she has given them into her bond with Cooper, sharing a snap of herself cuddling up to him in Paris.

Having struck up their romance in 2023, they went Instagram official in May 2025 when Hadid included a snap of them kissing in her birthday party album.

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Two months later, an insider let slip that they were ‘incredibly happy’ and that Cooper was ‘considering marriage and kids with Gigi,’ via Page Six.

Cooper has a nine-year-old daughter called Lea de Seine with Russian model Irina Shayk, who has been linked to such names as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kanye West.

Shayk and Cooper dated from 2015 to 2019, and in the wake of their split they settled into a co-parenting equation so friendly that they moved mere blocks away from one another in New York City’s Greenwich Village.

Hadid, 31, and Cooper, 51, each of whom has a young daughter from a previous relationship, started dating after they met at a backyard children's party in 2023

Hadid, 31, and Cooper, 51, each of whom has a young daughter from a previous relationship, started dating after they met at a backyard children’s party in 2023

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Although they have kept a veil of privacy assiduously drawn over their romance , they were both seen among the star-studded 1,000-person guest list at Taylor Swift's wedding

Although they have kept a veil of privacy assiduously drawn over their romance , they were both seen among the star-studded 1,000-person guest list at Taylor Swift’s wedding 

They jetted off shortly thereafter to the French capital, where she posted a rare photo of them together, cuddling up to one another in what appeared to be an elevator

They jetted off shortly thereafter to the French capital, where she posted a rare photo of them together, cuddling up to one another in what appeared to be an elevator

Meanwhile Hadid shares a five-year-old daughter called Khai with Zayn Malik, with whom she conducted a turbulent on-off romance from 2015 until 2021.

News of their final breakup went public amid claims of Malik’s explosive falling-out with Hadid’s mother Yolanda, a former Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills. 

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Malik and Yolanda were said to have had a fiery altercation, after which he denied claims he was physically violent but pled no contest to four harassment charges.

He was barred from having any contact with Yolanda or the security guard who saw the purported incident, and he was also officially required to complete an anger management course as well as 360 days probation.

The fracas reportedly started when Yolanda entered Hadid and Malik’s Pennsylvania home without Malik’s permission while Hadid was in Paris for work.

Malik was accused of having pushed Yolanda into a dresser and calling her a ‘f***ing Dutch s***,’ demanding she keep away from the baby.

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It was also claimed he called Hadid and said: ‘Strap on some f***ing balls and defend your partner against your f***ing mother in my house.’

Hadid and Malik have since developed their own amicable co-parenting dynamic, which she shed rare light on in an interview last year.

Meanwhile Hadid shares a five-year-old daughter called Khai with Zayn Malik, with whom she conducted a turbulent on-off romance from 2015 until 2021

Meanwhile Hadid shares a five-year-old daughter called Khai with Zayn Malik, with whom she conducted a turbulent on-off romance from 2015 until 2021

Malik and Hadid, who are pictured at London Fashion Week in September 2016, split under a cloud of claims of his explosive falling-out with her mother Yolanda Hadid

Malik and Hadid, who are pictured at London Fashion Week in September 2016, split under a cloud of claims of his explosive falling-out with her mother Yolanda Hadid

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Cooper has a nine-year-old daughter called Lea de Seine with Russian model Irina Shayk; Cooper and Lea de Seine are pictured at last year's Super Bowl in New Orleans

Cooper has a nine-year-old daughter called Lea de Seine with Russian model Irina Shayk; Cooper and Lea de Seine are pictured at last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans

Shayk and Cooper dated from 2015 to 2019, and in the wake of their split settled into a co-parenting equation so friendly they moved blocks away from one another; pictured 2018

Shayk and Cooper dated from 2015 to 2019, and in the wake of their split settled into a co-parenting equation so friendly they moved blocks away from one another; pictured 2018

‘Zayn and I do our custody schedules months in advance,’ Hadid explained in a profile for Vogue. ‘That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t change here and there, but we help each other out and have each other’s backs.’

She maintained she and Malik are bringing up Khai with ‘love, and a feeling of camaraderie,’ noting that ‘we’re not interested in giving everyone our whole story. What we are interested in is raising our daughter together, with so much respect for each other, and not just as co-parents, but what we’ve been through together.’

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In the same interview, she raved that her relationship with Cooper is ‘very romantic and happy’ and that they were trying to enjoy a ‘normal experience of dating’ in the face of the glare of public scrutiny on them.

‘I think just getting to the point where knowing what you want and deserve in a relationship is essential and then to find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve…and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be.’

She said she felt ‘really lucky’ with Cooper, adding: ‘I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief. For those people you admire to encourage you, it can create so much belief in yourself. Like, what’s the worst thing if I auditioned for this? You jump and take the leap.’

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Russia says seven killed and 40 injured by Ukrainian drone hitting busy beach

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A thick, black cloud of smoke hovers above a yellow building. Fire trucks are parked in front

A drone hit a busy beach in southern Russia, killing seven people including three children, local authorities have said.

In social media footage verified by the BBC, a drone can be seen hurtling towards a cliffside before crashing into a fireball on the beach below as tourists look on from the shore and in the water.

The total number of injured reached 40, with 17 people hospitalised, said the governor of the Krasnodar region Veniamin Kondratyev.

He accused Ukraine of “a deliberate strike on civilians”. Ukraine has not commented. Both sides deny targeting civilians deliberately.

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It is unclear what the drone was targeting. Some Ukrainian Telegram channels have claimed it crashed onto the beach as a result of electronic warfare which jammed the drone’s signal. Several eyewitnesses were quoted by Russian media as saying gunfire preceded the explosion, indicating that air defences may have tried to shoot the drone down.

The crash occurred on a beach near the village of Arkhipo-Osipovka on the Black Sea. With its warm climate, long beaches and developed tourist infrastructure it is a popular holiday destination for Russians, in particular since sanctions have curtailed international travel for many.

Tourists and residents of Arkhipo-Osipovka told local media outlets that no sirens sounded ahead of the drone attack.

“We covered ourselves with sun loungers, and didn’t see where it exploded,” said one holidaymaker. Another person said that while they did not see the drone hit they could hear “gunfire, like a machine gun” followed by an explosion.

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“This all happened in front of my children. My child is having a nervous breakdown,” said a third.

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Aryna Sabalenka backs tennis’ new transgender rules forcing stars to take mandatory sex tests as World No 1 says ‘it’s obvious men are biologically much stronger than women’

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World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has welcomed the WTA's new transgender eligibility rules

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Aryna Sabalenka has welcomed the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) new transgender eligibility rules, insisting it is only fair for those competing in women’s tennis.

Announced last month, the WTA has become the latest sporting organisation to implement genetic testing in a bid to establish players’ eligibility to compete as a female.

The governing body’s previous policy permitted biological males to compete in the women’s category if they maintained testosterone levels below a certain level.

But now a tweak to the rules states that WTA players must undergo a sex screening for the SRY gene, which is found on the Y chromosome and is typically involved in male sex development.

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Only once they have passed the test – which is completed through a simple cheek swab, blood test or saliva sample – will players be eligible to compete on the female-only WTA Tour.

A positive test, meanwhile, will spark further medical assessment before a player is cleared to play against their female rivals. Players must also sign documentation acknowledging that refusal to be tested could result in disciplinary action.

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has welcomed the WTA’s new transgender eligibility rules

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Last December, Sabalenka lost to Nick Kyrgios in a 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition in Dubai

Last December, Sabalenka lost to Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition in Dubai

Speaking about the move, world No 1 Sabalenka was in favour of the changes and said she would have no hesitation in undergoing the testing herself.

‘It’s very important to maintain fairness in our circuit,’ the 28-year-old said.

‘It’s obvious that, biologically, men are much stronger than women, so it wouldn’t seem fair to me for a woman to compete against a biological man.

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‘I think it took them a while to make this decision and, yes, I support it.

‘But I’m concentrating on myself, on my goals, on whatever it takes. If you want to test us all, I will gladly do so, it’s pretty fair, and let’s keep it that way.’

Last December, Sabalenka competed in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match with Nick Kyrgios which she lost 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai. That exhibition drew much criticism, with many brandishing it as a publicity stunt that risked trivialising the women’s game.

Sabalenka isn’t alone in her thinking about the new WTA transgender rules, with tennis icon Martina Navratilova – who has been strong in her views on keeping trans athletes out of women’s sport – quick to praise the WTA for making the move last month.

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Writing on X, she said it was a ‘step in the right direction’, adding: ‘I played no part in this particular policy, but am very happy that we at the WTA are clear that we are a women’s association and only women, as in females, can compete at the highest level of women’s tennis.’

Martina Navratilova (right, with the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon) has praised the policy

Martina Navratilova (right, with the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon) has praised the policy

Other organisations, such as World Boxing and World Athletics, have already implemented similar testing for their athletes seeking to compete in the women’s category.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also confirmed it will sex test athletes ahead of the next Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.

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Where is Hunted boss Peter Bleksley now after quitting Channel 4 reality show

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Celebrity Hunted is back with Chief Hunter Ray Howard back to head up the capture of this year’s 12 famous faces.

Amy Dowden ‘blows Celebrity Hunted cover’ on Lorraine

Celebrity Hunted returns tonight with fans questioning what happened to its first ever ruthless Hunter Peter Bleksley.

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Channel 4 viewers are in for a treat with Celebrity Hunted back on our screens tonight, Monday, August 3, with the celebs ready to do anything to avoid capture for two weeks.

Leading this year’s operations, which is in aid of Stand Up to Cancer, once again is Ray Howard who first joined the civilian version of Hunted as the deputy head in 2021.

But long before Howard was leading Hunters from HQ, it was Peter Bleksley, founding member of Scotland Yard’s undercover unit who worked for the Metropolitan Police for 20 years.

Bleksley, nicknamed The Chief, quit Hunted after six years in 2019, after doing the “impossible” and catching all of the fugitives in the civilian version of the series.

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The former Hunted star said in a statement: “Finally after six challenging series, we achieved our long held ambition for a clean sweep. What an unforgettable day that was!

“I feel it would be impossible for me to top that achievement so now is the right time for me to move on.”

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But not everyone was happy with the outcome of the 2019 series with some Channel 4 viewers claiming that it was a “fix”.

Someone tweeted at the time: “Invested six hours of my life on this year’s #Hunted for a security guard to give away the extraction location and make it impossible for anyone to win.”

As another echoed: “Isn’t it cheating if you literally just sit at the extraction point… like what are the contestants supposed to do?”

Where is former Hunted star Peter Bleksley now?

Peter Bleksley may no longer be on our screens hunting down fugitives but he is sharing some of the tricks of the trade in a new one-man show.

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Touring across the UK in 2026, Bleksley is fronting “The Makings of a Murderer” as he “lifts the lid on the most dangerous and hidden aspects of murder investigations.”

His website continues to describe the event as “an unforgettable evening of true crime as Peter Bleksley reveals the harrowing reality behind solving murders and battling the criminal underworld. This is crime-fighting as you’ve never seen it before.”

Bleksley has also become a successful author, writing various crime books about his experience working the force, as well as working as a consultant to documentary filmmakers.

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The ex-Hunter has been married to medical practitioner Sarah since the late 1990s and they have at least one son together who got engaged last year.

Little else is known about their private life but it is clear that the pair are loved up as he previously shared a beaming picture of them together.

In the tweet, Bleksley boasted: “Dear All, it is with great pride that I introduce you to my amazing wife Sarah. We’re off to a posh do!”

Celebrity Hunted premieres tonight, Monday, August 3, at 9pm, on Channel 4.

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Emmerdale unveils first look at Dawn and Joe Tate’s wedding with tragedy set to rock the village

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‘The day will end in tragedy with the consequences having ramifications that will impact the villagers’ lives for years to come’

Emmerdale have unveiled the first look at the dramatic wedding week of Dawn and Joe Tate as tragedy is set to unfold.

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In recent episodes, Joe has been fully focused on his wedding to Dawn, as well as becoming a father for the first time after she revealed her pregnancy. While Dawn is convinced he’s trying to change for the better, others aren’t so sure.

After Lucas received a detention slip, Billy and Dawn connected as if it was old times, but as Billy moved in for a kiss he was swiftly rejected. Worried that Joe had seen, Billy confessed what had happened to Caleb.

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As viewers will recall, Joe had no idea what had happened between them – that was until Caleb told him after Joe exposed Caleb’s shifty new business scheme at the Depot.

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With the truth out in the open, the end scene before the credits showed Billy bleeding while knocked out unconscious on the floor of his workplace.

During Friday’s (July 31) visit to the Dales, Billy’s life hung in the balance as he was rushed to hospital. Back at the Depot, the police interviewed Caleb who pointed the finger at Joe after they suggested it looked like an assault.

At the hospital, a tearful Dawn watched on as Joe was arrested for GBH. He announced his innocence and that he’d be back with Dawn soon after they realised their mistake.

Tonight (August 3), ITV1 will premiere a brand-new conceptual Emmerdale trailer, heightening anticipation for the wedding of Dawn (Olivia Bromley) and Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) later this month.

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However, the road to the altar is paved with tension. Despite the upcoming nuptials, a secret kiss between Dawn and her ex-partner, Billy (Jay Kontzle), has already cast a shadow over the celebrations. The drama escalated when Billy was brutally attacked; he currently remains in a coma, with suspicion falling heavily on Joe.

Although Joe has been released from police custody, Dawn is caught in an emotional tug-of-war, desperate to maintain faith in her fiancé’s innocence despite the mounting pressure.

In tomorrow’s episode (Tuesday August 4), the stakes rise as Dawn learns that doctors intend to bring Billy out of his coma. While she clings to the hope that he will identify his attacker and clear the air, Joe’s stoic and unreadable reaction leaves everyone questioning what truly happened.

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Emmerdale producer, Laura Shaw, said: “The run up to Dawn and Joe’s wedding will be far from straightforward but the week of the wedding is even more dramatic! The day will end in tragedy with the consequences having ramifications that will impact the villagers’ lives for years to come.”

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX and YouTube from 7am.

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Family of 92-year-old veteran killed in e-scooter crash sues Los Angeles and driver

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Family of 92-year-old veteran killed in e-scooter crash sues Los Angeles and driver

The three adult children of a 92-year-old Venice man who was killed after being struck while riding an e-scooter have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the woman accused of hitting him.

Carrie Rose, Bonnie Teates and Lori Terrell, the daughters of Army veteran Richard Allen Pinard, filed the suit Monday in Santa Monica Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages from the city and driver Lindsey Hiatt.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pinard was known for regularly riding his bicycle or scooter along the Venice boardwalk. According to the lawsuit, Hiatt was driving a 2025 Hyundai Venue south on Sanborn Avenue on April 5 when she turned right onto westbound Washington Boulevard and struck Pinard’s e-scooter after allegedly failing to see him.

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The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages from the city and driver Lindsey Hiatt
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages from the city and driver Lindsey Hiatt (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Pinard was ejected from the scooter and suffered catastrophic injuries, including a traumatic brain hemorrhage and a large laceration to the back of his head, according to the lawsuit, which further states that he died four days later at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood.

Doctors at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children’s Hospital have reported a rise in patients treated for injuries linked to e-bike crashes, CBS LA reports.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles said e-bike-related injuries among children have increased significantly in recent years, with emergency room visits rising from six cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024 and 34 in 2025. In the first five months of 2026 alone, the hospital has treated 21 patients following e-bike crashes.

The intersection of Washington Boulevard and Sanborn Avenue, and the roadway and bicycle lane through it, were in a dangerous condition at the time because the roadway striping and pavement markings did not delineate the bicycle lane through the intersection, the suit states.

The markings also failed to alert motorists of the bicycle lane’s presence when they turned right from Sanborn Avenue onto Washington Boulevard, the suit further states.

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A GoFundMe was created by his daughter, Carrie Rose, to cover her father’s funeral expenses, as he did not have life insurance.

“He was my life, my world,” Rose wrote on the fundraiser. “He would of lived to be 100 as he always told us and he definitely could have, no doubt at all.”

The plaintiffs have lost the comfort, care, companionship, protection, affection, moral support and guidance of their father, according to the suit.

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Scarlett Moffatt shares emotional update after ‘hardest month of her life’

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The TV star shared some important family news with her followers

Ex-Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has spoken to fans about the ‘hardest month’ of her and her partner’s life, after the couple suffered two heartbreaking losses.

Last month she announced her grandfather had died. Posting on social media, she wrote: “Unfortunately, more sad news for our family this week. My grandad Moffatt has sadly passed away.

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“Me, Scott and all our family really appreciate all of the love and kindness you’ve shown us following the loss of Janice and now my grandad. Thank you so much.”

The upsetting news came just days after Scarlett announced that her mother-in-law, Janice, had also died. At the time, she penned on Instagram: “My heart is broken for Scott and all of his family at the loss of his mam Janice.

“You were the best Nanna to Jude, the kindest mother-in-law and one of the loveliest people I’ve ever known. I’m so upset that you won’t get to meet your second grandson, but I know you will be watching over us all.”

Now, Scarlett has taken to social media with an update on herself and her partner, Scott Dobinson, having been facing their grief in recent weeks. The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner posted pictures of herself and Scott over the years, ending with a photo of them with their son, Jude.

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“It’s been the hardest month of our lives so grateful we have each other,” Scarlett shared. “I now understand that grief is really just love. It’s all the love you still want to give, but no longer can.

“I’ve known @scottdobby since I was 17, and I still can’t quite believe the life we’ve built together. When grief arrives, it has a way of making you hold on to each other even tighter. Amongst the sadness, we’re finding little pockets of joy, mostly thanks to Jude & bump and looking at old photographs and memories made x Sending so much love to everyone who knows this feeling. Be gentle with yourselves.”

READ MORE: Meet the Longridge Domino’s delivery driver named the best in the UK

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The heartbreaking double loss came after Scarlett and her partner announced they were expecting their second child together. Making the announcement, the couple were joined by their son, Jude, who held a personalised newspaper with a headline saying: “Baby Dobinson another miracle coming soon!”

Alongside the post, the couple said: “We honestly can’t believe we’re writing this… After everything, we feel unbelievably lucky to be able to say… our family is growing. One little miracle gave us Jude, and now he’s going to be a big brother. And if there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that he is going to be the most amazing big brother. We are so grateful, so excited, and still a little bit in shock… Our hearts are fuller than we ever thought possible.”

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