Mohamed Nassar, 58, was working at the Tesco Express store close to Manchester city centre when he choked on a doughnut

A Tesco security guard who went into cardiac arrest after choking on a doughnut during his shift has tragically passed away, his heartbroken family have confirmed.

Mohamed Nassar, 58, was on duty at the Tesco Express branch on New Bailey Street in Salford, near Manchester city centre on Friday, May 8, when the devastating incident unfolded, reports the Manchester Evening News.

He needed to eat in order to take medication he was on and started eating a doughnut before choking and collapsing on the shop floor, leaving colleagues and shoppers ‘screaming’, a relative said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mohamed was brought back to life before being transported to hospital. However his heart had stopped for 23 minutes which his family say left him severely brain damaged. He never woke up and following the removal of his ventilation he passed away yesterday (Sunday, June 22).

His grief-stricken family have now expressed their anguish as they delivered an emotional tribute to a ‘wonderful person’ who was ‘deeply loved. ‘.

In a statement released to the Manchester Evening News they said: “We are all absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Mohamed Nassar. His passing has left a huge void in our family, and we are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

“Before he passed, our dad spent 44 days fighting, and it was incredibly hard for us to see him like that. Throughout those difficult days, we held onto hope and never stopped believing he would pull through. “.

Father-of-three Mohamed relocated with his family from London to Manchester in 2020, settling in Ardwick. A former musician, he’s been working for approximately five years with a third-party security firm.

His son Seif Abdelwaneis, 23, revealed that his mother, Nancy Elkarnshawy, along with his sisters Nariman, 28, and Malak, 14, were left in a state of shock when they received a phone call telling them he had collapsed at work.

The family expressed being ‘overwhelmed’ by the ‘love, prayers, and support from so many people’ throughout his hospital stay, adding they ‘want to sincerely thank everyone who kept him in their thoughts and prayers. ‘.

“Your kindness, encouragement, and support meant so much to us during the hardest time of our lives” they stated in their announcement following his passing.

“As a family, we are not only grieving but are also facing significant financial difficulties as a result of this tragedy. We continue to search for legal assistance and support but have unfortunately had little luck to date.

“Above all, we want people to remember him for the wonderful person he was. He was deeply loved by his family and friends, and his loss is felt every day. We miss him terribly and will carry his memory with us always.”

Osarugue Onaghise, Manager of the Manchester Bailey Express Tesco store, said: “On behalf of all our colleagues at our Manchester Bailey Express store, we remain deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mohamed. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

A fundraising campaign established to support the family in the wake of the tragedy remains active, with the family announcing that proceeds will now go towards funeral expenses and providing financial stability in his absence. For more information and to donate click HERE.

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The summer window is in full flow as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all work on refreshing their squads with new signings and outgoings. The biggest move looks set to be Morgan Rogers to Arsenal, but that deal is not expected to progress until after the World Cup. In the meantime, the Gunners are monitoring Bradley Barcola and Ayyoub Bouaddi,have opened talks over Christos Tzolis, and look to wrap up deals for Andria Bartishvili and Jeremy Monga.

When it was signed at the end of the G7 summit on June 17, the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. By reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing sanctions and launching a 60-day negotiating process, it felt like a positive step on the road to ending a conflict that has threatened regional stability and the global economy.

Yet the past weekend’s events have exposed the agreement’s fragility. While US and Iranian negotiators reported progress in the first round of talks in Switzerland, the US president Donald Trump’s renewed threats of military action against Iran and the physical security of Iranian negotiators prompted fears that the diplomatic process may break down and the conflict resume in earnest.

The status of the Strait of Hormuz, arguably the only positive takeaway for the US from the MoU, also remains uncertain.

So as it stands, the agreement is better understood as enabling a pause in hostilities than an actual settlement. It largely restores pre-war conditions while leaving tensions between the US, Iran and Israel unresolved.

Israel remains the elephant in the room. It is deeply affected by the deal but is not a party to it. And it’s still capable of undermining any diplomatic progress with its continuing assault on Lebanon in contravention of the MoU.

The most likely outcome is a return to grey-zone conflict, meaning hostile measures that stop short of outright shooting warfare. In this case, proxy warfare, cyber operations, economic coercion and periodic military escalation. The shooting may have stopped – but the forces that ignited the conflict remain.

None of which looks good for Washington. Trump entered the confrontation promising to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, curb its regional influence and restore American deterrence. Instead, the MoU grants Tehran economic relief while leaving unresolved key issues – missile capabilities, proxy networks and long-term limits on uranium enrichment.

For Iran, survival itself is a strategic victory. Despite sustained US and Israeli pressure, the regime remains intact and negotiating rather than capitulating.

The conflict also exposed the limits of regional security arrangements. Gulf states felt and witnessed how even America and Israel’s overwhelming military superiority and expensive advanced weapons systems do not necessarily translate into decisive political outcomes. Nor do they guarantee protection from escalation.

For the US, the agreement appears to reflect the mounting costs of escalation: US$132 billion (£100 billion) and counting. Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz raised energy prices, strained alliances and exposed the limits of military coercion. While sanctions relief and restored oil flows may ease immediate pressures, they also risk reinforcing the perception that sustained pressure and proxy warfare can force even a superpower to negotiate.

Perceptions matter in international politics. For America’s gulf partners, the MoU may raise doubts about Washington’s willingness to sustain ambitious objectives when the economic and political costs become too high.

Iran, meanwhile, appears to have been strategically strengthened by the conflict.
The MoU creates space for economic recovery and strategic adaptation, making it likely that Iran will continue pursuing influence through cyber operations, proxy networks and other forms of grey-zone competition.

Israel faces perhaps the most difficult strategic recalibration. For decades its security policy has rested on military superiority backed by close US support to the tune of some US$4 billion a year. The MoU shows how its strategic priorities are now at loggerheads with those of its main ally and sponsor. It raises questions about how far Washington is willing to align its regional priorities with those of Jerusalem.

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Israel’s strategic culture has always prioritised self-reliance. This suggests it will continue to pursue covert operations, targeted assassinations and strikes against perceived Iranian threats.

While there has been no actual fracturing of the US-Israeli security relationship, the clear strategic differences could make future coordination more transactional – even as Israel remains heavily dependent on US military and diplomatic support.

Criticising members of the Israeli cabinet who had denounced the MoU, the US vice-president, J.D. Vance, told a White House briefing on June 19 that “Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time”.

Grey zone warfare: the modern default for conflict

But the broader significance of the agreement struck at Versailles on June 17 lies in what it reveals about conflict in the contemporary geopolitical situation. Rather than producing clear victories or defeats, modern confrontations increasingly become prolonged competitions in the grey zone between peace and war. As escalation becomes too costly, states regroup and compete through alternative means.

As far as the Middle East is concerned, this means that significant risks remain. A comprehensive agreement within 60 days appears unlikely given persistent disputes over sanctions, enrichment and regional security. Continued Israeli operations in Lebanon could quickly unravel the fragile pause. America’s allies in the gulf could respond to all this uncertainty by deepening ties with China and Russia.

The MoU is less a peace agreement than a diplomatic holding pattern. It lowers tensions and stabilises markets but leaves the underlying drivers of conflict intact. US-Iran-Israeli relations are therefore likely to continue oscillating between confrontation and accommodation.

Addressing deeper sources of instability – regime security concerns, ideological rivalry and regional proxy networks – would require a far more ambitious settlement than any 14-point memorandum can provide.

A number of the papers pick up on the jibe from a Tory MP who shouted “He’s not the Messiah” as Andy Burnham returned to the Commons. “Messiah without a Mandate” is the Daily Mail’s headline, pointing to the fact that Burnham may become prime minister without being challenged. The Telegraph suggests Burnham’s response, that he was “just a naughty boy”, is one reason why Labour likes him. “Compared with Keir Starmer, he’s the king of bants,” says the paper’s columnist Tim Stanley.

Would-be train passengers in the West Midlands have been warned that they should only travel if absolutely essential over the coming days.

The warning is in effect from 9am on Wednesday, June 24 until 9pm on Thursday, June 25, covering Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The entire West Midlands region is also subject to a red health warning issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Jake Kelly, deputy chief executive of Network Rail, said: “Extreme heat can have a significant impact on the railway, so safety must come first.

“We’re asking passengers to check before travelling on Tuesday, and only travel if absolutely essential on Wednesday and Thursday if they are going to, from or within the red warning zone as temperatures are expected to peak.”

The town’s month-long Summerfest begins with a day of entertainment and market stalls on Saturday, July 4.

Hamilton is getting set for a month-long celebration of summer – beginning with a busy gala day onSaturday, July 4.

The special event will feature a packed bill of live music performances, market stalls and family attractions throughout Quarry Street, transforming the town centre into a colourful festival celebrating the sunny holiday months.

It also marks the official start of Hamilton’s month-long Summerfest, which runs until August 1 and will include dozens of events including Commonwealth Games activities, Lego workshops, a Nerf battle, mausoleum tours and culminating in the Lanarkshire Pride festival.

The opening summer gala day on July 4 runs from 10am to 4pm and will showcase a host of acts at the town’s bandstand, where visitors can enjoy performances from Bonnie Banks, the Taylor Swift Effect, Garry King, Greatest Showman, Simply Ariana, Jane Henderson and drumming band SheBoom.

Attractions across the town centre are set to include Walking Theatre Co, Think Circus and the chance to try tricks with Scottish BMX, plus play equipment, face painters and balloon treats.

Shoppers at a busy market will be able to browse stalls including gifts, crafts, toys, bakery treats and local organisations including Kilbryde and St Andrew’s hospices and Hamilton Information Project for Youth.

Malcolm Thomas-Harley, of event organisers Hamilton Our Town, the business improvement district group, said: “Hamilton Summer Gala Day is a brilliant way to kick off Summerfest 2026.

“It brings music, family fun, stalls and entertainment right into the heart of the town centre; we want people to come along, enjoy the day, support local businesses and see Hamilton at its best.”

Organisers are inviting residents and visitors to “gather the family, meet up with friends, browse the stalls, enjoy the entertainment and help us celebrate the start of a fantastic summer in Hamilton town centre – everyone is welcome.”

It will launch the month-long Summerfest, which officially begins on July 1 and will feature a busy programme of children’s activities, workshops, entertainment, heritage tours, pop-up events, community activities and special days out.

The school holiday programme for youngsters includes Nerf battle arena sessions in the Regent Centre, “going for gold” activities as the Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow, a Lego club at Low Parks Museum, creative sessions with Hooked on Wool, plus sports camps, mausoleum tours, library activities and arts, crafts and drama.

A Lanarkshire Pride documentary project will be taking place at at Low Parks Museum, along with banner-making activities ahead of this year’s Lanarkshire Pride in Hamilton town centre on Saturday, August 1.

Summerfest Hamilton is described as “all about bringing energy, colour and activity into the town centre during the holidays”, with special events ranging from fun days to the chance to explore local history taking place throughout July.

Malcolm added: “It’s about giving people even more reasons to come into the town centre this summer – there really is something for everyone and we want people to enjoy what’s on, support local businesses and see Hamilton full of life.”

Details of both the July 4 gala day and the wider Summerfest programme can be accessed through Hamilton Our Town’s website and Facebook page.

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York-based property agents Barry Crux & co are selling the Ye Olde Red Lion at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.

The pub features trade areas in a horseshoe shape around a central bar server.

There is first floor three-bed owners’ accommodation, patio to the rear, car parking for 20 to the rear, 8 detached ensuite letting rooms and 3 detached pods with hot tubs.

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The sales particulars said: “As a result, the business offers multiple income streams.”

The agents note the pub on Old Oak Road has a prominent position in the village, which is 19 miles south-east of York.

The interior is described as traditional, featuring bench seating, church pews, chairs and stools arranged around loose tables. Flooring comprises a mix of carpeting and wood-effect finishes.

Character features include timber wall panelling, exposed beams, feature fireplaces, an open fire and a separate wood-burning stove.

A separate restaurant dining room, also used for breakfast service, provides approximately 28 covers arranged on high-backed chairs around loose tables. An additional 10 covers are available within the carvery area.

The interior of Ye Olde Red Lion (Image: Barry Crux & Co)

There are also toilets, beer cellar/store and fully equipped commercial kitchen, with walk-in refrigeration.

The agents explained: “Our client has traded the business for 14 years but has now decided to semi-retire. The lease is due for renewal within the next 12 months so any sale will be subject to renewal of this agreement.”

“The two main sources of income for the business are food and accommodation. It has a strong reputation for food with this been the largest income stream time. The accommodation also proves very popular with booking well in advance on a year-round basis. Drink sales are very much ancillary to both these income streams, but particularly the food trade.”

The sales details added: “The last set of accounts showed a strong net turnover of £504,376, which does not include the income from the 3 pods. The business shows good net profit. More detailed accounting information will be provided to interested parties after viewing the property.”

As previously mentioned, the traditional pub is highly-regarded. Google awards it 4.4 stars out of five, based on 896 reviews. TripAdvisor awards the venue 4.1 out of five based on 445 reviews.

Dynamo the Magician has just performed his biggest ever stunt – and he’s gearing up for a return to the live stage too. He tells Dianne Bourne how Manchester has played a big part in his career

I’m on a call with Dynamo the Magician and when I start out by simply asking “how are you?” I get quite the unexpected answer.

“l’m a bit sore because I just escaped from a burning car 100ft in the sky in New York at the weekend,” he tells me in a ridiculously matter of fact way. He continues: “I was put in a straight jacket, chained up to the car on the inside and then it lifted 100 feet in the air, set on fire and I had to escape.”

Not quite the answer I was expecting, but then Dynamo has made a career out of breaking conventions hasn’t he?

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It turns out my call with Dynamo has come fresh from one of his biggest and most dangerous ever magic tricks, emulating the magic of the iconic escapologist Houdini. UK viewers will get to see how it all played out later this year on a special on Sky TV called Dynamo v Houdini.

It seems daft to ask if he did manage to escape without too many spoilers, although he laughs: “Obviously I made it out as I’m here talking to you today – but my body is definitely feeling it so I’ve been in the hospital for the last couple of days just getting checked out and you know just making sure I’m all right. But what I’ve just achieved is probably the greatest, biggest stunt I’ve ever achieved in my entire life.”

Burning car aside, Dynamo tells me he’s “the healthiest I’ve ever felt” which is brilliant news to hear after his health issues over recent years. Dynamo, real name Steven Frayne, took a step back from the limelight five years ago amid diagnosis with inflammatory conditions Crohn’s Disease and arthritis.

But now, he’s back, recharged and reignited with his passion for performance having announced his first major UK tour in 10 years, which will start in Salford in January 2027.

Dynamo says of managing his conditions now: “I’m in a very good routine at the moment and you know I’m pacing myself. I am feeling probably the healthiest I’ve ever felt and mentally I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time, you know.

“I’m so excited I feel like a curious kid again. It’s like I found magic all over again.”

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That will be music to the ears of fans of the star, who became a global sensation with his street magic, and conjuring tricks in front of some of the world’s biggest A list stars in the noughties. He announced earlier this month that his new UK tour will all be starting in Salford at the Lowry next January.

And it feels like a fairly full circle moment for the magic man. His last tour started in Manchester 10 years ago, but more importantly than that, it was Manchester that gave Dynamo his very first stage – thanks to one of the city’s most iconic sons, Ian Brown.

He says: “My first ever, ever time on stage was at an Ian Brown gig. He asked me to come up and perform, I always used to come and perform backstage after for his friends and for the crew, right, but then when I got there he goes ‘do you wanna come on stage and do something’.

“He brought me out in front of like 20,000 people at Manchester Arena – and I’ve never been on stage before in my life.

“It was terrifying right? And also it’s an Ian brown crowd so I know they’re a tough crowd to please – I mean you’ve gotta have a certain level of swagger!

“I think I did pretty good under the circumstances, but that was terrifying. It was my first time experience, and the fact that someone of his stature would share the stage with me all those years ago, I think it was like 2004 or something like that.

“Now, I’m excited to go on tour and go on stage, I finally found myself.”

He says he chose smaller theatre venues for the new tour to be able to have a better intimacy with his fans. “I love being able to actually see everybody in the audience and connect with people and the best thing is as well is after every show I get to hang out with everyone.

“When I do my shows after the shows I just stay around and meet everybody because I think it’s important that people who buy these tickets for these shows they’re people who have supported me over the years so to be able to thank them first hand you know at the end of every show I think it’s important.

“I don’t think that many people do that anymore but these people have supported me through thick and thin – when I’ve been too sick to perform magic and I’ve been in hospital they’re the ones who’ve been sending me messages online on social media and giving me the kind of the strength that I need when I didn’t have it myself.”

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He first met Ian Brown over their mutual love of Adidas trainers – introduced to each other by Speziali designer Gary Aspden. He has remained good friends with Brown, as well as other Manc stars like John Squire, Bugzy Malone – oh and Liam and Noel Gallagher too.

He laughs: “I’m a northerner, through and through. I mean, let’s all stick together. You know what I mean? I just look at these guys, they’re legends – what they do is iconic and if I can be anywhere there, or if I could inspire people in a tiny way similar to the way that they’ve inspired this city then I’m doing something right.

“They’re constant sources of inspiration for me and when I come to Manchester, when I go on that stage. I need to always try to be a little bit Ian Brown and have that swagger.

“With Manchester, you can’t take it lightly. When you hit that stage, you’ve got to bring the A-game. But thankfully, I’ve got the best in the business to look up to.”

We chat over zoom at his “secret magic studio” in London, where he now lives with his wife and pet dog, and where he’s already plotting what will come on the new tour.

There’s another reason for choosing smaller venues for this new tour, as he aims to rebuild the magician.

He says: “In the last few years, I’ve really had to take notice of my body and listen to what I can or can’t do. I am the magician everyone loves. So, you know, there’s obviously a couple of things, you know, as Dynamo, but as Steven, I have to realize as well, that I’m also human and I need to pace myself.

“Because if I’m going to give the audience the best Dynamo experience ever. Then I’ve got to make sure Stephen’s right.”

He performed a run of acclaimed shows in London last year under his real name rather than his stage name of Dynamo. I ask why that was.

He muses: “I think I wanted to make sure that as Steven I was good enough, you know, like I didn’t feel like a Dynamo. I was in hospital at times and I couldn’t even make a cup of tea, doing the simplest of tasks felt impossible.

“Yet as Dynamo I’d do all these crazy things all the time and I didn’t feel like I’d live up to that – it’s a lot of pressure and I think I’ve lived through a lot of imposter syndrome – probably I still do.

“But the things I’ve achieved over the last year, I finally feel like I’m in a place where maybe you know maybe the audience is going to get to see the Dynamo they all loved as well as Steven.”

He laughs: “I mean, it’s not even about me. It’s about the audience because I do what I do on that stage, but without all of you guys, there really is no magic.”

While the tour has a special start in Salford, it will also end on a high – with a big homecoming for Dynamo back to his hometown of Bradford.

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“To still be doing magic all these years later and to finally be bringing a show back to my hometown – it is a real full-circle moment – but also it’s going to be the best audience I’ve ever had because there’s friends and family who have never got to see me.

“It’s going to connect on a different level – like for me representation that you can actually relate to is important for inspiring hope because there’s lots of kids still on the estates in Bradford who might think that there’s no way out or think that they you know how are they going to become successful in their own right and seeing me knowing that I’ve come from where they come from and I’ve done what I’ve done shows them that it’s possible you know.”

Dynamo the Magician’s Up Close and Magical tour heads across the UK in 2027, starting at Salford’s Lowry Theatre from January 21 -27. Tickets are on sale now.

Britain is bracing for a potentially record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures forecast to soar to 39C, prompting extreme heat warnings and health alerts across the country.

A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for central and southern England and Wales, in effect from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday.

The Met Office has cautioned that this week could surpass the 35.6C June record set in Southampton in 1976, with sweltering conditions expected to persist until at least Thursday.

This unseasonably hot weather is being driven by a significant area of trapped high pressure building in Europe, known as a ‘heat dome’, which is triggering scorching temperatures across the continent.

Here we explore what causes a heat dome and how a heatwave is defined.

What is a heat dome?

A heat dome is created when a high pressure area stays over the same area for days or potentially weeks, trapping very warm air underneath it, like a lid on a saucepan. Because hot air expands, it creates a ‘dome’ that bulges out.

This weather phenomenon causes temperatures to become hotter and hotter, building through the day and rise above what is considered normal, since warm air becomes compressed over a smaller region.

The ground warms as well and moisture evaporates, the RMS says, making it easier for temperatures to continue to rise.

These weather systems and their prolonged heat also increase the risk of wildfire and heat-related health problems, the Royal Meteorological Society (RMS) said.

Often these pressure systems move east to west, the RMS explains. Sometimes they can be blocked when the jet stream of strong winds high in the atmosphere weakens.

Large parts of central and northwestern Europe will be covered by these conditions the coming days, with temperatures expected to reach 10C above mid-June averages, according to the Met Office.

Spain, France and Italy will see temperatures rise high into the 30Cs, and some areas will exceed 40C.

The UK will see a more varied and complex pattern, as the warm air from Europe attempts to move northwards and contrasts with low pressure in the northwest. This means northern and western parts of the UK will likely see repeated spells of rain due to the cooler weather front, while southern and eastern areas will see temperatures soar.

What is the definition of a heatwave?

A heatwave is simply a prolonged period of abnormally high temperatures. What is considered an abnormally high temperature varies from place to place.

In France, the heatwave has claimed the lives of three people due to health complications, and 2,700 schools have closed or reduced classes. Authorities across the continent issued urgent warnings for Monday as temperatures soared.

Temperatures in Bordeaux, southwestern France, were forecast to exceed a scorching 42 degrees Celsius. The national weather agency, Meteo France, confirmed 49 regional administrative areas would be under a ‘red heatwave warning’ for the day. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told TV channel TF1: “We’re heading for, at the very least, several days of very, very hot weather. We don’t know when temperatures will start falling.”

Meanwhile, in Spain, the state weather agency Aemet issued a red alert for the Basque country. San Sebastian was projected to reach a high of 40C, almost double its historic average for this time of year, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.

Night-time temperatures in Spain’s southwestern province of Almeria stubbornly remained above 25C, and even 30C, Aemet reported. This contributed to Europe’s average high of 24C on Monday, a significant 4.1C above its 1961-1990 historical norm, making it the continent furthest from its typical climate. Asia and North America, by comparison, were 2C and 1.3C above their historic averages.