In the aftermath of Liverpool‘s Champions League exit to Paris St-Germain, Slot insisted the future is bright. Eyebrows were certainly raised after that comment but if Liverpool can put in a string of performances in their remaining games then perhaps the Dutchman has a point. Integral to that will be Isak and Wirtz.
Last Saturday saw both of the summer signings, who cost a combined £241m, score against Crystal Palace but Isak is yet to complete 90 minutes as a Liverpool player after a season plagued with injury while Wirtz has impressed in moments but is still awaiting a statement performance for the side.
German Wirtz is yet to score or provide an assist against any of the Premier League teams currently occupying the European places but when that was put to Slot on Friday, he insisted that’s a “coincidence” and said he is “100% sure” Wirtz will start delivering in the bigger games.
Meanwhile, Isak managed just 18 touches against Palace but that was still more than the nine he got against Everton and the five against PSG in the other games he’s started since returning from injury. The goal he scored – the Swede’s first in the Premier League for Liverpool at Anfield – will only do the 26-year-old’s confidence a world of good.
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“In terms of what I’ve seen, everyone knows and sees and experiences as team-mates how outstanding he is. It is about getting games, confidence but obviously scoring goals as a striker – that’s the main trigger for him,” said Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
“The more he touches the ball, the bigger chance there is that we score goals,” Slot added on Friday.
“Having Alex more and more available would help with converting created chances into goals, which is something we haven’t done very well this season.”
For Wirtz, the emphasis on connecting more with Isak is clear, especially with Hugo Ekitike sidelined.
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“It’s important that we feed him with balls because if he’s just there on top alone then it’s hard for him to score goals,” Wirtz said.
His own tally of seven goals and 10 assists this season is certainly no room for major concern but Wirtz, who turns 23 on Sunday, would be the first to admit that he must do better.
The finish against Palace was a timely reminder of his class. In mitigation, he initially struggled with the intensity and physicality of Premier League football but has bulked up considerably since making the move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Those at Liverpool, including Slot, believe there is so much more to come from a player they fought Bayern Munich and Manchester City for.
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“The development Florian has made in his Liverpool career is so clear and obvious,” said Slot. “In the 93rd minute against Crystal Palace, making a duel on the sideline, winning a throw-in and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner… That is something I am not completely convinced he could do eight months ago.
“His improvement – and he was already an elite player – will only continue as he is only 22 so that makes complete sense. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he is 25, 26 but he is already an elite player and he can only become better and that is the beauty of the signings we did last summer, that all of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to get better,”
With visitors heading to York Racecourse for the first race meeting of the season later this month, North Yorkshire Police are urging the public to plan ahead and expect significant traffic and parking pressures on race days.
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Officers are also encouraging racegoers to use official racecourse car parks and to be considerate of residents in nearby streets.
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The Dante Festival is the fisrt race meeting of 2026 and takes place from Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 15 this year.
North Yorkshire Police said: “Avoid obstructive parking – please do not block driveways, junctions, or emergency access routes.
“Officers and traffic teams will be out on key dates to monitor parking and ensure road safety, and enforcement action may be taken where necessary.”
Visitors are advised that delays are likely before and after events, and alternative travel options should be considered where possible.
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The force is reminding the public to plan their journeys in advance and to follow parking guidance to help keep race days safe and disruption to a minimum.
“It is disgusting, disgraceful and it is an insult to the innocent civil rights protesters who were murdered in Derry in January 1972”
13:53, 01 May 2026Updated 13:58, 01 May 2026
The use of Bloody Sunday footage in a video posted online by Kemi Badenoch is “disgusting” and “disgraceful”, a Northern Irish MP has said.
The Conservative leader posted a video to her social media channels on Tuesday, in which she criticised the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.
The video, which has now been removed from X and Facebook, featured footage of Mrs Badenoch speaking and was overlaid, in part, with archive clips of British soldiers.
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At least one of the clips was identified by Foyle MP Colum Eastwood as having been filmed on Bloody Sunday.
Thirteen unarmed civilians were shot dead when members of the Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Londonderry on January 30 1972, which became known as Bloody Sunday.
The SDLP MP said in a statement: “I am shocked, frankly, that Kemi Badenoch has posted a video trumpeting the service of British soldiers in Northern Ireland using footage from Bloody Sunday.
“It is disgusting, disgraceful and it is an insult to the innocent civil rights protesters who were murdered in Derry in January 1972.”
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In the video, Mrs Badenoch said Labour’s Bill will “drag” Troubles veterans back to court.
“It will put elderly veterans through fresh legal battles at the end of their lives,” she said.
Mrs Badenoch said her party will “vote to block” the legislation and “a future Conservative government will repeal it” and posted a link to a petition to stop the Bill.
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The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill was designed to repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law, which was ruled unlawful in the courts.
Mr Eastwood said the video is “entirely about elevating the interests of British soldiers over the needs of victims and survivors who have been forced to fight against the power and might of the British state for decades seeking truth, justice and accountability for their loved ones”.
In 2010, then Conservative prime minister David Cameron apologised to the families of the civil rights marchers killed on Bloody Sunday after the Saville Inquiry found all were innocent.
Mr Eastwood said: “We’re a long way away from former prime minister David Cameron’s powerful apology for the actions of soldiers on that day.”
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The Conservative Party has been approached for comment.
However, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Al-Sheikh had suggested the fight could be jeopardised if Dua Lipa did not agree to perform as part of the event’s promotion.
It is unclear whether the remark was made in earnest or in jest, but BBC Sport understands the 30-year-old singer was approached about performing but declined the offer, and is not expected to be involved in the event.
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Dua Lipa is one of the world’s most successful pop artists, with global hits including New Rules, Don’t Start Now and Levitating.
A venue for Fury v Joshua has yet to be finalised, although Wembley Stadium in October is understood to be the preferred option for organisers.
The World Championship semi-final between John Higgins and Shaun Murphy is delicately poised at 8-8 after a captivating second session at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
In contrast to the opening to their match on Wednesday, Higgins appeared the stronger of the two players in their early exchanges.
The four-time world champion, who turns 51 on 18 May, ruthlessly punished a missed black from Murphy to take the opening frame with a break of 72.
Englishman Murphy, who is looking to end a 21-year wait for his second Crucible crown, delivered the perfect riposte with an 88 as he took two of the next three frames to draw level at 6-6.
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When Murphy failed to convert a plant to the right middle, his error was again exploited, with Higgins enjoying a run of 57 to edge back in front.
The Scot then knocked in a wonderful break of 86 off the back of a brave long red to open up a two-frame advantage.
However, Murphy took a scrappy 15th frame and turned the tables on his opponent to restore parity when Higgins missed a tricky red with the rest down the left cushion.
Their best-of-33-frames encounter will resume on Friday at 19:00 BST, with another eight frames to be played in the third of four sessions.
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China’s Wu Yize takes a 6-2 lead into the second session of his last-four meeting with Mark Allen, which gets under way at 14:30 BST.
Dwayne Johnson’s showbiz celebrations came to a sour end yesterday when, shortly after attending Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, he was pulled over by cops.
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Still, he was every inch his cool, calm, collected self, turning a run-in with law enforcement into somewhat of a red carpet moment.
The Rock joined the Devil Wears Prada 2 stars as they were honoured with stars on the landmark walkway, joining major A-list names from Marilyn Monroe to Martin Scorsese.
Johnson, 53, is a long-time co-star of Blunt’s, having worked with the actress on Jungle Cruise (2021) and The Smashing Machine (2025), so it’s no surprise he was there to give a speech.
The real drama came afterwards, however, when the film icon was stopped by police for overly tinted windows, as reported by TMZ. California window tint law requires front windows to allow more than 70% of light to pass through, while windshield tinting is only permitted on the top four inches.
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A fine is typically given for non-compliance, and removal or modification of the tinting is required.
Dwayne Johnson was pulled over by cops after attending Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci’s Walk of Fame ceremony (Picture: Backgrid)
The actor was reportedly stopped for his overly tinted windows (Picture: Backgrid)
He was handed a ticket by an officer (Picture: Backgrid)
Johnson was pulled over on his way home by Los Angeles Police Department; thankfully, the exchange was calm, and the Jumanji star even shared a friendly handshake with the officer who ticketed him.
Still sporting his crisp white shirt and cream trousers, the dapper actor stepped out of his vehicle to cooperate.
Pictures and video footage show Johnson chatting calmly to the cop, signing paperwork before heading on his way, keeping things professional.
Just hours earlier, the Baywatch star had been surrounded by fellow celebs for a huge milestone in Blunt’s and Tucci’s careers.
‘Every single day, knowing Emily, as many of us do, that is one grateful woman who will wake up feet on the ground, being grateful about every moment,’ he said, joking that ‘it’s about time’ she was given a Walk of Fame star.
Only The Rock could look so cool during a run-in with law enforcement (Picture: Backgrid)
Keeping things professional and friendly, he also shook the cop’s hand (Picture: Backgrid)
‘I feel like when you’re grateful about every moment, that then leads to the thing I think we all look for, which is joy and peace of mind, and those are all the things I think that make up Emily and so much more.’
Johnson already has his own star on the Walk of Fame, and it sits proudly beside those of Vince McMahon and Kermit the Frog, as you do.
Blunt, 43, was accompanied by her supportive husband, John Krasinski, and her sister Felicity Blunt, who has also been married to Tucci, 65, since 2012, making the whole thing a sweet family affair.
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In her own speech, the A Quiet Place star said: ‘It’s very difficult to sum up how meaningful this is to me, and the juggernaut that showed up to speak about me has just blown my hair back.’
She added, according to People: ‘You guys and the great loves of my life, who are all here, have made life such a deep privilege.’
Meanwhile, Damon, 55, said he ‘just can’t think of two people more deserving to be added to this cultural landmark, to be giving young artists hope’.
Johnson had given a speech just hours earlier to honour his long-time co-star Blunt (Picture: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
She and The Devil Wears Prada 2 co-star Tucci were finally added to the landmark (Picture: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock)
Making things a sweet family affair, the actors were joined by their supportive partners, Felicity Blunt and John Krasinski (Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
He told Blunt and Tucci: ‘You guys have just been doing consistently stellar work for decades, and it is such a joy to watch you guys.
‘But beyond that, you’re two of my favourite humans that I’ve ever met on this planet.’
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‘You’ve been able to navigate and thrive in an incredibly difficult business with such grace, and you’ve been able to navigate personally and thrive so beautifully in a very, very tricky world. We love you so much,’ he added.
Following the speeches, Tucci was equally as moved, having been declared a ‘national treasure’ by Streep.
‘I never thought that I would be, first of all, working with her, but to be here today and have her say those things about me is probably the greatest honour I’ve ever had,’ he said of Streep, whom he appears opposite as Nigel in the Devil Wears Prada sequel, which lands in cinemas today.
‘At any rate, it has been an honour and absolutely exhausting to be a part of Hollywood for 45 years,’ stated the award-winning actor.
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‘But I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.’
Reps for Dwayne Johnson have been contacted for comment.
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It’s extremely rare for a baby to be born on a plane – but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. In fact, in the past week, a baby was born on board a Caribbean Airlines flight to JFK Airport in New York, just as the plane was landing.
Dubbed ‘skyborns’, there are thought to be less than 100 people born on flights globally. One study analysing data on all in-flight births on commercial airlines found there were 74 babies born on commercial flights between 1929 and 2018 – 71 of which were known to have survived.
Of the births analysed, 10% were born at 37-38 weeks, 16% were born at 34-36 weeks, 19% were born at 31-33 weeks and 12% were born prior to 32 weeks. To put that into perspective, a pregnancy is considered full-term at 39 weeks – so, all of them were early to some degree.
As the chance of going into labour is naturally higher after 37 weeks (or 32 weeks for those carrying twins), some airlines won’t let you fly if you’re near these dates. But policies differ between airlines. A medical certificate from a doctor or midwife confirming you’re “fit to fly” is typically required after 28 weeks of pregnancy.
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So, what actually happens if you give birth on a flight?
First things first, labour can be a pretty long process (although for parents having subsequent children, it can certainly be quicker). Some expectant parents might be able to touch down before their baby’s arrival.
If contractions begin during a flight, the cabin crew should be made aware and they can then move the person to a more comfortable part of the plane. They will also alert the pilot, who will relay the message to air traffic control.
Per Flightright UK, the cabin crew will then make an announcement, calling on any medical professionals among the passengers for assistance. Cabin crew receive basic training on handling an emergency delivery but they aren’t trained midwives or doctors, so do not have the training to deal with complications.
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The study charting ‘skyborns’ found in 45% of the births recorded on planes; physicians, nurses, the flight crew and other medical personnel provided medical assistance.
“In extreme cases, the pilot can initiate an emergency landing to provide the mother and newborn with professional medical care as quickly as possible,” added Flightright.
The aircraft might be diverted to a hospital, HuffPost UK understands, however there are other aviation safety considerations for the pilot, and an immediate diversion is limited by the route of the aircraft – for example, if it’s crossing an ocean.
Last year, a baby was born mid-flight from Dakar to Brussels, delivered by a cabin crew member, newly-graduated nurse and doctor (who were passengers).
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At the time, Brussels Airlines shared a photo of the newborn baby, called Fanta, held by one of the cabin crew members who helped deliver her, saying: “It was a true reflection of teamwork, care, and the extraordinary moments that happen in the sky.”
They include proposals for hundreds of homes, a spine road, and a new lido swimming pool
Outline plans for the major redevelopment of the Porthcawl seafront have been submitted after years of talks between the local authority and the town’s residents.
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The hybrid plans which were submitted in April of 2026, will look for permission to build up to 980 new homes on Porthcawl’s waterfront along with the creation of a new spine road from the Eastern Promenade to Sandy Bay.
Documents say the site covers an area of 43.6 hectares and consists of a “mix of existing commercial and leisure brownfield (such as a fairground) with undeveloped green spaces to the east of Sandy Bay Bowl.” Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter
This includes Griffin Park, the former Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Monster Park, and the Hillsboro Car Park, and is bound by Trecco Bay Caravan Park to the east and the Portway road to the west.
If given the green light by Bridgend County Borough Council the new homes would be situated in the Salt Lake, Coney Beach, and Sandy Bay areas, with ambitions for 50% to be set aside as affordable housing that would “prioritise local people”.
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Along with the new housing sites, these proposals would include plans to build a new lido swimming pool and gym, green spaces, shops, coastal defence works, and a number of other leisure attractions.
They could also see the alteration and expansion of the town’s Griffin Park if approved, along with proposed new facilities such as a MUGA sports area.
Additionally, part of the application requests permission to build a new 420m long single carriageway road, which would cut through a section of Griffin Park near the current tennis courts.
It says: “To the west, the spine road will connect to the Eastern Promenade in the form of a three-arm roundabout to the north of the existing ALDI foodstore.
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“The spine road scheme will incorporate Mackworth Road, the southern arm of which will be provided as a simple priority junction.
“Its northern arm will be stopped up, forming part of the wider development parcels.”
The long-term and potentially transformative plans for Porthcawl have been met with a great deal of opposition from some locals over the years, with protests and a number of public events held by both the council and residents who are against the contentious scheme.
Critics have raised concerns about the potential pressures that the hundreds of new homes could put on local infrastructure as well as to local medical services and parking capacity.
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Others have shared fears over a potential loss of the town’s identity in the wake of the regeneration with many preferring to see a new plan that focuses on tourism and leisure opportunities, as opposed to residential development.
Council bosses previously said they had addressed some of the issues within the plans with a number of changes after feedback from the public consultation process.
These included providing more public open space, reducing the number of proposed homes from an initial 1,100, and reducing building heights so that structures would be no taller than three or four storeys high.
They also say parking issues would be addressed with a refurbished open air car park at Hillsboro and a new public car park at Coney Beach.
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The proposed changes for the town come less than a year after the closure of the iconic Coney Beach Pleasure Park in October 2025, which shut for the final time after more than 100 years.
It also comes amid the multi-million refurbishment of the town’s iconic Grand Pavilion and work at the Hillsboro South Car Park which is set to become a civic space for community events.
The submitted plans will now be considered for approval by Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning department in the coming months – with potential for the work to begin in 2027 if they are taken forward.
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These beaches along the Norfolk coast will have restrictions in place for dogs throughout the summer
Dogs will be banned from a number of beaches on the Norfolk coast from this weekend until the start of October. Restrictions limiting where dogs can go along the British coastline will be coming into place from Friday, May 1, and will last until Wednesday, September 30.
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Certain beaches in Norfolk will also be subject to Public Spaces Protection Orders, which tackle anti-social issues. The orders help to keep popular tourist beaches clean and safe for the public to use throughout the peak season.
The orders might also be in certain areas to preserve nature and wildlife. According to GOV.UK, if you breach one of the orders, you get an on-the-spot £100 fine, or a fine of up to £1000 if the issue goes to court.
It is worth checking individual beaches before travelling, as dogs might be allowed on some parts of the beach but not others. You might also need to keep dogs on a lead in different places in seaside towns.
If you are looking to take a day trip to Norfolk and want to spend some time on the beach with your dog, you might want to avoid the beaches listed below.
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Here are all of the Norfolk beaches that will be affected by the restrictions:
The route linking Chorley, Adlington and Rivington operates on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Lancashire County Council is reintroducing service 125R, utilising Lancashire Combined County Authority bus grant funding from HM Government.
The service will operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays until November 1.
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The route will run hourly between Chorley Interchange and Rivington Village Hall, with stops in Adlington and a new link to Adlington Railway Station, allowing passengers to connect easily with rail services.
The service will be operated by Pilkingtonbus. Lancashire County Council day tickets will be valid on the route, along with the discounted Sunday single fare.
Andrew Varley, head of service for passenger and fleet transport at Lancashire County Council, said: “This seasonal service provides a practical way for people to reach Rivington without needing to drive, particularly at busy weekends and Bank Holidays.
“The addition of a stop at Adlington Railway Station also makes it easier for passengers to combine bus and rail travel when visiting the area.”
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Timetables and further information are available on the Lancashire County Council website.
A migrant tried to launch a terror attack against the Israeli embassy in London ‘as an act of revenge’ for Gaza.
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Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 34, was caught scaling the fence of the diplomatic building in Kensington in April last year armed with two knives.
Footage shows the 34-year-old, wearing a red and white scarf wrapped around his head and sunglasses, being dragged down by armed officers before he is pinned to the ground.
He told officers he had weapons and wanted to ‘make a crime’ inside the Embassy.
Officers found a martyrdom note on him which explained that he intended to die ‘for the glory of God’.
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Albadri had entered the UK via small boat from France that same month and had been researching how to secure asylum status.
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But he was also found to heave searched various Arabic terms relating to suicide and martyrdom in the five days before the attemped attack.
Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, said: ‘Albadri wanted to carry out a terrorist attack at the Embassy, but thanks to the courageous and swift actions of officers on duty, they prevented him from breaching the security perimeter and stopped what could have been a deadly incident.
‘I want to praise the officers’ incredible bravery and professionalism, which, remarkably, resulted in nobody being seriously injured – despite being confronted by a man armed with knives, intent on carrying out a terrorist attack.
‘Those officers responded within seconds, and after his safe arrest, a thorough investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London ensured we gathered the evidence that secured this conviction.
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‘Sadly, the Embassy has faced various security alerts in recent times. However, CTP works closely with the Embassy and our colleagues in the Met to continuously review and strengthen protective security plans to ensure the site and the wider community is kept as safe as possible.’
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