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Topless streaker halts Super Bowl before being tackled by New England Patriots star in wild scenes

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Topless streaker halts Super Bowl before being tackled by New England Patriots star in wild scenes

THE Super Bowl has been interrupted by a streaker on the field.

A fan has jumped on the field to cause a break in the action during Super Bowl LX.

A streaker has interrupted the Super BowlCredit: The U.S. Sun
A large crowd watches a football game at night from the stands of a stadium.
Security was quick to tackle the intruederCredit: The U.S. Sun

Security was forced to hunt down the topless streaker so the game could continue.

Kyle Williams of the New England Patriots was forced to step in to help tackle the intruder.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

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We explored Belfast through the eyes of a child, and it’s a must-do for everyone

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Belfast Live

Interactive museums, puddle jumping, pizza galore, golf, exceptional food and acting like Royalty, it was an action packed weekend exploring the city

Being a tourist in Belfast when you feel like you already know the city and surrounding areas well is a difficult task. I’ve worked in the city for almost 11 years and feel like, especially through my job, I’ve seen and experienced so much of it.

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But Tourism NI set us the challenge of exploring Belfast as tourists with our young children, aged 7 and 4, and I have to admit, it really opened my eyes!

“Wow, look how many pink buses there are, let’s count them” ; How big does City Hall look at night? It’s class.” ‘Is that a real dinosaur fossil?‘It’s like New York mummy, look how big the buildings are?’ These are just some of the statements my children made as we explored Belfast; some made me chuckle, but it really made me look at things from their perspective.

We kicked off our weekend with lunch in Little Wing on Lisburn Road, which was a huge hit with the children and us adults alike. The food is fresh, tasty, and served with a smile by their brilliant staff, who were so attentive and ensured the children were kept entertained with colouring. They were also fascinated to watch their pizzas being crafted and put into the big wood-fired oven. It’s always a highlight for me, when you can see your food being created right in front of your eyes.

Bellies full, it was time to burn off some energy, and there was no better spot to explore than the Ulster Museum. The weather was miserable, but that didn’t stop the kids from enjoying a puddle jumping contest, walking through Botanic Gardens on the way to the museum. Thankfully, we were well equipped with wellies and waterproofs. It was even nicer to get into the warm museum and explore with a warm coffee in hand from their coffee shop.

My two had never been to the Ulster Museum before, so it was a great experience; they were particularly amazed by the giant dinosaurs and by the opportunity to examine the artefacts up close. There’s no better time to visit the Ulster Museum than this month, with the NI Science Festival running. There’s a huge programme of events for all ages, some you will need to pre-book, but they are free.

It was then time to check into our hotel for the evening. We stayed at the Clayton on Ormeau Avenue, which was a great central location in the city, the perfect base for exploring and shopping. The rooms were spacious and perfect for a family, and for being in the city centre, the noise at night was minimal, which I was pleasantly surprised by.

We were booked to dine in Fratelli’s on Friday night, and this was one of the highlights the children have talked about since. They got to enjoy the ‘Little Boars’ experience, which allowed them to create their own pizzas with a choice of two toppings. Complete with chef’s hat and apron, they set to work creating their own masterpieces, and this was such a win for us; they were happily amused at the table while we waited for our dinner without the need to reach for the emergency iPads to save the boredom. They also loved the activities on the menu to keep them occupied while their pizzas were in the oven.

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I opted for the Chicken Parmigiana for the main, while my husband went for the steak. My main was lovely, really tasty sauce, the only downside was the size, it was huge, which meant I couldn’t finish it, but other than that it was beautiful. My husband complimented the steak as well, saying it was cooked perfectly. The kids’ pizzas were devoured, and I think that was also a testament to letting them ‘make’ them themselves; they enjoyed every bite.

Day two- more interactive museums, golf and the nicest meal ever

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We kicked off our day with a beautiful breakfast in the Clayton hotel, everything was fresh and warm, we couldn’t fault it, the fruit and granola pots were a huge hit with us, and given how quickly they disappeared and needed replenishing by the staff on the buffet, it seems we weren’t the only fans.

From there it was off to a firm favourite of ours, and that was W5 at the Odyssey. We’ve been here a few times with the children, and I’m glad to say it’s a place they never tire of. There’s so much to explore; the interactivity of W5 is unbeatable in my eyes, not to mention the brilliant soft play and other climbing areas, which allow them to burn off some more of that energy. It’s the perfect rainy day activity, and you can honestly easily spend a few hours here, followed by lunch or a snack at the Coffee Lab. My children are huge pizza fans and couldn’t pass the pizza slice option for lunch, whilst I grabbed a ham and cheese toastie, and my husband selected the Spicy Chicken ciabatta. This was the perfect grab-and-enjoy lunch, which we needed before we headed to our next destination.

Next up was Colin Glen, a place I have visited over the years but never realised they had a Trackman golf driving range. My husband and I are big golf fans, he plays as well, whilst I don’t really, but I do love a driving range. Our son is also recently taken up the sport so he was delighted to try this one out. We were greeted by the very friendly staff who gave us some clubs and a tasty basket of treats and showed us to our bay, which we had for two hours.

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I was surprised how brilliant this was for the kids, aside from the usual Trackman features, where you can play some of the biggest courses in the world, there are really fun interactive kids’ games and challenges which proved really popular.

We really wanted to take a walk around the lovely trails around Colin Glen, but sadly, the weather was just not on our side. We will most definitely be back; it’s a great spot to entertain the whole family for a few hours.

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Dinner on night two was a highlight for us all. We were booked into Home, which I have eaten in before, but it was many years ago. Even as we walked through the City centre, I was struck by my kids amazement at the lights and the size of City Hall saying it looked even bigger at night, and counting many pink Metro buses they could spot, it dawned on me that I walk through the city centre so often I never notice the little things anymore, it was nice to stop and appreciate them through the eyes of a child.

Home was a hive of activity as you would expect on a Saturday night in the city but again, somewhere I felt comfortable with the children. They, too, were well cared for by the exceptional staff who attended to their every whim. Both my husband and I couldn’t pass up the steak special with a gorgeous rocket and parmesan salad, plus chips and seasonal veg. While the children had chicken goujons and chips, and what I noticed immediately was just how fresh the children’s chicken was; you could tell simply by looking at it that they were handmade.

Both our steaks were cooked to perfection, I don’t think either of us wanted it to end. The steak itself was so flavoursome that it didn’t need any sauce to enhance the experience. We of course opted to share desserts and I can also highly recommend the sticky toffee pudding, it didn’t last long!

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Day three- A Titanic adventure and feeling like Royalty

Our final day exploring started off with a visit to Titanic Belfast, again somewhere I have been lots for work, but I’ve not done the tour since it first opened. Admittedly, I was a bit sceptical about if the children would enjoy it, but I was really impressed. The children were given their own little map at the start and they had to tick off each of the characters they spotted along the way. This was such a fun activity, and some of the characters were harder to spot than others. But the highlight was the immersive experience with the Shipyard Ride, it was incredibly real, and it really brought you back in time to experience the sights and sounds of working at H&W. The exhibition is worth a trip for this alone.

Heading for home, we had to make one final stop just outside of Belfast to visit the stunning Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Thankfully, the weather was much kinder and it was brilliant to let the children burn off some energy as we explored the stunning grounds. Despite the fact that it’s winter and a lot of the gardens aren’t blooming yet, it’s hard not to be impressed by the landscape. The children loved playing and exploring, and pretending they were King and Queen for the day at the Palace doors.

Having burnt off some energy, it was time to refuel for heading home, and we were booked in for lunch at The Parson’s Nose, which I had heard great things about but had never tried. A very cosy setting awaited us to warm up as we delved straight into the Sunday lunch menu, packed with favourites. I chose the Turkey and Ham Roulade whilst my husband went for the Roast Beef. My son had the children’s fish of the day, and my daughter had the children’s roast chicken.

We didn’t wait very long and were soon tucking into a beautiful Sunday roast, every bite was savoured! My son’s fish was huge and so fresh, he loved it, and it wasn’t at all greasy for battered fish, which was a big win in my eyes. Of course, we left a little room for dessert, and I’ve honestly never seen my chatterbox four-year-old daughter so quiet, she didn’t speak until her children’s sticky toffee pudding was devoured! We loved everything about The Parson’s Nose and will definitely revisit the next time we are in the area.

So maybe the next time you’re thinking of a weekend break, look a little closer to home and explore what’s right on our doorstep, I guarantee you’ll be impressed!

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‘Melania’ falls steeply at the box office

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'Melania' falls steeply at the box office

NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood largely ceded attention to football over a slow box-office weekend, with the survival thriller “Send Help” repeating as No. 1 in ticket sales and the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” falling sharply in its second weekend.

Super Bowl weekend is typically one of the lowest attended moviegoing times of the year. It was the second slowest weekend last year and in 2024 it ranked dead last for moviegoing.

Studios instead put their focus on advertising movies for the massive television audience. Among the trailers expected to hit the NFL broadcast Sunday were The Walt Disney Co.’s “Mandalorian and Grogu,” Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael” and Universal Pictures’ “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.”

In North American theaters, the Disney.-20th Century Studios release “Send Help,” directed by Sam Raimi, lead all films with $10 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. With $53.7 million globally thus far, the R-rated survival thriller has proved a solid midbudget success. Disney meanwhile watched its remarkably long-lasting “Zootopia 2″ cross $1.8 billion worldwide in its 11th week of release.

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“Melania,” from Amazon MGM, added 300 theaters in its second weekend but dropped steeply with to $2.4 million in ticket sales, down 67% from its much-discussed debut. The rapid downturn means the Brett Ratner-directed documentary is likely heading toward flop territory given its high price tag. Amazon MGM paid $40 million for film rights, plus some $35 million to market it.

The North American total for “Melania” stands at $13.4 million. Amazon MGM has not released international figures, though they’re expected to be paltry.

Kevin Wilson, head of domestic distribution for the studio, said the movie’s box-office performance “is a critical first moment that validates our wholistic distribution strategy, building awareness, engagement, and provides momentum ahead of the film’s eventual debut on Prime Video.”

The film’s ticket sales — which would be very good for a less expensive documentary — were a talking point throughout the week. Late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel hammered the movie’s sales. Kimmel called them a “rigged outcome.” Elsewhere in theaters, the Italy-set Kevin James romantic comedy “Solo Mio” debuted with a robust $7.2 million, a major win for Angel Studios, best known for its faith-based releases. “Stray Kids: The Dominate Experience,” a K-pop concert film released by Bleecker Street, launched with $5.6 million, and an additional $13.2 million overseas. The Luc Besson-directed Bram Stoker adaptation “Dracula” opened with $4.5 million, a studio-best debut for the indie distributor Vertical.

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One of the most unusual releases in theaters, however, remains the low-budget indie “Iron Lung.” The YouTube filmmaker Markiplier, whose real name is Mark Fischbach, self-financed and self-distributed the R-rated video game adaptation, along with writing, directing and starring in it. In its second weekend, “Iron Lung” collected $6.2 million, bringing its two-week total to $31.2 million. It cost $3 million to make.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Send Help,” $10 million.

2. “Solo Mio,” $7.2 million.

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3. “Iron Lung,” $6 million.

4. “Stray Kids: The Dominate Experience,” $5.6 million.

5. “Dracula,” $4.5 million.

6. “Zootopia 2,” $4 million.

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7. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $3.5 million.

8. “The Strangers: Chapter 3,” $3.5 million.

9. “Shelter,” $2.4 million.

10. “Melania,” $2.4 million.

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Six Nations 2026: Five talking points from the opening round

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Gregor Townsend, Wales' Adam Beard and England wing Henry Arundell

That England visit comes at a crucial time for Scotland and their coach Gregor Townsend.

He came into the tournament courted by Newcastle Red Bulls and with question marks over his commitment to the cause.

A tame display in some horrendous weather in Rome as Italy picked up a famous 18-15 win has left some calling for a change.

Former Scotland forward John Barclay told Rugby Special: “I thought before the Six Nations that Scotland had to finish third or above.

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“If they don’t, which is now going to be very hard, I think it becomes a necessity to see a change.

“It’s a good group of players and if you are not seeing an improvement there is an option for change. That might be the best thing for Gregor and for Scotland.”

The conditions made the going tough, but it was Scotland’s heart, not hands, that were questioned.

“Italy were more aggressive and that’s down to desire, not the rain,” former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Peter Wright told BBC Scotland.

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“Townsend is an experienced coach and should have known they couldn’t play the rugby they wanted to play in those conditions. Scotland lost the war in the set-pieces.”

The defeat was a fifth away loss in a row in the Six Nations for Scotland and their beleaguered coach.

Before the match, Townsend – who is contracted as head coach until the end of the 2027 World Cup – dismissed a report that he has agreed to take over at Newcastle Red Bulls after the World Cup as “pure speculation”.

More displays like this may make that contract end date a moot point. Scotland need to dig deep and find another level of performance against England.

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Expect recalls for Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham to provide energy and – Scotland will hope – ammunition.

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Radical with Amol Rajan – Children in Care: How to Fix the Fostering Crisis (Louise Allen)

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Radical with Amol Rajan - Children in Care: How to Fix the Fostering Crisis (Louise Allen)
Contains some strong language.

Available for over a year

As the government prepares to introduce a strategy to boost fostering in England, Amol speaks to foster carer and author Louise Allen about the crisis in the system and what it will take to fix it.

At the end of March 2024 there were 83,630 children in care in England, of whom 56,390 were being fostered, but there is a shortfall of around 6,000 foster carers nationwide.

In this episode Louise explains why we need to be more honest about the realities of caring for often vulnerable kids and focus on retaining foster carers rather than recruiting new ones.

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She also explains why there needs to be more practical support like providing a cleaner for every fostering household so that they can focus on emotionally supporting the children in their care.

(00:03:10) Why is there a fostering crisis?
(00:06:20) Why do we have so many children in care?
(00:08:49) Louise’s story: growing up in care
(00:16:13) The effect of smartphones
(00:20:08) Why is there a shortage of foster carers?
(00:23:37) Why do people foster?
(00:27:28) The recruitment process
(00:30:33) Foster care v residential care
(00:33:10) What is the fostering allowance?
(00:39:09) Louise’s RADICAL ideas
(00:45:06) The government’s fostering reforms
(00:47:30) The importance of giving children social capital
(00:52:19) Amol’s reflections

GET IN TOUCH

* WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480
* Email: radical@bbc.co.uk

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Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday and you can also watch them on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002f1d0/radical-with-amol-rajan

Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. He is also the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor at The Independent.

Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers with Anna Budd. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Dave O’Neill. The editor is Sam Bonham. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.

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British born defence coach Aden Durde inspires Seahawks to Super Bowl LX victory over Patriots

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British born defence coach Aden Durde inspires Seahawks to Super Bowl LX victory over Patriots

It was a brutal lesson for Maye and indeed for anybody tuning in expecting to see high-scoring drama. There were no touchdowns until the last quarter as the Seattle “Legion of Boom” blew the Pats apart. 

As Maye struggled to lead any counter-attack – and with the Seahawks kicker Jason Myers carving a piece of Super Bowl history for himself with five field goals – this was definitely one for the purists. 

In truth, “Yawn in the USA” would have been an appropriate soundtrack for the uninitiated as gridiron became grind-iron, but never mind how tempting it was to call this “The Stupor Bowl” it was impossible not to admire the Seattle resistance. 

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This was one of the greatest defence performances ever seen and Durde’s stock should, as a result, soar so majestically that it will surely only be a matter of the time before he becomes the first British head coach in the NFL. 

Together with Mike Macdonald they have forged a powerhouse that, if their offence can begin to match the might of their defence, could begin a term of dominance.

Yet, of course in these starlit times, the MVP award went to a member of the offence, and in fairness, Kenneth Walker III was exceptional in helping the Seahawks pull clear of their rivals. The Pats’ defence was also heroic, limiting the Sam Darnold attack to just the four field goals until the clock ticked into its deciding passage. 

Walker was a threat throughout, picking up first downs as if they were personal milestones, although it was Arnold’s 16-yard pass to AJ Barner that eventually saw the touchdown deadlock broken. 

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Rescuer’s devastating decision as he tried to save man from worst death imaginable

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Daily Record

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT John Jones, 26, endured what has been described as a horrific death after spending over 24 hours stuck upside down in a minuscule space in Utah’s Nutty Putty Cave

No one should ever be faced with such a decision, but for the rescuers trying to save a cave explorer, it was a matter of life and death.

John Jones suffered what has been described as the most horrific death imaginable when he became trapped upside down in a tiny, confined cave for over 24 hours.

The rescue team was confronted with a difficult decision: attempt to save his life, knowing it would cause him immense pain.

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Brandon Kowallis was the last person to see the young man before his tragic end after becoming stuck upside down inside a cave. The details of that night continue to haunt him.

At the tender age of 26, John Jones lost his life after being trapped for more than 24 hours in Utah’s Nutty Putty Cave in 2009 – but he wasn’t alone.

A committed team of rescuers, including Brandon, worked relentlessly to try to save him.

As a fellow cave explorer and avid YouTuber, Brandon did everything in his power to free John from his predicament and help him escape the cave, but it was no easy task.

He has since spoken out about the agonising decision he had to make as a last-ditch effort to save John’s life in a blog post.

In a post detailing the incident, the rescuer describes the mission on that tragic day of 15 November 2009. Upon reaching the cave to find an upside-down, unconscious John, he recognised the situation was going “quickly downhill”.

He explained: “It looked like he could only be lifted another foot or two in his current position because of where the webbing was anchored around his knees. After a foot or two, he would hit the ceiling. And then once he reached the ceiling, there was no way to tilt him to a horizontal position.”

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There was no way to change his position, as John would need to haul himself up using his own strength, but by this point, he was unconscious.

In a desperate attempt to save him, the emergency teams considered a horrifying plan involving a jackhammer to widen the tunnel, though it would inflict catastrophic injuries.

During this process, the rescuer acknowledges John would have suffered serious lacerations and numerous fractures but it represented the only opportunity to save his life.

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However, Brandon recalls exactly how difficult this operation proved after hours of hammering and chipping away at the rock.

In his blog, he outlined his predictions, suggesting it could take anywhere from ‘three to seven days’ to free John from the cave, a timeframe they simply didn’t have.

Before this, the caver recalled the dire condition John was in, writing: “He was in and out of consciousness and had started talking about seeing angels and demons around him.”

When he reached into the cave, he found a man making disturbing gurgling noises as fluid built up in his lungs, whilst his legs were twitching uncontrollably.

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Despite their best efforts, Brandon and the other rescuers continued working through the night, knowing they risked breaking his bones, but it wasn’t enough to save him.

When they went in to check on him, he was pronounced dead at around 11:52pm, having died from cardiac arrest and suffocation.

The 26 year old medical student left behind his devoted wife, Emily, who was pregnant at the time of his death. The baby was named in his honour, and went on to become the younger brother to his daughter Lizzie.

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Jimmy Lai trial live updates: Hong Kong court to sentence media mogul after national security conviction

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Jimmy Lai trial live updates: Hong Kong court to sentence media mogul after national security conviction

Jimmy Lai’s sentence is ‘not justice, it is punishment for dissent’

A statement released by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) said Jimmy Lai’s case has come to symbolise the dismantling of Hong Kong’s freedoms.

The statement, signed by 86 politicians, including US Senator Jeff Merkley and Lord Alton of Liverpool, said:

“This moment did not arise in isolation. It has been made possible by the sustained failure of the international community to enforce the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a binding international treaty registered at the United Nations. As Beijing dismantled Hong Kong’s autonomy, free press and rule of law, governments spoke out, but failed to act.

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“The imposition of a 20-year sentence on a 78-year-old publisher for peaceful political expression is not justice. It is punishment for dissent, enabled by impunity.

“IPAC calls on democratic governments to respond accordingly through coordinated diplomatic pressure, and accountability.

“Jimmy Lai’s persecution serves as irrefutable proof that Hong Kong’s legal system answers to Beijing, and must not be afforded any status to distinguish it from China.”

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 05:35

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Jimmy Lai is the ‘conscience of Hong Kong’, his supporter says

A supporter of Jimmy Lai queued outside the court for days and slept there overnight in order to keep his place in the queue, finally securing a seat in the courtroom.

“I feel that Lai is the conscience of Hong Kong,” said the man named Sum, 64, on the day of sentencing.

“He speaks up for the people of Hong Kong, and also for many wrongful cases in mainland China and for the development of democracy. Spending a few days of my own freedom sleeping out here feels better than seeing him locked up inside.”

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(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 05:08

Hong Kong police say they are examining whether authorities want to appeal for longer sentence for Lai

Steve Li, the head of Hong Kong police’s National Security Department, welcomed the media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s 20-year sentence on three national security charges, saying it was “appropriate”.

He said the claims about his frail health are “exaggerated”.

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He added that the police would be in contact with the Department of Justice to consider whether the authorities wanted to seek longer sentences through appeals.

He added Li that “we are still investigating some matters”, but he does not have the liberty to disclose what those investigations were.

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 04:50

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Lai would be 96 by the time he completes his sentence

Jimmy Lai, 78, would be 96 years old by the time he completes his 20-year prison term in 2044.

In Hong Kong, prisoners are provided one-third remission of their jail term on the grounds of good behaviour.

Even then, Lai would be around 90 if he were to be released in 2037.

He is set to serve another 18 years from today because of time already served during his lengthy trial.

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Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 04:37

Recap: Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy media mogul who spent decades as a defiant critic of Beijing, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

It marks the harshest sentence he could have possibly received in the national security trial that was closely watched around the world.

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The landmark ruling caps a three-year campaign by Beijing to neutralise a figure it has accused of orchestrating Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.

Lai smiled and waved towards the public gallery after his sentence was handed down, while his wife, Teresa Lai, sat with her arms folded, her expression impassive.

Weeping could be heard from the back of the gallery as the courtroom absorbed the ruling.

The judge said the sentencing was for “Lai’s serious and grave criminal conduct”.

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”..we are satisfied that the total sentence for Lai in the present case should be 20 years’ imprisonment,” the court documents said.

Although Lai was convicted on three separate counts carrying a combined potential sentence of more than 35 years, the court ruled that some of the terms would be served concurrently, resulting in a total prison sentence of 20 years, according to the judgment.

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 04:27

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Jimmy Lai’s sentencing day in pictures

We have more images from outside the court showing supporters, family members and members of the media gathered there.

Jimmy Lai’s wife, Teresa Lai, was visibly in tears as she left the building, surrounded by onlookers and journalists.

Retired bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, leave West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China
Retired bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, leave West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China (REUTERS)
Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, leaves West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China
Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, leaves West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China (REUTERS)
Chung Pui-kuen, former chief editor of the Stand News, leaves West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China
Chung Pui-kuen, former chief editor of the Stand News, leaves West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail on three charges comprising two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one count of publishing seditious materials, in Hong Kong, China (REUTERS)
Police officers clear the way for retired bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, as they leave West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail
Police officers clear the way for retired bishop Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and Teresa Lai, wife of Jimmy Lai, as they leave West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts building after Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced a total of 20 years in jail (REUTERS)
A Correctional Services Department vehicle believed to be carrying Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai, arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of his sentencing in Hong Kong
A Correctional Services Department vehicle believed to be carrying Hong Kong activist publisher Jimmy Lai, arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts ahead of his sentencing in Hong Kong (AP)

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 04:07

Hong Kong national security police addresses media

Hong Kong national security police chief Steve Li says Jimmy Lai’s case demonstrates the city’s rule of law.

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Li said the case against media tycoon Lai showcased the city’s rule of law and the functioning of its judicial system.

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 03:55

Jimmy Lai’s family say he will ‘die a martyr behind bars’

Jimmy Lai’s son, who has long campaigned for his father’s release, has reacted to his sentencing this morning to 20 years in prison.

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“Today is a dark day for anyone who believes in truth, freedom and justice,” Sebastien Lai said in a statement.

(AFP/Getty)

“It signifies the total destruction of the Hong Kong legal system and the end of justice.”

Jimmy Lai’s daughter Claire Lai called the sentence “heartbreakingly cruel”.

“He will die a martyr behind bars,” she said.

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 03:50

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Sending Lai into exile would be in everyone’s interest, author says

Mark Clifford, the author of The Troublemaker, a book about Jimmy Lai, said the media tycoon’s two-year trial was “just for show” and described the 20-year sentence as exceptionally severe.

“It seems clear they want him to spend the rest of his life in prison,” Clifford, who is also the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said.

He added that Lai would do so unless there was a political solution allowing him to leave Hong Kong.

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“Twenty years for a 78-year-old man is effectively a life sentence – or a death sentence.

”He added: “China needs to understand that Lai is more trouble in prison than outside it.”

“His continued imprisonment makes a thawing of relations between the United States and China difficult. Sending him into exile would be in everyone’s interest.”

Shweta Sharma9 February 2026 03:35

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What is Hong Kong’s far-reaching national security law?

Jimmy Lai has been convicted under Hong Kong’s broad national security law.

The law, known as Article 23, is said to crimes including treason, sedition, theft of state secrets, espionage, and “external interference” including from foreign governments.

But activists and lawmakers have said the new law criminalises basic human rights such as freedom of expression.

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“Many of these proposed provisions are vague and criminalise people’s peaceful exercises of human rights, including the rights to freedom of association, assembly, expression and the press,” a group of 80 civil society groups, including British-based Hong Kong Watch, wrote in a joint letter in February 2024.

Nicole Wootton-Cane9 February 2026 03:30

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Where was BBC TV drama Inspector George Gently filmed?

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Where was BBC TV drama Inspector George Gently filmed?

But many people still ask, where specifically did the cast and crew use to film the gritty drama?

The programme, which starred Martin Shaw and ran on BBC One from 2007 to 2017, was initially filmed in Ireland.

Martin Shaw as Inspector George Gently (Image: ARCHIVE)

The first two series were shot largely in County Wicklow, with locations such as Greystones harbour used for exterior scenes and Ardmore Studios providing interior sets.

From Series 3 onwards, production moved almost entirely to the North East of England, where filming continued for the remainder of the show’s run.

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County Durham became the main filming base, with Durham City appearing regularly on screen.

Martin Shaw filming in the region (Image: ARCHIVE)

Landmarks, including Durham Cathedral and Castle, overlooking the River Wear, were frequently used as backdrops.

Other Durham locations included Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens and Finchale Abbey.

A significant filming site was the former Whinney Hill School in Durham. From Series 3, the closed secondary school was used as the exterior of the fictional North East Constabulary police station and also served as the production’s base.

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Positioned on a hillside, the building often appeared in shots with Durham Cathedral visible in the background.

Filming of the TV show on the North East coastline (Image: ARCHIVE)

Whinney Hill School closed in 2009 and was later demolished.

A housing development has since been built on the site on Illingworth Road.

The series was also filmed in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, and across Teesside, using city streets, industrial areas and docks to reflect the social and economic backdrop of the stories. In Northumberland, rural locations including Brownrigg Lodges near Bellingham were used.

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Coastal scenes were filmed in Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire, with Saltburn Pier and beach featuring in several episodes.



Cast and crew regularly spoke of the benefits of filming in the North East, praising both the scenery and local support.

Martin Shaw frequently spoke of his affection for the area, singling out Durham Cathedral and Finchale Abbey as standout locations.

“I love the countryside; I think it is absolutely gorgeous. Durham is a very beautiful city, and every time I drive down and see the cathedral and the castle on the river, I find it extremely uplifting,” the actor said in 2017 after the popular series concluded.

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Newscast – Epstein Files: Police Launch Investigation Into Mandelson

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Newscast - Epstein Files: New Mandelson and Andrew Allegations

Available for over a year

Today, the Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson after new files released seemed to suggest he had passed sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson has resigned from the House of Lords following the latest revelations, though he retains the right to use the title of Lord.

The government say they are moving to draft legislation that will strip him of his title and the opposition are expected to try and force the government to release papers relating to Mandelson’s hiring as US ambassador.

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Adam and Chris are joined by Dominic Casciani, BBC home affairs correspondent and senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph who has the latest on seeming revelations about Sarah Ferguson.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

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New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi and Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Social media goes on trial in LA – here’s what you need to know | Science, Climate & Tech News

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Social media companies are on trial in Los Angeles over accusations they harmed young people's mental health.File pic: iStock

Social media is on trial in Los Angeles. What happens next could change the way they operate.

Inside LA’s superior court, a landmark trial is getting under way. Social media companies are being accused of being addictive by design, a bit like tobacco and cigarettes were in the 1980s.

They’ll face around 22 “bellwether” lawsuits, i.e. test cases, with lawyers considering the testimonies of more than 1,500 people when launching the action.

Image:
Shares in Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta tumbled after the closing bell. AP file pic

Opening statements for the first lawsuit will start on Monday, with Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg among the tech execs expected to testify.

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Over the years, people have tried to sue the owners of Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat for online harm, but they’ve largely failed.

Often, social media companies will rely on a defence called Section 230 of America’s Communications Act, which protects online platforms publishing third-party content.

It says they’re not responsible for content posted by users on their platforms.


Could Jools’ Law force social media change?

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So what makes this court case so different?

For the first time, social media companies will face a trial by jury.

Those jurors won’t decide whether specific content on the platforms was harmful. Instead, they’ll decide whether social media companies were negligent when they created and tweaked their products to encourage people to spend more time on them.

Social media companies are on trial in Los Angeles over accusations they harmed young people's mental health.File pic: iStock
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Social media companies are on trial in Los Angeles over accusations they harmed young people’s mental health.File pic: iStock

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A feature expected to come up, for example, is “infinite scrolling”, whereby your social media feed never ends, no matter how long you spend watching it.

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The plaintiffs allege that Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat “have rewired how our kids think, feel, and behave”, according to the class action master complaint.

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TikTok accused of ‘bullying’ and union busting

If the jurors decide the companies were negligent when creating their products, they’ll then also need to decide whether that negligence led to the significant harm of a young person.

In this case, that person is known as KGM, a Californian 19-year-old who says she suffered anxiety, depression and body image issues after using Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube as a child.

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TikTok and Snapchat have already settled out of court with her, leaving just Meta and YouTube on trial.

This is a “bellwether” trial, meaning it is being used as a test case to see how much compensation victims could be due in future litigation against social media companies.

If the tech companies lose, they could be forced to change the designs of their platforms.


Will UK ban social media for under-16s?

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Although TikTok and Snapchat settled for this case, they’ll be involved in the future cases.

The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, will also testify during the trial.

The tech companies say there’s no clear link between tech use and addiction, and that there needs to be strong proof that they significantly harmed young users.

In a blog post, Meta said this kind of legal action against them “oversimplifies” the “complex issue” of teenage mental health.

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“Narrowing the challenges faced by teens to a single factor ignores the scientific research and the many stressors impacting young people today, like academic pressure, school safety, socio-economic challenges, and substance abuse,” said the post.

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Trump’s social media: What is going on?

In a statement to Sky News, Google also rebuffed the claims.

“Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work,” said Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda.

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“In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls.

“The allegations in these complaints are simply not true.”

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