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Trump’s State of the Union seeks to give GOP a midterms boost

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Trump's State of the Union seeks to give GOP a midterms boost

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will use Tuesday’s State of the Union to champion his immigration crackdowns, his slashing of the federal government, his push to preserve widespread tariffs that the Supreme Court just struck down and his ability to direct quick-hit military actions around the world, including in Iran and Venezuela.

The Republican hopes he can convince increasingly wary Americans that his policies have improved their lives while ensuring that the U.S. economy is stronger than many believe — and that they should vote for more of the same in November.

The balancing act of celebrating his whirlwind first year back in the White House while making a convincing case for his party in midterm races where he personally won’t be on the ballot is a tall order for any president. But it could prove especially delicate for Trump, given how happy he is to veer off script and ignore carefully crafted messaging.

A main theme will be that the country is booming with a rise in domestic manufacturing and new jobs, despite many Americans not feeling that way. “It’s going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,” said Trump, who promised a heavy dose of talk about the economy.

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The president is also expected to decry the Supreme Court ruling against his signature tariff policies and talk about his attempts to maneuver around that decision without depending on Congress or spooking financial markets. He’s also likely to urge lawmakers to increase military funding and tighten voter identification requirements, while defending immigration operations that have drawn bipartisan criticism following the shooting deaths of two American citizens.

Jeff Shesol, a former speechwriter for Democratic President Bill Clinton, said Trump has typically used State of the Union addresses to offer more conventional tones than his usual bombast — but he’s still apt to exaggerate repeatedly.

“His job, for the sake of his party, is to show the silver lining,” Shesol said. “But if he’s going to insist that the silver lining is gold, no one’s buying it. And it will be a very difficult position on the campaign trail for Republicans to defend.”

Michael Waldman, Clinton’s former chief speechwriter, said second-term presidents “have a tough job because what they all want to say is, ‘Hey, look what a great job I’ve been doing — why don’t you love me?’”

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Affordability questions loom large

No matter what his prepared remarks say, Trump relishes deviating into personal grievances, meaning Tuesday will probably feature topics like denying that he lost the 2020 presidential election.

His lack of messaging discipline has been on display after concerns about high costs of living helped propel Democratic wins around the country on Election Day last November. The White House subsequently promised that the president would travel the country nearly every week to reassure Americans he was taking affordability seriously. But Trump has spent more time blaming Democrats and scoffing at the notion that kitchen-table issues demand attention.

Trump instead boasts of having tamed inflation and says he has the economy humming given that the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently exceeded 50,000 points for the first time.

Such gains don’t feel tangible to those without stock portfolios, however. There also are persistent fears that tariffs stoked higher prices, which could eventually hurt the economy and job creation. Economic growth slowed the last three months of last year.

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Waldman, now president of the Brennan Center for Justice, which advocates for democracy, civil liberties and fair elections, said previous presidents faced similar instances of “economic disquiet.”

That created a question of “how much do you sell vs. feeling the pain of the electorate,” he said.

Shesol noted that Trump has “always believed — going back to his real estate days — that he can sell anyone on anything.”

“He’s still doing that. But the problem is, you can’t tell somebody who has lost their job and can’t get a new one that things are going great,” Shesol said. “He can’t sell people on a reality that for them, and frankly for most Americans, does not exist.”

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It is potentially politically perilous ahead of November elections that could deliver congressional wins to Democrats, just as 2018’s “blue wave” created a strong check to his administration during his first term.

Several Democrats in Congress, meanwhile, plan to skip Tuesday’s speech in protest, instead attending a rally known as the “People’s State of the Union” on Washington’s National Mall.

Foreign policy in focus

Trump’s address comes as two U.S. aircraft carriers have been dispatched to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran.

The president will recount how U.S. airstrikes last summer pounded Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, and laud the raid that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Nicolás Maduro, as well as his administration’s brokering of a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

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But he also strained U.S. military alliances with NATO, thanks to his push to seize Greenland from Denmark and his failure to take a harder line with Russian President Vladimir Putin in seeking an end to its war in Ukraine.

Making any foreign policy feel relevant to Americans back home is never easy.

Jennifer Anju Grossman, a former speechwriter for Republican President George H.W. Bush and current CEO of the Atlas Society, which promotes the ideas of author and philosopher Ayn Rand, said Trump can make clear that Maduro’s socialist policies wrecked Venezuela’s economy to the point where one of the world’s richest oil countries struggled to meet its own energy needs.

Now, oil from that country will help lower American gas prices.

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Still, when it comes to overseas developments, she said, “I think it’s going to be a bit of a challenge to make clear why this is relevant to the domestic situation.”

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Severfield: Middle East conflict could affect company warning

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Severfield: Middle East conflict could affect company warning

The comments came as a trading update also revealed the firm expects full year profits for the year to March 28 to be in line with current market expectations of £10.2million.

Nonetheless, the Thirsk headquartered company, which also has operations at Malton, reported a UK and European order book of £438million and a “record Indian order book of £331million.”

Severfield said it had a “secure order book” which “remains well diversified, with a good mix of projects across the Group’s key market sectors” and “momentum across India continues to strengthen.”

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Expansion at the new Gujurat facility remains on track and the business “well positioned for opportunities in the Indian construction market.”

However, the conditions in the UK and Europe have “remained subdued, reflecting macroeconomic uncertainty, elevated interest rates, and geopolitical instability, weighing on business confidence and the timing of project awards.”

The trading update further warned: “We also remain mindful of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which continues to disrupt global trade routes and supply chains, and drive energy price volatility.

“The current direct cost exposure of the Group is limited, reflecting our well-established policies of securing steel prices at contract stage and hedging key commodity costs.

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“However, whilst these measures provide a degree of short-term protection, the situation remains uncertain and largely outside the Group’s control.

“Prolonged disruption or further escalation could give rise to broader impacts on project timelines, supply chain reliability and overall market conditions. We will continue to monitor developments closely and take further mitigating actions as appropriate.”

The update concluded the board is cautious concerning the year ahead with an expected underlying pre-tax profit in the coming year of £12-15million.

The company said this reflected “increased geopolitical uncertainty, together with broader macroeconomic conditions, the impact of later project start dates, and a continued tight pricing environment.”

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The full year results are expected to be published on June 23.

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Donald Trump’s desperate descent sparks 37 wild contradictions in 39 days – list IN FULL

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Daily Mirror

Donald Trump’s flip-flopping has been laid bare in the statements he has made over the last six weeks of the war – which culminated today in a chilling threat to annihilate Iran

Donald Trump’s descent into desperation during the Iran War has been laid bare, with a massive timeline of the president’s public statements capturing his conflicting briefings about the war as it enters its sixth week.

Trump, 79, despite having long insisted that the operation he launched on February 28 was successful from day one, has been accused of constantly U-turning, leaving international allies frustrated as he asks for their aid. Emmanuel Macron last week offered the most outspoken criticism of his approach, telling he president he “shouldn’t be speaking every day” as he offered unrestrained analysis of the conflict.

People can see his descent into desperation during the conflict, with the president on day one declaring Iran would learn “that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces“, before six weeks later threatening to destroy the entire Iranian civilisation.

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READ MORE: Trump declares ‘whole civilisation dies tonight’ as Donald vows final Iran blowREAD MORE: Iran’s sickening human shield demand for CHILDREN as Donald Trump threatens civilisation

Here’s every statement Trump has made on the war so far:

  1. February 28: “This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States Armed Forces.”
  2. March 1: “We have very strong objectives.”
  3. March 2: “We’re already substantially ahead of our time projections.”
  4. March 3: “We won the war.”
  5. March 4: “We’re doing very well on the war front.”
  6. March 5: “[Iran] have no air force, they have no air defence.”
  7. March 6: “They don’t have anyone or anything to fight with.”
  8. March 7: “We defeated Iran.”
  9. March 8: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much.”
  10. March 9: “The war is ending almost completely, and very beautifully.”
  11. March 10: “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for USA and World, Safety and Peace.”
  1. March 11: “You never like to say too ⁠early you won. We won. In the first hour it was over.”
  2. March 12: “We did win, but we haven’t won completely yet.”
  3. March 13: “We won the war.”
  4. March 14: “The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both militarily, economically, and in every other way, but… This should have always been a team effort.”
  5. March 15: “Whether we get support or not, I can say this, and I said it to them: we will remember.”
  6. March 16: “I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory.”
  7. March 17:“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the Nato Countries’ assistance _ WE NEVER DID!”
  8. March 18: “Allies must cooperate to open the Strait of Hormuz.”
  9. March 19: “US allies need to get a grip – step up and help open the Strait of Hormuz.”
  10. March 20: “Without the USA, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!”
  11. March 21: “[If Iran doesn’t] FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS.”
  1. March 22: “I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD”
  2. March 23: “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.”
  3. March 24: “We’ve won this war.”
  4. March 25: “They gave us a present and the present arrived today. And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.”
  5. March 26: “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK.”
  6. March 27: “We would have always been there for [NATO], but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we?”
  1. March 28: “Very strong talks.”
  2. March 29: “To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people.”
  3. March 30: “The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran. Great progress has been made.”
  4. March 31: “Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
  5. April 1: “Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!”
  1. April 2: “We are gonna finish the job. We are getting very close.”
  2. April 3: “[The US] hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!”
  3. April 4: “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”
  4. April 5: “Open the f****n’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
  5. April 6: “We’re doing unbelievably well, well at a level that nobody’s ever seen before.”
  6. April 7: “A whole civilization will die tonight.”

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‘Outstanding’ thriller hailed ‘best show I’ve seen’ lands new UK streaming home

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Manchester Evening News

The hit series won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards throughout its run

A ‘masterpiece’ book adaptation that scooped 15 Emmy Awards has just found a new UK streaming home. The six-season series is based on a cherished Margaret Atwood novel, which has also accumulated its fair share of literary accolades.

We are, of course, talking about The Handmaid’s Tale, which will be available to stream on Disney Plus from Wednesday (April 8). The show’s Disney debut coincides with its sequel, The Testaments, landing on the platform.

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For those who missed the drama during its original run, it is set in a dystopian society where women are considered property of the state. Under the law, women are confined to limited roles, including sexual servitude to repopulate an increasingly infertile world.

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans make Todd Grimshaw prediction as he comes clean over abuseREAD MORE: Rylan Clark and Emma Willis quizzed directly on Strictly rumours as they host This Morning

Despite its weighty themes, the 2017 series swiftly cultivated a devoted fanbase. It claimed 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, with cast members frequently earning nominations for prestigious accolades, reports the Mirror.

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This should come as little surprise given that the ensemble featured Elisabeth Moss in the lead role of June Osborne. She appeared alongside fellow accomplished actors, including Max Minghella and Madeline Brewer.

Beyond critical success, the drama also garnered overwhelming praise from viewers. Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes awarded the first season an impressive 90% score, though the subsequent five instalments received varying ratings.

Sharing their verdict, one fan said: “Season 1 is perfection. Just how you imagine the book to look and feel.” A second agreed: “An absolute masterpiece in television. This is must-see content. From beautiful cinematography to poignant writing and great acting, this is TV at its finest.”

Someone else chimed in: “Best show I’ve seen since Game of Thrones and one of the most faithful book to TV adaptions I’ve ever seen.” Meanwhile, a fourth viewer enthused: “A disturbing dystopian tale that cuts close to the bone. Atmospheric, complex and brilliantly constructed this is an excellent adaption of Atwood’s classic novel. One of the best shows of 2017.”

And a final viewer raved: “Haunting and vivid indeed. With Elisabeth Moss as lead, this is worth the while. Well, all cast excels in character. Beautifully written and directed, outstanding cinematography. Dystopian world portrayed very convincingly. Very high quality viewing with heaps of intrigue, twists and action in ways you could not imagine.”

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A Disney+ subscription now starts at £5.99 and includes hit series like The Testaments, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Bear, plus countless titles from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and more.

The Testaments will also make its Disney Plus debut tomorrow, with three episodes dropping at once. The show follows June’s daughter Agnes (Chase Infiniti) as she studies as Aunt Lydia’s school for wives.

A synopsis teases: “The series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders. As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification, their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future.”

The Handmaid’s Tale will be available to stream on Disney+ from April 8

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GMP appeal after Bolton teenager goes missing in Halliwell

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GMP appeal after Bolton teenager goes missing in Halliwell

Alfred was last seen in the Halliwell area of Bolton at 9pm on Sunday, April 5.

GMP described Alfred as a black male between 5ft 9 and 5ft 11, with a slim build and black, braided hair.

According to GMP, he was last seen wearing pyjama shorts, a T-shirt, a silver necklace, and a black jacket with a fur-lined hood.

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He was also carrying a black backpack when he was last seen.

GMP posted an alert to their social media channels with a description of Alfred and guidance on how to contact them with information.

GMP said: “Have you seen Alfred from Bolton?

“Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well.

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“Any info? Call us on 101 and quote log 276 of 07/04/26.

“Always call 999 in an emergency.”

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Slimming World: I never imagined just how much my life would change in a year

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Slimming World: I never imagined just how much my life would change in a year

At the beginning of 2025, I was at my lowest point, writes Slimming World group member Alison. After a cancer operation, my weight had become erratic and my health really suffered. My asthma worsened, my arthritis became painful, and I struggled with even the simplest things. My recovery from chemotherapy was slower because of my weight, and I knew something had to change.

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Wireless Festival Cancelled As Kanye West Is Blocked From Travelling To The UK

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Wireless Festival Cancelled As Kanye West Is Blocked From Travelling To The UK

Wireless organisers have confirmed that this year’s festival will no longer be going ahead in light of the news that Ye will no longer be permitted entry to the UK.

Last week, it was announced that Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – had been booked to headline all three nights of the event, which was due to take place at London’s Finsbury Park in July.

This news was met with a near-immediate backlash because of a variety of antisemitic comments made by the Grammy-winning musician last year.

London mayor Sadiq Khan and UK prime minister Keir Starmer were among those to raise questions about Ye’s Wireless booking, with numerous brands pulling their sponsorship as the backlash intensified.

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On Tuesday afternoon, it was finally announced that Ye would no longer be permitted access to the UK, meaning his Wireless set could not go ahead.

Wireless subsequently said in a statement to the press: “The Home Office has withdrawn Ye’s ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.

“As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking Ye and no concerns were highlighted at the time.”

They added: “Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As Ye said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.”

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In January 2026, the Touch The Sky rapper – who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a decade ago – issued a public apology for his behaviour in a full-page magazine ad addressed to “those I’ve hurt”.

Ye claimed in his public statement that his antisemitic comments had come during a months-long manic episode where he said he had “lost touch with reality”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ye had issued a fresh statement, saying: “I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly. My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.

“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”

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Ye previously dismissed the suggestion that his apology was a “PR move” intended to help him “release music” and “operate [his] businesses” as he had before the backlash he sparked controversies 2025.

“This isn’t about reviving my commerciality,” he told Vanity Fair. “This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit.

“I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far. I look at wreckage of my episode and realise that this isn’t who I am.

“As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word. It’s important that they realise and understand what side of history that I want to stand on.”

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Man attacked at Bishop Auckland Stanley Jefferson Wetherspoon

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Man attacked at Bishop Auckland Stanley Jefferson Wetherspoon

The attack happened on November 6, last year, at the Stanley Jefferson on the Market Place.

Police have shared an image of the man they would like to speak to.

He is described as tall, slim, and was wearing a baseball cap and hoodie at the time.

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Durham Police said: “Officers want to speak to him in connection with an assault.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Dave Taylor by calling 101 with extension 201338 or emailing dave.taylor@durham.police.uk, police said.

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Ex-NUFC man Joey Barton denies attack outside golf club

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Former Newcastle midfielder Barton arrested for 'attack'

The 43-year-old, wearing a grey zip-up fleece and with glasses on, appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

He pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway, Huyton, on March 8.

Barton’s co-defendant Gary O’Grady, 50, of Huyton, Merseyside, was not asked to enter a plea to the charge on Tuesday.

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An earlier court hearing was told the defendants had been drinking with Mr Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club before the alleged attack.

Mr Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.

Honorary recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC set a trial date for September 1, with the case expected to last seven days.

The 15-minute hearing also dealt with administrative matters.

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Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, was remanded in custody, while the judge renewed conditional bail for O’Grady, who was supported in court by several family members.

Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Barton has one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

He now hosts podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton, which is described as an “unfiltered” look at issues in sport, society, politics and more.

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Royal Bolton Hospital sees quiet start to doctors’ strike

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Royal Bolton Hospital sees quiet start to doctors' strike

This is the 15th strike since March 2023 and is expected to cause “significant disruption” across the country.

The action began at 7am, with resident doctors (formally known as junior doctors) already appearing on picket lines and making headlines nationwide.

Outside Royal Bolton Hospital, however, the scene this morning was comparatively quiet.

The Bolton News visited the hospital around 10am but found no picket lines in place.

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When speaking to people outside the hospital, many were unaware that strike action was taking place.

A staff member told The Bolton News they “hadn’t seen anything,” in contrast to previous occasions when resident doctors had gathered at the top of the road, where Redgate Way meets Plodder Lane.

Bolton doctors in 2023Bolton resident doctors in 2023 (Image: NQ)

A spokesperson for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust confirmed they had not been made aware of any picket lines during the six-day strike action.

In recent action, resident doctors have reportedly operated at the MRI unit as part of a ‘hubbed’ response.

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Dr Rauf Munshi, Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our Emergency Department is always here to help in a life or limb-threatening emergency, and our teams will make sure the sickest patients get the help they need first.

“We have robust plans in place to manage any increase in demand over the Easter weekend and during industrial action, but it’s important people choose the most appropriate service for their needs so that our urgent care services are ready to help those who need it most.

“Even once industrial action is over, we’ll continue to face pressure as our services resume to full levels of activity so please do make sure you know the best way to access services for your health needs during this challenging time.

“If you are ever unsure about where to go, NHS 111 online can provide advice for your symptoms.”

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The British Medical Association (BMA) has been contacted for comment.

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Kanye West blocked from travelling to UK amid Wireless Festival controversy

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Daily Record

Gold Digger singer Kanye West has been blocked from travelling to the UK by the Westminster Government

American rapper and record producer Kanye West has been denied permission to travel to the UK by the Westminster Government.

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The Gold Digger singer had recently come under fire following his controversial planned headline set at the Wireless Festival later this year.

According to the BBC, the Home Office has decided to refuse permission for West to enter the country as his “presence would not be conducive to the public good”.

Yesterday, the singer who legally changed his name to Ye in October 2021, applied to come to the UK via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

West has previously caused outrage for a string of antisemitic, racist and pro-Nazi comments.

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