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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Belgium releases video showing forces boarding Russian shadow fleet oil tanker

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Belgium releases video showing forces boarding Russian shadow fleet oil tanker
Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills ‘irreplaceable’ amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict

Belgian forces seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in the North Sea with the help of the French navy on Sunday.

Defence minister Theo Francken said the oil tanker was thought to be sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.

The vessel, named Ethera, had long been on the US, EU, and UK sanctions list, and has since been escorted to the port of Zeebrugge.

“Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukrainians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of aggression stops,” Mr Francken said.

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Volodymyr Zelensky praised Belgium and French forces for the “decisive decision”, adding that “Russia operates like a mafia organisation, and the response must match that reality.”

Western sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the rise of a “shadow fleet” of tankers helping Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing.

Emmanuel Macron said the seizure, which was assisted by French navy helicopters, was a “major blow” to Russia’s fleet.

“Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions,” the French president said.

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Russia condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’

Russia has condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the Russian foreign ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

It warned the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accused the US and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 04:27

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Watch: Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills ‘irreplaceable’ amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict

Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills ‘irreplaceable’ amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 04:00

Zelensky says changes in Iran must be used properly

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the changes in Iran brought about by US and Israeli strikes to be “used properly” to ⁠benefit the country’s people who had withstood violence from their authorities.

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It is important that this chance for change for Iran be used properly, he said.

Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said Iran’s authorities had killed “tens of ⁠thousands of its own citizens just in recent months”.

“The Iranian people have long effectively been alone against violence – against the Iranian regime. This regime, which has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens just in recent months, which has always fueled and organised wars in the region, which provided Russia with ‘shaheds’ and the technology for their production – this regime has brought this attitude upon itself,” he said.

He added: “I thank everyone who is trying to prevent the war from expanding and who is defending against strikes from Iran. And I also thank everyone who tells Russia – now, based on the experience of the Iranian regime – that justice does come.

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Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:45

Next three-way peace talks depend on security situation and diplomacy, says Zelensky

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the time and place of the next round of peace talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine would depend on the security situation in the Middle East and the level of “real diplomatic possibilities”.

Zelensky said he would issue fresh directives to Ukraine’s negotiating team at the talks, without detailing what they were.

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On Thursday, he had said the next round of talks would probably take place in Abu Dhabi in early March.

However, the UAE has since been caught up in hostilities after the US and Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran.

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:40

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Belgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture

Belgium’s defence minister has shared a video of its forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday.

The armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”, said defence minister Theo Francken.

Dubbed the “Operation Blue Intruder”, he said the mission showed “courage, precision, and determination.”

Francken said: “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukranians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of agrgession stops.”

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Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:31

Ukraine to help shoot down Iranian drones in Gulf, says Starmer

Prime minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine’s expertise against Russian use of Kamikaze Shahed drones will be used in the Middle East conflict as Ukrainian experts will now provide guidance on intercepting Iranian drones.

“We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region,” Starmer said on Sunday night.

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“And we will also bring experts from Ukraine, together with our own experts, to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them,” he said.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer issues a statement
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer issues a statement (PA Wire)

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:15

Russia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says

Russia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.

The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

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It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.

Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:00

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Ukrainians made it through winter, says Zelensky

Russia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.

Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.

“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.

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“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 02:50

How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war

How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war

Harriette Boucher2 March 2026 02:00

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Ukraine hit with record number of missiles in February

Russia fired more missiles at Ukraine in February than in any other month for at least three years, according to new analysis.

Figures from AFP claimed that Russia hit Ukraine with 288 missiles in February, an increase of around 113 per cent compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, The Moscow Times reported.

The previous record was set in October 2025, when Russia launched 270 missiles at the country, according to Kyiv.

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Harriette Boucher2 March 2026 01:00

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I’m A Celebrity viewers say ‘what’s the point’ as they fume over ‘annoying’ twist

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Wales Online

I’m A Celebrity campmates welcomed two new celebrities to the jungle tonight

I’m A Celebrity South Africa viewers were left fuming at the end of the episode as they said “what’s the point”.

During Monday’s (April 13) instalment of the ITV hit reality show, the existing campmates were left surprised as they welcomed two new celebrities to the jungle.

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Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard entered the camp but the episode featured a cliffhanger twist that didn’t go down well with viewers.

Moments before finding out the identity of their new campmates, Scarlett read out an announcement inviting everyone to Kings Croc Station.

Once they arrived Ant & Dec greeted them, saying: “Camp life as you know it is about to change. From today, you will be split into two kingdoms: The Lions and The Rhinos.

READ MORE: How did Tyson Fury’s Uncle Hughie die?READ MORE: Crime thriller dubbed ‘Australia’s Broadchurch’ now streaming for free

“Over the next few days you will be competing head-to-head in trials and challenges. Only the winning kingdom will eat dinner. The losers will survive on rice and beans.”

Ant continued, explaining they are also competing for pennants, and the team that accumulates the most will be taken on a safari to see all of South Africa’s wonderful animals and enjoy a tasty bush banquet.

“Every good kingdom needs a king,” Dec says. “So it’s time to welcome two new campmates…”

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The Royal Express then arrived at the platform, with the campmates eager to see which new faces would be joining them. It was then revealed that Harry Redknapp and Jimmy Bullard were entering the camp.

Taking their place on the thrones, the pair were introduced as the Lion King (Harry) and the Rhino King (Jimmy), with them taking it in turns to create their new teams.

The new monarchs had to choose their subjects, so they took it in turns to create their new teams. Before the new teams could even settle into their new camps, they were already taking on their next trial, Wicked Watering Hole.

Both teams were instructed to select two representatives to head to the trial area. The chosen campmates, plus their kings Harry and Jimmy, make their way to the trial. Harry decided to take David Haye and Ashley Roberts and while Jimmy chose Adam Thomas and Craig Charles.

The teams were given ten minutes to find as many golden nuggets as possible, which vary drastically in size. The team whose bowl weighed the heaviest at the final whistle was to be crowned the victor.

However viewers were left unimpressed as the show ended on a cliffhanger and viewers didn’t get to see the outcome of the trial tonight. One viewer wrote: “Seems like this year loves to leave the episodes on a cliffhanger I can’t see the trial finishing in less than 10 mins erghhhh #Imaceleb.”

Another fumed: “What’s the point in an ad break when the show finishes in 10 minutes #ImACeleb.” A third questioned: “Why a break when there’s only 10 mins left… #ImACeleb.”

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Another said: “Er….why are we getting an ad break when there’s just 8 minutes left of the show? Are we returning just for 30 seconds for the show to end? Tf.”

One asked: “Did we not just have an ad break 5 minutes ago #Imaceleb.” Meanwhile another added: “Be prepared for a Cliffhanger… annoying#ImACeleb.”

I’M A CELEBRITY… SOUTH AFRICA AIRS WEEKNIGHTS AT 9PM ON ITV1, ITVX, STV AND STV PLAYER

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Leeds United: What does their win against Manchester United mean in Premier League relegation battle?

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Premier League bottom six

Leeds went into the fixture having not scored in any of their past four league games. They had not netted with any of their past 64 shots.

But five minutes was all it took for Switzerland winger Okafor to net the opener with a smart first-time finish – their first league goal in 51 days.

He then doubled their lead in the 29th minute when his effort took a deflection off Leny Yoro on its way past Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

“To every player, every staff member that is with us, it’s a big compliment because we were fighting to the end and we deserved the three points,” Okafor told Sky Sports after helping end his club’s six-game winless league run.

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Leeds will hope the victory will be the wind in their sails as they look to add to their points tally when hosting bottom side Wolves on Saturday, 18 April (15:00 BST).

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, their top scorer with 10 goals, said as much after the game.

“It’s important we don’t read too much into the external noise and continue to focus on what’s in front of us,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s easy to come here and make history, but it doesn’t matter come the end of the season when the points tallies are in. That’s all we’re focused on.

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“One game after another – making sure that we stay in the Premier League.”

His manager Farke echoed Calvert-Lewin’s sentiments.

“We have to stay humble,” he said. “We are not perfect. We are not the finished, end product. We are on a good path, on the way to achieving something really positive this season.”

After the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on 26 April, they will face fellow relegation candidates Burnley, Tottenham and West Ham in their final four games of the season.

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Married At First Sight’s Paul C Brunson suffers another loss after Mel Schilling’s death

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Daily Mirror

Married At First Sight expert Paul C Brunson has had to say goodbye to another friend who died weeks after the passed of his MAFS co-star, Mel Schilling

A Married At First Sight expert was dealt fresh heartbreak just weeks after the death of his MAFS co-star. Paul C Brunson was already dealing with the emotions of Mel Schilling’s death when it was revealed his mentor has also died.

Paul’s friend and mentor, Natural Langdon, died after suffering from cancer. Natural had been diagnosed with male breast cancer shortly after finishing studying for a PHD in the UK.

Paul paid a special tribute to his pal on social media following the sad news. He wrote: “Rest in peace, Dr Natural Langdon, aka International Nat. You lived a life unlike anyone I’ve ever known, fully on your own terms.

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“You saw the world not just with your eyes, but with depth and curiosity. You were the first to put me onto meditation and always reminded me never to take anything for granted.”

And he concluded by saying: “An incredible filmmaker, an extraordinary mind, and above all, a true friend. You’ll be deeply missed, my brother.”

Natural had won a number of awards for his short film ‘Nikita’. He also provided production to musicians from around the world. His sad passing followed the death of Paul’s colleague, Mel.

Mel died after a battle with cancer last month. She was aged just 54 when she died. Her death came days after she had sadly revealed that her cancer had spread to her brain, and her light was ‘dimming’.

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The psychologist-turned-dating expert’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, as she and her family lived in London. At the time, she confirmed she had a ‘tumour the size of a lemon’ that had been successfully removed.

She was given the all-clear but in an emotional Instagram post in February 2024 she said it had spread to her lungs. Over Christmas last year, the TV star found out devastatingly that it had spread to her brain.

Mel’s husband Gareth shared news of her death on social media. The dad of Mel’s 10-year-old daughter, Madison, said: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.

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“In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life.

“It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.

“This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both. This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.

“To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate. On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.”

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Monday night’s MAFS reunion episode shared an emotional tribute to the expert. Showing a montage of memories on-screen, devastated viewers took to social media to share their emotions.

One wrote, “I’m in tears, what a beautiful tribute. You will be so missed, Mel!’ wrote one fan. Another emotional viewer penned, “It’s been so surreal and sad watching the past few weeks knowing that Mel sadly passed.”.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

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Tesco F&F releases sleeveless jacket perfect for spring that shoppers love

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Cambridgeshire Live

The gilet has a cinched waist to create a “flattering silhouette”

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While the weather should improve as we get further into spring and summer, it can still be quite unpredictable. It is good to have a few versatile pieces in your wardrobe to throw on when the weather takes a turn.

Tesco’s clothing brand, F&F, has just released the F&F Cinched Waist Utility Gilet in Neutral that would be ideal for those colder spring days. The sleeveless jacket has a “cinched waist” to help create a “flattering silhouette”.

The jacket has a “utility-inspired edge” with “a high neckline and concealed zip up fastening”. The gilet is currently being sold for £35 with Clubcard holders being able to get an extra 25% off the piece.

The jacket was posted to the Tesco F&F Instagram page, which currently has 890K followers. The post was captioned: “This sleeveless jacket is your new wardrobe hero—think bold structure, oversized pockets, and endless styling potential. Who else is obsessed? Jacket, £35. Trousers, £25. #FandFClothing #StyleItOut.”

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Fans of the clothing brand have already started to share their opinions on the chic item on social media. One commenter said: “Loveeeee,” and another said: “Smashed it.”

If you want to get your hands on the gilet, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its items. You can also go in person to a Tesco store with a clothing department.

If this jacket is not quite what you are looking for, you could check out what Boden has. There is this Short Sleeve Linen Blazer, which could be a good option for summer, or this V-neck Linen Waistcoat that reviews say “looks so stylish on”.

New Look also has plenty of options for the spring in stock. There is this Green Cotton Floral Longline Shacket, which you can also get in cream, or this stylish Light Blue Cropped Blazer that you can get in a range of spring colours.

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Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 WNBA draft pick again, Azzi Fudd among options

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Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 WNBA draft pick again, Azzi Fudd among options

NEW YORK (AP) — A $500,000 payday awaits the No. 1 WNBA pick as the Dallas Wings go on the clock again.

Whoever Dallas chooses at No. 1 will see a huge salary bump her first year thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement that was ratified last month. That’s nearly seven-times what last season’s No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers made. The No. 2 and No. 3 picks will get $466,913 and $436,016, respectively.

Second- and third-round picks will make $270,000 — which is more than the previous maximum salary in the old CBA.

The Wings could take guard Azzi Fudd from UConn, Spanish forward Awa Fam Thiam or UCLA center Lauren Betts on Monday night to complement a talented roster led by Bueckers.

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Bueckers and Fudd were teammates at UConn and helped the Huskies win the national championship in 2025. Fam Thiem, who is 19, is a talented Spanish player currently playing in her country’s domestic league.

Betts is one of six UCLA players in the draft. The 6-foot-7 center helped the Bruins win their first national championship eight days ago. UCLA has a chance to break UConn’s record of having four players drafted in the first round, a mark the Huskies set in 2002. They also could top Tennessee (2008), Notre Dame (2019) and South Carolina (2023), which all had five players drafted in total.

Minnesota picks second with Seattle, Washington and Chicago rounding out the top five. Expansion teams Toronto and Portland pick next. The Tempo chose to have the higher pick in the college draft after winning a coin toss, giving the Fire the top choice in the expansion draft earlier this month.

Golden State is next with Washington owning the ninth and 11th picks. Indiana chooses between them. Connecticut, Atlanta, Seattle and the Sun close out the first round.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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Sam Smith’s Blacksmith Arms in Skelton calls last orders

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Sam Smith's Blacksmith Arms in Skelton calls last orders

Last orders were called at The Blacksmith Arms in Skelton just north of York on Sunday (yesterday).

The closure follows the recent closures of the Cottage Inn at Haxby, plus that of the Blacksmith Arms in Huntington due to the retirement of the latter’s landlord.

Over the weekend, customers told the York Press that the Skelton venue was running out of beer and wine when they visited on Friday night, with them told the pub was about to close again.

Today, the Press rung the pub on Shipton Road and a recording said: “Voicemail disabled for this extension.”

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RECOMMENDED READING:
Samuel Smith’s Blacksmiths Arms in Skelton finally reopens

The Blacksmith Arms, situated by the A19, a few miles north of York’s Outer Ring Road,  re-opened last August to the delight of villagers after it shut in 2020 following a major revamp.

The previous year, City of York Council had awarded the pub Asset of Community Value status to give it some protection against redevelopment for other uses. The move was backed by Skelton Parish Council, who applied to the city council to award the status.

Parish council chair Cllr Julie Watson confirmed the closure took place on Sunday, leaving villagers with the option of going to Hickory’s, Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel, or the York FootGolf course, if they want a drink in the village.

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Cllr Watson told the Press: “The management couple Wayne and Holly were lovely. The pub is an asset to the community. Let’s hope Sam Smith’s Brewery can find someone very soon.”

Sam Smith’s Brewery still has many vacancies (Image: NQ)

Google awarded the Blacksmith Arms 4.3 stars out of five stars, based on 53 reviews.

Recent reviews included: “Lovely small pub with chatty friendly manager.”

Another said: “What a lovely welcoming pub, log fire, nice friendly customers, and Wayne and Hollie that run the pub are so friendly, nothing is too much trouble, love the fact no mobiles are allowed to be used, people actually talk to one another, we went in as customers and left as friends, keep up the good work. Looking forward to our next visit.”

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The closure adds to a large tally of empty pubs, owned by Tadcaster-based Sam Smith’s Brewery.

Over Christmas, the Press reported the company, which operates more than 200 pubs nationally, had 121 management couple vacancies listed on the Gumtree website.

The Angel and White Horse at Tadcaster (Image: Danny Law)

The salary was advertised at £55,180 for a management couple (£27,590) each.

In addition, the couple would receive a rent-free management flat and have their utility bills paid for by the brewery.

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At present, Sam Smith’s Brewery does not appear to be advertising roles on Gumtree, but its own website says it has vacancies.

They include The Angel and White Horse at Tadcaster, The Jolly Sailors at Whitby, New Inn at Stamford Bridge, Agar Arms at Warthill, Crown Inn at Bolton Percy, Shoulder of Mutton at Appleton Roebuck and the Wellington Inn at York.

The website added that it did not list all the vacant pubs and if applicants had a specific pub not listed that they were keen on, to still apply online.

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Kerry Katona rushed to hospital over stroke fears while watching daughter’s play

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Belfast Live

Kerry Katona was rushed to hospital in an ambulance over fears she was having a stroke while watching her eldest daughter Molly in a new play in London

What should have been an enjoyable family outing descended into a nightmare for Kerry Katona after she was taken by ambulance to hospital amid concerns she was suffering a stroke.

The former Atomic Kitten star, who had travelled to London to watch her eldest daughter Molly perform in a new play, began feeling ill halfway through the show. Following the performance, she noticed she couldn’t smile normally – a key warning sign of stroke.

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Kerry, accompanied by her daughter Heidi and partner Ryan Mahoney at the time, reveals: “As the day went on, I didn’t feel well. I went to the toilet and noticed my face wasn’t right. And Heidi was like, ‘Mum, what’s wrong with your face?’ I started panicking. I discreetly left, went to my hotel and asked to see a doctor. I told the staff, ‘Something’s not right.’”

With no doctor available for four hours, the mother-of-five hailed a taxi to St Thomas’ Hospital. “I got there, and they said, ‘We’re treating this as a stroke,’ so they blue-lit me in an ambulance from St Thomas’ to King’s College Hospital,” Kerry explains. “They were shining lights in my eyes while my face and speech were getting worse.

“An hour ago I was watching our Molly in a play and now I’m being treated for a stroke. What the actual f**k? It just shows how quickly things can change.” The gravity of the situation led Kerry, 45, to message all five of her children – Molly, 24, Lilly, 23, Heidi, 19, Max, 18, and 12 year old Dylan-Jorge – worried it might be her last chance to communicate with them.

“It really, really scared me,” she recalls. “I texted all my children and told them I loved them. I’ve never been so scared in my life.” Upon arrival at hospital, Kerry underwent numerous tests, including CT scans, before doctors identified what was behind the alterations to her speech and facial movements, reports the Mirror.

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“It was a suspected stroke, but luckily that was ruled out after my scans. Instead the CT scans showed there’s a part of my brain that’s broken and isn’t able to send signals to my face due to stress,” she explains. “I’ve spoken to Anna Williamson from Celebs Go Dating about it since, and apparently it can also happen when you’re feeling content. It’s like delayed stress hitting you suddenly because you feel at peace. Every now and then, I’ll get a shooting pain in my head. And I’m noticing my speech – even though I think I’m saying something properly in my head, it doesn’t sound right out loud.”

While Kerry cannot identify precisely which stressor may have triggered the condition, she acknowledges feeling exhausted. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m run down from balancing family life, but I don’t have a social life. I don’t go out drinking. I don’t socialise with anybody outside of my circle, which is Paolo and my kids,” she reveals.

Armed with this knowledge, Kerry has been revisiting old home videos, attempting to spot when the changes began. Reviewing the footage, she notes she can detect her speech deteriorating gradually over time. “The doctors said it will come back. But I want to have speech therapy and get the right exercises for my face,” she says. “I’m getting a bit panicky with it.”

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For Kerry, the frightening episode must have brought back painful memories of her late husband George Kay, who was admitted to hospital in 2015 while displaying similar stroke-like symptoms. The former rugby league player experienced facial paralysis and speech difficulties, mirroring Kerry’s current condition. Kerry had pleaded with her followers to pray for him at the time. It was subsequently revealed that George, who sadly passed away from a drug overdose in 2019, had been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition causing sudden temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles on one side.

Attempting to distract herself from her medical concerns, Kerry travelled to Spain to mark Dylan-Jorge’s 12th birthday and soak up some sunshine with Paolo and their combined family. However, she acknowledges the trip’s timing isn’t particularly convenient.

“I genuinely feel like s**t,” she says. “Because we had to fly out to Marbella, I haven’t had any follow-up checks. But I’ll do it as soon as I get back to try to get my speech and face sorted.”

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Currently, Kerry’s face remains tight on one side, though she remains optimistic that exercises and speech therapy will help restore everything to normal. This recent complication adds to a series of health challenges Kerry has encountered over the past 12 months. In 2025, she endured the devastating loss of two pregnancies with Paolo. Then in January this year, she was admitted to hospital experiencing acute abdominal pain and received a diagnosis of colitis – a long-term condition causing inflammation of the rectum and colon. She was forced to avoid her cherished spicy dishes to aid her recovery.

However, this most recent challenge could prove to be Kerry’s most difficult health struggle to date.

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Leeds stun harebrained Man Utd at Old Trafford to boost survival hopes

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Leeds stun harebrained Man Utd at Old Trafford to boost survival hopes

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Old Trafford. Here is a reminder of how the sides line up this evening:

Manchester United: Lammens, Mazraoui, Martinez, Fernandes, Cunha, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Shaw, Ugarte, Sesko.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Mbeumo, Heaven, Fletcher, Lacey.

Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Struijk, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Okafor, Tanaka, Justin.
Substitutes: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bornauw, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Gruev.

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Strait of Hormuz blockade comes into effect as Starmer rejects Trump’s plan

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Strait of Hormuz blockade comes into effect as Starmer rejects Trump's plan

Shortly after the blockade came into force, President Trump said on Truth Social: “Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat.

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Why Jimmy Nail is returning to touring after 25 years

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Why Jimmy Nail is returning to touring after 25 years

He spoke to Cultured. North East’s Sam Wonfor.

“Let’s put half a dozen gigs on and see what the response is like…”

Jimmy Nail is recounting the pitch from veteran promoter Tony Denton, suggesting the 72-year-old singer and actor take his back catalogue of music and memories on tour.

“He was too polite to say, ‘to see if anybody still remembers you!’”

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Jimmy Nail will appear at the Glasshouse in Gateshead for five showsJimmy Nail returns to touring after 25 years away with Stories and Songs, a show built on music and memory as he reflects on a career spanning decades (Image: SUPPLIED)

Cracking on for 50 dates later – including an unprecedented fifth performance just announced in The Glasshouse’s Sage One – it was Jimmy who put the brakes on.

“I had to say ‘look, I don’t want to do more than 50 – I’m a pensioner! Where would it stop.

“But I mean, going from six to 50…. It’s incredible, really.. and they’re still trying to sneak them in.”

The proposal came during a recent sell-out run at Live Theatre in Newcastle, where Jimmy revisited songs from his 1990s TV series, Crocodile Shoes, with a full band.

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Jimmy NailJimmy Nail (Image: SUPPLIED)

“I’d been chatting to Jack (McNamara, Live’s artistic director) about doing something and I said I could maybe do a few gigs to blow the cobwebs off.”

As it turned out, they couldn’t put extra dates on fast enough, resulting in 19 nights – including a run of 13 consecutive performances.

“I was on my knees at the end of that – sounded like a frog, but it went really well.”

But while the new tour was prompted by a look back at Crocodile Shoes, the resulting show, Stories and Songs, will cast the net much wider.

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Jimmy NailJimmy Nail returns to touring after 25 years away with Stories and Songs (Image: SUPPLIED)

Kicking off on July 4 in Basingstoke, it’s Jimmy’s first national tour in 25 years.

“That sounds like I don’t like touring,” he smiles.

“And that’s not the case.

“I love it – but I tend to only go out if there’s a good reason to.

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“When I started thinking about it, I thought I’m at a point in my life where I can still put on a decent show.

“I can still sing, I can still recall stories and I’ve got a career which goes back over seven decades, so I’ve got plenty to talk about.”

More than plenty if his last touring mash-up of music and memoir is anything to go by.

“I got so carried away with telling the stories that I had to instruct my drummer, Geoff Dugmore, to give me a double bass-drum kick when I was talking too much!”

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This time around, it’ll be longtime collaborator Tony Davis who keeps things on track.

Despite his enthusiasm for sharing stories, Jimmy doesn’t court attention.

For someone whose stellar career has taken him from the North East music scene of the 1970s to chart-topping success, television icon status via his portrayal of Oz in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and international film and theatre work including a pivotal role opposite Madonna’s Eva Peron in Alan Parker’s Golden Globe-winning Evita – he remains instinctively wary of the spotlight.

“I didn’t want to become famous – I didn’t want everybody in the country to recognise me.

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“But once it happened, that genie, once it’s out the bottle, you can never get it back in.

“And I struggled with it.

“I still struggle with it.”

And yet, he’s heading back out in front of audiences across the country.

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“I’ve always been happier on a stage than I am on a pavement,” he says simply, “but I have tried to lean into it a bit more.

“When we did the Auf Wiedersehen, Pet 40th anniversary concerts at Newcastle City Hall a few years ago, it was impossible not to be affected and moved by how much people really love that show.

“So instead of pushing against it, I’ve been trying to go with it… although I’ll never get used to selfies.”

In the North East alone, demand has been extraordinary, with multiple dates added across the region.

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“It’s gratifying and it’s humbling… You never really know what’s going to happen.

“You never know if people are gonna think you’re still worth the price of a ticket.”

That uncertainty is something he learned a long time ago.

Travelling with George Harrison on the way to the Royal Albert Hall and what would become the former Beatle’s final full concert performance in 1992, Jimmy was surprised to hear him admit to nerves.

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“I said to him, ‘George, you were a Beatle…’ but what he was saying was, ‘don’t ever take the public’s support for granted, because you don’t ever know if somebody’s going to put their hand in their pocket come out on a wet Tuesday’.”

Moments like that are just scratching the surface.

There are stories of how a chance meeting turned into what Jimmy still calls an “unfathomable” friendship with George, and the time Steven Spielberg offered him career advice backstage on Broadway – the kind of encounters you wouldn’t dare make up, but which have all played their part in the paths he’s taken.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the setlist, there is plenty to choose from too.

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“I did sit down and make a list… and there were about 50 songs on there, so that’s no good.

“I’ll have to get it down to 20 or so.”

Alongside material from across his seven studio albums, he’s also looking back to the songs which first shaped him… starting with a still vivid memory from primary school, and a baritone-voiced teacher.

“He introduced us to the music of Owen Brannigan and he would sing to us – traditional folk songs.

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“I can still see him at the front of the class singing.”

For all the global success, the through-line of Jimmy Nail’s story begins, and continues, in the North East.

He’s been back living in Newcastle for the past decade, something he clearly treasures.

And while acting has brought him fame, it’s music that remains closest to his heart.

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“You know, you get in the shower and you sing in the shower, you’re happy… You don’t ever hear of anybody acting in the shower… one’s a craft and the other’s a feeling,” he says.

“How could you ever not want to do that?”

Jimmy Nail’s Stories and Songs 2026 tour will be playing the following North East dates: July 8 – Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm, July 9 – Middlesbrough Town Hall; July 10 and 21 – The Witham, Barnard Castle and August 1 – Alnwick Playhouse.

The tour will also play at The Glasshouse Gateshead, from October 11-13 (including a matinee on Oct 11) and November 3.

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Sam Wonfor is the editor of Cultured. North East, a website and newsletter spreading the word about North East culture.

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