James Phelan performed real magic on stage during the auditions in Blackpool

Britain’s Got Talent viewers have praised a magician’s performance on Saturday night after discovering he has a famous uncle.

It comes as Simon Cowell and his fellow judges – Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI – returned to Blackpool for another round of auditions alongside iconic hosts Ant and Dec.

Last year, it was young magician Harry Moulding who won over the public vote and secured the big win as well as a place at the Royal Variety Show.

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Now, thousands have auditioned for the hit ITV series with the hopes of performing in front of the Royal Family themselves and securing the £250,000 prize.

James Phelan, a magician, took to the Britain’s Got Talent stage on Saturday, 11 April, and soared through to the semi finals with four yes’s.

During his act he made Amanda’s ring disappear, swallowed a bunch of needles and correctly guessed Alesha’s favourite colour with an audience involvement gag.

Before his performance, James told the judges that he is the nephew of magician and TV presenter Paul Daniels, who died in 2016. After his audition, viewers took to social media to share their thoughts.

Over on X, formerly Twitter, @RyanSoapKing25 said: “#BGT James Phelen:- I usually hate Magic acts but I actually really enjoyed this one – Magic with the added danger element. James was so charismatic as well which makes or breaks a magic act. I enjoyed that!”

@justinandkimsma wrote: “Paul Daniels’s nephew is good.”, and @Matt528chap added: “A danger act and a magician combined.”

Britain’s Got Talent viewer @SHANEOfficial_ said: “James! Magic is clearly in your DNA! And brilliant presentation. Very, very well done”, and @suzyglitter1 said: “I’m sure Paul Daniels would be proud”

@ihnewman said: “now thats magic”, and @blue_laur11 said: “James the Magician was fantastic ! I’m sure his uncle Paul is looking down with the biggest smile on his face”

Also on Saturday, breast clinic nurse Joan Thomas, 56, soared through to the quarter finals with four solid yes’s after performing a beautiful rendition of Pie Jesu.

And youth worker Ren DMC auditioned with his personal diss track about the judges which included throwing shade at Alesha for being a ‘Temu version of Spice Girls’, and roasted KSI for his boxing, acting and music.

Mullins, who joins Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, said: “It was a good call from JP, I’d been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well.

ROME (AP) — In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.

History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo said. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

In the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented in the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said.

In the first weeks of the war, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and limited his comments to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday. And this week, he said Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue to prevail.

On Saturday, Leo called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders. The evening vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was taking place as simultaneous local prayer services were being held in the U.S. and beyond.

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to build instead the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones or “unjust profit.”

“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”

Leaders have used religion to justify their actions in the war. U.S. officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian faith to cast the U.S. as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes.

Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs.

Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands. Many of the priests and nuns in the pews fingered Rosary beads as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.

The Vatican is particularly concerned about the spillover of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities in the south.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

There have been multiple reports of black panthers, pumas and a lynx in Northern Ireland

Police have received reports of eight ‘big cats’ roaming around Northern Ireland during a four year period.

A freedom of information request has show that from 2020 to 2024 there were a number of reports of pumas, panthers and lynxs across Northern Ireland, however on each occassion the large animal could not be found. One caller queried with police whether or not he would be able to shoot a large cat if it came on his farm land.

The FOI shows that prior to September 2021, police would send officers on a patrol to check out whether or not there may be a big cat in the area but has since stopped doing so.

The reports of big cats in Northern Ireland

On May 28, 2020, police received a report from someone saying that a “black cat believed to be a Lynx had just killed 2 of her kittens” in Co Tyrone. The person said “saw the large cat roll around afterwards and then make it way towards the forest” and that it was “about the size of a Labrador”.

Police did not attend the report with the caller saying they would call police if they saw the animal again.

On August 10, 2020, police received a report from someone in the Portadown area saying that their father believed “a black puma/panther stepped out in front of his vehicle from the bushes on to the grass verge then stepped back in again seconds later.” The caller also said that their dad was “sure it was a puma and had warned another female who was in the area.

Police responded by checking the area, however found no big cats and believed the man may have seen a cow or a horse as there was livestock in the area.

On April 10, 2021, police received reports of a panther or “large black cat the size of a dog” at Hillsborough Forest Park and that they had seen it on two seperate occassions.

Police said they had officers in the area throughout the evening and there had not been any signs of panthers in the park.

On July 8, 2021, police received reports of “a very large puma sized cat like creature, dark brown in colour” in Castlerock, Co Derry, with the caller saying they had a picture of the animal.

Police attended the scene and spoke with the person, however after a patrol of the area they were unable to spot a large cat.

On September 28, 2021, police received reports of a “big cat that looked large like a puma” in Armoy, Co Antrim, and that the caller owned a sheep dog and it was much larger than it. The caller also said that it was dark at the time and they had no photographic evidence of the animal.

Police did not respond as the report was made two days after the sighting.

On August 8, 2022, police received reports of “black panther” in the Desertmartin area of Co Derry with the animal also being reported to the USPCA. The caller said “it wasn’t a domestic cat and was approxamately 3-4 times larger.” Police did not respond to the incident.

On the same day, August 8, 2022, police received reports of a “large black cat, around the size of a Panther/ Cougar/ Jaguar in a field” in Ballymoney at around 1.45pm. The caller told police he “used binoculars to view it for a few minutes and to determine scale and size of the animal.” He also “spotted it two Saturdays ago, one in the morning and once in the evening, then yesterday in the afternoon.” He told police that some fields have been cut and this may provide less cover for small prey animals.

Police did not respond to the incident.

On October 12, 2024, police received reports of a “black panther” or “cat bigger than a labrador” in Corbet, Co Down, with the caller “Wanting to know if there were any other sightings in the area” and said “he was thinking of lamping foxes later & wanted to know what to do if he came across this again”. Police told the caller there had been no other reports in the area and that as long as he was “on his own land and has a firearms certificate then this should be fine on the basis of protecting his livestock.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police would become involved in incidents of this nature with regard to public safety issues and also investigate a possible breach of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 for releasing a non-native species into the wild.

“If anyone does spot what they believe is a dangerous wild cat , the first – and perhaps most obvious piece of advice – is not to approach it. Take a note of the location and inform police or the USPCA straight away.“If an animal which is considered to be a dangerous species is in the possession of a homeowner, then the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) would take the lead.”

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It was a Grand National to savour for Irish trainer Willie Mullins as he celebrated his third consecutive victory thanks to I Am Maximus – equalling the feat achieved by the legendary Vincent O’Brien.

Between 1953 and 1955, O’Brien became the first trainer to win the iconic race three times in a row as Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times triumphed.

Mullins has now etched his name in Aintree folklore and told BBC Radio 5 Live: “That is some company to be up there with Vincent O’Brien. He is a legend of legends in the game.

“To be lucky enough to be mentioned in the same breath as him is just off the charts. You never dream of that sort of thing.”

It has not come easy for the 69-year-old, though.

After winning his first National with Hedgehunter in 2005, Mullins had to be patient for 19 years until I Am Maximus landed the first of his two victories in 2024.

He has since dominated with Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus (2026) making it four in total – equalling the records of George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain.

I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, went into the race 9-2 favourite after significant late support by punters and became the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National.

There was further history for I Am Maximus, with a handicap of 11st 12lb, becoming the first top weight to triumph since Red Rum carried 12st in 1974.

When Ben Jones made his move on 28-1 shot Jordans around the final bend, Townend stalked the leaders on I Am Maximus and finally burst for the front near the famous Aintree elbow. The rest is history.

The feat also meant JP McManus is the leading owner in the history of the race with four wins – backing up the victories of Don’t Push It in 2010, Minella Times in 2021 and I Am Maximus in 2024.

Mullins is a 19-time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer and launched late charges in the past two years to take the British title for the first time.

He is set to lose that crown this year, despite winning £500,000 with I Am Maximus, as Dan Skelton – who won four races at Aintree on Saturday – has created history by becoming the first trainer to pass the £4m mark.

Mullins is also in a battle with Gordon Elliott for the Irish title, but with the Punchestown Festival to follow between 28 April and 2 May, he is expected to come out on top.

Say When so far has two locations in the region – one in Gosforth and one in Ponteland.

Their more central location, on Gosforth High Street, is open from 8am to 11pm every day and serves up everything from brunch dishes to wines and Guinness from self serve machines.

Say When, Gosforth. (Image: SAY WHEN)

In recent weeks, the chain has reiterated that “atmosphere is everything”, and has implemented a smart casual dress code from 4pm onwards.

This means drinkers are told to avoid outfits including football shirts, trainers and gym wear in order to keep the venue feeling “special” for everyone.

Say When, Gosforth. (Image: SAY WHEN)

However, this exclusive feel has earned the bar a number of hit reviews online including on Trip Advisor, with guests praising its “low key” and “calm” atmosphere.

One reviewer said: “We ordered small plates food which all arrived at the same time, a massive achievement for such a large party all ordered a variety of dishes, the food was amazing, service was excellent, all in all an absolute pleasure.

Say When, Gosforth. (Image: SAY WHEN)

Another wrote: “Amazing place. Great addition to the area. Relaxed but a high level of food and drink.

One person posted: “Great addition to Gosforth. Friendly, welcoming and reasonably priced with stylish decor.

“Pleasant service with a low key, calm atmosphere. Been here a couple of times and will certainly return.”

Have you been to the venue?

The moment the Artemis II astronauts’ Orion spacecraft detached from its service module was captured on Nasa‘s livestream as the crew departed for their journey back to Earth on Friday (10 April).

US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after returning from the Moon.

It was a fiery descent lasting about 15 minutes, finishing around 7:07pm ET on Friday.

NASA described it as a “perfect” return to Earth for the crew.

Ireland will take pride from how they conjured two second-half scores via McGann and captain King. Bringing an energy late on that the Red Roses could not match, Scott Bemand, their head coach, implored his team to use their much-improved display as a springboard for the rest of the championship.

Intriguingly, no England side – male or female – have won a Six Nations in the year following a World Cup. The team of part-time teachers and plumbers who triumphed in 2014 endured a miserable championship the following spring. That is the next challenge facing this world-beating Red Roses team if they are to create the “dynasty” that Mitchell mentioned earlier this week. On this evidence, there is still work to be done.

Match details

Scoring sequennce 5-0 Cokayne try, 7-0 Rowland con, 12-0 Bern try, 14-0 Roland con, 19-0 Bern try, 21-0 Roland con, 26-0 Breach try, 28-0 Rowland con, 33-0 Kildunne try, 33-5 McGann try, 33-10 King try, 33-12 O’Brien con.

England E Kildunne; J Breach, M Jones, H Rowland, C Moloney-Macdonald; H Aitchison (Z Harrison 50), (N Hunt 50, E Sing 64); K Clifford (M Carson 50), A Cokayne (C Powell 69), S Bern (M Muir 50), M Talling (H Lutui 43), L Ives Campion, M Feaunati (A Burton 69), S Kabeya, A Matthews.

Ireland S Flood; B Parsons (A McGann 60), A Dalton, E Higgins (N McGillivray 50), V Elmes Kinlan; D O’Brien, E Lane (K Whelan 69); E Perry (N O’Dowd 50), C Moloney-Macdonald (N Jones 60), L Djougang (E Cahill 69), D Wall (R Campbell 50), F Tuite, B Hogan, E King, A Wafer (G Moore 62).

Referee Clara Munarini (Italy).

Attendance 77,120.