Kai Flynn, 25, from Westhoughton, will set off from Breightmet Health Centre on Wednesday, May 20, embarking on a non-stop journey expected to last around 24 hours.

Starting from the base of Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses, Kai will walk a route linking dementia support sites across the region before finishing at the Winnifred Kettle Centre in Westhoughton.

Kai Flynn, 25 (Image: Public)

Unlike a typical endurance event, Kai’s challenge will be completed in a single continuous push, with only short five to ten minute breaks and no sleep throughout.

Kai said: “I am really looking forward to this challenge and it will be unlike any of the rest of crazy adventures I have been on.

“Hitting 60/65 miles in one go will be mentally tough and more pressure on my joints.”

Kai is taking on the challenge in memory of his grandmother, who passed away on May 6 after living with dementia.

Kai is no stranger to extreme challenges, having previously walked from Manchester to Milan and, more recently, crossed from the west to east coast wearing only socks.

Kai Flynn will attempt a 65-mile non-stop walk for Dementia UK (Image: Public)

He has been training in the lead-up to the event, focusing on building endurance and preparing his body for the strain of walking such a long distance without stopping.

He said: “It feels good to be able to turn a negative event/experience into a positive and to make some sort impact.

“It is about just doing the right thing as I am in a position to do so.

“I know dementia effects a lot of families world wide and the support for this reflects that with all these people commenting about their own experiences with the disease

The challenge will raise money for Dementia UK, a charity that provides specialist Admiral Nurses to support families affected by dementia.

To support Kai’s fundraiser, visit here. https://www.justgiving.com/page/kai-flynn-1

Kai is also inviting people to get involved by joining him along sections of the route.

“It would be great to have people come along and walk different legs with me,” he said.

“It should be a really positive atmosphere despite how tough it’s going to be.”

But I’m also very aware that the route I took into this industry isn’t obvious to everyone – and for many young people, it can feel completely out of reach.

That’s why I’m donating my time to Inspiring the Future of Local Media, a new North West scheme designed to open young people’s eyes to the real range of careers in journalism and news publishing.

Local media plays a vital role in communities. We hold power to account, tell people what’s happening on their doorstep, and give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.

But too often, the people producing that journalism don’t reflect the communities they serve. Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn’t always follow.

This scheme is about changing that. It connects journalists, editors and digital specialists with schoolchildren, particularly in areas where media careers may never have been discussed at home or in the classroom.

Sometimes all it takes is meeting someone who says: “This is what I do – and here’s how I got here.”

I know from experience how powerful those conversations can be. I didn’t grow up with a clear plan to become a regional editor.

I learned by asking questions, making mistakes, and being helped by people who were generous with their time and advice. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that support – and I feel a responsibility to pay it forward.

Giving a small amount of my time could help a young person realise journalism isn’t just something that happens in London, or for “other people”. It’s a career rooted in curiosity, fairness, and common sense – values young people already have in abundance.

If even one student comes away thinking, “Maybe I could do this,” then it’s worth it. Our industry and our communities will be stronger for it.

To find out more about the scheme and to register as a volunteer, visit www.inspiringthefuture.org/campaigns/inspiring-the-future-of-local-media.

Christopher Thompson was arrested after the National Crime Agency (NCA) and NHS England held a joint investigation into the online sale of vaccination passports which reportedly made more than £200,000.

The 36-year-old, along with his three co-accused, were arrested by its officers in 2022 and 2023 as a result of the investigation.

Thompson, of Thorpe Crescent, Horden, County Durham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation by creating false Covid-19 vaccination records in the National Immunisation and Vaccination System and unauthorised computer access with intent by accessing the National Immunisation and Vaccination System to create false Covid-19 vaccination records.

The charges relate to unvaccinated individuals being able to buy vaccine passport records allowing them to travel when others were subject to restrictions.

Judge Jonathan Carroll adjourned sentencing until after the three other co-accused are dealt with.

He said: “You have pleaded guilty to these two counts but I cannot give you a sentence date yet because I don’t know what is going to happen with the others.

“You must return to court when all the defendants are present together and we will identify whether there is going to be a trial or not.”

Thompson was released on conditional bail.

Ian Taylor, 42, of Haringay Crescent, Darlington, 34-year-old Shahid Hussain, of Westbourne Grove, Middlesbrough, and Abbey Coates, 25, of The Sidings, Darlington, all face the same charges.

They will appear at court on June 1 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

A cold front is moving south across Northern Ireland today, bringing heavy rain and below-average temperatures as Met Office forecasters warn of possible overnight frosts

A blast of Arctic air is poised to sweep across Northern Ireland, bringing below-average temperatures and heavy downpours.

Chillier air sweeping down from the north is expected to grip the UK over the coming days, with mercury readings sitting 2C or 3C below the typical May maximums, according to the Met Office.

Overnight frosts may also develop across parts of the country, before temperatures begin to recover closer to seasonal norms by the weekend.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “The current weather pattern is allowing for a movement of colder air from further north to sweep down across the UK over the next few days.

“This is not unusual in spring and it should not present any particular challenges. The most noticeable feature for many is that temperatures will appear below average, possibly feeling even colder in the brisk northerly breeze.

“Overnight some locations may experience relatively late in the season overnight frosts, while there is a chance that the Scottish mountains could experience wintry showers.

“But generally these conditions won’t be impactful and there is no current need to issue weather warnings.”

A cold front is tracking southwards across Northern Ireland and the Midlands on Monday, bringing rainfall – some of which could potentially be heavy – with peak temperatures of 15C or 16C in the south, Mr Madge confirmed.

By evening, some sunny spells will emerge, before Tuesday brings clearer intervals and scattered showers, with highs of around 16C or 17C anticipated. On Wednesday, squally downpours will likely be extensive, with substantial rainfall predicted across northern Britain, alongside possible coastal gales, Mr Madge noted.

Certain locations could experience 20-30mm of precipitation, hail and occasional thunder, while peak temperatures of 14C are anticipated, Mr Madge stated.

The Met Office continues to monitor Thursday which remains subject to change, though a showery day appears probable at present. Both Thursday and Friday are set to bring variable conditions.

Thursday’s temperatures are anticipated to mirror Wednesday’s figures, before Friday potentially rises by a degree, Mr Madge explained.

Joe Whitehead, chairman of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild, described May as the most challenging month and acknowledged it can prove “so difficult” for those tending gardens.

He suggested his recommendation is to “look at the weather every day so you’ve got an idea of what’s coming up”.

He continued: “Anything tender, bring them in to the garage, to the porch, or cover them with something. In your allotment, think about your potatoes coming through the ground.”

Mr Whitehead, who is based in East England, expressed he’s eager for rainfall, so feels relatively satisfied with the forecast indicating showers, though he cautioned gardeners against excessive watering of plants.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Adolescence

The Celebrity Traitors

Last One Laughing

The Studio

Code Of Silence

Amandaland

Prisoner 951

Here We Go

How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)

Scam Interceptors

Go Back To Where You Came From

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Thousands of Louisiana voters have already cast early ballots for congressional candidates in what soon could be the wrong districts. Alabama’s primaries are a week away, but the state could force a do-over for voting on U.S. House races. A new congressional map in Tennessee upended races that had been underway for months.

Republicans’ rush to gerrymander congressional districts across several Southern states after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling hollowed out the Voting Rights Act is confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials. The changes are hitting while primary season is in progress.

The chaotic upheaval to an election season that could determine which party controls the U.S. House is the latest fallout from an intensely partisan gerrymandering battle initiated by President Donald Trump last year to protect Republicans’ slim majority.

The Supreme Court’s decision last month severely weakening the Voting Rights Act required Louisiana to reconsider a map drawn in 2024 with two majority minority congressional districts that elected Black representatives. The GOP-controlled Legislature could eliminate one or both in a state where roughly 30% of the population is Black.

The ruling also encouraged Republicans in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee to consider eliminating four Democratic districts among them, three represented by Black lawmakers. Florida has a new map meant to cost Democrats four of their eight seats, out of 28.

In Louisiana, 66-year-old New Orleans resident Sallie Davis voted early last week. Her ballot allowed her to vote for Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, but a sign at her polling booth showed his race crossed off with a ballpoint pen. She was confused and frustrated — especially when a poll worker told her to go with what the sign seemed to convey. She’s now worried that her entire ballot will not be counted.

“I was supposed to believe a piece of paper with an X on it marking out the person I wanted to vote for,” she said, her voice breaking as she recounted her experience later. “I think I have been disenfranchised. I think my vote, that I just voted on, it’s not going to count or something. I think it’s illegal.”

Primaries postponed, deadlines compressed

Louisiana’s primary is on Saturday, and a week of early voting there began May 2, two days after the Republican governor declared an emergency and suspended congressional primaries to give lawmakers a chance to draw a new map.

Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s office said nearly 179,000 primary ballots had been cast as of Friday, including about 53,000 absentee ballots returned by mail. She said the ballots included U.S. House races, but votes in those contests won’t be counted.

In Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, Republicans justified pursuing new maps by saying that electing more Republicans would better reflect their states’ conservative values. Alabama lawmakers passed legislation Friday allowing a do-over of congressional primaries.

Alabama’s primary is May 19, and voting in congressional races will occur then as planned, but with the old districts. Those votes would end up not counting if a court allows the switch to different districts.

Mississippi held its primaries in March, but a federal court has ordered it to redraw its state Supreme Court districts, and Trump is pushing Republicans to redraw the state’s four congressional districts.

A special session of its Legislature is set for May 20. Renovations of the House chamber will force members to meet at the Old State Capitol, where, decades ago, Mississippi lawmakers passed Jim Crow laws suppressing Black voting.

“Modern-day voter suppression relies on election administration errors and chaos, and that’s what we’re going to see play out in all of these states,” said Amir Badat, a Jackson, Mississippi, voting rights attorney and activist.

Tennessee continues yearlong fight

Tennessee was the first state to enact a new map since the U.S. Supreme Court decision, but Trump’s push for redistricting started in Texas last year. Democrats countered in California and tried but ran afoul of the courts in Virginia.

Before Tennessee’s GOP-controlled Legislature passed a new map last week, the state’s elections coordinator told county officials in a memo what that would mean: reprogramming election systems, retraining poll workers and possibly adjusting precinct boundaries, meaning some voters’ polling places could change.

Tennessee’s congressional primaries still will be held Aug. 6 as planned, and candidates have until Friday to qualify for the ballot. Those who qualified previously will get a pass if they can run in a new district with the same number.

In South Carolina, lawmakers could move all the state’s June 9 primaries to August, or just the congressional races. While mail balloting is limited because the state requires an excuse to do it, more than 6,800 mail ballots already had been sent to voters — with 260 returned — as of Friday, according to the state Elections Commission.

Holding a separate election for congressional primaries would cost $3 million and the time for preparations would be compressed, Conway Belangia, the commission’s executive director, told lawmakers Friday.

“It will be difficult, but it will be possible,” he said.

Activists see problems ahead for voters

Michael McClanahan, president of the NAACP’s Louisiana State Conference, is hearing “total confusion” as voters call him and ask, “Is there an election?”

“People say, ’I ain’t going to vote because the governor’s suspended the election,’” he said. “But he didn’t, he only suspended one aspect of it.”

In Alabama, Senate Democratic leader Bobby Singleton said he has been fielding calls from public officials who also are confused.

“These are the people who are the head of elections,” he said. “They don’t know what to do.“

Voting rights activists see problems that arose in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022, when Republican legislators divided the state’s capital city into three congressional districts to take a seat from Democrats, as a harbinger of what Memphis voters could face this year. A state report said more than 3,000 Nashville-area voters were assigned to incorrect districts and more than 430 cast ballots in the wrong races in the November 2022 election.

“It’s going to be really hard for the election commissions to be able to keep up with this short timeline,” Matia Powell, executive director of the voting rights nonprofit Civic TN, said during a conference call Friday with other voting rights activists in the South.

Some fear confusion will lead to distrust and apathy

Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values, which provides support to voting and civil rights groups, said people will lose trust in elections if they believe the rules can change every two years.

“Once people stop believing that the process is stable and fair, disengagement is going to increase, and that’s one of the biggest dangers here,” she said. “Democracy doesn’t just depend on voting systems existing but really on people believing that their participation matters.”

At least a few Democratic voters who went to the Louisiana Capitol on Friday to protest the gerrymandering expressed doubt about whether they still have a political voice.

Davis came to the State Capitol in Baton Rouge and had a bullhorn with her for a protest in which she yelled, “Whose vote? Our vote!”

David Victorian, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran from Baton Rouge, said: “I’m concerned for the survival of the democracy that we’re supposed to be living in.”

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kan. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C., and Kim Chandler, in Montgomery, Ala., contributed.

Lucas De March, aged six, has tragically died after he was crushed by a forklift driven by his dad Gabriele, at the family’s mechanical engineering company in Sedico, Italy

A six-year-old boy has died in Italy after he was crushed by a forklift truck operated by his father. The tragic accident occurred at approximately 6.30pm on Friday (8 May) at Meccanica De March, an engineering firm located in an industrial district of Sedico.

The victim, Lucas De March, was struck as his father, Gabriele De March, desperately attempted to raise the alarm. Despite emergency services arriving on the scene within minutes, they were unable to save the youngster.

Investigators are currently probing whether the child lost his balance and fell into the path of the moving machinery. The forklift has been confiscated by authorities for safety inspections to ensure it complied with relevant regulations.

Gabriele De March may now face manslaughter charges, according to reports from NeedToKnow. Lucas, who had a three-year-old brother and was set to begin primary school this September, has left the local community in mourning following the fatal incident.

He attended the Doushin Dojo ASD judo school, where he had finished his lesson at 5pm before going to see his father at work.

The school paid tribute, saying: “Lucas was a bright, cheerful child, a well-mannered and respectful judoka. We will miss him very much, and so will his classmates.” Psychological support will be made available in the nurseries and primary schools attended by Lucas’s friends.

Following the tragedy the local municipality, in agreement with the Sedico Carnival Association has decided to cancel the “Sedico in Festa” event and all related activities and events planned for the coming days. The Sedico in Festa is a traditional spring fair held in the town centre.

“We believe that in a time of such great suffering, there is no time for celebrations. This decision is a sign of mourning and to honour the memory of Lucas,” said the mayor Christian Roldo.

“Our priority now is to stand with the families involved, to whom we express the deepest condolences and warmth of the entire Sedico community.”

He then asked for locals to “think of Gabriele, Jennifer, and little Nicola, who are suffering. The mayor added: “The tragedy that has struck us so harshly leaves us speechless and requires us all to take a necessary moment of silence, reflection, and above all, respect.”

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Mr MacGregor claimed a whopping 14,458 votes – well ahead of Labour’s Kieran Higgins who was left trailing in second place with 7,682 votes.

Fulton MacGregor has thanked the people of Coatbridge and Chryston after he was re-elected to serve as a Member of the Scottish Parliament in the constituency – picking up nearly double the votes of his nearest challenger.

Mr MacGregor claimed a whopping 14,458 votes – well ahead of Labour’s Kieran Higgins who was left trailing in second place with 7,682 votes

Mr MacGregor later posted on Facebook: “My heartfelt thanks to each of the 14,458 people who voted for me. I am truly grateful to each and every one of you.

“We achieved just short of 50 per cent of the overall vote which is truly amazing!

“However, whoever you voted for I promise to continue to stand up for you and everyone in Coatbridge & Chryston.

“Being your MSP is a huge privilege and your priorities will always be mine!

“My thanks also to all my family and friends, my campaign team and my office team! This result would not be possible without your solid and ongoing support.

READ MORE: The SNP’s Neil Gray claims big victory in his Airdrie constituency

“Thanks to my opponents too for what was a fair and good spirited contest. It was an example of how political contests should be conducted everywhere!

“A special shout out to Labour’s Kieron Higgins who was second placed and who I know has a bright future ahead.

“Good luck to all of you in what comes next.”

Mr MacGregor also joined his new SNP parliamentary colleagues on Friday for photographs alongside First Minister John Swinney at Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

In the final Coatbridge & Chryston voting outcome, Mr MacGregor won with 14,458 votes, with Labour’s Kieron Higgins, second with 7,682, Mandy Lindsay of Reform UK third with 5,145 and Daniel Mancini of the Liberal Democrats in fourth with 1,048.

The total votes cast were 25,595 and the percentage poll was 50.14 per cent, while 153 ballot papers were rejected.

READ MORE: Central Scotland and Lothians West MSPs split among several parties

Responding to his second place finish, Labour’s Kieron Higgins took to X to say: “An honour to run for my hometown as Labour’s candidate.

“It wasn’t to be but thank you to everyone who helped campaign and everyone who supported Labour yesterday.

“Thanks too to Fulton for his gracious comments at the count.

“Now this newly jagged puppy needs his first walk!”

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An American woman is currently house hunting in the UK with her husband, but there are three quirks of properties here that have left her feeling confused and baffled

Anyone who has purchased a property or is currently attempting to get onto the housing ladder knows it’s far from straightforward. You might discover your ideal home, but the neighbourhood isn’t quite right, or alternatively, a property in the perfect location could be much smaller than you need.

One American woman residing in the UK has revealed that one aspect of the process has left her “baffled”. Ashley Jackson relocated to Manchester from Texas in 2022, and is presently house hunting with her husband. The 42-year-old has explained that certain peculiarities of English homes have left her feeling perplexed.

Ashley explained that she and her husband are “learning as they go”, but there are three elements that she’s genuinely struggling to comprehend.

Fireplaces and mantelpieces

Ashley was puzzled by fireplaces and mantelpieces, revealing that in every property she’s viewed, she’s been eager to establish whether it’s a “real fireplace” and whether it’s an “original” feature of the house.

She asked: “Why is it so far out, if so? If not, is there a real fireplace back there? Why cover it up? And how easy can I remove it?”

Naturally, when viewing a property and encountering a fireplace, you should be able to enquire with the estate agent about whether it’s an original feature or a decorative fireplace.

Boxed-in structures

Another element Ashley mentioned had left her baffled throughout her property search is the ‘strange boxed-in structure upstairs,’ which is probably concealing the staircase.

“What the heck do people do with this space with the box?” she questioned, given the limited storage options available, and she was finding it difficult to envisage how to make it aesthetically pleasing.

Dishwasher issues

Her greatest culture shock occurred in the kitchen, upon learning that many properties throughout the UK don’t have dishwashers. Her position was clear: she didn’t “want to hand-wash all the dishes,” and neither does her husband.

She fumed: “I’m in my 40s, I’m not adjusting on this. The seller’s estate agent said it wouldn’t be a problem to have the plumbing moved around and have it installed. Any truth or tips on this?”

Within the comments section, Brits quickly stepped in to clarify the peculiarities of UK housing. One user wrote: “You can definitely move things around in the kitchen to accommodate a dishwasher. It should be relatively simple to do – ask a plumber for advice.

“There’s probably a fire or a back boiler behind that faux fireplace, rip it out and see. The ‘box’ is hiding the head of the staircase, so is wasted space really, but you can pretty it up with cushions to make a reading nook or make it functional with storage”.

Another commenter advised her to “get used to doing the dishes manually,” emphasising that she’s “in England,” where it’s perfectly normal to pull on rubber gloves and tackle the washing-up.

One commenter insisted: “A dishwasher is essential! I’m English, 70 and have had a dishwasher for at least 45 years.” A fellow Brit confessed that hand-washing dishes turns their stomach, citing the unpleasant “greasy water” involved in the process.

Olly Murs became emotional during a live TV interview on This Morning before embarking on his Soccer Aid UNICEF endurance challenge

Olly Murs revealed his anxieties ahead of tackling the Soccer Aid UNICEF marathon.

During the most recent episode of ITV’s This Morning on Monday, May 11, the 41-year-old was interviewed before embarking on a five-day, 400km endurance test. Into The Unknown will witness Olly journeying from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium, traversing over 400km through running, rowing, and cycling.

Speaking remotely from Old Trafford, Olly discussed the enormous challenge awaiting him with Jake Quickenden. As This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley observed from the studio, Olly admitted: “I’m petrified, I am scared. I’m nervous, I’m excited.

“It’s here now. I’ve done the ten weeks of training, you know there’s so many people behind the cameras. There are lovely people here who have come down to see me.”

When questioned about which discipline concerns him most, Olly acknowledged that the prospect of solo rowing is causing him anxiety, reports the Mirror.

Further into the conversation, footage was presented to the audience detailing why the former Voice judge was selected for the challenge, which aims to raise funds for youngsters affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Following the clip, Olly struggled to hold back his emotions. He remarked: “It makes me feel really emotional actually and it makes me more determined to get out and raise as much money as you can.”

Before continuing: “All we want to do is keep our kids safe and imagine doing that with a war going on.”

Olly will undertake a multi-discipline journey from Manchester’s Old Trafford, where Soccer Aid originated, travelling to London Stadium in Stratford, the venue for this year’s milestone fixture.

The punishing five-day endeavour will test him to breaking point, with each leg presenting unique physical and psychological challenges.

From arduous ascents and challenging landscapes to formidable water-based sections, it promises to be amongst the most demanding ordeals he’s ever encountered.

Adding further complexity, Olly will only learn each day’s route moments before setting off, with the information disclosed live on national radio.

Without any opportunity to plan in advance, every stage will deliver an unexpected twist.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.