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Tennessee officials will pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a man who was jailed for more than a month over a Facebook post he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

While many people across the U.S. lost their jobs over social media comments about Kirk’s death, Larry Bushart’s case stood out as a rare instance in which such online speech led to criminal prosecution. The 61-year-old retired police officer spent 37 days behind bars before authorities dropped the felony charge against him in October.

During his time in jail, Bushart lost his postretirement job and missed his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter, according to a federal lawsuit Bushart filed in December against Perry County, its sheriff and the investigator who obtained the arrest warrant.

“I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart said in a statement announcing the settlement Wednesday. “The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy. I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family.”

Perry County Mayor John Carroll did not immediately respond to a Wednesday message left with his office seeking an interview.

Bushart was arrested in September after he refused to take down Facebook memes that joked about Kirk’s killing, which had prompted an outpouring of grief among conservatives, including in Perry County, which is near Bushart’s home and which held a candlelight vigil.

The meme Bushart posted that prompted his arrest read: “This seems relevant today…” and featured President Donald Trump and the words, “We have to get over it.” That quote, the meme explained, was said by Trump in 2024 after a school shooting at Iowa’s Perry High School.

Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told news outlets that most of Bushart’s “hate memes” were lawful free speech, but residents were alarmed by the school shooting post, fearing Bushart was threatening a local school, also called Perry County High School, even though Weems said he knew the meme referred to a school in Iowa.

“Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community,” Weems said in a statement to The Tennessean last year.

Bushart’s bail was set at $2 million before he was released as the case drew national attention.

“It’s in times of turmoil and heightened tensions that our national commitment to free speech is tested the most,” said Cary Davis, an attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which helped represent Bushart. “When government officials fail that test, the Constitution exists to hold them accountable. Our hope is that Larry’s settlement sends a message to law enforcement across the country: Respect the First Amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow.”

Airlines have been struggling with jet fuel supplies following the Iran conflict.

Despite this, the Government has advised travellers not to change plans, saying that UK airlines are “not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel” and that “it is typically bought in advance”.

Now, budget airline Jet2 has also reassured passengers, saying it expects to operate flights as scheduled this summer.

Jet2 issues update to passengers amid fuel supply issues

The travel company said today (May 20) that it has “reported positive updates about fuel supply”.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “We are in regular dialogue with our fuel suppliers, and the current picture is one of increased production and imports, meaning we continue to look ahead with confidence.

“We have already been very clear about our plans to operate our schedule as normal this summer, and our message to holidaymakers is that summer is on.”

Mr Heapy added: “This confidence, on top of the incredible value that our award-winning holidays offer right now, means it is a fantastic time to get that well-deserved holiday locked in, and we know that many people are taking advantage of that right now.

“Everything is geared up and ready for a busy summer and we look forward to welcoming everybody on board and creating fantastic memories with Jet2.”

Jet2 had previously reassured customers that it would not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases.

It also removed the surcharge provision across all flights and holidays.

Mr Heapy said previously: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.

“As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.”

Brits warned of long queues due to EES

While travel plans will remain the same, Brits have been warned over lengthy queues this summer due to the EU’s new entry/exit system (EES).

Non-EU nationals travelling in Europe are now required to provide personal data, and have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken.

Major airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have called for the rollout of the new system to be suspended until after the summer to allow for a “smoother airport experience” during peak travel season.

CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary, Malta Air, David O’Brien, has also threatened to pull all flights to Malta due to the extended wait times caused by the EES at airports.

Brits are now being warned of six-hour waits at airports in Portugal caused by the new EES.

A Portugal travel advisor, known as @travel_luckk on Instagram, said: “Last week a family I advised landed in Lisbon and stood in line for 6 hours and 40 minutes.

“Their toddler slept on a suitcase. They missed their transfer to the Algarve.

“This wasn’t bad luck. This is Portugal in 2026—and almost no one is talking about it yet.”

Porto is currently a quieter and more efficient alternative, according to @travel_luckk, for entry into northern and central Portugal.

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The Portugal travel advisor said: “OPO is 40% faster through EES than Lisbon right now.

She warned that the travel through Lisbon can be especially difficult, particularly on Monday mornings between 6am and 11am.

Ryanair has called on the Portuguese Government to pause the rollout of the EES until September.

Have you got any holidays planned this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

The 15-year-old girl reported being threatened with a knife during seven horrifying hours

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A teenage girl was saved after being ‘randomly’ snatched off the street. The horrifying incident took place in Bowdon, Altrincham as a 56-year-old man has been arrested.

The girl reported being threatened with a knife during a seven-hour ordeal. The 15-year-old was kidnapped on May 18 and was found in the early hours May 19 in a hotel car park in Knutsford, Cheshire.

The victim, it is understood, was forced into a vehicle on Bradgate Road, Bowdon, at around 6.45pm as she walked alone. She was reported missing at around 9pm ManchesterEveningNews reports.

Police issued an alert for a specific vehicle after a witness was able to report the registration plate having heard the girl’s screams. Cheshire cops found the vehicle on a car park at the Cottons Hotel and Spa in the early hours.

The teenager was inside and a man was arrested at the scene.

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In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “Officers working alongside Cheshire Police have arrested a man on suspicion of abduction after a teenage girl was reported missing on Monday 18 May in Altrincham.

“A 56‑year‑old man was arrested in the early hours of 19 May and remains in custody for further questioning. Specialist officers are supporting the girl and her family.

“There is no wider risk to the public. Further updates will be provided when appropriate.”

The man arrested was a white male, Greater Manchester Police said. Detectives have been granted an extension to keep the suspect in custody for further questioning.

It is understood the incident is being treated as random and that the teenager is not known to the suspect.

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Brits are being warned to expect a hot bank holiday weekend

The Met Office has said that Brits can expect an “exceptional spell” of warm weather this weekend as the UK is set for a bank holiday heatwave. The forecast follows a period of cooler weather for most of May, which is expected to come to an end this week.

The weather agency has predicted temperatures could soar as we approach the end of the week, with potential for some parts of the UK to see highs in excess of 30C. In a post on X – formerly Twitter – the Met Office wrote: “It’s been a cool May – so far. That’s set to change quite dramatically over the coming days.

“A prolonged period of very warm weather is now increasingly likely. Temperatures will rise to well above average for May with the hottest spots possibly exceeding 30 Celsius.”

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A graphic posted on the social media platform shows the temperature difference compared with averages for the month. It shows a temperature of more than nine degrees from Friday, through to Sunday, across large parts of the UK, including areas of Greater Manchester towards the end of the week.

With most of the country set to see a hot bank holiday weekend, Deputy Chief Forecaster Greg Wolverson has suggested that Brits should prepare for an “exceptional spell” of warm weather. He said: “A very warm period of weather will develop through the weekend and into next week for much of the UK.

“High pressure will be in charge of the UK’s weather over the bank holiday weekend and this should bring fine and settled conditions to most areas. The exception will be parts of northwestern Scotland where it will be cooler and cloudier with some rain at times. There is also a small risk of some thunder in the south late on Friday into Saturday.”

Current Met Office temperature maps forecast parts of the UK to see highs of around 27C on Friday (May 22), with highs of 28C predicted for Saturday (May 23). Temperatures could increase further to 29C on Sunday (May 24), with the Met Office suggesting highs in excess of 30C could be possible on bank holiday Monday (May 25).

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Issuing an outlook on the potential for the UK to see a heatwave, Mr Wolverson added: “Heatwave thresholds – defined as three consecutive days at or above a set temperature – are likely to be reached in parts of the UK from Sunday, most likely in southeastern England. Into next week, these conditions are expected to become more widespread, extending across central and western England and into parts of Wales, as temperatures remain well above average.”

However, with warm temperatures expected for the weekend, Brits are being to plan ahead for hot conditions. RAC breakdown spokesperson Harriet Hernando said: “With the weather set to transition from cold to hot as the bank holiday approaches, we’re going to see a lot more traffic on the roads – and with that comes the risk of many more vehicles breaking down in the heat.

“Before setting out on a long journey, motorists should make sure that their car is summer-ready. One of the biggest risks is an increase in cars overheating, especially when sat in queues of traffic with no shade.”

Nick Giles OBE, MD Leisure, Ordnance Survey added: “With a long weekend looming, and warm weather forecast, it seems the perfect opportunity to set out on an adventure on foot – equipped for the Great British weather, of course. At OS, we want to make the outdoors enjoyable, accessible and safe. I would urge anyone going on an adventure to plan ahead, including checking weather forecasts, their kit, food and drink, and please take a map or the OS Maps app.”

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The Cambridge Beer Festival allowed me to try a few new beers that surprised me.

Anyone living in Cambridge or who is a massive beer lover will have heard of the Cambridge Beer Festival. The festival has been running for 52 years and allows visitors to try a huge range of beers from across the UK and around the world.

I enjoy a beer before a football match or with friends at my local pub but I wouldn’t exactly call myself an expert. I never really stray away from my faithful pint of Guinness, so the festival really gave me a chance to try something new.

I arrived at the festival on Jesus Green and was welcomed by some of the friendly volunteers. A quick flick through the programme showed me the sheer number of beers they had available, with handy descriptions of each so I could see what I’d like.

All of the beers are in a huge tent with glasses available to buy at the door. I picked up an adorable Paddington-themed glass to try some of the beers in.

The tent had plenty of chairs and tables packed with people already enjoying their drinks. I also walked past the iconic cheese stall with its chunks of fresh bread, picnic bits, and wide range of cheeses that can be paired with different beers.

Each time I passed the cheese stall, the queue had not cleared out at all with more people joining all of the time. There were also a few places to buy merchandise and even sweets.

The main tent was buzzing with groups of people drinking and taking a look at the huge amount of beers to choose from. I made my way straight to where the Green Jack’s beers were to get myself the Marmalade Sandwich beer that is inspired by Paddington.

Marmalade Sandwich is brewed using orange peels and you definitely get a citrus aftertaste from the bitter. The drink was very refreshing and would be perfect on a hot day in summer.

After finishing off Marmalade Sandwich, I had spotted another beer that could become a new favourite. Ampersand, a brewery from Diss, had a beer on offer called Affogato.

The beer’s description simply read: “A coffee stout or dessert in a glass? You decide.” As someone who loves desserts, I knew I had to test it out.

I didn’t expect the beer to taste so much like an affogato but I could instantly taste hints of vanilla and coffee. The beer was very smooth and easy to drink and at 8%, you might start forgetting how many you have had quite quickly.

After a few drinks, it was time to get some food. I was spoilt for choice when it came to the outside food stalls and struggled to choose between kebabs and curries as well as burgers, falafel wraps, and fish and chips. After much deliberating, I decided to go for the chicken and chorizo paella, which cost £10.

The paella had been made in a huge dish, which meant some of the rice had gotten a little charred from the bottom of the pan. The rice was fluffy and soft after bathing in all of the oils and flavours from the rest of the ingredients.

The chunks of chicken were perfectly tender and worked well with the generous amount of smoky and rich chorizo. The mountain of paella was the ideal dish to have after a few pints to soak up some of the alcohol.

The Cambridge Beer Festival was a great way to discover new beers you might not usually gravitate towards. Alongside the amazing food stalls, trying out the different beers from the range of breweries makes for a fun day out with friends.

As the festival is so well organised and all of the volunteers are so friendly, it is easy to see how the Cambridge Beer Festival has been running for 52 years. For 2026, the festival will run from Monday, May 18, to Saturday, May 23.

James Chapman (Butchers) Ltd achieved recognition in the Ribeye Steak category.

James Chapman (Butchers) Ltd have struck gold with their standout products for Summer 2026.

The Wishaw-based butcher enjoyed success at the recent Scottish Craft Butcher Awards, achieving recognition in the Ribeye Steak category.

The competition was judged at Forth Valley College, Stirling, earlier last month.

Following a rigorous judging process, the team secured a gold award for their Ribeye Steak, highlighting the quality, craftsmanship, and innovation behind their offering.

The awards were presented at a regional meeting held in Garfield House Hotel, Stepps, organised by Scottish Craft Butchers.

Scottish Craft Butchers Executive Manager Gordon King praised the standard of entries this year.

He said: “The Speciality Burger competition attracted a wide variety of innovative and imaginative products, with craft butchers from all over Scotland thinking outside the box to deliver exciting new flavours and concepts for their customers.

“The Best Ribeye Steak category demonstrated all the traditional skills of maturation and craft butchery for which our members are justifiably recognised all around the world.”

Colin Hewitson, of C&K Hewitson, sponsors of the Speciality Burger category, continued: “This prestigious Scottish Craft Butchers competition has attracted tasty and exciting entries from across the whole of Scotland.

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“We are proud to be associated with such a high standard of competition and innovation and congratulate those achieving awards.”

Jason Ward, General Manager of John Scott Meat, sponsors of the Ribeye Steak category, added: “A personal favourite, the classic ribeye steak is up there with the finest cuts of beef available.

“We’re proud to sponsor the Best Ribeye Steak Competition and congratulate all the Scottish butchers who showcased their exceptional produce.

“It’s a true testament to the outstanding quality available at your local butcher, where quality, provenance, and traceability come as standard.”

This latest success reinforces James Chapman (butchers) Ltd’s reputation for excellence and commitment to delivering premium products to the local community.

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Helen Green was jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to dishonestly failing to notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances, having claimed £25,244 in PIP benefits

A woman who pocketed £25,000 in benefits after claiming she was housebound has been brought to justice after photographs surfaced showing her completing a demanding 10k race and kicking an opponent during her combat session.

Helen Green successfully defrauded the Department for Work and Pensions out of the substantial amount after claiming Personal Independence Payment, a tax-free welfare benefit for individuals requiring assistance with additional costs arising from a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.

However, the fraudster, who claimed to suffer from severe rheumatoid arthritis, was exposed after video material emerged of her exercising at the gym and images of the 49-year-old participating in the race were submitted to investigators. She had informed the DWP she could scarcely feed herself, let alone venture outdoors and was unable to walk for more than five minutes without crutches.

Yet, photographs from a 10k race revealed her competently covering the distance without any crutches. Ms Green was also captured on security cameras at the gym participating in Zumba, Body Combat, Body Pump, Core Blast and Spin classes after the DWP was alerted to her deception through a tip-off to their fraud line.

She has appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court and was accused of falsely claiming £42,013 but her guilty plea related to an amended charge of £25,244. She was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to dishonestly failing to notify DWP of a change in circumstances. Green dishonestly informed the DWP she required help with washing, bathing, dressing, preparing meals, eating and drinking in her claim between January 2020 and March 2023, reports the Mirror.

She even declared in her PIP paperwork her condition was permanent and anticipated to deteriorate over time. However, Green was caught out following a tip-off and an investigation was promptly initiated. Video evidence released by the DWP revealed a montage of Green exercising at the gym, as well as her smiling and gesturing during a combat class where she was seen kicking another participant.

Labour’s Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said: “This is a slap in the face to taxpayers and the genuine claimants who depend on PIP to live their lives.

“Helen Green wasn’t just burning calories at the gym, she was also peddling lies and our investigators caught up with her.

“Let this be a warning – you can’t outrun the DWP.” Mandy Tobias of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Helen Green pretended she had limited movement, but instead was a regular runner and active in gym classes.

“She did this for her own greed and lined her pockets with fraudulently obtained money.

“The Crown Prosecution Service presented strong evidence thanks to the investigation work of the DWP showing Green’s deception, resulting in her guilty plea.”