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Bobby Rush’s voice gets AI boost in Jesse Jackson Jr. campaign ad

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Bobby Rush’s voice gets AI boost in Jesse Jackson Jr. campaign ad

CHICAGO — An AI-enhanced former congressman is hitting the Chicago airwaves.

As he campaigns to reclaim the South Side congressional seat he once held, Jesse Jackson Jr. is launching a new TV and digital ad featuring an endorsement from fellow former Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush — delivered with an assist from artificial intelligence.

The spot, set to begin airing today in the race, initially shows Rush speaking in his actual voice, weakened from a battle with throat cancer.

“Cancer damaged my vocal cords. It didn’t take away my voice,” Rush says in the ad.

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He then continues speaking in a restored version of the voice he had decades ago.

“I want to tell you why I believe in Jesse Jackson Jr.,” says Rush, the longtime Chicago congressman who pushed Jackson to reclaim the 2nd Congressional District seat, using the enhanced voice to deliver a testimonial about Jackson’s record.

Rush, who has become familiar with AI technology’s ability to restore his voice for podcasting and broadcast interviews, said he recognizes there are concerns that it can be misused in political campaigns. But in this case, he said in an interview, “It’s being used in a positive way. It’s being used for the right reasons.”

The ad from Jackson’s campaign comes as two dueling political action committees with links to major AI companies circle the race.

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Jackson is receiving support from a pro-industry super PAC, Leading the Future, which has poured money into advertising on his behalf and counts venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman among its backers.

A spokesperson for Jackson’s campaign said the ad with Rush had been in the works for months, before the AI-backed group got involved in the race.

“Integration of AI in this spot puts a spotlight on how much they believe in each other,” according to spokesperson John Digles.

A rival super PAC, Jobs and Democracy, which advocates for tougher regulations on AI, filed federal paperwork Friday signaling that it plans to begin $1 million advertising against Jackson.

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The timing of that group’s filing raised eyebrows among some Democrats because it came the same day Jackson joined family members, three former presidents and thousands of others for a memorial service honoring his late father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who was buried Saturday.

The Congressional Black Caucus, some of whose members were in Chicago for the funeral services, criticized the super PAC’s move to announce its campaign as the family mourned.

By Sunday, a new filing was out indicating the super PAC was canceling the spending.

The 1st Congressional District seat Rush held for three decades until 2023 is now held by Jackson’s brother Jonathan Jackson. Rush encouraged Jesse Jackson Jr. to seek office again after stepping down in 2012 due to health reasons and then facing charges of campaign finance violations that resulted in him serving prison time.

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Jackson is competing in a crowded field in the March 17 Democratic primary alongside Donna Miller, a county commissioner, and state Sens. Robert Peters and Willie Preston, among other candidates. The winner is widely expected to have a strong advantage in November in the predominantly Democratic district.

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We Might Regret This, Last Leg, Drag Race!

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We Might Regret This, Last Leg, Drag Race!

Welcome back to Canary Catch Up! I’m gonna be honest with you all, most of my tv time this week has been taken up by reading the Game Changer series. These, if you don’t know, are the books that Heated Rivalry comes from. These queer hockey boys have got a death grip on my heart, which is precarious enough considering I’m recovering from pericarditis. But when I wasn’t swooning over these incredible books, I was watching lots of great TV.

We Might Regret This tackles disabled marriage inequality

One show that I’m so glad is back for a second series is We Might Regret This. The sharp comedy nails that, whilst being disabled is rubbish, the shittest part is the way you’re treated by the government, society and media.

The show doesn’t shy away from problems disabled people face that they really fucking shouldn’t anymore. Whilst Freya is excited to be engaged, she’s brought down to earth with a bump when she finds out that by getting married, she could have her care allowance cut by half. In the UK, if you move in with a partner, you can lose means-tested benefits as their income is included in the assessment. This effectively means disabled people don’t have marriage equality and it puts some at risk of prolonged abuse. It meant so much to me that a show of WMRT’s popularity is opening people’s eyes about something that disabled people live in fear of.

Someone’s House of Games?

I’m a huuuuge quiz show fan. So much so, I was on Pointless and have the trophy to prove it. Since Richard Osman left Pointless, he’s had runaway success fronting Richard Osman’s House of Games. The show is now in its ninth series and Osman even met his wife on the show. So for some baffling reason, he announced this week that he’s leaving the show, and in time, someone else will be taking over.

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This just seems like an absolutely bizarre move to me, away from the show’s success. How do you even continue a show with someones name in without that person? Will it be Richard Osman’s House of Games Hosted by some annoying prick from Reality TV? Or will it be Some Annoying Prick from Reality TV’s House of Games? Either way, it sounds like bollocks.

Penny Mordaunt gets her arse handed to her on The Last Leg

Tory Ghoul Penny Mordaunt was on The Last Leg this week to flog her wares; thankfully, she wasn’t given an easy ride. Irish comedian Vittorio Angelone laid into her support for the arms trade, saying:

Penny’s always been such a supporter of disabled people, you’re very supportive of the prosthetics industry, you were promoting on Twitter an arms fair in Saudi Arabia recently.

The audience responded with shocked laughter and applause. Mordaunt attempted to justify her actions by spaffing on about how important defence is, which Angelone responded to with:

I think it’s brilliant, warmongering has always been a male dominated industry and you’ve really smashed the glass ceiling.

Mordaunt was understandably fuming, but if you don’t wanna be called a warmonger on live TV, then maybe don’t be a warmonger

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And finally…possibly the bizarrest lip-sync ever

I had an arthritis flare at the end of the week, which meant it was prime time to lie in bed and catch up on Rupaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World. And I’m glad I did because it meant I got to witness possibly the best and weirdest lip sync ever.

On Drag Race the bottom two battle it out for the final place in the competition by lip syncing for their lives. In the past we’ve had many iconic lip syncs but this one feels like they might finally be running out of songs. Because instead of a pop banger, Fontana and Serena had to lip sync to fucking Crazy Frog. If this sounds batshit enough, nothing will prepare you for the video

Until next week!

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Featured image via the Canary

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Why Fast Radiology Reports Matter in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

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Why Fast Radiology Reports Matter in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

March is internationally recognised as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of early detection and timely diagnosis of one of the most common cancers worldwide. When patients undergo imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans, they often ask an important question: How can I be sure the results have been interpreted correctly?

In many cases, patients and clinicians may seek a second opinion on MRI or CT scans to gain additional insight into imaging findings. Access to a fast MRI or CT report can also help patients receive timely clarification of results and support further medical consultations.

Why patients sometimes seek a second opinion on CT or MRI scans

Receiving imaging results can raise many questions. Patients may want to better understand their diagnosis or confirm that the findings from a scan have been interpreted accurately.

Some of the most common reasons patients seek a second opinion on CT or MRI scans include:

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• persistent symptoms despite previous examinations
• uncertainty about imaging results
• complex or unclear findings on a scan
• preparation for further treatment decisions

A second review by an experienced radiologist can provide additional reassurance and help ensure that important details visible on the scan have been carefully evaluated.

The role of CT and MRI imaging in colorectal cancer diagnosis

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum and often begins as small growths known as polyps. Because the disease may progress slowly, early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Medical imaging plays an important role in assessing the condition. For example:

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• CT scans can help evaluate the abdomen and determine whether cancer has spread beyond the colon.
• MRI scans are particularly useful in assessing rectal cancer and visualising pelvic structures in detail.

These imaging techniques provide clinicians with valuable information that supports diagnosis and treatment planning.

Fast MRI or CT report: why timing can matter

When patients undergo diagnostic imaging, they often want to receive clear information about the results as quickly as possible. Waiting for a report can be stressful, especially when further medical decisions depend on imaging findings.

A fast MRI or CT report may help patients obtain timely clarification of scan results. Rapid access to expert interpretation can support discussions with healthcare providers and help guide the next steps in the diagnostic process.

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In some cases, patients may also request a radiology second opinion to confirm findings or gain additional confidence in the interpretation of their imaging studies.

Access to specialist radiology expertise

Medical imaging produces complex diagnostic data that requires careful analysis by experienced radiologists. The radiology report summarises the findings visible on the scan and provides clinicians with important information for further evaluation.

Advances in digital healthcare now make it possible for imaging studies to be securely shared and reviewed by specialist radiologists regardless of location. Patients may seek an independent radiology second opinion or a fast MRI or CT report through specialised services such as Eurodiagnosis, where imaging studies are interpreted by experienced radiologists.

Because medical imaging contains sensitive health information, secure data handling is essential. Modern radiology platforms use encrypted systems and strict data protection standards to ensure that patient images and medical information are processed safely and confidentially.

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Improving awareness and diagnostic confidence

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month encourages greater understanding of cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis. Access to modern diagnostic imaging and expert radiology interpretation can help patients and clinicians better understand complex medical findings.

Clear imaging reports and access to specialist expertise support more informed medical discussions and may help patients feel more confident about their diagnostic journey.

FAQ

What is a radiology second opinion?
A radiology second opinion means having MRI or CT scan images reviewed by another specialist radiologist to confirm or clarify the findings of the original report.

Why might someone request a fast MRI or CT report?
Patients may seek a faster radiology report when they need quicker clarification of imaging findings, particularly when further medical consultations or treatment decisions depend on the results.

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Can CT or MRI scans detect colorectal cancer?
CT and MRI scans are often used to evaluate abnormalities and assess the extent of disease. However, colonoscopy remains the primary diagnostic test for detecting colorectal cancer.

How can I obtain a professional radiology second opinion or fast report?
Patients can request a radiology second opinion or a fast MRI or CT report entirely online by securely uploading their imaging studies. After submission, the images are reviewed by experienced radiologists, and the report can typically be delivered within up to 5 days. This remote process allows patients to obtain expert interpretation regardless of their location.

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BBC Analyst Refutes Trumps Iran War Victory Talk

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BBC Analyst Refutes Trumps Iran War Victory Talk

A BBC expert has delivered a brutal reality check to Donald Trump over his claim that America has “already won” the war in Iran.

Referring to British plans to send two Royal Navy ships to the region, Trump said: “We don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won.”

But on Radio 4′s Today programme this morning, BBC international affairs editor Jeremy Bowen said Trump was obviously wrong.

He said: “Trump oscillates wildly in the kinds of things that he’s said. He even said over the course of the weekend regarding the British aircraft carrier proposal, he said we’ve won the war already. Well clearly, that hasn’t happened.”

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He said: “What we’re seeing is a continuation of their strategy, which is essentially to spread the pain.

“They know they can’t take on the Americans and the Israelis in terms of firepower, but what they can do is create second and third order consequences, like a big hike in oil prices, which they might be hoping will press Donald Trump into thinking ‘right, time to declare victory and go home’.”

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Nadiya Bychkova Becomes Fourth Strictly Come Dancing Pro Rumoured To Be Axed

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Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Márquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova

Strictly Come Dancing fans are in shock following reports in the tabloid press that four of the show’s resident professionals will not be returning for this year’s series.

On Saturday, The Sun claimed that Gorka Márquez’s contract would not be renewed ahead of the next season of Strictly, citing a “source” who claimed that “bosses want a fresh start” ahead of the next run.

Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas were also among the pros rumoured not to be back for the upcoming season, with the tabloid alleging a day later that Nadiya Bychkova was the fourth to be dropped.

At the time of writing, none of the four has addressed the speculation, but the news has sparked a big reaction among Strictly devotees…

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are you joking me no not michelle and gorka

— 👑🪩ꪶꪮ𝕧ꫀ, ꫝꫀꪖtꫀᦔ ꭈꪱ᥎ꪖꪶꭈꪗ&ᠻꪱꪀᦔꪱꪀᧁ ꫝꫀꭈ ꫀᦔᧁꫀ⛸️🏒 (@LeahXBarnes) March 8, 2026

How can you scrap Michelle after one season with a partner?!? I think they should each have a partner for 2 seasons at least to see how they do, and the pros really need to be assigned on a fairer rotation.

— ~ (@Sias_Creations) March 8, 2026

michelle leaving would make zero sense😭 genuinely do not believe it until strictly confirms

— emily 🪩 (@emilyslotx) March 7, 2026

A BBC representative told The Sun: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”

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HuffPost UK has also contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.

Gorka – who has made the Strictly final three times during his 10 years as a professional – sat out most of last year’s season due to his commitments as a judge on the Spanish version of the show.

Nadiya and Luba joined in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

During their time on the show, Nadiya has gone without a celebrity partner twice, while Luba has been benched four times.

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Michelle, meanwhile, became a Strictly pro in 2022, and has only been paired with a celebrity once during her four-season stint.

Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Márquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova
Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Márquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova

Fans already knew that Strictly would be getting something of a refresh in 2026, following the much-publicised departures of its long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Replacement presenters are yet to be confirmed, with a number of famous faces rumoured to be in consideration for the coveted gig.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One for its 24th season in the autumn.

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Donald Trump Ally Says US President To Blame For Keir Starmer Row

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Donald Trump Ally Says US President To Blame For Keir Starmer Row

An ally of Donald Trump has blamed the US president for his ongoing spat with Keir Starmer over Britain’s role in the the Iran war.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the prime minister for initially refusing America’s request to use UK military bases to launch attacks on Iran.

Starmer has since granted the US permission after Iranians began bombing other Middle East countries, putting 300,000 British citizens in the region at risk.

However, the UK says American jets can only carry out “defensive” missions targeting missile launch sites from British bases.

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Trump said last week that Starmer was “not Winston Churchill” and on Saturday night claimed Britain was trying to “join a war after we’ve already won”.

Despite this tension, the president’s friend Chris Ruddy insisted the “special relationship” between the UK and the US is still not “broken”.

The founder and chief executive of conservative media outlet Newsmax told the BBC the recent friction could be described as a “bump in the road”.

“The president has great respect for Britain and the prime minister,” he said, speaking to Radio 4′s Today programme. “I think there was probably some miscommunication early on but that’s been smoothed over.”

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Starmer suggested last week that Trump’s war may be unlawful and that the president evidently had no clear objective for the war.

But Ruddy said that America usually engages its allies months ahead of time when it comes to operations like this.

He said: “In this case, as I understand it, the United States notified the British literally on the eve of the attack or as the attack on Iran was underway and said we would like to use your bases.

“Starmer’s response was not that he was not going to do it but that he was going to review it, get the buy-in of the cabinet.

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“Within 24 hours he came back, and said it was approved.

“I don’t think it was a real effort to stymie the Americans on his part. Britain came behind the United States quicker than any other ally in Europe, was far better than the French, and stood very strong with us.”

French president Emmanuel Macron and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez have both claimed the strikes are outside of international law.

“I believe the US did not engage early enough the allies,” Ruddy said. “We’re seeing poll numbers here where Americans do not fully support the Iran attack and the reason I believe is that the administration did not fully communicate the importance of this attack and why a strike on Iran on its nuclear facilities was critically important at this time.”

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Ruddy added that every day the Iran war drags on, the worse it gets for the US.

“Over time, the public perception around the world becomes ‘Iran is the victim, not the perpetrator of heinous crimes over many decades’,” the Trump ally said.

He said he would suggest the president comes up with a clear marker of what he wants to achieve, and once that is reached, “declare victory”.

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Ben Stiller Slams Donald Trump For Including His Film In ‘Propaganda’

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Ben Stiller Slams Donald Trump For Including His Film In 'Propaganda'

Ben Stiller has slammed the Donald Trump administration for using footage from one of his films in what he described as the US leader’s “propaganda machine”.

Last week, the official White House TikTok page shared a provocative montage titled “justice the American way”, which included short clips of hit movies like Iron Man, Top Gun, Braveheart and Gladiator.

The clip also included shots from Tropic Thunder, a satirical action comedy that Ben starred in alongside Robert Downey Jr, Jack Black and Tom Cruise almost 20 years ago.

Reacting to the clip on Friday night, the Severance director wrote on X: “Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine.”

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“War is not a movie,” the Emmy winner added.

Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie. https://t.co/dMQqRxxVCa

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 6, 2026

Ben is far from the only public figure upset by the White House’s social media output in recent history.

Just last week, the Grammy-nominated musician Kesha fired back at the Trump administration over a similar video using one of her songs.

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“It’s come to my attention that The White House has used one of my songs on TikTok to incite violence and threaten war,” she told her followers.

“Trying to make light of war is disgusting and inhumane. I absolutely do not approve of my music being used to promote violence of any kind.”

Steven Cheung, the White House’s director of communications, wrote back on his own X account: “All these ‘singers’ keep falling for this. This just gives us more attention and more view counts to our videos because people want to see what they’re bitching about.”

Days earlier, Radiohead had taken issue with the White House after ICE agents used a choral cover of the group’s song Let Down in a social media video.

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Last year, Sabrina Carpenter was also upset to find her music being used in social media posts by the administration, firing back: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

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Politics Home | Lockheed Martin’s investment in space in the UK will bring coveted jobs and economic growth

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Lockheed Martin’s investment in space in the UK will bring coveted jobs and economic growth
Lockheed Martin’s investment in space in the UK will bring coveted jobs and economic growth

With frequent reports of Russian interference in several countries’ satellites, including the UK’s, it is more important than ever that we have robust military space capabilities

Lockheed Martin may have its roots in the US, but it has long maintained a deep commitment to the UK. The company has supported the UK since the Second World War and continues to invest, share expertise and make commitments to strengthen the country’s economic growth and national security. 

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Bringing technology to space and economic benefit to the UK 

The space operating environment has changed enormously in recent years, making it imperative that new satellites can survive in what is now considered a contested domain. Lockheed Martin has unmatched experience developing and fielding space-based technologies needed to operate effectively and successfully in this domain, and this knowledge will play a vital role in helping counter the ever-increasing threats from sophisticated adversaries. 

A number of projects across the UK are already about to benefit from Lockheed Martin’s exceptional experience, knowledge and expertise, which, as well as benefiting national security, will also bring a whole host of economic opportunities. 

Lockheed Martin is looking at opportunities for investment of what could be more than £100m in the North East space sector. Combined with broader satellite manufacturing activity, this is expected to deliver about £1.2bn* in GVA (gross value added) over 20 years and support roughly 500 high-skill jobs a year for the region. 

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With other space-related activities, this could generate approximately £3.7bn* in total GVA for the UK and around 2,000 jobs. It would create access to a $15bn set of global programmes and export markets for British workers and businesses, build resilience in UK sovereign supply chains and skills base, and facilitate the entry of market-adjacent companies into space and defence. 

That £100m North East investment includes the possible creation of an £85m satellite manufacturing facility in County Durham, based on a newly developed phase of the NETPark estate. This leading UK science park at Sedgefield near Durham is already home to a number of fast-growing businesses within the sector, and the creation of phase three of the park would see the building of a space manufacturing facility by Lockheed Martin. 

A block of statistics showing Lockheed Martin investment in the UK

Lockheed Martin’s investment also includes £15m on NESST – the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre – at Northumbria University. This £50m initiative between Lockheed Martin, Northumbria University and the UK Space Agency will provide a unique facility bringing together world-class academics and businesses, and create a pipeline for talent and world-leading research and space technology. Building on Northumbria’s established expertise in optical satellite communications, space weather and space-based energy, NESST will enable the UK to be at the forefront of research and innovation in these critical fields. 

Investing in the future workforce. Today. 

Recognising the need to upskill people from the earliest age, Lockheed Martin’s plans include an educational programme covering primary schools to T-level placements and A-level internships, through to apprenticeships and degrees to develop a pipeline of talented space employees.   

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Companies with transferable products and services will be able to tap into a planned accelerator programme designed to help them enter the space market. Plans also include creating an innovation fund to encourage entrepreneurship and support the next wave of breakthrough space technologies. 

Lockheed Martin has continued to demonstrate its confidence in the UK space sector, which has, in turn, accelerated the growth of the North East space cluster. Putting the North East at the forefront of space industry growth in the UK helps address the years of under-investment in the region by both the defence and space sectors. 

The North East Combined Authority (NECA) and other local organisations in the area recognise the importance of these facilities – not just for the economic growth of the region but also for the contribution they will make to the future defence of the country. 

Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at NECA, Phil Witcherley, recognises the important role Lockheed Martin is playing in the future economic growth of the region. “The presence of a prime like Lockheed Martin in the North East is fundamental to the ambition of our Local Growth Plan and our intention to invest in space and security to drive regional growth,” he said. 

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“Lockheed Martin investments, including in the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre, are already acting as a catalyst for further private investment in the region.  

“Although defence spending patterns have changed over time, the North East has maintained a strong record of delivering high-value space and defence capability and having a skilled workforce that continues to support national needs.” 

He added that the proposed Lockheed Martin Assembly Integration & Test facility at NETPark in County Durham “will reinforce economic growth and accelerate skills uptake for the wider space ecosystem.” 

“Establishing satellite manufacturing here represents a strategic opportunity to reposition our defence profile, placing the region at the forefront of future space delivery while strengthening UK capabilities,” he said. 

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Paul Livingston, Chief Executive UK & Nato at Lockheed Martin, believes that the value the company can bring – and is bringing – to the country is incalculable. 

“The addition of Lockheed Martin as a UK space prime contractor would address many of the challenges that the space sector has,” he said. 

“A declining share of the global space market; limited diversity in the supply base; concentration in the South East of the country; and access to the US space market are issues which would be addressed. 

“I’ll also emphasise that Lockheed Martin as a prime contractor will provide access to Space Control and Security technology and expertise that the MOD and other parts of government will need to deliver space effects.”  

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Although the North East is a prime focus for Lockheed Martin, it is by no means the only part of the UK that is benefiting. 

Lockheed Martin is investing in a Software Integration Lab at its Havant facility, which will design and develop sovereign ground segment software products for UK and international export markets. These products are focused on Mission Planning, Command and Control, satellite networking, ground network planning and intelligent AI initiatives to ensure current and future satellite utility is maximised in this war-fighting domain.  

“The ability to command, control and manoeuvre satellite assets using the latest in cutting-edge technology in a coordinated and timely manner will be vital to the war fighter and military planning,” continued Livingston. 

“This investment will ensure the UK is central to the next generation of ground software products in this growing market.” 

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*Data from independent economic impact assessment carried out on behalf of Lockheed Martin 

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Connor Naismith: ‘Why Blue Labour is a key component of True Labour’

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MDU logo

The Gorton and Denton By-election has rightly prompted much soul searching for the Labour Party. One particular piece of analysis arising from the catastrophic defeat is that “Blue Labour”, the party’s socially conservative tradition, should be repudiated. A return to “True Labour, not Blue Labour” goes the cry. But what is “True Labour” and how does an ever narrowing interpretation of it help our movement fulfil its historic purpose – to act as a vehicle for working people to govern our great country?

For some, the history of the Labour Party is viewed through a prism of relentless, linear progressivism. In this narrative, the movement has always been a vanguard for social revolution, making the emergence of “Blue Labour” feel like a grit-toothed betrayal – a foreign body injected into a purely progressive bloodstream.

I do not write this piece to trash the social progress that was made under the last Labour government. We should celebrate and continue to defend The Equality Act, equal pay, greater diversity and acceptance in our institutions, including within our politics. We must defend these things particularly as it comes under attack from the populist right, and we should say clearly that the mainstream of this country has no desire to go back to the bad old days where racism, homophobia, misogyny and other social evils were more prevalent.

However, to suggest that a focus on the traditional values is “alien” to Labour values isn’t just a political critique; it is a profound rewriting of history. If you peel back the layers of the movement, you find a plurality of traditions holding our historic coalition together, of which Methodism, trade union protectionism, and a deep-seated desire for social stability are a key part.

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The oft-quoted phrase that the Labour Party owes “more to Methodism than Marx” is more than a catchy aphorism. The early pioneers of the movement were often socially conservative figures who viewed the excesses of raw capitalism not just as an economic failure, but as a moral one.

Their primary concern was the protection of the “moral economy.” This included:

  • The sanctity of the home: Early unions fought for a “family wage” specifically so that the domestic sphere could be protected from the industrial machine.
  • Communal discipline: The movement was rooted in self-improvement, temperance, and a strict ethical code.
  • Localism: The focus was on the parish and the branch, not a borderless global utopia.

It is one of the great successes of neoliberalism that we have been convinced that “radical” and “conservative” are polar opposites. We are told we must choose between a left which is socially liberal and or a right wing which is socially conservative. Both of which have accepted the dominance of free market orthodoxy.

However, for the Labour movement, the most potent periods of change occurred when radical economic reform was fuelled by conservative social values. The two are not only compatible; they are often mutually dependent. To rebuild a broken economy, one needs the “social glue” that conservatism provides. A radical socialist program – nationalisation, wealth redistribution, the empowerment of unions – requires a high degree of social trust and solidarity.

The 1945 Attlee government – the gold standard of radical Labour achievement – was culturally traditional. They built the NHS and the welfare state not to dismantle the British way of life, but to fortify it. They were radical in their means because they were conservative in their ends: the health, dignity, and stability of British families.

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Modern progressives often view “radicalism” as synonymous with “disruption.” But for a worker, radicalism is the tool used to achieve stability. You nationalise the railways or protect the NHS not to cause a revolution, but to ensure that the foundational things in life remain predictable and secure. In these times of global insecurity, the security of those things we most hold dear as a country and in our communities is a potent political message.

By dismissing the socially conservative streak of the movement as an aberration, we risk alienating the very heartlands we should aspire to represent. When the “Red Wall” crumbled, it wasn’t necessarily because the voters moved; it was because gradually, over decades, the party’s centre of gravity shifted toward a metropolitan liberalism that felt increasingly judgmental of parts of the tradition that founded it.

It’s not just potential Reform voters who could find some appeal in a Labour party talking which places fairness, security and tradition at the core of it’s message. Despite the vehement disrespect for working class communities shown by Zack Polanski when talking about social care workers, we should note that in Gorton and Denton Hannah Spencer secured the support of a coalition of voters who would once have cast their vote for Labour, by focusing on the bread and butter things that most people, regardless of their background, care about. Am I going to be able to afford to put food on the table or heat my home? Can I afford to go on a holiday this year? Is my community divided?

Blue Labour isn’t a Tory-lite infiltration. It is a reminder that work is a vocation, not just a contract, that relationships matter more than abstract rights and that patriotism is a valid expression of solidarity, not always a precursor to prejudice.

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To purge the “Blue” from Labour is to lobotomise the party’s own memory. We must stop treating social conservatism as a stain to be scrubbed out and start seeing it for what it is: a foundation stone of the British working-class experience. If Labour wants to win again, it cannot retreat into a comfort zone of any one part of its coalition. It must not lean into the fragmentation of our politics but instead reach back out towards the things that unite us – a radical desire for security, community and a good life that resonates with our historic base.

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Rihanna’s Home Targeted By Gunfire, And Woman Arrested

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Rihanna's Home Targeted By Gunfire, And Woman Arrested

The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that Rihanna’s California home was targeted by gunfire over the weekend.

A woman in her early 30s has been arrested and detained after stopping in a car outside the singer’s property in Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon, and firing numerous shots.

One round is reported to have penetrated one of the walls of the property, where Rihanna was at home at the time, according to a police “source” who spoke to the Los Angeles Times.

No injuries have been reported, a police rep has confirmed.

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As reported by CBS News, the suspect was found in a white Tesla around eight miles from Rihanna’s home.

Seven “assault rifle casings” have been found by the police, and the weapon used in the shooting has been recovered.

An LAPD spokesperson said that bullet holes had also been found in a gate at the property, as well as in an RV that had been parked in the driveway.

HuffPost UK has contacted Rihanna’s representatives for comment.

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In September last year, Rihanna and her partner, fellow musician A$AP Rocky, welcomed their third child, a baby girl who they named Rocki Irish Mayers, with the Grammy winner announcing her pregnancy months earlier at that year’s Met Gala.

The two were already parents to two sons, three-year-old RZA and two-year-old Riot.

Since her rise to global fame in the mid-2000s, the Bajan performer has become one of the most popular singers of her generation thanks to number one hits like Umbrella, What’s My Name?, We Found Love and Diamonds.

In the 10 years since the release of her most recent album Anti, Rihanna has pivoted away from music to focus on ventures like her makeup and lingerie brands.

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Our Survey: Slightly more members say the Party is stronger after defections to Reform – but they think there will be more

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Our Survey: Slightly more members say the Party is stronger after defections to Reform - but they think there will be more

A rumour rumbled through the Westminster bubble this weekend, via a story in the Daily Mail, that Kemi Badenoch is planning a reshuffle, to remove some “dead wood” from the shadow cabinet and to promote some of her younger rising stars.

The suggestion was that shadow home office minister Katie Lam, a new ConservativeHome columnist, was to be ‘bought off’ with a promotion because she was on ‘defection watch’

Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary was on the TV to dismiss the story, which made reasonable sense not just because he, Mel Stride and Priti Patel were named in the article as being ‘at risk.’ The story has been hard to stand up.

As you’d expect we’ve dug a bit deeper. Sometimes an off the record chat about things a ‘party insider’ would like to happen, are written up and reported as things that will happen. It’s always been part of the nature of political reporting. I can only say, without offending our readers that the Leader of the Opposition’s aides gave me their reaction to the entire story. It rhymed with ‘concrete rollocks‘.

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Having been mislead, as many were, by Robert Jenrick’s plans for the future before he was sacked and left, we did some checking. Suffice to say a number of people responded. Katie Lam believes the story to be a fabrication and had had no conversations about any of it. Friends went further to point out she has consistently said that she’s no fan of ambition over disloyalty. A point that has been echoed by a number of one time supporters of Jenrick who’ve told me they still feel astonishingly let down by him.

Members however have their own views on what the defections of Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman, and Andrew Rosindell have had on the Conservative Party, given their move to Reform UK, a party still consistently ahead in the polls.

Only four per cent more of them think the defections have strengthened the party, at 33.7 per cent. A further 16.3% think the defections have strengthened both parties. That signals something the party should already know: There are a significant – and not to be discounted – number of party members who are still waiting and watching to  see what happens with either party, before they chose who might ultimately get their backing.

The 29.4 per cent of members who think the defections have weakened the party are not entirely a surprise either. Remember at the New Year, though Kemi badenoch was voted our Conservative Politician of 2025 (before Jenrick was sacked), Jenrick was voted shadow cabinet member of the year (Badenoch not included) and Suella Braverman our Backbencher of the year.  ConservativeHome itself does not have a vote. It’s not just the 29 percent, but note the 14.2 percent who think the defections have weakened both parties. More one suspects a reflection of those who think that Reform’s appeal will suffer from being largely former Tories at the top, and yet those that left had views and skills they think the party needed.

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So do they think there will be more senior defections? Yes.

43.7 per cent said it was likely and 12 per cent highly likely. Which begs the question of those 57 per cent who exactly do think it might be? The Daily Mail may have a view, but this survey does not give clues to that. Nor does it specify whether amongst those responders who think it likely or highly likely, there are those who wish it to happen. A scenario the leadership should at least hold in their mind.

It may also be a projection of timings. Many a senior Tory has told me of plausible scenarios that might unfold if Reform stay far enough out in front and Tory polling stays stubbornly where it is. Not inevitable by any means but neither to be dismissed. One of those scenarios is that Conservative MPs who start to think that situation will stay as it is until 2029 might just jump at a later date. Farage might say he has this ‘cut off date’, but I’d discount that. He does, for now.

There’s also a reason I’d be suspicious of a new set of defections right now. The biggest criticism aimed at Reform and Farage personally is his closeness to Donald Trump – who won’t be President in 2029 – and Labour have been falling over themselves to suggest anyone criticising their woeful vacillation over defensive planning and spending is just “a war monger who supports Trump and illegal wars”

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There’s a reason for that. They desperately want to persuade the public to view the Conservatives and Reform as ‘Trump’s poodles’. Their social media outriders use suspiciously similar phrases and lines to that effect. It is the counter punch to them knowing their military and diplomatic posture hides their fear that many of their own voters will defect to the Greens if they don’t try to show they are more anti-Trump and anti-Israel.

We’ll test this defection question again, once the May elections are over.

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