Press Association
Activists interrupt Keir Starmer’s speech to demand ‘green new deal now’

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- Activists interrupt Keir Starmer’s speech to demand ‘green new deal now’
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Sir Keir Starmer’s speech pledging to smash the “class ceiling” by boosting poorer children’s education was interrupted by protesters accusing him of U-turning on green policy
Two young people who had been part of the backdrop to the Labour leader’s address in Gillingham pulled out a banner and heckled him for watering down his climate ambition
The activists with the Green New Deal Rising group urged him not to scale down plans to borrow £28 billion a year to invest in green jobs and industry
Sir Keir asked them to “let me finish” and said he would speak to them after his speech before they were led off the stage by security
He was setting out his reforms if he wins the next election to set a goal of half a million more children reaching their early learning targets by 2030 as he expands on the party’s intention to improve teaching for the under-fives
“I promise you this, whatever the obstacles to oppor...

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- Glastonbury: Sir Elton John to close the show after dramatic Saturday
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Sir Elton John is set to give a historic performance to close out the 2023 Glastonbury festival, with a show that has been billed as his final UK gig
The veteran musician, 76, has promised fans an entirely new show at Worthy Farm on Sunday that will feature four “special guests” that have yet to be confirmed
After touring the globe on his marathon Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour over the past few years, Sir Elton has said Glastonbury would be a “fitting way” to say goodbye to his British fans
Throughout the tour, the megastar has treated fans to elaborate shows filled with extravagant costumes, spectacular visuals and classics from his catalogue including Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, and Your Song
Speculation about his guests has been rife after his husband David Furnish revealed the news earlier this week, with fans theorising that he may bring out Harry Styles, Billy Joel, Ed Sheeran, or even US pop star Britney Spears

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- Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe: Family of jailed British Russian dissident has been 'torn apart'
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has revealed she and her family recently met with the wife of a British citizen jailed for 25 years in Russia, as her husband Richard Ratcliffe accused the UK Government of being “very soft” on the case
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen who spent six years imprisoned in Iran after she was accused of crimes against the Iranian government in 2016, revealed she has met with the family of British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza – who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in April for opposing the invasion of Ukraine
“I met his wife in Oslo last week,” Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe told the PA news agency at Glastonbury Festival, where she joined a debate on the rights of Iranian women on Friday afternoon
“Of course, it’s a family being torn apart – they’ve got three kids
“One thing that his wife mentioned was: ‘I was not meant to be raising kids on my own, we were meant to be togeth...

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- Glastonbury regulars seal marriage during intimate handfasting ceremony
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A couple from Birmingham, who have been to every Glastonbury for the last nine years and met through music, say they have “finally sealed our marriage” in a hand-tying ceremony at the festival, calling it the “icing on the cake” to their marriage.
Stuart Beauchamp, 49, a finance director, and his wife, Anna Stevens, 44, have been married for four weeks but decided to seal their marriage at a handfasting ceremony, which is an ancient practice that sees couples tie their wrists together with cloth to declare their commitment to each other.
The couple, who have known each other for more than 25 years, said they felt “blessed” to be able to “put our own stamp” on their married life together.

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- Tom Cruise says seventh Mission: Impossible film is franchise’s ‘biggest moment’
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
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- Tom Cruise says Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning is the franchise’s “biggest moment”.
The Hollywood star said the two-part film was made with “a culmination of all my skills” and that even those unfamiliar with the series would have an “epic adventure”.
Cruise stars alongside Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, and Ving Rhames in the seventh instalment of the franchise, which is part one of two.

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- Oxford children's choir has helped "heal souls" of Ukrainian refugees
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainian refugees who are part of an Oxford-based children’s choir have spoken of how music has helped to “heal their souls” and make them feel as though they are “not alone”
Cherwell College Oxford, a family-run independent co-educational boarding and day school for students between the ages of 12 and 18, set up The Cherwell Choir in January 2023 to unite Ukrainian refugee children arriving in the UK because of the full-scale Russian invasion

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- Gary O’Neil sacked as head coach of Bournemouth
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Bournemouth have sacked Gary O’Neil less than seven months after he was appointed as the club’s permanent head coach
O’Neil guided the Cherries to Premier League safety last season following the dismissal of Scott Parker at the end of August
The PA news agency understands Bournemouth are set to announce their new manager later on Monday
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley said in a statement: “Gary’s achievement last season is one I will always be grateful for
“This has been a difficult decision, but it has been made with great consideration to best position ourselves ahead of the coming season”
O’Neil initially took over from Parker on an interim basis following a 9-0 thrashing at Liverpool before being appointed permanently in November
The 40-year-old took 36 points from his 34 top-flight games in charge to help the Cherries avoid relegation following promotion from the Championship

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- Sussexes’ Spotify deal ends after one series of Meghan’s podcast
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s deal with Spotify has ended following a mutual agreement between the royals and the streaming giant
The parting of the ways was confirmed by a joint statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and Spotify
Meghan hosted only one series as part of the deal – the podcast Archetypes, which ran for 12 episodes from August 2022, chatting to celebrities, historians and experts about the history of stereotypes levelled against women
Tennis star Serena Williams, singer Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and actors Mindy Kaling and Constance Wu were among the guests
The joint statement from Archwell and Spotify said: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together”
Harry and Meghan signed the lucrative deal with the audio streaming giant to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth around 25 million US doll...

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- Marcus Rashford brushes off critics and insists he is committed to England
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
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- Marcus Rashford says he is fully committed to England and does not care if onlookers criticise or question his dedication to the national team
The 25-year-old is preparing for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia having withdrawn from March’s meet-up through injury
Rashford has had to pull out of numerous camps over the years but his decision to head to New York while England were winning their Group C opener 2-1 in Italy sparked debate

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- Ali admits he thought Ashes recall was a wind-up
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Moeen Ali admits there is only one captain and one series that would have tempted him to overturn his Test retirement
Moeen won the last of his 64 England caps almost two years ago and was content with his decision to step away from a format that has exacted a physical and psychological toll on him over the years
The 35-year-old even rejected a no-strings attached offer to tour Pakistan in December, concluding that he did not have the required motivation to commit to one more leg of a lengthy winter on the road
But things all changed when England’s first-choice spinner Jack Leach was unexpectedly ruled out for the summer. England skipper Ben Stokes, who spent the best part of two months with Moeen during their time together at Chennai Super Kings in this year’s Indian Premier League, set the wheels in motion for a comeback and little more than a week later Moeen was sitting in his new England whites taking questions at his home ground of Edgba...

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- Transformers director hopes fan will connect with characters in the franchise's new movie
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Director of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Steven Caple Jr, hopes that fans will connect with humans and robots alike in the franchise's new movie

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- Manchester City win Champions League title to claim the treble
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Pep Guardiola hailed his players for writing themselves into history after Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory.
City secured the prize they have craved for so long when they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a hard-fought final in Istanbul on Saturday night.
Rodri scored the only goal of a tough contest in the 68th minute at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, landing City’s first European crown after several years of near misses and completing the treble.
Guardiola hopes all of City’s successes, including their five Premier League titles in the past six years, will now be given due credit without the shadow of Champions League under-achievement hanging over them.
The City manager said: “Especially this season, the entire world has said if we don’t win the Champions League we will not be complete, it will not be enough.
“Winning these five Premier Leagues and arriving in three semi-finals, and two finals, is e...

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- Public enjoy hot weather in London
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
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- People enjoying the hot weather in Regent's Park, London
Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife in the coming days as a “plume of warm air” moves in from the south, triggering thundery showers

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- Tottenham confirms Postecoglou appointment
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Tottenham have appointed former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou as their head coach on a four-year deal
The 57-year-old Australian, who won the domestic treble with Celtic this season, moves south to London to replace Antonio Conte
Conte was sacked in late March, with Cristian Stellini and then Ryan Mason taking temporary charge
Postecoglou will officially join Spurs on July 1
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said on the club’s website: “Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play
“He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy – everything that is important to our club
“We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead”

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- Sunak announces two new asylum barges and says plan to ‘stop the boats’ working
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Rishi Sunak has announced two more barges to house asylum seekers off the coast of Britain as he insisted his plan to stop small boat crossings is “starting to work”.
The Prime Minister said the numbers making the journey across the Channel were down by around a fifth since last year but acknowledged the Government has “a long way still to go”.
Giving a speech in Kent, he played down suggestions that fewer crossings were a result of poor weather conditions at this time of year rather than policy decisions.

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- Sir Brian May invites shocked BGT guitarist to perform at London Palladium
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Sir Brian May has invited 11-year-old Britain’s Got Talent contestant Harry Churchill to play at a tribute concert to James Burton at the London Palladium on Sunday.
The Queen guitarist, 75, was full of praise when he surprised the schoolboy on a Zoom call, explaining how it was his intonation that impressed him the most on the ITV talent show, alongside his confidence and style.
The young musician, from Devon, auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent playing a medley of Queen’s greatest hits, including We Will Rock You during which he played the guitar behind his back, and caught the attention of Sir Brian.
His semi-final performance was a nod to Back To The Future, dressing as character Marty McFly and performing Johnny B Goode from the classic 80s film, but he did not secure a place in the grand final.
Surprising the boy on Zoom, Sir Brian said: “I’ve been watching you and I’ve really enjoyed your performances, you did brill...

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- Chester Zoo celebrates birth of critically endangered macaque monkey
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Conservationists at Chester Zoo celebrated the birth of one of the world's most endangered primates.
A rare Sulawesi crested macaque monkey was born to the zoo's macaques Rumple and Mamassa on May 16.
Fewer than 5,000 crested macaques are estimated to remain in their natural habitat on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.
The species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at Chester Zoo, said the birth was a "step forward" for a global breeding programme that aims to protect the species, which is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

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- Stars hit red carpet for Spider Man gala screening
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld and Daniel Kaluuya hit the red carpet in London for a gala screening of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Kaluuya portrays Spider-Punk in the movie, which follows the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which was released in 2018
He stars alongside Hailee Steinfeld and Shameik Moore, who plays the lead role of Miles Morales

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- William and Kate arrive in Jordan for crown prince's wedding
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Prince and Princess of Wales were surprise guests at the wedding of Jordan’s crown prince, joining heads of state and world leaders at the royal nuptials.
William and Kate flew to Jordan’s capital Amman for the open-air ceremony attended by about 140 guests, including Princess Beatrice and her husband, who watched Crown Prince Hussein, 28, marry his Saudi Arabian bride Rajwa Alseif, 29.
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan proudly watched as their son was wed during an Islamic marriage ceremony known as a “katb ktab” held in a gazebo in the garden of the Zahran Palace and conducted by the Royal Hashemite Court Imam Dr Ahmed Al Khalaileh.
Jordan’s ruling monarch and his wife greeted the guests when they arrived and warmly shook hands and kissed the prince and princess, with William nodding his head as a mark of respect when he met the king and Kate curtseying.
A few minutes later Beatrice arrived with her hus...

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- Star of Chevalier happy to ‘repair’ history and celebrate the life of black composer
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Chevalier, a film based on the lifeof French composer Joseph Bologne, hits UK cinemas next month
The film tells the story of how an illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner rose to heights in French society before an ill-fated love affair

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- Churchill's cigar to go under the hammer
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A cigar smoked by Sir Winston Churchill nearly 80 years ago has been found in a glass jar and is set to be sold at auction
The wartime leader gave a half-smoked cigar to Hugh Stonehewer-Bird, consul general in Rabat, Morocco between 1943 and 1945, following a dinner party he hosted for the wartime British prime minister on August 29 1944
Mr Stonehewer-Bird preserved the cigar in a glass jar and treasured it until his death in 1973 at the age of 81, his family said
Now, his relatives have decided it is time to sell the piece of memorabilia after 50 years of looking after it and it will go under the hammer with Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers on June 16 with a guide price of £600 to £900
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s amazing what turns up in glass jars
“This is an iconic piece of memorabilia connected to one of Britain’s most famous prime ministers and the Second World War

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- ‘Stunning’ balloon festival returns to Isle of Wight for second year
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Thousands of people have been enjoying the “stunning” annual Isle of Wight Balloon Festival
A total of 25 balloons feature in the second annual event at Robin Hill Country Park, where about 4,000 people gather on each day of the bank holiday weekend
During the evening, the balloons – which are tethered or launched when weather permits – are lit up for the night glow finale, which is choreographed to music and fireworks
Events manager Verity McCormick said: “This is the most spectacular event you will ever see on the Isle of Wight
“When you see the lights of night glow, the fireworks, the variety of balloons, it really is a sight to behold
“It’s such a unique event, in such a unique setting, and produces possibly the most stunning visual imagery you can get”

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- Schofield denied rumours of a relationship during 2020 investigation, ITV says
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- ITV has said it investigated “rumours of a relationship” between Phillip Schofield and an ITV employee around three years ago but claim both parties “repeatedly denied” it
The veteran TV presenter, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague on This Morning
A spokesperson for ITV said on Saturday that the broadcaster was “not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour” when it looked into the matter in 2020
“ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated”, the statement read
“Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU
“In addition, ITV spoke to a num...

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- Phillip Schofield admits relationship with ‘younger male colleague’ at ITV
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Phillip Schofield has resigned from ITV after admitting he lied about a relationship he had with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
The veteran TV presenter, 61, said that the affair began while he was still with his wife Stephanie, adding he was “very, very sorry” for having been unfaithful to her.
It comes after he announced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with “immediate effect” last weekend, while it was announced his co-presenter Holly Willoughby will remain on the show.
Schofield, who also co-hosted Dancing On Ice with Willoughby, said he would also step down from presenting the British Soap Awards, his last public commitment.
In a statement released through the Daily Mail, the presenter apologised for lying about the relationship.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had w...

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- Harry Kane receives the Freedom of the City of London award
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- England football captain Harry Kane has reflected on a “special” day after he received the Freedom of the City of London on Thursday in a ceremony alongside his family at Guildhall.
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the honour is believed to have first been given in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
The England record scorer was recognised by the City of London in November for his outstanding sporting achievements but has only now been able to receive his certificate in a ceremony alongside wife Kate, their three children and other family members.
Kane, 29, who has spent the majority of his playing career in the capital with Tottenham Hotspur, where he is their all-time top scorer, was nominated by Chris Hayward, the City Corporation’s policy chairman, and his deputy Keith Bottomley.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Kane told the PA news agency: “It was great, really unique and really special in ...

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- De Zerbi says Brighton deserved Europa League qualification after Man City draw
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi called Brighton's draw with Manchester City, the "best game of the season" as the Seagulls confirmed their qualification for the Europa League for the first time in the club's history

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- Graeme Souness to swim the Channel to raise money for skin charity
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Former Liverpool footballer Graeme Souness discusses his decision to swim the English Channel in June to raise awareness for DEBRA, a national charity for people with the rare genetic skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)

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- Newcastle have shot ahead of schedule with top four finish: Eddie Howe
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted Champions League qualification was not even in his thoughts as he embarked upon the new Premier League campaign
The Magpies secured a top-four finish and a return to the big stage for the first time since the 2002-03 season with a 0-0 draw against Leicester on Monday evening to complete a remarkable turnaround
They were in severe danger of relegation when Howe took the helm in November 2021 but will now rub shoulders with the continent’s elite next season
A delighted Howe said: “This wasn’t in our sights at that moment. We had escaped relegation impressively, from the position we were in
“We were hopeful of improving and staying away from danger and growing the team to a position where maybe we could compete for Europe in a couple of seasons, so we’ve shot ahead of schedule
“With that comes big challenges for the future, but when you’re in these moments and there’s an...

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- World leaders pose for a photo on the final day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took part in a family photo with world leaders at the G7 summit. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a bilateral meeting.

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- Pep Guardiola insists Man City's success should not be demeaned by suggestion Arsenal 'bottled it'
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s latest Premier League title success should not be demeaned by suggestions Arsenal ‘bottled it’ in the run-in
Yet the City boss conceded his side would need to go on to win the Champions League to be regarded among the greats
City were confirmed as English champions for a fifth time in six years and a third season in succession after Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday
The Gunners had led City by eight points as recently as last month but their form deserted them at a crucial stage
Guardiola, however, paid tribute to his former assistant Mikel Arteta’s team after City celebrated their triumph with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday
Guardiola said: “There’s a tendency to underestimate. They are winners
“We pushed Arsenal but they are exceptional. They should be proud of where they have come from. They have to sustain it, that is the reality, but...

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- Mikel Arteta rues tame end to Arsenal’s title challenge
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Mikel Arteta was apologetic as he reflected on a “really sad day” after Arsenal’s faint Premier League title hopes were ended by a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City were confirmed as champions after Taiwo Awoniyi’s first-half goal saw Forest earn the three points that secured their top-flight status.
The Gunners, who were insatiable for most of the campaign, had spent 248 days on top of the table and held an eight-point lead over City in March, but an alarming slide saw them overtaken by Pep Guardiola’s relentless juggernaut who claim a fifth title in six seasons.
No team has spent more time on top of the table and not won the league, which left Arteta crestfallen.

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- Queen joins pupils to draw cartoon version of coronation crown
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Queen has drawn a cartoon version of her own coronation crown as she carried out her first solo engagement since her historic crowning
Camilla joined pupils for a step-by-step draw-along session with illustrator Rob Biddulph at Shirehampton Primary School in Bristol to launch an initiative to create 50 coronation libraries to mark the King and Queen’s coronation
She concentrated hard on the task, added extra embellishments to the priceless piece, and described her own version of Queen Mary’s Crown as a “little bit wobbly”
The Queen laughed as Biddulph, known for his Draw With Rob lockdown videos, said: “We do need to add a bottom bit – a furry… I don’t know what it’s called. Right at the bottom, I guess that’s there for comfort reasons”
He suggested to Camilla and the class to add a “great big square” with an X shape to represent the jewels
“You feel free to decorate yours however you want,...

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- Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says ‘unpredictable’ clash with City will come down to mentality
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Real Madrid shrugged off a delay at the airport to arrive at the Etihad Stadium in relaxed mood ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City
The European champions had to wait for more than half an hour in the arrivals hall at Manchester Airport on Tuesday after their team bus was unable to collect them on time
Yet Carlo Ancelotti’s squad were soon transported to the stadium where they trained ahead of Wednesday’s clash, which will begin on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabeu last week
Manager Carlo Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference: “I am very calm, full of hope, full of faith
“Tomorrow – game day – that’s when the worries come in and you think things through, whether (Erling) Haaland will score or (Kevin) De Bruyne will hurt you
“But I try to put it out of my mind. It is all about managing thoughts
“We are very happ...

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- Kate visits charity to promote development of young people
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Princess of Wales chose a bright yellow LK Bennett blazer to match the sunny weather during a trip to Bath
Visiting the Percy Community Centre, Kate teamed the tailored jacket with a casual white ribbed top and trousers, completing the look with her trusty Veja trainers
The 41-year-old met Dame Kelly Holmes and spent time with some of the young people supported by the former professional athlete’s youth development charity

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- Liverpool will not let up in battle for top four spot, says Jurgen Klopp
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Jurgen Klopp vowed Liverpool will maintain the pressure in the race for the Champions League after a routine 3-0 win at Leicester
Curtis Jones’ quickfire double and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fabulous goal kept their push for the top four alive while plunging the Foxes closer to the drop
Second-bottom Leicester are two points from Premier League safety with two games left and go to Newcastle next Monday
Victory means Liverpool have booked European football next season and they sit fifth, a point behind Newcastle and Manchester United, who have both played a game less
Klopp said: “Our job is to keep the pressure (on Newcastle and Manchester United), but if not this is already better than we could have expected six or seven weeks ago
“I have no clue what it means to us. Four or five years ago we had Chelsea on our neck and they were winning all the time. I think it was the year we finished fourth and had to go in the ...

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- Protesters target Home Secretary Braverman’s immigration speech
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Suella Braverman was heckled by protesters as she delivered a keynote speech on immigration.
The Home Secretary had barely begun speaking when a man in the middle row stood up and identified himself as a member of Extinction Rebellion.
He was quickly bundled out of the National Conservatism conference hall by security as he called out questions at Ms Braverman.
Moments later, a woman stood up and started asking the Home Secretary questions before she too was hauled out.

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- Woman, 99, achieves dream of being knife thrower’s target in circus performance
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A 99-year-old former circus worker has achieved her lifelong dream of having knives thrown at her during a live circus performance.
Annie Duplock from Sharnford in Leicestershire got in the ring after the performance’s finale and stood against a board as blades were hurled at her by a professional knife thrower.
Ms Duplock had persuaded her daughter to approach her former boss, Zippo Circus founder Martin Burton, whose circus was performing at Hearsall Common in Coventry.
Speaking to the PA news agency after the show, Ms Duplock said she “really enjoyed” the experience.
“I’m ready for the next one,” she said.

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- Australian Eurovision act joke they want to become 'the next Kylie Minogue'
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The frontman of Australian Eurovision hopefuls Voyager has said he hopes to become “the next Kylie Minogue” after they qualified for the grand final of the contest.
Ten countries progressed to Saturday’s showdown while six were eliminated from the contest on Thursday night.
During a post-show press conference, the frontman of the prog rock group, Danny Estrin, was asked whether he hoped the band would become one of his country’s newest musical exports.
“I am hoping we become the next Kylie Minogue,” he joked before one of his bandmembers added that he wanted to become the next Dannii Minogue.

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- Jarrod Bowen knows from Danny Dyer what a trophy would mean to West Ham fans
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Jarrod Bowen knows exactly what winning a trophy would mean to West Ham fans – he only has to ask his partner’s father Danny Dyer
The Hammers will bid to reach a first European final in 47 years when they take on Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League semi-final
Former Eastenders hardman Dyer is a huge West Ham supporter and Bowen revealed he has been left in little doubt about the significance of Thursday night’s first leg at the London Stadium
Bowen, who is expecting twins with Dyer’s daughter Dani, said: “It’s massive.
“I’ve only been here three years but I feel a massive part of this club. I feel like a fan, almost, as well. I know how much it means to the fans and I’m one of them who wants to give them that success
“The missus’ old man is obviously on me every week. But for everyone, the whole club, it’s not been a great season but staying in the Premier League is the main aim and brin...

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- Mother in the US started selling horror dolls online becoming very popular
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- A mother of one who has made thousands of pounds selling online homemade horror dolls which terrify her husband, has said she is “shocked” at how popular they are.
Angela Baldwin, 37, has bought hundreds of dolls from second-hand stores and turned them into the stuff of nightmares for fun through her “creepifying process” – which involves adding blemishes, stitches and even pouring hot glue on their faces.
She began making the frightening figures more than a decade ago, taking pictures of them in the woods around her rural home in Plain City, Ohio, and posting them online on Facebook under the name “Demented Darlings”.
Some of them are the size of her two-year-old daughter Merida and have animatronics, meaning they can move or talk ‘on their own’.
While Angela, who runs a baking business, said her daughter enjoys playing with her freaky dolls, her husband Justin, 39, is not convinced.
“When he first sa...

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- Lionel Messi cherishes ‘special honour’ after winning Laureus award in Paris
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lionel Messi described winning a Laureus Award as “a special honour” as he was crowned World Sportsman of the Year in Paris.
The Paris St Germain forward was a joint winner of the award in 2020 alongside Lewis Hamilton, but he took sole honours this time after leading Argentina to World Cup glory last year.
Messi won the World Cup for the first time in his glittering career in Qatar, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player in the process, and on Monday he also collected the Laureus prize for Team of the Year on behalf of the triumphant Argentina squad.
The 35-year-old said: “This is a special honour, particularly as the Laureus World Sports Awards are in Paris this year, the city that has welcomed my family since we came here in 2021.
“I want to thank all my team-mates, not only from the national team but also at PSG – I have achieved none of this alone and I am grateful to be able to share everything with ...

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- Ukrainian Eurovision act hails UK as ‘family’ as contest kicks off in Liverpool
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine’s Eurovision act has described the UK as “family” after arriving in Liverpool to the sight of sunflowers and their national flag
The city has been transformed with public artworks and installations for the international music competition, which the UK is hosting on behalf of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion
Electronic duo Tvorchi, made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigeria-raised vocalist Jeffery Kenny, will compete in the grand final with their rousing song Heart Of Steel

- Title
- Prince Louis digs in with family at Big Help Out event renovating Scout hut
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Prince Louis made up for missing out on a night of musical excitement celebrating the King’s coronation – by messing about in a digger
The young royal joined his big brother and sister – Prince George and Princess Charlotte – helping to renovate a Scout hut in Slough as part of the Big Help Out
When the Prince of Wales took control of a digger, Louis sat in his father’s lap as William moved the mechanical arm and grabbed a bucket full of soil before dumping it on a spoil heap
Later the five-year-old prince was given the task of filling a wheelbarrow with what looked like builders’ sand and he focused on the job, diligently shovelling the material before wheeling the barrow himself

- Title
- The Prince and Princess of Wales greet the public in Windsor
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The Prince and Princess of Wales sipped homemade cocktails with royal fans as they soaked up the atmosphere in Windsor ahead of Sunday’s star-studded coronation concert
William and Kate surprised well-wishers when they went on a 40-minute walkabout in the town’s famous Long Walk, and also came across special coronation ale dedicated to the King
The unannounced appearance came as Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen were “deeply touched” by the nation’s celebration of their coronation on Saturday
More than 18 million people in the UK tuned in to watch the ceremony on TV, compared with 26.5 million for the late Queen’s funeral in September
With a few hours to go before Take That, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and others take to the stage in Windsor for a musical extravaganza, William and Kate chatted to picnicking families who were enjoying the summer sunshine

- Title
- Charles crowned King as world watches
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The King has been crowned the nation’s monarch and prayed to be a “blessing” to people of “every faith and conviction”.
Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church since 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward’s Crown on his head.
The historic moment, watched around the globe, was a fulfilment of the King’s destiny, but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September after a 70-year reign.
In a touching moment, the Prince of Wales pledged himself to his father the King, kissing him on the cheek and touching St Edward’s Crown.
As William knelt before Charles, who held his son’s hand between his palms, the future monarch said: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
The King’s youn...

- Title
- Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool fans have right to boo national anthem
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Jurgen Klopp defended Liverpool fans' right to boo the national anthem on Saturday, saying "we have the freedom of free speech, and that means of free opinion as well".
Thousands of Liverpool fans booed the national anthem before their team played Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The club felt they had been put in an impossible position by the Premier League “strongly suggesting” the anthem was played, hours after the coronation.

- Title
- Charles crowned King as world watches
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The King has been crowned the nation’s monarch and prayed to be a “blessing” to people of “every faith and conviction”.
Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church since 1066, as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed St Edward’s Crown on his head.
The historic moment, watched around the globe, was a fulfilment of the King’s destiny, but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September after a 70-year reign.
In a touching moment, the Prince of Wales pledged himself to his father the King, kissing him on the cheek and touching St Edward’s Crown.
As William knelt before Charles, who held his son’s hand between his palms, the future monarch said: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”

- Title
- King and Queen arrive at Westminster Abbey for start of coronation
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The King and Queen have left Buckingham Palace to cheers from the waiting crowds in The Mall as the moment of their coronation drew closer.
Charles and Camilla waved to thousands of spectators lining the street as leading figures began to join members of the congregation in Westminster Abbey.
The list of 2,300 invited guests reads like a who’s who of politics, showbusiness, world leaders and foreign royalty, with a sprinkling of everyday heroes and close family and friends of the King and his wife.
French President Emmanuel Macron was attending to show his “friendship, respect and esteem” for the UK, with US singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades, and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.
The Duke of Sussex has arrived at the abbey, but the Duchess of Sussex has remained at home in the US.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will give a reading, Charles’s grandson and future head of ...

- Title
- A history of coronation mishaps and mistakes
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The King's coronation follows centuries of royal tradition, but the ancient ceremony has not always gone to plan. Here is a look at a few times monarchs have faced embarrassment during their coronations.

- Title
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney join jubilant fans as Wrexham enjoy promotion party
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney joined the party as thousands of fans lined the streets to celebrate Wrexham’s return to the Football League with a trophy parade on Tuesday evening.
Phil Parkinson’s side, who needed a league record haul of 111 points to beat Notts County in a gripping National League title race, showed off their trophy, along with the women’s team, who have earned promotion to the Genero Adran Premier.
Three open-top buses slowly navigated their way around the city on a loop that started and finished outside the Racecourse Ground, cutting through a fog of red smoke from the ubiquitous flares.