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Taylor Swift summons axed from Baldoni-Lively case

May 23, 2025

Taylor Swift will no longer be involved in the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni after a court request for her involvement was canceled. The disagreement between Lively and Baldoni involves claims of harassment and legal misconduct related to the film "It Ends With Us."

Key Facts:

Taylor Swift was initially asked to be part of the legal case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
The request for Swift's involvement was withdrawn after her lawyers objected.
Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and a smear campaign.
Baldoni's lawyers wanted Swift's messages to try and find information about Lively's allegations.
Swift's team argued the request was unnecessary and intrusive.
Swift's representatives stated she was not involved in any film decisions or script changes.
Justin Baldoni is counter-suing Lively for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
Lively's team denies claims that they threatened to release old messages if Swift didn't support Lively.

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Jethro's J35 TER number plate sells for £30.5k

May 23, 2025

The personalized car number plate J35 TER, which belonged to the late comedian Jethro, sold for £30,500 at an auction. Jethro, a well-known figure from Cornwall, used the plate on his personal vehicle, and its sale attracted a lot of interest due to his popularity.

Key Facts:

The J35 TER number plate sold for £30,500 at an auction.
The auction included Jethro's vehicles and farming machinery.
Jethro was a well-known comedian from Cornwall, whose real name was Geoffrey Rowe.
The auction ended on a Thursday night, with the number plate being the highlight.
Jethro's popularity contributed to the high interest and price of the number plate.
He became well-known nationally after appearing on the Des O'Connor show in 1990.
Jethro stopped touring in 2020 after over 50 years as a comedian and died in December 2021.

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Special Forces officer blocked 1,585 Afghans from UK

May 23, 2025

A UK Special Forces officer rejected 1,585 applications from Afghan commandos wanting to move to the UK, all linked to special forces, during the summer of 2023. Concerns were raised about these rejections being part of an "automatic rejections" policy, especially since the rejected Afghans could be witnesses in an inquiry about war crimes. The UK Ministry of Defence is now reviewing the decisions after acknowledging they were not made robustly.

Key Facts:

A UK Special Forces officer turned down 1,585 Afghan resettlement applications in 2023.
The officer had served in Afghanistan and is linked to an inquiry about alleged SAS war crimes.
Afghan commandos called the Triples, who helped UK forces, faced reprisals after the Taliban took over in 2021.
Concerns emerged that the rejections seemed automatic and not properly considered.
Some rejected applicants could have testified in the war crimes inquiry.
Five former Triples were reported killed by the Taliban after their applications were denied.
The Ministry of Defence is reviewing more than 2,000 applications after finding issues with the rejection process.
A judicial review is ongoing about the role of the UKSF officer in rejecting these applications.

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Gilmour and McTominay mania takes over Naples

May 23, 2025

Two Scottish soccer players, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, have become key figures for the Napoli team. With a crucial match ahead, Napoli fans are excited and hopeful that these players will help secure their team's victory and win the Italian championship, known as the Scudetto.

Key Facts:

Napoli is aiming to win their fourth Scudetto, which is the Italian soccer championship.
Fans in Naples are excited and preparing for a potential victory with decorations and celebrations planned.
Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have had a strong impact on the team, helping them succeed this season.
McTominay transferred from Manchester United for £25 million, while Gilmour came from Brighton for £12 million.
McTominay has scored 11 goals in 33 games, making him one of the top scorers for Napoli.
Gilmour has played 25 games and is praised for his ability to set up plays from the back of the field.
McTominay is affectionately nicknamed "McFratm" by the local fans, which combines a Scottish prefix with a colloquial Italian term for "bro."

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Rain in UK forecast for May bank holiday weekend but will it be a total washout?

May 23, 2025

Rain is expected in the UK over the bank holiday weekend after a dry and sunny spring. Low pressure systems will bring wetter, windier conditions, which could impact outdoor plans but may help with the ongoing drought risk.

Key Facts:

Rain is forecasted to return to the UK over the bank holiday weekend.
High pressure previously caused dry and sunny weather throughout March, April, and May.
All areas in the UK will experience some rain, but it will not be constant.
The heaviest rainfall is likely to occur overnight on Friday and Saturday.
Daytime temperatures may reach the low 20s Celsius, which is warmer than usual.
Showers, with possible hail and thunder, are expected on Sunday, mainly in western and northern areas.
Scotland could see strong winds and possible gales on Bank Holiday Monday.
This spring has been one of the driest and sunniest in over a century.

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Doctors threaten strike action after 4% pay offer

May 23, 2025

Doctors in England are considering going on strike because they were offered a 4% pay increase, which the British Medical Association (BMA) says is not enough to make up for past pay freezes. The Department of Health announced that resident doctors would receive an extra payment to bring their average pay rise to 5.4%. Meanwhile, other NHS staff like nurses received a smaller 3.6% pay rise, leading to dissatisfaction among different health unions.

Key Facts:

Doctors in England received a 4% pay rise, which they find insufficient.
The British Medical Association (BMA) says doctors' pay is about 25% lower than 16 years ago when adjusted for inflation.
Resident doctors participated in 11 strikes over the past two years, seeking a 35% pay increase.
The Department of Health offered resident doctors a £750 top-up, raising their average pay rise to 5.4%.
Nurses and other NHS staff received a pay increase of 3.6%, triggering discontent from health unions.
In Scotland, NHS staff accepted a 4.25% pay increase for 2025-26.
Education unions plan to dispute if the government does not fully fund a similar 4% pay rise for teachers.
The UK government faces criticism for not reversing years of prior pay neglect despite attempting pay increases.

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'He leaps with delight!' - Cook takes first Test wicket

May 23, 2025

Sam Cook, playing for England, took his first Test cricket wicket by getting Zimbabwe's Ben Curran out. This happened during Zimbabwe's first innings in a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge.

Key Facts:

Sam Cook is an England cricket player.
He took his first Test wicket in this match.
The player he dismissed is named Ben Curran.
The match is against Zimbabwe.
It is a one-off Test match, meaning it's a single game rather than a series.
Zimbabwe scored 31 runs and lost 1 wicket when Curran was out.
The match took place at Trent Bridge cricket ground.

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Footage reveals Jay Slater's final hours in Tenerife

May 23, 2025

Jay Slater, a 19-year-old from Lancashire, was found dead in a Tenerife ravine after disappearing on June 17, 2024. His inquest, held at Preston Coroner's Court, revealed that he had recorded videos during his final hours and had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The inquest seeks to locate two men who might have important information about Slater's last moments.

Key Facts:

Jay Slater, aged 19, was found dead in a ravine in Tenerife on July 15, 2024.
He went missing on June 17, and his body was found after a 29-day search.
Slater recorded videos on Snapchat showing his final hours.
The inquest aims to find two men, Ayub Qassim and Steven Roccas, who might have key information.
He was last seen heading to an Airbnb in the village of Masca with these men.
Toxicology reports showed Slater had taken drugs like MDMA, cocaine, and ketamine.
Slater was last heard from at 08:30 BST on June 17 when he told a friend he was lost.
A local resident recalled Slater asking about buses or taxis to return to his accommodation.

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Saudi Arabia-based Toney earns England recall as Foden misses out

May 23, 2025

Ivan Toney has been selected for England's football team for upcoming matches against Andorra and Senegal. Toney returned to the squad after scoring 28 goals for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Other players like Jude Bellingham and Trevoh Chalobah have also been chosen, but notable players like Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford are not in the squad.

Key Facts:

Ivan Toney plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and has been recalled to England's squad.
Toney scored 28 goals in 42 matches this season.
England will play Andorra on 7 June and Senegal on 10 June.
England's head coach Thomas Tuchel selected Toney based on his performance.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah received his first senior call-up.
Jude Bellingham is included despite needing shoulder surgery.
Phil Foden from Manchester City is not in the squad.
There are no players from Manchester United in this England squad.

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Drivers claim cars damaged and keys missing after using ‘secure’ airport parking service

May 23, 2025

Several users of Keir Allan's airport parking service have reported problems, such as damage to their cars and unexplained extra miles driven. The company, operating as GetAwayEssentials.com Limited, denies liability for any damage and disputes the claims, leaving some customers to seek resolution through other means, such as insurance or court.

Key Facts:

Sophie Rose used Keir Allan's service, returning to find her car damaged, reportedly from a hit-and-run incident.
Keir Allan denies responsibility for the damage and states it is a police matter.
Customers have reported their vehicles having extra mileage and broken dash cams after being parked by the service.
Jamie Andersen found his car with unexpected mileage and dashcam footage showing the car parked at a Burger King.
The company claims they only use cars to store and return them to customers and denies deleting any dashcam footage.
Keir Allan also mentions occasional key misplacement due to handling over 300 keys at a time.
Some customers have taken their cases to civil court for resolution.

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Williamson's rise from Champions League mascot to finalist

May 23, 2025

Leah Williamson will play as a key player for Arsenal in the Women's Champions League final against Barcelona. Williamson has been with Arsenal since she was eight and experienced the team's 2007 victory as a young mascot. The game highlights the growth of women's football, with hopes for increased popularity if Arsenal wins.

Key Facts:

Arsenal reached the Women's Champions League final, facing Barcelona.
Leah Williamson, once a mascot, is now a key Arsenal player in the final.
Arsenal last won the Champions League in 2007.
Barcelona is aiming for their third consecutive Champions League title.
Williamson joined Arsenal at age eight and debuted at age 17.
The final will be at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.
The match could boost the popularity of women's football in England.

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Williamson goes from Champions League mascot to finalist

May 23, 2025

Arsenal captain Leah Williamson will lead her team in the Champions League final against Barcelona. This event is special for her because she was a mascot in a similar match in 2007.

Key Facts:

Leah Williamson is the captain of the Arsenal women's football team.
Arsenal will play against Barcelona in the Champions League final.
The Champions League is a major football competition in Europe.
Williamson was a mascot for Arsenal in their 2007 Champions League appearance.
The match represents a significant personal milestone for Williamson.
Williamson's journey from mascot to captain highlights her long connection with the team.

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Slot on the season: Title, Trent, transfers - and no excuses

May 23, 2025

Arne Slot, the coach of Liverpool, expressed his pride in leading the team to win the Premier League title without significant new signings. He emphasized that although there were challenges, the team did not rely on excuses to win. Slot also reflected on the uniqueness of winning league titles in different ways in different countries.

Key Facts:

Arne Slot is the head coach of Liverpool, taking over from Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool won the Premier League title for the 20th time.
The team achieved this victory with minimal changes to the squad.
Slot previously won the Eredivisie, the top football league in the Netherlands, in 2023 with Feyenoord.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, mentioned red cards and injuries affected their title run.
Slot predicts it is necessary to strengthen Liverpool's squad, though they may face challenges in acquiring new players.
Arsenal secured more points in recent seasons than Liverpool did this season but finished as runners-up.
Slot believes the Premier League is harder to win than the Champions League because it requires consistent performance over a long season.

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U2: 'We want to make the sound of the future'

May 23, 2025

U2, a well-known band, is back in the studio creating new music after an eight-year break. This break was due to drummer Larry Mullen Jr recovering from neck surgery. The band recently received a songwriting honor at the Ivor Novello Awards and expressed their excitement about making new music together.

Key Facts:

U2 is a famous band with over 175 million album sales worldwide.
They had an eight-year break primarily because drummer Larry Mullen Jr needed time to recover from neck surgery.
During Mullen Jr's recovery, the band hired a Dutch musician, Bram van den Berg, for a Las Vegas show.
U2 recently got the Ivor Novello songwriting fellowship, a top honor.
Band member Bono expressed excitement about making music in a studio with the original band members.
U2 celebrated their past with a stadium tour for the Joshua Tree album and reworked older songs.
The band talks about their long journey, beginning in Dublin's punk scene in 1976.
Bono discussed focusing on creating a "sound of the future" with their new music.

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William: Attenborough was 'inspiration' for new show

May 23, 2025

Prince William has created a new wildlife documentary series called "Guardians" after being inspired by Sir David Attenborough. The series focuses on the dangerous work of rangers who protect endangered animals. Prince William hopes the series will shine a light on their important role and inspire future generations.

Key Facts:

Prince William is inspired by Sir David Attenborough to create a wildlife documentary series.
The series is called "Guardians" and focuses on the work of rangers protecting endangered animals.
Rangers face increasing dangers from poaching and community conflicts.
Prince William expressed concern that ranger jobs are among the most dangerous in the world.
About 1,400 rangers have died in the past decade while doing their jobs.
Prince William hopes the series will inspire more people to understand and support the work of rangers.
A new life insurance scheme has been announced to cover 10,000 rangers in Africa.
Prince William highlighted the broader roles of rangers, including education and scientific research.

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The Papers: 'Chagos surrender' and 'Shipshape Kate'

May 23, 2025

News reports focus on the UK's Chagos Islands agreement and its potential high costs due to inflation. Other prominent stories include possible NHS strikes over pay, a new tax bill passed in the US, and concerns over early release of prisoners.

Key Facts:

The UK government reached a deal concerning the Chagos Islands, which might cost over £30 billion due to inflation.
The UK will pay about £101 million annually for 99 years to lease back an airbase on the Chagos Islands.
Doctors in the UK threaten to strike again due to dissatisfaction with pay increases.
A new tax bill in the US passed narrowly, marking a significant win for Donald Trump.
There is concern over early release plans for violent offenders in the UK, sparking criticism from victims' families.
Former MI6 chief raised security concerns over using Chinese technology in UK renewable energy projects.
The Financial Times highlighted an attack that left two Israeli embassy staff dead in Washington.
Man United's financial issues could lead to significant player sales after failing to qualify for European competitions.

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What not to miss at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2025

May 23, 2025

Radio 1's Big Weekend is a music festival held in Sefton Park, Liverpool, featuring about 100 acts across four stages. Some highlighted performers include Sam Fender, Joy Crookes, Barry Can't Swim, and rising artists like Sienna Spiro and Jade. The festival showcases both major headliners and emerging talent.

Key Facts:

Radio 1's Big Weekend is a three-day music festival in Sefton Park, Liverpool.
The festival features about 100 music acts on four different stages.
Sam Fender is one of the main headliners, performing on the main stage.
Joy Crookes is another featured artist, known for her soulful music.
Barry Can't Swim, also performing, was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.
The New Music and Introducing stages spotlight up-and-coming artists.
Sienna Spiro and Jade are among the promising talents highlighted at the festival.
The event rotates location yearly, and in 2024 it was held in Luton.

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Patients from Nottingham killer's NHS trust carried out stabbings weeks before attack

May 22, 2025

Two men with paranoid schizophrenia, Josef Easom-Cooper and Junior Dietlin, stabbed six people in Nottinghamshire in 2023. Weeks later, Valdo Calocane, also with the same condition, killed three people in Nottingham. All were under the care of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which has faced criticism and issued an apology for potentially inadequate care.

Key Facts:

Josef Easom-Cooper and Junior Dietlin, both diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, stabbed six people in separate attacks in 2023.
Paranoid schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that can cause delusions and hallucinations.
Weeks later, Valdo Calocane, also with paranoid schizophrenia, fatally stabbed three people in Nottingham.
All three individuals were under the care of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
The trust has faced criticism over the care provided to these individuals and apologized for shortcomings.
Josef Easom-Cooper's mother expressed concerns about her son's mental health and attempted to alert authorities by documenting weapons found in his room.
Easom-Cooper was sectioned in July 2022 but released after three months, although concerns were raised about his readiness for discharge.
Junior Dietlin committed his attacks nine weeks before Easom-Cooper’s incident, stabbing five strangers in a single weekend.

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The loud hum sparking unrest in Trump's MAGA heartlands

May 22, 2025

In Dresden, New York, locals are upset about noise from a nearby Bitcoin mining operation at Greenidge power plant. The plant produces a loud hum as it uses a lot of energy for mining, which is supported by policies under President Trump. This issue reflects broader tensions about Bitcoin mining in rural areas across the United States.

Key Facts:

A loud hum from the Greenidge Generation power plant is disturbing residents in Dresden, New York.
The noise comes from fans cooling computers used for Bitcoin mining, an energy-heavy process.
Bitcoin mining has increased in the U.S., encouraged by President Trump's policies supporting the industry.
The Greenidge plant began Bitcoin mining operations in 2020.
There are at least 137 Bitcoin mining operations across 21 states in the U.S.
Bitcoin mining uses significant amounts of electricity, up to 2.3% of the national power grid.
Complaints about noise from Bitcoin mines have also arisen in places like Niagara Falls, New York, and Granbury, Texas.
In reaction, some areas have imposed limits on mining activities due to noise concerns.

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Aspinall reaches play-offs as Littler sets records

May 22, 2025

Nathan Aspinall earned a spot in the Premier League play-offs after defeating Michael van Gerwen. Luke Littler set new records in Sheffield, winning the final match and ending the regular league phase with the highest points ever.

Key Facts:

Nathan Aspinall defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
Luke Littler broke his own Premier League points record with a win over Stephen Bunting 6-1.
Littler won the final in Sheffield, beating Luke Humphries 6-3.
Littler achieved eight high-scoring finishes, including 155 and 170 checkouts, which are high point earning plays in darts.
Aspinall will join Littler, Humphries, and Gerwyn Price in the play-offs on May 29 in London.
Michael van Gerwen did not win any nightly events during the 2025 campaign and missed the play-offs for only the second time in 13 years.
Aspinall has faced criticism for his inclusion in the competition but overcame injuries and a condition called dartitis to secure a play-off place.
The play-off semifinals will feature Aspinall against Humphries and Littler against Price.

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