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Tale of two headers - drama at the Stadium of Light

May 13, 2025

Sunderland won a Championship semi-final soccer match against Coventry City with a last-minute goal by Dan Ballard, sending them to a final at Wembley. Coventry had more chances during the game, but Sunderland's late success secured their spot in the final against Sheffield United.

Key Facts:

Dan Ballard scored the winning goal for Sunderland in the 122nd minute.
Sunderland's victory means they will play against Sheffield United in the final at Wembley.
Sunderland equalized the match 1-1 and advanced 3-2 on aggregate.
Coventry City led the game with 60% possession and had 20 shots compared to Sunderland's 16.
Haji Wright from Coventry missed a crucial header at the end of normal time.
Sunderland's manager, Regis Le Bris, admitted he was preparing for penalties before Ballard's goal.
Frank Lampard, Coventry's coach, led the team from 17th to 5th in the league during the season.
The loss was difficult for Coventry despite their strong performance in the match.

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Footballer Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery on abdominal injury

May 13, 2025

Nottingham Forest football player Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma after surgery for a serious abdominal injury. The injury happened when he collided with a goal post during a match against Leicester City. He had part of the surgery on Monday and is expected to complete the rest on Wednesday.

Key Facts:

Taiwo Awoniyi is a striker for Nottingham Forest, a football club.
He is 27 years old and plays for the Nigerian national team.
Awoniyi got the injury during a game against Leicester City on Sunday.
He collided with the goal post while trying to score.
Awoniyi was able to keep playing after the collision but was clearly struggling.
He had surgery on Monday night and is recovering in an induced coma.
The club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, expressed concern about how the injury was managed.
Nottingham Forest emphasized the importance of player safety and well-being in their statement about the incident.

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What next for Scotland's assisted dying bill?

May 13, 2025

The Scottish Parliament has taken a step towards making assisted dying legal by passing the first vote on a proposed bill introduced by MSP Liam McArthur. The bill received 70 votes in favor and 56 against, but it still requires further discussion and potential changes before it can become law.

Key Facts:

The assisted dying bill would allow terminally ill adults to get medical help to end their lives.
The Scottish Parliament voted 70 to 56, with one person abstaining, in favor of the bill during the initial vote.
Many MSPs expressed concerns and suggested that changes to the bill are necessary.
The debate involved emotional speeches, with MSPs sharing personal stories related to the topic.
There was general agreement among MSPs on the need to improve palliative care.
Some MSPs received a large volume of communication from the public about the bill before the vote.
The proposal marks significant progress compared to a similar bill discussed 10 years ago, which had much less support in Parliament.

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Scottish assisted dying bill passes first vote

May 13, 2025

A bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally capable adults in Scotland has passed its first vote in the Scottish Parliament with a vote of 70 to 56. The bill needs to pass through two more stages before becoming law, and it has sparked debate about the potential impacts on vulnerable people and safeguards needed.

Key Facts:

The proposed law would allow terminally ill adults who are mentally competent to seek medical aid to end their lives.
The first vote in the Scottish Parliament passed by 70 votes to 56.
Two more stages of parliamentary review are needed before it can become law.
This is the third time such a bill has been proposed; previous attempts in 2010 did not pass.
The Scottish government remains neutral; individual politicians expressed varied opinions.
The bill was introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur.
Supporters include leaders from the Conservative party, Lib Dems, and the Scottish Greens.
Critics are concerned about the potential risks for disabled and vulnerable people.

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Heavy hangs the crown - sadness at Wiggins' troubles

May 13, 2025

Bradley Wiggins was a successful British cyclist who won the Tour de France and an Olympic gold medal in 2012. After retiring from cycling, he faced personal challenges, including a cocaine addiction, divorce, and financial problems, leading to bankruptcy.

Key Facts:

Bradley Wiggins was the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France.
He won an Olympic gold medal in the time trial event in London in 2012.
Wiggins became Britain's most decorated Olympian by 2016 due to his cycling successes.
After his cycling career ended, Wiggins battled a cocaine addiction.
His marriage ended in 2020, and he has two children.
Wiggins founded Team Wiggins in 2015, but it faced financial difficulties due to a lack of major sponsors.
He was declared bankrupt following personal and financial troubles.

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Gary Lineker deletes 'Zionism' post amid criticism

May 13, 2025

Gary Lineker removed an Instagram post after criticisms that it contained antisemitic imagery related to Zionism. Both the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism and the Board of Deputies of British Jews have expressed their dissatisfaction with Lineker's actions and called for the BBC to take action.

Key Facts:

Gary Lineker shared an Instagram story post with controversial imagery related to Zionism.
The post featured an image that included a rat, a symbol offensive to Jewish people due to its historical use as an antisemitic insult.
Lineker deleted the post once he learned about its offensive nature.
Campaign Against Antisemitism has filed a complaint to the BBC about Lineker's post.
The BBC has referred to its guidance on personal use of social media regarding the issue.
Zionism is a movement for creating a Jewish state in the Middle East, corresponding to the historical land of Israel.
Some Jewish groups have called for Lineker to leave his position at the BBC over the post.
These events occur within the broader context of ongoing tensions and opinions on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

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It’s Not Just A Cyber Attack, It’s An M&S Cyber Attack

May 13, 2025

Personal customer data has been stolen in a cyber attack targeting M&S (Marks & Spencer). The incident was reported on May 13, 2025, and affects the privacy of many customers.

Key Facts:

M&S has experienced a cyber attack.
The attack led to the theft of personal customer data.
This incident was reported by the BBC on May 13, 2025.
M&S is a well-known retail company.
The breach affects the privacy of people who have shopped with M&S.
This news is accessible through the BBC Sounds platform.

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Smith throws two nine-darters before final whitewash

May 13, 2025

Ross Smith, a 36-year-old English darts player, won the 16th Players Championship of the year by defeating Brendan Dolan 8-0 in the final. He achieved two nine-dart finishes during the tournament, making him one of only three players to do so in a single event.

Key Facts:

Ross Smith won the 16th Players Championship of 2025.
Smith defeated Brendan Dolan 8-0 in the final match.
Smith achieved two nine-darters en route to the final.
A nine-darter is a perfect game in darts, where the player hits 501 points in just nine throws.
He is the third player to secure multiple nine-darters in one Players Championship event, joining Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.
Smith had an average score of 104.56 in the final.
Some top players, including world number one Luke Humphries, did not participate in this event.
There are a total of 34 Players Championship events each year, with finals in Minehead, England, in November.

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Asylum hotel companies vow to hand back some profits

May 13, 2025

Two companies that house asylum seekers with taxpayer money in the UK, Clearsprings and Mears, plan to return some profits to the Home Office, as required under their agreements. This follows a report showing significant profits since 2019, and a committee appearance where the companies discussed their financial returns.

Key Facts:

Two companies, Clearsprings and Mears, will return some of their profits from government contracts to the Home Office.
These companies house asylum seekers in hotels using taxpayer money.
Contracts signed in 2019 require profit returns above 5%.
A report showed these companies made a combined profit of £383 million since 2019.
Serco, another company involved, said it did not make enough profit to return funds.
Most asylum seekers were initially housed in community settings, but many are now in more expensive hotel accommodations.
No specific date is given for when the Home Office will complete its audit process.
Both Labour and Conservative parties have committed to ending the use of hotels for asylum seeker housing.

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Star-studded Celebrity Traitors line-up confirmed

May 13, 2025

A celebrity version of the TV show "The Traitors" will air this autumn, featuring 19 well-known personalities, including Stephen Fry, Paloma Faith, and Jonathan Ross. The participants will compete in the Scottish castle for a chance to win up to £100,000 for charity.

Key Facts:

The show will include 19 celebrities from various fields like acting, music, and sports.
Some of the notable participants are Stephen Fry, Alan Carr, and Charlotte Church.
The show will take place in a castle in Scotland.
Contestants must try to play roles as "traitors" or "faithfuls."
The show aims to raise up to £100,000 for different charities.
This is the first celebrity version of "The Traitors."
The series will consist of nine episodes, each lasting an hour.
The regular version of the show previously attracted over 10 million viewers per episode.

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Newly-elected Reform councillor was sacked as police officer

May 13, 2025

Andrew Hamilton-Gray, a newly elected councillor in Loughborough, was dismissed from Leicestershire Police in January 2024 for misconduct. Despite winning a council seat with about 40% of the vote, he had previously been found guilty of dishonest behavior while working as a police officer, including falsely reporting sick to pursue his car sales business.

Key Facts:

Andrew Hamilton-Gray was elected as a councillor for Loughborough North West.
He was dismissed from the police in January 2024 for breaching honesty and professional conduct standards.
His misconduct involved pretending to be sick to manage his luxury car sales business.
A police hearing found he booked a ferry to Spain while he should have been working.
He gave a test drive in a vintage Porsche while signed off sick.
The police panel allowed him to run a side business but not during work hours.
Hamilton-Gray is listed as a director for two car-related companies.
He has been on the College of Policing's barred list since his dismissal.

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Pig farm operations suspended over abuse claims

May 13, 2025

A pig farm owned by Cranswick has stopped operations after videos came out showing possible abuse of piglets at Northmoor Farm in Lincolnshire. Major supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Tesco have paused using this farm's supply while an investigation takes place.

Key Facts:

Cranswick paused operations at Northmoor Farm after videos showed possible animal abuse.
Videos allegedly show workers harming piglets and using illegal methods.
Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Tesco have stopped sourcing from this farm.
Cranswick stated that they are conducting a detailed investigation.
The footage was captured by the Animal Justice Project, who reported the alleged abuse.
Using blunt force to kill pigs is against the law in England.
Trading standards are reviewing the incident and collaborating with various agencies for further investigation.
The Animal Justice Project is pushing for changes in pig farming regulations.

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Tory MP charged with two sexual assaults at London's Groucho Club

May 13, 2025

An MP named Patrick Spencer has been charged with two sexual assaults that allegedly happened at the Groucho Club in London in August 2023, before he was elected. Spencer, who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, will appear in court on June 16, 2025, and has been suspended from the Conservative Party.

Key Facts:

Patrick Spencer is an MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.
He has been charged with two counts of sexual assault involving two different women.
The alleged assaults took place at the Groucho Club in London in August 2023.
Spencer was not an MP when the alleged incidents happened; he was elected in July 2024.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16, 2025.
Spencer's lawyers say he denies the charges and will defend himself in court.
The Conservative Party suspended him and removed the party whip, meaning he is now listed as an independent.
MPs can be banned from attending Parliament if arrested for serious offences, based on a risk assessment.

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Hodgkinson prepared for 'nerve-wracking' return

May 13, 2025

Keely Hodgkinson, an Olympic 800m champion, is set to return to racing after recovering from a hamstring injury. She will compete in the Diamond League event in Stockholm against other top-ranked athletes. Her long-term goal is to win gold at the World Championships in Tokyo and possibly break a longstanding world record.

Key Facts:

Keely Hodgkinson is an Olympic champion in the 800 meters.
She is competing in her first race after a 10-month break due to a hamstring injury.
The race is part of the Diamond League event in Stockholm on June 15.
The competition includes all top-ranked women 800m runners, like Georgia Hunter-Bell and Jemma Reekie.
Tsige Duguma and Mary Moraa, who won silver and bronze in Paris, are also competing.
Hodgkinson aims to win gold at the World Championships in Tokyo.
She hopes to break the 1 minute 54-second barrier in the 800 meters.
Hodgkinson was awarded an MBE at Windsor Castle and met Prince William.

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Forest say Marinakis 'confrontation' is 'fake news'

May 13, 2025

Nottingham Forest has denied reports of a confrontation between the club owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo after a football match. The incident stemmed from frustration over player Taiwo Awoniyi playing with an injury, leading to "urgent" surgery.

Key Facts:

Nottingham Forest said there was no confrontation between the owner Marinakis and manager Nuno after a game with Leicester.
The incident involved frustration because player Taiwo Awoniyi played after sustaining an injury in the 88th minute.
Awoniyi required urgent surgery on his abdomen following the match.
The club stated Marinakis acted out of care and emotional investment for the team and its players.
Forest criticized media and public figures for spreading what they called "fake news" and urged them not to rush to judgment.
The club emphasized the importance of player welfare over media narratives.
Awoniyi is reported to be recovering well from his surgery.

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Why was Peter Sullivan not freed earlier?

May 13, 2025

Peter Sullivan was recently released from prison after spending over 38 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit. New DNA evidence helped clear his name, revealing faults in the investigation and legal process that kept him imprisoned for so long.

Key Facts:

Peter Sullivan was imprisoned for over 38 years for the 1986 murder of Diane Sindall.
His conviction was quashed based on new DNA evidence, which was not available or considered earlier.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) ordered DNA tests that helped overturn Sullivan's conviction.
Sullivan originally applied to the CCRC for DNA analysis in 2008, but his request was denied due to limited testing capabilities at the time.
The CCRC admitted that alternative DNA techniques could have been tried earlier but were not pursued.
This release highlights ongoing issues with the appeals system in England and Wales, with similar cases happening in the past.
The quashing of his conviction leaves Merseyside Police with an unsolved murder case.

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University of Greater Manchester suspends vice chancellor after investigation

May 13, 2025

The University of Greater Manchester has suspended Vice Chancellor George Holmes and two senior staff members after serious allegations were raised. The suspensions are part of ongoing investigations by the university and the Greater Manchester Police into claims of financial irregularities and other misconduct.

Key Facts:

The University of Greater Manchester suspended Vice Chancellor George Holmes and two senior staff members.
The suspensions are "precautionary" and do not imply guilt.
Greater Manchester Police are investigating financial irregularities at the university.
An independent investigation was commissioned by the university to look into the allegations.
The investigation followed reports published in a local news outlet, The Mill, and a review by PwC.
Lucy Powell, a political leader, confirmed ongoing investigations into claims of racism, bullying, and financial misconduct.
Dr. Greg Walker is now the acting vice-chancellor during the investigation.
The university was formerly known as the University of Bolton before a recent name change.

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Goodison Park escapes demolition to be home of Everton's women

May 13, 2025

Everton Football Club has decided not to tear down Goodison Park. Instead, they will use the stadium as the home ground for their women's football team. This decision came after the club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, studied the possibility of keeping the stadium for women's games.

Key Facts:

Goodison Park was almost demolished for housing and shops but will now host Everton's women's team.
The stadium has a capacity of 39,572 seats, making it the largest women's football stadium in the UK.
Everton's women's team has been playing at Walton Hall Park, which can hold 2,200 people.
The Friedkin Group, private investors, took over Everton in December.
Plans to improve Goodison Park include better changing rooms and a new look to honor the women's team.
Everton's women's team was successful in the past but dropped in rank under former owner Farhad Moshiri.
Goodison Park will remain an important part of the community and Everton's identity.
Everton will continue to support grassroots football at Walton Hall Park.

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Man jailed for 1986 murder acquitted after 38 years in prison

May 13, 2025

Peter Sullivan, who was in prison for 38 years for the murder of Diane Sindall in 1986, has been acquitted after new DNA evidence showed he might not be the killer. The Court of Appeal decided that his conviction was unsafe, leading to his release because the DNA evidence pointed to an unknown person.

Key Facts:

Peter Sullivan was jailed in 1986 for the murder of Diane Sindall.
New DNA evidence surfaced, suggesting another person might be responsible.
The DNA evidence was discovered with advanced testing methods recently available.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission referred Sullivan's case for appeal.
The Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and released him.
Sullivan's case represents one of the longest known wrongful convictions for a living prisoner in the UK.
Merseyside Police have reopened the investigation to find the real killer.
Over 260 men have been tested but eliminated as suspects in the renewed investigation.

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Five IPL players in England ODI squad

May 13, 2025

Five English cricket players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) have been selected for England's one-day international (ODI) series against the West Indies. The IPL final is scheduled on the same day as the last ODI match which could affect player availability. England is reviewing player permissions due to the IPL schedule change.

Key Facts:

Five players from the IPL are part of England's ODI squad for the series against the West Indies.
The IPL final date has changed to June 3, clashing with England's last ODI match.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is reviewing permissions for IPL players due to the schedule change.
Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, and Will Jacks are the IPL players in the ODI squad.
Phil Salt, another IPL player, is in the T20 squad starting three days after the IPL ends.
The IPL paused for a week due to tensions between India and Pakistan, but is set to resume.
Participation in the entire IPL might require a review of "No Objection Certificates" for players.
England's ODI and T20 teams are going through changes as they prepare for upcoming competitions.

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