A jury will continue to hear the prosecution lay out its case that a woman was attacked in such a brutal manner it could only be murder.
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Jury to hear claim woman ‘deliberately’ killed at beach
Festival shines light on age old traditions through art
The 10th iteration of a free Indigenous light festival will feature music, comedy, workshops and talks alongside the art installations the event is known for.
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I won’t ask you to print more money – Mahama to new BoG governor
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline, assuring the newly sworn-in Governor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) that his government will avoid reckless money printing to finance public expenditure. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Johnson Asiama and his deputy, Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, at the […]
The post I won’t ask you to print more money – Mahama to new BoG governor appeared first on MyNewsGh.
Brit BBC worker ‘murdered in her hotel room by intruder who jumped or fell to his death from eighth-floor window’
A BRIT BBC worker was murdered in her hotel room by an intruder who fell or jumped to his death from an eighth-floor window, an inquest heard.
Kate Mitchell suffered a head injury and was strangled in November 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 42-year-old had worked for BBC Media Action as a project manager in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia.
The charity, formerly known as the BBC World Service Trust, works in international development and promotes democratic reporting.
Newcastle Coroner’s Court heard how Kate had been deployed to the Kenyan capital for safety after leaving Ethiopia due to the civil war.
She was discovered in the room of her Ibis hotel after an intruder gained entry and attacked her, the inquest was told.
Coroner Karin Welsh said: “That man either fell or jumped from the eighth floor bedroom window and he also was found deceased.
“That’s the totality of the information we have been able to glean from Nairobi.”
A post-mortem in the UK found that Kate died from a head injury and pressure on the neck.
Ms Welsh concluded that she was unlawfully killed.
Speaking after the verdict, Kate’s brother Pete Mitchell said the family is putting pressure on the Kenyan police to reveal more.
Kate’s loved ones have also pushed for an inquest in Nairobi that might confirm further details about her death.
Pete revealed the family still have not been given his sister’s personal effects – including her laptop.
He added: “The Kenyan police have just stone-walled any inquiries. They have refused to do anything about it.”
The historian also paid tribute to his sister, who he said was “the smartest person I have met”.
Pete said: “She was lush. She had worked in Africa for years. She was madly in love with where she lived and the people she worked with.
“She was professional and she was really brave. She would go to refugee camps, go to prisons and get people out of trouble.
“She did the work of international development and trying to empower people to create media organisations.
“She was also great craic, she loved a drink and was famous in Whitley Bay.”
Mysterious smelly white blobs spotted on popular UK beach leave experts baffled as dog owners told ‘keep AWAY’
MYSTERIOUS smelly white blobs have been spotted on a popular UK beach with dog owners told to “keep away”.
Locals at Bournemouth beach found the “sticky” substance from Alum Chine all the way to Hengistbury Head.
The baffling find has seen many residents speculate on what the white blobs could be.
Multiple visitors to the beach have reported the find and have even shared snaps online.
Most people seem to believe that it is either clumps of white paint or palm oil.
Palm oil is a vegetable product that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees.
It’s used in food and cosmetics but, once in the sea, it can form solid lumps that then, potentially, washes up on shore.
Others said it smells like PVA glue.
Meanwhile, some speculated that the substance – compared by some to dough – might be a fungus, mould, or wax.
However, Richard Herrett, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council’s cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said the council now believes it knows what the mystery substance is.
He said: “We have collected samples of the white substance which washed up along some of our coastline over the weekend, and our initial assessments suggest this to be white paint.
“Many of the deposits have now dispersed, but remnants could remain in some locations.
“We are continuing to actively monitor the situation and ask that beachgoers continue to avoid contact with the substance, keep children away and dogs on leads should they come across any remaining deposits.”
Resident Patricia Heath said she reported it to the Environment Agency on Saturday, February 22 after spotting it on a walk at Alum Chine.
She said: “We came back and we had to wash our clothes.
“We have no idea what it is, but it’s sticky and my daughter got it all on her feet.
“It also smells a little, it’s really off-putting. It makes me so angry seeing this, you just think what are they dumping in our sea now?”
‘CONTAMINATION ON A MAJOR SCALE’
Julie-Anne Houldey has also reported it to the Environment Agency after seeing it at Hengistbury Head.
She said: “Apparently, BCP Council has identified the white stuff on the beaches from Southbourne to Hengistbury as paint.
“If it is, then this is contamination on a major scale and hopefully the Environment Agency will be investigating the source.”
A spokeswoman from the Environment Agency said: “We’re aware of this.
“We are currently waiting for results from samples the council has taken before deciding next steps.”
When similar blobs were washed up in 2014 in Cornwall, dozens of dogs needed treatment and several died.
A blob weighing nearly quarter of a ton and measuring several feet around was found on an Isle of Wight holiday beach in 2014.
It needed three people with a trolley to cart it off the sands at Hamstead beach, near Newtown.
In October 2013 in Cornwall, Zanzi, a miniature schnauzer dog, died after eating some of the palm oil, forcing the council to post signs warning of pollution.
Virgin Media channel shake-up coming to TVs in days with seven huge changes that all customers need to be aware of
VIRGIN Media customers must take note of some big channel changes coming to their TV boxes this week.
It includes some sad closures too.
As you may have heard, all viewers in the UK will lose access to Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 (channels 521 and 522 respectively).
After 35 years of broadcasting in the UK, the pair will end on Friday.
Much of their content will move to TNT Sports, with some free programmes remaining via the Quest channel.
But that’s not the only change this week.
Some channels are also having a routine revamp – though you’ll only notice the change if you subscribe to them.
Firstly, among the kids channels, both Nick Jr Too and Nicktoons are having a temporary shake-up.
On Friday, they’ll be known as Nick Jr Peppa and Nick Sponge Bob respectively.
They’ll still be available at 716 and 717 on Virgin Media.
And if you’re a Sky Cinema subscriber on Virgin TV, there are a trio of changes there too.
Sky Cinema Awards Season switches to Sky Cinema Ultimate Action on Virgin channel 402.
Meanwhile, Sky Cinema Action will become Sky Cinema Fast, showing all the Fast and Furious movies on number 407.
Finally, Sky Cinema Greats on 404 will become Sky Cinema Award Winners, tying in nicely right before the Oscars 2025 on March 3.
CHANNEL CHANGES IN FULL
See the full list of changes for this week below:
- Eurosport 1 closes down permanently on Virgin Media channel 521
- Eurosport 2 closes down permanently on Virgin Media channel 522
- Nick Jr Too becomes Nick Jr Peppa on Virgin Media channel 716
- Nicktoons becomes Nick Sponge Bob on Virgin Media channel 717
- Sky Cinema Awards Season becomes Sky Cinema Ultimate Action on Virgin Media channel 402
- Sky Cinema Action becomes Sky Cinema Fast on Virgin Media channel 407
- Sky Cinema Greats becomes Sky Cinema Award Winners on Virgin Media channel 404
Image credit: Getty
How Jesse Lingard has brought cool to South Korea by embracing Asian culture and releasing a rap song
MANY British footballers keep to themselves and refuse to embrace local culture when they move abroad.
But not Jesse Lingard. The former Man Utd midfielder was released by Nottingham Forest in 2023, after an underwhelming time at the City Ground.
He was stuck in a football free agent’s abyss, until he surprisingly moved to South Korean side FC Seoul in February 2024 on a two-year deal – taking a huge pay cut on £17,500-per-week. At Forest, he was was earning a whopping £180,000-per-week.
Although it was a tough start professionally, with coach Kim Gi-dong publicly criticising him for his fitness and a subsequent knee injury ruling him of action early on in his career, he soon won over the fans.
However, it isn’t just Lingard’s football skills that have scored him admirers in The Land of Han.
The midfielder has immersed himself in Asian culture – not just indulging in Korean BBQ – but also releasing music.
While, his epic social media posts – in partnership with CGI firm Vertex – have made him and the K League appear cool, as well as drawn millions of eyes through social media to his experience.
Asian football expert and author John Duerden has seen first hand the impact Lingard has had from his home in Seoul.
He told SunSport: “Not many foreign players make the national news in South Korea for actions on and off the pitch but Jesse Lingard has not been any normal signing.
“For a start, he is the biggest name import to play in the 42-year-old K League and, therefore, has had more expectations and pressure than others.
“In the early days, it looked as if it wasn’t going to happen at FC Seoul, one of the country’s big clubs that has struggled a little in recent years.
“He took time to settle, leading to a rebuke, of sorts, from the coach but most don’t appreciate how big a cultural difference there is between South Korea and the UK both on and off the pitch.
“Just take the weather, absolutely freezing in winter and very hot and very humid in the summer and then there is the rainy season.”
Culture club
Lingard adapted. After all, he would have been use to a rainy day or two in Manchester, so that wouldn’t have hurt.
But, he seemed particularly enamoured with the local culture and has brought cool to a country that is producing award-winning TV in shows like Squid Game.
No sooner had he made the move to the Far East, he was sharing his dining experiences on Instagram to his nine million followers.
Lingard then realised there was a market for a video diary of his career in South Korea, and he rebooted his YouTube channel last year.
On there, and on his Instagram, he has shared his epic lifestyle. From cruising on a boat to making music and creating epic CGI clips.
One of those clips dropped in December shows ‘J Lingz’ performing some kick ups, before volleying a ball into the sky towards a ribbon that drops a sheet to reveal a gold statue of his famous J-L hand celebration.
Another sees the ex-Three Lions winger show off his dance moves, before Moonwalking out of shot.
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The former has been liked almost 4.5 million times, while the latter has drawn almost 240,000 likes since it was uploaded in November.
Lingard even found time to release his first rap single before the end of last year.
Kamsahamnida, which means ‘thank you’ in Korean, was well received by his fans and is incredibly catchy.
Duerden explained: “It is off the pitch though that Lingard has been different to any signing in the past.
“His music single Kamsahamnida was a surprise but his CGI video, released in December, attracted hundreds of millions of clicks, went down very well in Korea and made national news.
“Usual interactions with foreign players have usually not progressed much past questions such as ‘do you like kimchi?’ Or ‘how good is Son Heung-min?’ and comments about chopstick wielding competence.
“This is not something that has happened in the K-League before, it is a competition that is solid but seen by many, at home and abroad, as lacking a little in the excitement and coolness stakes.
“Officials at Seoul and at league headquarters were delighted. Lingard may not rival some of the megastars in Saudi Arabia in terms of talent and achievements, but he has brought a certain coolness and street cred that wasn’t really thought about when Seoul decided to try and sign him.
“It helps that he is here at a time when there is huge global interest in Korean music, food, television, beauty products, fashion, technology and movies and getting involved in that culture is always going to go down well.
“Too many foreign players stay in their bubbles and rarely experience, let alone embrace, the culture. Lingard has shown what can be done. Like anywhere, the more you put in, the more you get out.”
Playing in the K League
In terms of his football, Lingard is clearly loving life on and off the pitch.
After scoring his first goal of the season, with the K-League running from February to November, he performed FIVE goal celebrations in the 2-1 win over Anyang.
Lingard’s popularity is bigger than ever, but it’s a tough league to adapt to.
Duerden explained: “Few coaches speak English and they have historically tended to be quite conservative tactically, liking to counter-attack and players who work hard, run hard and listen well.
“The league is of a good standard, physical and fast but you have to work for goals and games often only open up in the latter stages.
“The average league attendance was 11,000 last season but with Lingard Seoul attracted over 27,000.
“The K League does not have the same central place in Korean culture as the Premier League in England but those that go are often hugely passionate and will support their players through thick and thin, if they give their all on the pitch.
“There is no doubt that Lingard has done this and his performances have improved. Being made captain in June and then officially getting the nod ahead of his second season was a reflection of that. Seoul coach Kim Gi-dong is not the type to hand out the armband on a whim.
“The new season has started well with a goal in the first home game in front of 40,000 fans.
“It looks as if there is more to come.”
MAFS star reveals real reason she pulled out of reunion two days before filming
MAFS star Polly Sellman has revealed the real reason she pulled out of reunion two days before filming.
Fans were left confused after Polly, who had her fair share of drama both on and off the show, was nowhere to be seen on last night’s reunion.
The reality star took to her Instagram stories with a video from one of her previous TikTok’s where she can be seen lip-syncing Alessia Cara’s hit track, Here.
Alongside the post, she gave fans the answer they were looking for, writing: “Seems fitting for everyone who’s asking me why I didn’t attend tonight.
“I was also in Centre Parcs when filming was, and I pulled out 2 days before because it wasn’t the best decision for me at the time.
“I wanted to stay with my best friends who genuinely cared about the head space I was in at the time.”
The reunion was nothing short of explosive as it saw various participants from 2023 and 2024 season coming together.
The brides and grooms shared their thoughts on what went down during their time in the process, where they are in their lives now and their wishes for the future.
However, with the Honesty Box’s return, there were tears and tantrums, as it exposed the problematic areas in relationships whilst putting the remaining couples on the spot in front of their peers.
Taking their seats at last nights dinner party was Kristina Goodsell, Kieran Chapman, Hannah Norburn, Orson Nurse and Holly Ditchfield to name a few.
We even saw 2023 bride Ella Morgan as well as Erica Roberts who dropped a massive bombshell when she revealed that her and Kieran had secretly shared a kiss, unbeknownst to Kieran’s ex-wife Kristina.
Lacey Martin and Nathan Campbell shared a tearful and explosive moment after he admitted that Lacey told him they should continue their romance for fame and “magazine deals”.
Polly’s ex husband Adam Nightingale also turned up alongside Amy Kenyon with the pair admitting that romance wasn’t fully off the cards for the pair and their platonic relationship had the opportunity to blossom.
Although Polly was matched with Adam by the MAFS experts, they were far from a match made in heaven.
Viewers will remember how Adam failed to compliment his new bride at the altar which was a telling sign that this couple wouldn’t last.
The career advisor turned reality TV star parted ways with Adam after an unforgettable blazing row at the final MAFS dinner party.
Since leaving the show, she has relocated to Australia and has a whole new look after dropping a dress size or two.
Although her on-screen marriage didn’t work out, Polly has reportedly been enjoying “lots of lovely dates” with a “new man” in Australia.
A source told The Sun: “Polly and her new man met when she landed in Sydney, and they’ve been on lots of lovely dates planned by him.
“They’ve been to a wildlife centre, cinema, and are planning on some weekends away with friends, as well as long beach days booked in too.”
Snow alert for north of Ireland in 0C spring freeze as rest of country braces for ‘heavy showers’
WEATHER chiefs have warned that sleet and snow will hit parts of the country – as temperatures fall to 0C.
Snowfall is set to hit high parts of Northern Ireland tomorrow as well as Scotland.
Confirming snowfall for parts of the North on Wednesday morning, the Met Office in the UK said: “A band of heavy rain will sweep in tonight, bringing snow over the hills across Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and the northern Pennines.”
For the rest of the country, there’s “heavy showers” on the cards.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather said: “A band of heavy showers crossing country tonight but after that rainfall amounts look generally low for next seven days away from Northwest and West.
“Milder air moving in for first week of Spring too. Could be a lot of cloud next week though.”
A spokesperson for Met Eireann said: “While rain tonight may fall for a time as a mix of sleet and snow over hills and mountains and in the north, accumulations are not expected.
“There is no expectation of accumulations of snow this week in Donegal, Monaghan or anywhere else in Ireland.”
Forecaster Linda Hughes said: “For the rest of this afternoon there will be sunny spells and scattered blustery showers.
“Some of those will be heavy and there’s a chance of hail. The showers will become isolated this evening.
Highest temperatures of 7C to 10C in a moderate to fresh westerly wind.”
Tonight will bring “clear spells and isolated showers”.
She continued: “Outbreaks of squally rain will move into the southwest and will extend north-eastwards over the country during the night.
“There’s a chance of a few thunderstorms and possibly sleet on some northern hills.”
And temperatures will plummet to 0C to 3C.
Tomorrow morning, rain will clear from east Ulster to leave a “bright and breezy day with a mix of sunshine and scattered showers”.
Linda said: “Some of the showers will be heavy and prolonged especially in the northwest and there’ll be a chance of hail and thunder.
“Highest temperatures of 6C to 9C in fresh to strong north-westerly winds.
“Thursday looks set to be bright and fresh with plenty of sunshine.
“There’ll be a few passing showers mainly confined to Atlantic coastal counties. Highest temperatures will range from 7C to 10C.”
Gavin & Stacey memorabilia from finale sparks bidding war for thousands of pounds – here’s how you could snap it up
GAVIN and Stacey finale memorabilia has sparked a bidding war for thousands of pounds – here’s how you could snap it up.
Millions watched as the beloved BBC sitcom came to an end on Christmas Day 2024.
Fans now have a chance to get their hands on an incredible keepsake.
The clapperboard used in the hit TV show’s finale has been donated to Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in Sully.
Provided by camera crew member Steve, it is now up for bids on the Hospice’s eBay site.
So far, there have been over 20 bids made – with the price currently at £2,500.00.
As per the listing, bidding will conclude on Friday, February 28.
A total of 12 cast members have added their autographs – making it incredibly alluring for any Gavin and Stacey enthusiast.
The names include Mathew Horne (Gavin), Joanna Page (Stacey), Ruth Jones (Nessa) and James Corden (Smithy).
Meanwhile, Alison Steadman (Pam), Larry Lamb (Mick), Rob Brydon (Uncle Bryn) and Melanie Walters (Gwen) also contributed their signatures.
Rounding out the list are Robert Wilford (Jason), Julia Davis (Dawn), Adrian Scarborough (Pete) and Steffan Rhodri (Dave Coaches).
According to the Penarth Times, co-creator Ruth Jones said: “I hope it raises some much-needed funds for the wonderful Tŷ Hafan.”
The much-anticipated Christmas Day finale took many fans by surprise early on.
In a major, top secret plot twist, Smithy was revealed to be marrying overbearing fiancee Sonia.
Laura Aikman, who played Sonia, even hid the details from her family until transmission.
Fans recalled how the 2019 special ended with Nessa proposing to the father of her child.
By 2024, Smithy was unaware how many of his loved ones felt Sonia wasn’t the right fit for him.
Gavin and Stacey's Best Moments
With the news that the show is set to make an exciting return to screens, let's take a look at some of the comedy programme's biggest and best moments...
- Smithy and Rudi’s American Boy rap – No one will ever forget when James Corden and Sheridan Smith rapped perfectly word for word the Kanye West and Estelle hit American Boy as they walked across the car park on the phone to Gavin.
- Pam’s Vegetarian faux pas – Despite loving a cheesburger, Pam found herself caught up in a web of unexpected lies when she claimed to be Vegetarian. She is forced to keep up the secret throughout the entire show and uses hubby Mick to help her scoff meat. She is later rumbled when Stacey catches her in the act as she scoffs ham in the kitchen. Stacey says to her: “Is that ham, Pam!?… “I’ve seen you, Pam. A scotch egg here, a bit of bacon there, putting those regular sausages into the Linda McCartney box”.
- THAT fishing trip – It remains one of the biggest mysteries in Gavin and Stacey history as to just exactly what did happen on the ill-fated fishing trip. Bryn appears to be hiding a secret as to an occurance between him and his nephew Jason which has left relations fractures. Ness’ on-off boyfriend, Dave, is the only other person to know the whole truth. Bryn did appear to allude to him and Jason lying together naked to keep warm as he said to Dave: “We’re going to have this out, once and for all, man to man, you may know what happened, David, but you don’t know why it happened! It was freezing cold, it was! And when you are that cold…”
- Islands in the Stream – No one can ever forget the classic Karaoke performance of Islands in the Stream. Nessa and Bryn performed the track in front of all their nearest and dearest. It saw the whole pub burst into some line-dancing as they enjoyed a boozy night out.
- The Xmas special proposal – In 2019, fans were left overjoyed when the show made a comeback but it ended on the ultimate cliffhanger. Nessa asked Smithy if she would marry him as she finally laid bare her feelings for him. Fans were gutted as the show then cut straight to the credits as they never found out just how Smithy answered. Will all be revealed in the brand new episode?
He later came to this realisation – at the altar of all places – and then knew who he was meant to be with.
Smith reunited with Nessa, thanks to an assist from the other characters.
Viewers saw the pair tie the knot at long last in one of the show’s final scenes.
Gavin and Stacey’s finale is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
