Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Families condemn wait over sentence for lorry driver who killed two Ryanair pilots The families of two Ryanair pilots killed when a lorry crashed into their taxi have described it as “appalling” that they were left waiting for months fearing the driver’s sentence could be reduced. Anthony Burns, 63, was jailed for 10 years after admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving over the collision on the M62 near Warrington on 11 July 2024. Jamie Fernandes, 24, and Matthew Greenhalgh, 28, were travelling from Luton Airport to Liverpool when the Toyota taxi in which they were passengers stopped…

Celebrities have taken markedly different approaches to their summer breaks, with Jamie Oliver opting for a low-key Scottish escape while Stacey Solomon has enjoyed a series of trips with family and friends. The celebrity chef spent part of July exploring Edinburgh and the Isle of Mull with sons Buddy and River, alongside friends and fellow food professionals Max Kinder and Indi Radford. Oliver’s trip included time in the Scottish capital, where the group visited restaurants and attended a Snow Patrol concert at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday, July 18. He later revealed that the show was River’s first live gig. The…

An 85-year-old grandfather has died months after he was assaulted when he confronted burglars who broke into his home in Helmshore, Lancashire. Gordon Nicholass was attacked during the early-hours break-in at a property on Moss Close shortly before 3am on April 29. He suffered a head injury and cuts to his face and was taken to hospital. Mr Nicholass was initially discharged, but was admitted again earlier this month. He died on August 12. Lancashire Police said a Home Office postmortem examination had been carried out, but further inquiries were needed to establish whether the assault caused or contributed to…

Thousands of revellers descended on west London before dawn on Sunday as Notting Hill Carnival opened with its traditional J’ouvert celebration, covering one another in brightly coloured paint, powder and mud. The early-morning ritual began at 6am near the Canal Way roundabout, marking the start of the 60th anniversary edition of the Caribbean festival. Participants danced through the streets as music, drumming and the first sounds of Carnival filled the area around Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove. J’ouvert, a tradition rooted in Caribbean Carnival culture, is followed by the official opening ceremony on Great Western Road at 10am. Sunday is…

The Duke of Sussex is said to remain deeply resentful towards members of the Royal Family despite returning to Britain with the Duchess of Sussex and their children. Friends who have spoken to Prince Harry since his arrival reportedly expected signs that he had softened his position after six years in the United States. Instead, they claim he remains frustrated with royal aides and continues to believe that an apology is owed to Meghan. One source said those who met the Duke were surprised that his views appeared little changed since the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020.…

Iceland has rejected a proposal to reopen negotiations on joining the European Union, bringing the country’s long-running membership debate to an end for at least the next two years. The final count showed 118,040 voters, or 52.8 per cent, opposed resuming talks, while 105,399, or 47.2 per cent, supported the proposal. Turnout was 82.5 per cent, with 225,031 ballots cast. The referendum, held on Saturday, asked voters whether Iceland should restart accession negotiations with Brussels. It did not decide whether the country would ultimately join the EU, and any eventual membership agreement would have required a separate public vote. The…

Three tins of Meghan Markle’s flower sprinkles are all that appear to remain of the Duchess of Sussex’s once-promoted lifestyle operation in Montecito, as residents describe a largely indifferent response to her and Prince Harry’s departure for Britain. The $15 tins were photographed on display at a local bookshop, a muted end to a retail presence that was heavily associated with Markle’s Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan. The brand, As Ever, was launched with products including preserves, honey, teas, baking mixes and edible flower toppings. The couple moved to Montecito in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties and…

A young cheetah has undergone a complex operation to repair a severely fractured hind leg at Vantara, the vast wildlife rescue centre established by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s son in western India. The animal, named Dorcas, was placed under anaesthetic while a team of veterinary specialists spent three hours rebuilding the damaged limb with two titanium plates. The procedure took place at the centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which describes itself as one of the world’s largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities. Reliance Foundation, which runs Vantara, says it cares for more than 150,000 animals from over 2,000 species, supported by a…

A group of delivery riders are living in a makeshift tent encampment beneath a railway bridge in Shoreditch, amid complaints about public urination, drug use and antisocial behaviour. The site on Fleet Street Hill, close to Brick Lane and little more than a mile from the City of London, is occupied by around a dozen men, many understood to be Sudanese migrants. Deliveroo and Gopuff bags, bicycles and electric bikes sit beside the tents, with riders appearing to use the location as a base between shifts. The camp has no running water or proper sanitation. Residents cook on portable stoves,…

Andy Burnham will face his first major test in the Commons this week as MPs return from summer recess, with warnings that the informal style which helped propel him into Downing Street will not be enough to withstand sustained parliamentary scrutiny. The Prime Minister is due to appear at the Government dispatch box on Tuesday, September 1, for the first time since becoming leader. He will then face Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch across the chamber at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. It will be the first direct confrontation between the pair since Mr Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer in July.…