News Plus

PALS have paid tribute to a “popular and well-liked” teenager who was stabbed to death at a bus station.

Thomas Taylor, 17, was attacked by a group of males at 5.50pm on Wednesday as he walked along Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, police said.

PA

Floral tributes near Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station[/caption]

Story Picture Agency

Police at Bedford Bus station after a horror stabbing[/caption]

Story Picture Agency

Several roads have been cordoned off by officers[/caption]

The Bedford Academy student was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The offenders, all described as black and wearing dark clothing, fled the scene towards Hassett Street and Greyfriars car park, Bedfordshire police said.

Thomas’s headteacher Chris Deller described him as a “respected lad” who had achieved good exam results at the end of year 11 before progressing to sixth form.

He said: “We are deeply upset and shocked to hear the sad news that a Bedford Academy student has lost their life.

“Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form.

“Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss.”

Police have launched a murder investigation into the killing and several areas of Bedford town centre remain cordoned off.

Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is an absolutely shocking incident in which a teenage boy has been stabbed to death in a busy town centre.

“We have a dedicated team of detectives working on this investigation and supporting Thomas’s family at this incredibly difficult time for them.”

She urged anyone with information to contact the force.

“We’re aware that there are images and videos circulating on social media, please refrain from sharing any such clips and instead contact police,” the detective added.

Superintendent Hob Hoque said: “We appreciate this incident will be concerning for Bedford residents and we will have a visible presence in the town with additional patrols through the coming days.

“Knife crime has no place in our communities and we would like to reassure the public that we are working hard to establish the circumstances surrounding this appalling violence and locating those responsible.”

Anyone with any information that could assist police have been urged to call 101 quoting Operation Cimarron.

Information can also be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For information on Bedfordshire county’s new anti-knife crime campaign Just Drop It, visit the https://bedsveru.org/just-drop-it/.

Thomas’s death comes just days after 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, south-east London, earlier this week.

Story Picture Agency

Cops have cordoned off the area in Bedford[/caption]

Story Picture Agency

A 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death[/caption]

RICHARD Hammond had been sleeping in a converted barn on his family’s castle estate after splitting from his wife.

The ex-Top Gear host announced he and Amanda “Mindy” are separating after 28 years together.

Getty

Mindy and Richard Hammond[/caption]

Getty

The ex-Top Gear host has moved out of the family home[/caption]

Getty

Mindy Hammond, Isabella, Willow and Richard at the Global Champions Tour at Royal Hospital Chelsea in August 2018[/caption]

Twitter

Hammond announced their split on X/Twitter[/caption]

It is believed Mindy is asking to keep their £7million Bollitree Castle estate, in Herefordshire, as they draw up divorce settlements.

The Sun understands that newspaper columnist Mindy, 59, demanded the divorce after a source claimed she “wanted him gone”.

The news was shared by Grand Tour star Hammond, 55, on an X account shared by the pair.

The couple said: “A little update from us; this Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently.

“Our marriage is coming to end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters.

“We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.

“We won’t be commenting further and sincerely hope that our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time. With Love, Richard and Mindy.”

It is believed Mindy is asking to keep their £7million Bollitree Castle estate, in Herefordshire, as they draw up divorce settlements.

The source told The Sun: “Richard is very upset about all this. It seems he has tried hard to rekindle the relationship but to no avail.

“There is no speculation that any third party is involved.”

Richard is understood to be currently staying at rented digs in a pretty village nearby where he runs his ‘Smallest Cog’ car restoration garage.

Prior to this, he is reported to have been sleeping in the converted barn.

Mindy is proposing Richard keeps their holiday home in Buttermere in the Lake District, and his flat in London, as part of their settlement agreement.

But she is also said to have asked for a share in their horses, and an annual stipend of £500,000.

Mindy has further requested a half share in his businesses; including the Smallest Cog and their TV production company Chimp Productions, of which she is a director.

The couple met in 1995 and Richard wrote previously in his autobiography, On The Edge: My Story: “In an instant, I fell in love with her and realised I had met my soul-mate and best friend for life.”

After they tied the knot in 2002, the pair snapped up a grade II listed Bollitree Castle in 2008.

It boasts six bedrooms, a swimming pool and 20 acres of land.

Despite Richard’s on screen presence, the pair have largely kept their relationship, and two daughters, out of the limelight.

Their eldest daughter Izzy, 24, works alongside her dad at his garage and the due record episodes for their podcast Who We Are Now.

Meanwhile, younger sister Willow, 22, is a keen horsewoman and lives separately, the source revealed.

It’s estimated their father, a former Top Gear legend alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May, has a net worth of around £70million.

Richard, known as ‘The Hamster’ on the show, has an impressive car collection including a Ford Mustang, Porsche, Lotus Esprit Sport and a 1931 Lagona, as well as a Bentley.

In 2009 he treated himself to a £150K helicopter that he used to commute to and from his £2.5m Herefordshire home.

He recently bought a £170,000 convertible Porsche 911 Turbo S with the personal plate DICK H which he shows off in his social media videos.

Richard found fame on local radio before landing the plum job on Top Gear and going on to present The Grand Tour on Amazon for a reported £7million salary.

He also presented Brainiac and Total Wipeout.

In 2006 he miraculously survived a 288mph crash in a jet-powered car while filming a segment for Top Gear.

He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary’s neurological unit where he remained in a coma for two weeks.

It was touch and go on whether he would survive and Mindy revealed that he didn’t recognise her when he woke up.

Richard revealed that because of his brain injury he has suffered memory loss, depression and sometimes finds it hard to “connect emotionally”.

On June 10, 2017, Richard had to be airlifted to hospital after cheating death again in another crash in Switzerland while filming The Grand Tour.

He was driving a supercar worth £2million for the Amazon show when he lost control before it flipped and then burst into flames.

Luckily, Richard escaped with only a fractured knee.

Splash

Richard and Mindy at Cheltenham Festival in 2022[/caption]

PA

Richard worked for years alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May on Top Gear and then The Grand Tour[/caption]

GEORDIE Shore star Nathan Henry has opened up about the real reason his secret boyfriend will never appear on the reality TV show.

The star has been in a relationship for the past two years but has never publicly disclosed the identity of his long-term lover.

Splash

Nathan Henry has revealed why his secret boyfriend will never be on Geordie Shore[/caption]

PA

The brand new series of the reality TV show has kicked off this week[/caption]

Nathan has also opted to rarely speak about his partner but in a new interview with The Sun, he admitted that it would not end well if his boyfriend were to step into the spotlight and join him on the MTV reality show.

Confessing he is a “psycho” in relationships, Nathan expressed his fears about whether the romance would be strong enough to survive the infamous Geordie house.

Speaking to The Sun ahead of the 25th series of the programme, Nathan said: “I’ve been with someone for two years. 

“Don’t get me wrong I love the drama and people getting with each other on the show and all of that and it all kicks off but I personally do not want that for myself. 

“I wouldn’t want to bring my boyfriend on here and I know what I’m like as well, and if he was here and one person said something to him, I would go from zero to psycho and I’d lose my job. 

“I would be defensive.”

Nathan was forced to leave his partner behind as he jetted off to Thailand for the brand new series of the programme last year.

The reality TV star was forced to miss the cast’s drama-fuelled trip to Cyprus the year prior as a result of taking part in the Aussie version of I’m A Celebrity.

However, this time around, Nathan was able to join his co-stars and pals on the trip to Koh Samui but tensions remained high among the warring cast.

Nathan’s admission that he wouldn’t bring his boyfriend on to the show has very much been echoed by his best pal, Chloe Ferry.

Chloe told us how she was opting to keep her romance with Johnny Wilbo “private” after previously filming every last detail of her romance with ex, Sam Gowland.

Chloe, who looked stunning in leopard print for the episode launch party, told The Sun: “He wasn’t involved in the series, and to be honest we have spoken about it and we think we might be filming again soon and I do have a boyfriend now.

“So I was going to bring him on but there was a situation with James and his partner and basically if that had happened to my partner I wouldn’t be able to control myself.”

Chloe added: “If anyone speaks badly to my friends or my partner I just fly off the handle.

“So I am really back and forth about what to do, because if anyone spoke to my lad like that I’d kill them.”

The Mega Agency

Nathan has kept his romance very much out of the spotlight[/caption]

DEAR DEIDRE: MY best friend has completely shut me out since I tackled her about her polyamorous relationship. 

She is getting married next month and I felt I had to tell her I was worried after I discovered her secret.

But she got angrier than I’ve ever seen when I spoke up. I’m no longer her maid of honour and she’s told me to ‘keep my nose out’.

I’m 32, and my friend is 33.

I had been worrying about her as she’d become a little distant and trying to get a conversation out of her has been like pulling teeth.

She always dismissed me, saying she was simply stressed with wedding planning.

Then another friend confided in me that my best friend’s fiance had asked her if she fancied ‘a quickie’ explaining they had opened up their relationship. 

The friend had refused and also felt worried for our friend.

We both questioned whether they should be getting married, considering this new development, and also whether it would be the right environment for children.

I agreed to talk to our friend and she confessed they were both seeing other people alongside each other. 

She told me it had made their relationship and sex life better than ever and she felt more alive than ever.

Taken aback she lost it with me, calling me judgmental, simply because I asked if her fiance had pushed her into it. She said she’d kept it from me because she knew I’d make her feel ashamed.

I don’t even know if I’m welcome at her wedding now.

How do I fix this?

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s natural that you’re concerned about your friend, especially as she has become withdrawn. 

This could be because she wanted their polyamorous relationship to remain private, alternatively she may have shut you out because she herself is uncomfortable with the arrangement.

All you can do is let her know you only want to check she is completely happy with their new relationship status. Tell her you love her and will be there whenever she wants to talk to you. 

If she has completely shut you out, I’m afraid there isn’t a lot more you can do.

The ball is well and truly in her court.

Some couples enjoy a long and happy polyamorous relationship, but both must be willing participants.

If you would like to learn more, More Than Two: A Practical Guide To Ethical Polyamory is a good book and place to start.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Prince William is sharing a loving tribute to his wife, Princess Kate Middleton, as she turns 43. “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable,” William, 42, wrote alongside a new photo of Kate shared via social media on Thursday, January 9. […]

Фото: Getty Images | Меттью Перрі   Восени 2024 маєток придбали за понад 8 млн доларів. Наразі він під загрозою повного знищення. Будинок, де помер Меттью Перрі в Пасіфік-Палісейдс, може згоріти вщент через масштабну лісову пожежу в Лос-Анджелесі. Про це пише Realtor.com За даними видання, у середу, 8 січня 2025, вогонь охопив будинок, а сусіди […]

TYRANT Kim Jong-un has unveiled North Korea’s largest naval destroyer that could house a vertical launchpad capable of firing guided cruise missiles.

The mighty vessel – said to be similar to Russia‘s famed Admiral Grigorovich frigate – is expected to substantially boost North Korea‘s naval capabilities.

KCTV

Pictures released by the North Korean state media show the vessel under construction[/caption]

KCTV

A closeup picture of the bow shows an empty space that is expected to house various vertical launch missile systems[/caption]

KCTV

Kim Jong-un was seen at the shipbuilding facility inspecting the construction of the vessel[/caption]

Pictures released by the state media – known to be Kim’s propaganda machine – show the mighty destroyer being built at a naval facility.

Analysts say, based on the images of the unfinished vessel, that the destroyer could be as large as 330ft from bow to stern and have a beam approximately 50ft wide.

At over 3,600 tonnes, the destroyer is set to become the largest warship in North Korea’s naval arsenal, surpassing the current largest vessel, a 1,360-tonne frigate.

A closeup picture of the bow shows an empty space that is expected to house various vertical launch missile systems.

These launchers will be capable of firing guided cruise missiles, alongside a mounted naval gun that is expected to be placed at the front.

Military experts believe the warship is currently being built at the Nampho Dockyard, located on the west coast of the country.

Kim Jong-un was seen at the shipbuilding facility inspecting the construction of the vessel.

It could take 10 years for the North Korean military to finish building the warship, according to analysts.

Joseph Dempsey, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Seoul-based NK News: “[The naval warship is] “likely a destroyer and the largest warship ever constructed in the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea].

“Weapons-wise, the large aperture immediately forward of the bridge would imply [plans to install a] possible vertical launching system [for missiles].”

Analysts noted that the new North Korean ship looked similar to the Russian Admiral Grigorovich-class, one of the most capable warships in Putin’s arsenal.

Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told South Korean media: “It could be an attempt by North Korea to significantly strengthen its conventional power, including its inferior naval power as well as nuclear and missile capabilities, through cooperation with Russia.”

Kim is said to have toured a Russian naval base and ships during a trip to the Russian far-east port of Vladivostok in September 2023.

Putin and Kim have been cosying up on the world stage – and insiders believe if their ties deepen, Pyongyang could be prepared to aid Vlad more.

Kim has already sent his Storm Corps, the country’s equivalent of special forces, to fight for Vlad.

The  11,000-strong are fighting Ukrainian soldiers as the  Russian tyrant aims to retake Kursk, seized by Ukraine in August.

It is feared both the despotic rulers may strengthen their cooperation even more and gain military advantages in the coming days.

Meanwhile, dictator Kim also unveiled his latest war tank which he says is the “world’s most powerful”.

The North Korean leader allegedly drove the armoured vehicle as he joined his troops during drills designed as a show of strength in the face of US/South Korean military exercises.

Reuters

The Russian Navy’s frigate Admiral Grigorovich sails in the Bosphorus on its way to the Mediterranean Sea[/caption]

KCTV

The North Korean Navy warship is currently under construction at Nampo Shipyard[/caption]

KCTV

It will become the biggest destroyer in Kim Jong-un’s arsenal[/caption]

AFP

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (C) visiting the second Surface Ship Squadron of the East Sea fleet, also known as the Sea of Japan[/caption]

A LOVE Island boss has revealed why it’s impossible for the Islanders to fake relationships in the villa. 

The new series of Love Island All Stars kicks off on Monday, with some iconic show stars returning for a second chance at finding romance. 

Reddit

Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Couples formed in the villa have often faced speculation that some relationships aren’t genuine and are a way for the Islanders to make it to the final. 

But executive producer Mike Spencer has insisted that it would be very hard for stars to play a game like that. 

He said: “I think it’s very rare to see a fake Love Island couple, only because we’ve got 72 plus cameras and every day you’ve got a whole team of people watching their every move.

“When they go into the outside world things can get tough and challenges get put in front of them – it can fall away quite quickly. But I don’t think tons of people fake it.”

Mike pointed out that it’s been proven many times that the show can produce long-lasting relationships, with former stars going on to get married and have children. 

Series two winners Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde tied the knot in 2019 and are parents to Freddie George and Delilah. 

Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt – who starred in the 2017 series – went on to get married and have daughters Nell and Nora and son Brodie. 

Mike continued: “It works. It is a dating show, tried and tested, and we’ve had marriages, kids, serious couples and engagements.”

Show host Maya Jama also hit back at claims Islanders project a fake image of relationship bliss on social media, saying nobody would be able to keep that up. 

She said: “I don’t think anyone’s got time for that. Even if they were [faking it], I think it would run out. It wouldn’t be able to last for years.”

This year’s All Stars line-up includes the likes of Gabby Allen, Ronnie Vint, Elma Pazar and Luca Bish.

Fans are also set to witness a potentially awkward reunion between Gabby and her ex Marcel Someville, after they previously split when she accused him of cheating.

Instagram

Show host Maya also revealed why Islanders would not be able to fake it on social media[/caption]

Creature Commandos ends its season on a stellar note, packed with action, ominous humor, and a wicked story, leaving the future of Rick Flag Sr. and his team in doubt. The debut chapter of this DCU tale concludes with the origin story of Nina Mazursky (Zoë Chao), the good-natured amphibian scientist. Throughout the season, we […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

A space without art can feel dull and unfinished, but collecting original pieces takes time (and often, quite a bit of money). But if you love the look of vintage paintings but can’t justify investing just yet, then you’re going to love the new spring art collection from Threshold designed with Studio McGee at Target. […]