Author: WTX News Editor

Cliff Notes – Sean Diddy Combs’s ex Cassie gives birth Cassie Ventura gave birth to her third child just two weeks after testifying against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is facing multiple serious charges including sex trafficking. During her testimony, Cassie, who was over eight months pregnant, detailed allegations of physical and mental abuse during her 11-year relationship with Combs. Diddy’s legal team attempted to declare a mistrial, arguing prosecutorial misconduct regarding evidence in a related…

Cliff Notes Chelsea secured the UEFA Conference League title with a decisive 4-1 victory over Real Betis, marking their first trophy under the Clearlake Capital ownership. Manager Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to a successful season, finishing fourth in the Premier League with the youngest squad in the competition’s history. This victory makes Chelsea the first club to win all four current European competitions, adding to their impressive haul of seven European titles. Chelsea win UEFA…

Cliff Notes Kneecap have been "removed" from the TRNSMT festival lineup due to safety concerns raised by the police, following a charge against member Liam O hAnnaidh for displaying a Hezbollah flag. In response to their removal, the hip hop trio will perform a solo headline show at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on 8 July, three days prior to the festival. Police Scotland indicated that no consultation occurred before the booking of the band…

Cliff Notes – Smart missiles from Germany allow Ukraine to destroy Crimea bridge Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced joint production of long-range missiles with Ukraine, but did not confirm the supply of Taurus missiles, keeping the decision ambiguous. The Taurus missile, with a range of over 310 miles, may provide Ukraine the ability to target Russian assets previously considered secure, although usage could be limited by air defence threats. Germany’s hesitance to supply Taurus missiles stems…

Cliff Notes Sussex police officers PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto were cleared of assault charges after using pepper spray and a Taser on 92-year-old Donald Burgess, who was threatening staff with a knife. The court heard Mr Burgess was experiencing delirium from a urinary tract infection, which contributed to his aggressive behaviour during the incident on 21 June 2022. Both officers will now face gross misconduct proceedings despite the jury’s not guilty verdicts…

Cliff Notes Paul Danan, the former Hollyoaks star, died by misadventure due to a combination of prescription and illicit drugs, as concluded by a coroner’s inquest. The 46-year-old actor was found unresponsive at his home, having a history of mental health struggles and drug misuse, with no evidence of suicide intent. Danan was scheduled to appear in court for drug-related charges the day after his death, highlighting ongoing issues with addiction. Paul Danan: Former Hollyoaks…

Cliff Notes – Hunt for man wanted in connection with murder Police are seeking Tino Williams, 23, in connection with the murder of 19-year-old Brandon Porter Kershaw, who succumbed to injuries after being struck by a vehicle outside a primary school in Bury, Greater Manchester. A 38-year-old man was previously arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail as the investigation continues. Mr Kershaw’s family described him as a “gentle, kind-hearted”…

Cliff Notes Recent cyberattack exposes NHS trusts, specifically University College London Hospitals and University Hospital Southampton, raising concerns over the security of patient data. Hackers exploited a vulnerability in Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile software, accessing sensitive information such as staff phone numbers and authentication tokens without deploying ransomware. Experts warn of potential widespread impacts on patient safety, including disrupted appointment systems and increased public distrust in NHS cybersecurity measures. NHS trusts’ data ‘stolen’ in cyberattack…

Cliff Notes At least 47 Palestinians were injured, mainly from gunfire, during a chaotic incident at a newly opened aid distribution hub in Rafah, according to a UN official. The Hamas-run media reported three fatalities and several missing persons, amidst desperation for food due to a prolonged Israeli blockade. The UN and other humanitarian organisations have expressed concerns over the new aid system, claiming it will not adequately meet the needs of Gaza’s population. Dozens…

Cliff Notes Dominic Cummings believes Nigel Farage could become prime minister if he develops a clear plan for the Reform UK party, moving beyond a “one man and an iPhone” model. Cummings described the Reform party as a vehicle for anti-establishment sentiments, suggesting Farage’s rising popularity reflects widespread discontent with traditional politics. He also expressed doubts about the Conservative Party’s future, predicting the ousting of current leader Kemi Badenoch before the end of the year…

Cliff Notes SpaceX’s Starship rocket experienced its third consecutive failure during a test flight, spinning out of control due to fuel leaks and ultimately breaking apart during re-entry. The launch, initially promising, was marred by the failure of its payload door to open, preventing the planned release of mock satellites. Despite the setback, Elon Musk characterised the flight as a "big improvement" and pledged to accelerate future launches, with three additional flights anticipated within the…

Cliff Notes A car drove into a crowd during Liverpool’s victory parade, leading to chaotic scenes and multiple injuries. Eyewitnesses reported panic as pedestrians were struck. The incident unfolded around 5.58pm, despite prior warnings from authorities to avoid driving downtown during the high-attendance event, attended by approximately one million people. Emergency services responded rapidly, but questions have emerged regarding how the vehicle managed to navigate through heavily populated streets without being intercepted by police. Liverpool…

Cliff Notes London Mayor Sadiq Khan supports the decriminalisation of possessing small amounts of natural cannabis, citing a report from the London Drugs Commission that presents a strong evidence-based case for this change. The London Drugs Commission argues current cannabis laws are disproportionate, have a damaging impact on ethnic communities, and recommends moving natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act to the Psychoactive Substances Act. Government responses, including from the Home Office, suggest no…

Cliff Notes A man, Jack Trotter, recounted how he begged the driver of a Ford Galaxy to stop before being struck during Liverpool’s Premier League trophy parade, resulting in severe injuries. The incident, which left more than 50 individuals injured, is under investigation with a suspect arrested for attempted murder and dangerous driving. Trotter’s girlfriend, Abbie Gallagher, described the chaotic scene as they searched for each other amidst the crowd, both experiencing trauma from the…

Cliff Notes Lord Mandelson expressed regret over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, asserting he wished he had never met him. A 2019 JP Morgan report revealed that Mandelson stayed at Epstein’s Manhattan flat while Epstein was serving time for sex trafficking charges. As the UK ambassador to the US, Mandelson aims to engage with the Trump administration respectfully, despite previously labelling Trump a "danger to the world." ‘I wish I’d never met him’: Peter Mandelson…

Cliff Notes London’s congestion charge may increase by 20% from £15 to £18 starting January 2026, marking the first hike since 2020. A proposed cleaner vehicle discount could reduce charges for electric vans and heavy goods vehicles by 50%, while electric cars may get a 25% discount starting March 2030. The 90% blanket discount for residents in non-electric vehicles will be phased out for new applicants from March 2027, encouraging ownership of cleaner vehicles. London…

Cliff Notes North Wales Police confirmed the discovery of a man’s body in the search for a missing walker, identified as John from West Sussex. The 20-year-old was last seen on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) at 5.40pm on Monday, with his body found shortly before 10am on Tuesday. Authorities reported no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and expressed gratitude to search partners and public volunteers. Snowdon: Police find body in search for missing mountain walker |…

Cliff Notes – Europe accused of sabotaging Trump’s peace plan Friedrich Merz’s comments on long-range missile support for Ukraine inadvertently gave Russia an opportunity to distract from ongoing military attacks. Sergey Lavrov capitalised on Merz’s misstatement, questioning the competence of new European leaders and asserting a narrative that portrays European allies as aggressors. The confusion surrounding Germany’s missile policy underscores the importance of precise communication in high-stakes geopolitical contexts. Ukraine war latest: Europe accused of…

Cliff Notes – IMF upgrades UK economic growth forecast The IMF has revised its UK economic growth forecast upward to 1.2% for this year, although this remains lower than earlier projections from January and October. Trade tensions stemming from US tariffs are anticipated to hinder UK economic growth, potentially reducing GDP by 0.3% by 2026. Despite positive updates, concerns over productivity and inflation create challenges for UK financial policy, leading to a complex situation for…

Cliff Notes Merseyside Police responded promptly to a car ramming incident during a parade, quickly releasing information about the suspect to mitigate misinformation circulating on social media. The force detailed the arrested individual’s description just hours after the event, emphasising transparency to counteract speculation and false narratives online. Liverpool City Region Mayor commended the police for their rapid communication, noting the critical need to prevent the spread of rumours that could escalate public concern. Liverpool…

Cliff Notes A car drove through a crowd celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League win, injuring at least 27 people, including four children; fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities. Merseyside Police do not classify the incident as terrorism; a 53-year-old man was arrested at the scene, and emergency services have treated many individuals for minor injuries. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has praised the bravery of emergency responders, while local authorities and Liverpool FC emphasise…

Cliff Notes King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Canada prompts calls for an official apology regarding the historical mistreatment of "Home Children" who were shipped from the UK to Canada for labour between 1869 and 1948. Campaigners, including John Jefkins, advocate for this apology, highlighting the need for recognition of the suffering endured by these children and their descendants. The Canadian government has expressed regret over past policies but has not issued an official…

Cliff Notes The UK government plans to create 120,000 new training routes for various sectors, including construction and healthcare, as part of a wider strategy to enhance skills and reduce net migration. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer aims to introduce an additional 30,000 apprenticeships over the next four years, supported by a budget exceeding £3bn this financial year. Controversy arises from the decision to shift funding away from master’s-level apprenticeships towards lower-level trainings, with critics…

Cliff Notes King Charles has commenced his initial visit to Canada as head of state, landing in Ottawa shortly after 1pm local time, despite ongoing cancer treatment. During the two-day visit, he is scheduled to attend community events, a ceremonial tree planting at Rideau Hall, and deliver the Speech from the Throne at the state opening of Canada’s parliament. The visit is marked as a significant gesture of Canadian sovereignty amid diplomatic tensions, particularly in…

Cliff Notes Footage captures a people carrier driving at speed into crowds during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade, causing panic among fans. A 53-year-old British man has been arrested by Merseyside Police in connection with the incident, which occurred shortly after 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday. Eyewitness accounts describe the vehicle moving "extremely fast," with several individuals attempting to escape and assist those injured. Liverpool parade collision: Footage shows people carrier drive into crowds at speed…