Author: Darren Smith

A man in his 30s remains in police custody following an incident in Derby city centre that left seven people requiring hospital treatment on Saturday evening. Derbyshire Constabulary has launched an investigation into the collision involving a black Suzuki Swift, which occurred at approximately 9.30pm. Officers are appealing for witnesses who may have observed the vehicle being driven in Derby prior to the incident. The force confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public, though Friar Gate remains completely closed from the Curzon Street/Cheapside junction to Ford Street whilst investigations continue. Authorities have urged residents and visitors to avoid…

Thousands of American Marines have arrived in the Middle East as Pentagon officials confirm preparations for ground operations in Iran that could extend over several weeks, according to defence sources. The USS Tripoli docked in the region on Friday carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines from the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, who were redirected from exercises near Taiwan almost a fortnight ago. Defence insiders described the preparations as a “major escalation,” though military planners have ruled out a full-scale invasion, The Washington Post reported. Instead, operations would rely on Special Operations forces supported…

Britain’s asylum system has come under fierce scrutiny after two men wanted for gang rape in Denmark were granted refugee status and taxpayer-funded benefits despite an international police alert being issued before they entered the country. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned the case as evidence that “Labour has lost control of our borders,” following revelations that Awedin Fikak and Henok Tekleab lived in Britain for up to 18 months at public expense before being extradited. Both Eritrean nationals, aged 27, have now been returned to Denmark to face trial after Danish authorities issued an international warrant complete with photographs…

Ministers must urgently outline emergency measures to prevent panic buying and fuel shortages as the Iran crisis threatens to slash oil supplies by up to a fifth, a former energy industry chief has warned. Nick Butler, who served as BP’s head of strategy and advised former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, cautioned that the Government faces a “really serious potential shortage” if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and the conflict continues. Mr Butler proposed a series of interventions to manage declining fuel availability, including restricting motorists to driving on alternate days based on their vehicle registration numbers. He also suggested…

US President Donald Trump has issued his starkest warning yet over America’s commitment to NATO, declaring the country may no longer “be there” for European allies who have declined to join military operations against Iran. The President’s extraordinary statement on Friday night suggested Washington could walk away from the transatlantic alliance after member states refused to provide material support during the conflict’s second month. Speaking at an investment forum in Miami, Mr Trump questioned the fundamental premise of collective defence, stating: “We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have…

More than two dozen American servicemen have been injured in Iranian attacks on a Saudi Arabian military installation, as the Middle East conflict expands with Yemen’s entry into hostilities for the first time. Sources confirmed that 15 US personnel were wounded during a Friday strike on the Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, part of a broader week of Iranian operations targeting American forces stationed in the region. The escalation has prompted warnings from US President Donald Trump, who suggested yesterday he may deploy troops to the area—a move Tehran has cautioned would come at considerable cost. Yemen’s Iran-backed…

A manhunt is underway after a young girl was sexually assaulted by an intruder who broke into her family home in broad daylight. West Mercia Police were called to the property on Willowfields in Woodside, Telford, following the attack on Tuesday afternoon. Officers have launched an urgent investigation to trace the suspect, who fled the scene after apparently believing someone else was in the house. The incident occurred at approximately 3pm when the man gained entry to the address. He touched the girl above her clothing before making his escape. Detectives are now hunting a white male suspect aged between…

Vladimir Putin held a closed-door meeting with Russian business leaders at which he is reported to have discussed military funding and asked oligarchs to contribute financially to the war effort in Ukraine, according to independent Russian outlet The Bell and the Financial Times. The Kremlin denied the characterisation. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was not true that Putin had made such a request, though he acknowledged that one participant had voluntarily offered to donate “a very large sum of money” to the state. Peskov said the individual — whom he declined to name — had acted on his own…

An Amazon delivery driver who picked up a family’s cat from their garden and walked off with her while making a parcel drop could now face a prison sentence, after pleading guilty to stealing the animal under legislation that treats pet theft as a serious criminal offence. Catalin Stancu, 42, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, appeared at Bradford Magistrates’ Court and admitted stealing Nora, a cat belonging to the Crowther family of Elland, near Halifax, on 18 January. Footage from the family’s Ring doorbell captured the moment Stancu delivered a parcel to the property, received no answer at the door, and…

An Afghan asylum seeker who arrived in the United Kingdom just four months before carrying out a series of sexual offences against a 12-year-old girl has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a trial at Warwick Crown Court. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was convicted of rape, two counts of sexual assault, child abduction and taking an indecent video of the victim. He had already admitted a further rape charge prior to trial. The court heard that the girl was approached by Mulakhil in a Nuneaton park while she was playing on the swings. She told the court she had…