Wales' papers: Ex-Cardiff star jailed and driver's close shave
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tour de France stage 15 preview: Sprinters eye rare chance for victory on hilly route to Carcassonne
Following a trio of punishing stages in the Pyrenees, the Tour de France returns to - comparatively - flatter ground today, heading east on a transitional stage as the race prepares for the Alps. Yesterday's stage 14 saw Thymen Arensman time his solo attack to perfection as he claimed the first Tour de France stage win of his career, holding off the late surge of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar on a brutal mountain route through relentless rain and thick fog. With Pogacar rampaging through the Pyrenees, winning atop Hautacam on stage 12, then demolishing the field in the time trial on stage 13, the destiny of the Tour de France title is looking fairly well sewn up – but there are plenty more individual victories to fight for and today, with its final descent and flat run-in to the line, is unlikely to be one the marauding Slovenian has an eye on. It'll be a reprieve for the sprinters, who slogged their way through the high mountains in the grupetto to make it to the start line in Muret today, but they've got another fight on their hands, of a different kind. Today's stage is a 169km run from Muret to Carcassonne covering some bumpy terrain, so this will be a real test of recovery after the previous three days. That is of course if it even comes down to a sprint at all: the peloton's breakaway specialists endured slim pickings over the weekend as the GC riders came to the fore, and today's stage certainly suits some enterprising escapees. There are three categorised climbs to get over in a lumpy middle of the stage: the cat-three Cote de Saint-Ferreol, the cat-three Cote de Soreze, and the cat-two Pas de Sant. Saint-Ferreol sets the tone, short but sharp at 7% for 1.7km kilometres. The Soreze is longer at 6.2km, averaging 5.5%, but it's the Pas de Sant that might spell doom for the sprinters: 2.9km at an average of 10.2%. And there's plenty more uncategorised climbing too - including the late climb up the Col de Fontbruno, which isn't marked but follows immediately on from the categorised Pas du Sant. It sees the riders climb to 880m above sea level, before a long, broken-up, 40km into Carcassonne and a flat finish. If the sprinters' teams have their lead-out trains organised they could gather up any stragglers and make a late chase on that final descent and flat approach - but the likes of Mathieu van der Poel could foil them, with attacks likely to come all day and especially on the last categorised climb. Either way it should make for a fascinating day of racing. Route map and profile Start time Today's stage has a more standard start time after yesterday's early rise: 1.20pm local time, 12.20pm BST, with an expected finish of 5.10pm local time (4.10pm BST). Prediction Today's stage could favour literally anyone. Successful breakaways have been few and far between this Tour and as such I'm leaning towards a puncheur making a dramatic escape and holding off the sprinters' teams... but hedging my bets. Mathieu van der Poel has been a stalwart of breakaways so far and may fancy another crack today; likewise Wout van Aert, with a rest day to recover ahead of his Alpine duties for team leader Jonas Vingegaard. But I'm going with Julian Alaphilippe; his climbing legs haven't been so great in this race but he's a demon descender and could build his lead on the hair-raising downhill into Carcassonne. Alaphilippe's Tudor stablemate Marc Hirschi has looked off the boil for much of this Tour but could do something today too; likewise Bruno Armirail, another Frenchman who's in sparkling form and who built up an astonishing lead over his former breakaway companions on the descent of the Col du Soulor on stage 12. If it does come down to a sprint, Tim Merlier has had the beating of green jersey Jonathan Milan in their two duels so far, with Milan's only stage victory coming on stage eight when the European champion was distanced following a late mechanical.
BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
Police officer awarded for work with neurodiverse suspects
A police officer has been awarded with a Chief Superintendent Commendation for her work to support neurodiverse people who find themselves in Ch Insp Becky Davies received recognition alongside her colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Police at a ceremony in Torquay. The force said Det Ch Insp Davies introduced the use of distraction items for detainees and supported staff by offering learning said she was inspired to help after she noticed a lot of vulnerable people going into custody - and because of her own ADHD and autism diagnoses. "I just noticed one of our mental health practitioners was using a using a stretch ball to help one of the detainees with their breathing, they were having a panic attack and it was really effective," she added that made her question what could be brought into custody safely to help vulnerable people. "The challenges and difficulties and symptoms vary from person to person," Det Ch Insp Davies said. "Give them something to do and that then de-escalates the situation... which enables the detainee to actually engage with all the support services that are in custody."I'm actually autistic and ADHD, late diagnosed. I think that's probably one of the things that kind of drove me to help people."Her guidance has been published within the College of Policing as an example of best said she was "really proud and happy that it's helping people not just in Devon and Cornwall but, you know, across the UK". Ch Supt Roy Linden said: "It was an absolute privilege to be able to formally recognise some of our staff who have excelled in delivering policing over the last 12 months."
Reuters
2 minutes ago
- Reuters
Newcastle boss Howe confident Isak will stay on amid transfer speculation
July 20 (Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said he is confident that striker Alexander Isak will be at the Premier League club at the start of the 2025-26 season, after leaving the Swede out of their 4-0 friendly loss to Celtic due to transfer talk. British media reported earlier this week that Premier League champions Liverpool were interested in signing the 25-year-old Sweden international, who has three years left on his Newcastle contract. Isak bagged 23 Premier League goals last season, only behind Liverpool talisman and Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah (29). Isak, capped 52 times for his country, joined Newcastle from Spanish side Real Sociedad in 2022 and has since netted 62 times in 109 appearances for the Magpies across all competitions. "It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him," Howe told reporters after Saturday's match. "The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stand watching, that wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window. "It's difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player. Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I'm confident he'll be here at the start of the season. "Yes, I've had discussions with him but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him." Newcastle, who qualified for Champions League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, will next be in action against Arsenal in a friendly match in Singapore next Sunday.
