Latest news with #FromtheNorth
ITV News
5 days ago
- ITV News
Jay Slater's mother tells inquest he has 'touched the hearts of the nation'
Teenager Jay Slater's mother has told an inquest into her son's death he had 'touched the hearts of the nation'. Debbie Duncan paid tribute to the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, whose death from head injuries was ruled an accident, following a two-day hearing at Preston Coroner's Court ending on Friday 25 July. Coroner Dr James Adeley ruled Jay, who had taken a number of drugs, had fallen in a dangerous ravine. The teenager suffered unsurvivable head injuries while trying to walk back to his holiday let across mountainous terrain in Tenerife, in July 2024. Ms Duncan, accompanied by the teenager's father, Warren Slater, wept as she told the court her son was 'full of fun and was always a joy to be around' with many friends. He was close to completing his apprenticeship as a bricklayer, was learning to drive and had been 'counting down the days' to his first holiday with friends abroad. 'Not in a million years did we predict what was to unfold,' she said. 'He had a large circle of good friends who have been left devastated at his tragic death. 'Our lives will never be the same without Jay in it.' Her son's disappearance prompted huge media coverage and sparked a multitude of conspiracy theories on social media. Ms Duncan added: 'He may of just been a story for the past 13 months, a story full of untruths. He did touch the hearts of the nation and that overwhelms us. 'We ask you to please now let Jay rest in eternal peace.' Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
ITV News
6 days ago
- General
- ITV News
'Adorable' first ever snow leopard cub born at Chester Zoo in 'significant moment' for conservation
CCTV footage shows the precious early moments between the newborn cub and her mum Nubra. The first ever snow leopard cub has been born at Chester Zoo in its 94-year history. The six-week-old carnivore has been tucked away in a den with all of its early moments caught on camera. It was born after parents Nubra and Yashin were carefully matched together as part of a breeding programme to protect the population of the species. Snow leopards are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, with as few as 4,000 now remaining in the wild. Carnivore experts at the zoo say Nubra is showing "excellent maternal instincts" and has been nursing her arrival every few hours. She has been keeping close by, only leaving the den momentarily to feed. Dave Hall, Team Manager of Carnivores at Chester Zoo said: "This is her first cub and she's doing an exceptional job of caring for her little one - feeding regularly and staying snuggled away in a cosy, behind-the-scenes den, where the pair have been quietly bonding and getting to know one another." He added: 'This is the first snow leopard cub to be born at Chester Zoo. It's a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration - not just for our teams here but also for the future of this magnificent species globally." The carnivore team have stayed well away from the den to ensure it is a peaceful area for the leopards, deciding to use CCTV cameras to monitor the cub's development. The cub has gained in strength and confidence, and is expected to venture outside at any moment. Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
ITV News
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- ITV News
Diogo Jota's widow posts tribute one month on from wedding
Diogo Jota's widow has paid tribute to the late Liverpool forward one month on from their wedding and three weeks after he died in a car crash in Spain. The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames in the early hours of 3 July 2025. On Tuesday, Jota's wife shared three pictures of the two of them at their wedding, and wrote: 'One month of our 'until death do us part'. For ever, your white girl.' A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil of Zamora said earlier this month that tests being carried out by its traffic division showed Jota was driving the car at the time of the accident. The spokesperson added that the car was thought to be travelling above the speed limit on the road, which local media report is 120kmph (74mph). Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. Footballers, family and fans gathered for the funeral of the brothers which took place in their native Portugal on 5 July. Liverpool retired his number 20 shirt in a move they said was a recognition of his "immeasurable contribution" on the pitch and the "profound personal impact" he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters. Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
ITV News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
New Manchester United signing Bryan Mbeumo excited to follow in footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo
New Manchester United signing Bryan Mbeumo says he is excited to follow in the footsteps of his hero Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old said he is overjoyed to be playing for the 'biggest club in the world' after he completed his transfer from Brentford on Monday 21 July. Manchester United will pay £65million plus a potential £6million in add-ons to the London club after seven weeks and some tense talks between the clubs. Mbeumo has signed a deal until 2030, with the option of a further season, at what he calls the 'club of my dreams'. Speaking to club media, he said: 'From the start I wanted to join this club, this massive club, and now I'm here and I'm just really happy. 'For me, it's the biggest club in the world, in England as well. I think the fans are crazy, the stadium is amazing, and I think every player wants to play here. 'I think my first top was a Manchester United top with Ronaldo behind. It's just such a big club and, yeah, I'm really happy to be here.' Mbeumo links up with United after scoring 20 Premier League goals last season for Brentford under Thomas Frank, who has since moved on to Tottenham and is someone he sees similarly to new boss Ruben Amorim. 'I think they have similar values,' he said. 'He seems really close to his players and his mentality, his winning thinking every time. This is a thing that I need. 'It seems to be a really good group. I think the spirit is really important for winning and, yeah, with the gaffer I heard only good things about the team.' The forward joins former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha in bolstering a Manchester United attack which has struggled for goals. Mbeumo says the Brazil international will 'bring something new' to a team that he is excited to get to know better. Manchester United have travelled to the United States for their pre-season tour, where they will face fellow Premier League sides Everton, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth. Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
ITV News
17-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Dad with blood cancer says he will continue stem cell mission regardless of whether he finds match
A terminally ill father who has encouraged tens of thousands of people to sign up to the stem cell register says he will continue to raise awareness of the lifesaving treatment - even if he does not find a match himself. Doctors gave Pete McCleave, a dad-of-two from Bunbury, Cheshire, seven years to live when he was diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in 2017. He was told he could extend his life with a stem cell transplant, but he has found it extremely difficult to find a genetic match because of his mixed Macanese, Irish and English heritage. In November 2024, the 45-year-old travelled more than 6,000 miles to Macau, a region on the south coast of China, in his quest to find the perfect match and encourage more people to be donors. Speaking ahead of the documentary 's release, Pete said it was "wonderful, difficult and challenging" to watch his journey to Macau. He said: "I felt nervous because I didn't quite know what to expect. I remember the trip but I don't remember all of the details. It is a wonderful piece of work. The impact it will have is so wide-reaching, globally." In this episode of From the North, Mel Barham follows Pete McCleave as he travels 6,000 miles to his ancestral home of Macau in an attempt to extend his life. In a race against time, his journey is not only a chance to find a life-saving match, but also an opportunity to highlight the disparity faced by ethnic minorities in finding stem cell donor matches. Pete travelled to Macau to attend Encontro - an event that happens every four years, where Macanese diaspora return to the country for a week of cultural celebrations. His aim was to encourage people of Macanese heritage at the event to sign up to the donor register - in the hope one of them may be the match. "My match still isn't there," Pete said. "But I've got great hope that future advances in medicine will overcome that lack of match - not just for me but for other people who are of mixed race heritage. "I will always continue to talk about this, regardless of whether I find a match or not. I've made peace with the fact that it's going to be very difficult to find that match." Pete's journey to Macau was supported by his friend and fellow stem cell campaigner Yaser Martini, who lost his two-year-old daughter Margot from leukaemia in 2014. Similarly to Pete's story, Margot's mixed heritage was the key obstacle to finding her stem cell match. By the time the toddler did find a match, her condition had progressed too far. After her death, Yaser made his mission to bring about culture change, particularly in the communities where the need for donations is greatest, so more people will sign up to the stem cell register. His family's story is told in the ITVX documentary. "It's a very human story," Yaser said. "It just underscores how connected we all are and the important things we can do to help each other." Following his diagnosis Pete McCleave launched the campaign 10,000 donors to get more to join the stem cell register. So far more than 108,000 potential donors have signed up, with 23 life saving matches found - but none of them a match for Pete. There are currently 2,000 people in the UK waiting for a stem cell transplant. For those of white European heritage, there is a 70% chance of finding a match, but for those who are black, Asian or from an ethnic minority, the chances fall to more like 30%. and does it hurt? In about 90% of the cases the stem cells are taken from the bloodstream - just like giving blood. The donation takes 3-5 hours on one or two consecutive days. No surgery is necessary, you can usually leave the clinic the same day. Am I missing stem cells after the donation? The body reproduces the blood stem cells within about two weeks. The procedure of donating them is comparable to a blood donation, and does not lead to a permanent loss of stem cells. Who can donate? If you are aged between 17 and 55 years and in general good health, then you may be able to register as a blood stem cell donor. If you register when you are 17, you will not be able to donate blood stem cells yet, but on your 18th birthday, you will automatically be activated in our database and included in the global donor searches. Much more information on stem cell donation can be found on the DKMS website.
