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Archive May 21, 2025

Chris Brown pictured leaving prison after being granted bail for GBH charge

Singer Chris Brown has been pictured for the first time following his short stint inside an English prison, after he was held on remand. Following a court hearing earlier today, the Kiss Kiss hitmaker, 36, has been released on bail by a London court after being charged over an alleged “unprovoked attack” that is said to have taken place in 2023.

Brown was seen being driven away from HMP Forrest Bank in Salford in a silver Mercedes Benz Vito this afternoon. The vehicle, carrying the newly-released singer and his security detail, drove past a crowd snapping photographs.

Ahead of his departure from HMP Forrest Bank, Brown’s team could be seen arriving ready to great the musician – with one crew member carrying a JD bag and a pair of white trainers, presumably for Brown.






Singer Chris Brown has been pictured leaving HMP Forest Bank in Salford
(
Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The 36-year-old musician – who has not been asked to enter a plea yet in the case – has been ordered to pay a £5 million security fee to Southwark Crown Court after Wednesday’s (21.05.25) bail hearing, which he was not present for.

Judge Tony Baumgartner confirmed the singer will be allowed to continue his world tour, with dates in the UK in June and July. The security fee – with £4 million paid immediately, and £1 million due in seven days – is a financial guarantee to ensure he returns to court next month.

If Brown breaches bail conditions, he could be asked to forfeit the money. The Next To You singer is scheduled to appear in court on June 20, which falls between gigs at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, and London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.






Security guards were seen waiting for the Go Crazy singer outside the prison in Salford


Security guards were seen waiting for the Go Crazy singer outside the prison in Salford
(
Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

As laid out by the judge, the conditions of his bail means he must surrender his passport when he’s not travelling on tour. He must also live at a specific address provided to the court, and not apply for travel documents, contact the alleged victim, or visit the Tape nightclub.

Brown was arrested in the early hours of May 15 at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel, after flying in for his Breezy Bowl XX tour. He was initially refused bail the following day, and was held in custody.

He has been accused of causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abraham Diaw by allegedly attacking him with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023. He and his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu – who performs as HoodyBaby – are set to appear in court next month.






A group of people were seen waiting outside HMP Forest Bank


A group of people were seen waiting outside HMP Forest Bank
(
Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard last week that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle, and was then pursued to a separate area of the nightclub where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told Brown the alleged offence was a matter “too serious” to be dealt with at her court as she sent the case to London’s Southwark Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on June 13.






Ahead of his release, a member of Brown's entourage was seen carrying a JD bag and a pair of trainers


Ahead of his release, a member of Brown’s entourage was seen carrying a JD bag and a pair of trainers
(
Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Brown, wearing a black T-shirt and black Nike jogging bottoms, was flanked by two security guards in the dock. He confirmed his name was Christopher Maurice Brown, provided his date of birth and gave the Lowry Hotel as his address. Brown watched on intently as brief details of the case against him were outlined by prosecutor Hannah Nicholls.

The singer’s tour starts on June 8 in Amsterdam, followed by 10 UK dates including Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on June 15, plus gigs in Birminigham and Glasgow. A case management hearing has been set for October 24.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

FCT Indigenes Protest At National Assembly Over NDDC Board Nomination

Youths from FCT-based indigenous communities protested at the National Assembly’s offices on Wednesday over what they claimed is the FCT’s ongoing marginalization of its citizens.

The demonstrators are opposed to Solomon Adodo’s nomination to the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Board under the banner of the FCT Youth Stakeholders Forum.

Zakari Gambo Babale, Adodo, a group leader, claims that the Benue State commission already has several members. He believes that FCT’s indigenous people are underrepresented in his nomination to the NDDC board.

Senate seeks a military base in Adamawa, also READ ALSO.

Security personnel forced the closure of the national assembly complex’s main gate as a result of the protest’s tense turn.

The entrance to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was redirected for staff and visitors.

Struggles down to off-field issues and injury – Foden

Images courtesy of Getty

Phil Foden, a midfielder for Manchester City, claims he has “struggled” this season due to issues with his ankle and off-field issues.

The 24-year-old scored 19 goals as City won an unprecedented fourth top-flight title in a row last term, which was his best Premier League performance to date.

Additionally, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year and won the Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards.

Foden helped England reach the semi-final of the European Championship last July, where they were defeated by Spain, by starting each of their seven games.

Foden claims that during the goalless derby draw on April 6 that he was tackled by Casemiro had “bad” ligament damage to his ankle. He missed the next two games but did return to training “quite early.”

Foden responded, “It’s been challenging. It’s been challenging. Before I could resume my training, it took a while for me to recover. I had to take care of it. For me, this has been a frustrating season.

“I am aware that if everything were going well, I would definitely be better on the field.” Sometimes a situation arises that requires you to handle it and move on. Sadly, this has been a challenging season for me.

“It’s just about improving and returning to my best,” she said. I am aware of my goals and potential. I’m eager to return.

Foden was subjected to mocking chants about his mother during the Old Trafford game, with Pep Guardiola, City manager, calling them “a lack of class.”

Foden admitted to feeling physically and mentally exhausted in January to the Manchester Evening News.

Foden continued, “I’ve had a lot of things going on mentally off the pitch.” One of them is that sometimes there are things in life that are greater than football. I’ve had a little trouble this season.

Will Foden compete for England and the World Cup of Clubs?

City’s poor campaign saw them relinquish control of the Premier League title, exit the Champions League in the last 16, and be defeated by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

Knowing a point will earn them a Champions League spot for the coming season, they travel to Fulham on Sunday (kick-off 16:00 BST).

However, City can make a quick turnaround this summer because they will be competing in the expanded Club World Cup, which begins in the US on June 14.

Foden said, “It’s obviously difficult because the lads are mentally drained from this season. Everyone needs to recover at the appropriate point, in my opinion, before returning to the previous season.

“This competition is going to be very, obviously. Although some clubs will take it more seriously than others, I know City and the club we are will definitely take it seriously.

Before that, manager Thomas Tuchel names his England squad for the opening match of the World Cup against Senegal at Wembley on Friday for the friendly against Senegal on June 7 in Andorra and the World Cup qualifier in Andorra on June 7.

Foden responded, “Obviously it’s a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner.

We need to talk about it with the club and national team to see if it’s better to rest and get my ankle back to where I want it.

related subjects

  • Premier League
  • Manchester City
  • Football

Bath to ‘stick to process’ in European cup final

Features of Rex

Bath vs. Lyon in the European Challenge Cup final

Where: Cardiff’s Principality Stadium When: Friday, May 23rd, 2019 20:00 BST

As they prepare to face Lyon in the final on Friday, van Graan has urged his Bath players to “keep it simple” and “stick to the process.”

The Premiership leaders are aiming for their first European Cup victory in 12 years as they prepare for their first competition since head coach Van Graan’s arrival in 2022.

After winning the Challenge Cup title in 2008 and placing second in 2003, 2007 and 2014, Bath will now make its fifth appearance in the final.

The first European final that the entire group has participated in, according to Van Graan, is “a special moment for the club.”

I’m looking forward to the moment because that’s what finals are all about, and I’m excited. We’re playing against a good side, and we respect them, so it’s a once-off.

Van Graan said his players’ messages to them have been straightforward and that Bath beat Leicester 43-15 to reach the final.

He advised you to “keep it simple, stick to your process, and continue to do the things that got you in the final.”

With three games left, Bath will go on top of the table, while the Premiership team, which currently leads by 15 points, have been the standard bearers.

After winning the Premiership Rugby Cup in February, they are now on course for a historic treble with the European final.

Van Graan, who over the course of his tenure has left the club as a bottom-of-the-table outfit, asserted that the organization will continue to strive for improvement.

He said, “We have to keep moving forward because if you stand still someone else is moving forward.”

We want to improve, and we have already improved, so we won’t be stopping right away.

We’ll keep trying and coming up with better solutions. Our process must result in performance, according to one of our proverbs. Let’s find a better way to do it if it doesn’t result in performance.

We admire Lyon, but we put our entire attention on ourselves.

Sam Underhill (right) running with the ball preparing for a tackle during the Challenge Cup win against EdinburghFeatures of Rex

After winning just one of their four pool games, Bath dropped into the second-tier European competition in April, where they had won 2024-25 in the Champions Cup.

They defeated Edinburgh for a spot in the final at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium before sweeping past Pau in the last 16 and beating Gloucester in the quarter-finals.

They square off against French Top 14 side Lyon, who are currently 11th in the league and have lost to Racing 92, Sharks, Ospreys, and Racing 92 in three of their most recent knockout European matches. They also won the Challenge Cup three years ago.

Leo Berdeu, a fly-half playmaker, Sam Matavesi, a Fiji hooker, and Semi Radradra, a former Northampton and Bristol player, make up their lineup.

Van Graan characterized Lyon as a “typical side” that advances to the final.

They have some fantastic broken-field runners, he said, “Good maul, especially their five-man maul, good scrum.”

We respect them for who they are, but we don’t care about our own actions.

Sam Underhill, the team’s flanker, said the team’s position in the final is “a testament to the hard work” of everyone at the club. He was player of the match in the semi-final win against Edinburgh.

It’s nice to get results, he said, but that’s not the point of what we do. We work hard for one another and strive to improve daily, but it’s nice when the results lead to big games and stadium attendance, he said.

related subjects

  • Rugby Union
  • Bath

Mirror Daily Digest: Our top stories from Jay Slater bombshells to PM’s winter fuel U-turn

We’ve compiled the biggest stories of the day in this Wednesday’s Mirror Daily Digest, from the most heartfelt new details about Jay Slater’s tragic passing to Keir Starmer’s PMQ’s winter fuel U-turn and the eagerly awaited Europa League final.

Jay Slater’s mum broke down in tears during the inquest into her son’s death(Image: Chis Neill)

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we pull together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Wednesday, we’re featuring everything from the inquest into Jay Slater’s death to everything we know ahead of the Europa League final and Starmer’s huge winter fuel PMQs bombshell.

This morning, Jay Slater’s inquest began to establish the events in the build up to the apprentice bricklayer’s shock death which grabbed headlines across the UK. Elsewhere, manchester-united-fc>Manchester United are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur this evening in an all-English Europa League final and Keir Starmer has made a shock winter fuel payments U-turn.

As she pleads for missing pals to come forward, Jay Slater’s mother bursts into tears.

Jay Slater and his mum
Jay Slater was found dead in a ravine on the Spanish island of Tenerife(Image: Facebook)

Jay Slater’s disappearance in Ibiza last summer drew national attention, with many questioning what might have transpired before his tragic death was tragically announced. As our news team live blogged Jay Slater’s death, which was being investigated by the police, his name came back to prominence on Wednesday.

Jay Slater’s mum broke down in tears at the inquest into her son’s death. She told the court: I know you have tried to locate them but how can we ever get any understanding we know he died and he had an accident but from him leaving that holiday resort to going up to there we have read their statements and we want these people to be here sat in front of us, we want to ask them questions”

Jay’s friends Lucy Law and Brad Hargreaves were not able to be tracked down to give evidence. The pair flew to the Spanish island in June last year with Jay, 19, to attend the NRG music festival in Playa de las Americas. Following the event, Jay travelled with two men to the remote Rural de Teno national park area in the early hours of June 17.

Continue reading the article.

Read the entire story here.

Spurs and Man Utd square off in the Europa League final against “Leaked lineups.”

This evening's Europa League final pits Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
This evening’s Europa League final pits Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

In a hotly awaited all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs on Tuesday night, our sports team will be live blogging one of the biggest matches of the season. The two teams are aiming to win silverware in the Europa League while putting their miserable years behind them.

While the final represents a huge chance to lift a trophy, it also offers each a chance to return to the Champions League. Each side have seen their hopes of playing in the competition evaporate due to their league positions amid woeful league form. But both sides can put that right in the Basque country.

Both Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou are each chasing a first trophy in English football. Both spoke in their pre-match press conferences on Tuesday, and while Amorim and the United camp were in relaxed mood, the Spurs boss was anything but – in spiky mood as he hinted at this being his penultimate Spurs match.

Read the entire story here.

Keir Starmer makes a huge winter fuel U-turn when he drops bombshell during PMQs.

Mr. Starmer dropped a winter fuel bombshell during PMQs.
Mr. Starmer dropped a winter fuel bombshell during PMQs.

During PMQs this Wednesday, our politics team broke the news that Keir Starmer said he wanted more pensioners to get winter fuel payments in a huge U-turn on the controversial cut. The Prime Minister said with the economy showing signs of improvement he wants to ensure “more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments”.

The surprise announcement at PMQs – a fortnight after No10 ruled out a change in policy – came amid mounting pressure to roll-back the decision to strip the £300 payment from all but the very poorest pensioners. Labour has argued the unpopular decision – announced just weeks after the party’s election victory last year – was necessary to fix the Tory mess they inherited.

However, Labour MPs have blamed the policy for the party’s disastrous results earlier this month in a crucial by-election defeat and defeat to Reform UK. We all know that the Tories left the economy in utter chaos, Mr. Starmer said during PMQs. We had to make difficult but wise economic decisions to stabilize the economy. It is starting to improve as a result of those choices.

Read the entire story here.

In sweet snaps, Eamonn Holmes, 65, and Katie Holmes, 43, finally declare their engagement to Instagram.

Eamonn Holmes and his girlfriend, Katie Alexander
Eamonn Holmes and his girlfriend, Katie Alexander, have gone Instagram official(Image: Instagram)

With their hawkish eye on celebs’ Instagrams, our showbiz team spotted GB news presenter Eamonn Holmes and his girlfriend, Katie Alexander, go social media official after months of low-key holidays and date nights. Katie, 43, who is a marriage counsellor, took to her Instagram page to share a reel of her recent day out with the 65-year-old former ITV presenter.

With The Levellers’ song What a Beautiful Day playing over it, Katie, captioned selection of photos: “Lovely weather…. Lovely company,” along with the sun emoji. In one photo, Katie rested her chin on Eamonn’s shoulders as they posed for the camera. Both rocked sunglasses as they soaked up the sunshine.

Another showed the blonde beauty rocking a polka dot dress as she posed in the sunshine with her pooch, Dottie, and Eamonn, who was in a wheelchair. The new snaps came not long after it was claimed their relationship could already be in trouble.

Read the entire story here.

In the midst of heavy rain, the Met Office issues a tornado and funnel cloud warning for the UK.

'Small tornado' spotted in the sky over the English Channel near Thanet
Brits are being warned to brace for a possible tornado(Image: Steve Hodgson)

As southern England is stricken by heavy rain following the driest spring in decades, Brits are being warned to prepare for a tornado that may strike some areas of the nation today.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said it was “not out of the question that we could see a funnel cloud, maybe even a brief tornado across parts of the South East” of England on Wednesday. Southern areas are also facing thunder, lightning, and hail.

Burkill added that the weather “separated somewhat from the north-south throughout today.” While the North has enjoyed some pleasant, sunny weather, the South has experienced rain, he said, “and there will be more showery bursts coming as we go through the remainder of today.”

Read the entire story here.

Continue reading the article.

READ MORE: ‘I tested Hoover’s cordless vacuum £190 cheaper than Dyson I never knew I needed’

Dangote Greatest Black Man In Past 300 Years — Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid tribute to Africa’s richest man and Founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, describing him as the “greatest black man in the past 300 years”.

Shettima stated this while speaking at the Taraba International Investment Summit, tagged ‘ Taravest, ‘ in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Wednesday.

Dangote was on Tuesday named on TIME Magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognising the world’s most influential individuals shaping the future of charitable giving.

He is the only Nigerian featured on the prestigious 2025 list, which honours 100 philanthropists from 28 countries under four categories—Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators.

The Vice President, said, “I want to celebrate the greatest black man in the last 300 years, who single-handedly established the largest single train refinery in the world with the capacity to refine 650, 000 barrels of oil per day, 67 percent of Nigeria’s refining capacity, occupying 2, 635 hectares, larger that Victoria Island, employing 135, 000 Nigerians and training 900 engineers abroad”.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Dangote Named On TIME’s 100 Global Philantrophy List

Shettima also commended the businessman for demonstrating patriotism by establishing the refinery.

“He started this project in 2007, 2008. If he had invested the $19 billion that it took him to set up the Dangote Refinery in Microsoft, in Amazon, in Google, he is going to be worth $120 billion now.

” But he decided to invest in his own country. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, we are mightily proud of you, “he added. &nbsp,

Dangote earned a spot among the 23 global figures recognised as Titans as he joined the ranks of Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates.

TIME Honour

TIME commended him for his business success and robust philanthropic impact.

It said”, Business magnate Aliko Dangote, founder, president, and CEO of the Dangote Group, built a net worth of $23.9 billion through cement, agriculture, and oil refining operations in Nigeria.

“His Aliko Dangote Foundation, which he endowed with $1.25 billion in 2014, aims to give back to the continent that facilitated his success, spending an average of $35 million a year on programmes across Africa”.

Speaking on his foundation’s focus, Dangote said, “Health, education, economic empowerment, disaster relief, and food—these are the five main things that any African nation needs.

” We need to create the next generation of African leaders. Investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is our contribution to setting Africans up for success. “