Archive July 3, 2025

Government introduces special law for Oasis shows ‘in the public interest’

By in Entertainment News, News

After opening the eagerly awaited reunion tour in Cardiff tomorrow night, Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher will take the Oasis Live ’25 Tour to Heaton Park in Manchester the following week.

Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher will perform at Heaton Park on the Oasis reunion tour this month(Image: Getty Images)

The Government has brought in special new drone laws to protect Noel and Liam Gallagher when they play at Heaton Park in Manchester next week. The Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper, has taken the unusual step of putting a no-fly zone in place over the concert venue – banning drones from flying within one-and-a-half miles of the brothers for the first time ever.

It means Oasis will be protected from possible security threats or unwanted press or public intrusion when they play their five sell-out reunion gigs at the venue to crowds of 80,000 each night. The order, which was drawn up in May, begins next Friday (July 11) when the concerts kick off.

It says: “The Secretary of State has decided that it is in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intending gathering of a large number of persons in the vicinity for music concerts.” The order then states: “In view of the expected large gathering of persons attending the music concerts and at the request of the Greater Manchester Police, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted in the vicinity of the event for reasons of public safety and security.”

Aerial image shows tents and walkways constructed inside Heaton Park for the upcoming Oasis gig.
Oasis are set to perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on their reunion tour, which opens tomorrow night in Cardiff(Image: William Lailey)

In the restricted airspace, no aircraft is permitted to fly below 1,400 feet above sea level. Unnamed local resident said: “I can’t believe the Government has intervened to protect the Gallagher brothers.

The Oasis Live ’25 Tour will begin tomorrow in Cardiff and the band will play 20 dates around the world. On Wednesday night drones hovered above the stadium to spell out Oasis and the original band logo in white lights. The band could be planning something similar in Manchester and if so they would not want other drones in the way. Drones could also record the gigs or take unwanted photos.

Continue reading the article.

It was announced last week that Oasis, which also includes new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, had lined up rehearsals at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff ahead of their first comeback gig. A source told us that Noel and Liam “want every night to be massive”.

A source told the Mirror: “With a new line up and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too. Some tours would start with a smaller show or take a week or two to get into the groove again.”

They continued, “But that’s not possible, and Liam and Noel want every night to be huge.” They are taking this enormous comeback show very seriously. It all points to a fantastic comeback tour.

Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, both in black jackets and trousers, stood beside each other in a black and white photo.
The band, which includes Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right), will head to their home city next week after performing in Cardiff(Image: Simon Emmett/Fear PR/PA Wire )

More recently, additional musicians on the tour were unveiled by the Mirror ahead of the opening night gig later this week. They included singer-songwriter Jess Greenfield, who is also a part of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

Continue reading the article.

According to earlier reports, the tour schedule includes Alastair White on trombone, Christian Madden on keyboards, and Jess on backing vocals. Additionally, Joe Auckland will play the trumpet and Steve Hamilton is said to be playing the sax.

This story, do you like? Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads for more latest news and gossip.

READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out

Deputy head of Russian navy killed by Ukraine in Kursk, Moscow says

By in News, World News

The deputy head of the Russian navy, Mikhail Gudkov, has been killed in Russia’s Kursk region, the country’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed. He is one of the most senior Russian commanders to have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.

The 42-year-old Gudkov, who was appointed to the position by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, died “during combat operations” in the border region on Wednesday, the state RIA news agency quoted the ministry as saying on Thursday.

Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian military Telegram channels suggested Gudkov and other Russian officers died as a result of a Ukrainian missile attack on a command post in Kursk.

Kyiv’s troops seized parts of the Russian region in a surprise offensive in August 2024. Although Moscow claimed in April to have fully recovered it, clashes in the area have continued.

Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the eastern Russian region of Primorye, where the country’s Pacific Fleet is based, said Gudkov was killed while “carrying out his duty as an officer”.

The regional governor added that the naval commander had, until earlier this year, led the fleet’s 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade.

“When he became deputy chief of the navy, he did not stop personally visiting the positions of our marines,” Kozhemyako said on Telegram.

The confirmation of Gudkov’s death came as Moscow said on Thursday that it had captured the villages of Razine and Milove in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army, which has not commented on the claim, said earlier in the day that it was “steadfastly holding back” Russian attempts to gain ground in the area.

In other developments, a Russian air strike on port infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa killed two people, authorities said on Thursday.

The attack involved a ballistic missile fitted with cluster munitions, according to the regional governor, Oleh Kiper.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Denmark on Thursday as Copenhagen assumed its six-month presidency of the European Union.

His Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, promised to help Kyiv join the bloc, saying her country would “do everything … to help Ukraine on its path towards EU membership”.

Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed says mega dam GERD on the Nile ‘now complete’

By in News, World News

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said a multibillion-dollar mega dam on the Blue Nile, which has caused deep consternation to downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan over its effect on their water supply, is complete and will be officially inaugurated in September.

Of that regional concern over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Abiy said on Thursday in an address to parliament: “To our neighbours downstream – Egypt and Sudan – our message is clear: the Renaissance Dam is not a threat, but a shared opportunity … The energy and development it will generate stand to uplift not just Ethiopia.”

Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns about GERD’s operation, fearing it could threaten their access to vital Nile waters. Negotiations to reach a three-way agreement with Ethiopia have failed to make a breakthrough.

Egypt, which is already suffering from severe water scarcity, sees the dam as an existential threat, as the country relies on the Nile for 97 percent of its water needs.

The GERD, launched in 2011 with a $4bn budget, is considered Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, stretching 1.8km (about one mile) wide and 145 metres (475ft) high.

Ethiopia says the dam, located on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River, is vital for its electrification programme.

Ethiopia first began generating electricity at the project, located in the northwest of the country, about 30km (20 miles) from the border with Sudan, in February 2022.

At full capacity, the huge dam can hold as much as 74 billion cubic metres (2,590 cubic feet) of water and could generate more than 5,000 megawatts of power – more than double Ethiopia’s current output.

The east African nation is the second most populous on the continent, with a rapidly growing population estimated at 130 million, and has growing electricity needs.

About half of its people live without electricity, according to estimates released this year by the World Bank.

Earlier this week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Sudan’s leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met and “stressed their rejection of any unilateral measures in the Blue Nile Basin”.

According to a statement by Sisi’s spokesman, the two are committed to “safeguard water security” in the region.

But Abiy said Ethiopia is “willing to engage constructively”, adding that the project will “not come at the expense” of either Egypt or Sudan.

Diogo Jota: ‘Exceptional Player, Exceptional Boy’, Says Klopp

By in News, sport-news

The Liverpool supporters quickly praised Diago Jota as being “better than (Luis) Figo,” and the Portuguese champions are now in mourning as a result of his tragic passing on Thursday.

After their car veered off a motorway in northern Spain before going up in flames, the 28-year-old died alongside his younger brother Andre.

Jota, a graduate of the Pacos de Ferreira academy in Porto, established himself as a premier league player for the majority of his professional career.

He never played for the Spanish giants, but his young talent caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who eventually snapped him up in 2016.

Also available:   Reactions to Diogo Jotas Death.

Jota was among the first wave of Portuguese talent to land at then second-tier Wolves after a loan spell at Porto, presumably because of the club’s connections to Jorge Mendes, who had been playing there on loan.

In just three seasons, Jota’s goals helped Wolves move from the top of the league to the Europa League quarter-finals.

Liverpool was attracted to that decision because they paid a £45 million ($62 million) transfer fee for the versatile forward despite the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the economy in 2020.

Jurgen Klopp once referred to Jota as an “exceptional player, exceptional boy.” He “has everything” for a member of Liverpool’s squad.

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp looks on during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 2, 2022. Paul ELLIS / AFP
Jurgen Klopp watches as Liverpool’s German manager at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 2, 2022, during the English Premier League game between Watford and Liverpool. AFP / Paul ELLIS

Jota became the first player to score in their first four home games to earn a profit from Liverpool’s investment in a short amount of time.

Jota’s popularity was highlighted in a chant praising him as a better player than Portugal legend Figo, who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona during his glittering career when people returned to the stands after the pandemic.

He played a significant role in the team that won the League and FA Cup in the year of 2022, only to lose to the Premier League and Champions League in what would have been a record-breaking quadruple.

“Extraordinary person”

Jota made 65 appearances for the Reds overall, with the final one winning the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, drawing Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

However, this is not the first time triumph has been overshadowed in Liverpool’s rich history.

On October 26, 2023, Liverpool’s #20 Portuguese striker Diogo Jota celebrates scoring the opening goal at Anfield in north-west England during the UEFA Europa League group E football match between Liverpool and Toulouse. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP) &nbsp

Jota’s final public appearance as a player in Merseyside was taking part in the trophy parade through the city, which will be remembered for the 109 people who were hurt when a car ploughed into the crowds.

Fans began dedicating shirts, scarves, and flowers in tribute to the 97 fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, which still ensnared the club in a permanent place.

Cristiano Ronaldo (FILES). Cristiano Ronaldo on Facebook.

One of the people who expressed their shock over the passing of their international team-mate was Cristiano Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner posted on social media, “It makes no sense.” “Diogo and Andre, rest in peace. We will all miss you dearly.

Ronaldo and Jota were a part of the Portugal team that won the Nations League last month, and they both won 49 caps for their country.

Rute Cardoso, Jota’s mother of his three children, and her long-time partner, Jota wed her less than two weeks later.

According to Portuguese football federation Pedro Proenca, “Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, and someone with an infectious joy and a reference in his community.”

Jota had his own esports team called Luna Esports, which made him well-known for his love of video games.

In the final, he defeated future team-mate Trent Alexander Arnold in a Premier League match that he won in the pandemic.

Liverpool described his passing as an “unimaginable loss” for both a famous player and a newlywed husband and father of three.

Can anyone stop dominant Pogacar at the Tour de France?

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist
  • 13 Comments

Tadej Pogacar continues to look unstoppable.

When the reigning Tour de France champion begins his title defence in Lille on Saturday, he will do so as the strong favourite to win cycling’s greatest road race for a fourth time at the age of 26.

The Slovenian became the first rider to win six stages in a single edition since Mark Cavendish in 2009 as he dominated last year’s edition of the three-week race, finishing more than six minutes clear of closest challenger Jonas Vingegaard.

His grip on the peloton appears only to have tightened in 2025.

Pogacar earned the most recent of his 11 wins this year in ominous fashion at the eight-stage Criterium du Dauphine in June – a race that gives a good indication of a rider’s form heading into the Tour. Pogacar won three stages as he took the title by 59 seconds over Vingegaard.

That took him to 99 career victories in stages, races and general classifications – a record among active riders – following his success at one-day races Strade Bianche, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, La Fleche Wallone and the Tour of Flanders, and the week-long UAE Tour earlier this year.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, who is also the reigning road world champion, will be aided by a strong team featuring his super domestique Joao Almeida.

The case for the contenders

Of those hoping to deny Pogacar, two-time champion Vingegaard holds the most realistic hope.

The Dane, 28, knows how to beat Pogacar, having recorded dominant victories in both 2022 and 2023 as the pair’s exciting rivalry has played out over recent years.

The intensity of that competition can be best summarised by the statistic that, across the past four Tours combined, Pogacar holds an overall lead of just one minute and 25 seconds over Vingegaard – about one second per stage.

Also in Vingegaard’s favour is that Visma-Lease a Bike arguably boast the strongest team, with Britain’s Giro d’Italia winner Simon Yates, and experienced Grand Tour riders Sepp Kuss, Wout van Aert and Matteo Jorgenson all in support.

Jonas Vingegaard competes against Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de FranceGetty Images

Completing last year’s podium was Remco Evenepoel, who achieved an impressive third place on his race debut.

Belgium’s double Olympic champion, who won road race and time trial golds at Paris 2024, carries Soudal-QuickStep’s hopes following a fourth-place finish at the Dauphine, but he has yet to hit his very best form since suffering multiple injuries in an accident while on a training ride in December.

And, while he demonstrated his time trial abilities in winning stage four, the former Vuelta a Espana winner finished more than four minutes behind Pogacar overall.

The 25-year-old was pipped to the podium there by Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, who are expected to prioritise Primoz Roglic in their hunt for a general classification podium place.

The team’s head of performance Dan Lorang admitted to cycling website Velo this month that the rider’s fellow Slovenian Pogacar “is one level above”, adding: “We have to accept that’s how it is, and we cannot negotiate it.”

Nevertheless, Roglic, left devastated when compatriot Pogacar snatched Tour de France glory from him on the penultimate stage in 2020, has excellent Grand Tour pedigree as a five-time winner of cycling’s multi-week races (four Vuelta a Espana titles and one Giro d’Italia victory).

But after winning the Volta a Catalunya in March, Roglic crashed out of this year’s Giro and it remains to be seen whether the 35-year-old can recover in time to compete with the best at the Tour.

Time, points and jerseys – how does the Tour de France work?

The 2024 Tour de France jersey winners Remco Evenepoel, Richard Carapaz, Biniam Girmay and Tadej PogacarGetty Images

While the spotlight is on the battle for the overall Tour de France victory, there is much more going on.

In addition to stage wins, riders and their teams will be contesting four jerseys across the 21 stages:

Those more suited to sprinting will go head-to-head for stage victories when the terrain allows, with the likes of Jasper Philipsen, Biniam Girmay, Tim Merlier and Jonathan Milan among the main contenders after record-breaker Mark Cavendish retired last year.

Expect to see aggressive riders like Julian Alaphilippe seeking breakaway opportunities in pursuit of stage wins for their teams.

Related topics

  • Cycling