Ben Stokes is awarded an OBE after helping steer England to Cricket World Cup success 

England cricket hero Ben Stokes has been recognised for a thrilling World Cup victory as he today collected honours at a Buckingham Palace ceremony. After last summer’s triumph, Stokes was made an OBE for his services to cricket in the New Year Honours list – and was this afternoon given the honour by the Duke of … Read more

PLATELL’S PEOPLE: The murder of Grace Millane is tragic – but you have to let your kids go

Her words are too heartbreaking to bear.  By videolink to a New Zealand court from her Essex home, the mother of murdered backpacker Grace Millane told the psychopath who killed her daughter: ‘You have ripped a hole in my heart.’ Bravely, she went on: ‘The terror and pain she must have experienced at your hands … Read more

Earthquakes make it hard for the sperm whale to find food for a year

Earthquakes disrupt the ability of sperm whales to find food for at least a year, a study has found.   Noise from an earthquake causes hearing damage and significant tremors can destroy key foraging areas and trigger food shortages.  Scientists in New Zealand examined the behaviour of 54 sperm whales over the course of four years … Read more

New Zealand police officer who caught Grace Millane’s killer speaks out

The police officer who caught Grace Millane’s killer has revealed the promise he made to her distraught father as the investigation got underway – and the emotional trauma that everyone involved suffered as it went on.    David Beard, whose hard work today saw Jesse Kempson jailed for life for Grace’s murder, said he met with … Read more

Grace Millane killer gets life: ‘Depraved’ Tinder date who strangled British backpacker is jailed

The depraved Tinder date who strangled British backpacker Grace Millane has been sentenced to life in prison and must serve at least 17 years as the judge tells him ‘she trusted you’. Ms Millane, of Wickford, Essex, was killed by the now 28-year-old Jesse Kempson in December 2018 after the pair went on a Tinder … Read more

Grace Millane’s emotional mother confronts coward who strangled the 21-year-old backpacker

Grace Millane’s emotional mother has confronted the ‘callous and depraved’ killer who strangled the 21-year-old backpacker and buried her in a suitcase. Ms Millane, of Wickford, Essex, was killed by the now 28-year-old Jesse Kempson in December 2018 after the pair went on a Tinder date while she was in New Zealand.  Her body was … Read more

Grace Millane’s mother reads emotional statement as she confronts her 22-year-old murderer

Grace Millane’s mother has read an emotional statement in court today as she confronts the monster who killed her 22-year-old daughter at his sentencing. Ms Millane, of Wickford, Essex, went on a date with Jesse Kempson on December 1 2018 while in New Zealand, and was killed either that night or in the early hours … Read more

Unimpressed Brits mock Burger King for ‘finally’ figuring out ‘what a chip butty is’ 

Unimpressed Brits mock Burger King for launching a chip butty and ‘thinking it’s their invention’ – but baffled Americans slam the ‘monstrous’ creation Burger King trialling new Chip Butty and Chip Butty with bacon in New Zealand Sandwich has fries placed between a sesame seed bun with ketchup and mayo Americans baffled by the invention with … Read more