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Britney Spears has hit out at people closest to her who “never showed up”, as her battle against her conservatorship continues.

It comes after the 39-year-old’s sister Jamie Lynn, 30, and mother Lynne, 66, shared messages of support for the singer on their social media channels.

The pop star is engaged in a legal bid over the conservatorship, with her father Jamie having managed much of her life and career since 2008, when she suffered a series of mental health crises.

Spears is trying to end this control.

In earlier hearings, Spears spoke about how she was being forced to take birth control against her will to stop her getting pregnant with her partner, who she wants to marry but is also not allowed to.

The pop star has said she would be happy with co-conservator Jodi Montgomery staying on, but that “my dad needs to be removed today”.

A new lawyer for Spears, Matthew Rosengart, was named this week, after she criticised the man appointed by the court, Samuel Ingham, for not doing enough to help her end the arrangement.

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The case is being heard in Los Angeles, California.

Spears has now issued a lengthy post on Instagram, alongside a picture saying: “Never forget who ignored you when you needed them and who helped you before you even had to ask.”

Her post says: “There’s nothing worse than when the people closest to you who never showed up for you post things in regard to your situation whatever it may be and speak righteously for support … there’s nothing worse than that !!!!

“How dare the people you love the most say anything at all … did they even put a hand out to even lift me up at the TIME !!!??? How dare you make it public that NOW you CARE … did you put your hand out when I was drowning ????

“Again … NO … so if you’re reading this and you know who you are … and you actually have the nerve to say anything about my situation just to save face for yourself publicly !!!

“If you’re gonna post something …. Please stop with the righteous approach when you’re so far from righteous it’s not even funny …. and have a good day !!!!!

“PS if you’re reading this today and you can relate …. I’m sorry because I know what it’s like … and I send you my love !!!!”

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari at the premiere of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood in LA in July 2019
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Britney Spears and boyfriend Sam Asghari at the premiere of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood in LA in July 2019

Earlier this week, former Nickelodeon star Jamie Lynn Spears posted to her social media: “Dear Lord, Can we end this bull s*** once and for all. Amen.”

Spears also asked this week for her father to be charged with conservatorship abuse.

She has received considerable support on social media through the #FreeBritney campaign.

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Jamie Lynn Spears: ‘I support Britney’

At the height of her fame, Spears was one of the biggest pop stars in the world, famous for hits including …Baby One More Time, Oops!… I Did It Again, I’m A Slave 4 U, Toxic, and Womanizer.

Speaking outside court during earlier proceedings, #FreeBritney supporter Derrin Stull, 25, said that now Spears has had her say publicly and there is “visibility”, action has to be taken.

They said: “Well, I think Britney is just such a light in the world, she’s done so much for society, for music as a person, and it’s really sad that she was allowed to live in this type of situation for 13 years. So I think it’s really important that everyone support her.

“Now that there’s the visibility, there’s no excuse. So that’s really of the utmost importance that we just make sure that everyone knows that this is happening, that this is going on and it’s not right.”

Her supporters believe she is close to being free of the conservatorship Pic: AP
Image:
Spears’ supporters believe she is close to being free of the conservatorship. Pic: AP

Fellow supporter Christina Goswick, 40, said: “Like she said [at the previous hearing], I believe she’s traumatised.

“She can’t sleep. If you look at her, she looks tired. She just wants her life back and I understand that completely.”

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US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s jet makes unscheduled landing in UK after in-air issue

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US defence secretary Pete Hegseth's jet makes unscheduled landing in UK after in-air issue

An aircraft carrying US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has had to make an “unscheduled landing” in the UK.

The jet was about 30 minutes into its journey back to the US after a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, when it suffered a “depressurisation issue”.

Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the aircraft had been diverted to the UK due to a crack in the aircraft windscreen.

He posted on X: “On the way back to the United States from NATO’s Defence Ministers meeting, Secretary of War Hegseth’s plane made an unscheduled landing in the United Kingdom due to a crack in the aircraft windshield.

“The plane landed based on standard procedures, and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe.”

Mr Hegseth also posted: “All good. Thank God. Continue mission!”

Open source flight trackers spotted the aircraft lose altitude and begin broadcasting an emergency signal.

Read more from Sky News:
Who is Pete Hegseth?
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The aviation news website Airlive reported the Boeing C-32A – a military version of the Boeing 757 – had a “depressurisation issue”.

It went on to land at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk at about 7.10pm.

Mr Hegseth had been at a meeting of NATO defence ministers which was also attended by UK Defence Secretary John Healey.

In February, a US Air Force plane carrying secretary of state Marco Rubio and the Senate foreign relations committee chairman, Senator Jim Risch, was similarly forced to return to Washington DC after an issue with the cockpit windscreen.

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Charlie Kirk posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump

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Charlie Kirk posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump

Charlie Kirk has been posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump.

The USA’s highest civilian honour was received by the conservative activist’s widow, Erika, at the White House.

Mr Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on 10 September while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

He founded Turning Point USA and toured American university campuses, debating students about current affairs.

Erika Kirk at the White House. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Erika Kirk at the White House. Pic: Reuters

Erika Kirk and Donald Trump. Pic: Reuters
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Erika Kirk and Donald Trump. Pic: Reuters

Addressing those attending the ceremony in the White House rose garden, the US president said they were there to “honour and remember a fearless warrior for liberty” and a “beloved leader who galvanised the next generation”.

He said Mr Kirk’s name was being entered “forever into the eternal roster of true American heroes”.

Mr Trump described Charlie Kirk as an “American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest calibre”.

He said his nation had been “robbed” of an “extraordinary champion”.

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Has Charlie Kirk become a MAGA ‘martyr’?

And Mr Trump said Mr Kirk was assassinated in the “prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America”.

The ceremony coincided with what would have been Mr Kirk’s 32nd birthday.

Mr Trump described Erika Kirk, now head of Turning Point USA, as someone who had “endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength”.

Read more:
What do we know about Erika Kirk?
Charlie Kirk’s movement is growing in wake of his assassination

Charlie Kirk. File pic: AP
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Charlie Kirk. File pic: AP

A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, from the city of Washington in Utah has been charged with Mr Kirk’s murder. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.

At a memorial event held at a stadium in Arizona, Erika Kirk told an enormous crowd she forgave her husband’s killer.

“The answer to hate is not hate,” she said.

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Grammy-winning R&B and soul star D’Angelo dies after ‘prolonged battle with cancer’

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Grammy-winning R&B and soul star D'Angelo dies after 'prolonged battle with cancer'

Grammy-award winning R&B and soul singer D’Angelo has died following a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family has said.

He died on Tuesday, leaving behind a “legacy of extraordinarily moving music” following a “prolonged and courageous battle with cancer,” his family said in a statement.

The prominent musician, born Michael D’Angelo Archer, was 51 years old.

A family statement said: “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.

“We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

The singer rose to prominence in the 1990s with his first album, Brown Sugar.

The track “Lady” from that album reached No. 10 in March 1996 and remained on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 20 weeks.

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