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A top morning news anchor in the UK was promptly pulled from the air on Thursday after police uncovered an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the star reporter.

Holly Willoughby, 42, was shocked and distraught when Metropolitan police told her of 36-year-old Gavin Plumbs plot just moments before she was set to go on air on “This Morning” Thursday, according to The Sun.

She remained off the air on Friday and was placed under police protection outside the London home she shares with her husband and three children.

A motive for the alleged kidnapping and murder plot is unclear, as authorities say Willoughby did not personally know Plumb who is set to appear in court on Friday on charges of soliciting to murder and kidnap.

He was arrested at his home, where police allegedly found sinister messages threatening to kidnap and seriously harm the presenter.

It is believed the police have now seized the suspects phone and other devices, as a police vehicle remains outside his apartment.

This was an extremely fast-paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges, Det. Supt. Rob Kirby said in a statement to the Telegraph. 3 Holly Willoughby, 42, was said to be “shocked and distraught” when she learned of the alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.SplashNews.com

The safeguarding of any victims is paramount and we will continue to prioritize this work with the Metropolitan Police Service as the investigation proceeds, he added.

A spokesperson for ITV also told the Guardian: This news has come as a huge shock to everyone at This Morning and ITV.

We are providing all the support we can to Holly and her family at this incredibly distressing time. 3 Willougby is now under police protection at the London home she shares with her husband and three children.

Speaking about the incident on air Friday, Lorraine Kelly, Willoughbys colleague, said it was very, very upsetting.

Of course, we are sending Holly all of our love and best wishes that is a terrible thing to be having to go through for her and her family.

Even UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who appeared on the morning show Friday, offered his support to the news anchor. 3 Willoughby was promptly removed from the ITV studio Thursday morning, just moments before she was set to appear on air.Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Before we get going, I was going to say Im so sorry to hear about everything that is going on with Holly, he said.

I wanted to send my best to her and her family, and to all of you.

The anchors who took over for Willoughby responded that they appreciate his message of support.

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UK

Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died aged 46

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Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died aged 46

Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has died aged 46.

During his career between 1997 and 2012, the British fighter – nicknamed “The Hitman” – won titles in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.

As it happened: Tributes paid to former boxing world champion

In July this year, he announced he was coming out of retirement for a December bout in Dubai, 13 years on from his last professional match.

The Manchester boxer had been set to fight Eisa Al Dah on 2 December.

In 2023, Sky broadcast a documentary exploring the boxer’s life in the ring, his fractured personal life and his continuing mental health battles.

Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday: “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6.45am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.

“There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

Sky News sport correspondent Rob Harris called Hatton “one of the great personalities of British boxing,” crediting him with “galvanising the sport”.

He said: “As he would travel around the world, winning fights, he would bring that huge fan base with him… To have the career he had, with 45 victories and three defeats, was impressive…

Hatton in his last professional fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Hatton in his last professional fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko in 2012. Pic: Reuters

“This will be devastating to many boxing fans and particularly his family, given it was just weeks before he was due to make his comeback… So many people will be reflecting on just what a contribution and what an icon he was to British boxing and just how he could seem so ordinary as well, while still achieving great sporting heights”.

During his 15-year professional career, Hatton held multiple world championships at light-welterweight and one at welterweight class.

In his prime, Hatton secured victories over the likes of Kostya Tszyu and Jose Luis Castillo, before going on to suffer brutal knockout losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007 and Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

Hatton last fought professionally in November 2012, suffering a knockout loss to Ukraine’s Vyacheslav Senchenko.

He once more returned to the ring for a non-scoring exhibition bout with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022.

Ricky Hatton's WBC welterweight fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Ricky Hatton’s WBC welterweight fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2007. Pic: Reuters

Messages from those in the sports world poured in following news of his death, with boxers including Amir Khan, Tyson Fury, Chris Eubank Jr and Barry McGuigan, and footballers Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney all paying tribute.

As one of Manchester City’s most famous fans, the team announced there would be a minute’s appreciation ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon.

City and England midfielder Phil Foden scored in the 3-0 victory and dedicated the win to Hatton.

“It was for him and his family. It was all for him and we are delighted with the result.”

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Manchester City, the football team Ricky Hatton supported throughout his life, held a minute’s applause for the late boxer ahead of their derby game against Manchester United.

Born Richard John Hatton in Stockport, Cheshire, in October 1978, he rose through amateur and domestic levels to become one of the most popular fighters in the first decade of the new century.

But he had suffered a series of well-publicised issues in his private life since his 2009 defeat against Pacquiao in their IBO light-welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Hatton said at the time he did not want to see those demons tarnish his legacy in the sport, and had another world title belt in his sights.

In 2010, he was admitted to rehab, struggling with drink and depression.

Hatton overcame a fallout with his family and a court case with his former trainer Billy Graham to become a successful trainer, coaching Zhanat Zhakiyanov to a world bantamweight title win in 2017.

Hatton with professional ice-skater Robin Johnstone on Dancing On Ice in 2024. Pic: PA
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Hatton with professional ice-skater Robin Johnstone on Dancing On Ice in 2024. Pic: PA

His down-to-earth attitude endeared him to fans around the world and, in 2024, he joined ITV reality show Dancing On Ice, but was the first celebrity to leave the competition.

His professional skating partner, Robin Johnstone, paid tribute on Instagram, saying she was “beyond sad” at the “devastating news,” adding, “You were a true friend.”

Everybody wanted a piece of Ricky Hatton


Katie Spencer

Katie Spencer

Arts and entertainment correspondent

There are few sporting stars who cross from the newspaper back pages to become front page news… but Ricky Hatton always was one of them.

Aside from his boxing brilliance, it was his personality and humour which made people pay attention.

In recent years, his happy-go-lucky character saw him cast on reality shows like Dancing on Ice.

But what’s more interesting is how and why the public came to have such great affection for him back in the day.

Putting it kindly, sports stars aren’t always known for their sparkling personalities.

It was Ricky’s lack of interest in the trappings of fame which accompanied his epic run of victories that made him all the more cool.

He was the working class hero who seemed unstoppable. It was a story that everyone wanted to follow.

Celebrities wanted to be seen alongside him. Piggy-backing off his popularity the likes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Denzel Washington and David Beckham were all pictured ringside at one time or another, drawn to his fan-friendly style and impressive winning streak.

At the same time as the Gallagher brothers were flying the flag for music from Manchester, Hatton was doing the same for boxing.

During his 2008 fight against Paulie Malignaggi, he infamously had Liam and Noel escort him to the ring.

In an interview he said he thought all three of them might be killed when Liam held up Hatton’s IBO belt inches from Malignaggi’s face and with a swagger said ‘what do you think about that you d*** head?’.

Stories like that are why his appeal extended beyond sport. He was an ordinary bloke who’d done extraordinary things. He never lost sight of who he was and fans loved him for it.

Speaking ahead of his final professional fight in 2012, Hatton, who was a father of three, told reporters: “I don’t want people telling my kids that I blew it. I want my kids to be able to say, ‘He was a world champion, he had his problems, but my did he bounce back’.

“I want people to be proud of me again. I want British sport, my kids and my fans and my friends to be proud of me.”

Hatton leaves behind his three children, daughters Millie and Fearne and son Campbell.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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Sports

AP Week 3 poll reaction: What’s next for each Top 25 team

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AP Week 3 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

The latest AP poll is out.

With a trio of ranked matchups around the sport, there was bound to be some movement after Week 3.

The Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets got the biggest wins of the weekend. UGA took down the rival Tennessee Volunteers in a wild, back-and-forth game. The Jackets, meanwhile, got the week started with an upset of the then-No. 12 Clemson Tigers.

In one of the three ranked matchups Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes ended the South Florida Bulls‘ early-season run. USF had beaten ranked opponents (Boise State, Florida) in each of the first two weeks. The Canes, however, overpowered the Bulls to stay undefeated.

What does it all mean for the AP Top 25? Let’s break down the rankings.

Stats courtesy of ESPN Research.

All times Eastern

Previous ranking: 1

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Ohio 37-9

Stat to know: Ohio State has allowed just 16 points this season, its fewest through three games since 1975.

What’s next: Sept. 27 at Washington


Previous ranking: 2

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Villanova 52-6

Stat to know: Penn State allowed a passing touchdown on the final play of the game to prevent consecutive shutout wins for the first time since 1996.

What’s next: Sept. 27 at Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC


Previous ranking: 3

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Florida 20-10

Stat to know: LSU has held each of its first three opponents to 10 or fewer points for the first time since 2007.

What’s next: Saturday vs. SE Louisiana, 7:45 p.m., SEC Network


Previous ranking: 5

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated USF 49-12

Stat to know: Miami won by 37 points, its largest win against an AP-ranked opponent since 2001, when the Canes beat No. 12 Washington by 58 points.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 6

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Tennessee 44-41 (OT)

Stat to know: Georgia has won the past nine meetings in this series and is 14-2 since 2010 (Tennessee won in 2015 & ’16). This nine-game winning streak is tied for the longest by either team in this series, matching a nine-game streak by Tennessee from 1989 to 1999.

What’s next: Sept. 27 vs. Alabama, 7:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 4

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Northwestern 34-14

Stat to know: With a 20-point win, Oregon has outscored its opponents by 132 points this season. That’s the fifth-largest point differential through three games in a season in program history, trailing 2010 (+176), 2013 (+157), 1910 (+154), and 1916 (+150).

What’s next: Saturday vs. Oregon State, 3 p.m.


Previous ranking: 10

2025 record: 2-0

Week 3 result: Idle

What’s next: Saturday vs. Kent State, 3:30 p.m., ACC Network


Previous ranking: 7

2025 record: 2-1

Week 3 result: Defeated UTEP 27-10

Stat to know: Arch Manning threw 10 straight incompletions (including his interception) at one point during the second quarter. That’s the longest streak of incompletions by a Texas player in at least 20 years.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Sam Houston, 8 p.m., ESPN+


Previous ranking: 9

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Western Michigan 38-0

Stat to know: This was Illinois’ first shutout win against an FBS opponent since 2000 (Iowa).

What’s next: Saturday at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBC


Previous ranking: 16

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Notre Dame 41-40

Stat to know: The win over Notre Dame was A&M’s first nonconference road win against an AP top-10 team since 1979.

What’s next: Sept. 27 vs. Auburn


Previous ranking: 13

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Temple 42-3

Stat to know: Oklahoma has allowed 19 points this season, the second fewest through its first three games since 1990.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Auburn, 3:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 14

2025 record: 4-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Arkansas State 24-16

Stat to know: Rocco Becht had his 11th career game with a passing and rushing score, the most among Big 12 quarterbacks over the past three seasons.

What’s next: Sept. 27 vs. Arizona


Previous ranking: 17

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Arkansas 41-35

Stat to know: Ole Miss has won three straight games against Arkansas for the first time since 1990-93.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m., ESPN


Previous ranking: 19

2025 record: 2-1

Week 3 result: Defeated Wisconsin 38-14

Stat to know: Kalen DeBoer is 9-0 at home as Alabama coach, the longest win streak by a Tide coach to begin their tenure since Xen Scott from 1919 to 1921 (17 straight).

What’s next: Sept. 27 at Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 15

2025 record: 2-1

Week 3 result: Lost to Georgia 44-41 (OT)

Stat to know: Joey Aguilar is the first SEC player with at least four passing scores and a rushing TD in his conference debut in the past 20 seasons.

What’s next: Saturday vs. UAB, 12:45 p.m., SEC Network


Previous ranking: 20

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Wyoming 31-6

Stat to know: Utah has now started its season 3-0 in three consecutive years.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Texas Tech, noon, Fox


Previous ranking: 21

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Oregon State 45-14

Stat to know: This is the first time the team has scored at least 45 points in each of its first three games since 2016.

What’s next: Saturday at Utah, noon, Fox


Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Clemson 24-21

Stat to know: Aidan Birr‘s 55-yard, winning field goal is the longest winning field goal in program history.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Temple, 4:30 p.m., The CW


Previous ranking: 22

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Indiana State 73-0

Stat to know: Indiana’s 73-0 win was the third-largest victory and second-largest shutout in program history. Two of the Hoosiers’ three biggest wins have come under Curt Cignetti.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Illinois, 7:30 p.m., NBC


Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated South Carolina 31-7

Stat to know: This is Vanderbilt’s first 3-0 start to the season since 2017

What’s next: Saturday vs. Georgia State, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU


Previous ranking: 23

2025 record: 2-1

Week 3 result: Defeated Central Michigan 63-3

Stat to know: The 60-point victory over CMU is the largest by the program against an in-state opponent since 1922, when the Wolverines beat Michigan State 63-0.

What’s next: Saturday at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., CBS


Previous ranking: 24

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated South Alabama 31-15

Stat to know: Auburn is off to its second 3-0 start in three seasons under coach Hugh Freeze (2023). The Tigers finished that season 6-7.

What’s next: Saturday at Oklahoma, 3:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 25

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Louisiana 52-10

Stat to know: Ahmad Hardy is the first FBS player with a 200-yard rushing game this season. It’s his fifth-straight 100-yard rushing game dating to last season (played for UL Monroe last season).

What’s next: Saturday vs. South Carolina, 7:00 p.m., ESPN


Previous ranking: 8

2025 record: 0-2

Week 3 result: Lost to Texas A&M 41-40

Stat to know: Notre Dame is starting the season 0-2 for the third time in the past 15 years.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Purdue, 3:30 p.m., NBC


Previous ranking: NR

2025 record: 3-0

Week 3 result: Defeated Purdue 33-17

Stat to know: USC has won its last four games against Purdue.

What’s next: Saturday vs. Michigan State, 11 p.m., Fox

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Environment

107 global partners back XCMG push to electrify the mining industry

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107 global partners back XCMG push to electrify the mining industry

Heavy mineral and metals mining is one of the dirtiest industries on the planet, but Chinese equipment giant XCMG doesn’t think it has to stay that way. To prove it, the company has unveiled a sweeping pledge to electrify and decarbonize mining — and they’re dragging over 100 global partners with them.

Along with with 107 global industry partners from 26 countries, Chinese equipment brand XCMG has issued a Joint Declaration on Global Zero-Carbon Smart Mining, aiming to electrify, automate, and otherwise decarbonize international mining. The pledge addresses 12 key areas including electrification, autonomous operation, net-zero emissions, circular economy, technology sharing, international cooperation, and smarter maintenance strategies.

“As a global leader in zero-carbon smart mining solutions, XCMG is committed to addressing industry bottlenecks through integrating new energy equipment, intelligent control systems and full-lifecycle services,” said Yang Dongsheng, chairman of XCMG Group. “We have resolved the four core challenges of energy infrastructure, new energy equipment portfolios, smart mining management systems and financial support, aiming to help our customers achieving both business growth and environmental wins.”

It’s always great to see efforts like this to decarbonize. But those efforts mean millions of new equipment assets to replace the millions of existing diesel assets deployed currently.

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As luck would have it, XCMG is perfectly positioned to offer those zero-emissions equipment assets. The company says it has, “the complete mining equipment solutions for open-pit and underground mines, as well as its smart construction ecosystem.”

XCMG will sell you the future, today


XCMG & BHP sign global framework agreement on mining equipment supply
XDR80TE-AT autonomous haul truck concept; via XCMG.

Multinational mining companies like Fortescue are saving up to $400 million per year on fuel costs alone with the few assets its electrified (or repowered) already, there are more than environmental reasons to push for a coalition like this — especially if you’re XCMG, whose BYD-developed battery swap technology puts them a step or three ahead of even the excellent equipment options from Volvo CE.

With a strong hand in the autonomous haul truck race and ultra-competitive pricing to back their electric plays, it seems like XCMG is about to get serious as it expands its reach into the Western world. It’s no wonder the legacy brands are running scared and hiding behind the bogus “messy middle” propaganda!

SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG, via Construction Briefing.


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