In this Thursday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from white smoke signalling a new pope being elected to a BBC star being charged by police under the Terrorism Act 2000
Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. Today, we’re featuring everything from the new pope being revealed after just two days of conclave to a BBC star being charged by police under the Terrorism Act 2000.
This Thursday, a new pope has been elected after white smoke bellowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney – as 133 cardinals finally reached a verdict. Elsewhere, a Bargain Hunt star has become the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000, the Met has said and our politics team have been chasing the details surrounding Starmer and Trump’s trade deal.
New Pope chosen as white smoke billows from Sistine Chapel chimney
This afternoon, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel signifying a new pope being elected. The 133 cardinals involved in the secretive conclave finally reached a verdict.
Cardinals had returned to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday to resume voting for a new pope, after a first conclave ballot failed to find a winner and sent black smoke billowing through the chapel chimney. They had to secure the two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots, necessary to become the 267th pope.
Casting and counting ballots for a new pope had have taken longer than expected on Wednesday evening because of the large number of cardinals participating and the linguistic diversity among them. The electors hail from 70 countries, and not all speak or understand Italian fluently, which could have slowed down the proceedings if help with translation was needed.
Read the full story here.
BBC Bargain Hunt star charged by police after investigation into terrorist financing
This morning, our showbiz team broke the news that Bargain Hunt star Ogheneochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an investigation into terrorist financing by officers from the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU).
In a statement, the Met said: “Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, he has been charged with eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector, contrary to section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
The charges relate to a period from October 2020 until December 2021. The Antiques Road Trip star, 53, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 9 May. According to the Met, the 53-year-old was the first person to be charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Read the full story here.
Keir Starmer hails ‘fantastic day’ after Donald Trump trade agreement
Throughout this Thursday, there have been growing murmurs of a new UK-US trade deal, especially after Trump hailed it a ‘very big and exciting day’. The deal was finally announced this afternoon by Starmer and Trump, with the British PM hailing a huge victory after reaching a historic trade agreement with the US that reduces damaging tariffs.
In a press conference in the Oval Office, Donald Trump said the agreement – which the UK Government says will save thousands of jobs – is “so good for both countries”. Car export tariffs will reduce from 27.5% to 10% – this will apply to a quota of 100,000 UK cars, almost the total the UK exported last year. The UK steel industry will no longer face tariffs as well.
Speaking from the Oval Office, the US President lavished praise of “terrific” PM Keir Starmer and said the UK is “one of our greatest allies.” It comes after Mr Trump teased the move overnight, saying: “This should be a very big and exciting day for the United States of America and the United Kingdom.”
Read the full story here.
The Who retiring as Pete Townsend says ‘Everyone needs to know the truth’
In a bombshell statement, one of Britain’s most iconic rock bands have announced they are retiring from touring after 60 years after one last set of dates. The Who’s Pete Townshend said at a London press conference to announce the tour: “Everyone needs to know the truth…. I can’t lie…. I am not crazy about touring.”
They are playing 16 shows in North America, and insiders hope they will later come to Europe, including dates in the UK. The show is called The Song Is Over, which is also the name of their new single. Speaking on video link, Roger Daltrey added: “It will have to come to an end one day.”
He said: “Pete (Townshend) is still playing great guitar, the music’s still got the vitality that suits it, because it’s something about the way Pete’s music is written, the way it’s shaped, the sentiment behind it, it doesn’t seem to age like a lot of rock music does.” Roger added: “Us out there performing for the last time is a thank you for fans.”
Read the full story here.
VE Day as it happened live in 1945 as Brits celebrated end of WW2 in Europe
Eighty years ago today, millions of Britons took to the streets to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War 2. News that the war had ended in Europe was broadcast by the BBC over the radio to a delighted public late on May 7. Brits were told the following day, May 8, would be a national holiday called Victory in Europe Day.
It led to incredible scenes with events organised across the country, including parades and street parties, as communities came together to mark the end of nearly six years of war. On VE Day, Winston Churchill made a national radio broadcast and later appeared in central London in front of huge cheering crowds.
And this Thursday, as the country marked the 80th anniversary, you can follow events as they happened live back in 1945 through our unique live blog. Our features team have marked all the key moments of the day and shared some of the unforgettable images and coverage so you can relive one of the most important days in British history.
Read the full story here.
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