Zayn Malik pays on stage tribute to Liam Payne in his hometown

Zayn Malik has paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in his former One Direction bandmate's hometown of Wolverhampton, saying he "hopes" the late star sees his gig. The singer, 31, had kicked off his Stairway To The Sky tour in Leeds's O2 Academy, with an on-stage blue screen message which read: "Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro" with a pink heart.

However, he has not appeared to directly speak about Payne, who died aged 31 in Argentina last month, during the tour. According to social media videos, Malik told the University of Wolverhampton venue The Halls: "I've been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it's been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace."

"I hope you're seeing this, we're in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam." Malik rescheduled his tour's original opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne's funeral, which was also attended by his fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

Liam Payne died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, according to local officials (Image: Ian West/PA)

He left One Direction in 2015 before the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, with the members all going on to pursue their own solo careers. Following the death of Payne, Malik said he "never got to thank" his fellow bandmate for supporting him through some of the "most difficult" times in his life.

"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly", he added in a statement shared to Instagram.

"I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated."

"I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you, bro." Payne previously postponed the US leg of his Stairway To The Sky tour over the "heartbreaking loss" of Payne.

An investigation has been launched into Payne's death by Argentinian prosecutors and three people have been charged in connection with the incident. Payne died on October 16 of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage" after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, a post-mortem examination report said. Malik will next perform at Manchester on Saturday, before heading to Leeds and Newcastle.

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Shoppers save £150 on Meta Quest 3 as it drops to lowest ever price in this Black Friday sale

Gamers can nab a massive discount on a Meta Quest headset with Amazon's bumper Black Friday tech deal. The Meta Quest 3 512GB has seen a huge price drop to £468.48, a saving of £151.51 from the usual £619.99.

According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest it's ever been. Several other retailers have also cut the price of the device, including Very, Currys and Meta direct, which are offering it from £468.89.

Buyers will also get a free copy of the new Batman: Arkham Shadow game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+ – which includes two free games each month – at no extra cost.

READ MORE: Shoppers love 'every piece' of Abbott Lyon jewellery advent calendar and it's now £338 off

Amazon shoppers can save more than £150 on the Meta Quest 3 this Black Friday (Image: (Image: Amazon))

The Meta Quest 3 is hailed as the brand's 'most powerful' mixed reality headset, boasting 'next-level' performance with more than double the graphic processing power of the Quest 2.

It offers more immersive gameplay and visuals with a wider field of vision and 4K+ Infinite Display, which has increased the resolution from the previous model by almost 30%. It also features rich 3D audio with enhanced sound clarity, bass performance and a volume range that's 40% louder.

Meta has also recently launched a more budget-friendly version, the Meta Quest 3S, which offers gameplay in high-definition resolution of 1832x1920 pixels per eye and 128GB of storage compared to the 3's 4K resolution and 512GB. However, the 3S features the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and the same white shell as the Quest 3, making its cheaper price point all the more enticing, reports the Express.

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The 3S is currently £359 on Amazon, but it can also be snagged from retailers including Very and Currys, with prices starting at £275. Based on the word around town - namely raving Amazon customers - the Meta Quest 3 is worth splashing out on, proudly boasting over 1,500 four and five-star reviews.

One particularly enthusiastic shopper gushed: "I can't say enough about how incredible this product is. From the moment I unboxed it I was blown away by the sleek design and top-notch quality. The performance [is] out of this world. It works so smoothly and seamlessly that it feels like magic. Every feature works exactly as advertised and it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. I've used similar products before but this one blows them all out of the water. It's so intuitive that even my non-tech-savvy friends could use it without any trouble. It's rare to come across a product that does everything it promises and more. It's honestly a game-changer, and I can't imagine life without it now."

One satisfied customer raved: "The Meta Quest 3 is, without a doubt, the perfect VR headset on the market right now. From the moment I put it on, I was impressed by the crystal-clear visuals and the high-quality build. The display resolution and refresh rate make the VR experience incredibly immersive, with no noticeable lag or screen door effect, making every game look stunningly real. The performance is consistently smooth and the headset's lightweight design means I can comfortably play for extended periods without any discomfort. The setup process was straightforward, and the intuitive controls make it easy to navigate through the VR world."

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Another thrilled user exclaimed: "Best VR headset so far. The Meta Quest 3 is a breakthrough in mixed reality technology. Its powerful performance, stunning visuals and enhanced audio make it the most impressive Quest headset to date. The integration of virtual elements into your real-world environment is seamless and exciting, turning your home into a new realm of possibilities. Whether you're new to mixed reality or a seasoned user, the Quest 3 offers an extraordinary experience that is both safe and incredibly immersive."

One reviewer, despite being impressed by the VR capabilities, noted a significant drawback, stating: "Its battery – which is the biggest feature/factor in such a product – is designed to last just a couple of hours initially, which as it makes sense, after months of using it, drops down to just about over an hour, so you can't really enjoy a game, unless you buy powerbanks to keep it charging while you play."

The Meta Quest 3 faces stiff competition from devices such as the PlayStation VR2, which is £339 on Amazon, hailed as the future of immersive gaming for those with a PlayStation 5. On the cheaper side there's the Vodiac Virtual Reality Headset, which is £49.99 at Robert Dyas and uses smartphones for its immersion.

Get the Meta Quest 3 512GB from Amazon, Very, Currys and Meta direct. Get the Meta Quest 3S from Amazon, Very and Currys. Get the PlayStation VR2 from Amazon and the Vodiac Virtual Reality Headset from Robert Dyas.

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Boy, 16, killed in car crash in West Sussex

Police have launched an investigation after a 16-year-old boy died in a car crash in a village.

Paramedics tried to save the teenager but he was pronounced dead at the scene following an incident involving a red Vauxhall Corsa on Emsworth Common Road in Westbourne, West Sussex, on Wednesday night.

Sussex Police were called at around 10.45pm, and two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

A force spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating the full circumstances of the incident and want witnesses or anyone with relevant information such as dashcam or CCTV footage of the vehicles in the area at the time to come forward.

“Police would also be keen to speak with anyone who believes they saw the vehicle prior to the collision in the area.”

Anyone with information can contact police, quoting Operation Lutterworth.

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Second arrest made after girl, 8, shot in Ladbroke Grove

A second man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of an eight-year-old girl and her father in Ladbroke Grove. The 32-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Tuesday, November 26) on suspicion of the attempted murder of two people and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and remains in custody.

The girl and her 34-year-old father were shot as they sat in a car with the girl's two year old sibling and their 32-year-old mother on Southern Row, W10, at 5.30pm on Sunday, November 24. The girl had to undergo surgery but her injuries were assessed as not life threatening. Meanwhile, her father has been left with potentially life-changing injuries.

A 22-year-old man had been arrested "immediately following the incident," Superintendent Owen Renowden told the press the day after. But he has since been released on bail to a date in early February pending further investigation.

A police forensic officer at the scene on Southern Grove in Ladbroke Grove, west London, after an eight-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was shot in "an appalling incident". The child, who is now in a stable condition, and a 34-year-old man who was also injured were taken to hospital after being shot just after 5.30pm on Sunday. Picture date: Monday November 25, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Ladbrokegrove. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

A witness reported hearing a woman scream 'my baby's been shot' and saw a neighbour rushing out with a duvet to cover the wounded. They told the Metro: “I heard shots, and then a woman shouting: ‘My baby, my baby’s been shot… it makes me sick to think about it now.There were four or five shots, There was screaming. It’s horrible. A neighbour went out with a duvet to cover the injured.”

Police said that residents should expect to see increased police presence in the area around Southern Row for the next few days and urge those with concerns to speak to them.

This is the second shooting involving a child in four months in the area. Rene Graham, a 15 year old boy, was shot dead in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park at a community event on July 21 at 7.20pm.

Police are unsure of any motive of last Sunday's attack as detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command lead the investigation. They ask anyone with information to come forward.

Superintendent Owen Renowden called the shooting “an appalling incident that has left two people seriously injured”.

He said: “I recognise that any shooting has a traumatic impact on the local community. There will be a continued presence from our neighbourhood policing teams over the coming days and we are also working closely with our partners to provide additional reassurance.

“Although the investigation is progressing at pace, I want to appeal today to anyone with information that may assist to come forward.”

If you have information that could help the police investigation, please call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD reference 5238/24Nov. You can also provide information by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Ofwat boss denies failing to regulate water firms despite huge debts

The head of Ofwat has denied failing to police water firms, despite admitting companies’ records on pollution “must change” and that they should not have been allowed to rack up huge debts.

Speaking to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee of MPs, David Black said firms need to make “changes across the board” but he “wouldn’t agree” that the regulator has failed.

Mr Black said: “The issues around public anger over storm overflows, sewage discharges, concerns about companies’ corporate behaviours, very clearly signal the need for change.”

The privatised water companies have faced growing outrage over vast amounts of sewage pollution and steep planned hikes to bills, while paying large bonuses to directors and dividends to investors.

In the most extreme case, Thames Water has piled up debts of more than £16 billion and is seeking another £3 billion loan to bail the business out.

If it fails to get the financing it needs, it could collapse and meawould need to be effectively renationalised.

Mr Black said the regulator “should have had tighter controls” on the amount of debt water companies have racked up since they were privatised in 1989.

He said regulators had historically put “additional protections in place” like forcing companies to get so-called investment grade credit ratings from financial ratings firms.

But on preventing companies piling up huge debts, as Thames did in the 2000s and 2010s, the regulators “didn’t take more active steps than that”, he added.

Mr Black said: “I don’t think that model has been successful, I think we should have had tighter controls. That’s why we have changed the regime since we’ve got new powers to do so.”

Asked by MPs if Ofwat and fellow regulator the Environment Agency should get companies to take pollution more seriously, Mr Black said: “That is an area of poor performance.”

He added: “There are some areas where companies have made substantial improvements since privatisation. On pollution incidents they did so up until about 10 years ago but since then the record has been poor.

“It’s either been stagnant or increasing in recent years. That must change.”

He also admitted public anger over water companies’ performance is making it harder to attract fresh investment into the sector.

Mr Black said some companies are still able to raise fresh financing, which suggests the sector remains “attractive to investors”.

“But it is a challenge in terms of a lot of the criticisms of the sector. That does unsettle investors,” he added.

“Investors are looking at the sector with a fresh eye and that does make it challenging for water companies.”

The evidence session comes weeks before Ofwat gives its final verdict on water firms’ planned increases to bills over the coming five years.

Some companies have asked for hikes of up to 84% for the period to 2030, but Ofwat has indicated they will be lower.

At one point in the session, while pressing Mr Black on supply failures, committee chairman Alistair Carmichael asked: “How much worse are things going to get before we call it failure?”

He added: “It sounds to me that we’re almost heading to that old territory of the same, ‘The operation was a success but the patient died’.”

Mr Black said: “I appreciate that people have had very challenging experiences but when we look across the data of water supply disruptions we actually see significant improvements in the period since privatisation.

“So the question is will there still be incidents? Yes. Do we want companies to improve performance? Yes. Do we have companies that are not good enough in the space? Yes. Are we taking action to drive better actions? Yes.”

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Toddler, 2, shot at in car as girl, 8, seriously hurt in Ladbroke Grove shooting

A toddler was also shot at in a serious incident in West London last night which saw a girl, 8, and man, 34, rushed to hospital, the Metropolitan Police has said. The police have said that a man fired a gun directly into a car on Southern Row in Ladbroke Grove.

Emergency services were called at around 5.30pm on Sunday (November 24). In an update issued this afternoon (Monday, November 25), Superintendent Owen Renowden has said that a two-year-old child was also in the car when the gunman opened fire.

The toddler was unhurt, police have confirmed. The eight-year-old girl is currently in surgery, although her injuries are not life-threatening and she is in a stable condition.

Police officers at the scene on Southern Grove in Ladbroke Grove after a child, 8, and man, 34, were shot on Sunday night (November 24) (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

However, the 34-year-old man shot has suffered potentially life-changing injuries, Supt Renowden has said. A man, aged 22, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to the shooting.

The suspect is now in police custody. A 32-year-old woman was also taken to hospital as a precaution but she was not injured.

This shooting took place near to the site of a separate shooting just months earlier, which left a teenager dead. Rene Graham, 15 was shot dead in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park at a community event on July 21 at 7.20pm. Yesterday's shooting happened on South Row, which borders that same park.

And councillor Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “We are all shocked to hear of this mindless violence and my thoughts are with the victims and their families. It is beyond belief that a child has been caught in the crossfire of violence on the streets of London once again. It has never been more urgent for the Mayor of London to act fast and lay out clear plans with the police to tackle gun crime and stop this horror.

“I’m grateful for the swift response of the emergency services yesterday and the increased police presence in the area to reassure residents.”

Anyone in the area who witnessed anything or heard gunshots is urged to contact police. If you saw anything, or have any information then please contact police on 101 stating CAD5238/24NOV or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

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DWP Christmas bonus payment coming 'earlier than usual' to help families on benefits 'prepare'

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it purposely sends out benefits "earlier than usual" in the lead up to Christmas to help those in receipt to "prepare for the festive period". The response follows on from campaigning for the £10 DWP Christmas Bonus payment to be increased in line with the cost of living rising.

While the 2024 payment date for the Christmas Bonus has not been confirmed yet, it tends to arrive in bank accounts in the first week of December. A DWP spokesperson said: “We know that Christmas is a time when people stretch their budgets, which is why we pay many people their benefits earlier than usual, helping them prepare for the festive period.

“We’re focused on supporting people year-round through a new system which offers better personalised support for people out of work as well as those in work on a low income.” They added: "We are taking immediate action to turn around the dire inheritance we face — with more people living in poverty now than 14 years ago.

"This includes extending the Household Support Fund for the most vulnerable, kickstarting work to develop a strategy to reduce child poverty and taking the first steps towards delivering a genuine living wage for working people."

It comes amid a campaign for £10 payment to be increased, since it has stayed the same since its introduction way back in the 1970s. More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for it to rise, reports Birmingham Live. The argument is that with the cost of living increasing and benefits such as the winter fuel payment being limited to fewer people, an increase is needed now more than ever.

"Christmas is THE most expensive time of the year,” said the petition's initiator, Shona McMahon. “Pensioners, the vulnerable and people like myself, disabled, could do with an extra boost at this time of year, especially as the energy assistance has been axed."

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