American rapper Nicki Minaj has been arrested in the Netherlands after allegedly trying to take drugs through an airport on her way to perform in Manchester.
The “Starships” singer was taken into custody in Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport but has now been released. She will have to pay a fine for “illegally exporting soft drugs from the Netherlands to another country”, Dutch police said.
“They’re trying to keep me from MANCHESTER,” the 41-year-old rapper wrote on social media, where she sent out a constant stream of updates after being detained.
She said Dutch authorities claimed to have found cannabis in her luggage and repeatedly accused them of attempting to sabotage her tour.
In one post she appeared to suggest that the authorities had planted something in her luggage. In another post she claimed: “They’ve been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour.”
“This is Amsterdam btw [by the way], where weed is legal,” she added in a later post.
Co-op Live, the country’s largest entertainment venue, was due to open in April with a performance by comedian Peter Kay.
However, this was postponed so its management could test emergency communications systems. Performances by musicians, including the American singer Olivia Rodrigo, were also cancelled.
Part of the building’s ventilation and air conditioning system fell to the ground during a soundcheck earlier this month.
“We can confirm that we have arrested a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport because of possession of soft drugs,” a spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee military police, told NBC News.
Minaj is due to perform in Birmingham on Sunday as part of her Pink Friday World Tour, followed by a concert at London’s O2 arena next Tuesday.
On Wednesday, she is due to play in Glasgow, before returning to Manchester the following day.
Rishi Sunak announced last night that a future Conservative government would bring back mandatory national service last night, as he attempted to reignite his election campaign after an error-strewn start.
Under the plan, which appeared to be his latest attempt to reduce Tory losses by winning over voters drifting to Reform UK, the prime minister said that every 18-year-old would have to spend time in a competitive, full-time military commission or spend one weekend a month volunteering in “civil resilience”.
The party said that the country needed to be “open and honest” about the long-term challenges it is facing, adding the scheme would ensure young people had “the opportunities they deserve”.
The proposals would see a “bold new model of national service” for 18-year-olds that could see them opt to spend one weekend per month volunteering in roles such as special constable, RNLI volunteer, or NHS responder. Officials claimed it would give young people “real world skills, while contributing to their country and community”.
In practice, a royal commission would be set up to design the new national service programme, leading to a pilot programme to open for applications in September 2025. However, it would be backed in law by a National Service Act.
The Tories insisted the scheme did not amount to conscription, stating that the Covid pandemic had shown the importance of civic service. The party said that a new scheme was “completely essential”.
“Only by nurturing our shared culture and fostering a sense of duty can we preserve our nation and values for decades to come. This is an investment in both the character of young people and our security,” it said.
Labour lambasted the idea as another uncosted policy from the Tories, who have already raised the prospect of tax cuts they have yet to fund. “This is another desperate, £2.5bn unfunded commitment from a Tory party which already crashed the economy, sending mortgages rocketing, and now they’re spoiling for more,” said a spokesperson.
“This is not a plan – it’s a review which could cost billions and is only needed because the Tories hollowed out the armed forces to their smallest size since Napoleon. Britain has had enough of the Conservatives, who are bankrupt of ideas, and have no plans to end 14 years of chaos. It’s time to ...rebuild Britain with Labour.”
The Tories said the scheme would be part-funded through a £1bn tax avoidance clampdown and £1.5bn currently spent on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. A similar scheme was outlined in 2010 by David Cameron. Under his proposals, a special youth programme for 16-year-olds would be established to end a “pointless waste of potential” among teenagers. The plans never came to fruition.
Sunak was accused of hypocrisy over his scheme. In January, the prime minister rebuked the chief of the general staff, Sir Patrick Sanders, following his suggestion the UK might need a citizen army to fight Putin. The prime minister’s spokesman said at the time that Sunak did not agree with his comments and insisted there would be no return to national service, which was abolished in 1960.
Labour figures also privately accused the Tories of making 18-year-olds fix the problems the government had created, by boosting numbers in the military, helping the NHS and repairing infrastructure.
Nicki Minaj's concert at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, attended by thousands of fans, has been postponed at the last minute after she was arrested hours earlier in the Netherlands.
The American singer and rapper, 41, was held at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on suspicion of possession of soft drugs.
And fans had been let into the Manchester indoor venue on Saturday evening despite the star's detention.
A post on the arena's X account said shortly after 5.15pm: "Please note that general admission and premium doors for tonight's Nicki Minaj show will now open at 19:00."
Minaj was later released from custody just before 9pm but she will have to pay an undisclosed fine for "illegally exporting soft drugs from the Netherlands to another country", Dutch police told Sky News.
Despite her release, she was not able to make it to Manchester and the gig will be moved to a later date with a statement from promoters Live Nation saying: "Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP."
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It added: "Despite Nicki's best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight's show happen, the events of today have made it impossible. We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused."
In a series of social media posts on X and Instagram, Minaj earlier claimed police said they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs.
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She wrote on X that "they said they found weed". She also claimed "they took my luggage without consent" and "they're trying to keep me from MANCHESTER".
The messages also included one where she wrote: "This is Amsterdam btw, where weed is legal."
Image:The Co-op Live arena in Manchester. Pic: PA
The star, whose hit songs include Starships, Super Bass and Anaconda, also filmed what appeared to be an airport official asking her to have her luggage checked.
Minaj later wrote: "It's a 45 minute to an hour flight. So they're probably trying to stall for about 4 hours."
And she added: "Now they said I have to go 5 mins away to make a statement about my security to the police precinct."
Asked about Minaj, Robert van Kapel, a spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee military police, earlier told Sky News' US partner network NBC News: "We can confirm that we have arrested a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport because of possession of soft drugs."
Fans of the singer expressed their dismay at the decision to postpone the concert.
"Die-hard Nicki fan" Charu, who had travelled from Liverpool for the show, said the evening was "so ridiculously disappointing".
"My sister and I had been looking forward to this for months. I'm in the middle of taking my medical school exams and I had been working around this day and was so looking forward to it," they said.
"People around us said they'd travelled from Ireland and Scotland, paid for hotels for the night in Manchester, which is not cheap.
"So the fact that tickets will be refunded or still valid for another concert doesn't really put into perspective the time and money that we have all spent on this night."
They added: "Her team surely would have known that the concert tonight was not going to be possible but to wait until 9.30pm to let us know feels disrespectful of our time and efforts."
Charu said that concert-goers were "sobbing" after the announcement, and they will not be getting their hopes up about attending the rescheduled concert.
"Whenever she may postpone it to, it isn't guaranteed that people can take time off work, be able to afford trains, flights, hotels to be able to make it to the show. It's just very disappointing and upsetting."
As part of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, Minaj is due to perform in Birmingham on Sunday, followed by a concert at London's O2 arena next Tuesday.
Then on Wednesday, she is due to play in Glasgow followed by a gig on Thursday, again at the Co-op Live in Manchester.
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The problems included part of the building's ventilation and air conditioning system falling to the ground from the ceiling during a soundcheck in early May.
The 23,500-capacity venue was initially due to fully open with two Peter Kay stand-up shows on 23 and 24 April, but these dates were pushed back when problems emerged at a test event headlined by Ricky Astley.
The ventilation issue meant scheduled performances by US pop star Olivia Rodrigo and British band Keane were postponed, while a series of shows by Take That were moved to the AO Arena in Manchester.
Andrea Leadsom said the Conservatives were most aligned with people's "ideals and values"
Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom has announced she will not be standing in the general election.
The junior health minister said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she made the decision after "careful reflection".
She has been the MP for South Northamptonshire for 14 years and held several senior ministerial roles in that time.
"Some of my happiest moments in politics have been in achieving positive outcomes for my constituents," said Ms Leadsom.
Her previous government positions included being environment secretary, leader of the House of Commons and business secretary.
She is currently minister for public health, start for life and primary care.
Ms Leadsom was close to becoming prime minister in 2016, but withdrew from the leadership race that Theresa May ultimately won.
She received a damehood in October 2022 for services to politics.
'Ideals and values'
In her resignation letter, she referenced her campaigning to leave the European Union, setting up the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme in Parliament and - her "greatest passion" - work on early years support for children.
She did not outline reasons for standing down.
"I will continue to support the Conservative Party through this general election and in the future as the party best aligned with the ideals and values of the people of the United Kingdom," she said.
Earlier, Michael Gove also said he would step down as an MP - one of at least 119 Tories who have made this move.
Follow Northamptonshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
Two women were stabbed on Durley Chine Beach on Friday night, near Bournemouth Pier (Getty Images)
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A manhunt is underway after a woman in her 30s died in a double stabbing on a beach in Bournemouth.
Dorset Police said they were called to reports that two women, both from Poole, had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach around 11.45pm on Friday.
A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene while a 38-year-old was taken to hospital with very serious injuries. Their next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.
The beach has been cordoned off while police search the area and a murder investigation has been launched.
Superintendent Gavin House said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life. Officers are searching the area, but no arrests have been made at this time. A full and detailed investigation is underway.
“I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has any information about the offender and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us urgently.
Have you been affected by this? Email andy.gregory@independent.co.uk
Police statement in full after two women stabbed in Bournemouth
Here is Dorset Police’s statement in full:
A murder investigation has been launched by detectives following the death of a woman in Bournemouth. At 11.42pm on Friday 24 May 2024, Dorset Police received a report that two people had been stabbed on Durley Chine Beach.
Very sadly, a 34-year-old woman from Poole was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified. A 38-year-old woman from Poole was taken to hospital with very serious injuries and her next of kin are aware.
Superintendent Gavin House, of Dorset Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the woman who very tragically lost her life. Officers are searching the area, but no arrests have been made at this time. A full and detailed investigation is underway.
“I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has any information about the offender and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us urgently.
“The beach has been cordoned off to enable officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.
“Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns.”
Thousands of people would have been expected to visit the Blue Flag-awarded Durley Chine Beach today, as temperatures are set to approach 20C under blue skies.
However a large cordon remains in place and police are reportedly turning would-be visitors away.
Bournemouth residents express worry over perpetrator on the loose
Residents in Bournemouth have expressed their concerns that the perpetrator of the double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach remains at large.
“It’s worrying to think that they still haven’t found the person and they’re out there somewhere,” a man visiting the town for work told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
Another couple from Bournemouth told the outlet: “We were walking through the gardens and you don’t know if the person is still here. It does not shed a good light on Bournemouth.”
Nearly 100 people injured by knife crime in Dorset in past six months
A total of 98 people have suffered injuries as a result of knife crime in Dorset over the past six months, a freedom of information request to Dorset Police revealed last week.
Dorset police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said in November that the county had the second-lowest rate of knife crime in England and Wales, citing inspectorate data covering the 12 months to December 2022.
Enhanced police presence near Durley Chine Beach in coming days
Dorset Police said there would be an increased number of officers patrolling the area of the double stabbing in the coming days.
“Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team can be approached with any concerns,” the force said.
Durley Chine Beach has been cordoned off following last night’s double stabbing.
Superintendent Gavin House sad: “The beach has been cordoned off to enable officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene. I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while this vital work takes place.”
Dorset Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information they may have about the double stabbing on Durley Chine Beach.
“I would ask anyone who saw what happened or has any information about the offender and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us urgently,” said Superintendent Gavin House.
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms.
Forecasters have put the yellow weather warning in place from 12pm on Sunday, May 26 to 8pm the same day. It covers the whole of Merseyside and the majority of the North West.
The weather warning is in place due to "slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms which may cause flooding and disruption in places". Temperatures will reach highs of 16C on Sunday.
According to the Met Office this is what people can expect:
Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater and lightning strikes
There is a small chance that some communities become temporarily cut off by flooded roads
Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
The outlook on Monday looks clearer with some sunshine and showers. The Met Office said it could merge with longer spells of rain. Temperatures will be average on Monday, they said.
