Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.

Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.

We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.

And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.

You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .

If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .

M62 blockage cleared

All lanes open and traffic returned to normal, broken down vehicle removed on M62 Eastbound between J25 A644 (Brighouse) and J26 M606 / A58 (Chain Bar).

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Broken down vehicle causes M62 delays

One lane closed and heavy traffic due to broken down vehicle on M62 eastbound between J25 A644 (Brighouse) and J26 M606 / A58 (Chain Bar).

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Pic of the day

This kestrel was photographed on Cartworth Moor by Mick Forster Jones of Holmfirth.

Kestrel on Cartworth Moor
Kestrel on Cartworth Moor (Image: Mick Forster Jones)
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Singer who starred in viral Facebook video quits job to pursue music career

A singer who went viral after she was filmed belting out Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ with a busker has quit her day job to pursue a singing career.

Jade Helliwell, 26, from Batley, was filmed singing the classic on a night out in Leeds earlier this year. The video went viral on Facebook and has been seen more than 21 million times.

Singer Jade Helliwell shocks audiences as she shows off her voice in a street performance
Singer Jade Helliwell shocks audiences as she shows off her voice in a street performance

Jade, who was working at Ravensthorpe Junior School, has claimed the impromptu duet has changed her life and is now planning on following a full time career in country music. She will perform at Warehouse in Leeds tomorrow evening. You can watch the video here.

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Today's most read stories

Here’s what people have been reading the most on our website so far today...

  • A woman caught performing a sex act on a man outside Huddersfield Parish Church claimed that she’d just married him after seeing him around town a couple of times. Read the full report from court here.
  • After two successive Premier League wins, Huddersfield Town turn their attention to the Second Round of the Carabao Cup against Rotherham United on Wednesday evening - use our interactive gadget to pick the winner here.
  • A man has been arrested over suspected drug driving after a car crashed and ended on its roof on a busy commuter road. Read more on this morning’s incident here.
Rasila Akbar at Kirklees Magistrates' Court
Rasila Akbar at Kirklees Magistrates' Court (Image: staff HDE)
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New research reveals statins could fight infections

Statins may fight infectious diseases such as typhoid and malaria as well as lowering cholesterol, according to new research.

Scientists have discovered that a gene variant that affects cholesterol levels could increase a person’s risk of contracting typhoid fever.
They also showed that a common cholesterol-lowering drug, ezetimibe or Zetia, could protect zebrafish against Salmonella Typhi - the culprit behind the nasty infection. The findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and point to possible avenues to protect those who are most vulnerable to pathogens - such as the Salmonella bacteria - that hijack cholesterol to infect host cells.

Don't buy your antihistamines via prescription, urge NHS
Research has shown statins may help fight infections
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Reports of a five foot lizard on the loose

A rare giant lizard has reportedly been sighted on the loose in Calderdale.

The Nile monitor lizard was reported to police after it was spotted in the Kings Cross area of Halifax yesterday morning. Officers attended the scene but found nothing.

The reptile - which is often mistaken for a crocodile - is around five feet long. The public are being urged to report any sighting of the creature if spotted.

Monitor lizard
Monitor lizard (Image: Tony Alter (Flickr))
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National news

Here’s what’s in the main headlines this lunchtime...

GEORGE OSBORNE SEEKS FAST-TRACK COMMITMENT TO NORTH
George Osborne has called on Theresa May to commit to building high-speed rail links across the north of the country. The former chancellor said a “northern powerhouse” rail network connecting Liverpool to Hull must be planned for as the Government presses on with the delivery of HS2. Writing in The Financial Times, Mr Osborne said: “The Northern Powerhouse Rail fits with Mrs May’s stated objective of building an economy that works for everyone.

MATCH OUR TROOP STRENGTH TO WIN AFGHANISTAN WAR, TRUMP URGES ALLIES
Donald Trump has said he is confident that Nato allies such as Britain will increase troops and funding for the war in Afghanistan “in line with our own”. But the third US president to oversee what is America’s longest war remained secretive over what the increases will be during an address to the nation from Fort Myer, near Washington DC, on Monday night. Mr Trump, who made repeated calls for the nearly 16-year war to end ahead of his election, said sudden withdrawal would have “predictable and unacceptable” results.

LABOUR MP: TWITTER ‘TOO SLOW’ TO REMOVE OFFENSIVE POSTS
Twitter must do more to stamp out racist and misogynistic abuse on its site by taking down offensive posts within 24 hours, a West Yorkshire Labour MP has said. Yvette Cooper, MP for Castleford & Pontefract and chair of the influential Home Select Affairs Committee, said the social media giant was “too slow to act” on removing abusive tweets that violate its own guidelines and urged it to do more to stop hate speech. In a letter to Twitter, co-written with the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality, Ms Cooper highlighted examples of abuse targeted at prominent women such as shadow home secretary Diane Abbott and Labour’s Luciana Berger, as well as anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller.

Yvette Cooper MP
Yvette Cooper MP is calling for Twitter to do more about abusive messages aimed at women
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Mother and child threatened by youths in park

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen the moment a mother and her child were threatened by a group of young people in a Calderdale park.

The woman, in her thirties, was at Centre Vale Park in Todmorden with her young child yesterday afternoon when the gang threatened and verbally abused them.

PS Bob Saxon of the Valley’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Clearly this has been a frightening experience for the victim and her child, who were understandably distressed. Our enquiries in to this incident are very much ongoing, and I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area and has witnessed the incident, or who has any information to come forward.”

The incident happened at around 4.20pm. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Matthew Hamilton or PC David Mayhew via 101 quoting 13170385690.

Police were called to a 'work related death' in Marsden
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Nuisance bike seized by police

Police officers seized this off road bike in Almondbury earlier.

The bike was taken on Fernside Avenue after its user was reportedly causing noise and making local residents’ lives a misery.

Off-road bike seized by police in Almondbury
Off-road bike seized by police in Almondbury (Image: West Yorkshire Police - Huddersfield)
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Local WWII soldier identified after lying in unmarked grave for 73 years

A WWII soldier from Dewsbury who has been lying in an unmarked grave for more than seven decades has finally been identified.

Lance Cpl William Loney, of the Parachute Regiment, was reported missing in the Arnhem offensive in the Netherlands during September 1944. He was 26 at the time of his death.

Lance Corporal William Loney
Lance Corporal William Loney

It’s believed William was killed near to a railway bridge close to the Dutch town of Arnhem. He had been in the Army since the beginning of the war.

William’s body has been in an unmarked grave at the Goroesbeek Memorial in Gelderland, the Netherlands, along with hundreds of other missing soldiers. But after a breakthrough made by researchers studying various burial records, Loney has now been identified.

The soldier is to be given a marked grave next month.

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Emley Mast named on list of 'nearly home' landmarks

It’s a welcoming sign you’re nearly home after being away - and now Emley Moor Mast has made a list of other similar landmarks that remind people of home.

The BBC has published a list of several UK monuments and landmarks that herald the sign you’re nearly home after a long journey. The Arqiva Tower features alongside other famous landmarks such as Anthony Gormley’s Angel of the North sculpture in Tyne & Wear and Glastonbury Tor.

Flockton resident Emily Wells told the BBC: “I went up a couple of years ago, which was amazing. I cried as we walked out on to the gallery as it took my breath away.”

You can see the piece here. Below are some of our favourite pictures of the mast!

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Officers to start carrying spit hoods

West Yorkshire Police officers are to carry spit guards from today, it’s been announced.

Spit guards are a mesh fabric mask put on suspects while being apprehended to stop them from spitting on or biting officers. They can only be used once on a suspect - often while they are in custody.

Many have criticised their use, saying they are cruel and degrading.

A spit guard is used by a police officer
A spit guard is used by a police officer
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New Mill crash: Man arrested on suspicion of drug driving

An update on the car on its roof in New Mill - a man has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

Police cleaning up before re-opening Penistone Road, New Mill, after an Audi TT flips onto its roof.
Police cleaning up before re-opening Penistone Road, New Mill, after an Audi TT flips onto its roof.

Police attended the scene at 7.15am following reports of a one-vehicle collision on Penistone Road. Officers attended and found the car had clipped the pavement and caused damage to street furniture. The driver was taken to hospital with an arm injury.

A police spokesperson said: “A 28-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.”

Police cleaning up before re-opening Penistone Road, New Mill, after an Audi TT flips onto its roof.
Police cleaning up before re-opening Penistone Road, New Mill, after an Audi TT flips onto its roof.
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Fire at Linthwaite warehouse

Fire fighters attended a small blaze at the Thornton & Ross warehouse on Manchester Road in Linthwaite last night.

It’s thought a forklift truck inside the warehouse set on fire which then spread to the stacked loading shelves inside. Crews from Huddersfield and Rastrick fire stations were called to the scene shortly after 11pm. Luckily the fire was well contained due to sprinkler systems inside and there were only a few flames, although crews said the building was very smoke logged when they arrived.

No one was injured in the incident.

Thornton & Ross warehouse, Manchester Road, Linthwaite
Thornton & Ross warehouse, Manchester Road, Linthwaite (Image: Google Street View)
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WATCH: Car on its roof in New Mill

A car was on its roof on Penistone Road in New Mill earlier this morning - although we are now being informed the road is back open again.

Emergency services were called to the road near to Water Row earlier this mornign. We are waiting on an update from police as to whether there have been any injuries.

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Doctor Who assistant is announced

Jodie Whittaker’s assistant in Doctor Who is being widely speculated over this morning.

The Mirror have reported that former Coronation Street actor and The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh will be the Doctor’s assistant on the new series.

Skelmanthorpe actress Jodie was announced as the 13th - and first female - Doctor by the BBC last month.

The news about Bradley Walsh is yet to be confirmed by the BBC.

Bradley Walsh is reported to be the next Doctor Who assistant
Bradley Walsh is reported to be the next Doctor Who assistant (Image: BBC/ITV)
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Morning traffic update

Busy eastbound on the M62 this morning due to usual rush hour traffic. On the local roads there are no major incidents to report, just congestion in these usual spots...

  • Slow traffic on Halifax Road heading into Huddersfield town centre from Ainley Top
  • Busy but moving on the Huddersfield ring road by the old Tech college
  • Heavy traffic on Wakefield Road through Mirfield
  • Also very busy heading towards Cooper Bridge on Wakefield Road from Brighouse/the M62
  • Slow on Ovenden Road in Halifax
  • Busy on Whitehall Road, Wyke, heading towards the M62

There are no major delays or cancellations to let you know about with regards to public transport.

New proposals would aim to reduce rush hour traffic on Halifax Road, Huddersfield
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Road accident in New Mill

Hearing reports of a road collision in New Mill this morning - we should hopefully have more details on this shortly.

For now, Penistone Road is closed in both directions near to the junction with Water Row so avoid the area if possible.

Fatal accident scene on Penistone Road at New Mill
Penistone Road at New Mill
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Good morning, Huddersfield

Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.

Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.

We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.

And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.

Stocksmoor Woods - Natalie Bushby
Woodland near Stocksmoor - Natalie Bushby

You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .

If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .

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