Sir Olly, until last week the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, will reportedly tell the Foreign Affairs Committee that the Government pressured him into clearing Lord Mandelson, despite the peer’s relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and business links to Russia and China.

New York City officials and lawmakers are raising urgent concerns over a significant shortage of public restrooms as the region prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in less than two months.

With the first game at MetLife Stadium set for June 13, city officials are looking closely at whether New York can actually handle the crowds.

The New York/New Jersey Host Committee expects around 1.2 million people to pour into the area for the tournament, but current figures show there is only one public bathroom for every 8,500 residents, Gothamist reported.

It is a ratio that lawmakers say is a struggle for locals even on a normal day, let alone during a World Cup.

The New York City Council introduced a bill last week that would require the city to develop a formal plan to expand bathroom access before the international event begins. Council members noted that popular locations, such as Bryant Park, already experience long lines for facilities, and the expected influx of global soccer fans would likely overwhelm the current system.

“We actually have a number of public bathrooms all across the city in parks and elsewhere,” New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross Menin told Good Day New York on Monday. “So we’re doing a whole map of that so people know where they can get access to public bathrooms.”

Menin added that the city was attempting to balance infrastructure needs with economic outreach.

“We’re also doing a program to support small businesses during FIFA because this is an opportunity and really an obligation to make sure that our New York City small businesses are being promoted and not left out of the equation,” she said.

The bathroom shortage is just one of several logistical hurdles facing the metropolitan area. Transit remains a primary concern for the millions of fans expected to travel between Manhattan and the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

As reported by The Independent, travel through New York’s Penn Station is expected to be a major obstacle during the tournament. The station, often criticized for its confusing layout and overcrowding, serves as the primary route for fans taking New Jersey Transit to the matches.

The pressure on the transit system comes as New Jersey officials have implemented significant fare hikes to address budget deficits, leading to criticism that the cost of attending the games is being passed on to local commuters and visiting fans alike.

With 48 teams competing and high-profile matches like Brazil versus Morocco and Panama versus England coming to the area, the scale of the tournament is expected to exceed the capacity of the region’s aging rail system.

The city is currently mapping park restrooms and drafting new laws to help small businesses, but council members say the lack of basic facilities is still a major oversight. They argue that adding more bathrooms is necessary not just for the World Cup, but for the health and dignity of New Yorkers who need them every day.

“This is about dignity, cleanliness and public health as much as convenience,” City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu told Gothamist. “No one should have to scramble for a bathroom or cut their day short because they can’t find one in a global city like New York.”

The region is scheduled to host the World Cup final on July 19.

We are just five minutes away from kick-off in south London. Here’s a reminder of how the teams line up tonight…

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvas; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Johnson, Strand Larsen, Pino.

Subs: Kamada, Sarr, Mateta, Benitez, Clyne, Sosa, Riad, Devenny, Cardines.

West Ham: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville; Pablo; Castellanos.

Subs: Areola, Wilson, Traore, Todibo, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Potts, Kante.

The popular annual giveaway, backed by a council initiative, is designed to inspire more people to get their hands dirty and discover the simple rewards of gardening, from brightening up balconies to reviving back gardens.

The Stockton Borough Council initiative supports The Royal Horticultural Society’s National Gardening Week, running from April 27 to May 3.

The family-run firm will deliver a tipper truck load on the morning of Monday, April 27 to Stockton Borough Council’s former incinerator site, available to collect on a first-come, first-served basis. A second load is planned for the following day at the same site beneath the Newport Bridge flyover.

The donations of compost from Scott Bros have been very popular in previous years and is produced using green waste collected by councils, including Stockton and Middlesbrough.

Processing of the waste occurs at the company’s Norton Bottoms site through windrow composting which creates a nutrient-rich product meeting high-quality PAS 100 standards.

Scott Bros director Bob Borthwick said: “It’s something we always look forward to supporting.

“There’s a real appetite across Teesside for gardening, and it’s great to be able to help people make the most of their outdoor spaces, from gardens and allotments to pots and window boxes.

“By offering this compost free of charge, we’re also showing how green waste can be recycled into something genuinely useful for the community. If the demand is there, we’ll be back with a second load to make sure as many people as possible can benefit.”

He added: “It’s a practical example of the circular economy in action, turning local waste into a resource that supports healthier soils, stronger plant growth and greener spaces across Teesside.”

This year is the national year of reading, and if you’re a music lover, I urge you to pick one up about your favourite musician. The lives of musicians are often full of highs and lows, which makes for compelling reading. Here are five of my favourites.

1. Fight The Power by Chuck D

I suppose I shouldn’t really include Fight The Power in my list, given that Chuck D himself says in its prologue that it “damn sure ain’t an autobiography”. He positions himself as a tour guide rather than a protagonist, chaperoning us through the fascinating landscape of 80s and 90s hip-hop. Such guiding means it’s different from your average autobiography. But, intertwined with observations on racial oppression, media bias, politics, violence and religion, we find Chuck D’s life story. And it’s quite the story indeed.

The book moves from a childhood lived against a backdrop of assassinations, chaos and race riots, through his days as the leader of Public Enemy (one of the most revolutionary groups in music history), up to his latest challenge as a father encouraging his daughters to think as independently as possible. An engrossing, page-turning peek behind the curtain of a fascinating character living in a fascinating (albeit often troubling) world.

2. Under the Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush (2024 Omnibus Remastered Edition) by Graeme Thomson

At 432 pages, this is a slim volume compared with the likes of Ray Davies: A Complicated Life (800 pages), Madonna: A Rebel Life (880 pages), or The Life and Times of Malcolm McLaren (892 pages). But what it lacks in physical heft, Under the Ivy more than makes up with the weight of research that has gone into it.

Thomson is forensic in his detail, both in terms of researching Bush’s life (he conducted more than 70 interviews with school friends, band mates, studio collaborators, former managers, producers, musicians, video directors, dance instructors and record company executives), and in analysing her songs, which he does with the keen eye of a music critic. Trying to form a single picture of an artist as enigmatic and complex as Bush is, in Thomson’s words, “like trying to complete a jigsaw when some of the pieces are missing”. And making a coherent, entertaining and informative read from that is an even bigger challenge. Luckily for us, Thomson is up to it.

3. Things The Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett

By page four of his autobiography, Eels singer and songwriter Mark Everett (known professionally as “E”) has been attacked with a butcher’s knife, found his 51-year-old father dead in the family home, and told us about how, at 19, he fantasised about driving his car off a bridge. As if this weren’t enough tragedy for one lifetime, E then tells us about his sister’s suicide, the months of nursing his bedridden mother before she eventually succumbed to breast cancer, his flight attendant cousin dying during the Pentagon plane crash on 9/11, the deaths of several close friends, and the numerous rejections of his music.

In other hands, Things The Grandchildren Should Know might have been one of the saddest, most harrowing autobiographies ever written. And it certainly had every right to be. That it somehow succeeds in being one of the most uplifting, positive, and inspirational autobiographies is a testament to both E’s skilful writing, bone-dry sense of humour, and infectious optimism in the face of adversity. I’ve read it at least once a year since its release in 2008, usually in one sitting. It’s one of those books that never fails to raise my spirits. Even if you haven’t heard a single note of Eels’ music, or you don’t normally bother with books about rock or pop stars, this story is so good; it’s a must-read.

4. The Beatles by Hunter Davies

That it is the only authorised biography of The Beatles ever to be produced is reason enough to read this 1968 classic. But knowing that, for 18 months, Hunter Davies partied with the band, went to work with them and was introduced to all their friends makes it an essential. And the 18 months were those between 1967 and 1968, when the band were changing not only music, but pop culture at large.

Strangely, for all the magic of the now well-known story of the band’s rise to global domination, the real highlight comes toward the end of the book, where Davies details the time he spent at each Beatle’s house. Here we get to see the world’s most celebrated icons behind closed doors, unguarded and relaxed. And the mundanity of it is delicious. There’s Lennon playing with a loose filling before swigging milk straight from the bottle; Ringo pottering around his garden; Paul eating fried eggs, bacon and buttered bread; and George answering the phone pretending to be “Esher Wine Store”.

5. The Story of The Streets by Mike Skinner

Mike Skinner burst onto the British garage scene with his project the Streets in the early 2000s, with songs about sitting around on the sofa, working at JB Sports and getting pissed on the plane back from holiday. After five hit albums, Skinner took a hiatus from The Streets in 2011, releasing this book the following year.

Skinner makes it clear from the outset that he’s “going to be as honest as the publisher’s lawyers will allow”, but the book is so much more than a warts-and-all account. Much of it focuses on musical inspirations, the craft of songwriting, and his production techniques.

It may come as a surprise to some that The Story of The Streets is written with such intelligence and insight, especially given that Skinner’s lyrics brim with colloquialisms, profanity and ineloquence. But as those of us who’ve followed his career closely will know, this is a man who is able to build character as well as he builds story, and the “everyman” we see portrayed in the Streets’ songs is only the tiniest part of a much more complex person.

This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

Police were first called to reports of suspicious activity in a Cambridgeshire town

Four people have been arrested after a car crash on a Cambridgeshire road. Cambridgeshire Police were called to reports of suspicious activity on Cromwell Road, Wisbech, at around 10.50pm on Sunday (April 19).

When officers arrived, they found a car crashed on Lerowe Road, Walsoken. No one was injured. Officers arrested four people on suspicion of several offences. These were:

• An 18-year-old man from Wisbech has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, possession of a Class A drug, possession of a Class B/C drug, possession of an offensive weapon, fail to stop and escape from lawful custody;
• An 18-year-old man from Wisbech has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B/C drug;
• A 17-year-old boy from Leverington has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B/C drug;
• An 18-year-old man from Whittlesey has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon, and dangerous driving.

The three men and one boy are currently in custody at King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre.

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Every year when the fixtures are announced you hear the familiar refrain that “it doesn’t matter, you play everyone twice”.

But there is no doubt that when you face a certain team can make a big difference across a 10-month campaign.

With five games remaining, Spurs will definitely think their run-in, at least on paper, gives them every chance of staying up.

Next up is a trip to Wolves, who have long since been looking ahead to Championship football next week.

A home match against Leeds on 11 May is another they would view as an opportunity, especially if Daniel Farke’s side have beaten Burnley at Elland Road in their previous game and essentially ensured their safety.

Even a tricky looking away match at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on 3 May comes at a good time for Spurs, as it falls between the two legs of the Europa League semi-final for Unai Emery’s men.

A visit to rivals Chelsea before hosting Everton on the final day is not straightforward way to finish given both teams seem likely to be fighting for the European places.

But given how tight things are, that is something all the relegation candidates with have to deal with.

West Ham host Everton on Saturday before an away game at Brentford – and it only gets tougher with title-chasing Arsenal the visitors to the London Stadium on 10 May.

Even with Newcastle enduring a disappointing season, an away game at St James’ Park on the penultimate weekend is far from simple and there could be plenty riding on the home match against Leeds on the last day.

Forest arguably face the toughest last five with away games at Chelsea and Manchester United in May – the former coming just three days before the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Villa.

Home games against Newcastle and Bournemouth, on the last day, could be crucial but getting a result at Sunderland on Friday would help alleviate a lot of stress for Vitor Pereira’s side before the remainder of the run-in.

Budget airline TUI has said it is “monitoring” jet fuel shortages as a result of the Iran war.

Aviation industry bodies have warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages due to the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping lane for oil between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, being closed.

Some airlines have already been forced to cancel flights due to the issues.

TUI issues update on summer flights amid fuel shortage fears

The update from TUI comes after one concerned passenger asked the question on social media.

They said: “With the reported jet fuel shortages, are you expecting holidays from May 1 to be affected?”

TUI replied: “We’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating any immediate disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.”

The positive news for passengers comes amid other airlines making changes to their schedules in the coming months.

TUI has issued an update on its flights amid ongoing fears over fuel shortages from passengers (Image: Getty Images)

Lufthansa has closed its CityLine regional subsidiary, which operates routes between London and Munich and Frankfurt.

Norse Atlantic Airways has cancelled all routes to Los Angeles including flights from London Gatwick Airport.

KLM has axed flights across Europe over the next month, including services to and from London.

However, the Dutch airline says the cancellations are not down to a kerosene shortage.

Despite this, the country’s airline industry association, BARIN, has previously warned that fuel supplies could become a concern as the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel rumbles on and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

In total, it plans to cut 160 flights, split equally between departures from and arrivals into Schiphol Airport.

UK airline Aer Lingus has cut more than 500 flights from its upcoming schedule, but this is due to “mandatory maintenance on aircraft, along with a limited number of schedule adjustments”.

Other major airlines have responded to the fears by increasing fares and adding or increasing fuel surcharges.

Travellers to Spain warned as airport to close for a month with all flights cancelled

Flight cancellations are not the only concern for Brits travelling abroad, with those going to Spain warned amid an upcoming closure of a key airport in the country.

Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Spain is set to close for an entire month due to resurfacing work on the runway.

These works will see all flights cancelled, affecting thousands of British travellers.

Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Spain is closing for a month affecting thousands of passengers (Image: Getty Images)

It will be closed from April 23 to May 27, with its website saying: “During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.

“If you have any questions about your flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, we recommend contacting your airline.”

Recommended reading:

Around 30 flights run each week between the UK and Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport.

Most of the flights operate out of London-based airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, while there are also non-direct flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro from Manchester.

Alternative airports include A Coruña Airport (around 75 km away) and Vigo Airport (100 km).

Have you been affected by any flight cancellations or price increases this year? Let us know in the comments.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about a burglary that occurred at St Leonard’s Hospice Charity Shop on York Road, Acomb

It happened between 4.30pm on Saturday, April 18, and 8.15am on Monday, April 20 and a dark grey safe, containing cash donations, was stolen.

RECOMMENDED READING:

“Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area during this time, or who has information that may assist the investigation, is asked to contact the police,” said a spokesperson for the force.

If you have any information that could help the investigation, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC 5-6-4, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference number 12260070581 when passing on information.

Terrifying footage shows the moment a tiger leaps into a crowd of families and young children at a Russian circus after a sudden malfunction provides an opportunity to escape

Police in Russia have launched an investigation after a circus tiger dramatically broke free during a performance and leapt into the crowd.

Terrifying footage from the incident in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday shows the animal — kept captive as a circus act — running amok after a sudden malfunction gave it an opportunity to escape.

The clip, which has circulated widely online, begins by showing three tigers stood on stools as the ringleader and assistant pace around the stage, with a circular net separating them from the crowd.

Bu after what appears to be a drastic mechanical fault, the net is suddenly lowered – and the tiger takes only a couple of seconds to take advantage.

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The animal hops onto the metal circle before jumping into the spectator area below, drawing shocked gasps from the crowd.

Audience members are then seen standing up to get a view of the escaped animal, with a few of them immediately heading for the aisles.

Further footage, taken a minute or two later, shows seats largely deserted as the tiger wanders up and down the rows – though a few remaining members of the audience seem unbothered, filming on their phones or occasionally glancing back as the beast passes by.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion in the moment the tiger leapt free, with one telling local media: “The tigers got scared… and one jumped out into the audience.

“Children were screaming, adults running in panic.”

Another claimed the big cat “ran out onto the street” after the tent was evacuated by ushers. “The animal was running through the rows of seats where there were no people at all”, they said.

No-one was injured in the incident, with the tiger recaptured after being found a short distance from the tent. Circus director Nikolai Dovgaluk said: “The trainer put a collar on the tiger, led it to the enclosure, and brought it in without incident.

“It’s not that there was 100% no threat to the audience, but these are tame tigers, meaning they’re trained like tame animals. The most important thing is that there was no panic, and therefore, there was no incident because of that.”

He blamed the net falling on “employee error” and a “coincidence”, adding: “It’s impossible to even say anyone was directly at fault”.

Russia’s federal Investigative Committee announced a probe into potential safety violations on Monday.

Despite now being banned across much of the Western world as a result of stricter welfare laws, captive animals – including bears, elephants, and Siberian tigers – regularly feature in Russian circuses, appearing in the acts of popular troupes such as the Bolshoi and the Moscow State Circus.