A homeowner has sparked debate online after a neighbour converted a flat into a short-term holiday let

Living alongside familiar faces is something many homeowners often overlook. However, one resident claims that feeling of community has vanished almost immediately after a neighbour supposedly converted their property into an Airbnb.

The frustrated homeowner posted their concerns on the Am I Being Unreasonable? forum on Mumsnet, where they questioned whether they would be in the wrong to report the flat. It rapidly garnered significant attention, with numerous users offering their views on whether short-term holiday rentals have a place in residential blocks.

Outlining the circumstances, the poster explained: “The flat opposite ours has recently started being used as an Airbnb. We live in a block of flats with a secure entrance, but now there’s a constant stream of strangers coming and going.”

They clarified how the visitors had not been troublesome. Rather, they accused the landlords of “turfing out” the “lovely woman” who had resided there before: “[This] caused her a lot of financial and other stress, so that they could make way more money than with a regular tenancy.”

The poster went on: “Should I tell the management company? I think my motives maybe are a bit vengeful (and obviously it’s too late for my lovely ex-neighbour) and I probably won’t do anything, but what does everyone think?”.

Numerous users contributed their own perspectives in an attempt to offer guidance to the uncertain homeowner. One commented: “No, don’t. I expect the old tenant has found somewhere new, so this would just be a vindictive move.

“Also, Airbnb is not a guaranteed income so your presumption that they will make more money is completely wrong. The owner will now be liable for council tax or business rates, plus being a landlord brings a lot of stress in management though, Airbnb far less so in my experience.”

Meanwhile another commented: “I would. Once one person is seen to be getting away with ignoring the rules, it encourages others.”

Others, nevertheless, recommended they examine their lease to establish whether this commercial activity would be permitted: “We own a seaside flat and we are allowed to rent ours out Airbnb style but none of the other flats in the block are. We specifically had that put in our lease when we bought it new from the developer to ensure that was an option if we ever wanted to use it.”

The discussion mirrors broader anxieties surrounding the expansion of short-term holiday lettings in residential neighbourhoods. According to Airbnb, there were more than 100,000 active listings across the UK in 2024, while campaigners and residents have progressively voiced concerns regarding noise, security and the effect on local housing availability.

Whether measures can be implemented frequently hinges on the property’s lease or local planning regulations. Property specialists suggest numerous residential leases forbid short-term holiday lettings, meaning proprietors who list on platforms such as Airbnb may potentially be violating their lease, though each situation depends on the precise wording of the agreement.

Would you be content if your neighbour converted their property into an Airbnb? Share your views in the comments below.

Neptune goes into a long retrograde this week which gives us pause for thought, time to re-evaluate our own blind spots, delusions, and secrets. Perhaps something is ready to surface?

Venus moving into practical Virgo gives us all the desire and ability to repair, heal and restore ailing relationships, so maybe these home truths can be useful and productive.

This is a week to realise how things really are, and go on to do something constructive about it.

Let the tarot cards guide you through the secret you’re ready to voice, and the action you should take.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Tarot card for Aries for this week: Six of Coins

Meaning: You’ve bitten your lip for a while now, but you truly feel like you’re owed a favour (or two) by folk. You notice other people’s stinginess and selfishness more than most because you’re such a giving person. It stings when it is not repaid or even acknowledged.

What to do? Well, this was never a contract or a transaction, it was literally a gesture of good faith, and you got a buzz from doing a good turn, so that perhaps is all you will get. Don’t ask for more, it won’t arrive. Simply remove this person’s, or crowd’s, name from your hit list in future. Don’t be so ready to help. They don’t appreciate it and you can’t un-see that.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Tarot card for Taurus for this week: Page of Swords

Meaning: You are realising the ways in which you’ve hedged your bets, even strung someone or something along because you liked the idea of having it as an option, despite never wanting to commit 100%. The consequences of that procrastination are catching up now.

So, make a decision. Poop or get off the pot, as they say! It’s high time, and you already know, deep down, what you want to do. So just get on and do it. You can’t hold onto things you’re not going to need or use or appreciate, let them be enjoyed by someone else. Move along.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Tarot card for Gemini for this week: The Fool

Meaning: You are about to get a huge wake-up call. This has been brewing for a while, but may have felt like frustration, boredom or just numbness. You have long outgrown something (or someone) and the symptoms of restlessness have been surging but you’ve pushed them back down.

It all comes to a head this week, and you leap into something completely new and off-track and unexpected. Everyone is gobsmacked! Just do it, Gemini, you don’t need a long-term masterplan, just the courage to leap into the unknown and keep on going. A new era is dawning, out of the blue but powerful all the same. This is it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Six of Wands

Meaning: You’ve been way too cautious recently and talking yourself out of doing bold things, applying, asking, demanding or changing. You have spun new webs of self-limiting belief just to keep your shell hard and intact and remain in the comfort zone.

It’s breakout time, Cancer! You are blessed, lucky, fortunate, and full of magnetic charisma, and the good things you can see on the horizon are real, coming for you, and deserved. So say yes, go for it, put your name in the hat, have a go, join in. Don’t side-step away from the good life. Run towards it. Full throttle.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Tarot card for Leo for this week: Judgement

Meaning: If you look in the mirror this week, you will see the truth written on your face plainly. Whatever you’ve been keeping to yourself, deep down, will surface and be clear to see. It’s a home truth, some kernel of self awareness about your true nature, traits, desires and beliefs. And it’s empowering.

You are ready to accept you are what you are, and live a life aligned with that. No more pretence or trying to fit in where you never will. No more shape-shifting or approval0seeking from dead sources. You are worthy. You deserve your limelight. Just find the right stage… I think you know where it is already. This is an awakening week.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Tarot card for Virgo for this week: Ten of Wands

Meaning: You don’t like showing weakness because you believe in stoicism, keeping going, and always doing your best. You never lapse when you could rise. But you are tired, Virgo. In fact, probably exhausted in some respect, be that physical or mental.

It’s time to take a break and use summer as a season of rejuvenation and relaxation, of letting your mind, schedule and lifestyle recalibrate around your new energy levels and needs. We all evolve. You have changed but kept the same routines and rituals. They don’t really suit you anymore and change is needed, but first rest is needed. A tired mind doesn’t come up with good ideas, after all.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Tarot card for Libra for this week: Six of Cups

Meaning: Truth is, your mind has been wandering to the past a lot more than you like to admit. Maybe it’s a romantic past life you’ve revisited, or a long lost friend or family member, or even a place or role you can’t let go of.

Ask yourself why, this week. Ask yourself what might still be worthy of rekindling or reinventing in your present day. Because, deep down, at an intuitive level, you truly think there’s something there still. Go find out.Nothing to lose. You can always let sleeping dogs lie back down again. But if you don’t conclude this story one way or another, you’ll always wonder.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: Temperance

Meaning: Presenting a strong, assured, fearless front to the world is your default mode. Everyone thinks you’re impenetrable. However, you feel quite insecure sometimes, like you’re not stable enough in your foundations or home realm. You yearn for certainty, clarity and commitment, but never ask for it because that’d be weak, in your mind.

Scorpio, if certainty and commitment is what you need, then you’re worthy and entitled to ask for it. We all need to know where we stand, what the label is, what the long-term plan looks like. Find your foundations. Ground yourself. Get clarity on the things that make you feel insecure, get the truth either way because then you can live in tune with that reality vs a dreaded, but imagined, scenario that may never unfold.

This is a week to pin down the stuff that matters most and make it feel safe and strong. And the way to do it might well be for you to be vulnerable and make a commitment. It’s a two-way thing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: Page of Cups

Meaning: A childhood memory, whim or passion is reigniting within you and will burst into bright flame this week, demanding your attention and bringing a great deal of wonder and affection back with it. So let yourself be led back to your childhood and gaze around at the realm. What moves you? What had you forgotten? What feels like it deserves a place, a role an acknowledgement in your life now?

Your inner child would be amazed at how strong, capable and assured you are, compared to how they felt as a kid. You can do so much good for ‘little you’, and it’s always healing, heartwarming and cathartic to do so.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Knight of Coins

Meaning: You don’t think you’re getting what you deserve, which doesn’t surprise me really, because you work very hard — and to a very high standard, too. You are diligent and expert and prolific. The problem is that your high output has become the ‘new normal’ and therefore you bust a gut for the same payback or recognition as others.

It’s time to recalibrate, be that renegotiating the rate or pace of work, looking at new roles, or stepping down your productivity a notch for an easier ride. This might even not be about work, but at home or within your family. It’s important that you are receiving fair returns for your investments of time and energy. Make that a priority right now. Take steps to redress the balance and see what happens.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Page of Wands

Meaning: You’ve been feeling too stifled and constrained recently and you’re dying to kick back, play it reckless, and lead a more spontaneous way of life. It’s how Aquarius rolls! So, let’s make this summer one of freedom, travel, exploration, following your instincts and saying yes to new invitations and ideas each day.

Take time to know your must-do chores and priorities, and make them defaulted and streamlined so they happen easily and swiftly. This will free up more time and energy for you to do things which please and delight you, and that’s important. When you feel your wings are too tightly clipped, you get snappy and a bigger blow-out is likely. Avert this crisis by making adjustments now. Trim your commitments and schedule. Make time for play.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Death

Meaning: You are really ready for a change. You haven’t said this to anyone because you don’t want to upset or offend anyone, but you already feel that you’re halfway out of the door, certainly emotionally.

You’ve withdrawn and are ready to pivot onto a new path. The part of you that loved or engaged with what you’re doing right now has pretty much died off, you’ve already grieved it, and you just want the green light to go, go, go. So do it!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

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By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 21:46 BST, 4 July 2026 | Updated: 03:11 BST, 5 July 2026

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch is being ruthlessly mocked by soccer fans after making a bizarre comment following his team’s World Cup elimination.

The Canadian men’s national team was sent packing from the 2026 tournament on Saturday afternoon after suffering a brutal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco.

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Despite being eliminated from the competition, Marsch delivered a post-match interview where he claimed he would still rather be in his position than Morocco’s.

‘What a privilege our fans have had to root a team on like this,’ Marsch stated in the viral broadcast interview with FOX Sports.

‘[A team] that goes after the game, that doesn’t play defensive, that shows that they can be better.

‘Of course, we have to be in these situations more and more,’ the 52-year-old manager continued. ‘And then we have to find ways to succeed and build on that.’

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Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has come under fire for his defiant post-match speech

The World Cup co-hosts were knocked out the competition after losing 3-0 to Morocco

‘I’d rather be us than them! As good as Morocco is, I’d rather be us.’

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‘I’m really proud of our guys, we went after the game. They’re hurting right now but I couldn’t be prouder,’ he concluded, before adding a final ‘I thank Canada’ to the reporter.

The bold declaration immediately went viral across social media, with fans completely baffled by the American coach’s refusal to accept the reality of the 3-0 thrashing.

Viewers on X flooded the comment sections to roast the manager for his perceived lack of self-awareness.

‘Impressive how dumb he continues to make himself look every time he steps in front of a microphone,’ one viewer wrote.

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Another fan ripped into the coach’s logic, pointing out the obvious scoreboard deficit: ”I’d rather be us than them.’ But you got outplayed…’

A third user called out the manager, writing: ‘I’ve heard some dumb comments from a coach postgame but I’m not sure I’ve heard anything that compares to that ‘I’d rather be us than them’ from Jesse Marsch. I can’t even process it.’

Other commenters questioned how he plans to maintain his position with the national team following the disastrous exit.

‘What?! Either he’s saying whatever to keep his job or he’s just as bad as advertised or….both lol,’ a baffled supporter stated.

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Join the discussion

Should a coach praise their team after a heavy defeat, or does it show a lack of accountability?

Despite defeat to Morocco, Marsch insisted: ‘I’d rather be us than them’ after the game

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Given the July 4th holiday, many American fans also took the opportunity to distance themselves from the American-born coach.

‘Happy 4th of July to us, also have we revoked his passport yet? He can stay up there forever,’ one USMNT supporter joked.

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The scathing assessment comes after coach Marsch slammed the door on the possibility of ever taking charge of his home country’s soccer team.

In an interview with Time Magazine, he said: ‘People like to say, “Oh, he wishes he coached the national team.” Let me make it really clear: I never will coach the U.S. national team,’ Marsch said. ‘Ever. And that’s no problem.’ 

‘There was the possibility of me at one point, but I’m done with it. I don’t even care anymore. I don’t wish ill will against the U.S. I want the U.S. to do well. 

‘I like Pochettino, and I like a bunch of the players. But people need to stop making a deal out of me in the U.S.’

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When the weather gets warmer, people start to panic and think the best place for food storage is the fridge. But that’s not the case as it can negatively affect some foods’ taste and texture

As temperatures climb, particularly when they creep above the late 20s, many of us instinctively reach for the fridge to preserve our produce. But this isn’t always the wisest move, as refrigeration can actually have a detrimental effect on certain foods.

While keeping a bar of chocolate in the fridge during hot weather may well help it hold its shape, some items should never be stored in there, as it can completely compromise both their taste and texture. Which? revealed the five things you should never store in your fridge and offered guidance to those unsure of what’s best — and some of the recommendations may come as quite a surprise.

Cucumbers

Which? warns that “cold conditions can cause the skin to shrivel up and the inside to become soft,” which is far from ideal when you’re preparing a tuna and cucumber sandwich for lunch.

The key advice offered regarding cucumbers is to keep them “at room temperature”. However, if you’re determined to use the fridge for cucumbers ahead of a salad, there is a middle ground.

You can “refrigerate them an hour before prep for a refreshing chill without affecting their texture”. Result!

Tomatoes

Cool temperatures can adversely affect the flavour and texture of tomatoes, according to Which?, who recommend keeping them “at room temperature”. They noted: “Chilling tomatoes inhibits the activity of enzymes inside the fruit that help give it its flavours.”

Bananas

If you store your bananas in the fridge, be aware they will “go black,” making it far from the ideal solution.

Which? advised: “Keep bananas somewhere nice and cool to make them last longer.”

It’s also crucial to store bananas away from other fruits, as they can cause neighbouring produce to ripen prematurely if left together in a fruit bowl.

Bread

Storing bread in the fridge is a definite mistake, as it can “dehydrate the loaf, leaving you with stale tasting slices”.

Which? conducted its own tests and discovered that “storing bread in a cotton or plastic bag will keep it mostly soft, with just a little dryness around the edges”.

Onions

Onions should be kept well away from the fridge, as the “moisture in the fridge will turn them soft and mouldy”.

Instead, opt for somewhere “cool and dry” and “keep sliced onions in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer”.

In the comments section, one reader queried: “Curious to know who routinely stores bananas and bread in the fridge?”

Others noted that in certain locations, room temperature is “literally 30 degrees right now,” leaving many unsure of the best place to keep their food. A cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight is worth considering as an alternative.

Will you be trying these tips? Let us know in the comments….

It is consistently listed as one of the world’s best coastal trails

From dramatic coastlines, heather-strewn moorlands, and steep ridges to plunging river valleys and dense pine forests, Wales has an unbeatable range of walks waiting to be discovered. This small but mighty country is a hiker’s dream, with loads of short treks and loop walks.

The best part is that you don’t need to hike for days to discover Wales’ epic landscapes. There are routes you can tackle in a single day that range in length and difficulty. While summer is obviously a brilliant time to strap on your hiking boots and explore Wales, winter offers a different type of beauty and solitude.

One area I particularly love to hike is home to some of the most scenic walks in Wales. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is consistently listed as one of the best coastal trails in the world. Renowned publisher National Geographic also ranked the Pembrokeshire Coast Path second in the world’s top 10 long-distance paths.

Stretching from St Dogmaels to Amroth, it passes soaring cliffs, beaches and small villages entirely within Britain’s only truly coastal National Park and is bursting with wildlife.

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It has 240 spectacular square miles just waiting to be discovered, with the Pembrokeshire Coast Path featuring 186 miles of epic coastline. If you’re up for a challenge, you can plod the entire route in one go or split up over several shorter trips.

Be aware, though, that walking the whole path is physically demanding, with over 35,000 feet of elevation gain, and a full thru-hike typically takes between 10 and 15 days.

If you don’t fancy trekking the entire path, over 200 circular walks are available, including half-day, short, and easy access walks where you can visit beaches and spot loads of wildlife like dolphins and puffins.

Some of the most popular walks in the area include the St Davids Head circuit, the Bosherston Lily Ponds walk, and the Dinas Island circular walk. Other great options are the Porthgain to Abereiddi section and the scenic circular walk from Saundersfoot to Tenby.

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path Authority also offers an official, free certificate to anyone who completes the entire 186-mile trail. Walkers can claim their personalised completion award by tracking their progress and submitting their details through the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority website.

One of my favourite treks here is a circular 6.8km route that includes incredible spots like Stackpole, Barafundle, Bosherston and Broad Haven South, where you’ll visit sandy beaches and a lovely cafe serving homemade cake.

Starting from the National Trust car park at Stackpole Quay, the route first leads you over the cliffs and down the pine-fringed steps to the pristine, roadless sands of Barafundle Bay, which is frequently voted one of the best beaches in the UK.

After crossing this secluded cove, you will follow the rugged Pembrokeshire Coast Path westward to the vast, sweeping expanse of Broad Haven South.

The return journey brings you inland, leaving the sea breeze behind as you wander through the sheltered, tranquil woodlands of the Bosherston Lily Ponds.

With its mix of dramatic cliffs, sandy shores, and serene lakes, it is a magnificent, varied day out for the whole family.

From Stackpole, you’ll follow the coast path towards beautiful Barafundle Bay, rated as one of the best beaches in the world, holding a Green Coast and Seaside Award.

This semi-remote, east-facing golden cove offers a combination of soft sands, clear waters, dunes, cliffs, and a coastal path, making it a favourite for hikers and adventurous families.

Follow the route, and you’ll soon reach Broad Haven South, which stretches out in a golden sweep along the Pembrokeshire coast, where dramatic limestone cliffs tower above rolling sand dunes and the striking silhouette of Church Rock rises from the waves.

If you have time, walk from Broad Haven South to Bosherston, a tiny village five miles south of Pembroke. It is huddled around its 13th-century church, St Michael and All Angels and is home to magnificent lily ponds. Read more about my hike in this area here.

Another of my favourite short treks in Pembrokeshire combines sea views, ruins and a lush fish and chip shop in a tiny hamlet – the Abereiddi to Porthgain walk in Pembrokeshire, which is very enjoyable in winter.

This 6.3-km out-and-back trail is well known to cliff divers and is generally considered an easy route. It’s suitable for walkers of all levels, from beginners to experienced hikers, and has one of Wales’ best fish-and-chip spots along the way.

Your route can begin at either end, but I prefer to start at Abereiddi, which has a paid car park and toilet facilities. From the pebble-strewn car park, you’ll follow the waymarked trail over the cliffs towards Porthgain.

Along the way, you’ll pass the famous Blue Lagoon, a cliff diving hotspot that was once the main slate quarry for the St Brides Slate Company, which operated here until 1910. The leftover slate gives the water its stunning aqua-blue hue that photographers love.

Once you have passed the lagoon, keep following the cliff path that traces the craggy shoreline. The easy coast path continues over open grassland, skirting along the cliffs with gorgeous ocean views.

You’ll soon reach Porthgain, a fishing port described by The Guardian as “a prime spot for escaping the ills of the universe,” which once exported roadstone all over the UK and is now home to a pub, gallery and some of the best fish and chips in Wales at the Shed.

The Shed has won acclaim from Sunday Times writer Giles Coren, who called their fish and chip offering “as good as cod or haddock and chips can be”.

He added that it’s “light, fresh and crispy but not with one of those deep bronze, inedibly crunchy, stupidly show-offy batters you find in your urban gastropub.” Chef Stephen Terry has also praised the “really good fish and chips” here.

Bag a table and look out over the harbour while you tuck into some fresh seafood, such as monkfish and prawn curry or halibut with samphire and shallot, served with lemon and caper butter.

Hiking in Wales tips

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Serious hikers should consider using a detailed OS Explorer map to find walking routes and public rights of way in Pembrokeshire and throughout Wales. You should also download the what3words location app as an extra safety measure.

Remember to take water with you for long walks as well. Download the Refill Wales App to find locations where you can fill your reusable water bottle with tap water for free.

The weather can be wildly unpredictable here in Wales, so wherever you hike, pack waterproofs, plenty of water and a hot tea or coffee flask.

That’s especially true when hiking in a mountainous region where conditions can change rapidly. Ramblers Cymru is also an excellent resource for walking tips, routes, and details on group walks in Wales.

It’s vital to carry a range of essentials for hiking in Wales, especially when rambling during a heatwave or a cold snap. Even experienced hikers should be prepared for the unexpected.

Do your research when comparing hiking backpacks. The general rule for outdoor bags is that the pack size you’ll need is usually linked to the length of your trip.

Typically, you want a pack between 10 and 25 litres for day hikes, but always go a bit bigger than you think you’ll need for an epic mountain walk so you can bring all the essentials. Gotta make sure there’s room for a family-sized bar of chocolate, right?

Look for high-quality hiking bags with features such as a bottom-access compartment, front and side pockets, a hip belt, inner and outer lid pockets, a walking-pole attachment, and, preferably, compatibility with hydration packs.

Pack a head torch, compass, map, water bottle or hydration pack, whistle, first aid kit, mobile phone, and warm layers.

It appeared to break out after a fireworks display for the Fourth of July celebrations in New York – eyewitnesses spotted the blaze after the spectacular show on Saturday night

A fire has reportedly broken out on Brooklyn Bridge after a fireworks display for July 4 celebrations in New York.

A livestream of the fireworks display showed the fire burning with what appeared to be workers in hi-vis jackets working to extinguish the blaze.

The dramatic fireworks display had lit up the New York night sky – reports online suggested that the show was halted while the fire was being put out.

It’s not yet clear exactly what started the fire or how much damage has been caused to the iconic structure. Flashing emergency lights could be seen near the blaze and what appeared to be water being fired towards it in an attempt to extinguish the fire.

The blaze is understood to be on the side of the East River.

One eyewitness said: “Oh no! During the NYC America250 Independence Day fireworks celebration, reports emerged that part of the Brooklyn Bridge appeared to be on fire.

” Emergency crews are responding as officials work to determine the cause and assess the situation.”

Another said: “The fireworks are over, but there appears to be a fire on the Brooklyn Bridge.”

Meanwhile, in Washington, severe weather disrupted celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary of independence.

Storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall. President Donald Trump said he will still speak there later Saturday night.

“I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th,” Trump said in a social media post announcing his plans to still deliver a speech, which was expected to begin around 11pm local time.

J W Cockett and Son, on Main Street in Hawes, was founded in 1854 and remains one of the town’s long-standing independent businesses.

The shop is now run by the fifth generation of the Cockett family and continues to sell traditional bakery and butchery goods in the centre of the Wensleydale market town.

For many visitors, it has become a must-stop shop for pork pies, sausages, fruitcake, pastries and walking supplies before heading into the surrounding hills.

J W Cockett and Son (Image: GOOGLE)

The business describes itself as the home of the traditional Cocketts fruitcake, one of its most popular products.

The rich fruitcake is made with currants, sultanas and cherries, and is sold in the shop as well as online in selected sizes.

But the appeal of Cocketts goes beyond one product.

The business combines a traditional bakery and butchery under one roof, with bakery staff starting work in the early hours to prepare fresh goods for the shop and wholesale customers.

The bakery produces three types of bread, along with tray bakes, sponge cakes, pastries, sausage rolls and meat pies.

Fresh hot and cold filled rolls are also available daily, making the shop popular with walkers, visitors and people looking for lunch in Hawes.

The business also highlights its local supply chain, with eggs used in the bakery sourced from Wensleydale free-range eggs at a family-run farm in Fingall, near Leyburn.

Its butchery side also has strong local links.

The shop’s beef, lamb, poultry, pork and game is as locally sourced as possible, taking advantage of the shop’s position in a farming area surrounded by Dales fields and farms.

The butchery offers sausages, pies and seasonal products, including locally reared turkeys, geese and fowl during the festive period.

Its pork pies are especially popular with customers.

On Tripadvisor, J W Cockett and Son has a five-star rating from a small number of reviews, with visitors repeatedly singling out the pork pies, sausages, bakery products and friendly service.

One visitor from Liverpool said the shop became a daily stop during a stay near Hawes.

They described the produce as “beautiful, tasty and quality” and said they would recommend the pork pie as the best they had ever had.

They also praised the egg custards, Eccles cakes, farmhouse sausages and tomato sausages, adding that they planned to stock up before returning home.

Another reviewer said they had once lived in Lincolnshire and still did not mind travelling hours for Cocketts.

They said they went for the pork pies and could not find anywhere with pies to match.

Others have praised the business as a “fantastic bakery” with “delicious” products, while also highlighting the quality of the butcher’s side.

Google reviews tell a similar story, with customers calling it a “great butchers and bakers” and praising products including bacon, sausages, pork pies, Eccles cakes, fat rascals and Yorkshire cheesecakes.

One visitor said it was “nice to find a butchers and bakers on the same premises” and even better that both parts of the business were equally good.

Another called the pork pies “legendary”, saying they were worth the visit alone.

In an era when many high streets have lost independent butchers, bakers and family-run shops, J W Cockett and Son remains a rare survivor.

British prime minister Keir Starmer has apologised in the House of Commons for historical forced adoptions in England. Present in the gallery were mothers and adult adoptees directly affected by the practice.

In his apology Starmer praised their courage and resilience in steadfastly campaigning for truth and justice, and described what they faced as “a stain on our history”.

“To all those impacted and affected,” he said, “I say this: the shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours.”

As Starmer recognised, this formal apology follows earlier attempts by governments in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – and beyond – to address this traumatic history.

During the three decades following the second world war, historians estimate that between 300,000 and 500,000 children in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland were removed from their mothers. Most of these women were single, and their children were put up for adoption without their free and informed consent.

While an apology is to be welcomed, campaigners and scholars alike highlight that it is long overdue. A culture of shame rooted in Catholic, Protestant and other religious traditions, and dating back to the 19th century, endured throughout the 20th century. Our research shows this was not just discriminatory but also costly and damaging to all affected families. As Starmer acknowledged in his statement, authorities used their power to exploit vulnerable women and their infants.

History of shame

The welfare model that emerged in Britain and Ireland in the post-war era was inherently gendered. Women and children qualified for support only as the wives, widows or children of male breadwinners. This was reinforced by an economic system that prioritised that male breadwinner making it virtually impossible for women and single mothers in particular to be financially independent through their own earning power.

Governments in the UK and Ireland failed to provide housing and financial support to single mothers, or, as they were then called, “unmarried mothers” and their so-called “illegitimate” children. These terms were intended to convey the stigma attached to sex outside marriage. Only the woman, however, bore the shame of any resulting pregnancy.

Single mothers were cast as a danger to the moral and economic fabric of society. Sending many of them to institutions to birth their babies and have them adopted was imbued with a strong moral force. Secrecy was important in protecting this system, reinforcing the woman’s shame, and rendering her “readmission” into society contingent on compliance.

In 1943, the UK Ministry of Health introduced subsidies for mother-and-baby homes in England; in Scotland, this came into effect the following year. Recipients included homes run by religious and secular groups, as well as registered adoption societies. As a result of the funding, more homes were established. The adoption workforce grew in stature. The number of adoptions rose.

In Ireland, the mother-and baby-homes were largely run by Catholic groups, or, when Protestant, by lay groups. These institutions were funded by public monies, charity and the unpaid labour of the mothers.

Such networks of control crossed borders and were firmly embedded throughout multiple religious, political (state and local) and social structures. The UK and Irish governments were happy for the welfare of these vulnerable women and children to be deemed a moral and religious issue. They offered some funding, but little oversight.

By the 1950s adoption was the preferred official solution to illegitimacy. The rights of the adoptive parents to be parents were prioritised over those of the birth mothers and their babies, who began to be framed as delinquent, selfish, welfare “spongers”.

Enduring stigma

In 1972, Ireland introduced a small unmarried mothers’ allowance. This was prompted not out of any new moral clarity, but the desire to discourage women from seeking abortions in Britain. The first legislation to provide unmarried mothers with the legal right to housing and a non-means-tested state benefit for one-parent families was introduced in England and Wales in 1974, and in Scotland in 1977.

By the 1980s, for various reasons, adoption rates declined in all these countries. Since then, the numbers of one-parent families have increased considerably. Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that in 2021, 15.4% of children in the UK were raised by lone parents; in Ireland that rate was up to 25%.

The majority of one-parent families have always been headed by women. Scotland has the highest rate at 92%; in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the percentage hovers around 86%. Female-headed families have been economically, socially, and medically vulnerable. They are more likely to live in poverty and have poorer health and educational outcomes than two-parent families.

While social attitudes have changed, biases persist. Organisations including One Parent Families Scotland, Gingerbread and One Family in Ireland all report that these mothers continue to feel stigmatised for being a lone parent.

In 2013, Australia’s prime minister Julia Gillard issued an apology to the Australians affected by forced adoptions. Governments in Ireland, Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales have had various responses.

In Ireland, when the final report of an inquiry the government had commissioned was published in 2021, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, apologised for how women and children were treated in these institutions. He did not, however, apologise for the coerced adoptions or the human rights violations these represent.

Since their apologies in 2023 to mothers and families affected by forced adoption, the Scottish and Welsh governments have not granted survivors’ testimony any value and hence, have blocked their access to justice and any redress.

In Northern Ireland, by contrast, a 2021 report into mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries led to the government initiating a Truth and Recovery Programme. The independent panel is due to publish its detailed report on July 9.

England is the last nation in the British Isles to officially acknowledge this shameful history. Doing so is a crucial first step towards justice for the survivors. Starmer is right to point out, however, that an apology in and of itself is not enough. The government must heed survivors’ accounts and provide full redress, failing which these will be empty words of little value.

Starmer has duly promised to fund a national online resource providing people with a single-access point, and the support necessary, to locate records pertaining to the adoptions they were involved in. In order to ensure that lessons from the past are learned and that nothing like this ever happens in England again, the prime minister said the government will be commissioning a testimonials project, to capture the experiences of those whose lives were upended by forced adoption.

Addressing, finally, the campaigners who persisted in campaigning this issue for decades, he said: “It should never have happened, and you should not have had to fight so hard for this day to come.”

It’s the drug that midlife women increasingly claim is the key to finally overcoming menopause symptoms, banishing fatigue and reviving their libido.

No wonder, then, that NHS prescriptions for testosterone HRT have surged eight-fold in five years – with the therapy championed by celebrities from broadcaster Davina McCall to celebrity chef Dame Prue Leith.

But, for some, the effect of testosterone therapy can be underwhelming. Or its benefits can quickly fade – often within weeks or months.

This was the case for Daily Mail columnist Nadine Dorries, who last week revealed how, just three months after beginning testosterone therapy to tackle brain fog and exhaustion, ‘the positives have begun to subside’. Nadine previously detailed the remarkable turnaround she had experienced when she began treatment. ‘I could once again think clearly, and the relief was immense,’ she wrote. ‘I had honestly forgotten how good life can be.’

In response to the drop-off, her GP chose to double the dose and, thankfully, she says she can once again ‘feel the difference already and I’m back on form’.

However, experts say that, for many patients for whom the effects of testosterone fade, increasing the dose is not always necessary. Instead, they argue that many patients can ‘turbocharge’ their testosterone therapy by making other changes.

These include changing sleeping patterns, cutting out certain food and drink, as well as following a particular exercise routine.

NHS prescriptions for testosterone HRT have surged eight-fold in the last five years 

Crucially, experts also say that many patients are making common mistakes when applying their testosterone that could be impacting its efficacy.

‘It’s very normal for the effects of drugs to lessen over time,’ says Dr Naomi Potter, co-author of Davina McCall’s book Menopausing. ‘But there are things you can do to maximise your body’s response.’

While testosterone is often seen as a male hormone, women also produce it in smaller amounts in the ovaries and adrenal glands.

It plays a key role in sexual desire by boosting dopamine – the ‘feel-good’ chemical linked to pleasure, decision-making, mood and focus.

Levels peak in the mid-to-late 20s, then gradually decline with age. However, experts say this does not mean all women will need to take it. Most women who develop menopause symptoms in midlife will respond well to standard hormone replacement therapy, which usually comprises the two female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

But, for some, particularly those with persistently low libido, testosterone might be recommended.

Almost all women prescribed testosterone therapy in the UK will typically take it as a gel that is rubbed into the skin every day.

But the treatment won’t be effective for everyone. Dr Paula Briggs, a reproductive and sexual health consultant at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, believes that only one in ten women experience a benefit.

It is also still unclear whether it improves menopause symptoms beyond libido, as there is no data that it combats other common issues such as brain fog or poor sleep – but studies looking into this are ongoing.

However, the way to get the best results from testosterone therapy is to also focus on boosting natural testosterone levels.

‘Medication isn’t the only way to get your levels up,’ says Dr Potter.

‘You can’t just take the drug and hope that all your symptoms go away. It’s important to look after your body too.’

One of the most important factors is getting enough sleep. Studies show that most people need between seven and eight hours a night – however, it is important not to get too much sleep, either.

A 2023 study, published in the journal Andrology, found middle-aged women who slept for less than six hours tended to have low testosterone – but so too did those who slept for more than nine hours.

Davina McCall holding a tube of testosterone. The broadcaster is a vocal supporter of the therapy

Dr Naomi Potter, co-author of Davina’s book Menopausing, says that excercise is crucial for boosting testosterone. Twice-weekly resistance training could boost levels in two months

‘One of the best ways to ensure you are getting the right amount of sleep is to go to bed and wake up at the same times,’ says Dr Potter. ‘This will help regulate your hormones, so they are not spiking or dropping.’

Another way to boost testosterone levels is to avoid caffeine and alcohol.

‘During the menopause the body becomes more sensitive to caffeine,’ she adds. ‘So you are more likely to feel more anxious and sleep less, both of which will worsen your testosterone levels. The same is true for alcohol.’

Dr Potter also argues that exercise is crucial for boosting testosterone. One 1998 US study found that twice-weekly resistance training – muscle-strengthening exercises that involve weights or bands – could boost female testosterone levels in two months.

Any exercise is helpful – provided you don’t multi-task while doing it.

‘One of the most important parts of exercise is that it tackles stress levels,’ says Dr Potter. ‘And all exercise has this effect, whether it’s running or weight-lifting.

‘But if you are watching something on your phone or responding to emails at the same time as exercising, this is going to keep your stress levels up and reduce its positive effects.’

Another reason many women find their testosterone therapy stops working – or is not as effective as they expected – is because they are not using it correctly.

Testosterone medication typically comes in a pump dispenser or sachet. But Dr Potter says that many patients do not use enough of it.

‘It’s common for patients to not get all the gel out of the packet,’ she says. ‘And if you underdose like this over several weeks you will start to feel a difference.’

She adds that many patients do not realise they need to wait for it to absorb into the skin. ‘If you wear clothing over the top of the area where the gel has been applied, this can rub it off,’ she says.

‘Likewise, if you go in the sea, apply sunscreen to the area or even just sweat in the sun, this can all reduce its effect.

‘I’ve even had patients who were getting into hot tubs or saunas straight after applying it, who didn’t realise this would lessen its impact.’

Dr Potter says that anyone who believes their testosterone therapy is no longer working should speak to their GP.

‘It’s possible that a larger dose might be necessary,’ she says. ‘But, often, it’s worth checking whether you are taking the drug correctly and that you are doing everything possible to keep your body healthy.’

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of a nuclear-capable cruise missile and other weapons aboard a new 5,000-ton destroyer, the Kang Kon, repaired after being damaged in a failed launch ceremony last year, state media said Sunday, in the latest military display marking Kim’s push to build a nuclear-armed navy.

The official Korean Central News Agency said Friday’s event included test-firings of a strategic cruise missile and of the Kang Kon’s main gun and automatic cannons, as well as trials of its electronic warfare systems and assessments of its target-detection and information-processing capabilities.

After observing the tests from shore, Kim ordered officials to complete the destroyer’s trials and place the vessel in active duty within two months, the state news agency said.

The tests came after North Korea in late June commissioned its first 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, a milestone Kim marked with a lavish ceremony where he declared that the nuclear armament of his navy was proceeding as planned.

After years of prioritizing ballistic missile development, Kim has increasingly turned his focus to naval capabilities, including the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine. While outlining his five-year military goals at February’s Workers’ Party congress, Kim also called for intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of underwater launches.

North Korea first unveiled the Choe Hyon in April 2025, which Kim portrayed as a major step toward expanding his military’s operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities. KCNA has said the warship is equipped with a range of systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-ship weapons as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

South Korean officials and experts say the vessel was likely built with Russian assistance amid deepening military ties between the countries, but some analysts have questioned how effective the vessel would be in active service.

The Kang Kon was unveiled a month after the Choe Hyon in May 2025, but it was damaged during a botched launch at the northern port of Chongjin, prompting a furious response from Kim. The country later said the ship was relaunched in June after repairs, but outside experts have questioned whether it’s genuinely ready for active duty.

Kim has also called for building two new 5,000-ton warships annually over the next five years, as well as developing a larger 10,000-ton destroyer.