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NewsBeat

Where will Jill Scott be in County Durham on Sport Relief challenge?

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Where will Jill Scott be in County Durham on Sport Relief challenge?

The former Manchester City midfielder kicked off the fundraising challenge at London’s Wembley Stadium, the site of her 2022 Euros win with the Lionesses, and will make her way North to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

Scott set off on Monday (June 8) morning and will aim to complete a 112-mile bike ride to Villa Park on day one of the challenge.

She will then tackle a 99-mile ride to Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium on day two, followed by a 38-mile run into Manchester on day three.

Former Lioness Jill Scott sets off from Wembley Stadium, north London, at the stat of a five day cycle and marathon challenge for Sport Relief, which will complete a 388 mile route from Wembley Stadium in London to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (Image: PA MEDIA)

The former footballer will then do a Tour de France-style 111-mile cycle to the North East on Thursday, finishing in West Auckland.

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She will travel through Bishop Auckland, Coundon, Spennymoor, Croxdale, Durham, and Houghton-le-Spring, on a 28-mile run to the Stadium of Light on Friday (June 12).

Where will Jill Scott be travelling through in County Durham and North Yorkshire during the challenge?

  • West Auckland
  • Bishop Auckland
  • Coundon
  • Spennymoor
  • Croxdale
  • Durham
  • Piercebridge
  • Melsonby
  • Aldbrough St John
  • Richmond
  • Leyburn
  • Barden Moor
  • Grassington
  • Bolton Abbey

Over the course of the challenge, she will stop by different football stadiums and community hubs with a few familiar faces, including her former football teammates, joining her along the way.

When will it be happening?

With an estimated arrival in Sunderland of between 4.30pm-5pm on Friday, Jill’s route sees her running and cycling through Houghton and down the A690 Durham Road to Keel Square in the city centre, then heading across the river over Keel Crossing and through Roker, before reaching the finish line in front of the Stadium of Light.

People will be able to monitor Jill’s progress as she makes her way through Sunderland and find out where she is on a live journey tracker on Jill Scott’s Coming Home Challenge for Sport Relief | Comic Relief 

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Jill said: “I honestly think this is going to push me further than anything I’ve ever done in football. I’ve got a dodgy knee and a few niggly old injuries from my playing days, which I need to look after, but I’m determined not to let that hold me back. It’s nerve-racking when I look at some of these distances, running marathons and cycling hundreds of miles back-to-back.

“Just like throughout my career, I know I’m going to need a community behind me to get me across that finish line.

“This challenge means so much to me because my journey started long before my days at Wembley.

“It started with people believing in me, supporting me and giving me opportunities when I needed them most.

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“One thing football taught me is that you never get through difficult moments alone. When things get tough, it’s the people around you who carry you through, and that’s exactly what this challenge is about.

“If people can get behind me, donate, and cheer me on, we can do something much bigger than just getting me across a finish line.

“My dodgy knees and niggly injuries are nothing compared to what so many people are going through right now. Together with Sport Relief, we can help people through the toughest times – and show everyone that no matter how hard things get, no one has to face it alone.”

“A lot of young people say they feel lonely, they feel disconnected. That’s definitely something that Sport Relief really do help with – giving kids a sense of belonging, a purpose.

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“I would just urge people, if you are in a position to help, please make sure you do, because without those green spaces, without those youth clubs, I would never have gone on to fulfil my dreams of playing for England.”

You can track where Jill is on her Coming Home Challenge for Sport Relief and donate by visiting comicrelief.com/jillscott.

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why South Africa wants to revive the international trade, and why critics fear the consequences

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why South Africa wants to revive the international trade, and why critics fear the consequences

South Africa wants to expand exports of rhino hunting trophies and other wildlife products. The move relies on an exemption process within the international treaty that has largely restricted rhino horn trade since 1977.

It’s a shift that could reopen one of global conservation’s fiercest debates: does a legal trade protect endangered species – or hasten their decline?

International trade in rhino horn exports remains heavily restricted under Cites – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. However, countries can obtain permits for certain exports if they provide scientific evidence that trade will not harm the species’ survival chances.

The South African government has released a new assessment, signed by environment minister Willie Aucamp, arguing that this condition has been met. It concludes that exports of protected species, including rhino, elephant and lion would not threaten their survival in South Africa. The assessment argues that the ban on rhino horn trade has been counterproductive, linking it to increased poaching, organised wildlife crime and higher black-market prices for rhino horn.

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The policy shift follows a change in ministerial leadership. Aucamp replaced Dion George, who had spoken out against captive wildlife breeding and the commercialisation of endangered species. Critics cite concerns over Aucamp’s background as a wildlife farmer and argue the change signals a broader shift towards policies favoured by South Africa’s wildlife and hunting industries and their well-organised lobby. Aucamp’s government profile states he has been actively involved in the conservation sector.

The dramatic policy change brings into focus the conflict between traditional conservationists and the wildlife ranching and trophy hunting industry in South Africa, an industry that is reputedly worth more than US$1.5 billion (£1 billion) per year

The case for trading rhino horn

Poaching of rhino for their horn is thought to be the single greatest threat to the future of African rhino (the black rhino and white rhino species). Rhino are poached because rhino horn is worth so much on the illegal market.

Anti-poaching patrols, infrastructure and surveillance are expensive. Supporters argue that the income generated through exports will act as an incentive to private land owners to better protect rhino.

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Anti-poacher patrols in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa.
Nature Picture Library / Alamy

Enabling international export of rhino will additionally bring economic benefits to wildlife ranchers, breeders, and companies that profit from trophy hunting.

The rhino horn trade could lead to more poaching

However, if the rhino horn trade is legitimised and even facilitated, market demand could increase. A previous one-off legal sale of elephant ivory in 2008 was associated with a elephant poaching spike and a dramatic increase in the illegal ivory trade. A legal supply of rhino horn may support a continuation or increase in poaching, endangering the survival of rhino species in South Africa and beyond.

There are fewer than 50 individuals left in two of the three Asiatic rhino species: the Javan and Sumatran rhino. The effects of international trade in African rhino on Asian rhino species should not be overlooked.

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Wildlife charities have been calling for “demand reduction” campaigns for years. Re-opening and legalising the international trade in rhino could fatally undermine these attempts to make horn consumption and ownership socially unacceptable.

In my opinion the optimal route to conserving rhino is to reduce the market demand for rhino horn, to discourage people from wanting rhino horn, not to fuel desire for rhino products by legalising trade.

What this means for rhinos themselves

Rhinos are an intrinsic part of their native ecosystems. But when owners and breeders can benefit economically from exports, there is a risk rhinos become valued primarily for what they can be sold for. This could mean these wild beasts are bred and managed akin to domesticated cattle. “Wild” rhino could become an afterthought or sideshow to the global trade.

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Sedated rhino surrounded by people

A rhino in South Africa is sedated before being moved to safety.
Jason Gilchrist

South African rhino baron John Hume was the owner of the world’s largest private herd. He built up a population of over 2,000 rhino that were farmed as livestock with their horns harvested. Hume lobbied intensively for a re-opening of the trade in rhino horn, arguing that it would be for the good of the rhino. Ultimately, Hume went bankrupt, and the herd had to be rescued by rewilding charity African Parks.

Hume is now under investigation for allegedly exporting 964 rhino horns to Southeast Asia. Hume denies the allegations and insists he has “nothing to hide”.

Now another South African rhino rancher has asked the court for permission to legally sell 479 stockpiled rhino horns overseas.

Killing to conserve

Additionally, there is the moral and ethical question of whether endangered species including rhino can or should be saved by killing individuals for trophy or sport. Can we kill to conserve? That question is not unique to rhino but applies to wildlife conservation generally, across multiple species, and internationally.

Trophy hunting is not universally accepted as a morally or ethically defensible conservation tool. In November 2025, Namibia asked Cites to scrap the global ban on rhino horn trade, but was defeated by 120 votes to 30. The move by South Africa to increase rhino trophy export permits could damage the nation’s reputation on the international stage.

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South Africa also planned to end captive lion breeding and “canned lion hunting”, which both contribute to the lion bone trade. Recent political changes mean this commitment is being questioned.

The about turn in wildlife policy, supporting commodification of rhino, lion and numerous other endangered species, means that South Africa may be backing itself into an uncomfortable corner on the world stage when it comes to valuing and caring for its biodiversity.

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Baby Preston’s death ‘foreseeable’ at hands of adoptive teacher dad, court hears

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Daily Record

Little Preston Davey was just 13 months old when he died after his adoptive dad Jamie Varley alleged he became submerged in water in the bathtub

A baby boy was left “at the mercy” of his adoptive father who stands accused of murdering and sexually abusing the tot, a jury had heard.

Preston Crown Court has heard how little Preston Davey was alone in the care of Jamie Varley, a teacher, at the time he went into cardiac and respiratory arrest, reports Manchester Evening News.

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The 13-month-old suddenly collapsed in an incident “foreseeable and foreseen” by Varley’s partner and co-accused, John McGowan-Fazakerley, the prosecution alleges. Preston was taken to Blackpool Hospital by the pair on July 27, 2023, at 6.20pm but sadly died.

Varley, 37, claimed he had left the youngster alone in the bath when he found him unresponsive at this Blackpool home. Yet a post-mortem exam found no evidence of drowning and more than 40 internal and external injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, the prosecution says.

He denies murder – and an alternative charge of manslaughter – and Mr McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, denies causing or allowing Preston’s death.

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In his closing speech to the jury on Monday (June 8), Peter Wright KC said Preston’s placement with the defendants was ‘supposed to be the start of a new life together for each of them’, Lancs Live reports.

But less than four months later Preston had died – with his body bearing internal and external injuries consistent with abuse, Mr Wright said.

The prosecutor said Mr Varley’s sexual interest in the little boy was apparent ‘within weeks’, as demonstrated by photos and videos which the prosecution says amount to indecent images.

He said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley was ‘all too aware’ and had taken part in a sexual assault on Preston four days before he died.

On July 24, Preston was left alone in a bath for 14 minutes in footage captured on Mr Varley’s phone, and there were further episodes of physical and psychological abuse, the prosecution says.

“Preston’s death was a tragedy waiting to happen”, Mr Wright told the jury.

“Mr McGowan-Fazakerley knew that and chose to ignore it. Mr Varley knew it was an ever-increasing risk, and by 27 July, he knew it was a virtual certainty, but carried on regardless.”

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The prosecutor said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley was ‘confronted with exactly the circumstances he should have foreseen’ on July 27, 2023.

“By then it was too late, and as Preston lay dying, he (Mr Varley) needed an explanation – and the charade that then followed was conducted.”

Mr Varley claimed he had left Preston alone in the bath and found him submerged in the water. But a post-mortem found no evidence of drowning and more than 40 internal and external injuries consistent with physical and sexual abuse, the prosecution says.

“Was his death the result of some terrible accident, his injuries the result of efforts to save his life rather than some more sinister pathology or did his body internally and externally tell a very different tale?” Mr Wright KC asked.

“One of physical and sexual abuse shortly before his death of acute upper airways obstruction at the hands of Mr Varley in what should have been, his home, a place of safety – not one of danger.”

He said the abuse of Preston on July 27 was ‘the final act in a litany of physical and psychological ill treatment that had become an all too regular, depressingly common aspect of his short life, punctuated as it was with episodes of physical and sexual assault.’

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The prosecutor said it was ‘inconceivable’ that Mr Varley would confide in a colleague that he was struggling with dark thoughts of drowning or suffocating the baby – but not reveal these thoughts to his partner.

He said Mr McGowan-Fazakerley’s failure to act amounted to a ‘dereliction of his duty.’ “Preston was at the mercy of Jamie Varley’s attention on the afternoon of July 27”, Mr Wright said. “He paid for it with his life.

“Each of these defendants failed this little boy in the way that is set out in this indictment and accordingly we invite you to find each of them guilty.”

Mr Varley, 37, is accused of murder; manslaughter; sexual assault of a child under 13; inflicting grievous bodily harm; five counts of child cruelty; and further counts of making, taking and distributing indecent images.

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Mr McGowan-Fazakerley is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child; two counts of child cruelty; and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Both men deny all the charges against them. The trial continues.

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Lineker says ‘marriage’ with BBC ‘starting to run out of love’ by time he left

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Lineker says ‘marriage’ with BBC ‘starting to run out of love’ by time he left

The former Barcelona striker fronts The Rest Is Football podcast alongside former footballers Micah Richards and Alan Shearer with the series airing as a daily TV show on Netflix for the 2026 World Cup to cover events in the US, Canada and Mexico, where the tournament is being held.

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Council tax crisis as 1.5m in court action over unpaid bills

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Council tax crisis as 1.5m in court action over unpaid bills

The findings, released by the GMB union, suggest at least 1.4 million court summonses were issued by 200 local authorities across Britain during the 2024/25 financial year.

However, the true figure could be even higher because not every council responded to Freedom of Information requests submitted by the union.

The figures have reignited concerns about the growing pressure facing households as council tax bills continue to rise across the country.

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Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, described the findings as evidence that the current council tax system is no longer fit for purpose.

“These horrifying figures show our council tax system is completely broken,” she said.

The union argues that councils are increasingly relying on enforcement action to recover money as they struggle with stretched budgets and rising costs.

Ms Harrison said: “Not only is the banding system woefully out of date, but forcing cash-strapped councils to pursue one-and-a-half million people through the courts just to make ends meet can’t be the right way to do business.”

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The warning comes as many households continue to face financial pressures from rising living costs, housing expenses and higher utility bills.

The GMB says years of underfunding have left councils with little choice but to take tougher action against residents who fall behind on payments.

“Austerity left deep scars on all our public services, which will last a generation or more,” Ms Harrison said.

She added that funding pressures also affect the workers who deliver essential local services.

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“Meanwhile, the lack of authority funding often means low pay for the people we rely on to look after our loved ones, to take our rubbish, to keep our towns and cities running.”


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The union is calling for major reforms, including changes to council tax and business rates, alongside increased support from central government.

Ms Harrison said: “To fix all this, we need more guaranteed central government funding, progress on council tax reform so the richest pay their share, and changes to business rates so that authorities get more to regenerate our high streets.”

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The figures were due to be discussed at the GMB’s annual congress in Blackpool, where delegates are expected to debate the future of council funding and local taxation.

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FCA aims to help more people such as first-time buyers to access mortgages

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FCA aims to help more people such as first-time buyers to access mortgages

The consultation document said: “We believe that interest-only and part interest-only/part repayment lending could support some FTBs (first-time buyers) in getting on the property ladder, however the changes we are proposing are targeted, and would not make interest-only mortgages universally accessible.”

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Recycling centre fire brought under control

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Recycling centre fire brought under control

Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who attended the scene, said: “Firefighters have been working hard to extinguish a fire at a recycling centre. At the height of the fire, a large amount of refuse and a warehouse unit were alight. There are currently no reports of any injuries.

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Man ‘seriously injured’ and one arrested after stabbing ‘chaos’ in north Belfast street

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Belfast Live

Police have arrested one man and remain at the scene

A man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing in north Belfast.

Police were called to the scene of the incident in Kinnaird Avenue at around 10:30pm on Monday, June 8.

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A local resident explained the “chaos” as graphic videos shared online appear to show a man be stabbed several times in the head.

PSNI have confirmed a man has been arrested in relation to the incident. A large police presence remains in place with cordons in the area.

An eyewitness told the Belfast Telegraph, “three men, one armed with a hurl, got the fella with the knife off the victim.”

A spokesperson for PSNI said: “Police in north Belfast are currently in attendance at Kinnaird Avenue following the report of a stabbing incident shortly after 10.30pm on Monday 8th June.

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“A man has been arrested in relation to the incident and is in police custody while a second man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Officers will remain in the area to conduct their enquiries and would ask anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have captured dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with their investigation, to call them at Tennent Street on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1654 08/06/26.”

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Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?

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Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?
It’s that time again (Nintendo)

The Tuesday letters page struggles to understand the Xbox exclusivity policy, as a reader encourages more games to go head-to-head with GTA 6.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Direct assumption
So the Nintendo Direct we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. 50 minutes of pure Nintendo showcase, ready to disappoint us all!

Will the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake be there? I have no idea, but I do know that Nintendo will hate the idea that it leaked and that if there’s anything they can do to shuffle it around the schedules, and not make it this year’s game, they will. But yeah, overall I think it’s likely.

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I just hope they don’t waste too much time on Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem and other things we already know about. That quote from the boss seems to prove they know they need to impress but I’m not convinced, Nintendo hates to do the obvious and they did say it was only games for this year.

Personally, I’m guessing maybe a couple more Switch 2 editions (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, anyone?) and maybe this rumour about a new Wario Land game, or something else small scale. That and The Duskbloods and you’re doing okay, although I really don’t see 2026 being a classic year for Nintendo overall.
Bagul

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Small hopes
I’m excited about the idea of a Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake as anyone but at the same time, does it not seem a bit disappointing that the biggest game of 2026 from Nintendo is going to be a remake? We’ve had virtually nothing from them so far this year (even their best game, Pokémon Pokopia, they didn’t actually make themselves) and Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave are hard to get that excited about.

And what else will we have other than Zelda, if that is true? Probably not much else. Maybe some smaller games but I can’t imagine them suddenly pulling two or three triple-A games out of the bag, that are all going to be released this year. I agree with GC’s summary of the Switch 2’s first year, it’s not been a disaster, but it’s certainly been a disappointment.
Cubit

Just as you remember
Anyone a bit disappointed by Persona 4 Revival reveal? I was left feeling silly for expecting the graphics and character models to be a bit more lifelike; I mean of course it’s anime style (duh). But I’m therefore wondering what the point of it is. In fact, the graphics themselves still look last gen at best.

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Meanwhile, I think Fumito Ueda’s new project looks very exciting. I recently played through ICO again on the PlayStation 2 and it has aged so well, even the graphics. There’s an example of perfect art direction.
Owen Pile (NongWen – PSN ID)

GC: Persona 4 is also a PlayStation 2 game, so there are improvements in the remake. But we agree, it doesn’t look any different than you remember it, especially as it’s clearly using the Persona 5 engine.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The only way is up
Yes, good bring back exclusives. Either people want Xbox to have exclusives or not, which is it? Seems to me they can’t win either way, people will complain regardless. Besides, the only annoying thing about that showcase for me, as a Xbox Series X owner is that I know I don’t have the time or money for all those games.

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I haven’t played Gears Of War and Halo since the sequels, but I will go back to Game Pass for those two games.

I was kind of hoping Xbox would announce a price cut, no matter how modest. Or perhaps £25 off the Xbox Series X25, which would be clever marketing, I think.

Also, I have to mention Metro 2039. Wow, it looks incredible. Metro Exodus, in my opinion
had one of the best campaigns for a first person shooter I have ever seen, with such well written characters. So I’m really looking forward to that one.
Stephen

GC: Thanks to the memory crisis, hardware prices are never coming down, for anything.

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The long haul
I hate falling for the rumour bandwagon.

There is some great stuff coming out in the next year, but as nostalgic as I am, I was excited to see a new WipEout game from Sony, but I think they do not realise how important the original games sold the PlayStation in Europe, and helped establish the brand they are today.

Also, another gripe. Where are the PS5 Pro official console covers already?
GarBo

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GC: If the rumours are correct – that Sony is only now looking to bring back some of its older brands – that would mean any new entry is many years away from actually coming out.

Logical decision
I have been struggling to come up with an explanation for Microsoft’s exclusive announcements and I just can’t do it. Nothing about it makes any sense, including everything they’ve said to try and explain it.

Maybe they’re doing it to please hardcore Xbox fans but you’re talking about a noisy minority there, that’s never going to be happy with anything you do. You have two exclusives they’re going to demand four and more until they’re not satisfied with anything but all of them.

The obvious problem with doing it, is that you’re not making as much money, because you’re not selling on PlayStation 5 and less people have an Xbox nowadays. Plus, you’re not getting people into the Gears Of War franchise, which is especially going to annoy those who bought last year’s remaster and planned to get E-Day as well.

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But at the end of the day the question that cuts through all the nonsense is why those two games? Why are Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution exclusives but others aren’t? Either they made that decision based on logic that they can explain to us or they just picked them at random, which is it?

What worries me is that the answer is likely to be closer to the random explanation, because I really don’t have any confidence Xbox knows what it’s doing anymore.
Focus

Counter-programming
I think it’d be neat to see more games going up against GTA 6 this November that are completely different to it. A collection of Barbie games is pretty extreme but I’m sure there are plenty of other games that are nothing like GTA and would interest people that are not interested in the game.

I mean, statistically, there’s got to be far more people that don’t care about GTA 6 than do, so I don’t see why you can’t release some cosy games, strategy games, maybe even some horror games, since it will be dark out by that point. GTA 6 isn’t going to cover any of the angles and some people are going to prefer that kind of thing to just another gangster sim.
Taylor Moon

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Wrong audience
It’s been obvious for a while now that the average age of gamers is skewing very old (in comparison to the stereotype of what a gamer is). As someone in their thirties this should please me, as it should mean that companies will try to design games more to please people like me.

However, I do not find this to really be the case. We are seeing a slight turn towards more single-player games at the moment but mostly publishers seem frustrated that the average age is creeping up and that young people are not buying their games, and so they target them even more.

Sony and Ubisoft aren’t making these endless live service games to appeal to thirtysomethings. Coming up with the new Fortnite is not something that’s going to excite anyone that’s 37.

It makes me think of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, which was made primarily for younger audiences. Except they weren’t interested in it and since older fans never wanted it in the first place it ended up being a movie for no one.

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I think there’s a danger of a lot of games falling in the same category, because at the end of the day companies prefer to have younger fans, because then they can get their claws in early and keep them spending for decades.

They know that anyone approaching their middle age and beyond is going to have less time to play games and probably won’t fall for microtransactions gimmicks as much, so we’re not really the audience they want.
Gaston

Inbox also-rans
The big Nintendo Direct we’ve all been waiting for is Tuesday? You better have that Mario peaking from behind a curtain photo or it won’t be tradition!
Onibee

GC: You betcha!

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It was so weird to see the Activision logo come up and it wasn’t for Call Of Duty. Even better that it was Spyro. Let’s hope it’s Prototype next!
Stoz

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

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‘Israel and Iran step back’ and ‘Is university a waste of money?’

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'Israel and Iran step back' and 'Is university a waste of money?'
The headline on the front page of the the Guardian reads: “Zelenskyy takes aim at Reform UK's 'mistake' on Ukraine flags".

The Guardian splashes on an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he says he hopes UK town halls will bring back Ukrainian flags. “Israel and Iran step back from full-blown conflict,” the paper says elsewhere, reporting that both nations say they have halted attacks on each other, following an exchange of fire for the first time since April’s truce. It came following an appeal from Donald Trump to “immediately stop shooting”, the paper says, after attacks re-ignited fears of a “return to a full-scale regional war in the Middle East”.

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Nithya Raman advances to November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

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Nithya Raman advances to November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Progressive city council member Nithya Raman has advanced to a November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, setting up an unexpected matchup between two Democrats and former political allies to run the struggling city of nearly 4 million.

The outcome means Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality television personality from “The Hills,” is out of the running. His candidacy had drawn national attention because of his celebrity and willingness to challenge liberal governance in a city dominated by Democrats, but the buzz did not translate into enough votes to make the runoff.

Raman made a last-minute entry into the race, after she had endorsed Bass for reelection. She was elected to the council with the support of the Democratic Socialists of America, and the election will test whether voters in the heavily Democratic city want to move further to the political left to address long-running problems of homelessness, buckled streets and sidewalks and climbing rent and home prices.

The race also has historical markers. Bass is the first Black woman to hold the post, and Raman could be the first South Asian woman in the job.

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“If you’re as frustrated by the broken status quo as I am, I hope you’ll join our movement to build a city that works for everyone,” Raman said in a statement. “For too long, City Hall has prioritized giving political advantage to powerful interests that fund elections. Meanwhile, working people pay the price in higher rents, depleted services and a city that has stopped working for them.”

“A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning,” said Bass campaign strategist Douglas Herman.

The mayoral matchup sets the field in one of the state’s two marquee races. In the other, the California governor’s race, Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election but it’s not yet clear if he will face Republican Steve Hilton or fellow Democrat Tom Steyer.

The mayoral race was technically nonpartisan, so the candidates appeared on the ballot without party identification next to their names.

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The election was not a vote of confidence in Bass, who according to incomplete returns received under 35% of the vote, a vulnerable position for an incumbent.

Raman had been running in third until Sunday, but she gained more votes with every update provided by election officials in Los Angeles since June 2, primary day.

Bass represents the Democratic establishment as the incumbent mayor, and she’s backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with influential labor unions. She served in the state Legislature and Congress before becoming mayor in 2022 and was under consideration to be former President Joe Biden’s running mate in 2020.

Raman — in her first run for citywide office — has promised to speed up housing construction, bring back entertainment industry jobs and improve services in a city known for dirty streets, gridlock and homeless encampments that are commonplace in many neighborhoods.

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“What we are doing right now is just not working,” Raman says. “LA’s primary strategy for homelessness has been to move encampments from one block to another, from your block to your neighbor’s block and back again. … It’s political theater.”

California’s vote count takes a long time

It took nearly a week to determine who would face Bass in November due to California’s notoriously slow vote-counting process. Ballots are mailed to every eligible voter and they are counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and arrive at an election office within seven days.

Los Angeles, like other counties in California, processes and counts mail ballots in roughly the order they are received, so the last ones returned are the last ones counted.

On Tuesday night after polls closed, Los Angeles released results from mail ballots that had been returned early and already processed as well as votes cast that day. Those votes put Bass in the lead with Pratt running in second and Raman behind in third. Since then, the county has been processing and releasing results from mail ballots that arrived later.

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Election data shows that large numbers of Democrats held onto their mail ballots and returned them in the race’s final days, which helps explain why Bass and Raman have been doing better than Pratt in the votes counted since primary day.

Raman’s political positions have shifted

Born in India, Raman moved to the United States as a child and earned degrees from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied urban planning.

She has opposed efforts to prohibit homeless people from setting up tents within 500 feet (152 meters) of schools and daycare centers. However, she appears to have softened her opposition to no-camping zones, which were intended to curb the spread of encampments and clear streets. She voted against dozens of them on the council but later said she would not block them if elected mayor.

Raman’s positions on policing in the city have also changed.

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She once talked of a department that would be much smaller and posted “defund the police” on social media in 2020. She did not support the mayor’s 2023 police contract, which she said was too expensive for the financially strapped city.

More recently, she said the Los Angeles Police Department should remain at its current size, about 8,600, down from about 10,000 in 2020. The police union has taunted her in ads, calling her “Flip Floppin’ Raman.”

In diverse Los Angeles, mayors are elected by building coalitions, ethnically and geographically. And to surpass 50% of the vote and win, Raman will need to find more supporters.

“I don’t think it’s impossible, but she is going to have to expand beyond her ideological base,” said Democratic consultant Bill Carrick, who sees Bass as vulnerable.

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“The people who didn’t vote for Nithya weren’t voting against her, they were voting for somebody else. Karen (Bass) had a good number of people who were voting against her,” Carrick added.

Though Raman and Pratt are political opposites, both have attracted voters who aren’t happy with the city’s status quo.

Tanika Vickers, who works for a housing nonprofit in Los Angeles, said that she felt like she was part of a group of people who work and pay taxes but have been “forgotten.” She said she was frustrated with the way tax dollars were being spent, especially “throwing” more money toward homelessness without results.

She said she voted Raman for mayor because she was most qualified to execute her plans and fulfill what the city needs.

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“I think that we are all looking for change,” she said.

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