MTC Training Tyneside, based at Cobalt Park in North Tyneside, will focus on apprenticeships and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

The centre aims to boost skills in areas such as automation and mechatronics for both new entrants and experienced workers.

David Grailey, managing director at MTC Training, said: “Manufacturers across the North East are looking for practical ways to stay competitive, attract and retain workers, improve productivity and take advantage of new opportunities now and in the future – all of that starts with having the right skills in place.

MTC Training Tyneside is due to open at Cobalt Park near Newcastle (Image: Supplied)

“MTC Training Tyneside gives businesses a clear and accessible way to invest in apprenticeships and training that help their teams grow and support long-term success.

“By developing a pipeline of skilled workers and opening high‑quality career opportunities for local talent, this centre will play a real part in strengthening the region’s economy while directly supporting the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

“It’s an important step in closing the skills gap and helping North-East manufacturers compete with confidence in a rapidly evolving industry.”

The facility builds on MTC Training’s expertise in Coventry and aims to serve as a vital link for industrial upskilling in the North East.

MTC Training Tyneside is due to open at Cobalt Park near Newcastle (Image: Supplied)

The centre is part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), a research technology organisation that works with academia and industry to accelerate innovative manufacturing processes and technologies.

Funded by Lloyds and supported by an expanded partnership, the new facility will open this summer with a range of reskilling and upskilling programmes.

The partnership between Lloyds and the MTC now totals more than £18.5 million and extends through to the end of 2029.

Amanda Murphy, CEO of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said: “The new centre in Tyneside will play an important role in the region’s future growth by bringing advanced manufacturing training closer to communities and businesses in the North East.

“By the end of 2029, 6,500 people will have benefited from the training offered by the four MTC centres sponsored by Lloyds.”

To date, MTC has supported the training of more than 5,000 apprentices, engineers, and graduates at its centres in Coventry, Oxfordshire, and Liverpool.

With the addition of MTC Training Tyneside, the goal is to upskill more than 6,500 apprentices, engineers and graduates by the end of 2029.

Starting in September 2026, the centre will deliver Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeship programmes, beginning with an initial cohort of 48 apprentices.

These will include programmes for Mechatronic Maintenance Technicians, Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technicians, Engineering Fitters, and Engineering Maintenance Technicians.

A Level 4 Automation and Controls Engineering Technician route is also proposed, subject to funding.

Recruitment has already begun for five new roles at the centre, with six more to follow.

Information on commercial courses will be available from March, and apprenticeship recruitment will open in April.

Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority, said: “The news that MTC Training is opening a new facility in North East England brings a welcome addition to the training industry at an exciting time for our region’s Green Energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

“We expect to see the number of Green Energy Jobs double to 50,000 in the next decade as we harness the potential of offshore wind and the North East’s unique location and ability to service new and existing North Sea sites; alongside this, we are investing to support the transition of our world-class automotive sector to an EV future.

“The North East is a manufacturing region and there could not be a better place for MTC Training to be opening a new college to help meet our demand for new skills.”

More than a decade before he became the country’s first president, George Washington was leading a critical campaign in the early days of the American Revolution. The Siege of Boston was his first campaign as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and, in many ways, set the stage for his military and political successes — celebrated on Presidents Day.

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, militias had pinned down the British in Boston in April 1775. The Continental Congress, recognizing the need for a more organized military effort, selected Washington to lead the newly-formed army.

What was the Siege of Boston

On this day 250 years ago, Washington would have been nearing the end of an almost yearlong siege that bottled up as many as 11,000 British troops and hundreds more loyalists. The British were occupying Boston at the time, and the goal of the siege was to force them out.

A critical decision made by Washington was sending Henry Knox, a young book seller, to Fort Ticonderoga in New York to retrieve dozens of cannons. The cannons, transported hundreds of miles in the dead of winter, were eventually used to fire on British positions. That contributed to the decision by the British, facing dwindling supplies, to abandon the city by boat on March 17, 1776.

Historians argue the British abandoning their position, celebrated in Boston as Evacuation Day, rid the city of loyalists at a critical time, denied the British access to an important port and gave patriots a huge morale boost.

“The success of the Siege of Boston gave new life and momentum to the Revolution,” Chris Beagan, the site manager at Longfellow House in Cambridge, a National Historic Site that served as Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution. “Had it failed, royal control of New England would have continued, and the Continental Army likely would have dissolved.”

How the siege shaped Washington

The siege was also a critical test for Washington. A surveyor and farmer, Washington had been out of the military for nearly 20 years after commanding troops for the British during the French and Indian War. His successful campaign ensured Washington remained the commander-in-chief for the remainder of the revolution.

Doug Bradburn, president of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, said Washington took the first steps to creating a geographically diverse army that included militiamen from Massachusetts to Virginia and, by the end of the war, a fighting force with significant Black and Native American representation. It was the most integrated military until President Harry S. Truman’s desegregated the armed forces in 1948, he said.

Washington, a slave owner most of life who depended on hundreds of slaves on his Mount Vernon estate, was initially opposed to admitting formerly enslaved and free Black soldiers into the army. But short of men, Washington came to realize “there are free Blacks who want to enlist and he needs them to keep the British from breaking out” during the siege, Bradburn said.

Ridding Boston of the British also turned Washington into one of the country’s most popular political figures.

“He comes to embody the cause in a time before you have a nation, before you have a Declaration of Independence, before you’re really sure what is the goal of this struggle,” Bradburn said. “He becomes the face of the revolutionary movement.”

Commanding the military more than eight years also prepared Washington for the presidency, Pulitzer Prize-winning military historian Rick Atkinson said. “Perhaps most important, it gave him a sense that Americans could and should be a single people, rather than denizens of thirteen different entities.”

Myths of Washington

His rise to prominence also led to plenty of myths about Washington, many which persist to this day.

One of the most popular is the cherry tree myth. It was invented by one of Washington’s first biographers, according to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, who created the story after his death. Supposedly, a 6-year-old Washington took an ax to a cherry tree and admitted as much when caught by his father, famously saying “I cannot tell a lie … I did cut it with my hatchet.”

The second one is the wooden teeth myth. It was rumored that Washington had wooden dentures and scholars, well into the 20th century, were quoted as saying his false teeth were made from wood. Not true. He never wore wooden dentures, instead using those with ivory, gold and even human teeth.

More than a statesman

During his lifetime, Washington had a myriad of pursuits. He was known as an innovative farmer, according to the George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and an advocate for Western expansion, buying up to 50,000 acres of land in several Mid-Atlantic states. After returning to Mount Vernon, he built a whiskey distillery that became one of the largest in the country.

His connection to slavery was complicated. He advocated for ending slavery, and his will called for freeing all the slaves he owned after the death of his wife, Martha Washington. But he didn’t he own all the slaves at Mount Vernon so he could’t legally free all of them.

Celebrating Presidents Day

For fans of George Washington, Presidents Day is their Super Bowl. Originated to celebrate Washington’s birthday, which falls on Feb. 22, the holiday has become associated with good deals at the mall. Still, there are plenty of places celebrating all things Washington on this day.

There will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon, and there will be a Continental Army encampment. There will be a parade honoring Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, and, in Laredo, Texas, a monthlong celebration features a carnival, pageants, an air show and jalapeno festival.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Lawmakers and the White House offered no signs of compromise Sunday in their battle over oversight of federal immigration officers that has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September. Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.

Congress is on recess until Feb. 23, and both sides appear dug into their positions. The impasse affects agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The work at ICE and CBP goes on unabated because Trump’s tax and spending cut law from 2025 provided billions more to those agencies that can be tapped for deportation operations. About 90% of DHS employees were to continue working during the shutdown, but do so without pay — and missed paychecks could mean financial hardships. Last year there was a record 43-day government shutdown.

White House border czar Tom Homan said the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats’ demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.

“I don’t like the masks, either,” Homan said, But, he said, “These men and women have to protect themselves.”

Democrats also want to require immigration agents to wear body cameras and mandate judicial warrants for arrests on private property.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Democrats are only asking for federal agents to abide by rules followed by law enforcement agencies around the country.

“And the question that Americans are asking is, ‘Why aren’t Republicans going along with these commonsense proposals?’” Schumer said. “They’re not crazy. They’re not way out. They’re what every police department in America does.”

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said he could back Democrats calls to equip immigration officers with body cameras and would support efforts to bolster training. But he balked at their demands that federal officers remove masks and clearly identify themselves, noting some officers taking part in immigration enforcement operations have faced doxing and other harassment.

“What are you going to do, expose their faces so you can intimidate their families?” Mullins said. “What we want is ICE to be able to do their job. And we would love for local law enforcement and for states to cooperate with us.”

Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a Trump ally who had pushed for a two-week extension of DHS funding while negotiations continued, said it was “shortsighted of Democrats to walk away” from talks.

Trump made enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign for the White House and he promised to be aggressive in detaining and deporting people living in the United States without legal permission.

DHS reports it has deported more than 675,000 migrants since Trump’s return to office last year and claims some 2.2 million others have “self-deported” as the Republican president has made his immigration crackdown a priority.

“President Trump is not going to back away from the mission, the mission that American people said they wanted him to complete, and that is securing our border and making sure that we actually do interior enforcement,” Britt said.

Homan was on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Schumer and Mullin appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and Britt was interviewed on “Fox News Sunday.”

Shock footage shows the moment the 85-year-old was dragged by two men from his home in – what police say – is a horror case of mistaken identity.

Chilling CCTV footage has captured the terrifying moment an 85-year-old grandfather was abducted from his own home in what police believe was a shocking case of mistaken identity.

Chris Baghsarian was taken just before 5am on Friday after intruders forced their way into his home in New South Wales, Australia, with his captors caught on camera bundling the elderly man into a waiting car as he pleaded for help.

Grainy vision aired on Australian news network Nine shows two men — one wearing a high-visibility jacket — arriving at the North Ryde home in a dark four-wheel-drive before approaching the property. Moments later, Mr Baghsarian can be seen being pushed towards the vehicle before it speeds away into the darkness.

Police later discovered an abandoned dark Toyota SUV that they believed is linked to the abduction. The car, found more than eight miles away, was completley burned out.

New South Wales Police Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said officers were “a million per cent confident” the kidnappers had taken the wrong man, stressing that Mr Baghsarian and his family had no links to organised crime.

“He was taken from his bedroom in the family home and driven to a location we simply don’t know,” Superintendent Marks said. “We believe he is still alive, but we are deeply concerned for his welfare.”

No ransom demand has been made for the elderly man. Police added that they have no idea why the kidnappers are still holding the him hostage, but have called on the kidnappers to act with humanity and release him immediately.

“Take him to a hospital or somewhere safe,” Superintendent Marks said. “We’ll do the rest.”

Mr Baghsarian requires daily medication, raising serious fears for his health as the desperate search continues.

New South Wales premier Chris Minns described the family as “distraught”. He called on those responsible for the savage abduction to do the right thing.

“This is a man over 80 years old,” Mr Minns said. “Please return him to his family.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers in Australia on 1800 333 000.

Right now, Bob said: “Every day there’s mail left behind, one, maybe two, maybe three rounds which are not covered… The tracked recorded parcels are done every day, because they make a difference to the stats for the office, but anything that’s not tracked every day there’ll be mail that’s not going out.”

Fit Club York in Redeness Street has won the title of best gym in the city, nominated by readers of The Press.

Founder and head coach Chris Hill said: “When I told the staff they were over the moon.

“It sums up everything we’re about and I think it speaks for the strength of what we’ve built.

“The staff feel very proud and it proves that members wanted us to win.”

Chris said he’d kept the result quiet from the community of members at the gym and was looking forward to the extra buzz around the place and in its WhatsApp groups.

He added: “I think everyone will be really chuffed.

“They all know how much it means to me and there was a lot of tough competition in the shortlist.

Chris Hill, founder and head coach of Fit Club York (Image: Supplied)

“In terms of numbers, our membership of 200 is quite small in comparison with some of the others who readers nominated in their top ten, so thanks to every single one of them who went out and posted their votes off for us.”

The founder said “support, community and results” are Fit Club’s three pillars.

He added: “We guarantee results, the support comes from what we give, and the community element comes through a calendar of social events and meet-ups.

“We have things like Padel social nights, pizza nights, hike and bike events on Sundays – people bring their partners and their dogs and we always have a lunch together.

“We have a birthday celebration four years in May and normally throw a bit of a bash – with the news of this result it will be an extra special one this year.

“We have created this community to stand us apart, and put them at the heart of everything, so to have this recognition is incredible.”

Chris Hill saluted coaching team at Fit Club, who include “right-hand man” Rhys Derbyshire, Bex Davison and Kaine Barefoot.

Task Force Horizon detectives have today arrested a 75-year-old from Grampus and charged them with firearm offences at the property where Gus Lamont went missing

An elderly person has been charged with gun offences at the property where Gus Lamont went missing.

Acting Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae said on Monday that the charges are not related to the disappearance of the four-year-old.

A police spokesperson said: “Members attached to Task Force Horizon conducting inquiries at Oak Park Station in connection with the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont on 27 September have concluded searching for evidence today.

“Inquiries are ongoing and it is anticipated that Task Force Horizon detectives will remain in the area tomorrow, Tuesday 17 February. An update on the search activities will be provided as they progress.

“As a result of a previous search at Oak Park Station, Task Force Horizon detectives have today arrested a 75-year-old from Grampus and charged them with firearm offences. They have been bailed to appear in the Peterborough Magistrates Court on 6 May.

“Acting Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae said the charges are not related to the disappearance of Gus Lamont nor a previous incident at Oak Park Station in October 2025 involving media attending the property.”

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