The book is described as a wry family story focusing on a sometime actor and panto dame who battles dyslexia to record his mother’s memoirs.

A Bridge of Allan born author has penned his witty debut novel telling the story of a man who appeared as the front half of a camel.

Adrian Ross, who grew in Bridge of Allan and attended Dollar Academy and Stirling University, has written ‘Sons of Great Men’ – described as a wry family story narrated by Victor, a sometime actor and pantomime dame, who battles his dyslexia to record his hospitalised mum’s memoirs.

In his teens, Adrian ushered at the Macrobert Arts Centre and later gained an MLitt by thesis in Film and Media at the university.

He currently co-ordinates the monthly Talks at the Smith programme in Stirling.

As a writer, Adrian has contributed to the New Writing Scotland anthology, The Reviews Hub website and Postbox, Scotland’s international short story magazine.

He studied Drama and Film at the University of East Anglia, where he was a founding member of Minotaur Theatre Company. He worked as a newspaper sub editor in London and South Wales, later becoming a manager in the arts and adult education.

The former actor and journalist said: “I didn’t pursue acting as a career, so this story is partly an exploration of what might have been.

“I’ve tried to give it a funny-and-sad feel.”

Sons of Great Men is published in paperback on 1 March 2026 and is available from all good bookshops and can be pre-ordered online.

These are the words of the heartbroken mother of Mylo Capilla, who sadly drowned in the River Tees after drinking with friends last summer. 

The 13-year-old, who in his short life had overcome stage four cancer, had gone down to the ‘Muddies’ in Ingleby Barwick on June 27 when tragedy struck. 

Mylo decided to enter the River Tees after drinking what would be more than three times the drink drive limit when he got into difficulty and vanished. 

A desperate search was launched but the following day his body was recovered from the river. 

Following an inquest into his death concluding that he drowned after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, Mylo’s mother has issued a heartbreaking statement saying he “was and always will be my precious boy”. 

She also warned others of the dangers of drinking alcohol near water, saying to parents to “hold your babies close no matter how old they are”. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

She said: “As Mylo’s mum, there are no words that truly capture what we’ve lost. 

“My beautiful boy had a short life and he faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime, but he lived every single day to the fullest. 

“He was funny, full of energy, and had a way of lighting up a room the moment he walked into it. He felt everything deeply, loved fiercely, and touched the heart of everyone he ever met.

“Hearing the conclusion that he drowned, with alcohol playing a part, has broken our hearts beyond words.

“If I could say one thing to other parents, it would be this: hold your babies close, no matter how old they are. Tell them you love them. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

“And please, please take water safety and the risks of alcohol seriously. We will carry Mylo with us for the rest of our lives. He was, and always will be, my precious boy.”

‘One of a kind’

Mylo’s father Daniel Capilla also described his son as “truly one of a kind” in a statement read out at the inquest at Teesside Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (February 17). 

He said Mylo was “always ready to wrap you in one of his famous hugs” and he “always knew what to give and he gave it freely”.

Daniel said he still remembers their final exchange, where Mylo gave him a hug and said “love you Papa” before he left the house. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

The inquest heard how Mylo went down to the ‘Muddies’, near Ramsey Gardens in the Round Hill area of the estate, with the intention of building the den. 

Mylo, who had a bottle of vodka and gin in his bag, had texted a pal just after 6pm saying “I may have had too much vodka”. 

After concerns were raised about him and a search was launched, officers arrived and found Mylo’s bike and phone close to the scene. 

Tributes left for Mylo Capilla (Image: The Northern Echo)

Detective Chief Inspector David Snaith said his friend had been found “covered in mud and slightly intoxicated” and confirmed that they had been drinking and gone into the river. 

Toxicology tests revealed that Mylo had a “very high level of alcohol in his blood” which would have caused a “significant degree of intoxication”. 

This may have inhibited his attempts to save himself, the inquest heard. 

He was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 288mg per 100ml, which is more than three times above the drink driving limit. 

There were no drugs found in his system. 

The team have lost county finals in each of the last two seasons but have handed 1992 All-Ireland winner Brolly the reins

Former RTE pundit and Derry All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly is back in GAA management at club level. The Dungiven native has taken the reins of a senior club in Mayo, where he now resides with his wife Laurita Blewitt.

The Irish radio presenter and producer comes from Knockmore in the Connacht county and Brolly has been part of the senior men’s management team there with Ray Dempsey in a coaching capacity.

On Monday night, the club confirmed that Brolly has been appointed as senior ladies manager.

Knockmore, county ladies champions in 2023, stated on a social media post: “Following a meeting this evening, the Knockmore LGFA Chairperson, Patricia Dempsey, is happy to announce that Joe Brolly has been appointed as the Knockmore LGFA Senior Manager.

“Joe brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and the club is extremely excited at this appointment. Joe is looking forward to the challenge and he outlined his vision earlier with great enthusiasm and all at Knockmore GAA and LGFA wish him and the Senior Ladies team every success.”

The Knockmore ladies have come up just short in the last two years in Mayo, losing to Westport in the final on both occasions.

Brolly’s wife Blewitt is a third cousin of former US president Joe Biden and the couple met with the politician several times.

She was a podcaster on The Tommy and Hector Podcast before the pair became engaged in 2021. They wed back in 2022, and welcomed a baby girl into the world two years later.

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Iran is carrying out military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, in a show of strength ahead of nuclear talks with the US in Geneva.

The naval exercises, which included test missiles, warships and helicopters, are testing the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) “operational readiness” and plans for reciprocal action in case of “potential security and military threats”.

Indirect talks began on Tuesday morning, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner representing the US, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi leads the Iranian delegation. Omani officials are mediating.

After the talks began, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned president Donald Trump that even if the US boasts the world’s leading military, “the strongest army in the world can sometimes be slapped so hard it cannot get up”, according to Iranian media.

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Iranian officials have warned that the success of talks in Geneva relies on whether the US makes unrealistic demands and on its seriousness on lifting economic sanctions on Iran.

Trump meanwhile, has continued to openly voice his support for regime change in Tehran, telling reporters on Monday that it may be “the best thing that could happen”.

He said he would be involved “indirectly” in the talks and voiced his belief that Iran wants to make a deal in Geneva.

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“I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.

“We could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. And we had to send the B-2s.”

Last week, US troops pulled out of bases in eastern Syria, suggesting the military could be preparing for an Iranian response to any attack it carries out.

Two officials told Reuters news agency that the US military is preparing for the possibility of weeks of operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack.

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But Iran’s minister of foreign affairs Abbas Araghchi rejected President Trump’s threats in a post on X the day before the talks began.

“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” he wrote. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”

Tehran had previously threatened that it would close the strait, which is critical for the world’s oil supplies, if the US were to attack, a move which would be hugely damaging for global markets.

Oil prices dropped in the Asian trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the risk of supply disruption after Iran conducted the naval drills.

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Threats of a US attack began as a response to the Tehran regime’s brutal crackdown of widespread protests in December and January, but developed into attempt to pressure Iran into agreeing a new nuclear deal.

Tehran is looking to ward off of a repeat of last summer, when attempts to revive nuclear talks were interrupted by US-ally Israel launching a bombing campaign against Iran – which was then supported by US B-2 bombers that struck nuclear targets.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today, denies murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death

The trial of a man accused of the murder of Natalie McNally did not start today (Tuesday) due to legal arguments.

Stephen McCullagh, who turns 36 today and who is from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, has denied murdering Ms McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

He appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court flanked by two prison officers.

Ms McNally (32) sustained fatal stab wounds in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022.

On Monday, a jury consisting of six men and six women was sworn in at Belfast Crown Court to preside over the murder trial, which is expected to last up to five weeks.

It was anticipated that the prosecution would open its case to the jury today before calling its first evidence.

However, due to legal arguments, Mr Justice Kinney sent the 12 jurors home for the day and told them to return to court on Wednesday morning when he said it was “anticipated” that the Crown’s case against McCullagh would be opened.

Before they left, the jurors were again reminded not to carry out any research on the case or discuss it with anyone else.

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Emergency services were called to a medical incident at an address in Lanark Terrace in Ferryhill on Friday, January 30, where a young child was later pronounced dead after being taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

The death of the child was previously described as ‘unexplained’ as enquiries continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Following weeks of enquiries, the force has now concluded its investigation.

In an update, a spokesperson for the force said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

“Our thoughts remain with the child’s family at this difficult time.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A file will now be prepared for the coroner as the formal process continues.

Police previously said: “Police were called to a medical incident at an address in Ferryhill at 1.55pm today (Friday, January 30).

“Paramedics also attended, and a young child was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

“Sadly, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

At the time, a spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: “We were activated at 1.54pm to reports of a medical incident in Ferryhill.

“We had a doctor and a paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene within 10 minutes.

“Our team assessed and treated the patient before the patient was transported to hospital by road.”

(Image: PROVIDED)

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to a private address in Ferryhill, County Durham on Friday January 30 at 1.52pm.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and were supported by our colleagues at Great North Air Ambulance Service.

“One patient was taken to University Hospital of North Durham by road.”

Five people have died and at least five others have been injured in a fire at an apartment building in Spain.

The blaze broke out at a five-storey building in Manlleu, near Barcelona, in the northeast of the country on Monday night.

The fire started in the storage room of the property, emergency services said.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known – and authorities said victims, who have not been identified, were unable to escape an attic storage room.

Catalan police said the five dead were all young people and that they did not live in the building.

Catalonia’s regional leader, Salvador Illa, said he was “deeply saddened by the death of five people”.

Authorities said ambulances and psychological support teams were made available after the incident.

Among the injured, four were later released from hospitals while one other didn’t require hospital treatment.

Three families have been relocated to a nearby hotel with the rest returning to the building, The General Directorate of Civil Protection in Catalonia wrote on social media.

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The organisation also announced that an alert related to the fire had now ended.

Catalan police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Cassia, located at Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside, announced the decision in a social media post.

The restaurant thanked staff and customers for their support, saying the closure would take effect at the end of March, but that plans to relocate were in the pipeline.

In a statement, Cassia said: “We are so sad to announce that unfortunately after an amazing 4 years here at Cassia our doors will be closing at the end of March.

“We would like to say thank you to our team for their passion and dedication.

“To all of our customers who have joined us over the years, thank you for your support, loyalty and sharing your moments with us bringing life into the restaurant.

“Cassia would not have been possible without you all. We’re grateful for every moment.”

It told customers to ‘keep an eye’ on its social media as it would soon be sharing plans to relocation.

The announcement was met with sadness online, despite the venue saying it would be relocating elsewhere.

Angela Dandelion Crossley said: “That’s such a shame.

“We’ve had some wonderful meals and celebrations with you. All the best for the future.”

Nad Smith said: “So gutted we always love coming, it’s our favourite place. Thank you for the amazing service and the fantastic food.”

While Dawn April Charlton said: “I can’t believe it, gutted, love the place, food is the best especially the steaks, and the staff are lovely too, looking forward to hearing where the new location is, see you there.”

Much like when you’re investing in a pair of running shoes for women or men, choosing your gym trainers takes careful consideration.

Stability is key. When you’re doing heavy lifts such as squats or deadlifts, the last thing you need is your feet rolling side to side. With this in mind, gym trainers are a little more rigid than running trainers and have a more stable sole.

Versatility is important, too. A good gym trainer should perform across different workouts such as HIIT classes, weight training and potentially even short runs on the treadmill. This does depend on which workouts you do at the gym – some wearers might prefer a specialised pair for weightlifting, for example.

You should also think about durability, fit and comfort. No one wants to feel rubbing or pinching while they’re powering through a set of walking lunges or going hard on the rowing machine.

A final (and crucial) factor is the shoes’ traction and grip. From rubber mats to polished gym floors, you need trainers that let you move without slipping or sliding.