The sanctuary which is home to dozens of birds has been open for almost three decades

A beloved owl sanctuary which has looked after sick and injured birds for decades has announced it is closing to members of the public. Ebbw Vale Owl Sanctuary, which is run by 87-year-old Malcom Jones who has dedicated his life to caring for birds of prey and owls, has been open to members of the public seven days a week since it opened in 1998.

The owners are said to be “heartbroken” to have had to make the decision to close to members of the public for the majority of the year.

A statement shared by the sanctuary said they have been forced to make the decision due to difficulties in meeting the expectations to secure a license to operate, as well as “haters” who have made reports to trading standards after vising the sanctuary. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter

The sanctuary, which Mr Jones runs with his partner Patricia Webb, is located at Festival Park in Ebbw Vale. The pair rehabilitate and care for injured, abandoned uncared for wild owls, hawks and falcons, with the main aim of caring for these animals until they can be released back into the wild.

Some of the birds cannot be released and so remain at the sanctuary, which is currently home to around 60 birds, with members of the public allowed to visit for free. While the sanctuary will be closed to the public going forward, Mr Jones and his partner will continue caring for the birds at the sanctuary, as well as rescuing any birds which may need help.

The sanctuary said it will be allowed to open for six days a year without a license, and will update people on what days these will be as soon as a decision is made.

It will be closed from August 31. The announcement encourages people to visit before then, and “cheer up” volunteers who work there.

Mr Jones thanked the public for their support over the last two decades.

In a statement posted on social media, they said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have to announce the closure to the public of our site.

“Unfortunately, we are governed by a Zoo Licence in order for the public to visit. It has become harder and harder to meet their expectations.

“With the added interruption of people coming into our sanctuary and then making complaints to Trading Standards.

“We will remain here dedicating ourselves to the welfare of our amazing birds. We will be allowed to open 6 days a year. We are going to look which 6 days would be best. We will attend as many event that we are invited to, in order to raise the necessary funds to keep going.

“As many of you know we do invite members of the public to sponsor our birds. If you would like to sponsor, please get in touch.

“We have also been approached to take a monthly donation from our wonderful followers. If you would wish to help in this way, please get in touch. We will still be accepting volunteers to help us keep up the good work.

“We are truly sorry, but we are left with no alternative. We would like to thank all of our followers over the years. Your kind words and support has helped and encouraged us to continue for so many years.

“I hope our haters are very proud of themselves. An 87-year-old man is heartbroken; Malcolm has dedicated the last 40 years to protecting and helping these beautiful birds, allowing visitors free entry so that all children have access to nature.

“We will continue to keep you all updated via our Facebook page. We will announce the 6 open days in due course.

“As you can imagine this is a very difficult decision and one we have been forced to take. All our dedicated volunteers will still be here caring for our birds.

“Our final day open to the public is 31 August 2026. Why not come down and cheer up our lovely volunteers.

“Malcolm would love to thank all our lovely followers for their wonderful support over the last 28 years and is truly sorry he can no longer open daily to the public. Let’s give Malcolm a lovely day on the 31st by everyone coming to see him and his beautiful birds.

“We will continue to care for all injured bird of prey its just unfortunate. We will give updates and news on Facebook.”

A Blaenau Gwent Council spokesperson said: “We have been made aware that the owl sanctuary has decided to change how it operates and reduce access for the public.

“We have worked with the sanctuary over many years to support them in meeting the requirements of their licence, which can be subject to change to reflect standards of modern zoo practice.”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The California Supreme Court is weighing whether a Southern California sheriff who seized election ballots must return them to county election officials.

The high court heard oral arguments Monday regarding Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s seizure of approximately 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election on redistricting. The measure passed in the county by roughly 80,000 votes.

Bianco in March seized 1,000 boxes of election materials to investigate a complaint from a local citizens group that the count was off — though not by an amount that would’ve changed the outcome. Local election officials had previously said the complaint was unfounded. Bianco was running for governor at the time.

Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta immediately launched a legal challenge in March, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials and warning the seizure was designed to sow distrust in elections. He ordered Bianco to return the ballots, but Bianco did not. The University of California, Los Angeles Voting Rights Project also sued the sheriff on behalf of several Riverside County voters. The state Supreme Court heard arguments in both cases.

Chad Dunn, legal director and co-founder of the UCLA Voting Rights Project, told the court there are mechanisms to contest election results, and Bianco failed to follow them.

“The elections code provides a process. Citizens could have triggered a recount within, I think, it’s five days of the canvas, and they chose not to do that. They could ask the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and there’s other officials to trigger an official recount,” Dunn told the court.

Bianco began recounting the vote using sheriff’s officials under the supervision of a special master appointed by a court but suspended it days later, citing mounting legal challenges from the state attorney general and a voting rights group. But he has not returned the ballots.

“Nowhere else in election law, in this state, in any other that I’m familiar with, does anybody get to handle ballots on their own in the back room with their deputies,” Dunn he told the judges.

Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Democrat running for governor, is part of the UCLA lawsuit to halt Bianco’s efforts.

The ballot investigation came as President Donald Trump has repeatedly disputed the results of the 2020 election, citing unsubstantiated instances of fraud. His administration recently seized ballots and other documents from an election office in Georgia. Some Republicans have mirrored Trump’s rhetoric on voting in their states.

Photos taken on the street show officers in tactical gear holding rifles parked up outside a home.

Armed police have swarmed a housing estate in Fife following an ongoing incident. Emergency services, including Police Scotland, raced to Walnut Crescent in the town of Methil this evening, Monday, August 24.

Firearm officers were among those in attendance. A police presence is understood to still be at the scene with the nature of the incident currently unknown.

It also remains unclear how many people, if any, are involved, or if there have been any injuries. Photos taken on the street, and shared with the Record, show officers in tactical gear holding rifles parked up outside a home.

One armed cop is seen staked out in the back garden of one of the properties. Several firearm officers have also been recorded storming up the garden path of one house. Cop cars can be seen parked up on nearby streets.

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In another image, the street can be seen filling with spectators, as worried residents come out their homes to see what is happening. Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.

A plasterer carried out a vicious assault on a property developer who had refused to pay him following “substandard” work. Lewis Hayde, 28, filmed himself racially abusing and headbutting the 39-year-old victim, Rebwar Rashidi, as well as punching him to the head 10 times and breaking his jaw.

Judge Carl Harrison said the self-employed tradesman, from Cardiff, had done plastering for Mr Rashidi on two previous projects. On those occasions the developer had been happy with his work.

However, Mr Rashidi was not satisfied with the quality of Hayde’s work on a property he was renovating in Robert Street, Cathays.

“He was refusing to pay you in full unless you completed the work to the necessary standard,” Judge Harrison told Hayde during the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.

Hayde sent messages demanding payment but the developer stood firm. The dispute culminated on February 25 when Mr Rashidi went to the property in Robert Street and took a video of the plastering work that Hayde had carried out.

The court heard Mr Rashidi sent the footage to Hayde and warned he would be posting it on Facebook to expose the alleged deficiencies in the plasterer’s work. Later the developer told police he had never really intended to do this.

“Within moments of the message, you turned up and stormed towards Mr Rashidi,” said the judge. “You came within inches of his face, shouting, ‘Where’s my money? I want it now you little c***.’

“He again told you the job was not finished so you would not be paid. You then headbutted him to the centre part of his nose, which was extremely painful and knocked him to the ground, briefly rendering him unconscious.

“When he came around he was dazed and weak. He got to his feet and the attack continued. You punched him to the head 10 times, using both fists. He described you punching him so hard he thought he was going to die.

“He tried to protect his head but you were too powerful. This was a man who had only just regained consciousness having been knocked out by the initial headbutt.”

Hayde was shouting at the victim: “Look at you. I told you what I’d do.”

The attack left Mr Rashidi with a broken jaw as well as swelling to his left eye and double vision. This “transient eye injury” meant he was unable to drive or work for around two weeks, causing lost earnings of £2,000, the court heard.

He reported the attack to police and officers arrested Hayde, on whose phone they found a video the plasterer had taken of himself assaulting the victim.

Hayde, of Blackbirds Way in Old St Mellons, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated GBH (grievous bodily harm). The racial element was identified because the footage showed him aiming a racist slur at Mr Rashidi during the attack.

The video also showed Hayde had been accompanied at the Robert Street property by another person, who appeared to be carrying a pool cue but had not faced any charges.

Hayde’s solicitor Derrick Gooden told the court his client had lost his home to a fire shortly before the incident. He was experiencing financial pressures and dealt with them “in the wrong way”, said Mr Gooden.

“In his view, he had carried out the work to the same standard as previous jobs for the same developer.

“He is ashamed of what he said but he has to accept it was racist and would have been perceived as racist by the complainant. Let’s face it, he’s the person who filmed it. It’s his own evidence that has forced him to enter a guilty plea.”

Mr Gooden said the defendant had no previous convictions and continues to work as a plasterer, employing “a number of individuals”. He earns £800 a week after tax, the court heard.

Judge Harrison took into account that there had been some “victim-blaming” from Hayde in his interview with the probation service. But he also accepted the defendant was “thoroughly ashamed” by his behaviour during a “stressful time” in his life.

The judge imposed a two-year jail term suspended for two years. He also ordered Hayde to pay compensation of £5,720 for the injuries and £2,000 for the lost earnings. It must be paid within three years.

Before concluding the hearing, the judge told Hayde: “You’ve come as close as you can come to prison.”

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CHICAGO (AP) — Honey. Makeup. Christmas decorations. And hockey sticks.

Those are just a few of the hundreds of different Canadian products that President Donald Trump’s administration has slapped with a 50% tax to enter the United States. The new tariffs, which kicked in Saturday, are expected to affect about $20 billion in Canadian goods, which represents roughly 5% of the $381.92 billion worth of products that the country sent to the U.S. last year.

While that’s far from the majority of Canada’s exports, 50% is a punishing rate. And households could feel the strain of higher prices the longer this import tax stays in effect — on top of spikes already spanning from previously-imposed levies. That’s because tariffs are taxes paid by importers, or businesses that buy products from abroad, and at least some of those costs are almost always passed on to shoppers.

The wide scope (and at times incredibly specific) list of goods now levied at 50% means that consumers could see price hikes in many different shopping aisles, as well as other core expenses like home-building. Countermeasures are also around the corner. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to roll out “dollar for dollar” retaliation next month. All the while, Trump has made more threats to escalate his trade war with America’s northern neighbor, notably suggesting he could hike already steep U.S. import taxes on automobiles next year.

Here’s a look at some of the products in the crosshairs, on both sides of the border.

Long list of Canadian goods face Trump’s 50% tariff

When first announcing the planned 50% tariffs last month, the Trump administration said that the new taxes would be levied on Canadian products ranging from hockey sticks to wine and cement. And the list is long — covering more than 550 goods.

Some of the many items specified by the White House include:

• Natural honey
• Bulbs for plants such as tulips and lilies, as well as some fresh cut flowers
• Seeds for beets, onions and other vegetables
• Horsehair, tortoise shells, antlers and various animal products
• Alcohol such as beer, vermouth and cider
• Furniture knobs, wallpaper and lighting fixtures
• Plates, cups, bowls and other kitchen or tableware
• Paints, varnishes, vinyl tile floor coverings and various plywood sheets
• Ice skates, golf equipment, fishing rods and other sports accessories
• Perfumes, makeup and manicure preparations
• Suitcases, bags, gloves and coats
• Toys and certain “articles for Christmas festivities”
• Digital cameras and recording equipment
• Smartphones and video game consoles
• Envelopes, cigarette paper and toilet or facial tissue

Trump imposed these tariffs by reaching back to a long-dormant Great Depression-era law. Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which has never been used before, authorizes the president to slap import taxes of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses.

Trump claimed that Canada discriminated against autos, alcohol and dairy products, particularly following the implementation of his prior U.S. import taxes last year. It’s worth noting that the list of Canadian goods now facing the latest levy, as seen above, is far more diverse.

Canada says it will retaliate on US products next month

Shortly after the new 50% tariffs kicked in, Canada’s Carney promised retaliation.

On Saturday, the prime minister said his government would begin dollar-for-dollar countermeasures on Sept. 8. Carney noted Canada’s tariff increases would target U.S. steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronics.

He said more details would be on the way.

The trade war might not stop there

Threats of stronger countermeasures and further escalation only ramped up on Monday, raising the possibility that additional products or sectors would come into the crosshairs of the trade war.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Monday that “everything is on the table,” noting his province would be ready to cut off electricity and critical minerals to the U.S. if the trade war worsens.

Trump “underestimates Canada. We’re all in,” Ford said. He also called for Canada to consider using oil and potash — both major exports — as leverage.

Meanwhile, Trump took to social media to say that his administration would also increase tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel to 50% starting Jan. 1, 2027. Like other countries, Canada currently faces a broader 25% tariff on autos. A 50% sectoral tariff on most steel imports is already in effect.

The remains of a dog discovered on a remote country lane have raised suspicions.

A dog walker stumbled upon a dead black lurcher on the side of a countryside lane on the border of England and Wales last week.

RSPCA was alerted after the discovery on Moor Lane, Kinnerton, near Chester, on Wednesday morning.

The animal, aged around three, appeared to have been dumped, the charity said.

The dog was still wearing a black collar, although the remains were badly decomposed, RSPCA said.

Thanks to a microchip, officers from the charity were able to trace the first owners, who, however, revealed they had rehomed the dog.

The traces stopped after the second owners said they had also had to give the dog away.

Bethany Newis, RSPCA’s animal rescue officer, described the dog walker’s discovery as ‘upsetting’ and said there are concerns about how the dog’s body ended up on the road.

She said: ‘The dog was microchipped and traced to an owner in North Wales but they said they re-homed the dog as a pup. We traced the next owner, also living in North Wales, who said they had rehomed the dog because it did not get on with another pet in the home.

‘We are now trying to trace the person who took on the dog after this.

‘The lurcher would have been three in October and the fact that his body appears to have been dumped does raise suspicions, but sadly the body was too decomposed to establish an exact cause of death.’

The animal rescue expert urged anyone with information to get in touch as the RSPCA issued an appeal.

The dog’s black collar featured metal bone-shaped studs, a blank nametag and bits of blue rope.

She added: ‘This blue rope could have been used as a lead or as a tether and I am hoping the distinctive nature of the collar on this black lurcher may help jog people’s memories as to who may have recently owned him.

‘The area is a popular dog walking spot so we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious who can help with our enquiries.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Sambuca will move into the former Thai River unit at the Riverwalk.

The Thai venue, previously known as Thai Central, moved to The Riverwalk in 2017, but closed last June.

In a Facebook post, Sambuca confirmed the site will open soon.

The post read: “Opening soon. Riverside’s new Italian fusion destination. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, memorable experiences. The wait is almost over.”

Sambuca has locations across the North East and offers a range of Italian food, including pizza, pasta and risotto.

Sambuca will take over the old Thai River unit. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Social media users have reacted to the announcement with messages of support.

One person commented: “Can’t wait to visit.”

Another said: “Looking forward to opening night.”

An opening date is yet to be announced.

The Riverwalk development, just off Framwellgate Bridge,is home to shops, restaurants and an Odeon cinema.

“These facilities belong to the whole community, and we all have a responsibility to look after them.”

Concerns have been raised regarding anti-social behaviour at a South Belfast playing field after goalposts were broken.

The goalposts at Cairnshill pitches in the Four Winds area have been broken at the crossbar following an incident over the weekend, with local councillor Jamie Harpur saying that it is the latest in a series of incidents at the playing field. He said last week a fire was lit at the changing rooms and a storage container was damaged.

The councillor said the damaged goalposts will have a direct impact on local club, Newtownbreda FC, and has encouraged anyone with any information regarding it to contact the police.

Castlereagh South Alliance councillor Jamie Harpur said: “Heartbreaking to see further anti-social behaviour at the Cairnshill pitches.

“More damage has been caused to the goalposts following a fire being lit at the changing rooms last week, along with damage to a storage container. “This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable. It not only damages valuable community facilities, but also has a direct impact on Newtownbreda F.C, who do tremendous work with young people and the wider community in the area. “These facilities belong to the whole community, and we all have a responsibility to look after them. “If anyone has information about those responsible, I would encourage you to contact the PSNI and report it. “Let’s look after our local facilities and make sure they remain safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.”

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The married CEO of the San Francisco 49ers allegedly attempted to pay a woman $140 for sex in a trailer park in Ohio, according to court documents.

Jed York, who has two children with his wife, Danielle, and is worth $500 million, was arrested in East Palestine on suspicion of engaging in prostitution at 9:35am on Sunday. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.

Court documents obtained by The Daily Mail reveal York, 46, ‘arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140.’ He responded to an undercover ad placed on a known prostitution website by law enforcement.

When York arrived at the arranged location, believed to be the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine, York was greeted by law enforcement.

He was taken into custody when an agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force discovered York had ‘in his possession his cellular device which was used to arrange a criminal act’, the court documents show.

Court records also show that York, who was born 20 miles away from East Palestine in Youngstown, Ohio, was initially charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. He was also charged with possessing criminal tools.

York, 46, was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and booked into Columbiana County Jail

York is believed to have been arrested at Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine

York was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. He was also fined $1,150.

Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. He also completed an online course.

Court records also reveal that York filed an expungement request to have the incident removed from his record. 

The NFL said in a statement: ‘We are aware of the matter, which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy.’

The 49ers said in a statement: ‘As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to East Palestine Police and the Mahoning Valley human trafficking task force, as well as York’s attorney for comment.

York filed for divorce from Danielle in May and cited irreconcilable differences. The San Francisco Chronicle has reported the couple are waiting for a court date for their dissolution of marriage case. The couple, who got married in 2011, have two sons, Jaxon and Brixton. They have agreed to legal and physical joint custody.

In December 2018, his younger brother Anthony died at the age of 35.

York is the son of Denise DeBartolo York and John York. They took control of the 49ers when DeBartolo’s brother, Eddie, was convicted in a gambling fraud scandal.

Eddie, who owned the 49ers during their 1980s-1990s dynasty, pleaded guilty in 1998 to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license.

DeBartolo, whose 49ers won five Super Bowls under his leadership, stepped down as owner in 1997 after two Louisiana newspapers reported he would be indicted for gambling fraud. 

York has been married to Belluomini since 2011 and they have two sons together

He avoided prison, was fined $1 million and was suspended for a year by the NFL but the episode effectively ended his NFL career. President Donald Trump pardoned him in February 2020.

Jed began working for his father in the early 2000s and was eventually named the franchise’s CEO in 2008. He then became the principal owner in 2024 after acquiring enough of his mother’s stake.

During his tenure, the Niners have experienced great success, having won five NFC West titles, advanced to seven NFC Championship Games and three Super Bowls, although the team has not won the NFL’s biggest prize since 1994.

York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.

York is also a co-owner of Premier League club Leeds United and Scottish giants Rangers. 

It is the latest episode in what has been an offseason plagued with problems for the 49ers, who are expected to compete for a playoff spot again this season. They play their opening game against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in an offseason car crash that left him unable to coach in training camp and with several serious injuries.

The July 14 incident has been shrouded in mystery after the police refused to release an accident report or bodycam footage from the scene and officers initially blamed the other driver, only for Shanahan to take responsibility. 

The 49ers play their play their first game against the LA Rams in Melbourne on September 19

He collided with a car driven by a 21-year-old woman in Palo Alto last month, saying it happened when he reached for his phone. 

The incident left Shanahan with a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand and more than 40 stitches to close a cut over his eye. 

He also explained that he was driving at around 20mph with his Tesla in autopilot mode when the crash happened.

In autopilot mode, Tesla ‘matches the speed of your vehicle to that of the surrounding traffic’ and ‘assists in steering within a clearly marked lane, and uses traffic-aware cruise control.’

Shanahan was the only person who needed to be hospitalized and police didn’t issue him a ticket for the cellphone use. 

In what he called his first two budget tests, Mr Fagan had called for the Scottish Government to give communities the powers and funding needed to bring bus services back into public control, and to deliver a minimum £15-an-hour rate for social care workers with better terms and conditions.