A parent at Venturers’ Academy, a specialist school for autistic pupils, is urging staff and management to work together to avoid further upheaval for vulnerable children.

Members of the National Education Union at Venturers’ and six other schools managed by the E-ACT multi-academy trust are set to stage a five-day strike in September over a dispute regarding backpay for support staff. They follow similar industrial action taken in June and July.

Charlotte Brine, whose 9-year-old autistic daughter Ellie-Rae attends Venturers’ — which has sites in Withywood and Brislington — says the strikes have had a profoundly damaging impact on her child. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

“Since the disruption caused by the strikes, I have noticed a clear change in her,” Charlotte said. “Her sleep has become much more disturbed than usual.

“She has been having more meltdowns and crying outbursts, and the crying in particular is very unusual for her. As her mum, it is heartbreaking to watch a change in her that I know isn’t normal for her.”, reports Bristol Live.

“One of the hardest things for me to see is when she watches her siblings getting ready for school. She sees them putting on their school uniforms and going to school, and she becomes upset because it feels to her like she is missing out on something.”

The education union maintains that strike action is necessary to secure a fair deal for some of the lowest-paid staff at schools. According to the NEU, a member of staff earning £20,000 has lost out on about £2,000 due to the method used to calculate backpay since E-ACT assumed control of the former Venturers’ Academy schools in 2024.

E-ACT, meanwhile, says it gave staff a pay rise and argues that demands relating to additional historic backpay are unreasonable.

At Venturers’, pupils with complex needs find themselves caught in the middle.

“She [Ellie-Rae] doesn’t understand the wider reasons behind the strikes,” Charlotte said. “She doesn’t understand why her normal school routine has been disrupted. What she sees is that her siblings are going to school while she isn’t, and that can be incredibly difficult for her to process.

“For these children, disruption to routine isn’t simply an inconvenience. Their routines can provide security, predictability and reassurance. When those routines are taken away or repeatedly changed, the impact can be much bigger than simply missing a day of education.”

Numerous workers at the heart of the dispute are forced to take on second, or even third jobs, to support their families, the union stated.

A comparable dispute at the end of 2025 involving support staff working for the Cathedral Schools Trust ended after that trust decided to offer its workers improved terms. Charlotte said she massively respects the job that support staff do and their right to fair wages, and called on both sides to work together to bring an end to the dispute.

“I believe fully paid staff are crucial to our children’s care, and the support staff who dedicate their time to helping and caring for our children absolutely deserve a decent and fair wage,” Charlotte said.

“These are people doing incredibly important work. They should be valued, respected and paid appropriately for the responsibility they carry.

“I hope that everyone involved can come together, listen to one another and find a resolution as quickly as possible. I want fair pay and fair treatment for the people who care for our children.

“But I also want stability and security for the children themselves. Ultimately, our children should not be the ones carrying the emotional cost of an ongoing dispute.”

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A man fleeing police at Notting Hill Carnival died after entering a canal – while arrest figures have climbed past 500. 

Met Police confirmed on Monday night that the body of a man, thought to be in his 20s, was pulled from the water near Meanwhile Gardens.

The force was called at around 3.19pm on Monday and attempted to stop the individual in the Harrow Road area.

He fled on foot as officers followed behind but entered the water a short time later in the vicinity of Meanwhile Gardens.

The man was pulled from the water by officers and members of the public and he was immediately given CPR.

Paramedics continued treatment before taking the man to a central London hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Commander Smart said: ‘This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who has lost his life.

‘Any death following contact with the police is passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct so the circumstances can be fully investigated. I would encourage everyone to avoid speculation while this work takes place.

Some 7,000 police officers and 3,000 stewards have been deployed for the festival weekend (pictured: a man being detained)

Day two of the festival is considered ‘adults day’ with louder music, bigger crowds and racier dancing

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 ‘I acknowledge the efforts of the officers and members of the public who entered the canal to rescue this man. I know they will be devastated that his life couldn’t ultimately be saved.’  

It comes as police arrested 315 people on the second day of the carnival – after confirming 243 arrests during the ‘family day’ on Sunday. 

Pictures taken today show Met Police officers searching and arresting people during the carnival’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Monday is considered the ‘adults day’ of Europe’s biggest street party, with loud sound systems, larger crowds, widespread drinking and racier dancing.

The force said it arrested 97 people on the ‘approaches’ to carnival, while the remainder were arrested within the event itself.

Offences ranged from possession of drugs and weapons to assaults, including assaults on emergency workers, and sexual offences.

Police say the majority of attendees have now ‘left the area’ – though officers remain on duty to ensure revellers ‘can get home safely’. 

The Met added there were two assaults with knives over the course of the event – one stabbing and one slashing – neither of which resulted in life threatening injuries.

The total arrests over the two day police operation was 560 as of Monday evening.

It is likely the number will rise while further arrests are processed, police said.

Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of revellers each year for two days of partying and Revellers could be seen climbing on top of bus stops amidst the party atmosphere at the carnival and engaging in racy dancing.

On Monday, 48 of the arrests followed identification using live facial recognition.

Using the technology, officers to stop 43 registered sex offenders to check they were complying with licence conditions. Three were arrested for breaching their conditions, in addition to three arrested for breaches on Sunday. 

Of those arrested on Sunday, 61 were identified via facial recognition after the force deployed the technology as part of an intense policing operation at the festival, which attracts millions of people each year.

A man is taken aside by police officers at Notting Hill Carnival earlier on Monday

Revellers climb on top of a bus stop on Elkstone Road at the heart of the Notting Hill Carnival

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Revellers climbing fences at the side of the railway in Notting Hill. The Met says the event has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’ despite making scores of arrests

A pair of revellers at Hammersmith Underground station put the finishing touches to their outfits – with an oversized bottle of Buzzballz cocktail for company

The Met has rolled out live facial recognition at the carnival, which it says helped it identify 61 wanted people

More than 7,000 police officers and 3,000 security stewards have been deployed in West London, and metal detectors have been installed on the perimeter of the festival.

The Met has also imposed a Section 60 order, allowing officers to stop and search anyone attending carnival without needing reasonable suspicion that they are harbouring drugs or weapons.

Police said the method had been used ‘extensively’ – with 62 weapons seized across both days, including a handgun during Monday afternoon. 

Transport for London has made some Underground stations ‘exit only’ to prevent crushes – while some crowds opted to walk to Notting Hill from nearby Kensington, exiting from High Street Kensington station with scarves covering their faces.

Police commanders say the mood on Sunday was ‘overwhelmingly positive and celebratory’ despite being marred by scores of arrests. 

Commander Claire Smart, gold commander for the carnival operation, said last week: ‘Our message is simple: come and enjoy Carnival, look after one another, respect the event, the communities hosting it and the police officers, stewards and other emergency services working to keep people safe. 

Here are some pictures from Monday’s festivities

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‘But if you’re coming to commit crime, to target others or to engage in violence – stay away or know that we will be work relentlessly to identify you and take action.’

The Met says it has worked with festival organisers to improve safety and security at the carnival, which has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years due to increasing violence and drug use.

Some 76 zombie knives, 30 flick knives and a machete have been seized following Met raids ahead of time, while a joint operation with Greater Manchester Police saw seven people arrested on suspicion of planning robberies at the festival.

Some 330 people have been banned from attending the festival as part of their bail conditions for those arrested on suspicion of other offences. 

Official estimates suggest the carnival annually contributes almost £400million to the wider economy – but this comes at a cost to taxpayers.

Commander Smart said: ‘The progress by Notting Hill Carnival Ltd in stepping into so many of the event management and crowd safety roles previously performed by the police cannot be understated. 

‘They have delivered a challenging event well and in doing so have allowed us to focus our resources on our core role of tackling crime.’ 

The Met’s policing operation cost £15.7million last year, up from £11.7million in 2023, while City Hall gave organisers an extra £4.6million grant for stewards and CCTV on top of the near-£1m already pledged to support the event. 

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea estimates its annual clean-up and staffing bill as £1million, of which it sees around £300,000 back in street trader fees.

Some have called for the Carnival to impose an admission fee to help cover costs.

James Ford, a former adviser to Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London, said in City AM last week: ‘If London can’t turn a reasonable profit – or at least cover its costs – on one of the biggest street festivals in the world, then there is something fundamentally wrong here.’

Organisers insist the Carnival is safe and have labelled criticism of it ‘unfair’.

But it has been marred by tragedy in recent years – including the 2024 murder of young mother Cher Maximen – and widespread drug use, with discarded nitrous oxide canisters a common sight on the streets as the clean-up begins.

Ms Maximen, 32, was murdered in front of her three-year-old daughter – one of eight stabbings in and around the festival. 

Her killer, Shakeil Thibou, was jailed for life. Thibou lunged at a man with a large knife at the festival and fell into a crowd of people including Ms Maximen. As he swung his blade, he stabbed her in the groin while she was shielding her child.

Chef Mussie Imnetu was also murdered close to the carnival in 2024 by Omar Wilson, who lied to police that he had acted in self defence as he punched and kicked Imnetu in Queensway and delivered kicks to his head.

The Met made more than 500 arrests last year, mostly for drug offences as well as for weapons offences, sex crimes and violence. No fatalities were reported in 2025.

A Michelin guide reviewer described it as having a ‘buzzy vibe’

Cambridge is the perfect place for a foodie to visit, with so many different cuisines on offer in the historic city. There are some cheaper places that are the perfect place for students to eat at, or if you’re feeling like spending some cash, Cambridge also offers some more bougie options.

One place to visit that offers some of the best quality food and is in the “heart of Cambridge city centre” is Mercado Central. This highly-rated Spanish restaurant features in the Michelin guide, and for any foodies out there, they’ll know this means this place is the real deal.

Mercado Central opened in Green Street in 2019 and it’s just a stone’s throw from the historic Trinity Street. It serves a Spanish-influenced menu with high quality ingredients sourced from the British Isles and Spain.

In 2021 when it was one of six Cambridge restaurants to feature in the Michelin guide, the reviewer described it as having a “buzzy vibe”. They also said it was based in a “brightly decorated townhouse” with a “cheery tiled kitchen and fresh fish display”.

Not only did the Michelin reviewer praise the restaurant, but many of its other customers are big fans too.

One person described Mercado as a “five star” restaurant. Another person said the staff were “friendly and efficient” and that they serve “generous portions”. Another satisfied customer said the food was “absolutely superb”.

The average cost of a meal at the restaurant is between £30 and £50.

Fast-fashion giant Shein is set to make its highly anticipated stock market debut on Tuesday as it lists in Hong Kong after a years-long quest to go public.

It comes after failed attempts to list in the US and UK, as concerns were raised over issues including the firm’s labour practices and its environmental impact.

Once estimated to be worth nearly $100bn (£74bn), Shein is now valued at around a quarter of that figure, as the firm faces other issues like increased competition and global trade tensions.

Shein has grown hugely popular, especially with younger customers, due to its ability to source the very latest fashions at ultra-low prices through a vast network of factories in China.

On Monday, Shein priced its shares below the top end of their marketed range, raising ‌13.6 billion Hong Kong dollars ($1.7bn; £1.3bn) from the listing.

That gave the company a stock market valuation of $26.3bn.

Founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein operates a global e-commerce network, with sales in more than 150 countries.

Shein has 281 million active customers who placed a total of more than a billion orders in the year to the end of March 2026, the company said in a filing ahead of the listing.

But its business model has come under intense scrutiny over environmental and human rights concerns, while US and European Union crackdowns on cheap imports are squeezing its finances.

The stock market debut comes at a “complex moment” as investors grow sceptical over the performance of fast-fashion companies, said Louise Deglise-Favre from research firm GlobalData.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The sole pipeline that supplies water for millions of Grand Canyon visitors was badly damaged by weekend flash flooding, setting up a tricky repair scenario and upending a yearslong construction project to upgrade the line laid over terrain so rugged helicopters are often required to make basic fixes.

Park officials said roughly 40% of the pipeline was damaged or destroyed. The long-term implications of the damage to the park’s infrastructure, visitors and year-round residents weren’t immediately clear. The 12.5-mile (20-kilometer) long Transcanyon Waterline has endured dozens of breaks in recent years. A more than $200 million repair and replacement project was well underway when the floods hit.

Caused by heavy rain, the floods killed at least two people, left more than a dozen others missing or unaccounted for and required the evacuation of more than 60 people. Officials said significant water reductions are needed — short showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth and flushing toilets selectively to to protect the limited stored water on the South Rim, where most visitors go.

Even routine repairs can be tricky

The pipeline, which was finished in the 1970s, has broken more than 85 times since 2010. It moves water from one side of the canyon, down to its base, across a bridge and back up the other side of the rough landscape. Any effort to fix a break from rock falls or flash floods is time-consuming, precarious and costly, so addressing the latest damage will be complicated.

The pipeline upgrade project, which began in 2023, took more than a decade to design, consider and fund. It involves moving the point where water would flow into the pipeline, installing helicopter pads, building water treatment facilities and replacing several miles of pipeline.

Basic decisions were complicated. For example, the original pipe was aluminum, which is lighter and easier to move into the steep canyon but is susceptible to breaking. Engineers picked a flex-steel material to balance weight with durability.

Frequent breaks cause water restrictions

Even routine pipeline breaks force water restrictions. In 2016, a hotel on the canyon’s rim that offers luxury dining and boasts about its history hosting presidents was forced to reduce dishwashing and use paper plates and plastic utensils.

The park had water conservation measure in place even before the latest bout of flooding and damage.

The flooding has forced parts of the park to close and additional flooding was possible Monday, according to the National Park Service.

“Consider changing your plans if you were going to hike, boat, or paddleboard to a slot canyon or normally dry wash. If you do still decide to recreate, check in at a nearby visitor center or ranger station,” a notice on the park website said.

Officials said previously that the repair and replacement project would ensure that the park will be able to meet its water supply needs for the next 50 years or more. The park had roughly 4.4 million visitors last year.

When the original pipeline was nearing completion in the 1960s, more than a foot (0.3 meters) of rain fell, flooding the inner canyon. That rare historic flood caused 40% of the project to be destroyed, officials said.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Over 5000 users reported problems on Downdetector on Monday evening, with most saying they are having trouble receiving messages.

Microsoft’s status checker, however, says that all products are operational at this time.

The terms “Microsoft Outlook down” and “Microsoft outage” are also trending on social media.

Are Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Copilot also down?

According to Downdetector, both Teams and 365 are experiencing issues for some user – albeit not at the same level as Outlook currently.

It is difficult to ascertain the extent, if any, of a Microsoft Copilot outage.

Arsenal avoid a repeat of last season’ heartbreaking loss at Aston Villa with Mikel Arteta admitting the hurt had motivated Monday night’s performance

Mikel Arteta hailed a “massive win” and then revealed Arsenal were fired up by last year’s heartbreak. The Gunners lost at Villa Park last season when Emiliano Buendia got a last-gasp winner to leave Arsenal shell-shocked.

But the reigning champions made it two straight wins and a perfect start to the defence of their title thanks to Bukayo Saka’s second half goal.

Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Really happy, it’s a massive win. It’s a tough place to come and earn three points. I think we deserved it. We had a great performance. I know how tough it is to win here. Every big team has struggled against them because they are so good.

“I always trust my players. The level depends on the moment as well. Last year, we lost here in a really difficult way. That was still in the tummy. Last year was the same, we know how difficult it is to earn points in this league.”

Arteta brought on Ezri Konsa against his old club to a mixed reception while Eberechi Eze came on at half time to change the game.

“Ebs creates the action that wins us the game. Ezri, as well, really composed and really calm with every decision he made. I’m really happy with all of them,” said Arteta.

Arteta admitted that Arsenal could still move in the market on deadline day after effectively turning his phone off before Villa. He added: “I disconnected for a day. My focus had to be on the game, we have the right people at the club to look after that.”

Saka said: “Very very tough game. It’s not easy coming here, we knew that, and they made it hard for us so it feels great to come out with the win.

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“One goal is normally enough for us because we’re so solid at the back. Once we got the first, we could have got the second. We had two penalty shouts that didn’t go our way.”

Villa lost without a shot on target and did not manage one in their opener at Brighton either after a big summer of change.

Boss Unai Emery said: “To lose one match is painful, but we must try to get positive things. There are 38 matches, we have played two and have no points, but hopefully we can get better. We can feel confidence because the way we want to build a team is by competing like today.”

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Pakistan have a history of making eccentric decisions in the wake of defeats. On England’s last tour of Pakistan in 2024, the hosts responded to losing the first Test, when England made a total in excess of 800, by playing the second Test on the same pitch in Multan.

On that occasion, Pakistan used garden heaters and fans to dry the surface, to assist their spinners. The home side won the next two Tests to win the series 2-1.

Now, among the seven players sent home are Salman, who captained in the first Test in the absence of the injured Babar Azam, then was dropped for the second.

Also dropped is opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was criticised at Lord’s for not attempting to bat in either innings after suffering a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.

Raja, who played 57 Tests between 1984 and 1997, added: “I’m really not happy with the situation.

“How many times have we seen this happen in world cricket? Never, ever. This is more like football, midway through the season, firing a manager.

“If you ask me how things can be fixed, I’ve got no idea.”

The sweeping selection changes come after the Pakistan team were surrounded by controversy during the second Test.

At lunch on the first day, the PCB threatened to cancel the remainder of the match and tour because of an interview with the sons of Imran Khan that was broadcast by Sky.

Imran, the former Pakistan captain and prime minster, has been in prison for three years on charges of corruption, which he denies.

Pakistan ultimately completed the Test, with both captain Babar and head coach Sarfaraz denying any knowledge of a planned boycott.

The tourists are also due to have an audience with King Charles at Clarence House this week.

“Extremely comfortable, very warm, I bought them last week and I’ve had no rubbing, no blisters”

Now that autumn is basically here, many fashion fans will be delighted at the prospect of ditching their flip flops and sandals for shoes more suited to the cooler weather. Boots are a seasonal must-have, and there’s no brand more synonymous with the season than TImberland.

I’m usually a hardcore Dr Martens fan in the autumn and winter months, but one pair of Timberland boots have convinced me to step out of my comfort zone and try something different. Timberland’s boots effortlessly bridge the gap between outdoor functionality and streetwear style. Never going out of style, they can be thrown on with jeans when heading to the office or on a weekend adventure.

Shoppers are snapping up the brand’s Stone Street Platform 6-Inch Waterproof Boots quickly, and it’s not hard to see why. They are a little pricey, but when treated properly, are designed to last pretty much forever, meaning the cost per wear is lower than cheaper shoes that you have to repurchase when they inevitably wear out.

READ MORE: Luxury Boden autumn jumpers, trousers and shoes slashed in double discount sale that ends Sunday

READ MORE: ‘Light’ Regatta £80 jacket slashed to £8 in deal stack ‘kept me dry in a downpour’

The Stone Street Platform 6-Inch Waterproof Boots are a fresh take on Timberland’s iconic silhouette. Shoppers can pick them up in sizes three to nine, with half sizes available.

They’re crafted from premium Timberland leather with a chunky sole, offering an elevated look that’s bang on-trend. The boots feature a warm lining from the brand’s innovative recycled ReBOTL fabric.

The boots have 200g of PrimaLoft insulation and clever seam-seals to help keep feet warm and dry. They’re finished off with a memory foam footbed and a steel shank that help promote cushioning for long-lasting comfort.

Thanks to their versatile design, the boots can be styled with a number of outfits. They can be paired with casual denim, cargo pants, oversized hoodies, or even contrasting feminine pieces like maxi skirts and dresses.

Elsewhere, the Vintage 1460 Quilon Leather Ankle Boots cost £220 at Dr. Martens. The premium, heritage-focused re-issue of the iconic eight-eyelet boot feature the brand’s iconic silhouette and handcrafted by skilled cobblers in Northamptonshire.

Alternatively, Marks and Spencer’s Leather Cowboy Block Heel Mid Calf Boots are priced at £85. The leather boots are designed to bring equestrian vibes to any autumn outfit.

They feature a mid-calf silhouette and an easy, slip-on design. A harness strap and an angled block heel ensure an authentic, cowboy-style look.

Back at Timberland, the Stone Street Platform 6-Inch Waterproof Boots boast an overall star-rating of 4.3 out of five based on almost 30 reviews. One satisfied shopper said: “Beautiful shoe. The thick sole is really nice, just a little bit different.”

A second wrote: “You can’t deny the style is beautiful, the colour sold it for me, I have wide feet, and what I love about Timberland is that they do wide fit. I bought these yesterday at Westfield, great customer service, plus to my surprise and delight the boots had 10% off plus the wax.

“I wanted to give a customer service review online, but the manger was there and said tell me now. So I did, couldn’t fault the service which is always a bonus. He gave me some freebies, charming little accessories for the boots. These boots are worth the full price, but knowing you can get 10% off is even better.”

“I’m a boot girl, I love Timberland,” a third penned. “The style, and feel, I’ve never had an issue. I have wide feet so it’s great that Timberland do half sizes.

“Extremely comfortable, very warm, I bought them last week and I’ve had no rubbing, no blisters. Extremely happy, gorgeous colour.”

Despite the positive reviews, there are some things to bear in mind before purchasing the Stone Street Platform 6-Inch Waterproof Boots. The have a notoriously roomy toe box, and while this is good for people with wider feet or those who like to wear thick winter socks, it may not be good for those with narrow feet.

Nevertheless, someone else loved their latest Timberland purchase, adding: “Super unusual and beautiful shoes. My size was sold out but I finally managed to buy them.

“They run great and are nice and warm. They are definitely waterproof because I wore them on a rainy day and my feet were so dry. I am very happy with my purchase and recommend them to anyone who likes Timberland.”

Another five-star review reads. “What a pair of cool and special boots. They are wide and roomy, I like that.

“Wore them and no sore feet. Definitely recommend, but not everyone should buy them because they won’t be so special anymore.”

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 22:20 BST, 31 August 2026 | Updated: 22:43 BST, 31 August 2026