It has a factory at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan and said job losses were necessary in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs

Luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, which has a factory in the Vale of Glamorgan, has confirmed plans to cut its global workforce by 20%. The company said its financial performance was being undermined by President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies.

The carmaker, renowned for its connection with the James Bond film franchise, employed just under 3,000 staff, suggesting redundancies of more than 500 workers.

It employs more than 500 at its St Athan factory in the Vale, which was established with nearly £19m of Welsh Government financial support. Its UK HQ and main manufacturing base is in Gaydon in the Midlands. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

READ MORE: Leekes invests to create two new departments at its flagship Llantrisant storeREAD MORE: Construction work under way on new £119m Cardiff and Vale College campuses

The St Athan facility, located at a former RAF hangar, saw its first sport utility vehicle rolling off the production line in late 2019. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

For its financial results for 2025, the London Stock Exchange listed firm posted pre-tax losses of £363.9m. With a tax charge total losses widened to nearly £500m. Meanwhile, revenue plummeted 21% to £1.3bn

Confirming its latest job losses, following a round last year, the company said: “Having undertaken, at the start of 2025, a process to make organisational adjustments to ensure the business was appropriately resourced for its future plans, we had to take the difficult decision at the end of 2025 to implement further changes. This latest programme will ultimately see the departure of up to 20% of our valued workforce.

“Linked directly to this necessary action, we expect associated annualised operating expenditure and capital expenditure savings of circa £40m of which the majority will be realised in full year 2026.

The manufacturer said it had recognised a provision of £18.7m in relation to anticipated restructuring costs as it consulted on reducing its global workforce as part of an operational review.

Pressure has intensified on the carmaker amid heightened international trade tensions. Over the past year, the group’s wholesale volumes dropped 10% to 5,448 units.

Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin chief executive, said: “In 2025, we navigated a highly challenging trading environment whilst delivering on critical operational milestones.

“An unprecedented backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties and macroeconomic pressures, including heightened tariffs in the US and China, weighed on our performance and ability to execute our plans effectively.”

Last May, UK car production tumbled to its lowest level since 1949 as manufacturers bore the brunt of the US trade policy. Following Trump’s introduction of substantial tariffs on foreign-manufactured vehicles, British companies including Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover were compelled to halt US-bound shipments from April.

In October, the manufacturer attributed a combination of economic pressures and the continuing impact of tariffs as it cautioned sales would decline year on year.

Aston Martin is forecasting a “material improvement” for the year ahead, with approximately 500 deliveries of its limited-edition hybrid supercar Valhalla and the advantages of its transformation strategy.

Mr Hallmark described the commencement of Valhalla as the “highlight of the year”.

He added: “Looking ahead, I remain confident that our strategy and upcoming products will position us strongly for future success.

“In 2026, we expect to deliver a material improvement in financial performance and continue delivering year-on-year improvements over the short-mid-term with a focus on margin expansion and cash flow generation.”

Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) has found himself in the middle of a new romance storyline with Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) in Emmerdale.

Given the year he just had, it’s a hugely exciting time for Vinny, as he’s about to navigate his first relationship since he began exploring his sexuality.

We know Vinny Dingle relatively well now, but what about actor Bradley Johnson?

Here’s everything you need to know about the star.

Who plays Vinny in Emmerdale?

Bradley Johnson has played the role of Vinny Dingle in Emmerdale since 2019. Bradley is 27 years old, and appeared in a number of dramas prior to joining the ITV soap.

His credits include Shameless, The Syndicate and Harriet’s Army.

Away from his acting, Bradley is also a talented singer. Before being cast as Vinny, Bradley featured in the BBC One talent show Let it Shine, which saw a group of judges find five performers to play a boy band in a musical.

Is he in a relationship in real-life?

Bradley is in a relationship with Sammie Johnstone, who he proposed to in 2023.

In 2024, they welcomed the arrival of their first child, who is called Albie Jake Johnson.

What is happening with Vinny in Emmerdale?

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After spending the day with friend Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) last year, things changed for Vinny when he tried to kiss him.

At first, Vinny claimed that the move was just a joke. He was engaged to Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) at the time, and reminded Kammy of this to cover up his confusion.

But the longer things went on, the more Vinny struggled to ignore the thoughts surrounding his sexuality. In an attempt to find some answers, Vinny started speaking to a man called Mike on an LGBTQI+ forum.

Unfortunately, Mike turned out to be a con artist and was only interested in Vinny’s money. He was brutally attacked at one point, but he still kept his secret from Gabby.

Gabby found out the truth when Vinny gave evidence at Mike’s trial. They tried to make their marriage work, but Gabby was constantly worried about what Vinny was up to. She ended their relationship, believing it was best for the both of them.

This week, Vinny and Lewis addressed their feelings for each other. After spending the day helping Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) free a flock of trapped sheep, Vinny and Lewis shared a kiss, on a high from the success of the day.

Back at Dale View, Vinny and Lewis slept together.

In today’s episode, now available on ITVX, they face their first challenge when Vinny fears Lewis has given him the brush off, as he rushes to work without really speaking to him about their night together.

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The streaming platform has warned that millions of users will lose access to Netflix after March 2

Netflix will no longer be compatible for around 87 million devices globally as of next week. The streaming platform will no longer be accessible for those who use Sony’s Playstation 3 (PS3) to binge watch their favourite shows and films on Netflix.

Affected users have reported seeing a message appear on their device to warn them of the forthcoming disconnection. It reads: “Unfortunately, Netflix will no longer be available on this device after March 2, 2026. Visit netflix.com/compatibledevices to see a list of supported devices.”

The streamer has not made an official announcement yet but it comes after the platform ended support for first-generation Amazon Fire TV devices. Now it’s PS3’s turn as the final seventh-generation console becomes the last from its time to have official support phased out, the Metro reports.

Users relying on these older devices will now have to freshen up their gadget game if they want to continue streaming episodes of the likes of Bridgerton and The Night Agent or rewatch seasons of Stranger Things and Squid Game. While the PS3 may have stopped production in 2017, around 87.5million of them were bought globally which means a huge number of people could be potentially impacted by the changes

Most modern smart TVs are now compatible with the streamer and many come with the Netflix app built in. For those looking for alternative ways, it’s also possible to use mobile phones, tablets, computers, and streaming sticks to access the paid-for subscription service.

However, as devices get older and become less widely used, they might also be in danger of becoming incompatible with Netflix. This is because software is developing fast and older systems struggle to keep up and house such complicated and advanced applications.

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Gaming Bible reported in 2023 that PS3 still hosted around 2million active monthly users.

Many gamers still enjoy using older consoles and many Reddit users had been praising Netflix for supporting the outdated device for so long.

User Theemptyqueue said: “20 years of support is outstanding, honestly.” While others like user nighttaco echoed: “Nooo, I still use this.”

Meanwhile, user LiteratureMindless71 said it’s “time to modernise”.

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This isn’t the only big change Netflix has made in recent months. At the end of 2025, the platform cut the feature which allowed most users to cast from their phone to a bigger screen.

The handy feature enabled a better viewing experience and was a useful way to share programmes and films with family and friends. However, it was scrapped in December last year.

Statistics state that around 18 million homes in the UK had access to Netflix at the end of 2025, which equates to over six out of ten homes in Britain.

However, with this recent update of incompatible devices, user rates may fall drastically if those with no access now do not find another way to use the platform.

While many people assume that disagreements must result in a case going to court, this is far from always the case.

In fact, non-court dispute resolution has become a central part of modern family law, offering separating couples and families more constructive ways to resolve issues.

AFG Law explains what out of court dispute resolution is, how it works, and why it is so often a preferred alternative to litigation.

What is non-court dispute resolution in family law?

Non-court dispute resolution refers to a range of processes that help people resolve family law disputes without asking a judge to impose a decision.

These methods fall under the wider umbrella of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and are designed to encourage communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.

Rather than focusing on winning or losing, out-of-court approaches aim to help parties reach an agreement that works for their specific circumstances.

This can be particularly valuable in family law, where ongoing relationships, especially where children are involved, often continue long after legal issues are resolved.

Why consider resolving disputes outside court?

There are several reasons why non-court dispute resolution is encouraged in family law cases.

First, it is less adversarial than court proceedings.

This can reduce stress, protect children from conflict, and help preserve a more functional relationship between parties.

Secondly, non-court processes are often quicker and more cost-effective than litigation, allowing families to move forward sooner.

Courts themselves now expect parties to consider alternative dispute resolution before issuing proceedings in most family law matters.

Choosing not to explore these options without good reason can have cost and procedural consequences.

Common forms of alternative dispute resolution

There are several forms of alternative dispute resolution commonly used in family law.

The most appropriate option will depend on the issues involved, the level of communication between parties, and any safeguarding concerns.

Mediation

Family law mediation involves an independent, neutral mediator, who may be a specially trained solicitor, barrister or other family law professional.

The mediator helps parties discuss issues and explore possible solutions.

Mediation is voluntary and focuses on cooperation rather than blame. It can be used for financial matters, arrangements for children, or both.

Hybrid mediation can include the parties’ solicitors, accountants or independent financial advisers to help deal with specific issues.

Shuttle mediation is where the mediator spends time with each party on their own, providing the opportunity to explore issues and settlement proposals in greater detail.

Solicitor-led negotiation

In some cases, parties prefer their solicitors to negotiate on their behalf.

This can be done through correspondence or meetings and may be suitable where direct communication is difficult, but court proceedings are not yet necessary.

Collaborative law

Collaborative law involves both parties and their solicitors committing to resolving matters without going to court.

Meetings take place face to face, and everyone involved agrees to work towards settlement transparently and constructively.

Each of these options aims to avoid the need to take a case to court, while still providing structure and professional guidance.

Are agreements reached out of court legally binding?

A common concern is whether agreements reached outside court are enforceable. On their own, informal agreements are not automatically legally binding.

However, this does not mean they lack value.

In financial cases, an agreement reached through negotiation or mediation can usually be converted into a court-approved order, making it legally binding and enforceable.

In children matters, agreements can be reflected in formal arrangements or, where appropriate, approved by the court.

Taking legal advice before finalising any agreement is essential to ensure it accurately reflects what has been agreed and provides proper protection for the future.

When is non-court dispute resolution not appropriate?

Although non-court dispute resolution works well in most cases, it is not suitable for everyone. Situations involving domestic abuse, coercive control, or significant power imbalance may make negotiation unsafe or unfair.

Where there are safeguarding concerns, urgent issues, or a lack of willingness to engage constructively, court intervention may be necessary.

In such circumstances, taking a case to court may be the most appropriate and protective option.

Importantly, the suitability of alternative dispute resolution should always be assessed carefully, and no one should feel pressured to participate in a process that does not feel safe.

The role of legal advice in non-court resolution

Even when disputes are resolved without court proceedings, legal advice remains crucial. Solicitors can help you understand your rights, assess whether proposals are fair, and advise on likely court outcomes if agreement cannot be reached.

Having separate legal advice alongside negotiation or mediation can also make discussions more effective, as both parties are better informed and more confident in the process. This often increases the chances of reaching a sustainable agreement.

Does non-court dispute resolution really work?

For many families, non-court dispute resolution is highly effective. It allows parties to retain control over decisions, tailor outcomes to their needs, and avoid the uncertainty of a court-imposed order.

When both parties are willing to engage openly, non-court dispute resolution can help them reach an agreement that is practical, forward-looking, and less damaging emotionally and financially. While it is not the right solution in every case, it plays a vital role in modern family law.

How can AFG Law assist with out-of-court dispute resolution?

At AFG Law, we recognise that every family situation is different, and that resolving disputes outside court can often lead to better, more sustainable outcomes.

Our family law solicitors advise clients at every stage of the non-court dispute resolution process, helping them understand their options and choose the most appropriate approach for their circumstances.

We can support you by:

• Advising on whether alternative dispute resolution is suitable for your case
• Preparing you for negotiations or mediation
• Providing clear legal advice alongside out-of-court discussions
• Reviewing proposed agreements to ensure they are fair and workable
• Converting agreements into legally binding court orders where appropriate

Where non-court resolution is not suitable, such as in cases involving domestic abuse or urgent safeguarding concerns, we can advise you on taking a case to court.

Our focus is always on achieving practical, proportionate solutions that minimise conflict and help you move forward with confidence.

To speak to a solicitor for advice on out-of-court dispute resolution, contact us today via email at familysolicitor@afglaw.co.uk or call us on 01204 920105.

West Lothian Council is one of 19 local authorities to receive support through the third round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund.

Families in Almond Valley and across West Lothian are set to benefit from new Scottish Government funding aimed at tackling child poverty and helping households with the cost of living.

West Lothian Council is one of 19 local authorities to receive support through the third round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund.

Almost £1.9 million will back 21 projects across Scotland between 2025 and 2028, helping councils and local partners strengthen community-based services and improve access to financial support.

The funding is designed to test new approaches, improve benefit take-up and boost household incomes, ensuring families can access the help they are entitled to.

READ MORE: West Lothian Council to impose Council Tax rise of 7.4 percent from April

Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, welcomed the announcement.

She said: “Tackling child poverty and supporting families through the ongoing cost of living challenges remains a clear priority.

“I am pleased that Almond Valley will benefit from this investment, which will strengthen local services and help families across Almond Valley access the advice and financial support they need.

“Community-based projects make a real difference.

“They connect families to practical help, improve wellbeing and ensure support is available close to home.

READ MORE: Woman reunites long-lost West Lothian wedding video with owners 40 years later

“Alongside measures such as the Scottish Child Payment, free prescriptions and free bus travel for under-22s, this funding forms part of a wider package designed to put more money into people’s pockets and give every child the best possible start in life.”

The draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 sets out plans to invest £8 billion through the social justice portfolio to tackle the root causes of child poverty, support vulnerable people and ease cost of living pressures.

The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund is now in its third year and continues to support local innovation and share learning on what works best to reduce poverty in communities across Scotland.

READ MORE: West Lothian shopkeeper attacked in violent robbery as police investigate

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The British government has rubbished Russia’s claim that Ukraine is trying to obtain a nuclear weapon with British and French help.

Russia‘s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), without providing evidence, claimed that Ukraine’s nuclear allies in Europe were preparing to provide Ukraine with nuclear parts and technology.

A British government spokesperson shot back on Tuesday, saying: “This is a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract from his heinous actions in Ukraine. There is no truth to this.

“You’ll have seen the PM’s words this morning paying tribute to the incredible resilience of the Ukrainians … We will continue with our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.”

Ukraine also dismissed Russian claims as “absurd”, as it marked four years since the full-scale Russian invasion.

“Russian officials, known for their impressive record of lies, are once again trying to fabricate the old ‘dirty bomb’ nonsense,” said Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry.

“For the record: Ukraine has already denied such absurd Russian claims many times before, and we officially deny them again now,” Tykhyi said. “We urge the international community to reject and condemn Russia’s dirty information bombs.”

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Four killed in drone attack on Russia’s Smolensk region, says governor

Four people have been killed and 10 injured after a Ukrainian drone attack on a fertiliser factory on the Smolensk region of western Russia, according to the local governor.

Vasily Anokhin said that the people were employees of a fertiliser factory in a statement on Telegram on Wednesday.

Maira Butt25 February 2026 09:19

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Musk cutting Starlink to Russia’s drones has delivered ‘enormous’ boost to Ukraine, says army chief

“After the blocking of Starlink for the Russians, the level of their efficiency compared to ours has sharply decreased because Starlink is practically irreplaceable as a combat communication system,” the brigadier general tells The Independent.

The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:

Maira Butt25 February 2026 08:46

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UK has much to learn from Ukraine, says British ambassador

Reflecting on the fourth anniversary of the war, the British Ambassador to Ukraine said the UK has much to learn from Kyiv’s resilience.

Neil Crompton said in a statement on Tuesday that the war is “the issue of our lifetime”, describing it as “existential, in that the outcome will shape the future of Europe”.

“I can’t but marvel at the fortitude Ukrainians have shown,” he added. “Back in 2022, analysts predicted Kyiv would be captured within days.

“Who can forget President Zelenskyy’s immortal line’“I don’t need a ride. I need ammunition,’ when offered the chance to be evacuated?

“Four years on, the Ukrainians are still fighting, having revolutionised warfare through innovative use of drones and technology to bridge the numerical advantages Russia enjoys. The UK and NATO have much to learn from them.”

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James Reynolds25 February 2026 08:15

Recap: Another round of talks expected tomorrow

US and Ukrainian officials are expected to hold another round of talks in Geneva on Thursday, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff announced yesterday.

He said that he and Trump’s son in law, Jared Kushner, would travel to Geneva tomorrow to hold talks with Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s lead negotiator, and separately with Iran.

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Witkoff said he spoke with Umerov over the phone to seek permission for the meeting from Zelensky.

He said he and Umerov talk on an almost daily basis.

James Reynolds25 February 2026 07:55

How have the frontlines changed in four years of war?

Ukraine’s front line today is “not like a coherent line, where there’s like a clear control, with two trench lines with a little bit of no man’s land in between,” military analyst Emil Kastehelmi told The Independent as the war entered its fifth year.

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“Drones have made it so that front lines are blurry and troops may be intermingled in a certain area of presence.”

This “drone-dominated battlefield” has “demechanised” the front lines, making huge advances difficult. The threat from the sky has made tanks unviable, leading Russia to fall back on trying to overwhelm Ukraine with infantry-heavy tactics.

Even with plans to increase the size of the army to 1.5 million people, this has come at a huge cost for Russia.

On the fourth anniversary of the war, The Independent looked at how technology and tactics have changed the frontlines:

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James Reynolds25 February 2026 07:33

Ukraine says it will never agree to territorial concessions to Russia

Ukraine will never agree to concede territory, as being forcibly asked by Russia, in concessions during peace talks, the Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Mariana Betsa said at a UN security council meeting today.

“We will never recognise the occupation and will never accept territorial concessions. We will never compromise our freedom,” she said.

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The Ukrainian official added that Russia and its accomplices will not stop. “Moscow feels a sense of impunity, as it has not yet faced proper consequences for its crimes,” she said.

The official emphasised Moscow’s totalitarian goals towards Ukraine which require a complete takeover of the war-hit nation’s territory and how it continues to use negotiations as a cover for its war.

“The Kremlin’s position remains unchanged. It wants Ukraine to withdraw from our own sovereign territory to ensure that Russia can occupy it. And this is not a matter of negotiating red lines. Sovereignty and territorial integrity is a key founding principle of the UN charter,” Betsa said.

Arpan Rai25 February 2026 07:13

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Putin’s special envoy calls for Starmer to resign

Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev called for prime minister Keir Starmer to resign in a social media post that claimed the UK is supplying Ukraine with nuclear weapons.

“Starmer needs to resign before trying to cover up his shame by provoking a nuclear war,” Dmitriev said in a post on X.

The prime minister’s spokesperson said there was no truth to the comments.

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Arpan Rai25 February 2026 07:05

Zelensky: Only by visiting Ukraine can Trump understand who must be pressured

In his address earlier today to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky called for Donald Trump to visit Ukraine.

“Only by coming to Ukraine, and seeing with one’s own eyes our life and our struggle, feeling our people and the enormity of this pain – only then can one understand what this war is really about. And because of whom. Who the aggressor is here and who must be pressured,” the Ukrainian president said in the address, as he stressed the importance of a visit by Trump.

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He said Ukraine is defending life, adding that it is “not a street fight” but an “attack by a sick state on a sovereign one”.

Zelensky added: “Putin is this war. He is the cause of its beginning and the obstacle to its end. And it is Russia that must be put in its place. So that there can be real peace.”

Arpan Rai25 February 2026 06:48

Trump’s former Ukraine envoy condemns US abstention on UN resolution: ‘Not a business deal’

US president Donald Trump’s former special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who left his role last month has bashed the administration for not backing the UN resolution on peace in Ukraine.

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“A UN vote on a lasting peace in Ukraine and we abstained. Go figure. The Russian Federation was against the proclamation. Is not four years of war enough? Is not missing children, shelling of cities and the killing of innocents enough? It is not a business deal-it is war,” he said in a post on X.

Arpan Rai25 February 2026 06:23

US abstains from UN ceasefire resolution on Ukraine, blames China instead

Tammy Bruce, the US deputy UN envoy, explained the US abstention, saying that while Washington welcomed the call for an immediate ceasefire, the resolution included language likely to distract from ongoing negotiations, “rather than support discussion of the full range of diplomatic avenues that may pave the way to that durable peace”.

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The 15-member UN Security Council has been deadlocked throughout the war and unable to take action on Ukraine because Russia holds a veto.

The council session saw a clash between the US and China over Washington’s charge that Beijing’s imports of Russian oil and Chinese sales of materials with military uses to Russia have helped sustain Moscow’s operations in Ukraine.

“China remains a decisive enabler of Russia’s war machine,” Bruce told the council.

“If China truly wants peace, it should immediately end exports of dual-use goods and stop purchasing Russian oil.”

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Fu Cong, China’s UN ambassador, responded by accusing the US of fabricating “all sorts of excuses and lies” about China intended “to create division and conflict.”

Washington, he said, should “stop shifting blame and creating conflicts and wars around the world”.

Arpan Rai25 February 2026 06:13

Mexico’s president has insisted there is “no risk” to fans coming to the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after the killing of a cartel boss sparked days of violence.

Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that “all the guarantees” for safety were in place for the tournament, which will see Mexico host 13 of 104 World Cup matches.

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the head and founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in the state of Jalisco on Sunday by Mexico’s military as they tried to detain him.

His death led to widespread retaliatory violence by Oseguera Cervantes loyalists, especially in Jalisco state, where the group is based and derives its name.

Some 70 people died in the operation and violence that erupted after it, which led to multiple airlines suspending flights to parts of the country.

Guadalajara, the state’s capital, is due to host four of the 2026 World Cup matches, with Mexico City and Monterrey hosting the others.

Jalisco’s governor Pablo Lemus said: “There is absolutely no intention on FIFA’s part to remove any venues from Mexico. The three venues remain completely firm.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino told reporters on Tuesday he was feeling “very calm” about Mexico’s hosting this summer’s tournament.

“Everything is going to be spectacular,” he said.

A spokesperson for FIFA said the organisation was closely monitoring the situation and was in close contact with the authorities.

Mexico’s leader said during her daily morning press conference that the situation was normalising, with security forces working to safeguard the public.

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Ms Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, is widely seen as the political protege of former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Until now, she has largely followed his so-called “hugs not bullets” non-confrontational security strategy, which prioritises alleviating poverty and other root causes of violence.

Asked whether the killing of Oseguera Cervantes marked a break from that policy, Sheinbaum said this would never be the case.

“The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,” she said.

The arrests of other top cartel figures in Sinaloa state have, in recent years, also triggered cartel retaliation, including shootouts and vehicles set on fire.

The Scots-founded business has been trading since 1985.

Another retailer from the Scottish high street has collapsed into administration. All nine employees currently working at the firm’s two sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow are set to be made redundant.

Bespoke jewellery firm The Ringmaker has collapsed into liquidation after 40-years of trading. It has been reported that the move comes after the firm has racked up debts and left creditors our of pocket.

The Scots-founded company, which first opened in 1985, specialised in designing and hand-making engagement and wedding rings. It employed a specialist team of designers across its Ingram Street showroom in Glasgow and the firm’s other base at Dundas Street in Edinburgh.

As reported by the National, suppliers and customers claim they have been met with no response from bosses at the firm for weeks when trying to chase information about bills and invoices.

The company is said to have been inactive on its social media channels, with its last posts being published in January. Based off its final social media posts, it seems the firm was trading over the Christmas period, offering deals of up to 50 percent off.

However, customers and suppliers have since received no communication regarding invoices and bills. On Facebook, some shoppers say they have been contacted directly by liquidators following the news.

There had been reports that the retailer had been struggling for a while, with both suppliers and customers receiving no response to queries. This was before a formal liquidation notice appeared on the Companies House website.

A source told the Glasgow Times: “Rumours had circulated for a while that the business was in trouble. I’d heard suppliers say that when they tried to get in touch, no calls were being returned and no emails were being answered.

“It was just mounting bills by the looks of it. The jewellery business in Glasgow is so competitive, customers just don’t have the money to spend like they did in previous years. It’s really sad to see such a respected firm go bust like this.”

Azets in Renfrew were named as liquidators for the jewellery firm’s parent firm Holkar Ltd and Ninety Four Ltd. It has also been confirmed that all nine staff members were “regrettably” let go following the announcement.

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Blair Milne, restructuring and insolvency partner at Azets and the joint provisional liquidator, said: “Holkar Ltd and Ninety Four Ltd, which traded in Glasgow and Edinburgh as The Ringmaker, experienced a difficult trading period in recent months and a downturn in trade in the run up to Christmas. This continued into the start of this year and led to the company being unable to pay its debts.

“Having sought professional advice, the directors took the difficult decision to cease trading on 13 January and seek the appointment of a liquidator. We were subsequently appointed as provisional liquidators to both businesses on 21 January.”

He added: “The two companies employed a total of nine people, all of whom have regrettably had to be made redundant, and this process was instigated prior to our appointment. We will help employees with their entitlement claims to the Redundancy Payments Service and shall safeguard the assets of the companies while we arrange their sale in an effort to provide a return to the company’s creditors.

“We have returned the majority of jewellery belonging to customers of both businesses and encourage anyone who has any queries relating to this case to contact the provisional liquidators via the Azets website.”

The Ringmaker is just the latest retailer to collapse into administration recently. The Scottish high street has suffered some major blows since 2025, with many companies closing down several stores or collapsing completely.

Quiz Clothing, another Scots-founded brand, confirmed it had appointed administrators at Interpath in February. The move has made all 109 head office and warehouse staff redundant, while the future of its 40 stores are at risk of closure.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have started a two-day international trip to focus on their charitable endeavours, while the Royal Family continue with the fallout of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have kicked off a pseudo royal tour in Jordan, while in Harry’s home country, the Royal Family continue to grapple with the fallout of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest last week.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex started their whirlwind trip by sitting down with key figures working to support the humanitarian needs of refugees in the country. Meghan and Harry joined a roundtable discussion hosted by the World Health Organisation with individuals from major leading bodies like the United Nations. The couple travelled to Jordan at the invitation of the WHO’s director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

READ MORE: Duchess Sophie leaves the country amid Prince Edward pulling out of major eventREAD MORE: Royals’ secret Andrew torment – ‘nervous breakdowns, tears and crisis talks’

While their trip is not an official royal visit, given that the Sussexes took a step back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to America, they will spend their trip engaging with various charities and philanthropic efforts in the region.

During their two-day visit, Harry and Meghan will meet Jordanian leaders and senior health officials, engage with WHO teams, visit frontline health and mental health programmes and meet World Central Kitchen staff co-ordinating food relief for Gaza from the capital city of Jordan, Amman.

The Duke and Duchess will also visit Questscope at the Za’atari Refugee Camp, home to displaced Syrians, with the aim to further highlight the importance of mental health services, physical rehabilitation, and community-based support for individuals and families affected by war, displacement, and serious illness.

Around the table for the WHO meeting sat senior figures from UN agencies like UNRWA, UNHCR, World Food Programme, Unicef and diplomatic attendees from countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Canada and the EU.

Philip Hall, British Ambassador to Jordan, thanked the Sussexes for travelling to the Middle East, saying: “So I would simply say thank you very much indeed for coming. Your visit, your support, your appreciation of the efforts that the United Nations, including of course, the World Health Organisation, the government of Jordan and others, are making here is enormously appreciated. So thank you for coming.”

A major element of Harry and Meghan’s trip will focus on efforts to support vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement, as they will also visit initiatives they have helped fund to medically evacuate children from the war in Gaza to the Middle East nation.

Jordan has received wave after wave of refugees beginning with Palestinians more than 80 years ago, who now number around 2.5 million people, and Syrians who fled conflict in their country until recently ruled by President Bashar al-Assad.

The visit builds on a long-standing partnership with the WHO and follows a joint engagement in London last September, where Dr Tedros and The Duke of Sussex highlighted pioneering research at Imperial College London’s Centre for Blast Injury Studies.

Harry and Meghan’s pseudo royal tour comes just days after Harry’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested at his temporary home of Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate.

Andrew was arrested on Thursday morning, spending 11 hours in custody in a Norfolk police station on his 66th birthday. The former prince was released that evening, with Thames Valley Police confirming he is now under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

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On Tuesday evening, Thames Valley Police further confirmed that police searches at Royal Lodge, which had been underway since Andrew’s arrest, have come to an end. Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

“We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing. It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.” Andrew had vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The Radford family faced an anxious wait as 16-year-old Max prepares for a milestone in the upcoming episode of the Channel 5 show

The Radfords face an “unbearable” wait as Max prepares to receive his GCSE results in the upcoming episode of TV favourite 22 Kids and Counting. Mum and dad Noel and Sue share their lives and the lives of their 22 children in the hit Channel 5 show, and the instalment set to air on Sunday (March 1) will document a huge milestone as 16-year-old son Max waits to see if he has passed his exams.

A teaser clip has been posted on Instagram showed the family’s anxious wait. With no idea how it is going to go, the Radfords prepare for a possible celebration, reports the Mirror.

Noel admits: “Maths and science, I think he’ll do OK, it’s just the English. If I’m honest, I’m not convinced he’s going to pass his English. He did put some effort in towards the end, but he’s had a lot of struggles along the way. The odds are properly stacked against him.”

Max is said to be “on tenterhooks” as he waits to hear how he’s done. “You always want the best for your kids, but sometimes some things really tie you in knots,” said Sue.

“And the thing is, if Max doesn’t get his English resƒult that he needs, I don’t know what he’s going to do,” said Noel. “This is unbearable,” Sue added, as Noel agreed: “I don’t know who it’s worse for, Max or us.”

Max is then seen announcing that he has received the email containing his results. He then goes off to read his message privately before sharing the news with his parents and siblings.

As time passes and Max still fails to appear, they start to look worried and Sue grows concerned that it’s “not looking good.” The family even discuss whether they ought to take the decorations down.

Noel says: “If he hasn’t, I think we all need to be there for him. I think there’s a bit of support, because it obviously means a lot.”

However, the teenager then strides into the room and announces: “I passed!” He reveals that he achieved impressive marks, with particularly strong results in science and maths.

“As parents, we are extremely proud of Max,” said mum Sue, who declared it was “absolutely amazing” news. “Now it’s the sky’s the limit,” agreed dad Noel.

22 Kids and Counting airs at 8pm on Channel 5 on Sunday, March 1

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