More than 3,000 scallop-shaped embankments have been built across Holcombe Moor in a National Trust-led scheme to restore degraded peatland and boost resilience to wildfire and flooding.

The semi-circular “scallop bunds” are made of peat and covered with vegetation. They trap rainwater across thousands of spots, creating pools and boggy ground that support wildlife and help re-establish water-holding sphagnum moss.

The National Trust has planted around 1.5 million clumps of sphagnum so far as part of the restoration.

Nik Taylor, area ranger and supervisor for the project, said: “We’ve proven that actually on the ground, it doesn’t make a massive difference to the landscape characteristics, the aesthetics of the place.

“But it can create so many benefits, one of which is wildfire resilience.”

Restoration work has also taken place on the charity’s Stubbins Estate.

This has included damming gullies, installing “leaky dams” lower down the hillside, and protecting exposed peat.

The project serves multiple purposes: rewetting peat to store carbon, supporting rare moorland wildlife, and slowing water flow to reduce flooding in the River Irwell catchment.

Holcombe Moor, like much of the UK’s uplands, has suffered from centuries of burning, drainage, grazing, and pollution.

This has left deep, damaged peat—up to 4.5 metres thick in places—cut through with gullies and “weather edges” where erosion exposes the peat to further damage.

While traditional peatland schemes often focus on damming gullies to allow water to spread more slowly across the moor, the scallop bunds accelerate the process by holding water in thousands of small pools.

Mr Taylor said: “First of all trying to stop the rot, stop the degradation.

“Then we rewet and plant sphagnum that in time allows us to accumulate peat, that’s a millennial process, but at least it means it’s not deteriorating, so we start to sequester, not lose (carbon).”

He estimates the landscape is about three-fifths restored, but that full recovery could take up to 50 years.

The National Trust has worked closely with commoners who have grazing rights, bringing them into a Countryside Stewardship scheme that rewards reduced livestock and supports the peatland work.

Other project partners include the Environment Agency, Defra, Natural England, the Ministry of Defence, United Utilities, and tenant farmers.

Ben Eardley, nature recovery project manager at the National Trust, said: “With climate change, these extreme weather patterns are locked in now; it’s the new normal, so we need to rethink our relationship with rivers in these catchments.

“With peatland restoration, what you’re doing is trying to restore ecosystem function to a whole habitat, so then you get multiple benefits, during all weather conditions.”

On Holcombe Moor, the ground remained wet even during a recent dry summer that saw wildfires break out elsewhere.

Mr Taylor demonstrated the impact by driving a stick into the peat and finding it damp just below the surface.

He also squeezed water from a handful of sphagnum moss.

The newly created wet conditions have already benefitted wildlife. Dunlin, a bird species that was “just hanging on,” has seen its numbers increase.

Communities downstream have also noticed changes, with no flooding reported during a recent storm, just weeks after a new set of leaky dams was completed.

The wet ground conditions have also improved wildfire resilience.

Mr Taylor said: “It’s stayed wetter in the areas where we’ve done the scallop bunding on deep peat.

“It stays wetter for longer, and the groundwater level rises closer to the surface for longer, and that makes the ground more resilient to those deep fires that can get into the peat.”

The Pantone colour of the year for 2026 is white. It’s called Cloud Dancer, which is described as a “lofty white”. This choice reflects a growing trend away from colour in our visual world.

You might have noticed this yourself. Where an area once had a distinct sense of place we are seeing more cookie cutter developments popping up. Take the London borough of Elephant and Castle, which has seen billions of pounds of development in recent years. The area has gone from a Latin American enclave full of distinct and varied buildings to what Oli Mould, professor of social, cultural and historical geography, has warned is an “identikit homogeneous gentrified place”, which risks “destroying the very thing that makes a community thriving and beautiful in the first place”.“

There is a similar increasing sense of uniformity and sameness in urban design around the world. In 1993, architect Rem Koolhaas travelled 360,000km around the world, observing the rationalisation of urban design (the movement towards efficiency rather than creativity in the process) through what he termed the “generic city”. Functional, efficient, but colourless.

Algorithms of taste

This trajectory towards blandness is reinforced and sustained by the increasing tendency to allow algorithms to mediate the choices we make. This has the effect of
training perspectives to converge in “a strong pull toward sameness”.

Algorithms make predictions based upon our choices, from music to home furnishings. The algorithm takes that choice and suggests similar products based upon it, ultimately reinforcing and producing a monotonous and generic aesthetic taste. For instance, like a pop song by Sabrina Carpenter, you will then get served a lot of songs exactly like it until you find your Spotify Wrapped says that you are in the top listeners of something they’ve bafflingly called “Pink Pilates Princess Strut Pop”.

These sorts of algorithms in turn reinforce the production of products to meet those generic tastes, ultimately flattening the diversity of creative work, in everything from the songs we listen to to the urban surroundings in which we live.

Algorithmically driven taste results in a monoculture where art, pets and everything in between are chosen to match the generic palette of an algorithmic world.

This generic algorithmic taste is also having an impact at the design stage, particularly where metrics and investment desires overwhelm other considerations. Environments are increasingly considered by key decision makers like developers not in terms of their contribution to lived experience and cultural life, but as investment objects or financial assets, readily translated and transacted. The result is a flattening not only of our visual environment but also our engagement with that environment. And this loss is significant for our social wellbeing.

Back in 1983, the American sociologist George Ritzer introduced the concept of the “McDonaldization” of society to explain the business rationalisation of moving the design process towards faster, easier to manage, cheaper and more predictable outcomes. Like a McDonald’s burger, the production process becomes standardised. The burger is the same no matter where in the world you have one. Ritzer describes this happening in environments across a range of examples from restaurants to hospitals.

Ritzer acknowledged some of the advantages, like cost saving and customers knowing what to expect. However, the main problem he identified with this streamlining is there is no space for experimentation or personality because creativity and design are organised around efficiency. In this control of process we paradoxically lose control because we lose choice and creativity.

Living in colour

The issue goes beyond a loss of control of our spaces. The loss of colour is also a loss of expression. My work in law and aesthetics includes exploration of aesthetic welfare and the link between aesthetic experience and wellbeing. This includes how colour and expression in our built environment and surrounding spaces affects people.

Over 50 years ago, the American philosopher Monroe Beardsley introduced the concept of “aesthetic welfare” to explain the quality and availability of aesthetic experience through our environment, including colour and the impact it has on social and cultural wellbeing and resilience.

Attention to colour in our surroundings is linked to environmental enrichment as well as social and cultural participation through that environment. One study observed that students exposed to art under controlled experimental conditions expressed and engaged with colour differently from those without such experiences, consistent with the “pivotal role” of colour “in visual communication and emotional expression”.

Lack of opportunities to engage with colour and contrast in our environment risk making us less able to understand, appreciate, and use colour effectively. And this is particularly concerning if the primary way in which colour is otherwise delivered into our lives is through screens.

It is perhaps no coincidence that an idiom for malaise is to be “off-colour”. We need to move away from rational design and stop letting algorithms make our choices. We need to live in more colour.

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The Trump administration is set to host its own Shark Tank-style competition later this month, with rapper Nicki Minaj and Superman actor Dean Cain as judges.

Minaj and Cain, both ardent supporters of President Donald Trump, are two of the celebrity guests who will feature in the Small Business Administration’s “Million Dollar Pitch Competition,” where five entrepreneurs will compete to win a share of the $1 million prize.

Airbnb co-founder and U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia will join Minaj on the judging panel, along with private equity fund manager Grant Cardone.

The agency’s administrator, Kelly Loeffler, said the Trump-supporting stars “will only add to the excitement of this historic celebration of free enterprise” in a news release.

“From building globally recognized personal and business brands and multibillion-dollar portfolios to launching innovative wellness solutions and digital platforms, each brings a unique, real‑world perspective on business growth and impact,” Loeffler said.

“Their presence will be invaluable in highlighting the unique and inspiring stories of the five finalists competing for $1 million in growth capital, and the importance of Main Street businesses in powering American strength,” Loeffler added.

The competition’s format is similar to the hit TV show Shark Tank and the president’s former reality show The Apprentice, which aired on NBC from 2004 to 2017.

Minaj has become one of the president’s most vocal allies in the music industry and has been hosted by Trump at the White House several times. She helped the president to launch the administration’s “Trump Accounts” earlier this year.

The 43-year-old rapper previously opened up about her support for Trump. “When I saw how he was being treated over and over and over, I just couldn’t handle it,” she said on The Katie Miller Podcast earlier this year. “I felt that…a lot of that bullying, and the smear campaigns and all of the lying, I felt that that had been done to me for so many years.”

Cain similarly declared his “love” for Trump in a 2025 interview and endorsed the president during the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. “Trump is actually one of the most empathetic, wonderful, generous people you’ll ever meet,” he told Variety.

The former Superman star attended a Trump administration event in August to promote the president’s “No Tax on Tips” policy.

The competition is part of the Freedom 250 celebrations marking America’s birthday. The White House-aligned group was also behind the Great American State Fair, marked by several controversies, including cancelations from musicians and weather-related closures, and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C.

According to the agency, the $1 million cash prize is being funded by Clover Network, Inc, a payments processing platform.

Swansea’s move for the centre-back appears to be over

Swansea City’s proposed move for Strasbourg centre-back Soumaila Coulibaly has reportedly broken down.

According to Onze Mondial, discussions between the two clubs have ended, and the player will not be joining the Swans.

Discussions had been ongoing into the final day of the window, but it appears an agreement hasn’t been reached. You can follow live deadline day updates here.

WalesOnline also understands suggestions of a failed medical are wide of the mark.

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Swansea are understood to be keen on adding another centre-back option before tonight’s deadline, and it remains to be seen whether they will turn their attention elsewhere.

The club have already brought two central defenders on board this summer.

Stephen Welsh has joined on a free transfer from Celic, while Jenson Seelt has also arrived on loan from Sunderland.

Swansea boss Vitor Matos is already preparing for life without Cameron Burgess. The Australian likely to be out for the entire season after rupturing his Achilles.

Ben Cabango is another concern, having picked up a heel injury in the goalless draw with Sheffield United.

The Swans skipper has since been linked with a move to Championship rivals West Ham United, although sources at Swansea claim they are unaware of any interest at this stage.

It certainly doesn’t sound like there is a concrete approach from the Hammers at this stage.

Cabango missed the recent trip to Derby County, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be involved in tonight’s clash with Watford.

*Follow all of our social channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Swans news. Sign up to our daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here. Our Swansea City correspondent Tom Coleman is also on social media. He can be found on his X account here, on Instagram, on TikTok and on Facebook.

Locals said they have seen near misses and that the road could be made safer

The county council has dismissed calls to review a “dangerous” junction amid fears from residents that it is an accident waiting to happen.

Newnham residents signed a petition calling for the junction of Barton Road and Grantchester Street to be reviewed after claiming there had been a number of near misses. Peter Singleton, chair of Old Newnham Residents Association, launched the petition which was signed by more than 200 residents.

It was put to Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways and transport committee on Tuesday, September 1. The 73-year-old told the committee that a key issue is that there is just one phase where pedestrians and cyclists can cross together.

He said: “For pedestrians crossing the driftway and crossing Grantchester Street – strictly speaking there is no phase of the traffic lights which is safe for them to cross.

“There should be a review of the safety of this junction with a view to possible redesigns of some aspects of it. We’re not asking for it to be totally dug up and redone but I think with some sensible adjustments we can make it far safer for people.”

Despite a 2023 redesign, he said residents still feel the junction is not safe. County council officers dismissed this claim.

Jamie Cooke, service director of transport, said there were no recent crashes at the junction and they were satisfied with its safety. He said: “The last recorded injury was just north of the junction on Newnham Road in 2009.

“Injury collisions have occurred on other junctions on Barton Road in the past five years, but the injury collision [rate] for this junction is very low.

“We are satisfied from a road safety perspective that the overall safety record at the location is good – we very much appreciate the concerns that have been presented and we will keep the area under monitoring.”

Mr Singleton said residents had a number of issues with the safety audit done before the redesign, arguing it focused on the safety of drivers rather than pedestrians.

Cllr Darren Green, Green councillor for Romsey, asked him what these issues were.

Mr Singleton said: “It focuses purely on accidents involving cars and the road traffic statistics are very partial and incomplete because they only focus on cars. The main danger is the single phase where pedestrians and cyclists may hit each other or collide and that of course is not recorded in the statistics and possibly not by the police.”

LAS MINAS, Cuba (AP) — The Barroso family rose at dawn and hitched a cart to a borrowed horse to take one of their daughters to school on Tuesday, the first day of classes for many students across Cuba.

As the crises deepen on the island, thieves recently stole the family’s horse and killed it for food, so the Barrosos now rely on a borrowed animal for transportation, because school buses aren’t running.

Fuel, teachers and uniforms remain scarce as the new school year begins.

More than 10,000 schools are expected to open their doors on Tuesday, welcoming an estimated 1.4 million children and more than 135,000 teachers.

The island’s education minister acknowledged ongoing challenges, calling the reopening of schools a “heroic act” for an island whose free and universal education system was long considered a crowning achievement of the 1959 revolution.

But the island’s multiple crises forced the government to end the previous school year in June — one month early. Conditions have only worsened as the island’s power, water and fuel shortages persist amid an ongoing U.S. oil embargo and longtime sanctions.

“This academic year has been the most disastrous one,” said Leanete Barroso, mother of two daughters.

Cuban schools lack teachers

A widespread lack of professors prompted the government to send more than 3,000 teachers from Cuba’s eastern provinces to schools in Havana as teacher coverage fell to 73% across the island. The vacancies are blamed on low salaries and emigration.

Education Minister Naima Trujillo Barreto implored Cubans to help fill the gaps, calling on university students, professionals and even retirees.

“Everyone is invited — anyone who has something to contribute,” she said at a recent news conference. “You might be at home, perhaps retired, and eager to meet a group of children who need lessons in the very subject you know better than anyone else.”

Meanwhile, parents and those in the private sector are expected to help provide school meals, with some schools only reporting a 15-day supply of food, according to state media.

School uniforms also were largely unavailable as the new school year began, meeting only 12% of demand at the primary level.

“No workshop can operate without electricity. Without fuel, we cannot transport fabric from one part of the country to another,” Trujillo Barreto said. “Without money or the ability to import, no fabric comes in either.”

She said that students would be allowed to wear “comfortable clothing” but are still required to tie on their traditional red and blue kerchiefs.

​The Highlander Hotel overlooking Scarborough’s South Bay has lost its appeal against North Yorkshire Council’s rejection of its “harmful” retrospective redecoration works.

​Last year, the hotel at 15-16 Esplanade applied for permission to paint the lower part of the exterior of the Grade II* listed building dark blue, having already carried out the works.

​However, after planners said the redecoration led to “unjustified harm to the architectural significance” of the building and the conservation area, Star Pubs and Bars submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

​A Government planning inspector conducted a site visit this summer and said that the painting of part of the front elevation of the Highlander Hotel a dark blue colour and the front wall a teal colour had “harmed the significance of designated heritage assets”.

Highlander Hotel, Esplanade, Scarborough. May 2025. Google Maps

​While the colours were intended to “enhance and brighten the property and fit with signage”, there was “little to suggest that the building has ever been painted such a colour or a colour other than a muted tone such as white or cream,” the inspector said.

​He added: “Therefore, although I recognise that the upper floors remain pale and muted, the blue and teal colour are not historically appropriate for this building.”

​In a recently published report, Mr Walker, the Government inspector, said the painting of the property and wall had eroded the visual unity of the listed terrace and that the works had detracted from the visual cohesion of the group of buildings, which contribute to the special interest and significance of the listed building and conservation area.

​“I therefore find that the works have failed to preserve the special interest of the Grade II* listed building and have not preserved or enhanced the character or appearance of the Scarborough conservation area. As a result, the expectations of the Act have not been met, and the works have harmed the significance of these designated heritage assets,” the inspector concluded.

​“The wish to enhance and brighten the property with the colours chosen appears to be mainly based on a personal preference rather than historic evidence, and this is therefore largely a private, rather than a public, benefit. The weight that I ascribe to the public benefits that have resulted from the works is not sufficient to outweigh the great weight that I attach to the harm I have identified.”

Highlander Hotel, Esplanade, Scarborough. August 2023. Google Maps

​In its original planning proposal, Star Pubs and Bars said the painting of the lower level of the building was intended “to give the business a new appearance which will suit the new signage and give the building a fresh look”.

​At the time, the company added: “While the colour may appear stark initially, by limiting this colour to the ground and sub-floor basement levels, we feel that this is a limited change which could be considered a positive proposal.”

​

Jak Jones produced a brilliant performance to beat Anthony McGill at the British Open on Tuesday but nearly missed the match entirely after being told the wrong start time.

Jones was in sparkling form as he knocked in breaks of 118, 131, 53 and 84 to knock out last year’s runner-up in short order.

‘I played alright in the end,’ Jones told Metro. My preparation wasn’t great, but I’ll take that. He’s a fantastic player, beat me a few weeks ago in the qualifiers, played amazing, so nice to get one back over him.’

His preparation certainly wasn’t great as Jones was told he was playing at 1pm on Tuesday and only found out he was in the morning session when fellow pro Phil O’Kane noticed a change on the World Snooker Tour website on Monday night.

‘Last night is when I got told I was playing at 10am, so thanks to Phil O’Kane that I’m here, otherwise I wouldn’t have been,’ said Jones.

‘It’s pretty poor really, but I got an email a couple of days ago from World Snooker saying that I was on at 1pm, clearly stated 1pm on the email, so I didn’t think anything else of it other than I live about an hour-and-a-half away, so I thought I’d come up this morning and leave at 10am.

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‘Then my mate Phil O’Kane called me last night and said: “Have you seen on the website you’re on at 10am?”

‘So I called World Snooker and they said, “Yeah, you’re on at 10.” So if Phil hadn’t called me, there’s no way I would have been here. So yeah, that’s pretty poor.

‘I got here about 12.45am in the end because I didn’t want to risk getting in the traffic this morning. I was absolutely raging last night.’

After the excellent display on the table, Jones joked: ‘It might have helped me actually, maybe I’ll ask them to do it next time.’

World Snooker Tour have accepted that they made an error with the email and have spoken to Jones about the situation.

Coming from further afield, McGill was in the practice room at the venue on Monday.

Jones probably doesn’t need the extra stress as he is expecting his second child in the next two weeks, which is taking his mind off his snooker.

‘Yeah, in the next 10 days or so,’ Jones said of the due date. ‘So not, ideal preparation, no. My mind’s on other things I suppose at the moment, more important things.

‘But I’ll keep turning up and then hopefully when the little one’s here we can relax.’

Jones is into the last 32 in Cheltenham, awaiting the random draw which will take place on Tuesday evening.

Fellow Welshman Jackson Page has joined him in the third round after a 4-1 win over Jimmy Robertson, while amateur player Mark Joyce has made it through to the last 32 after downing Jordan Brown 4-0.

Ukraine’s Iulian Boiko was the first through to the third round on Monday afternoon when he beat Xu Yichen 4-2.

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