Olivia North, 21, from Aberystwyth suffered serious brain injuries in a scooter crash in Goa, India, during her gap year – she was left in a coma and cannot fly home

A university student from Aberystwyth sustained severe brain injuries in a terrifying scooter accident during her gap year in India, just days before she was due to return home.

Olivia North is believed to have struck a pothole and was left unable to recall her beloved dog or her older brother. The 21 year old remains stranded in India and is currently unfit to fly home owing to the gravity of her brain injuries. In just a few short weeks, her family has spent thousands of pounds on flights, accommodation and private medical care in order to be by her side.

Olivia was two years into her media and communications degree at Goldsmiths, University of London, when she decided to take the trip of a lifetime. Having completed the early stages of her studies, she opted to defer her final year after becoming “disillusioned with university life”.

She spent six months grafting full-time in bars and restaurants to fund her travels before setting off on an adventure around India, journeying solo and immersing herself in the country’s rich and vibrant culture.

In May after not hearing from Olivia for a few days her dad Nic received the devastating news that Olivia had been involved in a catastrophic road accident and had been rushed to a hospital in southern Goa. Following a frantic search, ringing hospitals throughout the region, Nic eventually tracked down his daughter.

Nic said: “‘Your daughter has been critically injured,’ Dr Samira told me. ‘She collided with another scooter at 50 to 70kph [30 to 40mph] and was not wearing her helmet. She has a subdural hematoma with intrusion, or bruising, and a bleed on her brain measuring 3.6mm.’”

Subsequent MRI scans uncovered a serious injury to the left temporal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for storing memories, as well as her cerebellum, which controls orientation and balance.

48 hours later, Nic and his youngest daughter flew out to Goa to be by her side.Nic said: “Although she remembered us, she believed her older brother Sam to be her uncle and, more tragically, had no memory of her beloved dog, Raj, or his death just days before Christmas last year.

“She didn’t remember where she went to school or even the things she enjoyed so much, such as horse riding and representing her country at cricket as a teenager. But she was – is – miraculously, alive.”

Her father said he was stunned by the shortage of resources and maintains that “within minutes” of their arrival, his daughter was sent home owing to the volume of patients. Still experiencing a bleed on the brain, the family have established themselves at a hotel near a private hospital where she is undergoing regular assessments and scans.

She had sustained a serious brain injury and a severe facial wound which nearly caused her to lose her left eye. She also suffered two fractures to her wrist and lower arm.

Now recuperating from the traumatic incident, Olivia is sleeping for approximately 20 hours daily. She has no recollection of the crash or the days preceding it and can only manage short distances on foot. Olivia is also unable to return to the UK by air because the aircraft cabin pressure presents a significant risk to her type of brain injury.

Her father explained how the police officer who examined the crash said she was riding within the speed limit and he believed she’d struck a pothole in the darkness and lost control.

However, at the time of the crash Olivia hadn’t been wearing a helmet which had invalidated her travel insurance and now left her family in what they have described as “a deepening financial hole”. Nic said: “Even now, I cannot comprehend Olivia’s decision not to wear a helmet.”

In the three weeks since the accident, Olivia’s family has already forked out over £7,000 on flights, hotels, private healthcare, food and travel, and they are fully aware these costs are likely to mount further as they await the green light for Olivia to fly home.

Nic has launched a GoFundMe page to assist the family in covering the mounting expenses they now face as a result of the crash.

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

As Uncharted 4 passes its 10th anniversary a reader is upset that there’s still no sign of a new entry in what he considers Sony’s most important franchise.

You’d think the release of a new movie, the first in seven years, would make me happy as a Star Wars fan. But given the poor quality of The Mandalorian and Grogu, and how bad it’s doing at the box office, it’s just making me even more depressed. It seems obvious to me that they should just give up with all these middling films and TV shows, that don’t move the universe forward, and just cancel everything. Then wait 10 years or more, so that people actually miss Star Wars.

That’s exactly what they did with the prequels and the sequel trilogy and even though they were all rubbish it worked and the films were super successful. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say, and time heals all wounds. Or in other words, give it some time and people will forget drivel like The Acolyte and The Rise of Skywalker.

What does all this have to do with Uncharted? Well, May is the tenth anniversary of Uncharted 4 and the theory above has worked: I now want more from the franchise. The only problem is Sony doesn’t seem interested in providing it.

I’m not going to spend too much time talking about the rumours of a new game, because they’re all pretty vague. But as far as I remember they only amount to Sony supposedly shopping around the idea of a new game to various developers and nobody wanted to do it, including Bend, who did Days Gone. Then, more recently, there was some theories that Naughty Dog was ‘researching’ a new game.

This is despite the fact that Naughty Dog said that they didn’t want to work on the series anymore. Given they have a lot on their plate at the moment I’m not sure it seems very likely that they’d change their mind, especially if you assume they’re already making Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and at least planning The Last Of Us Part 3.

I don’t know though. There’s also rumours that Sony isn’t happy that Naughty Dog hasn’t made anything new yet this gen, so maybe they’re looking for an easy win all of a sudden.

Whatever the situation is, I feel we need Uncharted to come back. For me it is ground zero for the Sony formula of third person, story-based action games. It’s what all the other Sony games are copying, including The Last Of Us, as well as most other third person games from any other company. I noticed GC mentioned it in their review of 007 First Light this week, for example.

What I really miss though is that Uncharted was funny. Nate was a great hero and really got the whole Indiana Jones style scoundrel thing right, with a lighter tone but not too campy. Although I do think Uncharted 4 is a bit too serious and suffers from not having any supernatural aspect.

For years Uncharted was as cinematic as games got and I still think it does that better than almost any action game. The quality of the dialogue and acting has a lot to do with that, but it’s also the fact that you like the characters, instead of having to play another sad dad. The combat was never great though, and the platforming pretty basic – even though everyone copies it anyway.

If you wanted to do a new game there are lots of ways to improve the gameplay, which I think is reason enough to do it. The question is, who would be the star? I think Nolan North is getting a bit too old for that kind of motion capture now, but if they do it with his daughter the comparisons to Tomb Raider are going to be endless.

I’m not sure why they wrote themselves into that corner, since if they don’t use his daughter now that’s going to upset people too, but I’m sure something can be worked out. Except I don’t see any real reason to think they are working on it. And even if they are it’s going to take years and probably be a PlayStation 6 game.

That’s better than nothing, but I don’t understand why such a beloved series, that has a lot more flexibility than most other franchises, has been left to rot. Especially as it had a movie adaptation not too long ago.

10 years is a long time in gaming and it’s the 20th anniversary of the first game next year. Maybe we’ll hear about a new one then, but it’s going to be years after that before the game comes out, and I think Nathan Drake’s legacy deserves better.

By reader Zeiss

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

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Sugar Pie Honey Bunch – Music of the Four Tops will be performed at Albert Halls Bolton on May 30, with organisers promising an evening celebrating some of Motown’s best-known hits.

The show, performed by vocal group Soul Satisfaction, features songs made famous by the Four Tops alongside music from other Motown artists including The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.

Audience members can expect performances of tracks including Reach Out, Baby I Need Your Loving, Bernadette and Loco in Acapulco during the concert at the venue in Victoria Square.

The production has been praised by Motown songwriter Eddie Holland, who worked as part of the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland team behind many of the Four Tops’ biggest hits.

Eddie Holland said in a statement: “Soul Satisfaction is one of the most professional and tightest vocal groups that I have seen – and I have seen many groups in my time!”

The concert will begin at 7.30 pm and run until 10 pm, with tickets priced at £28 plus booking fees.

Organisers said the performance recreates the style and sound of classic Motown concerts with live vocals, harmonies and dance routines inspired by the era.

The show is described as a tribute production and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the original artists, estates or management.

Visitors have also been warned the performance may contain strobing or flashing lights.

FESTIVALS full of Pride, ideas and comedy are the headline acts in Charles Hutchinson’s selection of culture in colourful bloom as May turns to June.

Putting the unity into community, love and equality: York Pride 2026, Knavesmire York, today, 11am to 7.30pm

THE 90-munite York Pride parade sets off from Parliament Street to Knavesmire at 12 noon for a full day of Pride, protest, visibility, music, cabaret, family entertainment and community celebration.

The main stage line-up features Nadine Coyle, Joe McElderry, Urban Cookie Collective, Nicki French, Michael Marouli, Roxanne Cooper, Sweet Like Sabrina, Heavenly Bodies, Jordan Smart, DJ Rory Hoy and York Stage’s cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. For full festival details, go to: yorkpride.org.uk. Entry is free.

Festival of the fortnight: York Festival of Ideas, Place & Space, today until June 12

YORK Festival of Ideas 2026 explores Place and Space in more than 200 mostly free in-person and online events designed to educate, entertain and inspire.

Led by the University of York, the event features world-class speakers (such as Nicola Sturgeon, Clive Myrie, Dame Kelly Holmes, Alexander McCall Smith, Sally Wainwright and Sian Williams), performances, exhibitions, tours, family-friendly activities, a Michael Morpurgo celebration day and much more, with topics ranging from archaeology to art, history to health, politics to psychology, football to Manchester’s Music Soul. For the full programme, go to: yorkfestivalofideas.com.

Comedy event of the week: Pocklington Comedy Festival, today, from 1pm

POCKLINGTON Arts Centre’s Comedy Festival opens with Seeta Wrightson’s work-in-progress (WIP) Fringe Preview of Middling at 1pm, followed by Out Of The Box at 2pm and Brennan Reece’s WIP Fringe Preview of New Jokes at 2.45pm.

Marcel Lucont presents Les Enfants Terribles – A Game Show For Awful Children at 4pm. Then come Tom Neenan’s WIP Fringe Preview at 4.30pm; Sarah Roberts’ WIP Fringe Preview at 6.15pm and the Mixed Bill finale at 8pm, bringing together Lou Wall, Marcel Lucont, Tal Davies, Pravanya Pillay and Raj Poojara, hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean. Box office: 01759 301547 or pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.

Tribute gig of the week: The ELO Experience, York Barbican, tonight, 7.30pm

The ELO Experience: Celebrating 50 years of Jeff Lynne songs at York Barbican

IN 2025 Jeff Lynne’s ELO performed their last live shows on the Over & Out Tour. Now tribute act The ELO Experience are mounting their own 20th anniversary tour with a set of greatest hits and album gems spanning more than 50 years of Lynne’s music.

Between 1972 and 1986, ELO achieved more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other band, including 10538 Overture, Evil Woman, Living Thing, The Diary Of Horace Wimp, Don’t Bring Me Down and Mr Blue Sky. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.

Premiere of the week: Black Sheep Theatre Productions in Love At First Bite, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, June 4 to 6, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee

JOSH Woodgate directs Dan Poppitt and Molly Whitehouse’s seductive new work Love At First Bite, wherein dating can be hell, but what if one of them were a creature of the night?” What happens when Alan and Minnie meet at a speed-dating night? A spark flickers. Dates follow. Laughter lingers.

“Yet beneath the rhythms of a familiar rom-com, something waits in the dark,” say Poppitt and Whitehouse, who play the lovers in York company Black Sheep’s premiere. “One of them is a vampire – but the secret shifts. Each night, the actors trade fangs and the audience is left to wonder who is hunter, who is prey.” Blending sharp-fanged wit with a brush of gothic shadow, their play toys with romance, rewrites folklore and invites audiences to consider what it means to love…and to hunger! Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk.

Musical of the week: SplitLip in Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical, Grand Opera House, York, June 2 to 6, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees

THE year is 1943 and we are losing the war but, luckily, we can gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse. Singin’ In The Rain meets Strangers On A Train in SplitLip’s Operation Mincemeat, the Olivier and Tony award-winning musical take on the unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us the Second World War.

Bursting at the seams with chaos beyond invention, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter and MI5 operative Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler? Let Christian Andrews, Holly Sumpton, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams and latest recruit Jamie-Rose Monk tell the tale. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Immersive murder mystery of the week: Silver Stage & Solent University presents Club Mistero, Helmsley Arts Centre, June 5, 7.30pm

LOSE yourself inside the dazzling but dangerous Club Mistero in 1920s’ New York City, where a flighty barman, outspoken diva, secretive showgirl, neglected wife and an owner with eyes on every corner all become suspects when someone is, seemingly, nowhere to be found. Clutch your pearls, ol’ sport, murder is afoot.

In the heart of a speakeasy, surrounded by deception and secrets, a web of betrayal, revenge and power is spun, whereupon tensions rise as the line between friend and foe is blurred, but who will survive the night? Silver Stage’s Evelyn Foy, George Mclean, Niamh Boyle, Sofia Romano and Borna Vitlov will keep you guessing to the very end. Box office: 01439 771700 or helmsleyarts.co.uk.

Exhibition launch of the week: Navigators Art presents On Location, City Screen Picturehouse, York, June 7 to July 3, from 10.30am each day

ON Location, a free art exhibition of some of York’s finest visual artists, explores ideas of place and space, venturing widely beyond conventional landscapes. Open every day in the cafe and upstairs gallery from 10.30am, the show will be launched officially on June 8 from 6pm to 8.30pm in the gallery (free admission, no booking required, all welcome).

Gig announcement of the week: Shalamar, The Gold Tour, Celebrating 50 Years, York Barbican, July 2, 7.30pm

Shalamar: Marking their 50th anniversary at York Barbican on July 2

FORMED in Los Angeles in 1976,Shalamar became a defining force in late-1970s and 1980s’ R&B, funk and dance music with 18 UK Top 75 hits, 11 Top 40 singles, four Top Ten hits and more than 25 million records sold worldwide.

Body-popping Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett, from the classic 1982 line-up, are joined by Carolyn Griffey, the female lead vocalist since 2001, to perform A Night To Remember, Take That To The Bank, The Second Time Around, Make That Move, Dead Giveaway, There It Is, Friends and Dancin’ In The Sheets et al. Special guest will beGwen Dickey, The Voice of Rose Royce. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.

How I chose the best suitcases

The best suitcases to shop now

Best carry on with pocket

No one wants to undo their whole case mid-flight. So if you’re (somehow) the kind of person who doesn’t take multiple bags on a flight with them, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to find all your essentials – laptop, book, and chargers – all in the handy front pocket to this carry on. But it’s not just what’s on the outside that counts, because inside is a removable compression pad, and straps to keep everything in place. That rock hard exterior will also make sure even your most delicate items are protected.

Specs
Size: 56 x 38 x 25cm
Weight: 4.7kg
Capacity: 44L
Warranty: Lifetime.

Best medium check in

You’re about to fly through the skies, so you might as well dress for the occasion. This opal blue case is as practical as it is stylish, as Away has checked all the boxes. For the aesthetic-conscious among us, the top and side handles match the shade of the shell, and it comes with a matching luggage tag in case someone happens to be as stylish as you. The inside boasts an impressive array of mesh pockets, including smaller ones for knick knacks, a water-resistant laundry bag, and a compression system that means packing for a 10 day trip is suddenly a dreamy concept.

Specs
Size: 66.1 x 47 x 28cm
Weight: 4.7kg
Capacity: 72L
Warranty: Lifetime.

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Best hybrid carry on

“Yes, this compact (and cabin baggage compliant) suitcase is pretty. But more importantly, it’s practical, which in this case means loaded with storage. Inside its deceptively tough shell is three mesh pockets, perfect for little items like socks and chargers. Behind that, a generously-lined sleeve – perfect for a laptop or even a suit – offers reassuringly thick padding and plenty of room. The best feature, though, is the part that added more height to the case when unzipped. The stunning design, 360-degree wheel spin, and remarkably comfy handle (with a stylishly satisfying little release button) doesn’t hurt either.” – HuffPost lifestyle writer, Amy Glover.

Specs
Size: 55.6 x 35.6 x 23cm
Weight: 3.9kg
Capacity: 34L
Warranty: Lifetime.

Best expandable hard shell carry on

The joy of holiday is buying mementos from other places to bring back to your house. If you find you never quite have enough room in your case, this carry on from Antler is expandable, for 5cm of extra depth. There’s also plenty of space inside to store all your bits and bobs, thanks to its three mesh pockets on one side and a compression strap. And, your belongings are sure to stay safe as the case has four external stripes designed to protect against bumps.

Specs
Size: 55 x 36 x 23cm
Weight: 2.8kg
Capacity: 46L
Warranty: Lifetime.

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Most equipped carry on

Pink to make the boys wink! But this carry on will have you feeling flirty, too, thanks to the fact it’s lightweight, deceptively small, and the wheels spin a full 360 degrees with no effort. Although it’s more petite than other carry ons, you can fit just as much in – six to eight outfits, to be precise. It even comes with its own laundry bag, so your dirties are ready to go at any moment (no one wants that mingling in with all their clean clothes). The pièce de résistance, though, is the built-in battery pack, which means you’ll never be without phone charge while you’re waiting to board.

Specs:
Size: 55 x 38.5 x 21.5cm
Weight: 3kg
Capacity: 42L
Warranty: Lifetime.

Best check in overall

Nothing will ever be out of place in this check-in, due to the sheer number of pockets it has on the inside. As well as capaciously spacious compartments on either side, there are two compartment separators that double as shoe, underwear, or toiletry storage. It also has silent wheels, to avoid that annoying ever-present rolling sound while you’re travelling, and the handle is cleverly designed so the release button is on the underside, making for an easy departure.

Specs
Size: 76 x 53 x 28cm
Weight: 4.79kg
Capacity: 93.7L
Warranty: Lifetime.

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Best lightweight check in

When you’re checking a suitcase, you know things are about to get serious. I don’t know about you, but I can never pack a sensible amount when I have a big case, so luckily this one is shockingly light considering its size. As well as weighing pretty much the same as a carry on, it’s lined with interiors made from fully recycled materials, and can expand an extra 5cm for the inevitable goodies you’ll want to bring home with you. Inside is a removable wash bag, which will save room on the thousands of toiletries you’ll no doubt convince yourself you need. Feel smug about that while you glide it along on its seamless 360 degree wheels.

Specs
Size: 80 x 55 x 35cm
Weight: 4.7kg
Capacity: 156L
Warranty: 10 years.

Best budget carry on

If you’re looking for a bag that’ll tick all your boxes, this one from M&S is it. Although it costs just £59, reviews comment on the face it looks and feels as sleek as more expensive brands. It has a hard shell interior, and its zips are made with anti-burst technology, so there’ll be no nasty surprises when you open the overhead locker. It even comes with a lock, so you won’t have to worry about anything mysteriously going missing.

Specs
Size: 55 x 35 x 21.5cm
Weight: 2.65kg
Capacity: 30L
Warranty: 10 years.

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Best budget check in

If you’re not a heavy packer but want to make the most of your hold luggage, this budget case will be just the right size to see you through a long weekend trip away (and good news: it’s Ryanair compliant). It might be lightweight, but that doesn’t sacrifice security, as according to reviews its hardshell exterior provides all the protection you need to keep your things safe. Plus, it comes in a range of colours that’ll be the first spotted on the conveyor belt. No more waiting around!

Specs
Size: 67 x 44.5 x 25cm
Weight: Not stated
Capacity: Not stated
Warranty: None.

Here is your chamber round-up of the month from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council chambers in Newry, Mourne and Down this month heard concerns for children’s safety around scramblers and E-Scooters as well as dogs running on the loose.

Builders for a huge watersports plan in Co Armagh also came at a time when councillors made a proposal for safe cold water swimming in Co Down.

Also in the month of May plans for a city centre drive-thru located on site of Newry’s new £23m theatre were signed off by the planning committee without further scrutiny in chambers.

Here is your latest round up of council matters for the month of May

Council to tackle ‘scourge’ of scramblers and E-scooters amid fatality and drug run concerns

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A NI council is to crack down on the illegal use of scramblers due to public safety fears and the sinister use of youths for “drug runs” in the district.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy committee approved a strategy to tackle the “scourge” of off-roaders, including E-scooters and quad bikes.

New joint patrols of PSNI officers and community volunteers could look to confiscate the vehicles in order to prevent a further fatal tragedy such as that of Dublin teenager Grace Lynch earlier this year.

Read more here.

Children ‘frightened’ by dogs on the loose

A Co Down park could gain its own dog safe space amid “major concern” children are playing in pets’ mess.

The move comes as residents also report kids and older people “frightened” by dogs on the loose at Downpatrick’s Dunleath playing fields.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee agreed to consider a dedicated exercise area for owners to let their pets off lead.

Read more here.

Pilot scheme proposed for winter cold water swimming at Blue Flag beach

A Co Down Blue Flag beach is set to be officially opened to cold water swimmers this winter as a health boosting benefit.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee approved a proposal to engage with a health trust to promote the benefits of an unseasonal plunge.

However, cost concerns have been raised due to the need for staff, showers and changing rooms outside of the more popular summer period.

Read more here.

NI city set for drive-thru restaurant at new £23m theatre

A Newry family business is to complete a “Beau Arts” development linked to the city’s new £23m theatre.

The Sugar Island location is aligned to the council’s planned 250-seater theatre on the site of the old Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, which is now due to be demolished.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s planning committee signed off on the Downey Developments application without further scrutiny in open chambers.

Read more here.

Builders approved for water sports hub to be ‘game changer’

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Builders for a major £4.6million Co Armagh water sport facility have been approved to begin developing a “game changer” for the community.

The Camlough Lake recreational hub design was approved by the council’s planning committee in February with early images now released ahead of construction.

In a significant step forward in the decade old vision, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s strategy, policy and resources committee has now signed off on preferred contractors behind closed doors away from the public and media.

Read more here.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Grandpa’s Fish Bar in Lanchester, which opened in March 2025, is a finalist in Best Mobile Fish and Chips and Best Fish Fryer of the Year at the English Fish and Chip Awards.

Earlier this month, the chippy urged its customers to vote in the awards, and it has now made it as a finalist in two categories.

Writing on Facebook, the chippy said: “Thank you SO much to everyone who voted for us.

“We’re thrilled to have been announced as finalists in best mobile fish and chips, and best fish fryer!!

“We’ll be heading to Manchester next month to take part in some live cook offs before enjoying the awards ceremony. Keep your fingers crossed.”

Grandpa’s Fish Bar, Lanchester (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The gala final takes place on Monday, June 22 at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.

The chippy is run by brothers Rich and Aidan Weatherburn, and Grandpa’s Fish Bar’s mobile van can regularly be spotted throughout the North East and County Durham.

You can still catch the van this month at the following locations this month:

• Saturday, May 30 – Consett Community Market – 10am – 3pm
• Sunday, May 31 – Tudhoe Cricket Club – 11am – 4pm

Grandpa’s Fish Bar was launched after the brothers bought a catering van in February and fitted it out with fryers.

The business is named after their grandfather, who the pair said described the project as the result of “months of hard work”.

The van is expected to appear at food festivals, weddings and village events as the brothers build a mobile fish and chip business across the region.

Drive on Interstate 10 along the Gulf Coast of the United States, through Louisiana and into Texas, and you’ll see signs of the oil industry everywhere. There are offshore rigs out in the water and refineries lining the shoreline, where tankers deposit crude oil extracted from the Gulf floor.

But what you might not realise from looking at the surface, is that this area is also home to a network of underground salt deposits, known as salt domes.

And dug down deep inside them are caverns, carved out in the late 1970s, that contain the  Strategic Petroleum Reserve, America’s huge stockpile of oil. 

Current stocks stand at 374 million barrels worth of oil, well short of its capacity of 714 million barrels.

With the Strait of Hormuz now closed for more than two months, global oil supplies are being squeezed, with warnings mounting about shortages affecting global industries, from aviation to agriculture. In March 2026, as part of a co-ordinated move by members of the International Energy Agency to release 400 million barrels of oil to prevent price spikes, the U.S. began releasing 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Globally, at the end of 2025, global strategic oil stockpiles were estimated at 2.5 billion barrels, with China holding the most.

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Scott Montgomery, a former petroleum geologist who lectures in international studies at the University of Washington, about why these oil stockpiles were built up in the first place, and how they work.

Montgomery says salt is an ideal place to store oil because it’s impermeable, but also quite movable under the right amount of pressure. “These are not huge open gaping caverns … we haven’t hollowed out the salt dome. We actually have 60 separate smaller what are called bottles, about 200 feet (60 meters) in diameter and up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) in vertical length,” he explains.

But Montgomery says that there is only a certain number of times that oil can be taken out and put back into the bottles. “These really have a safety margin of about five cycles of drawing oil out of them and putting oil back,” he says, without dissolving the sides of the cavern too much. “The geological reality … is that we’re going too have to make new caverns.”

Listen to the interview with Scott Montgomery on The Conversation Weekly podcast, where he traces the history of strategic oil reserves, and explains what happens when they run out.

This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware, Katie Flood and Mend Mariwany. Mixing by Eleanor Brezzi and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Newsclips in this episode are from DW News and CBS News.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.

But there was nothing lucky about Havertz’s masterful finish. Havertz, who has form on the big stage, having fired Chelsea to Champions League glory against Manchester City five years and one day ago, took three decisive touches with his left foot before unleashing his fourth into the roof of the net.

Gateshead Council is now considering plans to repurpose The Bensham Jockey, on Bensham Road, into seven flats with a new shopping area on the ground level. The plans call for the demolition of the current ground floor extensions to make way for a 178m2 commercial floor plan.

The pub had been previously known as the Ravensworth Hotel. 

The proposals also include 11 parking spaces including one specifically for motorbikes. A disabled bay and electric car area are also planned.

The application’s transport report states: “There is a huge number and wide range of local amenities within convenient walking and cycling distances of the site. It is therefore the case that the proposed development is located in an extremely sustainable location.” 

The application goes on to state the site is well serviced by public transport including several bus routes. 

A previous application for similar plans was approved by the local authority in 2024.

The council’s report at the time stated: “The application will see a redundant building brought back into use. The building has become rundown over the years and therefore it is considered the proposed external alterations would bring the building back to a usable state and the alterations would positively contribute to the immediate vicinity.” 

At the time of publication the application has yet not been decided by either councillors or council planners. The plans remain open to public commentary through the local authority’s online planning portal.