Ferryhill Town Council recruited the new councillors following a recent campaign and invited all three to a special council meeting on March 11.

At the meeting, they each gave a five-minute presentation about their background, experience and reasons for wanting to serve on the council.

Councillor Keith Lloyd (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Anthony Hewitt said: “I have met some really wonderful people since moving to Ferryhill.

“How welcoming and kind they have been and how many people work so hard to help the community.

“So I decided it was time that I stood up and did my part in trying to make Ferryhill a better place to live for all its residents.”

Cllr Keith Lloyd said: “I am very happy to join the Ferryhill Town Council as a Councillor for the Broom ward.

“I have lived in Ferryhill for 72 years, and think it is time to give something back to this community.”

The third new member, Cllr Liam Fellows, was not available to have his photograph taken; however, he shared his reasons for returning to the council.

Cllr Fellows said: “I was really sad to see so many vacancies on the Town Council following the local elections last May and that they hadn’t managed to be filled since.

“I really enjoyed my time on Ferryhill Town Council previously so thought I’d once again offer my service.”

He said he is committed to improving council facilities, services for residents and communication with the public.

Cllr Fellows said: “I’m passionate about improving the Councils facilities, what it provides for residents in the town and how the council communicates with the community.

“Hopefully working with the rest of the council and officers, we can strive to make these improvements.”

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a town councillor can contact Leeanne Owens, the Town Clerk, for further information.

Sarah Ferguson has lost the Freedom of the City of York over her links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The ex-wife of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of the title during a City of York Council meeting on Thursday evening with members of the public telling councillors, ‘it is the absolute minimum you should be doing’.

The prestigious title was gifted to the then Duke and Duchess of York on their wedding day in 1987.

But councillors voted unanimously for the removal following fresh revelations about the former duchess’s shockingly personal emails to Epstein.

Speaking during the debate, Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley said: ‘We now know, following the release of thousands of documents, that Sarah Ferguson too had a close friendship with Epstein, which continued well beyond his conviction.

‘We don’t expect recipients of York’s highest honour to be saints. We simply do not want them to be best friends of convicted paedophiles.

‘We stand with victims. We stand for the rule of the rule of law. We stand for decency.’

He added: ‘York will have hopefully have etched out our city’s connections to both Andrew and Sarah.

‘We must wipe the slate clean, draw a line. Remember our duty to victims of sexual abuse, and move forward with our highest honour reserved for those that truly deserve the privilege. I urge all councillors to vote for the motion.’

Labour councillor Anna Baxter said: ‘We are not living in 1987, and it is right that the honours associated with our city reflect the values of York today.

‘It is reserved for those considered to be people of distinction, but those who have rendered eminent service, and it reflects the values we wish our city to be associated with.’

Gwen Swinburn, a member of the public, addressed councillors during the debate. She said: ‘The decision before you tonight is whether to remove the freedom of the city from Ms Ferguson.

‘It should not be a difficult one. It is the absolute minimum you should be doing.’

Councillor Claire Douglas, leader of the Labour group on the local authority, added: ‘As the people of York would expect, holding this status requires upholding the values and behaviours consistent with such an honour.

‘Those who continued to associate with Jeffrey Epstein after his crimes became widely known fall well short of these expectations.

‘Sarah Ferguson falls into this category as the Epstein files have shown. I therefore call on council to support the motion as presented.’

The honorary freedom of the city is given to residents who demonstrate notable service, to distinguished people and to royalty, the council has said previously.

Emails disclosed as part of millions of published files showed that Ms Ferguson had asked Epstein for financial support while the paedophile remained under house arrest.

Sarah Ferguson reportedly spent several weeks at a £13,000 a day wellness clinic in Switzerland while details emerged about her close relationship with Epstein emerged.

She also wrote to the financier thanking him for being a ‘supreme friend’ and took her children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie for lunch with him less than a week after he walked free from jail.

In another embarrassing email, the former duchess appeared to ask Epstein to ‘just marry me’.

Many of her exchanges were conducted after Epstein was arrested for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

In another shocking email, she said the Royal family would discredit her ‘to obliteration’.

‘… No woman has ever left the Royal family with her head, and they cannot behead me, therefore they will discredit me,’ she wrote in July 2010.

‘I am totally on my own now. This is beyond scandalous, and nobody can do anything,’ she added.

‘I cannot believe what this is all coming to.’

Six companies linked to the former duchess started winding down in the wake of the publication of the Epstein files, according to Companies House documents.

Sarah’s Trust, a charity she founded, also announced it would close ‘for the foreseeable future’.

MORE: Royal lipreader reveals King Charles’ cold words about 13-year-old Prince Harry on family trip

MORE: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor seen walking his dogs near his new Marsh Farm home

MORE: Man who ‘looks just like Jeffrey Epstein’ forced to deny he is the dead sex offender

Dramatic footage shows lightning striking the world’s tallest building as intense thunderstorms bring heavy rain to Dubai

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Dubai has been battered by severe weather, with the city’s skyline taking on an apocalyptic appearance as lightning struck the world’s tallest building.

Footage and images circulating online show lightning hitting the iconic Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai.

The dramatic scenes come as a powerful weather system sweeps across parts of the Middle East, bringing fierce thunderstorms, lightning and the threat of flooding.

Clips of the striking lightning strikes have been circulating from Thursday evening,March 26. The footage appears to show the lightning safely redirected through the 828-metre-tall building’s protection system.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the unusual weather conditions were due to begin affecting western areas late on Thursday before gradually pushing inland and eastward, reports the Express.

Heavy rainfall and stormy conditions are anticipated to cause further disruption throughout Dubai, with widespread travel chaos and significant delays expected.

Dubai’s skyline has been far from settled amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, though the lightning remains an uncommon spectacle.

Since the outbreak of the war, Dubai has faced repeated attacks from Iranian missiles and drones, including strikes targeting the airport.

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The most recent attack occurred as UAE air defences intercepted incoming missiles and drones launched by Iran overnight on Wednesday. The Gulf nation’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the booms and explosions reported throughout the country were the result of Emirati air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, with fighter jets tackling drones and other airborne threats.

Dubai’s Media Office issued a safety warning urging residents to exercise caution amid the severe conditions.

The statement, posted on X, read: “Dubai will experience unstable weather conditions until the morning of Friday, 27 March 2026.

“Rain: Of varying intensity, at times accompanied by lightning and thunder.

“Wind speed: Occasionally strong, potentially raising dust and sand, which may reduce horizontal visibility.”

The post further advised people to stay away from the sea, drive carefully while reducing their speed, and steer clear of valleys, flood-prone areas and locations where rainwater is likely to collect.

Joshua Kershaw was tragically found dead in his hotel room just hours after appearing before a hospital

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The heartbroken mum of a 21-year-old man who was discovered dead in a hotel room overseas has shared a photograph of a woman they’re hoping to locate.

Joshua Kershaw from Wakefield, was tragically found dead on Tuesday, January 13, in his Bangkok hotel room – just hours after he’d collapsed in a bar and attended hospital.

He had only been in Thailand less than half a day before he died. Alarm bells were ringing for his family when he failed to board a flight on January 12 and his flight back home on January 19, reports Yorkshire Live.

Now, his mother claims his death has now been re-opened by investigators and that the case is being treated as “murder/manslaughter”.

In a post on Facebook on Wednesday (March 25), Jenny wrote: “Joshua had only been in Thailand for approximately 10 hours before he passed. It has now come to light that his case is being treated as murder/manslaughter after results showed a combination of seven different substances in his system at extremely high levels, raising serious concerns.

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“We have now also been informed that the case in Thailand has been reopened and is currently being investigated as a murder case. We are still waiting for official confirmation from the UK coroner.”

Jenny has also shared an image of an unknown woman she says “was with Joshua Kershaw” when he died. She said: “We are urgently trying to identify and speak with a woman who was with Joshua Kershaw at the time he sadly passed away in Thailand.

“We have a photo of her, but we don’t know her name. If you recognise yourself in this or know who she is, please get in touch as soon as possible. It’s really important for us to speak with her.”

Jenny claims the woman is “holding” Joshua’s belongings in the image – including his phone and bag.

She then asks for people to share her post to “reach as many people as possible.”

He had travelled to the popular tourist resort of Pattaya for a week-long holiday, and his family initially reported him missing when he failed to board a flight to Bangkok on January 12. He then missed a second flight – his trip home – days later on January 19. UK authorities classed him as a high-risk missing person as a search was launched.

On Wednesday, January 21 Jenny said in a heartbreaking Facebook post that her son had been found dead.

A Go Fund Me page was set up in order to bring his body home and pay for a funeral. The young landscaper, originally from Grimsby, was repatriated last month before a funeral was held at Wakefield Crematorium.

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The building will be demolished to make way for a new development

A city centre building that housed TK Maxx and Woolworths is set to be demolished. Peterborough City Council announced the completion of the sale of the building in Bridge Street at its full council meeting on Wednesday (March 25).

If plans are approved, new owners, MJS, plan to demolish the current building and replace it with a “landmark building” that offers a mix of retail and accommodation. In a social media video, leader of the council, Councillor Shabina Qayyum said: “Subject to planning approval, this building is going to be completely demolished and showcase retail on the lower floor, with accommodation on the top floor and landscaped areas, so it actually joins in with our city centre street scene.

“What’s going to be wonderful is that when this eyesore of a wall comes down, you will see the whole of the area have a regenerated look to it.”

MJS has previously completed renovation works of the Guild House in Peterborough, and is also working on Whitworth Mill at Fletton Quays.

In 2020, the council purchased the building for just over £4 million. The TK Maxx shop was then moved into the Queensgate shopping centre, where it remains today. The council initially received six bids for the building.

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The Moon in Leo links with Neptune in Aries, putting connections and relationships in the spotlight. Everything feels charged with a potentially romantic energy.

Pisces, Capricorn, and Scorpio, it’s your relationship with yourself and your work that you are drawn to focus on today. Things are rich in colour, so bask in this.

Consider the role that others fulfil in your life today, and yours in theirs. Check in with yourself and the energy levels you are sharing.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Friday March 27, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

The Moon-Leo alliance means confidence and creativity blur into something dreamlike. You’re inspired, expressive, and slightly whimsical, though not everything is meant to be taken literally. Follow intuition but be practical too. This is a good time to create, perform, dream, or simply believe in yourself a little more. Trust the vision, then let it evolve naturally.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Home, memories, or private longings may seem very vivid. Let them speak through creativity, rest, or quiet pleasure. You don’t need to explain every mood, as such things are meant to be felt, not analysed. Daydreams can be healing, especially when paired with kindness toward yourself and close ones. And comfort relaxes you when you slow down enough to notice it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your words shimmer with feeling, and conversations can be subtle but filled with big promises. Inspiration flows, though facts may blur. A compliment, idea, or story can lift spirits more than you expect. Creativity thrives through writing or channelling artistic talents. Share generously however save big decisions for later. Today is for connecting, not wrapping things up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Generosity meets imagination, and emotions feel warmer, richer, and idealistic as the Moon aligns with Neptune. You may feel inspired to give, spend, or share more than usual. Pause before overpromising, but don’t close the door on happiness. When you respect what truly matters to you, you’ll truly thrive. Avoid committing to anything that is too good to be true!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

The Moon in your sign connects with Neptune in Aries, so charisma and imagination pair up, and self-expression turns luminous. You’ll feel romantic and even a tad unreal, in a good way. Creativity flows when you stop trying to impress and tune into subtle inspiration. Follow intuition but keep promises flexible. When heart and vision align, you shine and enchant.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Your sixth sense is at work beneath the surface, even if you can’t explain it. Amazing insights arrive through dreams or feelings that don’t fit your calculations. You don’t need to have everything organised, so if something feels vague, give it time. Rest, reflection, and creativity are productive in their own way. Compassion toward yourself can open unexpected doors.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Your social life feels warmer, more fascinating, and maybe idealised. You’ll feel inspired by people, causes, or creative plans that lift your spirits. Enjoy the feeling but avoid promising more than you can give. Kindness travels far now when it’s genuine rather than with a result in mind. Still, it’s wise not to take everyone at face value – get to know them better first.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Your public image, goals, or work dreams feel infused with emotion and imagination. You may glimpse a future version of yourself that feels inspiring but slightly out of reach. Don’t force anything yet. Let this vision motivate, not pressure you. Creativity at work or compassionate leadership really helps too. Even so, be mindful of idealising authority figures.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Inspiration arrives, and your sense of possibility is expansive and heartfelt. Ideas sparkle, dreams feel reachable, and confidence softens into compassion. It’s a good time for learning, creating, teaching, or believing in something again. Just avoid promising the moon before checking you can deliver it. Follow the urge toward meaning but avoid escapist tendencies.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

Emotions take on richer colour today as practical concerns soften and deeper feelings surface, especially around trust, intimacy, or shared dreams. You may sense more than you can neatly explain. That’s fine, as this is a day for instincts, not fact-finding. Inspiration can arrive through art, music, or an honest conversation that feels unexpectedly tender and supportive.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

As the Moon in Leo links with Neptune in Aries, connections feel warmer, more romantic, and slightly idealised. You may see the best in others, sometimes before they see it themselves. Enjoy the glow but keep expectations flexible. This is a wonderful time for creativity, forgiveness, and heartfelt conversations, as listening matters as much as sharing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Your daily life gets a splash of colour and compassion as routine tasks feel more emotional, creative, or slightly theatrical. You may look for meaning in the mundane or inspiration in your work. Let imagination soften obligations without drifting into avoidance. This is a beautiful day to care for yourself. Music, art, or a gentle yoga session lifts your energy fast.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.

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MORE: Daily horoscope March 26, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Daily horoscope March 25, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: The one step, ritual or action your star sign needs to take this spring

Scientists have only fully begun to understand how the medication works after six decades.

Metformin has been prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients to control blood sugar levels for over 60 years, yet scientists have only now begun to fully understand how it works. A new study, published in Science Advances, indicates that the drug works directly within the brain, potentially paving the way for innovative treatment approaches.

In 2025, researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine in the US pinpointed a brain pathway through which the drug appears to function, alongside its effects on biological processes elsewhere in the body. Makoto Fukuda, a pathophysiologist at Baylor, explained: “It’s been widely accepted that metformin lowers blood glucose primarily by reducing glucose output in the liver. Other studies have found that it acts through the gut.

“We looked into the brain as it is widely recognized as a key regulator of whole-body glucose metabolism. We investigated whether and how the brain contributes to the anti-diabetic effects of metformin.” Earlier research by some of the same scientists had identified a brain protein called Rap1 as influencing glucose metabolism, particularly within a region of the brain known as the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH).

In their 2025 study, experiments on mice demonstrated that metformin travels to the VMH, where it combats type 2 diabetes by effectively deactivating Rap1.

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When the team bred mice without Rap1, metformin had no effect on a diabetes-like condition – despite other medications proving effective. This provides compelling evidence that metformin operates within the brain through a mechanism different from other medications.

The research team was also able to examine closely the specific neurones that metformin was influencing. In future, this could pave the way for more precise treatments that specifically target these neurones.

Fukuda said: “We also investigated which cells in the VMH were involved in mediating metformin’s effects.

“We found that SF1 neurons are activated when metformin is introduced into the brain, suggesting they’re directly involved in the drug’s action.”

Metformin is both long-lasting and relatively inexpensive. It functions by decreasing the glucose produced by the liver and enhancing the body’s insulin efficiency, thereby helping to control type 2 diabetes symptoms.

We now understand it very likely operates through the brain, in addition to the liver and gut.

Obviously, this requires confirmation through human studies, but once that’s established, we may be able to identify methods to enhance metformin’s effects and increase its potency.

Fukuda added: “These findings open the door to developing new diabetes treatments that directly target this pathway in the brain.

“In addition, metformin is known for other health benefits, such as slowing brain aging. We plan to investigate whether this same brain Rap1 signaling is responsible for other well-documented effects of the drug on the brain.”

These findings also align with other compelling research suggesting the same drug can decelerate brain ageing and extend lifespan. As our knowledge of how metformin functions continues to grow, it could well be prescribed for a far wider range of conditions in the years ahead.

While metformin is generally considered safer than many other type 2 diabetes treatments, side effects aren’t uncommon with gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhoea, and stomach discomfort affecting as many as 75 per cent of patients.

Additional complications can arise in those with conditions such as kidney impairment, posing further risks to overall health.

Metformin is also classified as a gerotherapeutic: a drug capable of slowing various ageing processes within the body. Research has demonstrated, for instance, that it can limit DNA damage and encourage gene activity linked to longevity.

Earlier studies have indicated that metformin can reduce deterioration in the brain and even lower the risk of long COVID.

A 2025 study involving more than 400 postmenopausal women examined the comparative effects of metformin and another diabetes medication known as sulfonylurea.

Those taking metformin were found to have a 30 per cent lower risk of dying before the age of 90 compared to those on sulfonylurea, highlighting the drug’s promising role in combating the effects of ageing.

A deeper understanding of how metformin affects the body as a whole could guide medical professionals in prescribing it beyond diabetes treatment, and potentially enhance its safety profile even further.

Fukuda added: “This discovery changes how we think about metformin. It’s not just working in the liver or the gut, it’s also acting in the brain.”

A fault was found with the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley after Mrs Blundell’s death

An undertaker was accidentally crushed to death after she positioned herself in the scissor lift of a coffin lifter machine at a funeral parlour and it descended unexpectedly onto her, an inquest concluded.

Funeral administrator Sally Blundell, 58, was found trapped underneath a device used to move bodies from cold storage in a back room at a branch of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services. The grandmother had been working alone at the branch in Swaffham, Norfolk on December 1 2023 and was found by a colleague from a neighbouring branch in Dereham.

The coroner earlier told the hearing it was not known why Mrs Blundell had “inserted herself” in the frame of the device but that her glasses had been found on the floor. Jurors returned a conclusion of accidental death after hearing evidence at an inquest in Norwich, on the third day of proceedings.

They recorded that she died at some point between 9.46am when she was last seen on CCTV at the funeral parlour and 12.06pm when she was found. The inquest was earlier told there are no CCTV cameras in sensitive areas of the funeral parlour where bodies are kept.

Concerns had been raised after a woman who had made arrangements to see a deceased relative at the branch attended for her 11am appointment and found there were no staff at the funeral parlour. She tried calling the celebrant she had been dealing with and a message was passed to another branch, with a colleague from the Dereham branch attending and finding Mrs Blundell dead.

The medical cause of death for Mrs Blundell, of Great Cressingham, was recorded as “contusion and compression of the chest by an external object”.

Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake told jurors that expert evidence indicated a fault was found with the hydraulic scissor lift mortuary trolley after Mrs Blundell’s death. She said the fault was that the trolley “descended unexpectedly”.

The coroner said she was considering writing to the equipment’s manufacturer A R Twigg and Son with her concerns about this issue in a Prevention of Future Deaths report.

She was told by barrister Dominic Kay for the East of England Co-op that the chain no longer uses this type of trolley.

Nga Ngo Quynh, from Malton, was named as the national Artist of the Year with her painting Before the Night Falls in an award organised by packaging and delivery company PACK & SEND.

2026 marks the second year in a row the competition has been won by a North Yorkshire artist, following Cawood-based Sophia Hood’s win in 2025.

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Competition organiser PACK & SEND specialises in the shipment of fragile, large, unusual and valuable items, and has previously handled works by Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons amongst others.

PACK & SEND Marketing Director Sam Whittaker expressed his delight at announcing Ms Ngo as the winner.

He said: “Influenced by rural environments and shifting weather, her work has been described as reflecting an interest in stillness, light and the subtle presence of human life within the land.

“Through restrained composition and layered mark-making, she seeks to create spaces where narrative remains open, allowing viewers to pause and reflect.

“Her practice continues to develop toward contemporary exhibition contexts, with a focus on visual impact and mood within the landscape.”

Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, Ms Ngo has lived in the UK for the past four years.

She has described the winning piece as exploring landscape as a quiet form of storytelling, focusing on atmosphere, memory and moments of transition rather than specific locations.

Speaking on winning the award, she said: “I’m really pleased to have my artwork recognised in this way by PACK & SEND, which has worked with some of the most famous and respected fine artists in the world.

“It’s great to see an international company of their standing supporting and championing artists at grassroots level, helping artists like myself introduce their work to wider audiences.”

Along with the acclaim, Mrs Ngo also received £250 worth of vouchers to support the shipping of her own art with PACK & SEND.

As an approved provider to LAPADA, the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK, PACK & SEND provide shipping services to galleries, collectors, dealers, artists and exhibitions around the world.

For more information about Nga Ngo Quynh’s art, go to https://www.instagram.com/qnga.rt/. To find out more about how PACK & SEND works with fine artists, go to www.packsend.co.uk/leedsnorth or call 0345 873 9990.

“No one should face threats, intimidation or assault simply for doing their job. We need a coordinated approach across Government, the Met and the NHS to ensure staff are safe, reporting is easy and meaningful, and offenders face real consequences. Without this, we risk a growing culture of fear that harms staff wellbeing and undermines patient care.”