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cancer immunotherapies for the future?

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cancer immunotherapies for the future?

A new immunotherapy drug has demonstrated early promise in a recent prostate cancer clinical trial. The drug, called VIR-5500, is a “masked T-cell engager”. This type of immunotherapy ignites our own immune arsenal to fight cancer.

In the trial, which is still in progress and has not yet undergone peer-review, patients with advanced prostate cancer who had failed to respond to other treatments were given VIR-5500. Remarkably, initial findings showed that in the patients who received the highest doses, 82% saw reductions in their PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels – a commonly used measure of prostate cancer.

Strikingly, nearly half of the patients within this group also showed tumour shrinkage at both the primary tumour sites as well as in metastatic tumours (tumours which had spread from the prostate into different parts of the body).

Cancer cells have mechanisms to evade being eliminated by our immune system. But immunotherapies boost our immune system’s capacity to fight cancer. They do this by combatting these evasion strategies.

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Various immunotherapies have demonstrated phenomenal success in recent years. Yet many cancers, such as prostate cancer, remain difficult to treat exposing the need for more effective immunotherapies.

T-cell engagers are a specific type of immunotherapy that works by anchoring immune cells, called T-cells, and cancer cells together by engaging molecules on the surface of both cell types. This enforced proximity prompts the T-cells to produce toxic cancer-killing chemicals and generate a cascade of inflammatory processes that promote cancer killing.

There are now over 200 different T-cell engagers, many of which are in clinical trials to treat a range of tumours including multiple myeloma, leukaemia and lung cancer.

T-cell engagers

T-cell engagers are not just being trialled for cancer. They may also help with treating other viral conditions, such as hepatitis B, which can cause life-long infection. As in cancer, the virus can evade our immune responses – but T-cell engagers can promote more effective clearance of virally-infected cells.

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Despite the great promise surrounding T-cell engagers, the vigorous inflammation they trigger can also be a double-edged sword. In some cases, it can cause a serious inflammatory condition called cytokine release syndrome.

Cytokines are protein messengers released by cells that can drive inflammation. Normally, their release is tightly controlled – but in cytokine release syndrome, the response is excessive and uncontrolled. This can lead to multi-organ failure with potentially life-threatening consequences.

T-cell engagers can also sometimes cause an uncontrolled immune response.
ALIOUI Mohammed Elamine7/ Shutterstock

Similar toxic inflammatory side-effects can be seen with other immunotherapies. It’s likely the condition is driven by the potent, acute activation of an immune response.

This is why T-cell engagers and other immunotherapy drugs need to be refined, to ensure their effects are less toxic.

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One way of doing this involves producing versions of immunotherapies that are inactive but can be activated once inside tumours.

This is done by covering the drug in a “mask” that prevents it from engaging both the T-cells and cancer cells. When the drug enters tumours, molecules that are abundant in cancers can break down this mask, allowing the drug to engage its target cells. VIR-5500, the drug used in this recent, promising prostate cancer trial, is one of many new masked T-cell engagers.

As such, masking creates an effective drug that may also be safer. Tumour-specific activation should restrict the anti-cancer, inflammatory response to within the tumour, preventing widespread inflammation.

It may also enable the T-cell engagers to be more selective towards cancer cells, as some of their targets may also be expressed by normal healthy cells. This could simultaneously reduce toxicity and improve anti-cancer potency.

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An additional benefit of masked immunotherapies is that the conversion from the inactive to active drug in the body takes time. This changes how the drug is dosed within patients.

In the clinic, T-cell engagers are often given in small doses that then need to be escalated to prevent acute immune over-activation. But the mask would allow the drug to be released more slowly, making delivery simpler and safer. The mask itself may also prevent the drugs from being broken down in the body and may extend their lifespan.

An important finding in this recent trial for prostate cancer was that most patients who received the highest doses of VIR-5500 suffered only mild inflammatory side effects. Given the known toxicity associated with T-cell engagers, this is an exciting finding – suggesting the masking is working to reduce the risks of excessive inflammation.

If further research proves that masking T-cell engagers creates safer, more effective drugs, then we can expand what we can do with them. They can be combined with more traditional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which may prove even more effective in eliminating cancer.

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Other masked T-cell engagers have also shown early clinical promise in prostate cancer and trials have begun in numerous other cancers including pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancer.

As these trials are all ongoing, it’s too early to know the full extent of clinical success here. Early trials also only test within a small number of patients. The data has also not yet faced the scrutiny of peer-review and have only been presented at an oncology conferences.

Nevertheless, the initial results represent great hope for treating cancers that have proven otherwise difficult to treat with other immunotherapies.

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Former Durham office block to be converted into 45 student flats

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Former Durham office block to be converted into 45 student flats

Proposals to convert the three-storey Hopper House building on Atherton Street in Durham City were approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. 

Ward Group, the applicant, said it will transform the disused site into 45 self-contained units. 

It is hoped that the new accommodation will ease the ongoing pressure on the private rental market throughout the city. 

Student flats approved for Hopper House.Proposals to convert the three-storey Hopper House building on Atherton Street in Dur (Image: The Northern Echo)

The new facility will include communal areas including desks for studying, a shared kitchen, living area, gym, and outdoor space. 

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An independent office space and mezzanine meeting room is also proposed for the ground and first floors. 

Ward Group said: “The building is in a prominent location within Durham City Centre overlooking the North Road Roundabout. It has been vacant for a significant period and is in need of significant investment to improve its appearance and make it suitable to provide modern accommodation for residents and businesses. 

“The development will ease the pressure on the existing private rental market, providing purpose-built, self-contained, private accommodation for some of those currently sharing space in Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city.

Adrian Schulman, Reform UK member for Crook, welcomed the plans to breathe new life into the building, which has been empty for 12 years. 

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“I go around the north Road roundabout on an almost daily basis and the unattractiveness of the current building always jars with me,” he said. 

Councillors also hope the new facility will reduce the need for properties throughout Durham City to be converted into HMOs. 

However, objections from the City of Durham Trust and Crossgate Community Partnership questioned the need for new purpose-built student flats. 

Councillor David Freeman, of Elvet, Gilesgate and Shincliffe ward, added: “Aesthetically, I don’t think it will look a whole lot better, but the building will have a use. 

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“I don’t actually see that there is a need for new student accommodation across Durham City. 

“We have empty HMOs across the city and university numbers are not increasing in the foreseeable future, but I understand that we cannot refuse this application because of that.”

Work is expected to start on the site in due course. 

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Urgent hunt for missing vulnerable man after belongings found near River Tay

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Daily Record

Police Scotland have launched a major search for Richard Massey, 46, last seen in Luncarty near Perth, as concern grows after his rucksack was discovered by the River Tay.

A desperate search has been launched for a vulnerable man who has been missing for over three days after his rucksack was found near the River Tay.

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Richard Massey, 46, was last seen at around 11am on Saturday, April 4, at a bus shelter on Main Road opposite Kirkhill Drive in Luncarty. A number 34 bus passed shortly afterwards, but it is not known if he boarded the service.

Officers from Police Scotland say there has been no confirmed sighting of Richard since, and fears for his safety are increasing.

On Monday, police discovered a rucksack containing his belongings near the River Tay at Willowgate, prompting further searches in the area.

Richard is described as a white man with very short dark hair. When last seen, he was wearing a white hooded puffer-style jacket with black shoulder patches, dark-coloured trousers, white trainers, a dark baseball cap and reflective sunglasses.

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Images released by police show him inside a shop wearing the same distinctive outfit, as well as a separate head-and-shoulders photograph.

Police Scotland confirmed that extensive enquiries are ongoing, with officers reviewing CCTV footage and carrying out searches to establish his movements.

Inspector Mark Craig said: “If anyone has seen Richard or has any information on where he may be, please do get in touch. I would also ask people to check any sheds or outbuildings in case Richard is seeking shelter within.”

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Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.

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UK drivers told to do four things this week

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Daily Record

The official guidance arrives as millions gear up for extended trips

Motorists planning lengthy journeys have received a stark safety warning from the DVSA, with four straightforward steps that could prove lifesaving.

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The official guidance arrives as millions gear up for extended trips with improving weather conditions, as the agency draws attention to the frequently underestimated risks of tiredness behind the wheel. In a message posted on social media, the DVSA encouraged drivers to adopt basic safety measures before hitting the road, cautioning that fatigue can substantially heighten the likelihood of a severe collision.

According to the DVSA, motorists should:

  • Not begin a journey if they are tired
  • Avoid long drives between midnight and 6am
  • Take regular breaks during journeys
  • Stop in a safe place if they feel sleepy

The recommendations echo established road safety guidance designed to combat driver fatigue – a factor that specialists warn can prove equally as hazardous as drink-driving.

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Why the warning matters

Government road safety guidance has repeatedly identified tiredness as a significant danger on Britain’s roads. Department for Transport figures reveal fatigue plays a greater role in accidents on high-speed routes including motorways and dual carriageways.

Studies referenced by road safety organisations have shown that drowsy driving hampers reaction times, diminishes awareness and weakens decision-making – producing effects similar to exceeding the legal drink-drive limit.

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Fatigue-linked collisions are also more prone to causing death or serious injury as they typically involve vehicles moving at high speed with no braking attempt.

High-risk times and warning signs

The DVSA’s recommendation to steer clear of driving between midnight and 6am stems from robust evidence regarding the body’s natural sleep patterns. This window – often termed the “circadian low” – marks when alertness plummets dramatically.

Motorists are also urged to recognise signs of fatigue, including:

  • frequent yawning
  • difficulty keeping eyes open
  • drifting within a lane
  • missing road signs or turns

Should any of these symptoms appear, the guidance is unambiguous: pull over as soon as safely possible.

Breaks are essential

Road safety specialists – including Highway Code recommendations – advise taking a minimum 15-minute break every two hours during lengthy journeys.

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Pausing for fresh air, a brief stroll or a caffeinated beverage can temporarily restore alertness, though officials emphasise these cannot replace adequate rest. The DVSA’s most recent warning serves as a reminder that while contemporary vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features, fundamental driver conduct continues to be crucial.

Tiredness might be undetectable – but its impact on the road can prove catastrophic.

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UK weather map shows area where the mercury is expected to peak at 26C TODAY

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Daily Mirror

Wednesday is believed to be the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures climbing, due to a band of high pressure sweeping across the UK from the south

This striking weather map shows temperatures are set to peak at 26C in some areas today.

During what is widely expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, a band of high pressure will sweep northwards. This will lead to a rise in temperatures everywhere, though particularly across the Southeast of England.

The 26C high is anticipated this afternoon in parts of this region, including Greater London, Essex and Surrey, forecasters say. This could be warmer than the temperatures expected in Athens and Cairo today.

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It was 24.8C on the island of Anglesey, north Wales, on Tuesday but eastern areas are likely to be warmer today. The Met Office’s weather map pinpoints the hottest regions, including the Southeast of England.

READ MORE: ‘I made new life for myself in Spain but there’s 1 thing you aren’t warned about’READ MORE: Full list of household appliance costs under new energy price cap

Paul Gundersen, Met Office chief forecaster, said: “We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer. This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020.

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“However, this warmth will be short-lived, with a marked drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions developing later this week. In some areas, daytime temperatures could fall by around 10°C between Wednesday and Thursday.”

Lighter winds today will make things feel even warmer, particularly across central and southeast England, where temperatures will be at least 20C. These values are well above the early April average, which is typically in the mid-teens.

But not all parts of the UK will see sunshine. It will be cloudier and cooler across Northern Ireland and northwest Scotland, with outbreaks of rain at times. The Met Office also stresses conditions only count as an official heatwave if temperatures meet or exceed specific thresholds set for each UK county, for at least three consecutive days, so not every brief spell of hot weather qualifies.

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And the warmer weather will present challenging conditions for those with hay fever. Forecasters say “very high” levels of pollen will be in the air for much of England and Wales for the next few days, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also seeing “high levels” which will decrease later in the week.

Last month, hay fever sufferers took to social media to express their frustration. Ash pollen became a threat, especially across southern counties, when temperatures started to rise at the start of spring. The Met Office typically urges those with hay fever to take measures to help minimise exposure and ease the severity of symptoms, such as wearing wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes, and showering and changing clothes after going outside.

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The Argus Butterfly in Peterlee welcomed top bands

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The Argus Butterfly in Peterlee welcomed top bands

One of those places stood on York Road in Peterlee.

The Argus Butterfly became, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of County Durham’s most talked-about live music venues.

For a few remarkable years, it drew some of the most influential bands of a generation to a town that many would never have expected to sit on the rock ‘n’ roll map.

In its heyday, the venue managed to secure performances from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Genesis and Mott the Hoople.

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Pink Floyd also appeared during that golden era, as the progressive and hard rock scenes began to take shape across Britain.

While there may have been larger venues elsewhere in the North East, The Argus Butterfly had something else: atmosphere.

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson (Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

For many local music fans, the magic of The Argus Butterfly was not just in the names on the posters, but in the intimacy of the performances.

Before global fame, platinum records and worldwide tours, bands such as Led Zeppelin were still building their reputations, and Peterlee was one of the stops along the way.

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On March 23, 1969, Led Zeppelin took to the stage. Just weeks earlier, they had released their debut album. Within a year, they would be firmly established as one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

Deep Purple played on February 23, 1969, while Jethro Tull appeared on March 8, 1968, during a period when British rock was evolving at pace, blending blues, psychedelia and progressive influences.

Other confirmed performances included:

  • November 9, 1969 – Mott The Hoople
  • June 11, 1972 – Genesis
  • July 16, 1972 – Thin Lizzy

One local who remembers those formative years said online: “I started going as a bairn in 1967/68. The bands were on Sunday nights.

“I saw Free, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Family (who were a very big draw up here at the time) and a few others that I’ve forgotten.”

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Sunday nights at The Argus Butterfly became something of a ritual for music fans across the region.

Martin Chambers, Ian Hunter, Pete Overend Watts, Verden Allen and Mick Ralphs of Mott The Hoople (Image: Ian West)

Although it is remembered primarily for its rock credentials, The Argus Butterfly was more than a one-genre establishment.

It hosted jazz and folk clubs, reflecting the musical diversity of the era, and also provided space for community events, including tap dancing and local gatherings.

After closing as The Argus Butterfly, the building went on to take various forms.

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It later became The Tree of York Road and, more recently, housed the restaurant How Do You Do.



To passers-by today, there is little to suggest that the site once pulsed with the sound of future rock royalty. No roaring amplifiers. No packed Sunday night crowds. No rising stars on cramped stages.

Yet for those who were there, the memories remain.

The story of The Argus Butterfly is a reminder that the great chapters of British music history were not written solely in London, Manchester or Liverpool.

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They were written in working men’s clubs, pubs and modest venues across towns like Peterlee.

The Argus Butterfly may no longer echo with guitar riffs and drum solos, but it’s still remembered online by people who were there at the time.

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Manchester United’s rising star scored vs Real Madrid – but the best is yet to come

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Manchester Evening News

Man United U21s lost 4-2 against Real Madrid in the Premier League International Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night

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Manchester United youngster Shea Lacey would have travelled to Dublin for the first-team training camp this week, but the decision was made to give him a start against Real Madrid.

Knowing the Under-21s would have a better chance of reaching the Premier League International Cup semi-final with Lacey in the team, Adam Lawrence said he would “sweet-talk” Michael Carrick to get him available.

Lacey nonchalantly converted a penalty like he was playing in a park, evoked a gasp from the crowd with a backheel volleyed pass and drew Madrid’s players in to win fouls. That was just in the first half.

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There was a decent Easter holiday crowd at Old Trafford to watch the U21s take on Madrid. Lacey looked excellent in two first-team cameos in January, meaning he was the main attraction on show, but Lawrence fielded a strong team with the likes of Chido Obi and Jack Moorhouse given starts.

“Can you perform at the elite level and make the difference? Because we feel that he can,” said Lawrence of Moorhouse during an interview with the Manchester Evening News at Carrington last week.

Moorhouse responded by opening the scoring against Madrid, gliding beyond the defender and rifling his shot into the top right corner. Madrid first-team goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wouldn’t have saved it.

Ruben Amorim named Moorhouse in a handful of first-team squads last season and Michael Carrick named him on the bench in recent Premier League games against Everton and Crystal Palace.

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You will struggle to find a better ball-carrying than Moorhouse. His ability to glide with the ball at speed to breeze beyond opponents makes him a unique option, and he can finish when given the opportunity.

Moorhouse is not training day-to-day with the first-team like Lacey. He is currently between the U21s and the senior side, meaning his next challenge is taking that next step to performing consistently.

Lacey has been promoted to the senior squad on a permanent basis due to a blend of his talent and consistency. He has looked more mature this season, having physically developed in the gym, and he scored the penalty against Madrid like a player at home at Old Trafford.

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Darren Fletcher handed around 30 minutes to Lacey against Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round. He was a breath of fresh air down the wing, but was shown a second yellow card for throwing the ball in frustration.

The ordeal was a crushing blow for Lacey, who apologised for being sent off on social media, but it’s that kind of exposure that has helped him look more mature than his academy peers in youth games.

Why would Lacey be fazed by taking a penalty in an academy game at Old Trafford when he has played in the venue at full capacity?

Obi has been leapfrogged by Lacey in terms of first-team involvement, but it was the young striker’s pressing that won the penalty. United academy coaches have worked meticulously with Obi to improve his out-of-possession work, and the pieces have started to gradually fall together.

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“When a coach is tough on players, or they spend more time with them, it means that they really, really believe in the player,” said Lawrence when asked about constant shouts at Obi during academy games.

Madrid were two goals behind within 15 minutes, but the word from those who observe Spanish football was that they had fielded a strong side themselves. They were not going to roll over, and the momentum shifted in their favour when Gabriel Castrelo made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time.

The Reds failed to come out of the traps quickly when play resumed for the second half. Lacey was getting on the ball less often. And then Madrid inevitably equalised, this time through Bruno Iglesias.

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The solo Madrid analyst fist-pumped in the press box as Iglesias celebrated. The school-age home crowd booed, and tried to encourage the red shirts to respond by chanting ‘UNITED, UNITED, UNITED’.

Nothing split the two teams across 90 minutes and extra-time was required. Lacey pleaded with Lawrence to stay on, but the U21 boss’ body language suggested the decision had already been made before the game.

It said a lot about Lacey’s character that he was desperate to stay on, not long after returning from a small knock, but there are guaranteed to be more games at Old Trafford for the Liverpool-born lad.

Madrid forward Jaime Barrosco scored a late winner when the ball kindly fell to him in extra time, and United’s players looked skyward as they trudged back for the restart. They had simply run out of steam, and their heads dropped again when Madrid made it 4-2 with two minutes remaining.

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United had the most difficult quarter-final draw of the three English teams that qualified for the knockout rounds of the competition, and they came the closest to making it to the semi-final stage.

That’s not bad for an academy that Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticised in October. United’s new academy chief, Stephen Torpey, suggested Ratcliffe was referring to the academy facilities when he said standards had “slipped”, but it was an ill-informed, clear dig at the entire operation.

Not many youth teams in England can go toe-to-toe for 120 minutes with Real Madrid Castilla. United’s youngsters should be proud of their effort.

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Ex-Newcastle star Elliot Anderson spotted at Dabbawal, Jesmond

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Ex-Newcastle star Elliot Anderson spotted at Dabbawal, Jesmond

The popular Indian street food restaurant in Jesmond shared a photo on Facebook on April 4 with the caption: “Amazing to have the ‘Geordie Maradona’ himself, Elliot Anderson, in Dabbawal Jesmond last night.

“We’re dreaming of a permanent return home… make it happen.”

Dabbawal has built a reputation as a celebrity and footballer hotspot in Jesmond, with staff saying it offers “a lot of nooks and crannies” where players can enjoy some privacy.

The restaurant has previously posted about visits from Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and TV presenter Declan Donnelly.

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Newcastle fans call for Elliot Anderson return

The post quickly caught the attention of supporters, with several sharing their hopes that the Whitley Bay-born player could one day return to St James’ Park.

Anderson, affectionately dubbed the “Geordie Maradona” by fans for his creative flair and attacking instincts, came through Newcastle’s academy before making his Premier League debut in 2022, but he was sold in 2024 amid a scramble to comply with financial regulations.

Nottingham Forest’s ex-Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson (Image: Mike Egerton)

Paul Wilson wrote, “It would be fantastic to see you back home in black and white again,” while Jay Scott added: “If Tonali leaves we need to spend whatever it takes to bring him home.”

Another fan, David Wright, summed up the affection many on Tyneside still hold for the 21-year-old, saying simply: “He’s one of our own.”

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Whether Anderson is set for a return remains to be seen, but his appearance in Jesmond has reignited fond memories

On June 30, 2024, Newcastle sold Anderson ahead of the financial deadline for Profit and Sustainability rules. Academy prospects count as ‘pure profit’ on the balance sheet.

Anderson did not want to leave his boyhood club, having graduated through Newcastle’s academy, but agreed to move to Nottingham Forest, where he has since earned a place in the England squad.

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archives reveal hardship faced by the families of those killed in 1916

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archives reveal hardship faced by the families of those killed in 1916

On November 26, 1923, a woman named Anne McCormack applied for a military dependent’s pension on the grounds of her husband, James McCormack’s death. He had been a soldier in the Irish citizen army, under the socialist and revolutionary leader, James Connolly. This group was committed to the establishment of a workers’ republic. Its members participated in the week-long armed insurrection of 1916 known as the Easter Rising.

James McCormack was shot in the head on the second day of the rising, April 26, 1916. Records held in the Military Service Pensions Archive show he died where he fell on Moore Lane, close to the General Post Office, the epicentre of the rising.

For many years following the establishment of the Irish state (today’s Republic of Ireland) in 1922, the focus of Irish historians, not to mention the general public, was on those, like James McCormack, who died for Ireland. Annual commemorations of the 1916 rising were focused on those executed by the British or killed in the fighting. But little attention was paid to those, like Annie, who survived.

Hundreds of thousands of people had their lives thrown off course as a result of personal injury, bereavement and trauma, while others had their material fortunes irreversibly altered. Since 2007, my research and that of many historians has revealed the high price of “living for Ireland”. Through publicly funded digitisation projects, for example the 1901 and 1911 censes, researchers have had access to details of births, deaths, marriage registrations and, more recently, military service pension files. This has enabled us to flesh out the lives of those who lived through and beyond the tumultuous Irish revolutionary period of 1916 to 1923.

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The Birth of the Irish Republic by Walter Paget.
Walter Paget/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

Living impact

The pensions archive shows the impact of the revolution on the everyday life of people who survived it and went on to build a new state. It contains over 250,000 files relating the lives of over 80,000 individuals who applied for pensions as combatants or surviving dependants.

According to the McCormacks’ digitised marriage certificate, found in the Irish Genealogy online archive Annie, as she was known, married James only eight years before she was widowed with three young children. Records show that Patrick Drinan, a member of the newly established police force in Ireland, An Garda Síochána
informed the Irish Army that since 1916 Mrs McCormack was “in poor circumstances financially. She had three children to support out of her earnings which average roughly about 12/- per week.”

Drinan noted that Annie’s father, who like many elders, lived with his daughter, was in receipt of old age pension – the great financial boon introduced in 1908. The policeman also explained that Annie had been awarded £500 in compensation, in 1917, for the loss of her husband, by “the National Aid Fund”. This is probably a reference to the Irish National Aid Association and Volunteer’s Dependants’ Fund.

The association distributed funds entrusted to it by the leaders of the rising to support the families of those killed or executed. Annie’s husband had been earning £1 week at the time of his death, which was at the higher end of a worker’s salary. The sum she received from the fund points to the depth of the McCormacks’ Republican credentials. The widows of executed leaders of the rising received an investment of £1,500 and one-off grants of between £250 and £350.

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Entrenched inequality

My research has looked at the inherent inequality of the male-breadwinner model of Irish society at the time, and how losses incurred during the revolution left female-headed households, often widows, in extremely vulnerable positions.

Annie was one of the relatively lucky ones. She was awarded a pension of £90 for the duration of her widowhood, along with £24 per child, until they reached the age of 18.

Despite this, her pension file documents how she struggled to keep her sons supplied with the schoolbooks required to complete their education. It is significant that she sought to give them the kind of education that would spare them a life of labouring like their father and grandfather had. A relatively small proportion of the Irish population managed secondary education prior to the late 1960s, when it became free, yet Annie kept her sons (for a while at least) in the prestigious Jesuit Belvedere College in Dublin.

An archival document of the official proclamation of the Irish Republic by the provisional government in 1916.
Easter Proclamation of 1916.
Wikimedia

Balancing the books was an exhausting process for Annie. Throughout 1927 her health deteriorated. This likely explains why she failed to notice that the army continued to pay her eldest son’s allowance three months after he turned 18.

On February 29, 1928, the Army Finance Office wrote to inform Annie that it had overpaid £5 1s 6d (£5.075) in relation to her eldest son. The sum had been deducted from her allowance.

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Annie’s last action was to write to the army to explain how much distress and difficulty this deduction had caused her. On December 1, 1928 she died at the age of 45 from tuberculosis, then endemic in Ireland

Her death certificate reduced her to the widow of a labourer. This is testimony to a life of difficult living conditions, poor nutrition and stress. The Ireland her husband James died for did not turn out to be the workers’ republic that the Irish Citizen Army had fought for, nor did the land of equal opportunities promised in the 1916 Proclamation of Independence transpire.

There are two subsequent letters in Annie’s file that reveal the enduring legacy of loss. In 1936, her youngest son wrote to ask for help finding a job. And nearly two decades later, in 1953, her eldest son wrote to remind the state of how losing his parents had reshaped his life: “My father James McCormack … was killed in action 1916 CA for which my mother receaved (sic) a pension until she died in 1927. I was 18 years of age then, and had to support two younger brothers 16 years and 14 years respectfully as her pension died with her. I was the only support or home, and got no help of any kind.”

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The top foods to cook in an air fryer

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The top foods to cook in an air fryer

For most of us, deep-fried food is off the menu, save for occasional treats. High-calorie, high-fat and potentially laced with carcinogens, we try to ignore the siren call of the chip shop.

But the air fryer claims we can have our chip butty and eat it, promising to “fry” food without the fat. “Air-fried foods have the traditional crunch and classic texture of perfectly fried foods, but you can enjoy them without the guilt,” gushes one recipe book. It’s a seductive thought.

But is it true? Not all foods turn out tempting after a spell in the air fryer, and some ingredients are transformed, quite simply, into mush. I’ve learned this the hard way after trying it all in my own Wonder Oven, which I most frequently use to produce “roasting tin” meals: a tray of vegetables, perhaps a bit of meat or fish, baked until the edges are caramelised and the flavours jostle together.

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Here’s what you need to know to avoid a dinner disaster.

Roast potatoes

Cut floury potatoes into chunks, parboil, then shake them. Allow to dry and drizzle with a little oil. Air-fry for about 25 minutes on the highest setting, turning twice, until golden and crisp.

Leftovers

As long as they don’t contain too much sauce, leftovers are often better reheated in an air fryer than in the microwave. They regain their crisp edges rather than turning soggy.

Risotto

If you have an air fryer with a paddle, such as the Tefal ActiFry or the De’Longhi MultiFry, it will have a solid base rather than a rack, meaning you can cook more liquid dishes, including a proper stirred risotto.

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Fish

The small space means it won’t dry out, and smells are contained. Rub lightly with oil or pané with breadcrumbs (dust first with flour, then coat in beaten egg and breadcrumbs), and air-fry until crisp and golden.

Chicken

It turns crisp while staying juicy, though it’s worth checking with a digital thermometer that it has reached 74C before eating. Rub with your choice of seasoning and cook for 9 to 10 minutes per side.

Roasted root vegetables

Cut into chunks, toss with oil, salt and smoked paprika, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Add chunks of onion or leek after 10 minutes, as these darken quickly.

Kale chips

Spray trimmed leaves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Lay in a single layer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes at 190C, shaking the pan after 2 minutes. Leave to cool and crisp on a rack while you cook another batch.

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Deep-fried foods

You can make good oven-baked versions, but don’t expect the thick crust or unctuous quality of food cooked in hot oil.

Battered foods

Wet batters will drip off before they have a chance to set.

Cheese

Fresh cheese will slide around, so even in a toastie you need to weigh it down, secure it with a toothpick or use frozen slices.

Doughnuts and churros

You can bake a bready dough in some air fryers, but runny doughs and churros are a non-starter.

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Leafy greens

Spinach and chard tend to turn to mush.

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NewsBeat

Person assaulted on Monday in Church Lane, York city centre

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Person assaulted on Monday in Church Lane, York city centre

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after a person was assaulted in a York city centre street in the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday, April 6).

It happened in Church Lane, near Low Ousegate, at approximately 12.46am, with one victim receiving head injuries in the attack.


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They received medical treatment for their injuries and were discharged from hospital later that day.

A suspect was arrested at the time of the incident, but has since been released pending further enquiries.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We are particularly interested in speaking to two witnesses who were in the area at the time.

“During the time of the incident, they were stood on Low Ousegate. One witness was said to be wearing a silver glitter dress and the other witness was wearing a long blue coat.”

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If you can help the investigation, please email Peter.Maw@northyorkshire.police.uk, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Peter Maw, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference 12260060786 when passing on information.

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