Police were first called to reports of suspicious activity in a Cambridgeshire town
Four people have been arrested after a car crash on a Cambridgeshire road. Cambridgeshire Police were called to reports of suspicious activity on Cromwell Road, Wisbech, at around 10.50pm on Sunday (April 19).
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When officers arrived, they found a car crashed on Lerowe Road, Walsoken. No one was injured. Officers arrested four people on suspicion of several offences. These were:
An 18-year-old man from Wisbech has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, possession of a Class A drug, possession of a Class B/C drug, possession of an offensive weapon, fail to stop and escape from lawful custody;
An 18-year-old man from Wisbech has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B/C drug;
A 17-year-old boy from Leverington has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a Class B/C drug;
An 18-year-old man from Whittlesey has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, possession of an offensive weapon, and dangerous driving.
The three men and one boy are currently in custody at King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre.
Para-Northern, founded in 2017 by Emma Flood, carried out a late-night investigation at the community building on April 10, but what they encountered led the team to abandon the investigation early.
Although the group has 11 members in total, only a small team of four attended the session, which ran from 7.30pm until around 11.30pm, when they decided to leave.
The investigators also chose to strip things back, using minimal equipment so they could rely on their own senses.
Emma Flood leads Para-Northern, aparanormal team investigating hauntings across Bolton (Image: Emma Wood)
The team has investigated the building twice before, but Emma said this visit felt very different from the outset.
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She said: “It just didn’t feel like it normally does, like whatever was there didn’t want us to be there.”
During the investigation, the team reported hearing unexplained bangs, including what they described as cupboards being struck from behind them.
While conducting a call-out session in a classroom, Emma said: “I asked, ‘I know you’re here, can you make a sound?’ and we heard banging coming from behind us.”
The group also used experimental listening equipment and a spirit box, picking up repeated references to horse racing, something they later linked to a caretaker believed to have worked at the building who reportedly enjoyed betting on horses.
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One of the most unsettling moments came when a sudden, overpowering smell filled the air.
Emma said: “It lasted about 10 seconds, like stale cigarettes, sweat, and a sulphur-type smell.
“None of the team smoke. It came and went, and it felt like something was telling us we needed to leave.”
The team decided to end the investigation early as they became increasingly uneasy.
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A team member carrying out the Estes Method at The Hub (Image: Emma Flood)
Emma said: “We all felt really uncomfortable and we wanted to end it while we were still in control.
“It was a really loud bang, much louder than the usual tapping or sounds we hear — it genuinely scared us.
“We checked everything and nothing had fallen or moved. There was no explanation.”
At one point, a team member sitting in a corridor asked for a sign, prompting another loud noise from a nearby office area.
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The building, which Emma described as “lovely during the day”, took on a very different feel at night.
She said: “It’s a weird building, it’s so lovely in the day, but at night it’s a completely different vibe.
“When it’s empty, lights off, it feels totally different. Everyone was on edge.”
Emma believes the location may be linked to multiple presences, including what she describes as a young boy near the café area and a calming “caretaker” figure.
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However, she also stressed the importance of approaching investigations with caution and respect.
“When you hire a location, you don’t always know what others have done there before.
“We’re very careful, we don’t provoke, we just ask respectful questions.”
The experience has prompted the group to consider taking a short break from investigations at The Hub.
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Despite the scare, Para-Northern already has future plans lined up, including an investigation at New Brighton tunnels this week and a visit to the Transport Museum in Manchester in May.
The group is also organising a paranormal meet-up in September, where enthusiasts can share experiences and hear from guest speakers.
Emma, who has been fascinated by the paranormal since childhood, said her passion has never faded.
The recall only affects items with no English ingredients on the pack, specifically the 285g pack size, with any best-before dates.
Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd has said the chocolate may contain milk, peanuts, and soya, and may contain almonds, cashew nuts, cereals containing gluten, and hazelnuts.
However, these are not declared in English on the label, making it a possible health risk for anyone with allergies or intolerances to the above ingredients.
Those who have already purchased the bars have also been advised to check if theirs contains the full allergen list in English.
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Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, an allergy to peanuts, soya, almonds, cashew nuts, an allergy or intolerance to cereals containing gluten or coeliac disease, and/or an allergy to hazelnuts, do not eat it.
“Instead, contact Loudwater Trade & Finance customer careline at support@loudwateruk.com to obtain a full refund or if you require further information.
“Alternatively, return it to your local Home Bargains or B&M store.”
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Recommended reading:
What is a product recall?
If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued, which provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.
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Have you had to return a product due to a recall before? Let us know in the comments.
There had never been a unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Until now.
Victor Wembanyama — as expected — was announced Monday as the league’s top defensive player. The San Antonio center was second in the voting for DPOY as a rookie, was the favorite last season until a medical condition ended his season prematurely, then left no doubt this year.
At 22, he’s the youngest winner of the award.
“The real struggle might have been getting to 65 games,” Wembanyama said — referring to the number he needed for award eligibility — on NBC Sports Network. “But I’m super, super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first-ever unanimous.”
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Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was second and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson was third after both helped their teams secure No. 1 seeds for the playoffs. But this was never in doubt, not after the 7-foot-4 — or maybe taller — Wembanyama led the NBA in blocked shots for a third consecutive season and generally terrorized opponents any time they wanted to score.
“Best player in the world,” Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said.
The NBA will continue its award announcements Tuesday when the Clutch Player of the Year — either Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Denver’s Jamal Murray — is revealed. Wembanyama is also a finalist for MVP, with the winner of that trophy not set to be revealed until next week at the earliest.
First, the league got this announcement out of the way. And Wembanyama’s win was accompanied by a slew of milestones.
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— Every other winner of the award had been at least 23. Wembanyama doesn’t turn 23 until next January.
— The Spurs became the first franchise with four players to win DPOY, which was first handed out in the 1982-83 season. The others? Alvin Robertson in 1986, David Robinson in 1992 and Kawhi Leonard in 2015 and 2016.
— Wembanyama joins Robinson and Michael Jordan as the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and DPOY.
“I’ve had the chance to have great coaches over my career who have taught me great habits on defense,” Wembanyama said.
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The biggest accomplishment may be this: Wemby got every voter to agree.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry was the unanimous MVP in 2016 and in the 10 seasons that have followed, there have been only two instances of a player collecting 100% of the first-place votes for an award.
Those were Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year in 2024, and now this.
No player in at least the last 50 seasons — and maybe ever, since it’s hard to say with certainty because some full voting results for awards handed out generations ago are not known publicly — has won two major individual awards unanimously.
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It’s the 10th known unanimous pick in any vote for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, DPOY or Coach of the Year. And some of biggest names, including LeBron James and Michael Jordan, never won a major award unanimously.
“I feel like he is one of the hardest workers that I’ve ever been around,” Johnson said. “He takes his craft very seriously. I feel like this is just a small token of what’s to come for Victor. He’s a special player now. He’s a special player on the court and even more special person off the court as well. This is just a small token, small flowers that’s given to him for Defensive Player of the Year.”
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Holmgren and Thompson both got votes for the first time; a panel of reporters and broadcasters who cover the league were asked to pick their top three in the category, with ballots due last week before the playoffs started.
Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert — a four-time DPOY winner — was fourth, followed, in order, by Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Boston’s Derrick White, Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace, Houston’s Amen Thompson, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and New York’s OG Anunoby.
There was a three-way tie for 11th between Detroit’s Jalen Duren, Golden State’s Draymond Green — the 2017 winner — and Miami’s Bam Adebayo.
Wembanyama is an MVP finalist (along with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, and three-time winner Nikola Jokic of Denver), which almost certainly means he’ll be an All-NBA first-team selection. And the DPOY win means he’ll also be on the All-Defensive team, so the Frenchman is assured of no fewer than four trophies from this year’s award season.
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“We often overlook the team aspect,” Wembanyama said. “I’m sitting here. I happen to be the guy who’s put in the spotlight, but I am part of a system and I couldn’t get this award and I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for my teammates … and my coaching staff.”
___
AP freelance writer Raul Dominguez contributed to this report.
Teacher Angela Hall always starts the day gathering her preschool students in a circle in their Shreveport, Louisiana, classroom. The kids giggle. They share. And they look for who’s missing.
“Braylon, he’s not here,” she recalled one of her students saying Monday.
Braylon Snow, who just turned 5, was one of seven siblings who were fatally shot Sunday by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin. The shooting rattled classrooms in Shreveport where teachers like Hall on Monday came face-to-face with distraught parents and a messy stew of emotions.
In Hall’s classroom at Johnnie L. Cochran Head Start, it’s likely students noticed Braylon’s absence immediately. Each day, Hall instructs her students to look around for friends who aren’t there.
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“When they come back tomorrow, we can tell them, ‘Hey, we missed you, we’re glad you’re back’” she tells them.
But Hall wasn’t ready to tell the students that the boy she described as a “cool little dude” wasn’t returning. She kept circle-time moving. Numb and heartbroken, she lasted until noon and then went home.
“I’m no good to my babies right now because I just feel like I need to be in a moment of silence and just pray,” she said.
Preschool comes to an end
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At Head Start, preparation’s for next month’s graduation ceremony have been in full swing. Hall, an organist and pianist at her local Baptist church, wrote a song for the ceremony.
Students, who dress in caps and gowns for the festivities, have been busy learning the words, excited about the prospect of starting kindergarten in the fall. Hall was working hard to make sure they were ready.
Just last Thursday, she pulled Braylon’s mother aside during morning drop-off, boasting that Braylon was writing his first and last name. Braylon also was getting so independent, squirting syrup for his pancakes onto his plate by himself. He didn’t even need a reminder to wash his hands.
“Braylon doesn’t give me any problems,” she told his mother.
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Braylon greeted Hall — known to her students as “Mrs. Hall” — each day with a small wave.
As the year progressed, she nudged more gap-toothed smiles from him. He loved his time on the playground — playing chase, tag and even partaking in “a little wrassling.” She laughed as she remembered it.
“He was for the majority of the time kind of a quiet little soul in the classroom,” she said. “When he did get a little extra energy or something, it was just a joy to see him smile and laugh.”
News of the shooting emerges
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But then came Sunday. After church, she went to her mother’s house. It was then that she stumbled across an article about the shooting.
The number of victims was so high she struggled to comprehend it. Then she learned Braylon was among the victims. She also knew one of his brothers. He had been a Head Start student at the school last year.
“I just broke down and just started crying,” she said.
The same thing happened Monday morning at drop off when she locked eyes with a parent. Neither could say anything; the preschoolers were all around them.
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“I just immediately broke down,” she said. So too did the parent and a teacher’s aide.
She is relying on her faith now. She prays for the dead, for the families and also for the teachers.
“And I’m just praying for all the educators that were connected to these children because it’s tough because my parents’ babies, they become my babies. And I treat them like they’re my own. So I’m just really praying that he sustains us all during this time.
Xavi Simons (Tottenham): I didn’t like the celebration when he scored against Brighton – I thought it was a bit too much, a bit Instagrammy. But Spurs have been poor of late and his quality and the X-Factor he showed with the assist and goal could be how they stay up.
I don’t think they will stay up – I’m really worried for them, but they need him to have five more games like that and that will give them the best chance. Maybe if the defenders started to defend they would have won the game instead of drawing it.
Bernardo Silva (Man City): In the biggest game of the season, with a Ballon d’Or winner in Rodri next to him, and facing Declan Rice – who people have talked about winning the Ballon d’Or – Bernardo Silva was the best player on the pitch as Manchester City beat Arsenal.
In key moments, he understood what the game required, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and said ‘we win today’. The biggest moment that pops into my head is a cross in the 83rd minute – Bernardo Silva against Viktor Gyokeres to win a header. Bernardo Silva wins it, and blasts Gyokeres in the meantime.
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I think he is one of the biggest pieces for Manchester City to replace. Not just with his quality on the ball but also that leadership – it’s going to be hard to replace.
Rayan Cherki (Man City): My favourite player, as you know. The best player to watch in world football for me.
Look at that goal against Arsenal – he goes past Gabriel and Rice as if they are not there. The weight of body to transfer from right foot to left foot. When he shoots, you don’t know which foot is his strongest, he goes with his left foot past people, and scores with his right. He is just an unbelievable footballer.
Pep Guardiola has found another talent. And at 22, he is only going to get better. It’s quite scary when you think about how young this Manchester City team is.
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Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingam Forest): Very simple, you score a hat-trick – even if it is against Burnley – you’re in the team of the week. Captain’s performance. That’s all that matters.
Is The Last of Us Part 3 inevitable? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)
The Tuesday letters page argues that the Zelda movie will be good for the game series, as a reader is glad he took a chance on buying Capcom’s Pragmata.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Sooner or later It really is shocking to know that it’s been a decade since Naughty Dog made a proper new game. Literally, what a waste of time. I don’t imagine they meant for things to turn out like this but even if they’d released The Last Of Us Online in that time, I’d still consider that to have been a waste of their talents, given they still had no plans for a new single-player game.
Hopefully we can start to put all that behind us now with Interstellar: The Heretic Prophet and maybe a new Uncharted. But does anyone really believe there won’t be a The Last Of Us Part 3?
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Even if the TV show has lost some of its shine it’s still a huge brand now and there is no way Sony is going to let things go on without a new sequel. They’d sooner shut down Naughty Dog (or at least chase off Neil Druckmann) than let the series end and I’m a little shocked they haven’t insisted on a new one by now.
But even if you assume that when is it coming out? There’s no sign they’ve started any serious work so that’s going be… at least six years? I look forward to seeing what Ellie does as an old grandma in the year 2032 AD. Purple Ranger
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Cinematic storytelling Everyone seems pretty down on the idea of the Zelda movie and I get why. The Mario movies have had zero plot, the Zelda games have almost zero plot, and the director hasn’t done much that’s interesting. I agree it’s not a very promising set-up.
But I actually have some hope for it. The good news (apart form the hat being in it) is that they’re not doing any particular game but, I assume, a sort of mish-mash of everything Zelda. If they’re sensible they’ll streamline the whole backstory and start a new cinematic history for the series. Give Link and Zelda clear origins, and Ganondorf as well, and you’d already be doing better than the games.
Personally, I like that the games are very light on storytelling, but a movie could be the perfect way to flesh things out and keep everyone happy. Mario doesn’t really have that problem to solve but a movie for Zelda could really help the games. Vondam
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Reverse logic Opening a store in London and then not telling anyone is the most Nintendo thing ever. I guess they figured it wouldn’t need advertising if it’s central, so that would avoid queues and stuff, but it still comes across as really weird, which I have to admit I like.
For me Japanese companies like Nintendo and Capcom doing odd things and backing games that don’t seem to be obvious sellers is the only thing, other than indie, that keeps me interested in games. I’ve all but given up with everything else, not just because the games board me but because I don’t like supporting these horrible companies.
And no, I won’t make an exception for GTA 6. I’ll be happily playing something else, anything else at that point. I’ll try and find the cheapest looking indie game possible and play that instead, just to be contrary. Colin
Swings and roundabouts RE: Paulie. I generally really like role-playing games and although I thought the presentation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was brilliant, I didn’t like the combat and just gave up about 20 hours in. Maybe I’ll go back one day, as I feel it’s a game I should like but just didn’t.
I also gave up on The Witcher 3 recently, on my first run, as I found the combat pretty lacklustre and just too much dialogue (much of which I just didn’t find very well written).
So whilst this is clearly a me issue, given both of these games were well received, it just shows you might not like something else which others do.
I did buy Borderlands 4 though, last week, and am really enjoying it! So much fun. Would recommend it! Tom
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GC: Even many fans would agree that The Witcher 3 combat is weak.
Risk and reward Absolutely loving Pragmata and I’m so glad I took a chance on it at launch. Not only is it a great game but I’m clearly not the only one, as it sold 1 million copies in two days, which must be great for a new IP that’s a relatively hard sell.
I’m sure it’s never going to sell as much as Resident Evil and other even bigger name games but kudos to Capcom for taking the risk and reaping the reward. They’ve still got Onimusha out this year so imagine if that’s good too! What a run they’re having this year.
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They’ve always been one of my favourite publishers and they must be one of the few companies that’s actually getting better with time. We all know how much publishers love to copy a successful idea but what’s the betting they don’t bother in this case?
Make a good game? Take a chance on a new IP? Make it a weird dad/daughter sci-fi story with robots as the only enemy? Somehow, I doubt EA or Activision are going to make that effort. Symbel
Free Sword I wrote in about the Broken Sword The Smoking Mirror: Reforged Kickstarter last week, which is doing very well currently at £457,437 and then had a bit of surprise on Thursday when I went to download the free game on Epic Store on mobile, to find they are giving away Broken Sword The Shadows Of The Templar: Reforged!
So I downloaded that as soon as I saw it. With Epic Games Store, if you claim the free games every time you claim a game the developer gets paid for you claiming the free game! If you haven’t played the first Broken Sword game I recommend you download it on mobile or tablet from Epic Games Store now until this Thursday at 4pm. Andrew J.
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Out of control What in the seven blazes is that Forza Horizon 6 controller meant to be? Why would a Forza Horizon game set in Tokyo be that colour, with those patterns?
Not that I’d buy a controller that had a game’s name written all over it (I can’t believe enough people do for that to be a common thing) but I think this proves that Microsoft has lost the plot when it comes to controllers. The Xbox Series X one is a big disappointment and the one for Project Helix needs to be a serious step up. Siega
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Preferred options In response to Amesia’s email about always choosing performance mode, I have to say it’s not always the smoothest option. There are plenty of games where the performance mode results in a jittery frame rate, jumping between 30 and 60 fps because the PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X can’t quite manage 60. Whereas switching to 30fps fidelity mode locks the frame rate and therefore looks smoother (and also better resolution and maybe increased settings, ray tracing, etc.).
I would personally watch a video like Digital Foundry to see which is the smoother option on a game-by-game basis. Starfield, Crimson Desert, and Ghost Of Yōtei are some examples off the top of my head that offer a smoother experience in 30fps than they do it performance mode. Obviously, the balanced mode, if available, is a good compromise in these situations, if you have a 120Hz TV that can support 40fps.
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On another note, I’d be curious to know how many readers use the Game Mode on their TV? I was recently at a friend’s house and noticed he didn’t. He didn’t even seem to realise it was an option. He turned on the setting and was blown away by how much crisper and more vibrant it looked and even more so by the noticeable increase in controller responsiveness.
He had some motion smoothing setting on as default and it, along with all the other needless TV post effects was resulting in about half a second input lag before we switched to Game Mode. So how many other readers out there are playing with lag and inferior picture quality due to ignoring this important setting? P Donnelly
GC: An interesting point. Our one switches automatically when it detects a console turned on; we thought that was the norm.
Inbox also-rans I think the new Sonic game in 2028, after the next Sonic Frontiers game, should feature a new hedgehog character. I want the new hedgehog to be inspired by Gohan, Ryu, and Static Shock. Scott
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The only game to make me cry was one in a ZX80 magazine, where I spent six hours typing in the program and hitting run and nothing happened. Tried multiple times but I don’t think I ever got any of the free game programs to work right. TWO MACKS
The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
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Charles concluded his message by urging all to follow the late Queen’s “example” and improve the world around us: “So, young or old, and whatever our differences, let us therefore seek to follow this example as we make today not the marking of a milestone felt by absence but the celebration of a life well-lived, and a legacy of hope, as we strive together towards a ‘better, happier tomorrow’ – one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.”
New research has revealed that retired Brits are often faced with 500 hours of household chores every year – the equivalent to 21 days a year or an unpaid part-time job.
Instead of relaxing, many over-55s are instead being weighed down with a seemingly endless list of jobs to do around the home.
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Research by McCarthy & Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of later life communities, reveals that retirees are spending an average of 24 hours a week on household chores.
Cooking and meal prep takes, on average, 10 hours, seven hours is dedicated to cleaning, laundry eats into four hours while gardening and general home maintenance can take up to seven hours.
Reinvested, it’s the equivalent time taken to learn to pick-up a new language (600 hours) or develop the skills to play drums in a band (500 hours).
More adventurous Brits could even become a ski instructor (125 hours) or get a PADI Open Water Diver certificate (24 hours).
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The most dreaded of the chores are the most commonplace – topping the list is cleaning (36%) closely followed by ironing (31%).
If they were taken off the daily agenda, a fifth of over-55s (22%) would spend more time with family or explore new places and travel (20%).
Hobbies like hiking (29%), catching up on TV (28%) and crafting (13%) would also be picked-up more readily.
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Having time to learn something new is also on wish lists. One in 10 are keen to learn a new language, 23% want to spend more time in the garden, and 18% would take up meditation, yoga or Feng Shui. A more chilled 22% would take the time to simply ‘be’.
McCarthy & Stone provides on-site maintenance teams that can handle homeowners’ everyday household tasks.
The teams are increasing the scale of in-apartment services, tackling almost 10,000 hours of chores each month or 120,000 hours a year.
This includes in-apartment cleaning, communal garden management, preparing meals and laundry.
Chrissy Fice, Marketing Director at McCarthy & Stone, said: “McCarthy & Stone is focused on creating communities and ‘homes’ for people to enjoy.
“As part of this, we’ve increased the scale of our in-apartment services that can help with household chores and everyday tasks.
“This allows people to spend more time doing what they love – whether that’s socialising, staying active or discovering new passions.
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“By taking care of the daily demands of running a home, we’re giving homeowners more freedom to enjoy a more fulfilling and independent later life.”
UK’s top ten time-stealing chores
1. Cooking and meal preparation – six hours per week
2. Cleaning (hoovering, bathrooms, dusting) – four hours per week
3. Gardening and outdoor upkeep – four hours per week
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4. Home maintenance and repairs – four hours per week
5. Window cleaning and general upkeep – four hours per week
6. Pet care – four hours per week
7. Laundry and washing – three hours per week
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8. Food shopping and errands – three hours per week
9. Household admin and organisation – three hours per week
Sir Olly, until last week the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, will reportedly tell the Foreign Affairs Committee that the Government pressured him into clearing Lord Mandelson, despite the peer’s relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and business links to Russia and China.
New York City officials and lawmakers are raising urgent concerns over a significant shortage of public restrooms as the region prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in less than two months.
With the first game at MetLife Stadium set for June 13, city officials are looking closely at whether New York can actually handle the crowds.
The New York/New Jersey Host Committee expects around 1.2 million people to pour into the area for the tournament, but current figures show there is only one public bathroom for every 8,500 residents, Gothamist reported.
It is a ratio that lawmakers say is a struggle for locals even on a normal day, let alone during a World Cup.
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The New York City Council introduced a bill last week that would require the city to develop a formal plan to expand bathroom access before the international event begins. Council members noted that popular locations, such as Bryant Park, already experience long lines for facilities, and the expected influx of global soccer fans would likely overwhelm the current system.
New legislation would require the city to submit a detailed expansion plan by June 1, identifying high-traffic zones and adding temporary restrooms to ensure the region is prepared for the influx of millions of fans (Getty Images)
“We actually have a number of public bathrooms all across the city in parks and elsewhere,” New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross Menin told Good Day New York on Monday. “So we’re doing a whole map of that so people know where they can get access to public bathrooms.”
Menin added that the city was attempting to balance infrastructure needs with economic outreach.
“We’re also doing a program to support small businesses during FIFA because this is an opportunity and really an obligation to make sure that our New York City small businesses are being promoted and not left out of the equation,” she said.
The bathroom shortage is just one of several logistical hurdles facing the metropolitan area. Transit remains a primary concern for the millions of fans expected to travel between Manhattan and the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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As reported by The Independent, travel through New York’s Penn Station is expected to be a major obstacle during the tournament. The station, often criticized for its confusing layout and overcrowding, serves as the primary route for fans taking New Jersey Transit to the matches.
The pressure on the transit system comes as New Jersey officials have implemented significant fare hikes to address budget deficits, leading to criticism that the cost of attending the games is being passed on to local commuters and visiting fans alike.
With 48 teams competing and high-profile matches like Brazil versus Morocco and Panama versus England coming to the area, the scale of the tournament is expected to exceed the capacity of the region’s aging rail system.
The city is currently mapping park restrooms and drafting new laws to help small businesses, but council members say the lack of basic facilities is still a major oversight. They argue that adding more bathrooms is necessary not just for the World Cup, but for the health and dignity of New Yorkers who need them every day.
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“This is about dignity, cleanliness and public health as much as convenience,” City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu told Gothamist. “No one should have to scramble for a bathroom or cut their day short because they can’t find one in a global city like New York.”
The region is scheduled to host the World Cup final on July 19.
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