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Games Inbox: Is Crimson Desert being underrated?

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Games Inbox: Is Crimson Desert being underrated?
Crimson Desert – some people like it (Pearl Abyss)

The Tuesday letters page is surprised to find how big Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss is, as one reader is doubtful as to whether Screamer will be a hit.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

May contain annoyances
So I bought Crimson Desert on Saturday, after reading several reviews and watching some YouTube videos of the game with the intention of getting a refund if I didn’t get on with it. The funny thing is it wasn’t even on my radar really until everything blew up, but it really got me curious as to how some reviews were really high on it and some very average.

Long story short, I didn’t refund it and I’m several hours in now and I’m hooked. It’s just such a fascinating game to play, I’m finding the flaws almost endearing and even though the controls certainly are a choice you do get used to them. It’s not what I thought it would be at all either, it’s closer to a sandbox fantasy simulation with so many interconnected systems and depth.

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It feels like every suggestion for a minigame or feature was evaluated by asking the question, ‘Will this be fun for someone?’ and if the answer was yes it went in and that feels quite refreshing, especially since it seems like you can ignore those quite happily if you don’t want to bother with them.

I will say, however, that this is almost certainly the most Marmite game I’ve ever played. It will either draw you in or you’ll bounce off it, I think. So I can totally see why there isn’t as much of a consensus on this as something like The Witcher 3.

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It reminds me in some ways of Destiny, when that first came out. There was something so compelling about that game, that just hit the spot for those of us who really got into it and this feels exactly the same to me. So, I don’t think the people who are saying it’s good and enjoying it are kidding themselves.

Hopefully over time the annoyances and the issues will be ironed out, as the dev team do seem to be responding quickly to the community. But even if those issues remain, I’m still enjoying my time with the game, warts and all.
Carl

Money to burn
I love how all this stuff coming out about the developers of Crimson Desert just spamming the game with random features and parts of other games, is exactly how the reviews described it and imagined it must’ve been made. What I wonder is how the game ever got founded, because I definitely would not be giving a bunch of people who have only ever made one MMO before the cash to make a… whatever Crimson Desert is supposed to be.

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It’s funny how often the biggest disasters in gaming can be seen from a mile away but I guess as long as the right people are making money from it all the madness is left to continue.
Sagat

GC: Pearl Abyss is actually a really big company, with over a thousand employees; they also own EVE Online maker CCP. Black Desert Online is very popular in Asia.

Resist temptation
The fact that Rockstar Games is paying some people less than minimum wage is beyond disgusting. I don’t care if they’re the cleaners, this is the company that makes the biggest entertainment product in human history and they have to have their knuckles rapped by the government in order for its employees to earn a living wage.

I’m extra shocked that this is happening in the UK, although I guess the US government would never have cared and we wouldn’t have found out. But c’mon Rockstar, try and do better. It’s not that hard not to be evil.
Bootles

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Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Exception to the rule
I appreciate the review of Screamer, which I had never heard of until now (including the old 90s game). It sounds great: inventive and unique, which is why I’m sure it won’t sell at all and then everyone will complain why are there no arcade racers? Or whatever your favourite rare genre happens to be.

People have to vote with their wallets to get anything noticed and yet we constantly see great games do badly and then there’s no follow-up, from either that developer or another. I’m still shocked that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a hit because it seemed to have everything going against.

Sure it was good, but if that was all you needed for something to be a hit the world would be a very different place.
Hordak

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Still in the game
I have to hand it to Microsoft, they are trying to carry on as if everything is normal. That Partner Showcase thing sounds like it’ll be a bit of a dud but they’re doing it anyway, as if everything was normal and the Xbox was still a viable format.

I’m very interested to see what they’re going to be like when they unveil the next gen console. Probably very arrogant and trying to pretend they’re king of the world, but I can’t pretend I’m not interested in seeing what they put out. It’s obvious they haven’t given up yet.
Holstis

Remasters and remakes
I have to admit I am very impressed with what I have seen with Resident Evil Requiem. Although I did not buy this game I did watch a 100% walkthrough and I can assure everyone this game absolutely delivers. From an honest perspective I am an original Resident Evil 2 fan and that was the game that got me into Resident Evil, alongside Resident Evil 1.

Also, with new DLC coming for Requiem we have been spoiled savage by Capcom and hope that we will see them consider continuing with new DLC in the foreseeable future, as the game has already sold 6 million copies. I’d love to see them do DLC adding more characters with unique campaigns, such as past Resident Evil characters making a return, like Alyssa has.

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Also, I think now that in 2026 it is time Capcom considered making future Resident Evil games more open world, with PlayStation 6 and Next Gen Xbox coming.

Finally, there is one point I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention. Someone has done an AI 4K HDR10 overhaul of the original Resident Evil game with up-to-date graphic enhancements and it looks and plays glorious, here’s the video.

If this can be done with an AI overhaul surely Capcom could do this with Resident Evil’s Directors Cut, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in a remastered HD Collector’s Edition that would be sweet and nice for fans.
gaz be rotten (gamertag)

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Loveable Evil
Kudos to the people that organised that Resident Evil fan film. I can’t believe the amount of effort it must have taken to organise, on top of all the normal problems of making a film. I’d love to know how much convincing the actors took. They apparently couldn’t get Jill Valentine but I’m amazed any of the others wanted to remind people of their roles, so kudos to them.

Despite all the gore and horror, Resi really is such a loveable series. It’s so dumb and honest and fun. I agree that it should never be taken seriously because that completely robs it of half its appeal. The skill from Capcom is in riding that line between cheesiness and real scares.
Necktie

Never again
Crimson Desert is indeed many things: ambitious, overstuffed, bloated, disappointing, and a generic single-player title that I pre-ordered and in less than 24 hours traded in immediately to CeX. Because it is, from what I’ve played and the many reviews, a very barebones title. Personally, I am very glad to be rid of it and just from seeing the awfully bland graphics, the awful controls, the lack of a narrative to grip you. It is indeed one of the most disappointing games of 2026.

It’s no surprise that Pearl Abyss’s stock has fallen, but my mistake is one to be learnt from. I ignored the countless red flags, the shady tactics by Pearl Abyss to implement a review embargo so very late and the lack of any explanation, as far as any hints to the narrative beats and overall themes of the world. It was only false window dressing, disguised as the next great open world feature.

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Patches can only do so much to fix or even try to fix what is essentially a title that will be forgotten very soon, especially when we are less than a month away from the release of Saros and Pragmata. They seem infinitely more interesting, but I cannot stress this enough, I’ll be waiting for reviews for both releases.

I’m more confident about Saros, since it’s a continuation of the systems introduced in Returnal, but if my mistake has taught me anything. It’s that always trust your instincts. I only wish I hadn’t even gazed at Crimson Desert or given it a glance at all. That’s truly a regret I have to come to terms with.

As far as the reviews go, it sits at a 78 on Metacritic. In my opinion, it’s far too high of a score for such a wasteful opportunity. It deserves far much less. Even GC scoring it a 6 is far too kind. It’s more or less a 4 or a 3 out of 10. For utilising a beautiful world but lacking in many important factors.

May there never be a sequel to this debacle. On a final note, it would be absolutely phenomenal if GTA 6 was to release on the Nintendo Switch 2. But it is even possible? We’ll have to see and wait.
Shahzaib Sadiq

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Inbox also-rans
Sympathies in advance to whatever penniless students end up having to walk around the Minecraft theme park wearing a bunch of cardboard boxes to look like the characters. I feel grateful my boy has never shown any interest in the game.
Scourge

Agree on adding more character moments to Resident Evil. The next game definitely has to have Leon and Ada putting on a dinner party for Chris and Jill and the rest. And then zombies attacking, obviously. (Or maybe Hunters? They were always my favourite and it feels like we haven’t seen them for years.)
Grossman

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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.

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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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BBC pulls all episodes of Top of the Pops featuring Scott Mills after star’s sacking

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Daily Mirror

The BBC has seemingly pulled episodes of Top of the Pops that featured Scott Mills from iPlayer after the corporation made the decision to dismiss the radio star last month

The BBC has seemingly pulled episodes of Top of the Pops that featured Scott Mills from iPlayer. In yet another scandal for the public broadcaster, Scott Mills, a BBC radio favourite for decades, was axed from his role in March.

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The Mirror revealed that the former BBC Radio 1 and 2 DJ was questioned in 2018 over the historical allegations of serious sexual offences, but the investigation – which began in 2016 – was closed in 2019 after the CPS deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

The allegations are reported to have happened between 1997 and 2000. The Metropolitan Police told the Mirror that the teenage boy at the centre of the investigation was under 16.

For more than 40 years, Top of the Pops was the BBC’s major music programme that showcased the acts who were in the charts that week and gave a platform to some of the biggest names in the industry, with the likes of The Beatles, Spice Girls and Madonna amongst countless others all having performed on it over the years.

READ MORE: BBC bosses poised to offer Scott Mills Radio 2 replacement to rightful ‘heir’READ MORE: Scott Mills replacement hopefuls battling it out for his Radio 2 job

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The programme, which ended in 2006, is still repeated regularly but now the The Sun has reported that the three episodes in which Scott, 53, served as host, have now been wiped from the corporation’s streaming service.

The episodes in question originally aired in 1999 and around that time, he welcomed the likes of Billie Piper, Mariah Carey and Westlife onto the show to perform their latest singles. The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.

On Wednesday April 1, The Mirror revealed that the BBC was forced to terminate Mills’ contract after receiving compelling new information. The BBC then confirmed the Mirror’s report a day after it emerged that they knew of information relating to the police investigation. They pledged that they were “doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”

The Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview in 2016, was investigated over allegations reported to have happened between 1997 and 2000. Today, BBC News reported that director general at the time, Tony Hall, was not aware of the allegations.

The investigation was dropped in 2019 after the CPS deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. As first reported by the Mirror, Mills was sacked over allegations relating to his ‘personal conduct’ after the final edition of his breakfast programme aired.

Following his dismissal, Mills issued a statement via lawyers thanking his well-wishers. He said: “I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.”

On the police probe, he said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.

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“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018.”

He added: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.”

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Arsenal FC: Can Gabriel be retrospectively banned for headbutt on Erling Haaland?

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Arsenal FC: Can Gabriel be retrospectively banned for headbutt on Erling Haaland?

Arsenal defender Gabriel avoided a straight red card against Manchester City on Sunday in a potentially decisive referee decision in the Premier League title race.

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Celtic player ratings vs St Mirren: Striker shines as Oxlade-Chamberlain goes AWOL

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Belfast Live

Celtic beat St Mirren 6-2 after extra-time to reach the Scottish Cup final as super sub Kelechi Iheanacho scores crucial goals

A dramatic extra-time thrashing of St Mirren secured Celtic’s place in the Scottish Cup final.

Martin O’Neill will take the Glasgow giants back to Hampden next month to take on Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic in the showpiece decider.

A case of master versus apprentice.

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However, the Hoops faced a stern test, as the Premier Sports Cup champions – who defeated Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic when these sides last met at the national stadium – clawed their way back from 2-0 down and forced extra-time.

Yet, ultimately it proved to be a comprehensive victory as Celtic struck four times in the opening period of extra-time to seal a 6-2 triumph. But how did the individual players perform? Daily Record Sport assesses the ratings.

Celtic

Viljami Sinisalo 6

The goalkeeper produced an excellent stop to thwart Liam Donnelly. Appeared uncertain when dealing with back passes and was fortunate on several occasions. Powerless to prevent either goal.

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Anthony Ralston 7

Provided stability and reliability. Struck a superb goal at the close of the opening period. The left flank became vulnerable afterwards. Restored composure in the latter stages.

Auston Trusty 7

The towering defender was another who began impressively. The US international handled the physical presence of Mandron and Ayunga effectively. Celtic’s standout defender.

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Benjamin Arthur 6

The Brentford loanee made a confident start. He appeared commanding but began to falter when St Mirren increased the pressure. Withdrawn prior to extra-time.

Kieran Tierney 7

The left-back delivered his trademark performance down the flank. Pushed forward at every opportunity while maintaining defensive solidity. The team’s quality noticeably dipped following his substitution.

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Arne Engels 6

The Belgian midfielder made his first start since February. A positive development for Celtic. He struck the woodwork with a powerful effort. Cautioned by the referee.

Callum McGregor 7

The skipper has faced scrutiny recently, but his knowhow proved crucial on this occasion to maintain Celtic’s rhythm. Consistently made himself available.

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Benjamin Nygren 7

The Swedish forward often faces accusations of being one-dimensional. He displayed greater versatility in this match. Posed a significant danger and found the net.

Yang 6

Proved a constant menace down Celtic’s right flank. Gave St Mirren’s defence plenty of headaches. Delivered an excellent ball for Ralston’s strike.

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Daizen Maeda 8

Operated centrally. The tactical switch paid dividends as he opened the scoring. His speed troubled the opposition throughout and gave St Mirren no breathing space.

Sebastien Tounekti 6

The wide player’s form can fluctuate. This ranked amongst his better displays. Fashioned several chances for teammates. Celtic require this level of output regularly.

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Subs

James Forrest (Tounekti 61) Provided the delivery for Iheanacho’s strike 2.

Luke McCowan (Engels 74) Sealed victory with the fourth goal 3.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (McGregor 74) Subdued cameo 1.

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Kelechi Iheanacho (Yang 83) Completed the rout with a brace 5.

Marcel Saracchi (Tierney 83) Fulfilled his role 2

Dane Murray (Arthur 91) Helped close out proceedings 2.

St Mirren

Ryan Mullen 1 The goalkeeper endured a torrid quarter of an hour. A wayward clearance gifted Daizen Maeda the opening goal before he was forced off with a thigh problem.

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Mark O’Hara 6

Operating as wing-back, the skipper put in a tireless shift. Consistently looked to receive possession and surge forwards.

Alex Gogic 6

Typically combative at the centre of the St Mirren backline. Gave absolutely everything though he and his teammates eventually ran out of steam. Tough afternoon.

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Miguel Freckleton 6

His speed proved vital in enabling St Mirren to push higher up the pitch. Difficult to fathom how his side conceded so heavily by the final whistle.

Liam Donnelly 6

Usually deployed in midfield but stepped up amid the Buddies’ injury crisis. Didn’t disappoint his side. Advanced when his team chased an equaliser.

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Declan John 7

Outstanding throughout. The left-back delivered the run and delivery for Mandron’s goal. Got forward consistently and posed a genuine threat for St Mirren.

Allan Campbell 6

Has experienced something of a renaissance under Craig McLeish. Certainly grafted hard and covered plenty of ground to pressure Celtic. Cautioned.

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Jacob Devaney 6

The Manchester United loanee was eager to impress on the big occasion. Scrapped and battled for his side. Didn’t contribute much going forward.

Killian Phillips 6

Worked tirelessly and brought a physical presence for the Buddies. Thought he’d scored but saw it chalked off for handball.

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Mikael Mandron 7

Hampered by illness in the previous final. Was determined to feature in this one. Compensated with a clinical brace. Outstanding performance.

Jonah Ayunga 6

The towering forward worked tirelessly and kept the Celtic backline busy throughout. He wasn’t really afforded opportunities to showcase his best attributes. Withdrawn in the closing stages.

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Substitutes:

Grant Tamosevicius (Mullen 15) The youngster was exposed 3.

Roland Idowu (Phillips 74) Brought creativity 1.

Jake Young (Ayunga 74) Excellent touch for the leveller 2.

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Jayden Richardson (Campbell 74) Provided speed down the right flank 2.

Conor McMenamin (Donnelly 82) Failed to make an impact 1.

Scott Tanser (John 106) Had limited influence 1.

Referee assessment: Matthew McDermid. While he frequently faces scrutiny, he managed proceedings effectively.

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Star performer: Kelechi Iheanancho. Transformed the match with his brace in extra-time. The ultimate impact substitute narrowly edged Mandron for the accolade.

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Wrestling icon Van Hammer dies as tributes paid to star who will ‘always be remembered’

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Daily Mirror

A top wrestler suddenly died at the age of 66 with the cause of his death currently unknown. Van Hammer – whose real name was Mark Hildreth – competed for WWE and WCW but was best known for his glory days in the latter as one of its ‘heavy metal’ stars.

Friends and former colleagues including Marc Mero and Diamond Dallas Page posted tributes to Hildreth, who died today (Sunday 19 April). One fan tweeted: “REST IN PEACE VAN, YOU WERE AN AWSOME WRESTLER.” An autopsy is expected soon.

Mero, 65, who has competed in the ring under his real name and as Johnny B. Badd, broke the news online, writing: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend, Mark Hildreth, known to so many as Van Hammer.

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READ MORE: Adam Thomas issues shocking statement on I’m A Celeb saying ‘David broke me’READ MORE: Newlyweds Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner kiss in unseen snaps from £250k wedding weekend

“At this time, we are still awaiting answers regarding the cause, pending an autopsy. Mark was a fighter in every sense of the word. Life threw its share of challenges his way, but he had a resilience about him… he always found a way to rise, to push forward, to keep going.

“I have so many incredible memories with him that I’ll carry forever. We first met while he was vacationing in Venice, Florida, working out at a local gym.

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“Not long after, I got the call from Dusty Rhodes [another legendary wrestler, who died in 2015] to come to his office the next day. Mark didn’t hesitate, he drove me eight hours so I could sign my very first contract with World Championship Wrestling.

“That’s the kind of person he was loyal, selfless, and always there when it mattered most. We went through wrestling school together, chased the same dream, and before long, he earned his own contract.

“We even lived together in Atlanta, training, grinding, and building a life around the passion we both shared. We were also chosen to help promote WCW for the United Kingdom Tour, doing countless personal appearances, television spots, and even promotional work alongside Gladys Knight.

“Those were unforgettable moments… times I’ll never forget. My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and the fans who supported him throughout his journey.

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He concluded: “Rest easy, my friend. You will always be remembered.”

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Nominations open for 2026 North Yorkshire Community Awards

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Nominations open for 2026 North Yorkshire Community Awards

North Yorkshire Council has opened nominations for its annual Community Awards, which celebrate the organisations and individual volunteers who dedicate their time to improving the lives of others.

The awards scheme recognises the impact of voluntary work across the county, and this year introduces two new categories.

Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said: “The Community Awards are a fantastic way of honouring the everyday heroes who improve the lives of residents in so many aspects.

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“Every year, we hear inspiring stories from those who send in nominations, spanning our urban and rural areas, and from differing backgrounds.

“We want to keep our categories fresh to shine a spotlight on relevant topics.

“This time we are showcasing the importance of wellbeing and inclusivity among communities, and we want as many people as possible to nominate local champions.”

The closing date for nominations is July 5.

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The first of the new categories is wellbeing and community connection, which recognises organisations or groups who help people feel healthier, more connected, and included, with a focus on physical and mental wellbeing.

The second, inclusive communities, is for groups working to bring people together and support them to thrive, such as by removing technological or physical barriers to participation.

The commitment to the community category, which honours individual volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, also returns this year.

Last year’s winner of the collaborative spirit category, Malton Free Fridge, is a volunteer-run scheme where unpaid volunteers collect food six days a week that would otherwise be wasted from local businesses, supermarkets, gardens and allotments, and distribute it to any taker.

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Lindsay Wrightson, chair and founder of the project, said: “The award gave our volunteers more confidence in what they are doing and an increased look at the wider community they serve, therefore opening their eyes to more possibilities.”

Share Skipton was named the winner in the community impact category.

The organisation runs a “library of things” where residents can borrow useful household items at low cost and hosts a repair café where items can be fixed by volunteers for free.

Jill Coupe, project coordinator at Share Skipton, said: “After being nominated, the team was both surprised and thrilled to be selected as the winner.

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“It celebrates the incredible efforts of our dedicated volunteers, as well as the growing number of residents embracing our services to share, reuse, mend, and learn.

“This award has helped raise awareness of Share Skipton.

“It has been an amazing year, and we are very grateful to North Yorkshire Council for their support.”

Angela Monaghan, founder and chair of the trustees at Share Skipton, said the recognition highlighted the group’s practical approach to both social and environmental concerns.

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She said: “In a time of rising costs and climate urgency, we are offering practical solutions that bring people together and prove that sustainable living and stronger communities go hand in hand.

“The recognition marks a significant milestone for the organisation and highlights the positive impact of grassroots community initiatives in addressing both environmental and social challenges.”

The winner of each category will receive £1,000 for the project, group or nominated relevant local charity in the case of the volunteer awards, while two runners-up in each category will receive £250. Each finalist will receive a trophy and a framed certificate.

All finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony on October 16, at the North Yorkshire Wider Partnership Conference, held at the Pavilions of Harrogate, North Yorkshire Showground.

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Will Arsenal’s lack of ruthless match-winner cost them the title?

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Mikel Arteta on touchline

It is rare for a team to be challenging for the title without a forward in the conversation for team of the season, but it is difficult to argue against the fact that is where Arsenal are.

Man City’s Haaland and Antoine Semenyo will undoubtedly be in contention for the end-of-the-season awards while past title-winners have boasted the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Didier Droga.

Arsenal‘s available forward options of Gyokeres, Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Eze and Gabriel Jesus undoubtedly have their strengths – but it feels a stretch to call any of them ruthless match-winners.

The all round play of Gyokeres has been questioned and he is often only effective against sides that aren’t at the top end of the table.

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Havertz’s opening goal was his first of the season, Leandro Trossard has not scored for 22 games, Madueke has two league goals, while Eze has six – but five of those have come in two matches against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal were also without Bukayo Saka, who missed out with an Achilles injury, but despite usually being one of Arsenal‘s most reliable forwards, his numbers are down this season.

Arteta’s side have been criticised throughout the season for their style of play with their strengths being their threat from set-pieces and their excellence in defending the cornerstones.

At times throughout the season, Arsenal have struggled to create chances and that is reflected in their goals from open play.

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Arsenal have 35.8 expected goals from open play this season – sixth in the league. Manchester City are second (42.1) with Chelsea top (43.2).

“Teams were starting to get scared of Arsenal‘s set-pieces,” former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“This is great when you get points but the more and more time goes on, you start to rely on this and start to feel comfortable with this. You don’t concede many goals, you don’t create many goals but you get those chances where you feel like you are going to score.

“The message you are giving is, ‘don’t worry guys, stay strong and if we get set-pieces we can count on that’.”

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And the former defender thinks if Arsenal played with a different style, their forwards would flourish.

“The more time that goes on, the less you think about how you are going to create and hurt people,” he said.

“It’s not about playing ‘free football’ and scoring five goals but I do feel with the players they signed over the summer, they could damage any team if you give them that freedom.

“I have just felt over the last few weeks, it feels like they are just not trying to make mistakes rather than trying to take risks and going for the win.”

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French actor Nathalie Baye dies at 77

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French actor Nathalie Baye dies at 77

PARIS (AP) — Nathalie Baye, a French actor who was a fan’s favorite for her her down-to-earth charm and great versatility, has died. She was 77.

French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to an actor “with whom we loved, dreamed and grew.” French media reported that Baye died on Friday in Paris from a neurodegenerative disease, quoting a statement from her relatives.

“We loved Nathalie Baye so much,” Macron wrote in a message on X. “Through her voice, her smiles, and her modesty, she accompanied the past decades of French cinema, from François Truffaut to Tonie Marshall.”

Baye featured in more than 80 movies, switching from mainstream comedies to auteur films with ease in a career that spanned over five decades. She twice claimed the prize for best actress at the Césars, France’s equivalent of the Oscars.

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Baye, who was Leonardo DiCaprio’s on-screen mother in Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can,” won both popular and critical acclaim for her role in “Venus Beauty Institute,” a romantic comedy that follows three women working in a Parisian beauty salon as they search for fulfilment. Marshall won the César award for best director in 2000 for the movie.

The daughter of artists, Baye first trained as a dancer then honed her acting skills at the famed Cours Simon and the Conservatoire. She took the spotlight in François Truffaut’s “Day for Night” in 1973 and, five years later, worked with him again on “The Green Room.”

Baye worked with directors Maurice Pialat, Claude Sautet and Bertrand Tavernier, among others. She rose to fame with “The Return of Martin Guerre” in 1982. A year later, her role as a tough-talking streetwalker devoted to her down-and-out gangster boyfriend Philippe Leotard in “La Balance” earned her a César.

Baye liked to work with emerging filmakers such as Xavier Beauvois. She won the César for best actress for his movie “The Young Lieutenant” in 2006.

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Alan Shearer makes confident title prediction after Arsenal’s defeat to Man City | Football

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Alan Shearer makes confident title prediction after Arsenal's defeat to Man City | Football
Alan Shearer is confident Arsenal will miss out on the title once again (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer has backed Manchester City to go on and win the Premier League after their statement 2-1 win over title rivals Arsenal.

Arsenal produced a spirited performance after a wretched run of just one win in their previous five contests in all competitions, but Erling Haaland’s second-half strike ultimately proved decisive at the Etihad.

Kai Havertz’s equaliser – gifted to Arsenal by Gianluigi Donnarumma – had given the visitors hope of a famous victory away from home, with the German’s effort cancelling out Rayan Cherki’s exquisite opener.

Mikel Arteta’s side were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal in the second half, though, ensuring hosts City – who have a game in hand over Arsenal – closed the gap at the summit to just three points of the leaders.

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The result means Pep Guardiola’s men will claim top spot if they get the better of struggling Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.

‘I believe today, I believe on Wednesday, I believed a week ago because I see them every day and I know the level that we have,’ Arteta told reporters shortly after Arsenal’s setback.

‘But today, if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. We are talking about it in the dressing room.

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
Haaland scored the decisive goal at the Etihad (Picture: Getty)
Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
Arsenal’s lead at the top has been cut to three points (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s a new league now. We have three points of advantage, they have the game in hand.

‘Everything is still to play for. We know how much we want it and we are not going to stop!’

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Arsenal will be desperate to get their title charge back on track when they return to action at home to an out-of-form Newcastle in just under a week’s time.

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
Havertz’s equaliser had given Arsenal hope of a famous victory (Picture: Getty)

Dissecting Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash on NBC Sports, ex-England and Newcastle striker Shearer said he saw a difference in Arsenal’s overall performance compared to their recent below-par displays.

But according to Shearer, the away team were made to pay for their wayward finishing as several chances came and went in the second period.

‘Where’s that [spirit] been for the last five or six weeks? That’s the big question,’ Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, explained.

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
City will go top with victory at Burnley in midweek (Picture: Getty)

‘Yes, they were much better in terms of energy, playing more on the front foot, creating chances, and they were much better than they have been, but they just fell short.

‘They had their chances and they didn’t take them. There was a great chance in the last minute for Kai Havertz, with a wonderful ball in, and he has to score that goal.

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‘That’s been the difference today unfortunately for Arsenal.’

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League
Guardiola’s men landed a significant blow on their title rivals (Picture: Getty)

Asked if he believes City will go on and win the title, Shearer replied: ‘Yeah, I always felt that if City won this game, with the form they’re in, with the experience that they have and the momentum they’ve got, I do believe they’ll now go on and win it.

‘It just feels like that. Looking at Erling Haaland, looking at their fans in the stadium and listening to it, you get that feeling that that’s exactly how they’re feeling as well.’

Shearer felt Arsenal missed a big opportunity to wrestle the momentum back in their favour when they stumbled at home to Bournemouth in their previous encounter.

Liverpool V Blackburn Rovers, Premier League
Shearer won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1995 (Picture: Getty)

He continued: ‘I thought their opportunity was last week against Bournemouth, particularly after winning in Sporting, I thought the momentum from that would have carried them on.

‘But it was such a weak, limp performance against Bournemouth and it’s very, very difficult, at whatever level of football you’re playing, to flick a switch and go again.

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‘You can’t just do that, you need momentum. And there’s one team with momentum at the minute and that’s Manchester City.’

Sheffield Wednesday FC v Plymouth Argyle FC - Sky Bet Championship
Arsenal remain the favourites, according to Rooney (Picture: Getty)

Wayne Rooney took an altogether different view to Shearer after the final whistle, though, insisting Arsenal remained in pole position despite their crushing loss in Manchester.

‘This title race is not over yet, I still feel like there are some more twists and turns to come,’ the former Manchester United and England forward said.

‘It is is obviously going to be tight but City have got one more game to try to win, so I still have Arsenal down as slight favourites.

‘I’ve been in this situation myself, where you need to win all your games for the title. You look at your games and you think well we should win this one, or that one, but it never pans out that way.

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Who will win the Premier League title?

‘From now until the end of the season it is just going to be down to which team keeps their composure the best – that’s who will win it.’

While he stopped short of agreeing with Rooney, Guardiola was keen to sound a note of caution and remind his ow players that winning the league from this position will be far from a forgone conclusion.

He said: ‘I don’t know, I didn’t think Arsenal were in bad momentum. In the Carabao Cup we were better.

‘Today we were really good. They came here after the defeat with hunger and we won. They are are so competitive, we know that. But at the same time, we are too.

‘The table speaks for itself. They have been the best. Congratulations to the guys, but don’t lose the focus.

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‘Wednesday is our game in hand and we can be there if we win. That’s what we have to do. Doing it will be so difficult because Everton or Brentford, or Aston Villa, Crystal Palace.

‘The games that we have. Bournemouth away. Last week they won in Emirates and Newcastle. It will be more difficult.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

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‘Very dark’ Disney+ murder mystery that’s perfect to binge in one go

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Wales Online

The new murder mystery series is perfect for a weekend binge-watch

If you’re a murder mystery enthusiast seeking a series to watchthis weekend, Disney+’s latest offering might be precisely what you’re after.

The show unfolds in sun-soaked Lisbon, Portugal, tracking a diverse group of holidaymakers whose break takes an extremely sinister twist – starting with a killing on day one.

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If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder chronicles a varied collection of Spanish tourists embarking on a week-long break in Lisbon. Following the murder of one member the day after they arrive, the four surviving travellers attempt to identify the culprit – and determine whether the killer walks among them.

The synopsis adds: “This team of devoted true-crime and mystery-novel fans will have to face the police, a roster of suspects, the threat of being expelled from the trip, and their own hidden truths as the days slip away before they have to leave Lisbon.”

READ MORE: Crime psychologist shares what to do if you hold this one common beliefREAD MORE: ‘Unpredictable’ crime show with 94% rating is streaming on Netflix

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With a solid IMDb score of 6.4 out of ten, the show, which was originally produced in Spanish, can be watched with English dubbing or subtitles. Spanish and Portuguese performers front the cast, featuring Álex García, Inma Cuesta, Ana Wagener, Pedro Casablanc and Biel Montoro, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The seven-episode series has garnered considerable praise, with The Guardian acknowledging that despite its ‘ludicrous’ premise, it delivers a ‘breezy crime-fighting adventure.’ Hello Magazine has dubbed it a ‘cosy crime’ drama, while the Daily Mail described the series as “fun to watch”. Fans of programmes like Only Murders In The Building will find If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder particularly appealing.

For those whose appetite for mystery remains unsated, Netflix is currently treating Agatha Christie enthusiasts to its Marple series, which has recently soared to the summit of the streaming service’s charts, according to the Daily Mail.

First aired between 2004 and 2014, the show sees the legendary sleuth Miss Marple come out of retirement. Geraldine McEwan played the titular character for the first three series, with Julia McKenzie taking over for the remaining three.

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Viewers will also spot recognisable faces throughout the programme, including Joanna Lumley, Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy Dalton. Additional appearances feature Keeley Hawes, Brian Cox, Richard Armitage and Amanda Holden, among others.

The show takes some artistic licence with Christie’s original works, occasionally placing Miss Marple into narratives where she didn’t initially feature.

One viewer commented on IMDb: “I love the original book, and I love this adaptation. All-star cast (best hits of the actors of Britain).

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“Naturally it’s very different to the original, but I enjoyed how it had been adapted, beautiful location as well!” Another viewer remarked: “I am an Agatha Christie scholar who has researched her work for years. Does that make me a better viewer? Not necessarily, but a more attentive one.

“I can honestly say this is one of the best TV adaptations and definitely worth 10 stars. It’s got everything and more. Please give it a chance and stop comparing it against other productions.”

If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder is available to stream now on Disney+ and Marple is available to stream on Netflix.

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Shoppers warned do not eat M&S greek yoghurt due to recall

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Shoppers warned do not eat M&S greek yoghurt due to recall

The supermarket is recalling its 500g pack of Authentic Greek Yoghurt with Vanilla as it’s “a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to gluten or have coeliac disease”, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The affected product has a use-by date of May 12, 2026 and barcode number 29308750.

M&S has issued the recall with a “do not consume” warning for anyone with a gluten allergy or intolerance.

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It added: “Customer safety is of paramount importance to Marks & Spencer, and we take food safety extremely seriously.”

M&S reassured customers that “only the displayed date codes are impacted” and “no other M&S products are affected.”

The supermarket issued an apology “for any inconvenience caused”.

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Food recalls explained


The FSA said: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or an intolerance to gluten or have coeliac disease, do not eat it.

“Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.

“For more information contact Marks & Spencer on 0333301-48555.”

What is a food recall?

The FSA explains what a food recall is: “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).

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“The FSA issues 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.

“This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”

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Have you shopped at M&S recently? Let us know your favourite items in the comments below.

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