Meet the remarkable blind horse tipped to become a dressage champion after learning an extraordinary form of equine ‘braille’.

Milo, a 15-year-old Appaloosa, has stunned judges and spectators by returning to the show ring despite losing sight in both eyes.

The 16-hand gelding relies on a unique combination of touch, hearing and rider cues to navigate his surroundings after being struck down by a devastating eye condition.

Owner Megan Share, 28, says Milo uses the feel of the ground beneath his hooves to build a picture of the world around him.

Since returning to competitions last year, Milo has won two horse showing events but now has his sights set on returning to the elite dressage ring – competing against sighted horses.

Megan, who runs Debdale Riding School in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, said: ‘He interprets my pressure on him but he also uses his own pressure of his hooves on the ground surface for his spatial awareness.

‘He’s using his hearing and feel of touch with his feet to feel along the ground, it is like a braille technique.’

Megan has owned Milo since he was just three years old and spent years competing with him before tragedy struck.

After suffering from uveitis, a severe eye condition, he lost sight in both eyes at age 13 despite two surgeries

He navigates using an extraordinary combination of elevated hearing, rider cues, and spatial awareness developed by feeling ground pressure beneath his hooves (a technique likened to reading Braille)

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The horse went blind at the age of 13 after suffering from uveitis, a serious eye disease that eventually took the sight in both eyes.

Despite two operations on his left eye, vets were unable to save his vision. 

Against all odds, Milo returned to competition last year and even claimed first place at the Royal Windsor Show for the eighth year running.

Now Megan believes he is ready to take the next step into dressage, often described as ‘ballet on horseback’ because of its precise and controlled movements.

If successful, Milo will become the first blind horse ever to compete in a dressage event.

Megan said: ‘Now he’s won most of the shows he’s competed in this year. We’ve done the Appaloosa Breed Show and he’s already won that.

To help Milo compete at such a high standard, Megan has developed a unique communication system built on trust, voice commands and physical signals.

She said: ‘When we’re walking in areas when I’m not riding him we tell him up or down for steps and then slow down.

Megan acts as Milo’s ‘eyes,’ employing precise voice commands (‘up,’ ‘down,’ ‘slow down’), firm rein and leg aids, and core/seat movements to guide him continuously

Since returning to the ring, he has maintained a dominant streak, including winning at the Appaloosa Breed Show and claiming first place at the Royal Windsor Horse Show for the eighth consecutive year

He is set to compete in upcoming summer shows as he works toward qualifying for prestigious events like the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Show

‘We talk to him like he’s a human. We click at him to go a little bit more assertive, he listens more than he ever did. 

‘Everyone is astounded, when we do go out, people are shocked that this could even happen.

‘There can’t be any other blind horses competing at this level in the world. I’m extremely proud of him.’

Milo is due to compete at an Appaloosa show and the Denbigh and Flint Show in August before taking on qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Show.

Deep Purple singer-musician Glenn Hughes said Tuesday he is retiring from touring as he prepares to undergo heart surgery.

The 74-year-old musical artist ‘has made the difficult decision to step back from live performances for the foreseeable future,’ a statement on his Facebook page read.

The Cannock, England native said that he has ‘had some health issues’ over the ‘past year’ which he is focusing on, moving forward.

‘The results from numerous MRIs, CT scans, and an echocardiogram have alerted my medical team, that I need another open-heart surgery,’ Hughes said. ‘I really have no option and no choice as health is my number one priority.’

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said he is ‘grateful to have been chosen with a life full with the gift of music,’ adding, ‘Thank you for walking beside me.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Hughes for further comment on the story.

Hughes in his early years had been influenced by a variety of musical styles and genres, ranging from the Beatles to the hard rock stemming out of England and the Motown style popular in the U.S., according to Blabbermouth.

He gained prominence with the group Trapeze in the 1970s before his 1973 addition to Deep Purple, which also featured David Coverdale joining the band.

The group achieved success with the new lineup with a trio of album releases including 1974’s Burn, 1974’s Stormbringer and 1975’s Come Taste the Band, prior to that incarnation splitting up in 1976.

Hughes and his colleagues in Deep Purple had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Hughes’ latest show came this past May 30 at St. Charles, Illinois’ Arcada Theatre with the band The Dead Daises, playing as The Purple Daises, including a mix of songs from Deep Purple, the outlet reported. 

Hughes in January 2026 cited health issues in canceling a spring tour in the U.S. titled The Chosen Years, the outlet reported, which would have featured tracks from his work in Deep Purple, Trapeze, Hughes/Thrall, Iommi/Hughes and Black Country Communion.

Søren Andersen had been slated to play guitar while Ash Sheehan was the scheduled drummer for the tour, in which Hughes was lead vocalist and bassist.

Hughes had a busy 2025, as in September, he released a solo album titled Chosen, which included accompanying videos for the titular track in addition to the songs Voice In My Head and Into The Fade, according to the outlet.

L-R: Glenn Hughes, Ian Paice, David Coverdale (at back), Ritchie Blackmore and the late Jon Lord pictured on 1974 US tour 

Hughes pictured in concert in Milan, Italy in 2017 

He spent the majority of the fall season touring locales in Europe and South America, spanning from a September 2 concert in Zoetermeer, Netherlands to the concluding show in Bogota, Colombia on November 29.  

Hughes in 1977 released his initial solo record Play Me Out, which would be the first of a dozen studio albums he would release in ensuing years.

He collaborated with guitar player Pat Thrall for the band Hughes/Thrall, which was the name of the group’s 1982 album.

Other notable names Hughes has worked with in multiple capacities – singing, writing or playing bass – include Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Gary Moore and John Norum; the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Dave Navarro, Chad Smith and John Frusciante; and famed guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, the outlet reported.

He and Iommi had worked again on the 2025 single Rocket from Robbie Williams.

The pub, on Stokesley Road, Marton, Middlesbrough, has been closed since July 27 for a revamp.

The renovation work is expected to be completed this month and the aim is to reopen the pub by August 22.

The pub will continue to offer live music, sports events, and in-pub darts.

Greene King, who own the pub, said: “The upgrades are intended to enhance both the interior and exterior of the pub, introducing modern-day comforts for patrons to enjoy.”

The Rudds Arms will also introduce a new function space available for private hire.

The pub is popular with punters and has previously received glowing reviews.

One said: “Had a lovely meal here today.

“We use this pub regularly and the reason being the atmosphere and the team who work there.

“They are fab.

“They are all so friendly and accommodating.

“Well done team Rudd’s.”

The pub is recruiting for both full and part-time positions in the kitchen and bar.

The Rudds Arms has urged customers to browse menus and book ahead for the reopening via the Greene King app.

A police cordon is currently in place in Gorton following the crash

Emergency services have been rushed to Gorton following reports of a car crashing into a house.

Greater Manchester Police have cordoned off Hyde Road in Gorton after the car hit the house at approximately 9:36pm tonight (August 5).

Motorists are being asked to avoid the area where possible due to a number of road closures in place around the area.

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In a statement issued tonight (August 5), GMP said enquiries are ongoing as they try to establish the full circumstances around the collision.

A spokesperson for GMP said: “We are currently responding to reports of a collision involving a car and a house on Hyde Road, Manchester, that occurred at approximately 9:36pm tonight (5 August).

“Emergency services are at the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Road closures are in place so please avoid the area where possible.”

A day out at the beach is the ideal retreat during the summer, and there’s one unspoilt shore with stretches of soft, golden sand and colourful beach huts not far from Cambridge

There’s one pristine beach near Cambridge that I highly recommend visiting – and it’s not Holkham.

Cambridge is home to the scenic River Cam, lined with houseboats, rowers, and picturesque walking routes, along with the sprawling Jesus Green and Parker’s Piece parks. Not to mention the majestic medieval architecture that lines the university city, with King’s College Chapel and the Mathematical Bridge among the most notable landmarks.

Yet despite its picture-postcard setting and city offerings, we sometimes crave a trip to the beach, especially in the summer. Luckily for us, Cambridge is well-positioned and within easy reach of the beautiful Norfolk coastline, with many of its beaches less than two hours away.

One beautiful beach nestled along the Norfolk shore, which is by far my favourite, is Wells-next-the-Sea. The golden, soft-sand beach stretches for miles, and is lined with more than 200 stilted, pastel-coloured beach huts that only add to its unspoilt seaside charm.

Its sweeping beach means it rarely feels overcrowded, with ample space for kids to run around, build sandcastles, kick a ball around, or fly a kite. There’s the opportunity to dip toes into the shallow, although brisk waters, but it’s a must on any visit, and is a haven for strolls along the sand shore, which I love best.

Strikingly, Wells-next-the-Sea is also backed by pine forests, which not only enhance its scenic setting but also offer a welcoming retreat in the shade during those balmy summers. Parts of the beach are also dog-friendly, and I’ll often walk from Wells-next-the-Sea all the way down to its neighbour, Holkham Beach.

Along this route, I’ll often wander along the golden shore, passing the rolling sand dunes at Holkham, before turning around to walk through stretches of the majestic pine forest, which is hard to believe is adjacent to the sandy beach. Back at Wells-next-the-Sea, it’s easy to simply sit and admire the pristine coastline that lies less than a two-hour drive from Cambridge.

While it might just be the most scenic spot for a beach picnic, the Wells Beach Café, located at the end of Beach Road, offers everything from bacon or sausage baps, pasties, pizzas, cake, coffee and, of course, ice cream. And during those colder months, it’s a welcoming sanctuary, where you can warm up with a hot chocolate and grab a puppuccino for the pooch.

After exploring the beach, that’s if you can tear yourself away, the town of Wells-next-the-Sea is equally as inviting. The small seaside town has a population of just over 2,000 residents, and is known for its bustling quayside.

The harbourside is where you’ll spot kids crabbing off the jetty, fishermen bringing in their catch of the day, and visitors sitting under the sun while sharing a dish of fish and chips. There are a few independent shops to explore in the town, along with a selection of eateries, and you really won’t have to go far to find a decent chippy or ice cream shop.

Elsewhere, there are coffeehouses such as GROUND and Nelson’s coffee shop, the tearoom, No. 57, and Arthur Howell Bakery. If you’d rather extend your stay in the seaside destination, there are plenty of holiday homes available to book, including cosy cottages, or there’s the option to book a trendy stay at the four-star The Crown Hotel or The Globe Inn.

However long you decide to stay in Wells-next-the-Sea, you certainly won’t be disappointed, with its pristine beach enough to warrant a visit.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Neighbours said they spotted the teen going door-to-door with a large knife on Monday night before police were called at around 10pm

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A teenager who terrorized a neighbourhood while going door-to-door dressed in a creepy clown outfit has been accused of murdering a pensioner.

A 15-year-old boy was taken into custody by police after John Wesley Allen Sr, 76, was stabbed several times in the US state of Illinois. Police were called to a residential neighbourhood in East St. Louis at around 10pm on Monday (August 3), following reports of a body lying at the roadside. The body was later identified as the pensioner, with a coroner later ruling the man had died from multiple stab wounds. A 15-year-old boy was arrested by the Illinois State Police on Tuesday in connection with the elderly man’s death. It has since been revealed the teenager had been spotted in the neighbourhood earlier on Monday, traumatising locals by whispering creepy threats through people’s front doors while dressed as a spooky clown. Ring doorbell footage that has since been posted to social media – which carries a timestamp of around about 9pm, or, about an hour before police were called to the scene – shows a person dressed as a clown approach a home in East St. Louis.

The menacing clown can be seen sauntering up to the front door before leaving the audio message: “I’ve been looking for you.” In other doorbell camera footage obtained by NBC affiliate KSDK, a man can be seen looking into the camera and saying, “I have a gift for you.” Neighbours told the TV station they saw the teen going door-to-door with a large knife on Monday night. Corrine Spry revealed she was sitting on her back porch with her family when she first spotted the clown roaming the neighbourhood, twirling a knife. She watched him roam the area for about 45 minutes before police arrived.

“He was up to no good,” she said. “We’re pretty positive he circled back around in these woods because you could hear the sticks breaking.” Lee Palmer told local news broadcaster First Alert 4 that his mother was at the home alone when the menacing clown appeared on her front porch. The person lingered on the property for several minutes and even went behind the house, Palmer added. “I couldn’t believe it. He was dressed in the clown outfit. That was kind of spooky for her.”

He stated that he feared for his mother’s safety and worried that the masked stranger may have been armed. “He’s going to kill everybody in the house,” Palmer said, explaining his thought process at the time. “Why out of all the houses, why come to this house?” Palmer added: “He was not in the right state of mind to walk on somebody’s porch like that. It’s just unimaginable.” Illinois State Police now say they have arrested a 15-year-old suspect who they believe to have been seen on surveillance video wearing a clown costume.

They have not released details about what led to the killing or what brought the teen to the neighbourhood. Police said in a statement: “Video footage of the suspect dressed in a clown costume has been circulating and ISP is currently working to collect all relevant video.” Investigators have urged anyone with information or more CCTV or other surveillance footage of the clown-clad suspect to contact them.

The popular venue located on Hospital Road is hosting special family-friendly pool party sessions featuring exciting inflatables for children to enjoy in its indoor swimming pool.

Each event, scheduled for August 12 and 26, will feature two one-hour sessions running from 12pm to 1pm and 1pm to 2pm, and promise to provide a fun-filled afternoon of swimming and entertainment during the summer holidays.

Tickets cost £5 per person and children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.

Families are encouraged to book early as spaces are limited.

Anything that increases mankind’s knowledge is welcome, so the data generated by the impact will understandably be eagerly examined.

But should there be any other intelligent life anywhere else in the universe, they might also examine this incident to see what they could learn about mankind.

They would immediately see that this strange creature has filled the atmosphere of its own planet, Earth, with noxious fumes and saturated its oceans with undecayable plastic. It has even covered its beaches in the beautiful North East with millions of nurdles (and that’s without looking at whatever the water companies are pumping out today).

Not content with that, this creature is now filling up the orbit around its Earth with rubbish. The European Space Agency estimates that there are 54,000 pieces of debris larger than 10cms spinning around Earth and there are 140m fragments – in total, we’ve left about 15,800 tonnes (the equivalent of 40 jumbo jets) up there.

So an outer space life form would conclude that this man is negligently untidy.

Looking carefully, this life form would see plumes of smoke rising from the European wildfires which show how man has harmed his own planet so badly that it is now burning beneath his feet and then, not content with that, it would see that this hideous creature is now turning on its harmless neighbour, the Moon, firing junk into it as if it were some giant space pinball game.

And this intelligent life form would conclude that man is an arrogant so-and-so who is not as intelligent as he thinks he is.

The concerns raised in this article by interviewees relate to the use of AI-powered recruitment tools more broadly and are not directed at any single provider.

Workday, the maker of popular AI-powered human resources software, is facing claims, external that it violated Californian law thousands of times by ​weeding out job applicants at many major companies for discriminatory reasons.

The case is proceeding, with a ruling expected later this year.

The BBC contacted Workday, which said the claims in the suit were false, adding that its tools don’t make hiring decisions.

More generally, Workday highlights that its recruitment tools help recruiters identify candidates who best match a job description based on their skills and experience, supporting rather than replacing human judgement.

The company said its AI was “rigorously tested” through its Responsible AI programme and “does not consider traits such as age or gender”.

Workday added that, when used responsibly, AI can help qualified candidates avoid “getting lost in the pile”.

A government spokesperson said “While AI can help employers manage large volumes of applications and reduce administrative burdens, it is vital that recruitment processes remain fair, transparent and accessible.

“Existing legal protections, including equality and data protection law, already apply to AI systems, and we will act where additional protections are needed.”

A spokesperson for Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said AI presented both opportunities and challenges, particularly as women are more likely to work in AI-exposed roles. They said the mayor had backed recommendations from the London AI and Jobs Taskforce to help employers adopt AI responsibly and support workers through the transition.

As for Stacey, she has set up a community chat and platform to help women feel less alone, and to help companies address the issues in question.

“I want us, as a group, to be heard and seen. And for gendered ageism to become a thing of the past.

“Because if we’re lucky, we all get old.”

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk

A new study found many Scottish teenagers are preparing for a future where AI plays a bigger role

More than half of Scottish teenagers are actively looking to learn skills they believe artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace, according to new research. Findings suggest young people are already adapting their career ambitions to a rapidly changing job market.

A survey of more than 500 secondary school pupils aged between 13 and 18 found that 55 per cent are seeking to develop skills they believe AI will never be able to replicate. Meanwhile 60 per cent said they are excited to learn skills that work alongside the technology.

The study, commissioned by Glasgow Kelvin College to mark National Opportunity Day 2026, also found that AI is already influencing career decisions, with half (50 per cent) of respondents saying it has made them rethink their future job aspirations.

More than half (53 per cent) said their school had encouraged them to use AI because of the opportunities it offers, which shows just how quickly the technology has become embedded in school education.

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Results show AI is now a routine part of everyday life for Scottish teenagers. Half of those surveyed said they pay for a premium AI service, while 58 per cent believe they know when to use AI and when they should challenge themselves without it.

The research also found that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) question what they see online more often because of the rise of AI, while 56 per cent believe they are good at spotting AI-generated images, writing and social media content.

Artificial intelligence is also being used frequently by young people. More than nine in 10 (92 per cent) said they use AI at least two or three times a week, while just one per cent said they never use it. Half use the technology at least once a day, including nine per cent who said they use AI three or more times daily.

When asked how they use AI, almost a third (32 per cent) said they rely on it to find information or answer everyday questions. Around 29 per cent use it for homework, while 28 per cent use it to explain topics they do not understand.

Others use AI to revise for exams (26 per cent), generate creative ideas (24 per cent), for entertainment (22 per cent), writing emails or messages (21 per cent) and coding or computer programming (20 per cent).

Despite embracing the technology, many teenagers believe practical people focused careers will remain the safest from AI.

Plumber topped the list of careers respondents considered to be “AI-proof”, chosen by 31 per cent of those surveyed, followed by electrician and hairdresser or barber (30 per cent), nurse (29 per cent), mechanic and social worker (27 per cent).

Chef and engineer were both selected by 26 per cent, while teacher and joiner each received 23 per cent. Meanwhile just 1.7 per cent believed no career would be safe from AI.

However, research shows that there is mixed feeling within young people about the future. More than half (54 per cent) believe AI will create opportunities for their careers, while 55 per cent said they know it will affect their future but are not worried about it. Although there is still concern among young Scots.

More than half (56 per cent) of Scottish teens said they worry about AI’s impact on their career prospects, with the same per cent of people believing it could make finding a job more difficult.

Robin Ashton, Vice Principal of Curriculum and Quality Enhancement at Glasgow Kelvin College, said the findings show teenagers are thinking carefully about how AI will shape their futures.

He said: “What stands out from these findings is just how switched on young people are to AI and the impact it is likely to have on their future. They aren’t simply using the technology, many are already thinking about where it can help them, where they need to rely on their own abilities and, importantly, which human skills are likely to become more valuable as AI develops.

“There is sometimes a tendency to talk about young people as though AI is something happening to them, but these findings paint a more nuanced picture. This is a generation growing up with technology and learning how to navigate it.

“That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges young people themselves recognise the risks of becoming over-reliant on AI and are concerned about what it could mean for employment – but they are also questioning what they see online, thinking about when AI is useful and considering how their own skills will need to evolve.”

Ashton continued: “That is where colleges have an increasingly important role to play. Glasgow Kelvin College gives people the opportunity to develop the practical, technical and interpersonal skills employers need, while also learning how emerging technologies can complement those skills.

“National Opportunity Day is about encouraging people to look at the opportunities available to them and think differently about where their talents could take them. As the world of work changes, having the confidence and skills to adapt will become more important than ever.”

National Opportunity Day was created by Glasgow Kelvin College to showcase the range of education, training and career opportunities available to people of all ages.

Originally launched to “recognise that opportunity does not follow a single path – and that education, skills and progression should be accessible at every stage of life.”

The campaign now aims to encourage people to consider different pathways into education and employment as the workplace continues to evolve alongside advances in AI.