Amanda Knox’s controversial Fringe show Cartwheel – named for the rumour that she did cartwheels at a police station after the death of Meredith Kercher – has earned rave reviews from audience members

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A controversial show by Amanda Knox, who was falsely imprisoned over the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007, has been described as “profoundly respectful” by audience members despite claims it “trivialises” violence against women.

She was convicted in 2009 of the murder and sexual assault of British foreign exchange student Ms Kercher, alongside her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. Ms Knox was eventually cleared in 2015.

Ms Knox performed the show, named Cartwheel, at the Edinburgh Fringe on Friday night.

The title refers to a story which claimed she did cartwheels in a police station following her friend’s death.

It has sparked controversy, with more than 6,000 people signing a petition calling for it to be cancelled. The sister of Ms Kercher said it “normalises and trivialises violence against women”.

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However, people leaving the show on Friday night said it was both “powerful” and “respectful”.

“I think that [Ms Knox] has every right to tell her story and to deal with her own grief and pain and what’s been taken from her in her own way,” a man, who didn’t want to be named, leaving the show said.

“She was profoundly respectful to the victim of the crime. She said that she never got the chance to express her own grief about what had happened, because as soon as the crime had happened, she was put in this position of having to defend herself. So I think that was important for her.”

The man said Ms Knox was also “genuinely funny”.

Nigel, in his 60s from London, also found it to be respectful.

“I thought it was really authentic – [Ms Knox] came across as quite powerful and carried the room,” he said.

“There was a lot of clapping and standing at the end, and a lot of laughter all the way through.”

Nigel added: “I thought it was an opportunity for her to tell her story in a very different environment.”

He also said that Ms Knox refers to Ms Kercher in the show as someone she had known as a friend.

Speaking to the Press Association, a man from Glasgow, who did not wish to be named, said the show is more about storytelling than it is about comedy.

“I was a wee bit hesitant about going along because I knew that there was controversy, and I understand Meredith Kercher’s family being concerned – I’ve got total sympathy for that – but having seen the show, there’s nothing in that show that is, you know, like offensive or demeaning to Kercher,” the man said.

“It’s trailed as a stand-up comedy, but it’s not a stand-up comedy show. There’s elements of humour in it, but it’s more about her story.”

A woman, from Edinburgh, who also did not want to be named, said the show is emotional, and nearly moved her to tears.

“The one very moving part was where she talks about her friend, her flatmate, Meredith, and that almost brought tears to my eyes,” she said.

“It was a very small part of the show, but it was basically the guilt that she actually feels about being here.”

Overall, the woman said the show was more about being a mother.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Ms Knox said: “Cartwheel is a show about motherhood, raising a daughter in a world that is unfair and dangerous for women, and what it costs to be the kind of mother who tells her the truth about that.

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“Neither the author of this petition nor anyone who signed it has seen Cartwheel.

“The petition contains many false assumptions and completely mischaracterises the show.

“Cartwheel honours Meredith Kercher’s memory and calls out the violence that was done to her and to me.

“A petition to cancel a show no one has seen on the grounds of false accusations intended to shame and vilify a wronged woman into silence is not an argument against Cartwheel.

“It’s a fairly precise description of what Cartwheel is about and why it deserves to exist.

“And the Edinburgh Fringe is the perfect place for a show like this.”

With the Moon still in Gemini, this weekend starts off with a social, curious energy.

People are gravitating towards Libra, Sagittarius, and Leo in particular, with interesting conversations holding the potential for lucrative opportunities.

For others, this transit will spark creativity or bring clarity to a situation that previously seemed overwhelming.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday August 8, 2026.

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

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

For the past 10 weeks, the planet of communication, Mercury, has been working its way through the emotional Cancer. This may have created some uncertainties around home, family, and personal strands, but also given you a great opportunity for reflection and to work through unresolved past events. Things are poised to speed up now, and clarity to improve.

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

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Today’s lively Gemini Moon encourages you to think more creatively about your resources, talents and earning potential. Positive conversations or a fresh idea can also spark an opportunity worth exploring. The Sun boosts your home and family sector, making this an excellent time to discuss plans, enhance your abode, or enjoy a gathering with loved ones.

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

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

With the Moon in your sign harmonising with the warmth of the Sun, your confidence can grow through meaningful conversations and new discoveries. Your words will have extra influence from now, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas or ask the questions that matter. Recently, everyday finances may have needed extra care; now things can speed up even more.

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

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

A quieter pace may suit you today, giving you space to reflect before taking your next step. Your instincts can guide you towards decisions that strengthen your finances or self-worth. Behind-the-scenes support or an encouraging conversation may remind you just how much progress you’ve already made, and a new idea to enhance finances can excite you.

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

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The Sun continues its journey through your sign, and today’s supportive Moon encourages you to connect with friends, colleagues and like-minded people. Shared goals can gather momentum quickly. Your enthusiasm, often infectious, has recently been slightly muted by Mercury’s long journey through a delicate area, but prepare to wow, to your fullest, Leo.

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

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

A supportive exchange with someone influential behind the scenes could open a door to opportunity. With your financial sector primed to improve and your networking skills having been to the fore over the last ten weeks, even if progress has felt a bit stop-and-start, your quiet dedication will have impressed. Past people and memories can also surface powerfully.

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

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Today’s upbeat influences encourage you to widen your horizons. Learning something new, making travel plans or connecting with people from different backgrounds could prove especially enriching. Friends may also play an important role by introducing you to new opportunities. Your popularity is also set to skyrocket, boosting your confidence no end.

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

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

A discussion about shared resources or business or career matters can come to the fore. Professionally, your determination continues to impress others, so don’t underestimate the positive impact of your steady commitment and resilience. Fortunately, your words will start to resonate with those in the know, springing open the doors of opportunity.

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

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Relationships benefit from warmth, wit and curiosity. Whether discussing future plans or simply enjoying someone’s company, you’ll likely find common ground more easily. A partner or close friend may encourage you to embrace an exciting opportunity. Shared adventures, learning, or travel plans are particularly well-starred and will accelerate from now.

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

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Productivity is often important to you and today receives a welcome boost — especially if you’re willing to tackle smaller tasks first, which frees up space for the big stuff. Be mindful of your wellbeing and daily routines. Sometimes your conscientiousness can see you stretched, so look to toggle your schedule. It will see you more energised and in control.

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

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Today’s energies highlight creativity, fun and self-expression. Whether you’re pursuing a hobby, spending time with friends or showcasing your gifts, your natural originality shines through. Someone can appreciate your unique perspective more than you might think. It’s crucial to enjoy life’s lighter moments when the opportunities arise, so feel good about this.

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

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Home, family, and emotional wellbeing come into focus, and today’s supportive influences will encourage positive conversations and practical solutions. Whether you’re organising your surroundings or reconnecting with people, small gestures can make a telling difference. Your ideas zone has been active; now convert the best of these into something lasting.

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

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

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

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

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The issue caused widespread disruption across Northern rail services, leading to cancellations of trains across Manchester and the North West.

Recently-elected Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has now announced that an inquiry into the incident has been ‘fast-tracked’.

Ms craig said: “Yesterday’s rail disruption impacted thousands of people and businesses across Greater Manchester – passengers were badly let down and it can’t happen again.

“I’ve spoken with both the rail minister and Network Rail. They are going to fast-track an indepndent inquiry into all aspects of the incident and how it was handled.

(Image: Network Rail)

“I understand that unexpected incidents can happen, but I’ve made clear that – in such events – there needs to be robust plans in place to keep trains running, and a better approach to supporting passengers to get where they need to go.”

Yesterday’s incident was caused by a ‘failure of the electricity supply at a rail communications centre,’ according to Network Rail, which affected rail signalling across the North West.

Many trains were cancelled, with problems lasting until the Friday morning (August 7).

The disruption impacted several train operators, including Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Merseyrail, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales.

The North East Community Forest and the Woodland Trust are working together on plans for a new woodland at South Park in Prudhoe, covering 6.87 hectares (16.97 acres).

Public consultation is under way before the proposal is finalised, with partners keen to hear from the local community about the plans.

If approved, 5,188 trees would be planted during the 2026–27 winter season, creating new wildlife habitat and increasing biodiversity.

The North East Community Forest said: “The woodland will be established and managed through a partnership between the local community, the Woodland Trust, and North East Community Forest.

“We are currently consulting with local stakeholders and the wider community before the proposal is finalised.”

Trees will be planted as 30cm “whips” but are expected to grow into mature woodland over time, forming a woodland edge as they mature. There will be a few ‘standard trees’ ranging from 1.2–2metres, planted alongside the new track on the site.

There will be continued public access to the site.

People can share comments, concerns, or relevant information by contacting info@necf.org.uk by Friday, August 7.

Further details are available at northeastcommunityforest.org.uk.

Counter terrorism police have confirmed the reopening of an old report

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The Ann Widdecombe murder investigation has turned a new corner as counter terrorism police confirm it has reopened an old report.

The force said it is looking into an attempted burglary incident in relation to the former MP which occurred at an address in Greater London in April last year.

It comes after Ann, 78, was found dead in her Dartmoor, Devon, home on July 9 with serious injuries.

While the investigation into her murder remains ongoing, Counter Terrorism Policing South East has said it is re-examining the old report. The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London investigated the report but no arrests were made and the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.

Since it was re-opened, CTP London has identified a line of inquiry “which may have been relevant” but was “not identified and pursued by them at the time”.

The CTP has now made a referral to the police watchdog as a result.

Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans said in a statement: “As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have re-opened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.

“In April 2025, the Metropolitan Police received a report of an attempted burglary at an address in the Greater London area.

“Enquiries were carried out by the Metropolitan Police, supported by Counter Terrorism Policing London.

“No arrests were made, and the investigation was subsequently closed, pending any new lines of enquiry.

“Following the re-opening of the attempted burglary investigation, Counter Terrorism Policing London identified a line of enquiry which was not identified and pursued by them at the time, which may have been relevant.

“As a result, to ensure their support to the initial investigation is thoroughly reviewed, Counter Terrorism Policing London made a mandatory conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today, Friday 7 August 2026.

“We will engage fully and comprehensively with the IOPC on this matter.”

She continued: “The victims and families in both investigations have been updated today, and we continue to support them.

“Given the nature of this matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, it was of critical importance for us to provide this update.

“We would urge the public, and the media, to help us to secure justice for those affected, and be mindful when sharing speculation or information not provided by police.”

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Temperatures will stay quite warm

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will draw to a close this weekend with Northern Ireland set for a mixed spell of weather.

Saturday is expected to start rather cloudy across much of the region, although there will be some hazy sunshine in the southeast during the morning.

It will remain dry for much of the day before some outbreaks of rain develop later. Temperatures will stay quite warm, with a maximum of 21 °C forecast.

That means those attending the penultimate day of Fleadh events could see a largely dry and warm afternoon, although rain is expected to become more of a factor as the day progresses.

The outlook becomes more unsettled on Sunday, with outbreaks of rain expected before conditions turn drier later in the day.

Monday and Tuesday are then expected to bring an improvement, with both days forecast to be dry and feature sunny spells. Temperatures are also expected to turn warmer.

Looking further ahead, the Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests a mixed start to the period between Wednesday, 12 August and Friday, 21 August

Rain or showers are expected in the north alongside some breezier conditions, while southern parts of the UK are forecast to remain mostly dry, sunny and hot, with temperatures potentially becoming very hot in some areas.

Southern areas are expected to turn cooler and fresher next weekend, before the weather becomes more changeable further into August.

The Met Office says areas of low pressure may begin to track further south and east, increasing the chance of frontal systems or thundery spells affecting southern and eastern parts of the UK.

However, rainfall amounts are expected to be variable, meaning some areas could continue to see relatively little rain.

Temperatures are forecast to remain above average overall, particularly in the south, where conditions could be very warm or hot at times.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of ex-MP Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into a report of an attempted burglary at a London address in April last year.

The BBC understands the reported incident occurred at a property used by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. No arrests were made and the investigation was closed.

On Friday Counter Terrorism Policing said a line of inquiry had been identified that was not “pursued by them at the time”.

Counter Terrorism Policing London has made a mandatory referral over its handling of the initial investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The Metropolitan Police had received a report of an attempted burglary in the Greater London area, the statement said, with the initial investigation carried out by the Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing London.

The BBC understands that the incident being referred to as an “attempted burglary” in the statement from Counter Terrorism Policing was one at Nigel Farage’s home in south London.

Farage has previously referred to it as a “lit incendiary device” being pushed through his letterbox.

Police had said “damage was caused to a door but nothing was stolen”.

The police watchdog has said it is investigating allegations that a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member “failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry” related to the attempted burglary.

“We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of enquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025.

“Counter Terrorism Policing London has been notified of our decision, and no further information is available at this early stage.”

Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon last month with serious injuries.

Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, was later charged with her murder.

Kerry was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on 11 July, before being additionally arrested on 13 July on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Widdecombe had served as Tory MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and was appointed to ministerial roles in Sir John Major’s government in the 1990s.

There are a selection of films being shown – including a shark movie

Film fanatics and swim lovers can experience the best of both worlds as a Cambridgeshire lido gears up to host a poolside movie night. For the first time, families and friends can pick from a selection of much-loved films – including The Meg – to watch while in the water or at the poolside.

The event, ‘Dine-in-Movies’ will take place on Saturday, August 8 at Peterborough Lido. With temperatures expected to reach 28C over the weekend, it’s the ideal time to be making the most of spending some time outdoors.

With a range of films being shown at different times of the day, there is something suitable for the whole family. Three water-themed films will be shown during the day including Finding Nemo, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and The Meg.

The showtimes are:

• 12pm – 3pm: Finding Nemo (U)
• 3.30pm – 6.30pm: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (PG)
• 7pm – 10pm: The Meg (12)

Movie-night snacks will also be available at the Lido Cafe serving hot hogs, nachos, popcorn, ice creams and drinks until 6pm.

Tickets for each film cost £12 for adults and £8 for children. Inflatable chairs will be available to buy from reception for £7. Deckchairs will also be available on poolside or participants are welcome to bring their own chair.

The play is a single actor monologue in a pitch black space with only actor and singer Claire Booth’s mouth in the spotlight.

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Sir Rufus Norris is to direct Samuel Beckett’s Not I play as part of an Irish-British celebration of the playwright.

The show for the inaugural Samuel Beckett Biennale will be the first UK production Sir Rufus has worked on since leaving his role as artistic director of the National Theatre last year

The play is a single actor monologue in a pitch black space with only actor and singer Claire Booth’s mouth in the spotlight.

Sir Rufus said, “I have always been terrified of Beckett. There is something so open and yet so unforgivingly precise in his writing, and this is never more so than in Not I.

“The text is everything and any attempt at understanding it, in the usual sense, risks compromising its utter integrity. Charting a course through it has been a profound lesson in trust and humility.

“To do so with Claire, however, has been a joy. Her rigour and precision, borne of her complete musical control, has enabled us to find both footholds and a bespoke palette within the vertiginous face of Beckett’s sensory assault.

“It is a masterpiece in miniature, compellingly untameable and poetically, viscerally transcendent.”

The biennale sees Beckett’s plays performed in locations such as his Dublin birthplace, his Enniskillen school, in England, Belfast and the Wicklow Hills.

Along with Not I, the event curated by Artists Over Borders will see a performance by Booth – who was last year’s Royal Philharmonic Society singer of the year – of Sequenza III by Luciano Berio, before Booth and Sir Rufus have a live conversation, followed by a selected text reading.

Other events for the biennale include a performed-reading production of Beckett’s Waiting For Godot, in a new Ulster-Scots translation, on the Antrim Plateau and in the Wicklow Hills.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Michigan lake sturgeon were already known as “living dinosaurs” – but they may be a lot older than you might think, according to a new study from Michigan and Wisconsin officials and universities.

Some of the spiny, whiskered females may live for as long as 427 years, the groups found, following an analysis of populations in the Great Lakes.

That’s nearly as long as the lifespan of Greenland sharks. The longest-lived vertebrates on Earth, Greenland sharks can live for up to 512 years while swimming through the dark, frigid depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

And the researchers’ estimate is also hundreds of years longer than researchers previously believed.

Past research capped the age of lake sturgeons – which have been on the fossil record for 150 million years – at 150.

To reach these conclusions, the researchers didn’t actually catch a fish that was that old. Instead, they did some math using 44 years of data on five different populations of lake sturgeon.

The team captured and measured the fish, determined their sex, and marked and released them. Then they would do it again in future years, measuring the growth of fish they had already caught.

Unlike humans, fish continue to get bigger as they age.

Lake sturgeon are already one of the largest freshwater fish in North America, reaching up to 200-300 pounds, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

And some sturgeon can grow bigger than others in environments with more prey, such as small fish and mollusks that they suck up from lake bottoms using their large, extendable mouth.

Using these measurements, the researchers could estimate how low the fish lived and what their growth rate was.

“Simply stated, we used this data to estimate lake sturgeon longevity by asking ‘If a lake sturgeon grows X centimeters per year, then how many years does it take for a lake sturgeon to get to a particular size?’” the department explained in a release.

They related sturgeon growth rate to the size of the fish, finding that males that were 63 inches long could live between 90-279 years and larger 71-inch females could live between 99-427 years.

“We’ve concluded that sturgeon live far longer lives than initially thought based on looking at growth rings and fin ray cross sections,” Edward Baker, manager of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Marquette Research Station, told News Channel 3.

Baker noted that less than one percent of the historic population of over two million lake sturgeon remain in the Great Lakes.

Understanding how long these fish live is important for the conservation of their species and habitats, the department says.

Lake sturgeon mature later than other fish and females may not reproduce until they are 15-25 years old. That means strict protections for the species are crucial to ensure their population can rebound.

The sturgeon were nearly wiped out by fishermen in the late 1800s, the station noted. There are still harvests allowed – but last year’s was only six, the department said.

“It sort of reinforces the need to be very restrictive in what we allow in terms of harvesting,” Baker said. “It’s not a fish that we just allow anybody to go out and catch as many as they want.”

But the species is also considered threatened by human pollution, infrastructure and climate change, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

The non-profit said it was suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service earlier this year after Endangered Species Act protections were denied for lake sturgeon in 2024.

President Donald Trump recently said he’d move to roll back protections under the 1973 law.